CADET Seaman Apprentice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a cleat hitch knot aboard a vessel?
- To join two ropes of equal diameter
- To secure a line to a cleat fitting (Correct answer)
- To create a loop that does not slip
- To attach a line to an anchor
Correct answer: To secure a line to a cleat fitting
A cleat hitch is used to fasten a mooring or dock line securely to a cleat on a vessel or pier.
Question 2: Which term describes the front-most point of a ship's hull?
- Stern
- Beam
- Bow (Correct answer)
- Keel
Correct answer: Bow
The bow is the forward-most part of a ship's hull, as opposed to the stern at the rear.
Question 3: In naval communication, what does the phonetic alphabet word 'Oscar' represent?
- The letter N
- The letter O (Correct answer)
- The letter P
- The letter Q
Correct answer: The letter O
In the NATO phonetic alphabet, 'Oscar' represents the letter O.
Question 4: What type of fire extinguisher is most appropriate for an electrical fire aboard a ship?
- Water (Class A)
- Foam (Class B)
- CO2 (Class C) (Correct answer)
- Dry sand
Correct answer: CO2 (Class C)
CO2 extinguishers are used on Class C (electrical) fires because they do not conduct electricity.
Question 5: What is 'heaving to' in seamanship?
- Throwing a line to someone on shore
- Bringing a vessel nearly to a stop by balancing sail forces (Correct answer)
- Hauling anchor chain onto the deck
- Accelerating the vessel to maximum speed
Correct answer: Bringing a vessel nearly to a stop by balancing sail forces
Heaving to is a technique that nearly stops a sailing vessel by backing the headsail against the mainsail.
Question 6: What does a single prolonged blast on a vessel's whistle signal in restricted visibility?
- The vessel is anchored
- A power-driven vessel making way (Correct answer)
- The vessel is in distress
- A vessel engaged in towing
Correct answer: A power-driven vessel making way
Under COLREGS, a power-driven vessel underway and making way sounds one prolonged blast every two minutes in restricted visibility.
Question 7: What is the function of a bilge pump on a vessel?
- To circulate engine coolant
- To pump seawater for firefighting
- To remove water that has collected in the lowest part of the hull (Correct answer)
- To transfer fuel between tanks
Correct answer: To remove water that has collected in the lowest part of the hull
A bilge pump removes accumulated water from the bilge, the lowest interior part of the ship's hull.
CADET Seaman Apprentice 2
What is the primary purpose of a cleat hitch knot aboard a vessel?