Mixed Deck — All AB Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real AB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All AB Topics flashcards as text
At night, a vessel engaged in fishing and making way shows which lights in addition to its sidelights?
Answer: Red over white all-around lights
Rule 26 requires a vessel engaged in fishing to show an all-around red light over an all-around white light plus sidelights when making way.
A 'back splice' is used to:
Answer: Permanently finish and prevent unlaying of a rope's end
A back splice turns the strands back into the rope in a crown knot start, preventing the end from unraveling without adding much bulk.
How should vessels pass when meeting head-on?
Answer: Alter to starboard
COLREGs Rule 14, concerning head-on situations, states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard. This action ensures that each vessel passes on the port side of the other, effectively preventing a collision.
What does a thermal imaging camera (TIC) allow firefighters to do aboard a ship?
Answer: Detect hidden heat sources and hot spots through smoke
A TIC detects infrared radiation and displays heat signatures, allowing firefighters to locate victims or hot spots through dense smoke.
What is the purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code?
Answer: To provide an international standard for safe ship management and pollution prevention
The ISM Code establishes an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and pollution prevention.
When conducting an abandon ship drill, how often must these drills be held according to SOLAS?
Answer: Once per month
SOLAS requires abandon ship and fire drills to be held at least once a month on vessels engaged on international voyages.
During your watch you receive a SECURITE call on VHF Channel 16. This call indicates:
Answer: A navigational or meteorological warning of importance to mariners
SECURITE is the safety signal used to precede messages about navigational or meteorological hazards that are important to all mariners.
A CO2 fixed fire suppression system has been activated in the cargo hold. When is it safe to re-enter?
Answer: Only after the space has been ventilated and tested with a gas detector
Re-entry into a CO2-flooded space is only permitted after thorough ventilation and confirmation by an approved gas detector that oxygen levels are safe.
Before using a portable electric power tool on deck, a seaman should FIRST:
Answer: Inspect the tool, cord, and plug for damage and verify the voltage rating
Inspecting the tool, cord, and plug for visible damage before use prevents electrocution and equipment failure.
How long must a lifeboat's propulsion system be capable of operating in still water at full load?
Answer: 24 hours
SOLAS requires lifeboat engines to have sufficient fuel to operate for 24 hours at 6 knots.
When taking a vessel's mooring lines to a dock, the correct order for making fast is typically:
Answer: Bow line, stern line, springs, then breast lines
Standard practice is to first secure the bow and stern lines to prevent the vessel drifting away, then springs and breast lines to fine-tune position.
Which type of immersion suit must be donned within how many seconds according to SOLAS requirements?
Answer: 60 seconds
SOLAS requires that an immersion suit must be capable of being donned in not more than 2 minutes (some older standards reference 60 seconds for certain suits).
Polyester (Dacron) line is preferred over nylon for running rigging because it:
Answer: Has very low stretch, maintaining precise sail trim
Polyester's minimal stretch keeps running rigging responsive and prevents sails from losing shape when loads change.
Which term describes the tendency of a vessel to turn her bow into the wind when underway?
Answer: Weather helm
Weather helm is the tendency of a vessel's bow to turn toward the wind, requiring corrective helm to maintain a straight course.
What is the minimum number of immersion suits required on a US-flagged vessel?
Answer: One for every person on board
US regulations require at least one immersion suit for every person on board a vessel.
Which of the following structural members are considered the 'ribs' of the ship, providing the primary transverse strength to the hull?
Answer: Frames
Frames are the transverse ribs of a ship that are attached to the keel. They give the hull its shape and provide the main strength to resist pressure from the surrounding water, acting as the primary transverse stiffeners for the shell plating.
The 'danger signal' under COLREGS is sounded when a vessel is in doubt about another's intentions. What does it consist of?
Answer: Five or more short and rapid blasts
Rule 34(d) prescribes five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle as the danger signal indicating doubt about another vessel's intentions.
When using a hand-held flare, how should you hold it?
Answer: Downward and slightly away from the body on the leeward side
Hold the flare downwind, slightly away from the body, to prevent burning drips from falling on you or the raft.
When fighting a fire in a confined space, a firefighter's air supply in an SCBA typically lasts how long under heavy work conditions?
Answer: 15 to 30 minutes
Under strenuous activity, a standard 30-minute SCBA cylinder is often depleted in 15–30 minutes due to increased breathing rate.
A vessel's stability is compromised after flooding a compartment. What is the immediate corrective action to restore stability?
Answer: Counter-flood an opposite compartment to reduce listing and activate damage control pumps
Counter-flooding an opposite compartment can reduce a dangerous list, while damage control pumps work to remove water from the flooded space.