Texas Marine Salvage Operator Licensing
Exam — Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary objective of marine salvage
operations?
o A) Remove wrecks for aesthetic purposes
o B) Preserve life, protect property, and prevent environmental
damage
o C) Increase insurance claims
o D) Clear waterways for navigation
The main goal is saving lives, property, and reducing environmental
harm.
2. Under the Salvage Convention of 1989, a salvor is entitled to what?
o A) A fixed fee
o B) A government subsidy
o C) A reward proportionate to the value of the property saved and
risks taken
o D) Only reimbursement of costs
Rewards are based on property value, degree of danger, and success.
3. What does the term “Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF)” refer to?
o A) A ship design standard
o B) A widely used salvage contract format
, o C) A marine insurance policy
o D) A cargo-handling plan
LOF is the most common salvage contract used globally.
4. Which of the following is considered a “no cure, no pay” principle in
salvage law?
o A) A salvor is always paid regardless of success
o B) Insurance pays salvage costs automatically
o C) Salvors are compensated only if successful in saving property
o D) Government guarantees payment
Salvors only earn a reward if salvage is successful.
5. What is the first priority in any marine salvage operation?
o A) Recovering valuable cargo
o B) Ensuring the safety of human life
o C) Protecting the shipowner’s interest
o D) Minimizing fuel loss
Safety of human life always comes before property or cargo.
6. Which piece of equipment is most critical for stability assessment during
salvage?
o A) Compass
o B) Radar
o C) Hydrostatic tables and stability software
o D) Depth sounder
Accurate hydrostatics are needed to calculate stability during
refloating.
7. In salvage, parbuckling is best described as:
o A) Towing a vessel sideways
, o B) Rotating a capsized vessel upright using cables or winches
o C) Anchoring a vessel with multiple chains
o D) Draining water from compartments
Parbuckling is the controlled rotation of a sunken or capsized vessel.
8. Which salvage technique is commonly used for grounded vessels on
sandbanks?
o A) Explosives
o B) Lightening and kedging
o C) Welding reinforcements
o D) Firefighting
Reducing draft by removing cargo (lightening) and kedging off anchor
help refloat.
9. A salvor must notify which authority first when oil pollution risk is present?
o A) Shipowner’s insurer
o B) Port authority
o C) U.S. Coast Guard / local maritime safety authority
o D) Marine surveyor
Environmental agencies and the Coast Guard must be informed
immediately.
10. What does the term “hot tapping” mean in salvage operations?
o A) Welding on cold steel
o B) Drilling into a tank or pipe to remove contents while under
pressure
o C) Heating fuel tanks
o D) Applying adhesives to leaks
Hot tapping allows safe removal of liquid cargo or fuel from damaged
tanks.
Exam — Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary objective of marine salvage
operations?
o A) Remove wrecks for aesthetic purposes
o B) Preserve life, protect property, and prevent environmental
damage
o C) Increase insurance claims
o D) Clear waterways for navigation
The main goal is saving lives, property, and reducing environmental
harm.
2. Under the Salvage Convention of 1989, a salvor is entitled to what?
o A) A fixed fee
o B) A government subsidy
o C) A reward proportionate to the value of the property saved and
risks taken
o D) Only reimbursement of costs
Rewards are based on property value, degree of danger, and success.
3. What does the term “Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF)” refer to?
o A) A ship design standard
o B) A widely used salvage contract format
, o C) A marine insurance policy
o D) A cargo-handling plan
LOF is the most common salvage contract used globally.
4. Which of the following is considered a “no cure, no pay” principle in
salvage law?
o A) A salvor is always paid regardless of success
o B) Insurance pays salvage costs automatically
o C) Salvors are compensated only if successful in saving property
o D) Government guarantees payment
Salvors only earn a reward if salvage is successful.
5. What is the first priority in any marine salvage operation?
o A) Recovering valuable cargo
o B) Ensuring the safety of human life
o C) Protecting the shipowner’s interest
o D) Minimizing fuel loss
Safety of human life always comes before property or cargo.
6. Which piece of equipment is most critical for stability assessment during
salvage?
o A) Compass
o B) Radar
o C) Hydrostatic tables and stability software
o D) Depth sounder
Accurate hydrostatics are needed to calculate stability during
refloating.
7. In salvage, parbuckling is best described as:
o A) Towing a vessel sideways
, o B) Rotating a capsized vessel upright using cables or winches
o C) Anchoring a vessel with multiple chains
o D) Draining water from compartments
Parbuckling is the controlled rotation of a sunken or capsized vessel.
8. Which salvage technique is commonly used for grounded vessels on
sandbanks?
o A) Explosives
o B) Lightening and kedging
o C) Welding reinforcements
o D) Firefighting
Reducing draft by removing cargo (lightening) and kedging off anchor
help refloat.
9. A salvor must notify which authority first when oil pollution risk is present?
o A) Shipowner’s insurer
o B) Port authority
o C) U.S. Coast Guard / local maritime safety authority
o D) Marine surveyor
Environmental agencies and the Coast Guard must be informed
immediately.
10. What does the term “hot tapping” mean in salvage operations?
o A) Welding on cold steel
o B) Drilling into a tank or pipe to remove contents while under
pressure
o C) Heating fuel tanks
o D) Applying adhesives to leaks
Hot tapping allows safe removal of liquid cargo or fuel from damaged
tanks.
