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.


11: A person is found operating a vessel while intoxicated. He is liable for __________.


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?


174: A proper look-out must be kept __________.


222: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons, as shown, is to be loaded. What is the weight of the consignment? (D042DG )

    N a. 50 pounds
    N b. 1100 pounds
    N c. 1200 pounds
    Y d. 1250 pounds

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

450: Once a vessel has loaded packaged hazardous cargo, the cargo spaces shall be inspected. The spaces shall also be inspected at least once in every 24 hours. The only exception to daily inspection is when __________.

    Y a. a vessel is equipped with an automatic smoke or fire detecting system
    N b. the cargo hatches are of steel construction
    N c. the cargo is of a nonflammable type
    N d. there is sufficient fire protection located on the main deck adjacent to the cargo hatch

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

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.

614: A fid is a __________.

    N a. mallet used when splicing wire rope
    N b. sharp pointed crow bar used to unlay wire rope
    N c. tapered steel pin used to separate wire rope
    Y d. tapered wooden pin used when splicing heavy rope

622: A predictable result of a vessel nearing a bank or edge of a channel is that the __________.

    Y a. stern is drawn to the bank as the bow sheers off
    N b. bow sheers toward the bank
    N c. vessel continues in a straight line, but with greatly reduced maneuverability
    N d. vessel will be drawn bodily into the bank unless the engines are stopped

638: Ship's officers should check every cargo compartment after it is filled with bulk grain to ensure __________.

    N a. all lighting circuits are energized
    Y b. all void spaces are filled
    N c. the correct grade of cargo has been loaded
    N d. the heavier grade is in the lower hold

706: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    N a. It pulls the bow toward the bank.
    Y b. It pulls the stern toward the bank.
    N c. It pushes the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

712: What is the effect of releasing the towline in a tripping situation?

    Y a. It disconnects the capsizing force and allows the tug to recover from its list.
    N b. It frees the tug from its towing responsibilities.
    N c. There is no effect other than relief.
    N d. Yawing

723: What safety precautions must you take when maneuvering on a towing hook?

    N a. The engines must be operated on the slow bell.
    Y b. Clear the afterdeck and fantail of personnel.
    N c. Lash the hook closed so it does not open accidentally.
    N d. The towing winch engine must be running.

813: The Officers Competency Certificates Convention of 1936 applies to all of these vessels operating seaward of the boundary line EXCEPT a/an ___________ .

    N a. offshore supply vessel over 200 gross tons
    N b. passenger vessel of 295 gross tons
    Y c. uninspected towing vessel of less than 200 gross tons
    N d. inspected towing vessel of 305 gross tons

841: All entries in the Official Logbook must be signed by the Master and __________.

    N a. the Union Representative
    N b. the person about whom the entry concerns
    N c. no one else
    Y d. one other crew member

848: You are loading a cargo of canned goods with a stowage factor of 65. If you allow 15% for broken stowage, how many tons can be loaded in a space of 55,000 cubic feet?

    N a. 687
    Y b. 719
    N c. 846
    N d. 973

890: A term applied to the bottom shell plating in a double-bottom ship is __________.

    N a. bottom floor
    Y b. outer bottom
    N c. shear plating
    N d. tank top

951: The responsibility for maintaining the Official Logbook on voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States rests with the __________.

    N a. Chief Mate of the vessel
    Y b. Master of the vessel
    N c. Deck Officer of the watch at the time of the occurrence
    N d. Purser of the vessel

985: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    N a. call the engineroom and report that you have lost steering
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    Y c. shift the selector switch to the other steering system
    N d. call the Master

997: When steering by hand, which of the following may be a functional input to the steering gear as a result of turning the wheel?

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

1019: A tank holds 400 tons of sea water when filled. How many tons of liquid of specific gravity 0.9300 will it hold when filled to 90% capacity?

    Y a. 326.6
    N b. 343.2
    N c. 377.6
    N d. 390.2

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1278: The document that establishes the facts of a casualty and is the prima facie relief from liability for the damage is the __________.

    N a. adjuster's report
    N b. insurance policy
    N c. invoice
    Y d. Master's protest

1298: A Master should file a marine note of protest if __________.

    N a. cargo was received at ship side which was damaged in land transit
    N b. longshore labor went on strike in the port causing undue vessel delay
    N c. portions of his vessel's cargo were illegally impounded in a foreign port
    Y d. the vessel encountered heavy weather which might have caused cargo damage

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

1328: The declaration made by the Master when he anticipates hull and/or cargo damage due to unusual weather conditions is a __________.

    Y a. Note of Protest
    N b. Notice of Casualty
    N c. Portage Bill
    N d. Bottomry Bond

1336: When picking up your mooring at the buoy, the correct method is to __________.

    N a. approach the buoy with the wind and current astern
    Y b. approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead
    N c. approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam
    N d. stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy

1379: The heel block is located __________.

    Y a. at the base of the boom
    N b. at the cargo hook
    N c. near the midships guy
    N d. near the spider band

1540: In ship construction, keel scantlings should be the greatest __________.

