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.


63: Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?


130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?


378: In preparation for receiving chilled reefer cargo, the reefer space has been precooled for over twenty-four hours. Loading may begin when the space has been cooled to a temperature between __________.


420: In handling break bulk hazardous materials, it is forbidden to use __________.

    N a. cargo nets
    Y b. metal bale hooks
    N c. pallets
    N d. slings

470: A fiber towing hawser should be stowed __________.

    Y a. in an enclosed rope locker with adequate air circulation
    N b. by spooling it on the winch
    N c. by coiling it on deck
    N d. by hanging it in the engineroom

482: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons is to be loaded aboard your vessel. You examine one of the cartons of the lot shown. What is the total cubic space the consignment will occupy? (Assume no broken stowage.) (D042DG )

    N a. 51 cubic feet (1.5 cubic meters)
    Y b. 58 cubic feet (1.7 cubic meters)
    N c. 336 cubic feet (10 cubic meters)
    N d. 700 cubic feet (21 cubic meters)

529: When loading a tanker, you should __________.

    N a. load only one tank at a time
    N b. keep the seamen on watch on standby in the mess room
    N c. keep a strain on the loading hoses
    Y d. close valves by closing them down, reopening one or two turns, and re-closing

559: A vessel loads edible oil in a deep tank through a manhole at the mid-length of the tank. In order to fill the tank to maximum capacity, what trim should the vessel have?

    N a. Down by the bow
    N b. Down by the stern
    N c. Down by either the bow or stern
    Y d. In level trim

566: The BEST way to steer a twin-screw vessel if you lose your rudder is by using __________.

    N a. one engine and a steering oar
    N b. both engines at the same speed
    N c. one engine at a time
    Y d. one engine running at reduced speed and controlling the vessel with the other

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

623: When hugging a bank in a narrow channel, you should take precautions against_______________.

    N a. bank suction, squat and the effects of vessels passing close aboard
    N b. clogged sea chests, plugged sea strainers and overheated machinery
    N c. striking underwater obstructions close to the bank
    Y d. All of the above

865: A nylon line is rated at 15,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    Y a. 3,000 lbs
    N b. 5,000 lbs
    N c. 15,000 lbs
    N d. 65,000 lbs

882: The owner or Master of a towing vessel that tows astern must keep records of the towline(s) that include all of the following information EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. the towline's initial minimum breaking strength as determined by the manufacturer
    Y b. an invoice showing the cost of the towline
    N c. the towline's nautical miles of use or time in service
    N d. the history of loading of the towline

923: An advantage of nylon rope over manila rope is that nylon rope __________.

    Y a. can hold a load even when a considerable number of the yarns have been abraded
    N b. can be stored on deck, exposed to sunlight
    N c. can be used in conjunction with wire or spring-lay rope
    N d. gives audible warning of overstress whereas manila does not

928: Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed during the day while bunkering?

    Y a. A red flag
    N b. A yellow flag
    N c. A red and yellow flag
    N d. A red light

1006: Which action reduces the yawing of a vessel in a following sea?

    N a. Increasing GM
    N b. Pumping out tanks aft
    N c. Shifting weights to the bow
    Y d. Shifting weights to the stern

1016: Your vessel is off a lee shore in heavy weather and laboring. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Put the sea and wind about two points on either bow and reduce speed.
    N b. Heave to in the trough of the sea.
    N c. Put the sea and wind on either quarter and proceed at increased speed.
    N d. Put the bow directly into the sea and proceed at full speed.

1080: The "inner bottom" is the __________.

    Y a. tank top
    N b. compartment between the tank top and shell of the vessel
    N c. inner side of the vessel's shell
    N d. space between two transverse bottom frames

1082: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. backing wire
    Y b. scissor wire
    N c. face wire
    N d. breast wire

1230: Which statement concerning solid floors is TRUE?

    N a. They must be watertight.
    Y b. They may have lightening, limber, or air holes cut into them.
    N c. They are built of structural frames connected by angle struts and stiffeners, with flanged plate brackets at each end.
    N d. They are lighter than open floors.

1245: While on watch at sea you must maintain a proper lookout at all times. On a 700-foot cargo vessel being hand-steered during daylight hours in good visibility and clear of any navigational hazards, the lookout may be __________.

    N a. the helmsman
    Y b. the mate on watch
    N c. Either A or B
    N d. Neither A nor B

1286: The anchors should be dropped well out from the pier while at a Mediterranean moor to __________.

    N a. eliminate navigational hazards by allowing the chain to lie along the harbor bottom
    N b. increase the anchor's reliability by providing a large catenary in the chain
    Y c. permit the ship to maneuver in the stream while weighing anchors
    N d. prevent damage to the stern caused by swinging against the pier in the approach

1509: If an electric cargo winch is being used to lift a draft of cargo and the engine room loses all power, which will occur?

    N a. A pawl, forced by a spring mechanism, will engage the teeth of the bull gear and hold the load.
    Y b. An electromagnetic brake will hold the load where it is suspended.
    N c. The load will fall rapidly to the deck unless the foot brake is engaged.
    N d. The load will slowly lower to the deck under control of the drag of the winch motor.

1516: The length of a standard "shot" of chain is __________.

    N a. 12 fathoms
    Y b. 15 fathoms
    N c. 18 fathoms
    N d. 20 fathoms

1586: By paying out more anchor cable, you __________.

