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.


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


56: The effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel is most noticeable when __________.


108: Damage to cargo caused by dust is known as __________.


110: What is NOT required as special safety equipment on a tankship carrying hazardous cargoes in bulk?

    N a. Shower and eyewash fountain
    N b. Equipment to lift an injured person from a pumproom
    Y c. Two portable vapor detectors suitable for the cargoes carried
    N d. A safety locker adjacent to the emergency shutdown station

125: Chafing gear is normally used __________.

    N a. for portable fenders
    N b. for ground tackle
    N c. on the inside of the hawsepipe
    Y d. on mooring lines

146: When turning a ship in restricted space with a strong wind, it is normally best to __________.

    N a. go ahead on both engines with the rudder hard to one side, if on a twin-screw vessel
    N b. back down with the rudder hard to one side, if on a single-screw vessel
    N c. take advantage of the tendency to back to port, if on a twin-screw vessel
    Y d. turn so that the tendency to back into the wind can be used, if on a single-screw vessel

221: A vessel arrives in a foreign port and the Master is informed that the vessel is being sold to foreign interests. The new owners request that the crew remain on board to complete the voyage. Under these circumstances, the crew __________.

    Y a. has the right to an immediate discharge and transportation to original port of engagement
    N b. must remain on board
    N c. must comply with the decision made by the Master
    N d. must remain aboard until the vessel is delivered to the new owners at a mutually agreed upon port

230: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $25,000
    Y b. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    N c. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N d. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel

252: You have orders to load cargoes of carbon disulfide, diisopropylamine and pyridine on your multi-product tankship. Which statement is true?

    N a. Carbon disulfide may be carried in NOS. 1 and 2 center tanks and diisopropylamine in NOS. 1 and 2 wing tanks.
    Y b. Pyridine and diisopropylamine may not be carried in tanks having a common header vent.
    N c. Pyridine must be separated from carbon disulfide by two barriers (cofferdams, voids, empty tanks, etc.).
    N d. A tank of diisopropylamine may be used to separate a tank of pyridine from a tank of carbon disulfide.

445: Where are the towing bitts best placed for towing purposes?

    N a. Near the centerline and over the rudders
    N b. On each side of the vessel near the stern
    Y c. Forward of the rudder post and close to the tug's center of pivot
    N d. As far aft as possible

469: With an increase in temperature the volume of flammable and combustible liquids __________.

    Y a. expands
    N b. contracts
    N c. remains constant
    N d. remains constant if pressure remains constant

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

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

507: You are signing on your crew. Which is NOT authorized?

    Y a. A man presenting his Chief Mate's license to sign on as able seaman
    N b. An engineer presenting an MMD endorsed "QMED - any rating" to sign on as an Electrician
    N c. A man presenting an MMD endorsed as "Able Seaman" to sign on as Bosun
    N d. A man presenting an MMD endorsed "Steward's Department (F.H.)" to sign on as Chief Cook

576: In twin-screw engine installations while going ahead, maneuvering qualities are most effective when the tops of the propeller blades both turn __________.

    N a. to starboard
    Y b. outboard from the center
    N c. to port
    N d. inboard toward the center

577: You are signing on a crew. A man presents a Merchant Mariner's Document that you suspect has been tampered with. Which action should you take?

    N a. Confiscate the document and deliver it to the Coast Guard.
    N b. Sign the man on and notify the Coast Guard at the first U.S. port of call.
    Y c. Refuse to sign the man on articles until authorized by the Coast Guard.
    N d. Refuse to sign the man on and notify the FBI of unauthorized use of a federal document.

597: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of monthly bills
    N b. payment of creditors
    Y c. support of a minor child
    N d. All of the above

629: You are planning to use a crude oil washing system. What precaution must be taken with the source tank for the washing machines?

    Y a. At least one meter must be decanted from the source tank.
    N b. The oil in the source tank must be sampled for compatibility.
    N c. The source tank must have been crude oil washed at least once in the past 150 days.
    N d. The inert gas system must lower the oxygen content in the source tank to a maximum of 12%.

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

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

747: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    N a. inadequate ullage space
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    Y d. having to breathe the fumes

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

874: Which type of line would have the LEAST resistance to mildew and rot?

    Y a. Manila
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Dacron
    N d. Polypropylene

975: The "Mode" selector switch on the autopilot steering stand is used to select any of the following with the EXCEPTION of __________.

    N a. automatic pilot steering
    N b. hand-electric steering
    N c. non-followup steering
    Y d. rudder adjustment

1111: A vessel sailing from Liverpool to New York puts into Boston, Mass. for emergency repairs. If no inward foreign cargo is to be discharged at that port, which of the following documents is required?

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

1203: Under defense plans, operation of electronic aids may be temporarily suspended with __________.

    N a. one day's notice
    Y b. no notice
    N c. thirty (30) day's notice
    N d. a week's notice

1222: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel?

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. None of the above

1325: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. Crew list
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    N d. fo'c'sle card

1548: What could be used as fairleads on a towed vessel?

