USCG General Deck: Master's License

This is an interactive test. Read each question and select the proper answer by clicking on the appropriate answer. If a "Y" appears, your choice is correct. If a "N" appears, more study may be in order.


285: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?


293: Which space(s) is(are) NOT exempt when measuring gross tonnage?


302: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker with orders to load diethylamine. What is NOT a requirement for transporting this cargo?


304: To warp a vessel means to __________.

    N a. anchor the vessel
    N b. bring the head into the wind
    N c. clean the decks
    Y d. move the vessel by hauling on lines

341: The Certificate of Freeboard is the __________.

    Y a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Admeasurer's Certificate
    N d. Forecastle Card

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

463: A tow span __________.

    N a. prevents the towing hawser from snagging any equipment or gear on deck
    N b. may be equipped with a greased, free sliding spool to fairlead the towing hawser
    N c. allows the crew access to the fantail and to move safely on deck aft of the towing bitts or winch
    Y d. All of the above

546: A twin-screw ship going ahead on the starboard screw only tends to move __________.

    N a. in a straight line
    Y b. to port
    N c. from side to side
    N d. to starboard

555: A chain bridle is used when towing astern because it __________.

    N a. is easy to connect
    Y b. provides an effective catenary and absorbs shock due to its weight
    N c. makes rigging a swivel unnecessary
    N d. prevents the tow from yawing by the drag of the chains in a seaway

555: A chain bridle is used when towing astern because it __________.

    N a. is easy to connect
    Y b. provides an effective catenary and absorbs shock due to its weight
    N c. makes rigging a swivel unnecessary
    N d. prevents the tow from yawing by the drag of the chains in a seaway

612: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. aft of the propellers
    Y d. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern

642: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. offshore stern line
    Y b. inshore stern line
    N c. after spring line
    N d. after breast line

668: Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk?

    Y a. Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only.
    N b. Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet.
    N c. Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions.
    N d. Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible.

693: The effect of excessive catenary in shallow water may be __________.

    N a. dragging the towing hawser along the bottom and chafing it
    N b. snagging sunken or submerged objects
    N c. slowing, stopping or endangering the towing operation by placing the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

792: When the vessel is on coastwise articles, the original certificate of the seaman's certificate of discharge is __________.

    Y a. given to the seaman
    N b. retained on board
    N c. sent to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. sent to the shipping company

998: When steering on autopilot which of the following input conditions may NOT have an effect on the control of the steering gear?

    Y a. Non-followup
    N b. Rudder adjustment
    N c. Weather adjustment
    N d. All the above may be activated

1005: Which device is designed to automatically hold the load if power should fail to an electric winch?

    N a. Pneumatic brake
    Y b. Electromagnetic brake
    N c. Hand brake
    N d. Motor controller

1026: When making way in heavy seas you notice that your vessel's screw is being lifted clear of the water and racing. One way to correct this would be to __________.

    N a. increase speed
    Y b. decrease speed
    N c. move more weight forward
    N d. shift the rudder back and forth several times

1088: As Master or person in charge, you must notify the U.S. Coast Guard if an injury leaves a crewman unfit to perform routine duties for more than __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 48 hours
    N c. 72 hours
    Y d. Any amount of time

1097: Which of the knots, bends, or hitches shown in the illustration would you use to properly secure a bosun's chair to a gantline? (D030DG )

    N a. I
    N b. P
    Y c. R
    N d. X

1441: Dead freight is the charge for the __________.

    N a. carriage of demise cargo
    N b. cost of transshipment of over-carried cargo
    N c. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo discharged
    Y d. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo booked, through no fault of the vessel

1452: The helm command "Check her" means __________.

    N a. test the steering control
    N b. read the compass heading
    N c. stop the swing using hard over rudder
    Y d. slow the swing using moderate rudder

1460: Weight concentration in which area will cause a vessel's bottom to be subjected to tension stresses?

    N a. Aft
    Y b. Amidships
    N c. At both ends
    N d. Forward

1465: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

    N a. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    Y b. a single turn with hard rudder
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    N d. two 180° turns

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline in a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Fisherman's loop
    N d. Spider hitch

1558: When making up a tow connection, you should use __________.

    N a. safety hooks
    N b. plain eye hooks
    N c. round pin shackles
    Y d. screw pin shackles

1582: Which is an example of failure to exercise due diligence?

    Y a. Overloading
    N b. Sailing short of union manning requirements
    N c. Sailing with less than 30% reserve fuel oil supply
    N d. Sailing short of being full and down

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1707: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. What precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. R (ROUTINE)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. P (PRIORITY)
    Y d. O (IMMEDIATE)

1724: A "bowline" is used to __________.

    N a. join lines of equal size
    Y b. form a temporary eye (loop) at the end of a line
    N c. be a stopper
    N d. keep a line from fraying

1739: If two falls are attached to lift a one-ton load, what angle between the falls will result in the stress on each fall being equal to the load being lifted?

    N a. 60°
    N b. 75°
    Y c. 120°
    N d. 150°

1782: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel should be stopped with the wind dead ahead during the hoisting operation.
    Y b. Flags should be flown to provide a visual reference as to the direction of the apparent wind.
    N c. The drop line should be grounded first then secured as close to the hoist point as possible.
    N d. The hoist area should be located as far aft as possible so the pilot will have a visual reference while approaching.

