Maritime Law Practice Exam

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• To how many degrees abaft the beam on the vessel’s side must a sidelight show?
• Which vessel must take action first to avoid a collision in a crossing situation?
• When a pilot is on board, the Officer of the Watch (OOW) is no longer responsible for the ship.
• Vessels or objects being towed as a group shall be lighted as one vessel.
• In a bareboat charter, who has full control of the vessel and who is responsible for maintenance?
• Who is entitled to a salvage award, and what does the award reflect?
• Which of the following best describes perils of the sea as a defense under liability regimes?
• In a night scenario, if both vessels alter to starboard to pass, what is the passing arrangement?
• What is typically required before a ship can be arrested in a maritime dispute?
• Under the Rules, any vessel may slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines to _______.
• A flashing light defined in COLREGS flashes at regular intervals of how many times per minute?
• What is a requirement for any action taken to avoid collision?
• Under Hague-Visby rules, what are the carrier's primary duties and the standard of liability for loss or damage to cargo?
• During off-hire periods, what happens to the charter hire?
• The Inland Rules apply to U.S. vessels on Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.
• You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. You should sound a whistle blast of one second duration.
• Which events are commonly cited as force majeure in maritime contracts?
• When does a maritime lien attach to the vessel?
• What is the 'off-hire' clause in a time charter and how does it affect the charter hire?
• The black ball day shape must have a minimum diameter of what?
• In a bareboat charter, who is responsible for voyage costs?
• Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except under what condition?
• What is the difference between a straight bill of lading and an order bill?
• Which element commonly interacts with the bill of lading to clarify delivery terms?
• A charterparty is a contract between the shipowner and a charterer that governs which terms?
• Vessels I and II are power-driven vessels. You are on vessel I. You are the__________.
• The Inland Rules apply to all vessels navigating the inland waters of the United States, as defined by 33 CFR Part 80.
• What is the role of Incoterms in maritime contracts and how do they interact with the bill of lading?
• A proper look-out shall be maintained at what times?
• Which statement best describes the primary purpose of Incoterms in relation to a bill of lading?
• What is a bareboat charter and what obligations does it impose on the charterer?
• How do multi-modal transport arrangements influence liability for shipments?
• What criteria determine the salvage award value?
• The whistle signal for a vessel altering her course to starboard is? (International)
• Special local rules never take precedence over IMO rules.
• The COLREGS include 38 rules divided into how many parts?
• You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear?
• If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which vessel must keep clear?
• Which waters are governed by the Inland Rules?
• The International Rules of the Road apply upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels.
• What is the minimum diameter for a black ball day shape?
• What is the maximum interval between the prolonged and two short blasts when signaling towing in restricted visibility?
• Which of the following statements about masthead lights is true?
• A towing light is __________.
• What is deviation, and how does it affect liability in carriage of goods by sea contracts?
• Under the NAVIGATION RULES: International-Inland, the International Rule is on the left and the Inland Rule on the right.
• In multi-modal transport, what typically governs liability for each leg?
• What do the Institute Cargo Clauses define in cargo insurance terms?
• A stand-on vessel does not have to take action until she 'finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone.' This point is known as 'in extremis'.
• If a vessel hears a fog signal forward of her beam and has not determined whether a risk of collision exists, what speed should she reduce to?
• Which day shape would a vessel engaged in fishing during daylight (not trawling) display?
• Under what circumstances can a carrier be relieved of liability for cargo loss due to inherent vice or perils of the sea?
• The whistle signal for a vessel altering her course to port is one short blast.
• Which statement about a maritime lien is true?
• Which option is NOT one of the four shapes listed in Annex I for Lights and Shapes?
• The port side navigation light is which color?
• You are on a vessel engaged in fishing while underway and shall, so far as possible; keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
• What does a force majeure clause do in maritime contracts?
• What does the bill of lading govern in terms of risk and title?
• Under standard maritime practice, when does risk generally pass?
• Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?
• If a vessel of special construction cannot comply with the Rules for lights, what should it do?
• If the action to avoid collision is not positive or not made in ample time, it is
• Which color light is used by U.S. Navy submarines on the surface for identification at night?
• Which color is the port side sidelight?
