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.


45: Which shallow water effect will increase dramatically if you increase your ship's speed past its "critical speed"?


88: Which is an example of cargo damage caused by inherent vice?


139: A "barrel" is a unit of liquid measure equivalent to __________.


165: You must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office as soon as possible after your vessel has been damaged in excess of __________.

    Y a. $25,000
    N b. $10,000
    N c. $1,500
    N d. $1,000

200: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    N a. No able seamen are required.
    N b. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    Y d. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.

245: The fitting that allows a boom to move freely both vertically and laterally is called the __________.

    N a. swivel
    N b. lizard
    N c. spider band
    Y d. gooseneck

256: When fruit is carried as refrigerated cargo, the most frequent cause of its being infected at the discharge port is __________.

    N a. leaks in the ship's refrigeration system
    Y b. improper cleaning of the cargo spaces
    N c. carriage at the wrong temperature
    N d. improper precooling of the cargo spaces

273: You will load class 1.2 commercial explosives and need to construct a portable magazine. The magazine MUST __________.

    N a. be made of metal
    Y b. be elevated with skids 10cm (3.9 inches) above the deck
    N c. have a hinged cover
    N d. be fastened with nails or screws

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

    Y a. combustible liquid
    N b. flammable liquid
    N c. flammable solid
    N d. poison B

481: Which U.S. agency assigns an official number to a vessel?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Collector of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

567: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required Pilot is TRUE?

    N a. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia and Maryland.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    Y c. The Pilot need only be licensed by the Coast Guard.
    N d. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.

648: Bulk cargo refers to __________.

    N a. cargo which occupies a large volume of space
    N b. cargo which requires refrigeration
    N c. cargo which is very dense
    Y d. homogeneous cargo not enclosed in a container

714: Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of manila line with a breaking stress of 8 tons.

    N a. 0.75 tons
    N b. 1.25 tons
    Y c. 1.33 tons
    N d. 8.00 tons

743: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. towing arch
    N b. jockey bar
    N c. chafing bar
    Y d. Dutch tow bar

828: Your vessel's available bale cubic capacity is 625,000 and her available cargo capacity is 10,000 deadweight tons. Disregarding broken stowage, how many tons of pyrite (stowage factor - 13) and how many tons of cork (s.f. - 150) must be loaded to be full and down?

    Y a. 6387 tons pyrite, 3613 tons cork
    N b. 6721 tons pyrite, 3279 tons cork
    N c. 7500 tons pyrite, 2500 tons cork
    N d. 9133 tons pyrite, 867 tons cork

847: When towing astern what equipment should be stowed ready for use near the towline?

    N a. First aid kit
    Y b. Axe or cutting torch
    N c. Fire extinguisher
    N d. Chafing gear

873: At the required fire drill, all persons must report to their stations and demonstrate their ability to perform the duties assigned to them __________.

    N a. by the Coast Guard regulations
    Y b. in the Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. by the person conducting the drill
    N d. at the previous safety meeting

980: The perforated, elevated bottom of the chain locker, which prevents the chains from touching the main locker bottom and allows seepage water to flow to the drains, is called a __________.

    N a. cradle
    N b. draft
    N c. harping
    Y d. manger

1015: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference to determine the sagging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 71.07 numeral
    N b. 74.95 numeral
    N c. 77.56 numeral
    Y d. 78.29 numeral

1137: When lowering manropes alongside a stage rigged over the side of a vessel, they should be allowed to trail in the water __________.

    N a. to easily remove the kinks that form in the lines
    N b. to allow the seamen on the stage to know the direction and strength of the current
    Y c. to provide the seaman something to hold onto if he or she falls from the stage into the water
    N d. only for short periods of time since they will become waterlogged and be very heavy to pull up

1138: A vessel arrives in the port of Los Angeles from a foreign port and discharges some of its inward foreign cargo. What additional manifest is required?