    N a. Chocks
    N b. Double bitts
    N c. Roller chocks
    Y d. All of the above

1618: A twin-screw vessel is easier to maneuver than a single-screw vessel because the twin-screw vessel __________.

    N a. permits the rudder to move faster
    N b. generates more power
    Y c. can turn without using her rudder
    N d. can suck the water away from the rudder

1715: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

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

1764: The "square knot" is used for __________.

    N a. forming temporary eyes in lines
    Y b. joining two lines of equal size
    N c. keeping line from unlaying or fraying
    N d. joining two lines of different size

1832: The run of plating labeled A is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    Y b. stringer plate
    N c. deck strake
    N d. deck longitudinal

1916: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 68°, and the wet bulb temperature is 65°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? ( D008DG )

    N a. 66%
    N b. 74%
    Y c. 82%
    N d. 90%

1929: 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 10 feet?

    N a. 22.44 T
    N b. 11.22 T
    N c. 7.48 T
    Y d. 5.61 T

2046: The structural member indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. center pillar
    Y c. keel
    N d. girder

2092: You are signing on a crew. When they present their Merchant Mariner's Documents, you should suspect a fraudulent document if it has a single endorsement that says __________.

    N a. see Certificate of Registry
    N b. any unlicensed rating in the deck department including AB
    N c. Steward's Department (F.H.)
    Y d. Bosun

2175: Which is a negotiated charter?

    Y a. Fixture
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Conference agreement
    N d. All of the above

2188: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

    N a. quarters allocation
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. unlicensed shipping card from the union
    Y d. copy of the shipping agreement

2231: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 2? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    N b. 1
    Y c. 2
    N d. 3

2243: You are using tackle number 4, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 11. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 10
    Y d. 24

2275: When inspecting wire rope before a hoisting operation, one must look for __________.

    N a. fishhooks
    N b. kinks
    N c. worn spots
    Y d. All of the above

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

2322: Fittings used for towing must be __________.

    N a. Coast Guard approved
    N b. stamped with maximum working loads
    Y c. securely fastened
    N d. positioned exactly at the bow of the towed vessel

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

2452: Which is an advantage of using watertight longitudinal divisions in double bottom tanks?

    Y a. Cuts down free surface effect
    N b. Increases the rolling period
    N c. Decreases weight because extra stiffeners are unneeded
    N d. Lowers the center of buoyancy without decreasing GM

2452: Which is an advantage of using watertight longitudinal divisions in double bottom tanks?

    Y a. Cuts down free surface effect
    N b. Increases the rolling period
    N c. Decreases weight because extra stiffeners are unneeded
    N d. Lowers the center of buoyancy without decreasing GM

2456: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    N a. Lacings
    N b. Lays
    Y c. Strands
    N d. Twines

2622: You must shore up the collision bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates an inverted triangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    Y b. approximately two-thirds of the way up the bulkhead
    N c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

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

2802: The single line located directly above the diamond is the __________. (D031DG )

    N a. load line
    N b. water line
    N c. freeboard line
    Y d. deck line

2957: Your vessel is to dock bow in at a pier without the assistance of tugboats. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Bow breast line
    N b. Inshore head line
    N c. Stern breast line
    Y d. Bow spring line

2959: A metal ring on the bottom of a block, to which the standing part of a tackle is spliced, is known as a(n) __________.

    Y a. becket
    N b. loop
    N c. swivel
    N d. eye

3048: The proximity of pack ice may be indicated by __________.

    N a. changes in seawater salinity
    Y b. glare on clouds on the horizon
    N c. changes in air temperature
    N d. icebergs

3167: 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.
    Y b. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    N d. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.

3442: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter J is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. crown
    N b. shank
    Y c. bill
    N d. tip

3562: The signal man assisting a crane operator has his arm extended with his fingers closed and thumb pointing upward. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. raise the boom
    N b. raise the hook
    N c. raise the boom and hook
    N d. check the boom stop

3694: 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 or Maryland.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    N c. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.
    Y d. The Pilot need only by licensed by the Coast Guard.

4010: You have completed a crude oil wash. What action should be taken with the oil in the lines running to the washing machines?

    Y a. Open a COW nozzle forward and one aft and drain the line into the after tank by gravity
    N b. Blow the line out using compressed air
    N c. Pull a suction using the supply line pump
    N d. Close off all valves in the system and leave the oil in the line primed for the next crude oil wash

4054: "Hanging a barge off" means to __________.

    Y a. moor a damaged barge to the bank and leave
    N b. remove and deliver a loaded barge from a multiple tow
    N c. remove a barge while locking through
    N d. tow an empty barge astern

4105: Cargo that is suitable for carriage on Ro-Ro vessels includes __________.

    N a. trailers
    N b. rolling vehicles
    N c. containers
    Y d. All of the above

4146: Which of the following tensioning devices is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    Y b. Buckle tensioner
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Turnbuckle