Click on:  Masters Exam for the March 2006 Test for existing Masters.

  PART I        Print Version

 

 OARS Master’s Examination Written Sample Test Questions

 

Please note:  The following questions are those likely found on the Master’s written exam, a take-home test currently administered by David Jackson.  No answers are provided on this web site, as your research is part of the goal.  Please contact David to take the official written exam.

 

Also see: On the Water Testing

 

1.       What are the basic rules of good seamanship?

  1. Keep a proper lookout.
  2. Keep to the right.
  3. Use proper lights and dayshapes.
  4. All of the above.

 

2.       Consider a close-quarters situation with collision a distinct possibility.  You should

  1. not relinquish your right of way.
  2. maintain course but slow down.
  3. maintain speed but make a substantial course change.
  4. take action to avoid collision by maneuvering.

 

3.       Changes of speed or course to avoid collision situations should be made

  1. slowly and with great care.
  2. substantially.
  3. radically.
  4. not until the vessels are within ˝ mile of each other.

 

4.       What is the preferred course change to avoid collision?

  1. Turn to port.
  2. Turn to starboard.
  3. Back down.
  4. Stop.

 

5.       A potential collision situation is deemed to exist when

  1. the relative bearing of an oncoming craft does not vary.
  2. the other craft displays the November-Charlie flags.
  3. a stand-on vessel fails to return a maneuvering signal.
  4. the other vessel makes a radical change of course.

 

6.       A vessel overtaking another vessel is considered

  1. the give-way vessel and is burdened
  2. the stand-on vessel and is privileged.
  3. the fastest vessel.
  4. None of these.

 

7.       In which case does a rowing boat not have the right of way over the power boat?

  1. When overtaking.
  2. When crossing a fairway, channel, or river.
  3. When approaching a fishing vessel fishing.
  4. All of these.

 

8.       Which vessel would have the right of way over a vessel which can navigate safely only in a channel or fairway?

  1. Rowboat.
  2. Sailboat.
  3. Fishing vessel, fishing.
  4. None of these.

 

9.       Two vessels are approaching each other head on.  The most desirable course of action is for both to

  1. change course before closing to less than half a mile apart.
  2. come left.
  3. come right.
  4. None of these.

 

10.   In a crossing situation, the right of way vessel is obligated to

  1. maintain course and speed.
  2. refrain from coming left.
  3. return the crossing signal.
  4. do all of these.

 

11.   A vessel is not underway when it is

  1. drifting.
  2. aground.
  3. maneuvering.
  4. backing down.

 

12.   At a minimum, what lights are needed in a rowboat after sunset?

  1. Masthead.
  2. Side lights.
  3. Flashlight.
  4. Range light.

 

13.   A tugboat carrying three white masthead lights in a vertical line is signaling that it is

  1. on-duty.
  2. stationary.
  3. escorting an oil tanker.
  4. towing something with a tow line longer than 200 meters.

 

14.   What color buoys or day shapes do you keep to starboard when entering a harbor?

  1. Black.
  2. Yellow.
  3. Red.
  4. Green.

 

15.   A buoy with an above-water appearance like that of a cylinder topped with a cone, pointed end up, is called a

  1. nun.
  2. can.
  3. cap.
  4. bell buoy.

 

16.   What numbering sequence is used on green buoys or day shapes?

  1. Odd numbers.
  2. Even numbers.
  3. Roman numerals.
  4. Letters.

 

17.   On a navigational chart, tiny asterisks or stars near the shoreline commonly represent

  1. shipwrecks.
  2. rocks.
  3. submerged pilings.
  4. kelp beds.

You see a rectangular red flag with one white diagonal slash mounted on a small float, but nothing else in the vicinity.  You should stay clear and watch out for

  1. crab pots.
  2. power or telephone lines.
  3. sea planes.
  4. SCUBA divers.

 

18.   You observe an individual standing in a boat raising and lowering outstretched arms.  The individual is

  1. asking for radio contact.
  2. requesting you stay clear.
  3. in distress.
  4. fishing.

 

19.   Which of the following is a distress signal?

  1. A flashing yellow light.
  2. A flashing white light.
  3. A red parachute flare
  4. All of these.

 

20.   Fog has reduced visibility, but you hear one prolonged whistle blast followed by two short blasts at regular intervals.  The approaching vessel

  1. is a power-driven vessel.
  2. is a sailboat.
  3. is towing another.
  4. could be b. or c.

 

21.   You are out rowing in thick fog and must announce your presence by making a sound signal at intervals not to exceed

  1. 30 seconds.
  2. 1 minute.
  3. 2 minutes.
  4. 5 minutes.

 

22.   Among other criteria, “safe speed” in inland waters can be determined by

  1. the proximity of land.
  2. traffic density.
  3. the maneuverability of your craft.
  4. all of these.

 

23.   The range of a tide is the difference

  1. from a spring tide to a neap tide.
  2. from one high tide to the next high tide.
  3. from one low tide to the next low tide.
  4. from one high tide to the next low tide.

