7. The professional examination will be conducted as concisely as possible, with the view of determining the applicant's qualifications, and will embrace the following subjects:
(_a_) _Boxing the compass._—The applicant will be required to box the compass by points or degrees, according to the experience he has had in the use of either method.
(_b_) _Lights and fog signals._—A knowledge will be required of the running and anchor lights for steam and sailing vessels on the sea, inland waters, or Great Lakes, and a like knowledge of fog signals, according to the waters on which the applicant has served.
(_c_) _Signals for starting, stopping, slowing down, and backing the engines of steam vessels._—This examination will be restricted to the signals in use on the sea, or Great Lakes, according to the waters on which the applicant has served. In view of the widespread use of engine telegraphs, knowledge of engine bell signals, while deemed advantageous, will not be _required_ if in other respects the candidate qualified.
(_d_) _Passing signals for steam vessels._—To be confined to vessels meeting or passing under ordinary conditions.
(_e_) _Knotting, bending, splicing, and hitching._—The applicant will be required to make a few of the principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by sailormen.
(_f_) _Ability to pull an oar._—The applicant's knowledge of pulling an oar will be determined by actual trial in a boat.
(_g_) _Clearing away, lowering, and getting away from the ship._—The applicant's ability will be determined by actual trial aboard ship.
(_h_) _Handling boats at sea._—This examination will include questions relative to the proper handling of a boat in running before a heavy sea; in pulling into a sea; the trim of the boat; and steering with an oar, tiller, or yoke.
(_i_) _Knowledge of nautical terms._—The applicant will be required to definitely locate different parts of a ship, and to give the names of the different masts, sails, rigging davits, etc.
(_j_) _Steering._—The applicant will be required to demonstrate his knowledge of handling the wheel of a steamer by obeying orders passed to him as "wheelman."
The able seaman should also know the following: