Challenge: Captain's License Questions

[over40pirate]

Not sure where to ask this.
I'm taking a home renewal test to renew my USCG ticket, and a few of the questions are a killer. Like with 2 good answers.

Is there a proper place on the forum to ask the questions. Might be a good forum.

Thanks, Soon to be Captain again, Pirate

[EDIT: The two "Captain's Questions" threads have been merged into just this one.]

[unbusted67]

Those CG questions are tricky. I think you could probably post them here: Challenges - Cruisers & Sailing Forums . Did you find that the questions that they asked you at the test location were easier than the ones you are finding in the self test?

[over40pirate]

The first time (1989) I got my ticket, I took a prep course. Books and teacher. No computers. I passed the first try.

When I renewed 5 years later, I took a course to get the towing endorcement, and went to a sea school, where all I did was sit in front of a computer and took a test. Did it a few times until each time I knew the answers.
When I went to the CG to test, I knew the answers, before reading the whole question! Word for word.

This open book test has some killer questions. And you need a 90% to pass.

One I can't find.
Dayshapes must be shown:
a. daylight hours
b. sunset to sunrise
The other 2 answers were wrong and I didn't show them.

All I find on Lights and shapes says during the day. But for lights, states from sunset to sunrise.

If I was going for a license first time, I would taks a course that had computers with all the questions.

[LtBrett]

I feel your pain! Reread answer B. Repeat until the light bulb goes off why it is wrong. Can you see a dayshape at night?

Brett (who has made a similar mistake I don't know how many times)

[Pau Hana Daz]

Originally Posted by over40pirate

One I can't find.
Dayshapes must be shown:
a. daylight hours
b. sunset to sunrise
The other 2 answers were wrong and I didn't show them.

All I find on Lights and shapes says during the day. But for lights, states from sunset to sunrise.

My take:

a. daylight hours

(sunset to sunrise = after sunset, before sunrise = not daylight hours)

EDIT -> Brett beat me to it...

[over40pirate]

Doing another renewal on my Capt. ticket and ran into a question that have 2 good answers. I just can't seem to find the answer on the net, or in a few books I have. here goes. I am only going to list the likley answers.
If anyone has the source of their correct answer, that would be great.
Need a 90% to pass.
I know it's a powerboat question, but I and other sailors here need the answer to get a Lic. to operate sailboats.

Best way to turn a twin screw vessel in it's own water, with no way on:
a. one engine ahead, one engine astern, full rudder
b. one engine ahead, on engine astern, rudders amidships

I think a. is the answer, but really want to see it in print from a reputible source. B. might work also. I knew I should have bought a twin screw sailboat! I saw a 50' French monohull, with twin Maxprops a while ago!

It's interesting that I got and renewed my ticket, with only having seatime on sailboats, and I had to get a sail endorcement to operate sailboats!

Also I can operate a 100 ton powerboat, as I did in the oil fields for a short time.

Thanks for any help. Pirate who wants to be Captain again!

[nigel1]

(a) and it works even better if you have the ability to split the rudders.
Right now I'm sitting on a 16000 HP power boat with twin props, if I'm wrong, then I've been doing it wrong for the past 20 years

[over40pirate]

Sorry, I shortened the answer. "between sunset and sunrise" That could be 2pm.

The Nav Rules book says sunset to sunrise for lights, but only says "by day"

I must pass this on the first time, due to time concerns, and really want to get it right.

I'm 99% ready to use daylight hours.

Here's the other.

Turning a twin screw vessel with non way on, in it;s own water.
a. one eng. ahead, one astern, full rudder.
b. one engine ahead, one astern, rudder amidships

Both would turn the boat.

Thanks, Pirate, who wants to be Captain again.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by over40pirate

... Turning a twin screw vessel with no way on, in it;s own water.
a. one eng. ahead, one astern, full rudder.
b. one engine ahead, one astern, rudder amidships ...

If there's no way on, the rudder has no effect.
Twin screw boats should generally be close-maneuvered with gear shif & threottle only, no rudder.

This page disagrees with Gord
http://captain-van.com/Shiphandling.html

[sandy daugherty]

I think rudder facilitates the turn if it is washed by the propeller. The rudder behind the reversing engine has neglible effect.

[Pau Hana Daz]

Originally Posted by over40pirate

Sorry, I shortened the answer. "between sunset and sunrise" That could be 2pm.

Not unless we're talking about winter in the arctic. Think about it some more - Draw a circle, mark sunrise at the top and sunset at the bottom (with approx times). Then take a look at where 2PM falls.

[over40pirate]

Originally Posted by sandy daugherty

I think rudder facilitates the turn if it is washed by the propeller. The rudder behind the reversing engine has neglible effect.

Thats why on a split wheel paddle wheel boat I captained, it had a second set of rudders behind the wheels. it helped in reverse.

So we have votes for rudder hard over, and amidships. Sure wish I could see it in a reputable publication.

[over40pirate]

Tip.

If you are taking a written test for the USCG, DON"T make any marks in the test booklets.
That's a no, no.

[Tempest245]

Hey Pirate,

Rule 20 "Application" page 39 D.) The Rules for Shapes Shall be complied with by Day.

With no way on...rudders amidships. IMO

while, I don't disagree with Sandy..this particular question seems to
rely on the " no way on" phrasing.

Did you allow your license to lapse? Otherwise, you should simply be able to document sea time.

[MarkJ]

Day shapes in daylight hours. i.e from first light to last light. Your question has a typo.
So there is a period of time when there will be both... from first light to sunrise, and from sunset to last light.

if they do write typo type questions to trap you then you need to read them most carfully. But they shouldnt... its a captains ticket not a childrens party game.

Rudder. Its obvious. and thanks Capt Gord NO way on there for the rudder amidships.


Mark