 

24.   A slack tide

  1. has little or no movement.
  2. is going out.
  3. is coming in.
  4. is the peak of flow in either direction.

An ebb tide

  1. has little or no movement.
  2. is going out.
  3. is coming in.
  4. is the peak of flow in either direction.

 

25.   A flood tide is

  1. incoming.
  2. outgoing.
  3. still.
  4. very rapid.

 

26.   Man overboard!  First

  1. post a lookout to keep him in view.
  2. send someone in after him.
  3. stop the boat but keep way on for maneuverability.
  4. come about.

 

27.   The minimum number of personal flotation devices required on a five-passenger Class 1 rowboat (e.g., one of the gigs) is

  1. 4 – the cox can hang onto the wooden rudder.
  2. 5 – one for each passenger.
  3. 6 – one for each passenger and one available to be thrown.
  4. 10 – two for each passenger.

 

28.   When a boat capsizes,

  1. the strongest swimmer goes for help.
  2. all hands gather at the stern of the boat.
  3. as long as she floats, stay with the boat.
  4. discard all unnecessary gear.

 

29.   To tie together two dissimilar lines, you should tie

  1. the bowline.
  2. the sheet bend.
  3. the square knot.
  4. the clove hitch.

 

30.   To tie a bight in a line that will not slip, tie

  1. the bowline.
  2. the sheet bend.
  3. the square knot.
  4. the half hitch.

 

31.   To stop a clove hitch from slipping, what other knot should be added?

  1. The bowline.
  2. The sheet bend.
  3. The figure eight.
  4. The half hitch.

 

32.   When mooring, a spring line is employed

  1. to make fast to a mooring buoy.
  2. to prevent the boat from moving ahead or astern.
  3. to make the dingy fast.
  4. when overwintering.

MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE GIGS:

 

33.   When moving about the boat, where should you step?

  1. On the planks.
  2. On the thwarts.
  3. On the floorboards.
  4. On the frames.

 

34.   Where should you seat your two strongest rowers?

  1. One at stroke, one in the bow.
  2. Both on starboard.
  3. Both on port.
  4. In the engine room.

 

35.   Your crew is properly seated on their thwarts, as close to the gunwales as possible, but the boat is listing to port.  As cox, to make trim, you should

  1. ask the heaviest rower on the starboard side to shift inboard.
  2. ask the heaviest rower on the port side to shift inboard.
  3. shift your weight in the stern sheets to starboard.
  4. steer the boat to port.

 

36.   When normally loaded, the part of the gig that rides highest in the water is

  1. the stern post.
  2. the gunwales amidships.
  3. the keel.
  4. the stem.

 

37.   The rudder yoke is installed with the arm ends pointing

  1. fore.
  2. aft.
  3. up.
  4. down.

 

38.   The stitching seam on the oar leather should

  1. face up or aft.
  2. be in contact with the thole pad.
  3. be in contact with the thole pin.
  4. be sewn to the grommet.

 

39.   Where should the oar loom be positioned in relation to the thole pin?

  1. Fore.
  2. Aft.
  3. Above.
  4. Below.

 

40.   Thole pins are the ancient (yet still practical) forerunners of

  1. buttons.
  2. stanchions.
  3. stretchers.
  4. oarlocks or rowlocks.

 

41.   A rowboat moves forward through the water because

  1. the oar blades push the water out of the way.
  2. the oars are planted in the water and the boat pivots past them.
  3. the rowers oscillate fore and aft.
  4. the oar blades provide wind resistance to the prevailing breeze.

 

42.   The process of rotating the oar a quarter turn each stroke so that the blade skims parallel to the water’s surface as it moves forward before dipping in perpendicularly is called

  1. swiveling.
  2. flocking.
  3. feathering.
  4. sculling.

 

43.   The above technique is used to

  1. slow the stroke.
  2. reduce the blade surface area that causes wind resistance.
  3. cause premature carpal tunnel syndrome.
  4. reduce wear on the leathers.

 

44.   In the gigs, a fast yet reasonable stroke is about

  1. 10 strokes/minute
  2. 20 strokes/minute
  3. 30 strokes/minute
  4. 40 strokes/minute

 

45.   To turn the boat 180 degrees to port, give the commands,

  1. “Starboard hold water, port to row.”
  2. “Port hold water, starboard to row.”
  3. “Port hold water, starboard to back-water.”
  4. “Starboard hold water, port to back-water.”

 

46.   The command to stop pulling is

a.   “Stop.”

b.   “Wane up.”

c.   “Way enough.”

d.   “Whoa!”

 

47.   Briefly, what coaching/instructions would you give a first-time rower before heading out?

 

48.   What information needs to be recorded in the log book after each boat trip?

 

49.   Write the first line of your favorite sea chantey.

 

 

 PART II        Print Version

 

Typical Procedures Tested During the ‘On the Water’ OARS Master’s Exam

 

Boshie provided this check-list for the practical exam in a gig; the differences to the wherry will be questioned during the exam.

