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.


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


311: The Shipping Articles shall be signed by each seaman and the __________.


332: The helm command "Meet her" means __________.


360: The label required on containers carrying barium oxide in an international shipment must read __________.

    Y a. "Poison"
    N b. "Spontaneously Combustible"
    N c. "Radioactive"
    N d. "Infectious Substance"

371: In the United States, the load line markings are set by the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Coast Guard
    N c. Federal Maritime Board
    N d. IMO

471: The official identification of a vessel is found in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Classification Certificate
    N c. Load Line Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Documentation

473: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to accept the seaman if the seaman is medically unfit.
    N b. He must take the seaman even if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N c. He is always required to take the seaman.
    Y d. He may refuse to take the seaman if it will violate the Certificate of Inspection.

493: What does "end for end" mean in regard to a towing hawser?

    N a. To take the kinks out of the hawser
    N b. To fake it down in figure eights
    N c. To increase the catenary
    Y d. To swap ends of the hawser to minimize wear

504: Anchors are prevented from running out when secured by the __________.

    N a. brake
    N b. devil's claw
    N c. pawls
    Y d. All of the above

561: Which space cannot be deducted from gross tonnage when calculating net tonnage?

    N a. Crew messroom
    Y b. Forepeak ballast tank
    N c. Master's cabin
    N d. Chain locker

579: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge, and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction
    N d. ship's pump speeding up

620: You are on a container vessel. What concerning the handling and stowage of containerized hazardous materials is TRUE?

    Y a. Open-bed containers may be used to transport hazardous materials if the cargo is properly secured.
    N b. A portable cargo tank of a flammable, cryogenic liquid may not be in transit for a period exceeding its marked rated holding time unless the liquid is inhibited.
    N c. A portable cargo tank containing a cryogenic liquid must be shipped on deck unless forced ventilation is provided to the decks-decks.
    N d. A container loaded with packages of tear gas would display a placard reading "Irritant."

655: Good seamanship while towing in heavy weather requires all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. reducing speed to reduce surging on the towline
    N b. lashing down or stowing all loose gear
    N c. dogging all hatches and watertight doors
    Y d. streaming all of your towing hawser

754: Which method is used to detect rot in manila lines?

    N a. Feeling the surface of the line for broken fibers
    N b. Measuring the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. Observing for the appearance of mildew on the outer surface
    Y d. Opening the strands and examining the inner fibers

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

950: The upward slope of a ships bottom from the keel to the bilge is known as __________.

    N a. camber
    N b. slope
    Y c. deadrise
    N d. keel height

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

1085: Which of the following statements concerning the rigging of bosuns' chairs and their use is TRUE?

    N a. Always secure the gantline to the chair with a bowline.
    N b. Always have the chair hoisted with at least three turns on a winch drum.
    Y c. Any tools, paint pots etc. should be secured by lanyards.
    N d. When riding a stay, make sure that the bow of the shackle passes through the becket of the bridle.

1139: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    N a. near the stern
    N b. at the hawsepipe
    Y c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow

1188: An implied warranty of seaworthiness on the part of the vessel's owner lies in the __________.

    N a. Cargo Manifest
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Classification Certificate
    Y d. contract of carriage, i.e. Bill of Lading

1190: A normal safe working load for used nylon rope in good conditon is __________.

    N a. 10% of its breaking strain
    Y b. 25% of its breaking strain
    N c. 33% of its breaking strain
    N d. 50% of its breaking strain

1240: Bilge keels are fitted on ships to __________.

    N a. assist in dry dock alignment
    N b. improve the vessel's stability
    N c. protect the vessel from slamming against piers
    Y d. reduce the rolling of the vessel

1299: Which part of a conventional cargo gear rig provides for vertical control and positioning of a boom?

    N a. Cargo whip
    N b. Gooseneck fitting
    N c. Spider band
    Y d. Topping lift

1346: The best method of determining if a vessel is dragging anchor is to note __________.

    N a. the amount of line paid out
    N b. how much the vessel sheers while at anchor
    N c. any change in the tautness of the anchor chain
    Y d. changes in bearings of fixed objects onshore

1497: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a round turn and two half hitches? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. F
    N c. Q
    N d. S

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

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

1595: Which picture represents a barrel hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. O
    N b. U
    N c. E
    N d. P

1598: On a vessel with a single propeller, transverse force has the most effect on the vessel when the engine is put __________.

    N a. full ahead
    Y b. full astern
    N c. half ahead
    N d. slow astern

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

    Y a. heaving line
    N b. lead line
    N c. manrope
    N d. mooring line

1780: The term that indicates how many tons of cargo a vessel can carry is __________.

    N a. bale cubic
    Y b. deadweight
    N c. gross tonnage
    N d. loaded displacement

1826: The knot lettered X in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    N b. becket bend
    Y c. clove hitch
    N d. blackwall hitch

1840: You are approaching a steamer that is broken down and are preparing to take her in tow. BEFORE positioning your vessel to pass the towline, you must __________.

    Y a. compare the rate of drift between the ships
    N b. install chafing gear on the towline
    N c. secure the bitter end of the towing hawser to prevent loss if the tow is slipped
    N d. have traveling lizards rigged to guide the towline while it is paid-out

1883: The most common method of securing a line to a cleat is a __________.

