Towing Endorsement Questions! Trivia Quiz

1. The vehicle that is being towed must be way heavier than towing vehicle, or it will create problems.

True

False

The statement is false because the vehicle being towed does not necessarily have to be heavier than the towing vehicle. The weight ratio between the two vehicles is not a determining factor for whether or not problems will occur during towing. Other factors such as the towing capacity of the vehicle, proper equipment, and safe towing practices are more important in ensuring a successful and problem-free towing experience.

Explanation

The statement is false because the vehicle being towed does not necessarily have to be heavier than the towing vehicle. The weight ratio between the two vehicles is not a determining factor for whether or not problems will occur during towing. Other factors such as the towing capacity of the vehicle, proper equipment, and safe towing practices are more important in ensuring a successful and problem-free towing experience.

2. Two bars are very effective for manual cars.

True

False

Having two bars in a manual car is indeed very effective. These bars are commonly known as the clutch and the gear shift. The clutch bar allows the driver to engage or disengage the engine from the transmission, enabling smooth gear changes and preventing the car from stalling. The gear shift bar allows the driver to select the appropriate gear for the desired speed and driving conditions. Together, these two bars give the driver full control over the car's acceleration, deceleration, and overall performance, making them highly effective in manual cars.

Explanation

Having two bars in a manual car is indeed very effective. These bars are commonly known as the clutch and the gear shift. The clutch bar allows the driver to engage or disengage the engine from the transmission, enabling smooth gear changes and preventing the car from stalling. The gear shift bar allows the driver to select the appropriate gear for the desired speed and driving conditions. Together, these two bars give the driver full control over the car's acceleration, deceleration, and overall performance, making them highly effective in manual cars.

3. When towing astern, chafing gear should not be used on a hawser that is:

Attached to an "H" bitt

Attached to a self-tensioning winch

Held amidship by a gob rope

Connected to a swivel

When towing astern, chafing gear should not be used on a hawser that is attached to a self-tensioning winch because the winch is designed to automatically adjust the tension in the hawser. Using chafing gear could interfere with the winch's ability to properly tension the hawser, potentially causing damage or compromising the towing operation.

Explanation

When towing astern, chafing gear should not be used on a hawser that is attached to a self-tensioning winch because the winch is designed to automatically adjust the tension in the hawser. Using chafing gear could interfere with the winch's ability to properly tension the hawser, potentially causing damage or compromising the towing operation.

4. A tug is to assist in docking an oceangoing vessel on a hawser. The greatest danger to the tug is:

From the ship's propeller when making up aft

From being overrun if making up forward

Hull damage while alongside passing the hawser

From tripping

The greatest danger to the tug is from tripping. Tripping refers to the sudden release of tension in the hawser, which can cause the tug to lose balance and potentially capsize. This is a significant risk during the docking process, as the tug is assisting the oceangoing vessel and is in close proximity to the hawser. If the tension is released abruptly, it can destabilize the tug and put it at risk. Therefore, tripping poses the greatest danger to the tug during docking operations.

Explanation

The greatest danger to the tug is from tripping. Tripping refers to the sudden release of tension in the hawser, which can cause the tug to lose balance and potentially capsize. This is a significant risk during the docking process, as the tug is assisting the oceangoing vessel and is in close proximity to the hawser. If the tension is released abruptly, it can destabilize the tug and put it at risk. Therefore, tripping poses the greatest danger to the tug during docking operations.

5. When towing, a tow hook is used to:

Provide a quick release of the hawser

"Gaff-on" a tow when it is coming alongside.

Attach a hawser to a tow that has no bitts or pad eyes.

Join two hawsers for lengthening a tow

A tow hook is used to provide a quick release of the hawser. This means that it allows for the hawser (a thick rope or cable used for towing) to be easily and quickly detached when necessary. This is important in towing operations as it allows for swift disconnection in case of emergencies or when the towed object needs to be released quickly.

Explanation

A tow hook is used to provide a quick release of the hawser. This means that it allows for the hawser (a thick rope or cable used for towing) to be easily and quickly detached when necessary. This is important in towing operations as it allows for swift disconnection in case of emergencies or when the towed object needs to be released quickly.