 

GIG PROCEDURES:

 

At the dock

  • Intro to new rowers (demonstrate the ability to provide an overview to first time rowers)
  • Boarding
  • Foot bars
  • Safety equipment
  • Question swimming ability

 

Commands

  • Review
  • Trail demo

 

Getting away from the dock

  • Rudder pin
  • Yoke direction
  • Care of oars
  • Adequate push-off

 

Marina traffic

  • Proper lookout
  • Right of way in the fairways
  • 'Back door' tide restrictions
  • 'Front door' right side, broad entry
  • Crossing channels

 

Running the Gauntlet

  • No rudder
  • Audible commands

 

Man Overboard (throw something)

  • Discussion with crew
  • Direction of wind
  • Lookout points
  • Probable weight shifts in boat

 

Docking

  • Switch lines to the other side
  • Discuss wind
  • Discuss approach
  • Fenders - placement
  • Getting away safely
  • Paddle option

 

Hazards in the Bay

  • Rock locations
  • Submerged pilings
  • Anacortes Marina channel
  • Cap Sante entrance
  • Hazards near Seafarer's Park
  • Cap Sante head - Steep? Deep? Dangers?
  • Currents - where?
  • Prevailing wind - how to row in it

 

Returning to the Dock / Boathouse

  • Paddle option
  • Clear oars - warning about bashing knees of thwarts
  • Tying up

- round turn, two half hitches in the house

- spring and clove hitch at the dock

 

Log

  • Filling out the logbook completely
  • Punch cards

 

Boat close-up

  • Rudder and yoke stowage
  • Grommets
  • Cover secured at all points
  • Boathouse particulars

 

 PART III        Print Version

 

    The following test is required for all existing Masters. 

OARS Master’s Examination

March 2006

 

  1. During your row, a crewmember goes overboard. Who gives the orders?
    1. The Cox
    2. The crew member in the water
    3. The Master sitting in seat #3
    4. The Team

                                   

  1. It was slightly breezy at the beginning of the row, but still okay to venture out according to the guidelines in the manual. During the row, the wind kicks up a few notches and as a result, the waves have increased to 1 1/2 feet – 2 feet. Please describe your next actions for
    1. Heading Downwind:

 

  

 

    1. Heading Upwind:

  

 

 

 

  1. What three maneuvers must every Master complete and Log at least once a year?
    1. Parallel Dock; Serpentine; Crew Over Board
    2. Dock; Crew Overboard; Written Test
    3. Serpentine; Maneuver Backwards; Tie knots

                                   

  1. You are out rowing and fog starts to come in. Within 10 minutes the Refinery Pier is no longer visible. Please describe what you would do next: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  5.   What is required of a Master for him or her to row out of the area? 

 

 

 

    6.   The Gigs and Wherry are considered what type of vessel?

    1. Vessel restricted in Maneuverability
    2. Row Boat
    3. Vessel under Power
    4. None of the Above

                                   

    7.   Please list in order of sequence the vessel with the most Right of Way to the vessel with the least Right of Way.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    8.  What is the proper command if you want the boat to turn to starboard in the shortest turning radius?

A.     “Starboard Weigh Enough”

B.     “Starboard Give Weigh, Port Back Water”

C.     “Port Weigh Enough, Starboard Backwater”

D.     “Port Give Weigh, Starboard Backwater”

                       

    9.  When retrieving a person who has fallen overboard, where would you position the person to bring them back the boat?

A.     The bow

B.     The Stern

C.     Amidships

D.     Tow them to shore

                       

    10. When attaching the towing bridle or in constructing a towing bridle, where is the best point of attachment for our boats?

A.     Bow

B.     Between thwarts 2 and 3

C.     Thwart 4

D.     Thwart 1

                       

    11. What is the proper sound signal when operating in restricted visibility, i.e. fog?

A.     One Prolonged Blast at least every 2 Minutes

B.     One Prolonged and Two Short Blasts at least every 2 Minutes

C.     Continuous Sounding of the Horn

D.     One Short Blast at least every 2 Minutes

                       

    12. In a Crossing Situation, the Stand-On Vessel is

A.     The Vessel to Port

B.     The Vessel to Starboard

                       

 

 

    13. What is considered the local rowing area?

A.     Fidalgo Bay

B.     Guemes Channel and Cap Sante

C.     Fidalgo Bay South to Weaverly Spit, the Refinery to Hat Island to the Guemes Ferry

D.     Fidalgo Bay to the Trestle to Saddlebag Island to the Guemes Ferry

                       

    14. Your boat is scheduled to row between 7am – 8 am. Low tide is 0945 on June 20th. Would you row towards the Guemes Ferry or towards the south of Fidalgo Bay?

A.     Fidalgo Bay

B.     Guemes Ferry

                           

    15. Responsibilities of a Stand–On Vessel are: (Please Describe)