    N a. Discharge Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    N c. Pro Forma Manifest
    Y d. Traveling Manifest

1142: The hitch used to secure the standing part of a gantline to the horns of a stage is a __________.

    Y a. marlinespike hitch
    N b. clove hitch
    N c. blackwall hitch
    N d. Killick hitch

1163: When piloting a vessel, how are visual references used to establish a constant rate of turn?

    Y a. Fixed objects that stay on the same relative bearing when the ship is turning indicate a constant rate of turn.
    N b. Visual references cannot be used to maintain a constant rate of turn.
    N c. Begin the turn when the fixed object is on the beam.
    N d. Keep the fixed object's relative relative bearing opening, for a constant rate of turn.

1179: The most likely time for oil pollution while bunkering is when __________.

    Y a. final topping off is occurring
    N b. first starting to receive fuel
    N c. hoses are being blown down
    N d. hoses are disconnected and being capped

1198: The most probable position of the object of a search at any given time is the __________.

    Y a. datum position
    N b. incident position
    N c. reported position
    N d. dead-reckoning position

1445: What is an example of a fundamental objective of cargo stowage?

    N a. Load so the trim does not exceed 3 feet by the stern.
    N b. Make maximum use of existing dunnage.
    N c. Separate wet and dry cargoes into separate holds.
    Y d. Prevent overcarriage by block stowage.

1532: To determine the number of portable fire extinguishers required on an inspected vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. hot work permit
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1552: Which picture represents a stopper hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. M
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. L

1583: Which statement concerning a short splice is TRUE?

    N a. It is used to temporarily join two lines together.
    Y b. A short splice is stronger than two lines joined by a knot.
    N c. A short splice decreases the diameter of the line.
    N d. None of the above

1663: A bench hook is used for __________.

    N a. handling of cargo cases
    N b. hanging oilskins
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. splicing small stuff

1686: When weighing anchor in a rough sea, how would you avoid risk of damaging the bow plating?

    N a. Heave it home as fast as you can.
    N b. Heave it home intermittently, between swells.
    Y c. Leave the anchor under foot, until the vessel may be brought before the sea.
    N d. Wait for a calm spot between seas, then house it.

1817: Refrigeration machinery is often surveyed before loading reefer cargo. This survey is usually performed by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. local port authority

2000: The vessel has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. Both vessels are making the same amount of leeway. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (D025DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

2035: A seaman signed on articles on 16 January 1987 and signed off on 2 March 1987. How should you enter this under the Time of Service column in the articles?

    N a. 1 Month 18 Days
    N b. 1 Month 16 Days
    N c. 2 Months
    Y d. 46 Days

2048: The MINIMUM acceptable size for a towing bridle would be that size in which the safe working load (SWL) of each leg of the bridle is equal to __________.

    N a. one-half the SWL of the main towing hawser
    N b. three-fourths the SWL of the main towing hawser
    Y c. that of the main towing hawser
    N d. twice that of the main towing hawser

2048: The MINIMUM acceptable size for a towing bridle would be that size in which the safe working load (SWL) of each leg of the bridle is equal to __________.

    N a. one-half the SWL of the main towing hawser
    N b. three-fourths the SWL of the main towing hawser
    Y c. that of the main towing hawser
    N d. twice that of the main towing hawser

2085: What purpose does a bridge fitting serve when lashing containers?

    N a. Ties a container stack to the deck
    N b. Ties a container to the container below it
    N c. Restrains racking loads
    Y d. Restrains the container against horizontal motion

2139: You are proceeding to the area of reported distress. When you arrive at the reported position, the vessel in distress is not sighted. What type of search should be conducted?

    N a. Sector search
    Y b. Expanding square
    N c. Track crawl
    N d. Parallel track search

2149: When anchoring in a clay bottom, what is one hazard that may cause the anchor to drag?