    N a. half hitch, then round turns
    Y b. round turn, then figure eights
    N c. figure eight, then round turns
    N d. figure eight, then half hitches

1898: Back-up wires on a towed vessel provide __________.

    N a. a factor of safety
    N b. additional strength
    N c. a distribution of the towing load
    Y d. All of the above

1915: A butt is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. J
    N b. F
    N c. E
    Y d. D

1920: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    Y a. electronic
    N b. celestial
    N c. piloting
    N d. None of the above

1926: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 12 feet?

    Y a. 6.73 T
    N b. 7.85 T
    N c. 13.46 T
    N d. 26.93 T

2018: When towing astern, one way to reduce yawing of the tow is to __________.

    Y a. trim the tow by the stern
    N b. trim the tow by the head
    N c. have the tow on an even keel
    N d. list the tow on the side it is yawing

2027: Your vessel is issued a load line certificate dated 27 May 1992. What is NOT an acceptable date for one of the surveys for endorsements?

    N a. 28-Feb-93
    Y b. 27-Nov-93
    N c. 26-Aug-94
    N d. 27-May-95

2084: A copy of the Articles of Agreement, less the signatures, is required to be posted. This document is called the __________.

    Y a. Fo'c'sle Card
    N b. Articles Copy
    N c. Voyage Agreement
    N d. Shipping Articles

2162: A crew has signed on for a 3-month voyage. Fourteen days into the voyage a seaman is improperly discharged at the first port of call. How much pay is he entitled to receive?

    N a. 14 days
    N b. 1 month's
    Y c. 14 days and one month's extra
    N d. double wages (28 days)

2220: The load chart of a crane enables the operator to combine the load radius with boom length to determine the __________.

    N a. maximum counter weight required
    N b. minimum horsepower required
    N c. hoist rope strength
    Y d. allowable load

2240: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 1? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1
    N c. 1.5
    N d. 2

2311: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

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

2354: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 21 feet after a sector of 72° has been removed?

    Y a. 277.09 square ft.
    N b. 149.43 square ft.
    N c. 69.27 square ft.
    N d. 52.78 square ft.

2534: Great Lakes vessels, using liferafts, must have sufficient liferaft capacity on each side of the vessel to accommodate at least __________.

    N a. 50% of the persons on board
    Y b. 100% of the persons on board
    N c. 100% of the persons normally assigned to those spaces
    N d. 150% of the crew

2658: A Kip is equal to __________.

    Y a. 1000 lbs.
    N b. 1000 kgs.
    N c. 2000 lbs.
    N d. 2240 lbs.

2702: How long is the standard container used to measure equivalent units?

    N a. 10 feet (3 meters)
    Y b. 20 feet (6 meters)
    N c. 35 feet (11 meters)
    N d. 40 feet (12 meters)

2869: When more than one vessel is being assisted by an icebreaker, distances between vessels should be constant. Which signal should be given by a vessel which is ahead of another and whose speed suddenly begins to drop?

    N a. Four short blast on the whistle
    N b. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "4"
    Y c. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "5"
    N d. A flag hoist consisting of the code letters "FE" (Foxtrot-Echo)

2914: Your vessel has been ordered to proceed to the United Grain Growers Wharf at Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, for the purpose of taking on a load of wheat. Which publication(s) would you consult for such information as the length of the wharf, the depth of the water alongside, and the loading capacity at the facility?

    N a. The Navigational Chart and Light List Vol. VII
    N b. The International Guide to Canadian Ports and Facilities
    N c. The Lake Carriers Association Facilities Directory
    Y d. The United States Coast Pilot #6

3000: The pipe used to connect two separate piping systems on a tank vessel is known as a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. transfer
    N c. connection
    N d. junction

3079: What is a solid at ambient temperature?

    N a. Aniline
    N b. Formic acid
    N c. Methyl chloride
    Y d. Napthalene

3085: Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) publications should be __________.

    N a. in the Master's custody
    N b. safely stowed
    N c. turned over to the relieving Master
    Y d. All of the above

3219: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

3270: A vessel is tide rode when it is __________.

    N a. carrying extra rudder to compensate for the current
    N b. necessary to adjust the course steered to allow for the current
    Y c. at anchor and stemming the current
    N d. being forced off of a pier by the hydraulic effect of the current

3280: What is NOT accepted as the required shipping papers on a manned and loaded tank barge?

    N a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Manifest
    N c. Shipping document
    Y d. Logbook entry

4032: The pivot pin at the base of a sheath-screw boom davit must be __________.

    N a. inserted each time before the booms are cranked out
    Y b. periodically removed for inspection and lubricated
    N c. replaced at each inspection for certification
    N d. in the locked position after the boat is cradled and griped down

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. swing
    N b. lower
    Y c. hoist
    N d. extend

4067: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. use as little rudder as possible to maintain course
    N b. advise his relief of the course being steered
    N c. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y d. use as much rudder as possible to maintain course

4230: Which of the following is/are the optional component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    N c. Crane house assembly
    Y d. Rider block tagline system