    N a. at each frame
    Y b. amidships
    N c. one-third the distance from the bow
    N d. one-third the distance from the stern

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

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

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

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1781: Which organization usually assigns load lines to U.S. vessels?

    N a. National Load-Line Agency
    N b. National Shipping Bureau
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. American Regulations Council

1790: Which space(s) is(are) exempt when measuring gross tonnage?

    N a. Auxiliary machinery spaces above the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Steering gear room
    N c. Part of the wheelhouse used to control vessel
    Y d. All of the above

1844: A wooden float placed between a ship and a dock to prevent damage to both is called a __________.

    Y a. camel
    N b. dolphin
    N c. rat guard
    N d. wedge

1848: You are docking a vessel. Wind and current are most favorable when they are __________.

    N a. crossing your course in the same direction
    N b. crossing your course in opposite directions
    Y c. parallel to the pier from ahead
    N d. setting you on the pier

1864: Progressive flooding may be indicated by __________.

    N a. ballast control alarms
    N b. excessive draft
    N c. excessive list or trim
    Y d. a continual worsening of list or trim

1903: When securing a manila line to a bitt what is the minimum number of round turns you should take before figure-eighting the line?

    N a. None
    Y b. 1
    N c. 2
    N d. 3

1944: The garboard strake is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. G
    Y d. H

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.

2265: 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 shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 45°? (D034DG )

    Y a. 130 yards
    N b. 165 yards
    N c. 195 yards
    N d. 230 yards

2396: Determine the area of a triangle with a base of 5.8 feet and a height of 2.1 feet.

    N a. 12.2 square ft.
    N b. 7.9 square ft.
    Y c. 6.1 square ft.
    N d. 3.0 square ft.

2506: A tow of 9 barges is made up three abreast and three long. The towboat is faced up to the center string which is known as the __________.

    N a. main string
    Y b. push string
    N c. power string
    N d. face string

2824: While being assisted by an icebreaker on Lake Superior, you receive a single letter code instructing you to slow your vessel. Which signal could you use to signify that you are complying with the request?

    N a. Three blasts of the whistle
    N b. The code flag "A" (Alpha) displayed from a halyard
    Y c. Four blasts of the whistle, namely 1 short 2 long and 1 short
    N d. The code flag "L" (Lima) displayed from a halyard

2832: You are transiting the Straits of Mackinac by way of an improved channel. You have information which indicates that the channel's Federal project depth is 28 ft. Which of the following statements is true with regards to this channel?

    N a. The least depth within the limits of the channel is 28 ft.
    Y b. The design dredging depth of the channel is 28 ft.
    N c. The channel has 28 ft. in the center but lesser depths may exist in the remainder of the channel.
    N d. The maximum depth which may be expected within the limits of the channel is 28 ft.

2951: The helm command "meet her" means __________.

    N a. decrease the rudder angle
    N b. note the course and steady on that heading
    N c. steer more carefully
    Y d. use rudder to check the swing

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

3072: A Great Lakes bulk ore vessel would use an "Iron Deckhand" to assist in __________.

    N a. unloading bulk cargo
    N b. steering the vessel
    N c. making the vessel fast to a dock
    Y d. removing hatch covers

3126: Your tankship is carrying a cargo of styrene. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for carriage of this cargo?

    Y a. P/V valves with galvanized parts must be replaced.
    N b. Authorization to carry styrene must be endorsed on the Certificate of Inspection.
    N c. You must have a "Certificate of Inhibition" provided by the shipper.
    N d. The cargo tank heating coils must be blanked off.

3171: A high cube container would most likely be used to stow __________.

    N a. dense bulk cargoes
    Y b. household appliances
    N c. fragile cargoes
    N d. heavy industrial machinery

3211: With the buttress securing system, containers of different heights must be stowed __________.

    N a. on the bottom tier on deck
    N b. in the hold
    N c. next to the buttress tower
    Y d. on the top tier

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

3521: Once a towline is connected between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel, the towing vessel should __________.

    N a. not exceed bare steerageway during the transit
    N b. take a strain as soon as you can to control the tow
    Y c. come up to speed very slowly and maintain a "safe speed"
    N d. come up to speed quickly, then cut back power considerably to ease the strain

3583: Indicated horsepower refers to a towing vessel's power which is __________.

    Y a. theoretically available
    N b. measured on a test bed
    N c. developed at the shaft
    N d. measured by dynamometer

3612: Buckler plates are __________.

    N a. triangular-shaped plates connecting the bull chain to the topping lift
    Y b. metal plates secured over the tops of the hawsepipes
    N c. faired shell plates with curvature in two directions
    N d. sheets of dunnage used to prevent heavy cargo from buckling the deck plates

4014: The facewire refers to item __________. (D024DG )

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

4245: What is meant by the term "level-luffing" a crane?

    Y a. Luffing while the load remains at a constant height
    N b. Maintaining the boom at a constant height
    N c. Slewing the boom left or right in a level planet
    N d. None 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