• Which statement correctly distinguishes inherent vice from latent defects?
• In maritime carriage disputes, which damages are typically pursued?
• What is the typical effect of arrest on a vessel in port while a dispute is unresolved?
• A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.
• A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show which day shape?
• While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?
• In a time charter, what are the off-hire days and why are they significant?
• A vessel must proceed at a safe speed __________.
• At night, a power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the normal navigation lights, show sidelights and All around white light.
• Which term describes the vessel that should maintain course and speed unless collision risk requires action?
• Which statement is true regarding two sailing vessels with the wind forward of the beam on opposite sides?
• You see the lights shown. This is a __________.
• What is the purpose of pilotage and towage in maritime operations, and how do they impact liability?
• A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.
• Which day shape indicates a vessel not under command?
• Which relative motion scenario is inconsistent with a definite risk of collision?
• Which statement best describes latent defects in cargo or machinery in the context of carrier liability?
• How long does a 'short blast' on the whistle last?
• When must lights be exhibited?
• What remedies are available to cargo claimants under the Hague-Visby regime?
• When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each shall __________.
• True bearing is the angle between the direction the bow is pointed and the bearing of the object.
• When a pushing vessel and the vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit, they shall be regarded as what type of vessel?
• What is containerization, and how has it affected liability for sea carriage of goods?
• What is a letter of indemnity and why is it used in place of an original bill of lading?
• A COLREGS defined flashing light has how many flashes per minute?
• Which of the following is NOT a common peril of the sea that relieves carriers of liability under international carriage regimes?
• The term 'in extremis' refers to the moment when the stand-on vessel must take action.
• A vessel underway and fishing shall keep out of the way of a vessel not under command.
• At night, you sight navigation lights; which configuration would indicate a tug with a tow alongside?
• What are the three traditional roles of a bill of lading?
• What does a light signal of three flashes mean?
• In the described scenario, which vessel is permitted to take action to avoid collision if the other vessel is not acting?
• Under the collision regulations, a power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except when what occurs?
• What is the role of the Institute Cargo Clauses in marine cargo insurance?
• The stern light's arc of visibility is how many degrees?
• How does risk transfer relate to the terms of a bill of lading?
• The International/Inland Rules of the Road contain 5 Annexes.
• Which factor must be taken into account when determining safe speed?
• A vessel engaged in trawling will show identification lights of which configuration?
• In admiralty law, what does 'in rem' jurisdiction target, and what is ship arrest used to secure?
• In the context of collision risk, what does bearing constant and decreasing range indicate?
• Under Hague-Visby rules, which item is generally not a duty of the carrier?
• For identification purposes at night, U.S. Navy submarines on the surface may display an intermittent flashing light of which color?
• Vessels engaged in towing or pushing IN OR NEAR an area of restricted visibility, whether by DAY or NIGHT, will sound a signal consisting of one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals not more than 2 minutes.
• How is the 'due diligence' standard evaluated in practice for seaworthiness and cargo care?
• Salvage involves the voluntary saving of life or property at sea. Which factors are used to determine a salvage award?
• Safe speed is defined as the speed where __________.
• The whistle signal for a vessel operating astern propulsion is?
• When is the stand-on vessel FIRST allowed to take action to avoid collision?
• An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?
• What is the minimum length of a power-driven vessel that must show forward and after masthead lights?
• Which scenario would prompt the stand-on vessel to take action?
• Which additional day-shape must you show on the forward end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed more than 200 meters in length?
• What steps are typically involved in arrest proceedings against a ship?
• In a multi-carrier chain, liability is typically what?
• How does a bill of lading function as a document of title, and how can it transfer ownership of goods?
• When there is sufficient sea room to avoid collision, the required action should be which of the following?
• What is the role of the stand-on vessel in collision avoidance in many situations?
• What is the role of port state control in maritime safety and environmental enforcement?
• Name the main types of charterparties and identify a key term in each (voyage, time, bareboat).
• Which of the following best describes the recommended avoidance maneuver when there is ample sea room?
• Which statement best differentiates P&I insurance from hull and machinery insurance?
• Differentiate between ship mortgage and maritime lien; how do they affect enforcement?
• Where are the Inland demarcation lines defined?
