USCG Exam PracticeLine handling and mooring
A towing vessel's wire towline winch brake must meet which specific performance standard under 33 CFR §164.74?
- A. It must be rated to hold twice the vessel's bollard pull and be operable by remote control from the wheelhouse
- ✓ It must have holding power appropriate for the vessel's horsepower or bollard pull and be operable without power to the winchCorrect
- C. It must be certified annually by a class society and have a minimum holding power of 150 percent of the towline's breaking strength
- D. It must be capable of releasing the towline automatically if tension exceeds the towline's minimum breaking strength
Why B is correct
33 CFR §164.74(b)(7) requires that when a winch is fitted, the brake attached to the main drum must have holding power appropriate for the horsepower or bollard pull of the vessel and must be capable of being operated without power to the winch. No remote-control or class-society certification requirement is stated for the brake.
Cited:33 CFR §164.74