Deck General Practice Questions

1. Which knot is most suitable for joining two lines of equal diameter?

• A.Square knot✓
• B.Sheet bend
• C.Bowline
• D.Clove hitch

Why: The square knot (reef knot) is designed for joining two lines of equal size and is commonly used to tie off reefing points and bundling. It should not be used for critical load-bearing applications or lines of unequal diameter.

2. When using a kedge anchor to warp a vessel in a harbor, the kedge rode is best made fast to which part of the vessel to control the direction of movement?

• A.Always the stern bitts to pull the stern first
• B.The appropriate bitts or winch that will achieve the desired direction of movement based on the kedge position✓
• C.The anchor windlass only, regardless of direction
• D.The midship cleat to keep the pull centered and prevent yawing

Why: The kedge rode should be led to whichever fitting — bow, stern, or midship — will produce the desired direction of movement; for example, fastening to the bow and pulling draws the bow toward the kedge, while using the stern leads the stern in that direction.

3. When a vessel is making sternway, the rudder's effect on turning direction is:

• A.The same as when going ahead — right rudder turns the bow to starboard
• B.Reversed — right rudder causes the bow to swing to port✓
• C.Ineffective regardless of position because water cannot flow over the rudder astern
• D.Dependent entirely on propeller transverse thrust, with the rudder having no effect

Why: When making sternway, the water flow over the rudder is reversed, so the effect is opposite to going ahead. Right rudder while backing causes the bow to swing to port (and the stern to starboard). This reversal must be remembered during docking maneuvers.

4. A line made of polypropylene has which distinctive characteristic that makes it useful for heaving lines and rescue throws?

• A.It has the highest breaking strength of all synthetics
• B.It floats on the water surface✓
• C.It is completely UV-resistant
• D.It has the greatest elasticity of all rope materials

Why: Polypropylene is the only common rope fiber with a specific gravity less than 1.0, so it floats. This makes it ideal for heaving lines, life ring pendants, and man-overboard gear where the line must remain visible on the surface. Nylon has higher breaking strength and greater elasticity; polypropylene degrades relatively quickly in UV light.

5. How many persons must a lifeboat on a cargo vessel be capable of carrying, as a minimum requirement on each side of the vessel under SOLAS?

• A.All persons aboard
• B.50% of total persons aboard on each side✓
• C.25% of total persons aboard on each side
• D.At least 6 persons

Why: SOLAS requires cargo ships to carry lifeboats on each side capable of holding 100% of persons aboard (i.e., each side carries 50% of the total complement), ensuring everyone can board from either side in the event one side is inaccessible.