    N a. The flukes may dig in unevenly and capsize the anchor when under stress.
    N b. The flukes may not dig in.
    Y c. The anchor may get shod with clay and not develop full holding power.
    N d. The anchor will tend to dig in and come to rest near the vertical.

2178: Segregation of cargoes refers to __________.

    Y a. separating cargoes so that the inherent characteristics of one cannot damage the other
    N b. separating cargoes by destination
    N c. classifying cargoes according to their toxicity
    N d. listing the cargoes in order of their flammability

2302: What is NOT required to be approved or certified by the U.S. Coast Guard before being used on inspected vessels?

    N a. Lifesaving equipment that is in excess of the regulatory minimum
    N b. Ship's stores that are Class A poisons or Class A explosives
    Y c. Steel plate used in hull construction
    N d. EPIRBs

2709: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker should indicate that she is ready to cast off the towline by __________.

    Y a. displaying code letter "Y" (Yankee)
    N b. sounding five short blasts on his whistle
    N c. displaying code numeral "5"
    N d. sounding one prolonged blast on his whistle

2722: "Limber" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. emergency gear
    Y b. drainage
    N c. deck cargo storage
    N d. securing gear

2852: On a small passenger vessel the collision bulkhead is __________.

    N a. amidships forward of the engine room
    N b. just forward of the steering compartment
    N c. in the engine room
    Y d. A distance of 5% to 15% of the waterline length abaft the stem measured at the load waterline

2860: How are riveted lap joints made watertight?

    N a. The faying surfaces are coated with white lead (or similar product) before the rivets are set.
    N b. A sealing weld bead of 1/8" or less pitch is run along the plate edge.
    Y c. The plate edge is split close to an adjacent plate and mechanically forced into contact with the adjacent plate.
    N d. A properly riveted joint will be watertight; any leakage is stopped by setting up on the rivets.

2940: A vessel reduces speed without backing. The rate that her speed through the water decreases depends primarily on the __________.

    N a. vessel's horsepower
    N b. sea state
    N c. number of propellers
    Y d. vessel's displacement

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3073: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.
    N b. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    Y c. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.
    N d. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.

3168: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another when backing down? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. C
    N d. B

3200: A license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for apprentice mate (steersman) of Uninspected Towing Vessels is valid for __________.

    N a. 2 years and must be renewed
    N b. 3 years and must be renewed
    Y c. 5 years and must be renewed
    N d. None of the above

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3262: Fracture damage to the end links of the anchor cable, or to the Jews' harp may be eliminated by __________.

    N a. using a small diameter connecting shackle
    N b. ensuring the swivel is well lubricated and free to turn
    N c. installing the connecting shackle with the bow towards the anchor
    Y d. securing a piece of wood to the Jews' harp

3382: The signal man assisting the crane operator first taps his elbow with one hand and then proceeds to use regular signals. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. use the main hoist
    N b. proceed slowly
    N c. increase speed
    Y d. use the whip line

3420: A face line is used to __________.

    N a. prevent barge movement in a lock
    N b. secure two barges end-to-end
    Y c. secure barges to the towboat
    N d. secure barges side-by-side

3840: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is true?

    N a. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    Y c. The stress on the heel block is less at 60°.
    N d. The change in angle of elevation has no effect on the stresses in the head block.

4026: One of the greatest hazards of pushing ahead is parting which item shown? (D024DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. F
    Y d. I

4061: The two factors which make underwater hull repair difficult are accessibility and the __________.

    N a. availability of tools
    N b. shape of the hull
    Y c. pressure exerted by the water
    N d. threat of progressive flooding

4156: Which element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Weight of the vehicles
    N b. Geographical area of the voyage
    N c. Dynamic forces under adverse weather conditions
    Y d. All of the above

4261: Who should be notified prior to starting up a crane?

    N a. The pumpman
    N b. The stevedore foreman
    Y c. The engine room
    N d. All the above

4277: Which wire rope purchases may be used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Hoist
    N b. Luff
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. All of the above