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.


9: Defense plans may cause the operation of electronic aids to navigation to be suspended with __________.


103: Your ship is in shallow water and the bow rides up on its bow wave while the stern sinks into a depression of its transverse wave system. What is this called?


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


241: If there are any changes in the crew in a foreign port, the changes will be made by __________.

    N a. the Master on the Certified Crew List
    Y b. the Master on the Shipping Articles
    N c. U.S. Consul on the Certified Crew List
    N d. U.S. Consul on the Shipping Articles

312: If you are bunkering and you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. remain constant

449: When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the first action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open?

    N a. Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor.
    N b. Unplug the deck scuppers.
    Y c. Order the dock man to shut down.
    N d. Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose.

512: When paying out nylon line from around the bitts __________.

    Y a. stand clear of the bitts and use two or more round turns under your figure eights
    N b. you can surge the line even with a single turn
    N c. no extra turns are necessary since nylon has a high coefficient of friction
    N d. stand in the bight of the line

558: A heated bulkhead has the effect on a hygroscopic commodity of __________.

    N a. causing moisture to accumulate against the bulkhead
    N b. lowering the vapor pressure of the commodity
    N c. lowering the dew point of the air
    Y d. raising the vapor pressure of the commodity

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.

621: Which document shows details of a tank vessel, cargoes it may carry, manning and safety equipment required?

    N a. Safety Construction Certificate
    N b. Cargo Gear Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Declaration of Inspection

684: Right-laid line should be coiled __________.

    Y a. clockwise
    N b. counterclockwise
    N c. either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. on a reel

729: A petroleum liquid has a flash point of 85°F. This is a grade __________.

    N a. B flammable liquid
    N b. C flammable liquid
    Y c. D combustible liquid
    N d. E combustible liquid

731: A Deratization Exemption Certificate is valid for a period of __________.

    N a. no time limit so long as Certificate of Sanitation is valid
    N b. no time limit so long as no evidence of rodents aboard
    N c. 1 year
    Y d. 6 months

758: An IOPP Certificate on an inspected vessel is valid for what period of time?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 1 year
    N c. 2 years
    Y d. 5 years

800: A Kort nozzle is a(n) __________.

    Y a. hollow tube surrounding the propeller used to improve thrust
    N b. nozzle attached to a firefighting hose
    N c. intake valve on a diesel engine
    N d. piston cylinder on a diesel engine

857: On vessels over 100 gross tons, whose responsibility is it to ensure that all able seamen in the vessel's crew have the documents and qualifications required by law and regulation?

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. USCG Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection
    N c. Owner or operator of the vessel
    N d. Company's personnel director

857: On vessels over 100 gross tons, whose responsibility is it to ensure that all able seamen in the vessel's crew have the documents and qualifications required by law and regulation?

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. USCG Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection
    N c. Owner or operator of the vessel
    N d. Company's personnel director

862: The term "pintle" and "gudgeon" are associated with the __________.

    N a. anchor windlass
    N b. jumbo boom
    Y c. rudder
    N d. steering engine

1124: Which material makes the strongest mooring line?

    N a. Sisal
    N b. Manila
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Polyethylene

1140: In a transversely framed ship, the transverse frames are supported by all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. girders
    N b. longitudinals
    N c. side stringers
    Y d. web plates

1233: You are on watch while your vessel is entering port with a pilot conning. The pilot gives a steering command to the helmsman who fails to acknowledge it by repeating the command. You should immediately __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    N b. ask the Pilot to repeat the command since the helmsman failed to hear it
    N c. tell the helmsman to ask the Pilot to repeat any command that he fails to hear or understand
    Y d. repeat the Pilot's command and ensure that the helmsman repeats it exactly

1272: You are on a tankship carrying benzene in bulk. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. No other cargoes may be carried due to the possibility of contamination by a carcinogen.
    N b. The crew quarters must have positive-pressure ventilation to prevent the fumes from entering the living spaces.
    N c. Benzene is not a cancer-causing agent.
    Y d. Personnel working in regulated areas must use respirators.

1360: What are reef points used for?

    Y a. Reduce the area of a sail
    N b. Keep the sail taut in light airs
    N c. Reduce the draft if the boat runs aground
    N d. Increase the strength of the mast

1371: Delivery of a vessel to a charterer is called __________.

    N a. chartering
    N b. dispatching
    N c. fixing
    Y d. tendering

1396: Lifting the anchor from the bottom is called __________.

    N a. broaching the anchor
    N b. shifting the anchor
    N c. walking the anchor
    Y d. weighing the anchor

1481: A fire has damaged 20 bales of cotton on a freighter loaded with general cargo. This claim would come under __________.

    N a. constructive total loss
    N b. general average
    Y c. particular average
    N d. total loss of a part

1676: When preparing to hoist the anchor, you should FIRST __________.

    Y a. engage the wildcat
    N b. put the brake in the off position
    N c. take off the chain stopper
    N d. take the riding pawl off the chain

1712: You are to load styrene in bulk, which is subject to self-polymerization. You must __________.

    N a. not carry any cargo in the tanks surrounding the tank loaded with styrene
    N b. inject nitrogen to pad any ullage above the styrene to prevent contact with oxygen
    Y c. be furnished with a Certificate of Inhibition to be maintained on the bridge
    N d. use heating coils to maintain the styrene within the temperatures specified by the shipper

1808: Which organization would conduct a survey of the insulation in a reefer compartment prior to loading cargo?

