“200”, Aptitude Test Questions and Answers for Pilot II – Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

“200”, Aptitude Test Questions and Answers for Pilot II – Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

This set of 200 multiple-choice questions is designed to help candidates preparing for the PILOT II (T.P.A) online aptitude test in Tanzania. The questions cover key areas relevant to the duties and qualifications of a Pilot II, including ship navigation, tug operations, berthing and un-berthing procedures, maritime safety regulations, dry docking, and the use of navigational equipment. The aim is to test the candidate’s understanding of both theoretical knowledge and practical scenarios encountered in marine transportation and port operations.

 

 

Prepared by:

Ship Pilots and compiled by

Johnson Yesaya Mgelwa.

A lawyer stationed in Dar-es-salaam.

0628729934.

Date: June 1, 2025

 

Dear applicants,

This collection of questions and answers has been carefully prepared to help all of you to understand the key areas tested during the interview. The goal is to provide a useful, and practical study guide so you can all perform confidently and fairly in the selection process. I wish you the best of luck, and may this resource support you in achieving success!

 

Warm regards,

Johnson Yesaya Mgelwa

 

For Personal Use by Applicants Preparing for Pilot II interview at Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPILED TOGETHER.

1. What is the primary function of a tugboat?
A. Cargo handling B. Passenger transport C. Assisting vessel maneuvers D. Speeding up vessels
Answer: C

2. Which instrument measures a ship’s speed through water?
A. Barometer B. Anemometer C. Pitot tube D. Log
Answer: D

3. Berthing refers to:
A. Anchoring at sea B. Navigating through a canal C. Docking at a wharf D. Launching a lifeboat
Answer: C

4. Deadweight of a vessel refers to:
A. Ship’s own weight B. Cargo weight only C. Total carrying capacity D. Weight of ballast only
Answer: C

5. Which side is starboard?
A. Front B. Rear C. Right D. Left
Answer: C

6. Which device is used to steer a ship?
A. Rudder B. Keel C. Hull D. Bow
Answer: A

7. Which of the following is a navigational aid?
A. Radar B. Pump C. Boiler D. Anchor
Answer: A

8. Which is the standard marine distress frequency?
A. 406 MHz B. 121.5 MHz C. 16 MHz D. Channel 16 (VHF)
Answer: D

9. Which document contains a ship’s cargo details?
A. Logbook B. Manifest C. Bill of lading D. Tally sheet
Answer: B

10. The compass used in maritime navigation is called:
A. Magnetic compass B. Gyrocompass C. Digital compass D. Solar compass
Answer: B

11. A floating crane is used primarily for:
A. Towing B. Lifting heavy loads at sea C. Navigation D. Anchoring
Answer: B

12. Which sea term means turning the bow of the ship through the wind?
A. Bearing B. Tacking C. Heaving D. Mooring
Answer: B

13. In which direction do longitudinal lines run on nautical charts?
A. East to west B. North to south C. Diagonal D. Circular
Answer: B

14. A ship’s draft is measured from:
A. Keel to mast B. Waterline to keel C. Deck to bridge D. Bow to stern
Answer: B

15. Which term refers to the rear part of the vessel?
A. Bow B. Keel C. Stern D. Port
Answer: C

16. Tugs are used to:
A. Haul cargo B. Rescue passengers C. Assist in docking D. Transport mail
Answer: C

17. Who is in charge of navigational safety on board?
A. Chief Engineer B. Deck Cadet C. Pilot D. Captain
Answer: D

18. A nautical mile is approximately equal to:
A. 1000 meters B. 1609 meters C. 1852 meters D. 2000 meters
Answer: C

19. Which of these is used for anchoring a vessel?
A. Rudder B. Crane C. Ballast D. Anchor
Answer: D

20. The international signal for “man overboard” is:
A. Three short blasts B. Continuous bell ringing C. Oscar flag D. Alpha flag
Answer: C