6. For reconnecting the tow line after it has broken, it is better to use a polypropylene messenger line because it:

Has great strength

Is very simple

Floats

Absorbs shock by stretching

A polypropylene messenger line is better for reconnecting the tow line after it has broken because it floats. This characteristic makes it easier to handle and reduces the risk of tangling or getting caught in underwater obstacles. Additionally, a floating line is more visible, which enhances safety during the reconnection process.

Explanation

A polypropylene messenger line is better for reconnecting the tow line after it has broken because it floats. This characteristic makes it easier to handle and reduces the risk of tangling or getting caught in underwater obstacles. Additionally, a floating line is more visible, which enhances safety during the reconnection process.

7. The vessel in Illustration DO25DG has broken down, and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam, and both vessels are making the same amount of leeway. Where should you position your vessel when you start passing lines?

Point A

Point B

Point C

Point D

When taking a vessel in tow, it is important to position your vessel in a way that provides the most stability and control. In this scenario, since the wind is coming from the starboard beam of the vessel being towed, positioning your vessel at Point C would be ideal. This position allows your vessel to provide maximum support and stability to the vessel being towed, as it is positioned on the windward side of the towed vessel. This helps to minimize the impact of the wind and maintain control during the towing operation.

Explanation

When taking a vessel in tow, it is important to position your vessel in a way that provides the most stability and control. In this scenario, since the wind is coming from the starboard beam of the vessel being towed, positioning your vessel at Point C would be ideal. This position allows your vessel to provide maximum support and stability to the vessel being towed, as it is positioned on the windward side of the towed vessel. This helps to minimize the impact of the wind and maintain control during the towing operation.

8. Tugs sometimes shackle a length of chain into the towline in order to:

Take the wear should the towline drag bottom

Assure that if the towline is over-stressed, it will part close to the bridle

Prevent the towline from whipping should it part

Put spring into the towline

The reason why tugs sometimes shackle a length of chain into the towline is to put spring into the towline. This means that the chain adds tension and flexibility to the towline, allowing it to absorb shocks and sudden movements without breaking. By adding the chain, the towline becomes more elastic and less prone to snapping or causing damage to the vessel being towed.

Explanation

The reason why tugs sometimes shackle a length of chain into the towline is to put spring into the towline. This means that the chain adds tension and flexibility to the towline, allowing it to absorb shocks and sudden movements without breaking. By adding the chain, the towline becomes more elastic and less prone to snapping or causing damage to the vessel being towed.

9. The vessel in Illustration DO25DG has broken down, and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam, and she is making more leeway than you are. Where should you position your vessel when you start passing lines?

Point A

Point B

Point C

Point D

When taking a vessel in tow, it is important to position your vessel in a way that allows for safe and effective towing. In this scenario, since the vessel in Illustration DO25DG is making more leeway than your vessel and the wind is coming from her starboard beam, it is best to position your vessel on her leeward side. This will help to stabilize both vessels and minimize the risk of collisions or accidents during the towing process. Therefore, Point D is the correct position to start passing lines.

Explanation

When taking a vessel in tow, it is important to position your vessel in a way that allows for safe and effective towing. In this scenario, since the vessel in Illustration DO25DG is making more leeway than your vessel and the wind is coming from her starboard beam, it is best to position your vessel on her leeward side. This will help to stabilize both vessels and minimize the risk of collisions or accidents during the towing process. Therefore, Point D is the correct position to start passing lines.

10. Which of the following statements concerning an automatic towing engine is not true?

It automatically maintains towline tension

It prolongs the life of the hawser by distributing chafing as the hawser is paid out and taken in

As tension on the hawser increases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine

As tension on the hawser decreases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine

The automatic towing engine does not take in more line as tension on the hawser increases. This statement is not true because the automatic towing engine is designed to automatically maintain towline tension, not to take in more line as tension increases.

Explanation

The automatic towing engine does not take in more line as tension on the hawser increases. This statement is not true because the automatic towing engine is designed to automatically maintain towline tension, not to take in more line as tension increases.