    N a. U.S. Customs Service
    N b. OSHA
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1902: The joint indicated by letter D is a __________. (D033DG )

    N a. seam
    Y b. butt
    N c. span
    N d. sheet line

1931: You are using tackle number 12 to lift a weight of 300 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? (DO29DG )

    N a. 80 lbs.
    Y b. 69 lbs.
    N c. 55 lbs.
    N d. 50 lbs.

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

2052: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2206: You are using tackle number 6 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 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? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 80 lbs.
    N b. 69 lbs.
    N c. 55 lbs.
    N d. 50 lbs.

2208: Under normal weather and sea conditions when securing a stack of containers with twist locks, lashings are required when the tier exceeds what height?

    N a. Lashings are always required
    N b. One container
    Y c. Two containers
    N d. Three containers

2211: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. 5.5

2264: When you "end for end" a wire rope, you __________.

    N a. cut off the free end and bitter end of the rope
    N b. splice two wire ropes together
    Y c. remove the wire rope from the drum and reverse it so that the free end becomes the bitter end
    N d. remove the wire rope from the drum and turn it over, so the wire bends in the opposite direction

2356: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

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

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

2595: Yawing can be described as __________.

    N a. jumping on the towline as the tow pitches
    N b. jumping on the towline as the tow slams into waves
    Y c. veering from side to side on the end of the towline
    N d. corkscrew motion of the tow due to wave action

2662: What will NOT increase friction of a liquid flowing in a pipe and cause a loss of suction head?

    N a. Bends in the piping
    Y b. Slowing the pumping rate
    N c. Pipeline valves
    N d. Backing rings for pipe welds

2746: Which of the Great Lakes experiences the least amount of water level fluctuation between seasonal high and low water marks?

    N a. Lake Huron
    N b. Lake Erie
    Y c. Lake Superior
    N d. Lake Michigan

2762: Which vessel is exempt from the load line and marking requirements for vessels operating on the Great Lakes System?

    N a. A 300 GT tank barge operating exclusively on Lake Michigan
    N b. A 200 GT passenger vessel operating between Duluth, MN and Munising, MI
    N c. A 79-foot, 150 GT pleasure craft operating on the St. Lawrence River
    Y d. A 500 GT dry cargo river barge operated continuously between Calumet Hbr Chicago, IL and Burns Hbr, IN

2929: A vessel is loaded to her summer marks for a voyage from Montreal, Canada to Duluth, MN via the Great Lakes System. The voyage has been estimated to take nine (9) days. If the vessel departs Montreal on September 28th, which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel must be at her summer marks when she arrives at Duluth.
    N b. The vessel is in violation of the load line requirements.
    Y c. The vessel's intermediate load line marks may not be submerged after September 30.
    N d. The vessel must be at her winter marks by the evening of the third day.

2979: Which statement about shipping coal is TRUE?

    N a. Anthracite will generate more methane than bituminous coal.
    N b. Coal should not be shipped while wet.
    Y c. Coal should be surface ventilated to remove methane gas.
    N d. The methane gas generated by coal will react with moisture on the ship's structure and accelerate corrosion.

3032: Ice is often strong enough to halt navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway by mid- __________.

    N a. October
    N b. November
    Y c. December
    N d. January

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

3069: Atmospheres laden with coal dust or grain dust caused by loading these cargoes __________.

    N a. require loading operations to be shut down until the atmosphere clears
    N b. are toxic to human life
    N c. are subject to spontaneous combustion
    Y d. may be explosive in some concentrations

3105: On a sea going towing vessel of 150 GT, there are six (6) seamen in the deck crew. How many certificated able seamen are required if the voyage is over 600 miles?

    Y a. 4
    N b. 3
    N c. 2
    N d. 1

3114: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another barge when going ahead? (D024DG )

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

3326: The signal man assisting the crane operator uses one hand to give any motion signal and places the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. move slowly
    N b. increase speed
    N c. proceed with caution
    N d. stop

3502: The point that is halfway between the forward and after perpendicular and is a reference point for vessel construction is the __________.

    N a. half length
    N b. mid-body
    N c. center line
    Y d. amidships

3587: Following a serious marine incident, a device to test an individuals breath can be used by __________.

    Y a. any individual trained to conduct such tests
    N b. the marine employer
    N c. qualified medical personnel only
    N d. any USCG licensed deck officer

3960: The line with the most stretch is __________.

    N a. manila
    Y b. nylon
    N c. polypropylene
    N d. dacron

4016: Which statement is TRUE concerning weather conditions on the Great Lakes?

    N a. When a vessel is south of an eastward-moving storm center, the approach of the low is evidenced by winds from the north to northeast.
    Y b. When a vessel is north of an eastward-moving storm center, changes in the weather are less distinctive than when sailing south of the center.
    N c. The most destructive storms usually come from the northwest or north.
    N d. Thunderstorms are most likely to develop from November through April.

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

4070: Small floes of rough, hummocky sea ice capable of damaging a vessel __________.

    Y a. can usually be detected by radar in a smooth sea at a range of 4 to 6 kilometers
    N b. are indistinguishable from sea return on the PPI
    N c. are invisible to radar when covered with a thick layer of snow
    N d. are usually seen at night before they are close enough to provide a radar echo

4090: The BEST holding ground for conventional anchors is_____.

    N a. very soft mud
    Y b. hard mud
    N c. shale
    N d. rock

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above

4180: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Raise/open stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    Y b. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N c. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open stern door
    N d. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open stern door, lower the stern ramp