• How does MARPOL address ship-source pollution, and what liabilities can shipowners face for pollutants?
• How do liability regimes differ when goods are carried by sea under a single carrier vs multi-carrier arrangements?
• In carriage contracts, what does redelivery refer to in practice?
• Under the overtaking rule, which vessel is responsible for maintaining a safe distance in a narrow channel?
• What is redelivery in a carriage contract, and how does it affect risk transfer?
• Which of the following best defines seagoing vessels in the COLREGS context?
• (International Only) A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display____.
• How does a shipowner prove seaworthiness at the start of voyage under the general standard?
• At night, which lights would you see on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling?
• A 'prolonged blast' lasts how many seconds (approximately)?
• In a voyage charter, what does laytime cover, and who bears the risk of delay during loading/unloading?
• Which statement best describes the effect of the maneuverability factor on safe speed?
• In arrest proceedings, what is the purpose of posting security?
• How are general average costs allocated among cargo owners?
• What is the purpose of limitation of liability regimes in maritime law, and what is typically required to invoke them?
• You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?
• Are punitive damages typically available in maritime carriage disputes, and why or why not?
• Which statement reflects that risk of collision may exist under certain conditions?
• Which whistle signal indicates a vessel backing astern propulsion?
• In international waters, a signal of intent must be sounded by which vessel?
• A towing light is shown in addition to which light?
• The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea are included in a book published in the United States by which organization?
• The COLREGS are designed to prevent collisions at sea.
• Which day shape indicates fishing gear extending more than 150 meters?
• When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.
• In international waters, a signal of intent must be sounded by which vessel?
• If two sailing vessels have wind on opposite sides of the beam, which must keep clear?
• What is inherent vice, and how can it affect cargo claims?
• The Inland Rules do not apply to U.S. vessels on Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.
• Which lighting combination is required for a single vessel being towed alongside?
• The steering and sailing rules for vessels in restricted visibility apply to which vessels?
• Under general average, what constitutes a general average sacrifice?
• What are COLREGS and how do they influence liability in maritime collisions?
• Which authority determines how a vessel with special construction should apply lighting when it cannot meet standard rules?
• What is demurrage in a voyage charter?
• What defenses do carriers commonly rely on to limit liability under Hague-Visby and COGSA?
• An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.
• Which statement correctly distinguishes a bill of lading from a charterparty?
• Which duration corresponds to a short blast on the whistle?
• Which statement correctly differentiates general average from particular (special) average, with an example?
• Relative bearing is the angle between geographic north and the bearing of the object.
• Under Rule 14, what is the required maneuver for head-on risk of collision?
• Which factor indicates a definite risk of collision?
• Which vessel must display forward and aft masthead lights?
• What is required of a vessel navigating near an area of restricted visibility?
• What are the typical prerequisites for obtaining an arrest of a ship?
• General average contributions are calculated based on what and who shares the burden?
• Explain the York-Antwerp Rules and their influence on general average contributions.
• The statement 'Seagoing vessels literally mean all ships, regardless of size, that go to sea' is True or False?
• What action may the stand-on vessel take when the give-way vessel is not acting?
• If two power-driven vessels are approaching head-on and there is risk of collision, what is the recommended passing configuration after altering to starboard?
• While underway at night, you sight a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown. How should the vessels pass?
• A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel which of the following?
• Which is true about the stand-on vessel's first opportunity to act?
• Risk of collision may exist in which scenarios?
• A vessel is underway if it meets the following criteria: not aground; not at anchor; not made fast to a dock, the shore, or other stationary object.
• If the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, which vessel may take action to avoid collision?
• Which statement best describes deviation in a voyage contract and its potential liability implications?
• Which statement best describes the inherent vice defense?
• The steering and sailing rules in restricted visibility apply to vessels navigating in or near what?
• Which statement best describes the give-way vessel's obligation?
• In which situation would risk of collision definitely exist?
• What does seaworthiness mean, and how can unseaworthiness at the voyage's start affect cargo claims?
• Ship arrest is a provisional remedy used to secure a maritime claim. It is typically based on which grounds?
• In the context of a voyage charter, which statements about laytime, demurrage, and dispatch are correct?