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

1842: The knot shown lettered W is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. clove hitch
    Y b. square knot
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper knot

1849: The knot lettered U is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. half hitch
    N b. round knot
    N c. becket bend
    N d. plain whipping

1933: When checking a mooring line, you should __________.

    N a. ensure the bight is not fouled between the ship and the dock by taking up slack
    N b. pay out slack smartly and keep free for running
    N c. secure more turns to hold the line against any strain, then clear the area
    Y d. surge the line so that it maintains a strain without parting

1935: The knot lettered H in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. plain whipping
    N d. crown knot

1996: Which method should be used to secure a manila line to bitts?

    N a. A round turn on the bitt farthest from the strain and then figure eights
    Y b. A round turn on the bitt closest to the strain and then figure eights
    N c. Figure eights and then a round turn at the top of both bitts
    N d. Only figure eights are necessary on both bitts

2100: The primary purpose of a load line is to establish required __________.

    Y a. minimum freeboard
    N b. GM
    N c. transverse stability
    N d. fresh water allowances

2102: A seaman deserts the vessel in a foreign port. What should the Master do with any of the deserter's personal effects remaining on board?

    N a. Sell them at auction and deposit the money in the ship's morale or welfare fund.
    N b. Donate them to a local charity upon return to the United States.
    Y c. Transfer them to the appropriate district court of the U.S. at the end of the voyage.
    N d. Inventory them, make an appropriate entry in the Official Logbook and dispose of them at sea.

2166: A ballasted vessel sinks enroute to a dry dock. Under these circumstances, the vessel's owner can claim __________.

    Y a. actual total loss
    N b. constructive total loss
    N c. general average
    N d. particular average

2203: A Chinese stopper (two lines) will hold best when you __________.

    N a. fasten the bitter ends to the mooring line with half hitches
    Y b. twist the ends together and hold them in the direction of the pull
    N c. twist the ends together and hold them in the direction opposite to the pull
    N d. twist the ends together and hold them at right angles to the mooring line

2204: While writing in the logbook at the end of your watch, you make an error in writing an entry. What is the proper way of correcting this error?

    N a. Blot out the error completely and rewrite the entry correctly.
    N b. Carefully and neatly erase the entry and rewrite it correctly.
    Y c. Cross out the error with a single line, write the correct entry, and initial it.
    N d. Remove this page of the log book and rewrite all entries on a clean page.

2206: You are using tackle number 6 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 80 lbs.
    N b. 69 lbs.
    N c. 55 lbs.
    N d. 50 lbs.

2218: If reefer spaces are not properly cleaned prior to loading cargo, it will most likely cause __________.

    Y a. mold to develop on commodities
    N b. malfunction of the refrigeration equipment
    N c. contamination of the insulation in the space
    N d. All of the above

2484: The type of joint formed when an edge of one plate is laid over the edge of the plate to which it is riveted is a __________.

    N a. grip joint
    N b. strap joint
    N c. thread joint
    Y d. lap joint

2496: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest is FALSE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the carrier, agents, and any person designated for this purpose.
    Y b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargoes may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    N c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The hazard class of each cargo must be indicated.

2608: Most very large ocean going vessels, such as bulk carriers and large tankers, tend to squat __________.

    Y a. by the bow
    N b. by the stern
    N c. at the end nearest the bottom
    N d. evenly fore and aft

2716: A channel is stated as having a controlling depth of 38 feet. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. At least 80% of the channel is cleared to the charted depth.
    N b. At least 50% of the channel is cleared to the charted depth.
    Y c. 100% of the channel width is clear to 38 feet.
    N d. The sides of the channel conform to at least 50% of the controlling depth.

2718: On Great Lakes vessels, midsummer load lines apply __________.

    N a. April 16 through April 30 and September 16 through September 30
    Y b. May 1 through September 15
    N c. July 16 through August 30
    N d. June 16 through September 16

2798: The primary purpose of the stud is to prevent the anchor chain from __________.

    Y a. kinking
    N b. distorting
    N c. elongating
    N d. breaking

2889: What is the minimum size required before a vessel can be documented?

    Y a. 5 net tons
    N b. 100 gross tons
    N c. 26 feet length
    N d. 65 feet length

2898: What is the period of validity of the SOLAS required Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate?

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 48 months
    Y d. 60 months

3462: Under U.S. law, what is the penalty for assaulting the Master?

    N a. Fine of not more than $1000
    N b. Fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than 1 year
    Y c. Imprisonment for not more than 2 years
    N d. Revocation of the Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable)

4043: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. aft of the propellers
    Y b. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. at the bow

4048: You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 600 yards and your vessel's LOA is 525 feet. If you anchor in 10 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle?

    Y a. 4 shots
    N b. 5 shots
    N c. 6 shots
    N d. 7 shots

4102: What characterizes a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. May carry up to 24 passengers
    Y b. High freeboard and sail area
    N c. Long port stays required for cargo securing
    N d. Lightweight securing equipment trailers

4215: The electrical components for each single crane are installed in its __________.

    N a. crane house
    N b. machinery base
    N c. turntable
    Y d. All of the above

4264: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment need not be checked prior to commencing a lift.
    N b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting need not be secured.
    Y c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    N d. All the above

4282: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    Y c. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the topping lift.