    N a. decrease the holding power of your anchor
    N b. decrease the swing of your vessel while at anchor
    Y c. increase the holding power of your anchor
    N d. increase the possibility that your vessel will drag anchor

1706: Your vessel is anchored in an open roadstead with three shots of chain out on the port anchor. The wind freshens considerably and the anchor begins to drag. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Drop the starboard anchor short with about one shot of chain.
    N b. Sheer out to starboard using the rudder, then drop the starboard anchor with about four shots of chain.
    N c. Put the engines slow ahead to help the anchor.
    Y d. Veer out more chain on the port anchor.

1815: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    N a. steer the course which is your present heading
    N b. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    Y d. decrease the rudder angle

1872: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Y d. less than 10 minutes

1901: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you assign this transmission?

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

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

    N a. fairlead
    Y b. heaving line
    N c. stay
    N d. warp

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

2029: When anchored, increasing the scope of the anchor chain normally serves to __________.

    N a. prevent fouling of the anchor
    N b. decrease swing of the vessel
    Y c. prevent dragging of the anchor
    N d. reduce strain on the windlass

2040: The plating indicated by the letter N is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    Y a. inner bottom
    N b. floor riders
    N c. tank-top rider plating
    N d. ceiling

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

2144: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    N b. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    Y d. put the rudder over to the right all the way

2148: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N b. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N c. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N d. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.

2170: Your vessel is disabled and in imminent danger of grounding on a lee shore. The Master agrees to salvage services using Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement. Which is TRUE?

    N a. The salvage award will be decided by suit in Admiralty Court.
    Y b. The salvage service is on a "no cure-no pay" basis.
    N c. Underwriters will repudiate the agreement if it is unsuccessful, due to their increased liability.
    N d. The salvor becomes the owner of the vessel until the salvage award, if any, is paid.

2198: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results as shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 90°? (D034DG )

    N a. 355 yards
    Y b. 380 yards
    N c. 410 yards
    N d. 455 yards

2255: You are using tackle number 2 to lift a weight of 100 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? (D029DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 55 lbs.
    Y c. 60 lbs.
    N d. 110 lbs.

2365: A six-strand composite rope made up of alternate fiber and wire strands around a fiber core is called __________.

    Y a. spring lay
    N b. lang lay
    N c. cable lay
    N d. alternate lay

2376: A vessel has an amidships superstructure. Which location would be most suitable for on-deck stowage of automobiles?

    N a. On top of #1 hatch
    N b. Beside the hatches, forward of the midships house
    N c. On top of the hatch immediately forward of the midships house
    Y d. On top of the hatch immediately aft of the midships house

2388: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 4 feet after a sector of 120° has been removed?

    N a. 2.67 square ft.
    N b. 4.19 square ft.
    Y c. 8.38 square ft.
    N d. 10.67 square ft.

2791: What is the period of validity of a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate?

    N a. 72 months
    Y b. 60 months
    N c. 48 months
    N d. 42 months

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

2924: You are on a large vessel fitted with a right-handed controllable-pitch propeller set at maximum forward pitch. Which statement about reversing is TRUE?

    N a. When the pitch is reversed, the stern will slew to port even with headway.
    N b. The vessel will respond to the rudder until sternway is developed, then the stern will slew to starboard.
    Y c. There will probably be a loss of steering control.
    N d. The vessel will have full rudder control throughout the speed change from ahead to astern.

2956: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2980: What is a step in attaching a poured metal socket to a wire rope?

    Y a. Etch the wire with acid.
    N b. Install a wire seizing on the wire that will be inside the socket.
    N c. Ensure the fiber core is well lubricated.
    N d. Pour molten babbitt metal into the socket.

3044: When you have a tow alongside, your stern should extend aft of the tow in order to __________.

    N a. avoid obscuring your stern light
    N b. provide a better lead for your lines
    Y c. obtain better steering control
    N d. let the barge deflect floating objects from your propeller

3046: What is an explosion hazard when exposed to flame?

    N a. Formic acid
    N b. Nitrous oxide
    N c. Tallow
    Y d. Toluene

3162: When maneuvering from pull towing to breasted (alongside) towing, a twin-screw vessel is more likely than a single-screw vessel of equal horsepower to __________.

    N a. trip or capsize
    Y b. foul the towline
    N c. go into irons
    N d. part the towing strap

3396: A tow that veers to the side on the end of the towline is said to __________.

    Y a. yaw
    N b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. swing

3452: A drift lead indicates that the vessel is dragging anchor when the line is __________.

    Y a. taut and leading forward
    N b. slack
    N c. leading out perpendicular to the centerline
    N d. leading under the hull

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. J
    N b. H
    N c. G
    N d. F

3463: Deckhands onboard towing vessels shall be divided into 3 watches when the trip exceeds __________.

    N a. 1000 miles
    N b. 800 miles
    N c. 700 miles
    Y d. 600 miles

3586: The last shot of an anchor cable is usually painted __________.

    N a. white
    N b. international orange
    N c. yellow
    Y d. red

3722: The next-to-last shot of an anchor cable is usually painted __________.

    N a. white
    N b. international orange
    Y c. yellow
    N d. red

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

4186: How could lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels be stowed when not in use?

    Y a. Drape along brackets
    N b. Leave in place while back loading cargo to save time
    N c. Hang vertically in the paint locker
    N d. All of 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

4383: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable