AMSA ACTUAL EXAM –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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*CORE DOMAINS*
*• Vessel Safety and Operations*
*• Marine Environmental Protection*
*• Navigation and Bridge Management*
*• Marine Radio Communications*
*• Stability and Construction*
*• Regulatory Compliance and SOLAS*
*• Emergency Procedures and SAR*
*• Maritime Security and ISPS Code*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the competency and readiness of maritime professionals in accordance with
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the COLREGs, a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which:
A. Is hampered by the nature of her work
B. Is constrained by her draft
C. Is at anchor in a narrow channel
D. Is experiencing a mechanical failure
🟢 Correct answer A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Rule 3(g), the term refers to a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as
required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
2. What is the primary purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code?
A. To regulate the pay scales of international seafarers
B. To provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships
C. To dictate the specific construction materials for tankers
,D. To manage the global scheduling of cargo vessels
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: The ISM Code's main objective is to ensure safety at sea, prevent human injury or loss of life, and avoid damage to the
environment and the ship.
3. When executing a turn in a narrow channel, the "pivot point" of a vessel moving ahead is generally located:
A. At the extreme stern
B. At the center of gravity
C. Approximately one-third of the ship's length from the bow
D. At the rudder post
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: For a vessel moving forward at a constant speed, the pivot point is usually located 1/3 of the way back from the bow due to the
longitudinal resistance of the water.
4. Which signal should a vessel display when it is "not under command" (NUC)?
A. Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
B. Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
C. One black ball
D. Two black diamonds
🟢 Correct answer A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Rule 27(a) specifies that a vessel not under command shall exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be
seen.
5. In the context of GMDSS, what is the purpose of a SART?
A. To transmit the ship's position to the owner
B. To provide automated weather updates
C. To locate a survival craft or distressed vessel by radar
D. To measure the depth of the water during emergencies
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: A Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) is used to locate a survival craft or distressed vessel by creating a series of dots on a
rescuing ship's 3cm (X-band) radar display.
6. What does the term "Squat" refer to in ship dynamics?
, A. The tendency of a ship to drift sideways
B. The reduction in under-keel clearance due to ship speed and water depth
C. The process of loading cargo in the lower hold
D. The angle of heel during a high-speed turn
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Squat is the increase in draft and change in trim caused by the pressure drop around a hull moving through the water, particularly
in shallow areas.
7. Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum oil content allowed for discharge from machinery spaces into the sea?
A. 50 ppm
B. 100 ppm
C. 15 ppm
D. 0 ppm
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: MARPOL Annex I regulations state that any discharge of oily mixtures into the sea from ships of 400 gross tonnage and above
must have an oil content not exceeding 15 parts per million (ppm).
8. A "Special Area" under MARPOL is an area where:
A. Fishing is strictly prohibited
B. Higher standards of discharge are enforced due to ecological reasons
C. Only military vessels are allowed to navigate
D. Ships must travel at half speed
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Special Areas are designated sea areas where, for recognized technical reasons relating to oceanographic and ecological
conditions, mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution are required.
9. Which document provides instructions on how to handle shipboard emergencies?
A. The Cargo Manifest
B. The Muster List
C. The Bill of Lading
D. The Crew List
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: The Muster List specifies details of the general emergency alarm and action to be taken by crew and passengers when the alarm
sounds, including assigned duties.
DOWNLOAD PDF.
*CORE DOMAINS*
*• Vessel Safety and Operations*
*• Marine Environmental Protection*
*• Navigation and Bridge Management*
*• Marine Radio Communications*
*• Stability and Construction*
*• Regulatory Compliance and SOLAS*
*• Emergency Procedures and SAR*
*• Maritime Security and ISPS Code*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the competency and readiness of maritime professionals in accordance with
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the COLREGs, a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which:
A. Is hampered by the nature of her work
B. Is constrained by her draft
C. Is at anchor in a narrow channel
D. Is experiencing a mechanical failure
🟢 Correct answer A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Rule 3(g), the term refers to a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as
required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
2. What is the primary purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code?
A. To regulate the pay scales of international seafarers
B. To provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships
C. To dictate the specific construction materials for tankers
,D. To manage the global scheduling of cargo vessels
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: The ISM Code's main objective is to ensure safety at sea, prevent human injury or loss of life, and avoid damage to the
environment and the ship.
3. When executing a turn in a narrow channel, the "pivot point" of a vessel moving ahead is generally located:
A. At the extreme stern
B. At the center of gravity
C. Approximately one-third of the ship's length from the bow
D. At the rudder post
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: For a vessel moving forward at a constant speed, the pivot point is usually located 1/3 of the way back from the bow due to the
longitudinal resistance of the water.
4. Which signal should a vessel display when it is "not under command" (NUC)?
A. Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
B. Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
C. One black ball
D. Two black diamonds
🟢 Correct answer A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Rule 27(a) specifies that a vessel not under command shall exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be
seen.
5. In the context of GMDSS, what is the purpose of a SART?
A. To transmit the ship's position to the owner
B. To provide automated weather updates
C. To locate a survival craft or distressed vessel by radar
D. To measure the depth of the water during emergencies
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: A Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) is used to locate a survival craft or distressed vessel by creating a series of dots on a
rescuing ship's 3cm (X-band) radar display.
6. What does the term "Squat" refer to in ship dynamics?
, A. The tendency of a ship to drift sideways
B. The reduction in under-keel clearance due to ship speed and water depth
C. The process of loading cargo in the lower hold
D. The angle of heel during a high-speed turn
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Squat is the increase in draft and change in trim caused by the pressure drop around a hull moving through the water, particularly
in shallow areas.
7. Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum oil content allowed for discharge from machinery spaces into the sea?
A. 50 ppm
B. 100 ppm
C. 15 ppm
D. 0 ppm
🟢 Correct answer C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: MARPOL Annex I regulations state that any discharge of oily mixtures into the sea from ships of 400 gross tonnage and above
must have an oil content not exceeding 15 parts per million (ppm).
8. A "Special Area" under MARPOL is an area where:
A. Fishing is strictly prohibited
B. Higher standards of discharge are enforced due to ecological reasons
C. Only military vessels are allowed to navigate
D. Ships must travel at half speed
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Special Areas are designated sea areas where, for recognized technical reasons relating to oceanographic and ecological
conditions, mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution are required.
9. Which document provides instructions on how to handle shipboard emergencies?
A. The Cargo Manifest
B. The Muster List
C. The Bill of Lading
D. The Crew List
🟢 Correct answer B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: The Muster List specifies details of the general emergency alarm and action to be taken by crew and passengers when the alarm
sounds, including assigned duties.