21. Dry docking is done to:
A. Load cargo B. Paint the hull C. Repair underwater parts D. Refuel
Answer: C

22. Which term refers to the ship's left side?
A. Starboard B. Port C. Stern D. Bow
Answer: B

23. The device used to measure depth is:
A. Radar B. Sonar C. Echo sounder D. Altimeter
Answer: C

24. A vessel navigating under power gives way to a vessel:
A. At anchor B. Under sail C. Fishing D. All the above
Answer: D

25. Which is a hazard when berthing a ship?
A. Fire outbreak B. Pilotage error C. Fuel shortage D. Tidal wave
Answer: B

26. IMO stands for:
A. International Marine Order B. International Maritime Organization C. Inland Marine Office D. International Map Office
Answer: B

27. A "not under command" vessel shows lights that are:
A. White and green B. Two red C. One red and one white D. Two white
Answer: B

28. Which is NOT a navigational light?
A. Masthead light B. Stern light C. Port light D. Boiler light
Answer: D

29. Buoys are used for:
A. Cargo storage B. Marking channels C. Passenger transport D. Collecting rain
Answer: B

30. The abbreviation "ETA" stands for:
A. Estimated Tug Arrival B. Emergency Time Announcement C. Estimated Time of Arrival D. Engine Temperature Analysis
Answer: C

31. Tidal currents are strongest during:
A. Neap tide B. Slack water C. Spring tide D. Equinox
Answer: C

32. When a vessel is ‘aground’, it means:
A. Floating freely B. Tied to a buoy C. Touching bottom D. Anchored
Answer: C

33. A course plotted on a chart is measured in:
A. Meters B. Knots C. Degrees D. Nautical miles
Answer: C

34. The term “collision regulations” refers to rules that:
A. Govern speed limits B. Prevent ship collisions C. Monitor cargo loading D. Control crew safety
Answer: B

35. Wind direction is named after:
A. Where it’s going B. Where it comes from C. The nearest coast D. The strongest gust
Answer: B

36. The load line on a ship indicates:
A. Draft limit B. Cargo volume C. Water displacement D. Safety deck
Answer: A

37. Which of these is a tug maneuver?
A. Push-pull B. Drift C. Trim D. List
Answer: A

38. The primary function of a marine pilot is to:
A. Steer aircraft B. Secure cargo C. Navigate ships in ports D. Manage engine rooms
Answer: C

39. A vessel operating in fog should sound:
A. One long blast every 2 minutes B. Three short blasts C. Two prolonged blasts every 10 minutes D. Ring a bell continuously
Answer: A

40. The abbreviation “AIS” stands for:
A. Automated Inland System B. Automatic Identification System C. Air Interface Station D. Anchorage Inspection Survey
Answer: B

41. A pilot ladder must comply with which regulation?
A. STCW B. SOLAS C. MARPOL D. ISM
Answer: B

42. The bridge of a ship is used for:
A. Cooking B. Steering and control C. Crew accommodation D. Engine repair
Answer: B

43. The key risk when operating a floating crane is:
A. Submersion B. Overloading and tipping C. Fuel leakage D. Deck corrosion
Answer: B

44. Ballast water is used to:
A. Cook food B. Generate power C. Stabilize the ship D. Anchor the vessel
Answer: C

45. Which certificate proves a vessel is seaworthy?
A. Logbook B. Safety Equipment Certificate C. Tonnage Certificate D. Radio Certificate
Answer: B

46. A tide table shows:
A. Wind direction B. Wave height C. Water depth D. Time and height of tides
Answer: D

47. A vessel is trimmed when:
A. It floats level B. It is tilted sideways C. The bow is deeper than the stern D. It is overloaded
Answer: A

48. The SOLAS convention is concerned with:
A. Salaries B. Safety of life at sea C. Licensing of crew D. Oil pollution
Answer: B

49. The abbreviation “COLREGs” refers to:
A. Collision Regulation B. Cold Region Signals C. Collected Registers D. Cargo Loading Rules
Answer: A

50. An enclosed lifeboat offers:
A. Speed B. Better view C. More protection from weather D. Easier escape
Answer: C

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