Assistance Towing Endorsement Practice Test

The add-on for towing disabled boats for hire, the TowBoatUS / Sea Tow job. Goes on your OUPV or Master. Coast Guard exam code AT01.

16 real questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, free. Each module needs 70% to pass.

Passing score: Coast Guard pass marks module by module, and the retest rules

What's free: daily rounds, the Brig, the drills and the Pass Meter, for every license. Your first module test is free too. After that, the full Exam Room is $19, once. No subscription.

What's on the test

10 sample questions

1. In a following sea, a wave has overtaken your vessel and thrown the stern to starboard. To continue along your original course, which action should you take?

   • A.Use more left rudder
   • B.Decrease speed
   • C.Use more right rudder
   • D.Increase speed
   Show answer

   C. Use more right rudder

   Q160, Deck General

2. If the situation arose where it became necessary to tow a disabled vessel, which statement is TRUE concerning the towing line?

   • A.The towing line between the two vessels should be clear of the water.
   • B.The towing line should be taut at all times between the vessels.
   • C.There should be a catenary so the line dips into the water.
   • D.None of the above.
   Show answer

   C. There should be a catenary so the line dips into the water.

   Q451, Deck General / Safety

3. Which factor(s) might indicate that a towline should be removed from service?

   • A.Visible damage to the towline, including fishhooks.
   • B.A surface condition of corrosion and discoloration.
   • C.Measurements showing a decrease in diameter.
   • D.All of the above.
   Show answer

   D. All of the above.

   Q461, Assistance Towing

4. When should you conduct a visual inspection of your towline?

   • A.At least once a month.
   • B.In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
   • C.Whenever its serviceability is in doubt.
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q461, Assistance Towing

5. What is the purpose of a "check" line?

   • A.A safety line attached to a man working over the side
   • B.A line used to slow the headway of a barge
   • C.A line used to measure water depth
   • D.A line used to measure the overhead height of a bridge
   Show answer

   B. A line used to slow the headway of a barge

   Q461, Assistance Towing

6. You are approaching a ship that is broken down and are preparing to take her in tow. BEFORE positioning your vessel to pass the towline, which action should you take?

   • A.Secure the bitter end of the towing hawser to prevent loss if the tow is slipped
   • B.Have traveling lizards rigged to guide the towline while it is paid-out
   • C.Install chafing gear on the towline
   • D.Compare the rate of drift between the ships
   Show answer

   D. Compare the rate of drift between the ships

   Q461, Assistance Towing

7. A bridle for an ocean tow consists of which components?

   • A.A single nylon pendant rove through a heavy ring free to move on the pendant
   • B.Two short legs of wire rope shackled to a fishplate
   • C.Two chains of equal length
   • D.A single length of heavy chain with both ends secured on deck to welded pad eyes
   Show answer

   C. Two chains of equal length

   Q461, Assistance Towing

8. What could be used as fairleads on a towed vessel?

   • A.Chocks
   • B.Double bitts
   • C.Roller chocks
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q461, Assistance Towing

9. You are heading into the sea during rough weather. What may happen if there is too much weight forward in your small boat?

   • A.The craft will list severely
   • B.The craft may plunge into the wave
   • C.The craft will broach
   • D.The craft will rise rapidly over the wave
   Show answer

   B. The craft may plunge into the wave

   Q461, Assistance Towing

10. While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause which condition?

    • A.The components of the shorter leg to fail
    • B.Chafing on the fairlead or bitts of the tow
    • C.The bridle to foul
    • D.A bent swivel
    Show answer

    A. The components of the shorter leg to fail

    Q461, Assistance Towing

What the study guide does

• Short daily rounds of 10 questions, with a streak.
• Practice tests built like the real one, scored with the real pass marks (first one free, then $19 once for the full Exam Room).
• The Brig: questions you miss come back until you get them right twice.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing every module if you sat it today, worked out from your own answers.
• Lights, shapes and sound signal drills (Rules 21-35).