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.


76: Leeway is the __________.


80: You are on a cargo vessel carrying portable tanks of dangerous cargoes in bulk. Which statement is TRUE?


225: For safety reasons, when assistance towing __________.


248: Dunnage may be used to protect a cargo from loss or damage by _______________________ .

    Y a. ship's sweat
    N b. inherent vice
    N c. tainting
    N d. hygroscopic absorption

278: Regulations concerning the stowage, lashing, and securing of timber deck cargoes aboard general cargo vessels may be found in the __________.

    N a. International Cargo Bureau Regulations
    Y b. Load Line Regulations
    N c. Rules and Regulations for Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels
    N d. vessel's classification society rules and regulations

303: What requires a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death?

    N a. Collision with a bridge
    N b. Injury beyond first aid
    N c. loss of life
    Y d. All of the above

334: The space above the engine room is called the __________.

    Y a. fidley
    N b. gold locker
    N c. middle hatch
    N d. noble

364: A long ton is __________.

    N a. 1,000 pounds
    N b. 2,000 pounds
    Y c. 2,240 pounds
    N d. 2,400 pounds

406: A twin-screw vessel with a single rudder is making headway. The engines are full speed ahead. There is no wind or current. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. If one screw is stopped, the ship will turn toward the side of the stopped screw.
    N b. The principal force which turns the ship is set up by the wake against the forward side of the rudder.
    Y c. Turning response by use of the rudder only is greater than on a single-screw vessel.
    N d. With the rudder amidships, the ship will steer a fairly steady course.

468: Sweat damage in a hatch full of canned goods in cartons will occur when the __________.

    N a. air temperature is higher than the temperature of the cargo
    N b. air temperature is lower than the temperature of the cargo
    Y c. dew point is higher than the temperature of the cargo
    N d. dew point is lower than the temperature of the cargo

477: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    N a. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N b. Damage of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    Y c. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

502: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

537: Which type of hook can be used as a towing hook?

    N a. Standard towing hooks
    N b. Spring-loaded towing hooks
    N c. Pelican hooks
    Y d. All of the above

617: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. onshore stern line
    Y b. offshore stern line
    N c. after breast line
    N d. after spring line

668: Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk?

    Y a. Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only.
    N b. Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet.
    N c. Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions.
    N d. Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible.

759: The equipment used to control, protect and connect a towline is called ___________ .

    N a. cat head
    Y b. terminal gear
    N c. level wind
    N d. poured socket

765: The owner or Master of a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside must ensure that each of the following is appropriate for the vessel's horsepower and tow arrangement EXCEPT _________ .

    Y a. hydraulic couplings
    N b. face wires
    N c. push gear
    N d. spring lines

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

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

909: What is the purpose of the relief valve of a cargo pump?

    N a. Provides for the removal of vapors
    N b. Allows two or more tanks to be filled at the same time
    N c. Provides for the emergency shutdown of the pump
    Y d. Permits the return of cargo to the suction side of the pump

992: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the sagging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 29.49 numeral
    Y b. 31.97 numeral
    N c. 33.61 numeral
    N d. 35.12 numeral

1172: You are making a sharp turn in a channel and using a buoy four points on the bow to gauge your rate of turn. If you observe the buoy moving aft relative to you, what should you do?

    Y a. Increase the rate of turn
    N b. Decrease the rate of turn
    N c. Maintain a constant rate of turn
    N d. Decrease speed

1246: When a tug is pulling on a hawser at right angles to the ship, and the pilot wants to come ahead or astern on the ship's engine, care must be taken that the pilot __________.

    N a. does not break the towline
    Y b. does not get too much way on the vessel
    N c. keeps a steady course so the towline will remain tight
    N d. turns the ship toward the direction of pull

1256: You are docking an oceangoing single-screw vessel under normal circumstances with a single tug. The tug is usually used to __________.

    Y a. control the bow and is tied to the offshore bow
    N b. control the stern and is tied to the stern on the offshore side
    N c. pull the vessel into the slip and is tied to the bow
    N d. push the ship bodily alongside and is tied to the offshore side amidships

1329: A pelican hook __________.

    Y a. can be released while under strain
    N b. is used for boat falls
    N c. is used for extra heavy loads
    N d. is used for light loads only

1381: The Master of a vessel may tender a Notice of Readiness to the charterer when the vessel __________.

    N a. has completed the terms of the charter party
    Y b. is in all respects ready to load
    N c. is in all respects ready to sail
    N d. is safely moored or at a suitable anchorage

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

1627: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the shipowner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.

    Y a. ensure the fitness and safety of cargo spaces
    N b. ensure adequate packaging of the cargo
    N c. prevent delays due to quarantine restrictions
    N d. correct all defects in the ship's construction

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

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

1905: You have a large, broken-down vessel in tow with a wire rope and anchor cable towline. Both vessels have made provision for slipping the tow in an emergency; however, unless there are special circumstances __________.

    Y a. the towing vessel should slip first
    N b. the vessel towed should slip first
    N c. they should slip simultaneously
    N d. either vessel may slip first

2064: While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

    N a. figure eight turn
    N b. Round turn
    N c. Racetrack turn
    Y d. Williamson turn

2120: Wale shores would be used when dry docking a vessel with __________.

    N a. tumble home
    Y b. excessive deadrise
    N c. excessive trim
    N d. a list

2122: What is the name of tackle number 9? (DO29DG )

    N a. Single purchase
    N b. One-two tackle
    N c. Double whip
    Y d. Luff tackle

2154: A vessel has a charter party for one voyage to carry a full load of manganese from Durban, South Africa, to Baltimore, Maryland, at a stipulated rate per ton. Which type of contract is involved?

    N a. Bareboat charter party
    Y b. Voyage charter party
    N c. Demise charter party
    N d. Time charter party

2164: What provides the majority of strength to an aluminum-sided container?

    N a. Corner fittings
    Y b. Framework, primarily the corner posts
    N c. Framework and siding acting as a girder
    N d. Aluminum side and end panels

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

2225: Which knot should be used to secure a line to a spar when the pull is perpendicular to the spar? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. F
    N c. N
    N d. P

2246: Cargoes that might leak from containers are known as __________.

    N a. dirty cargoes
    N b. caustic cargoes
    Y c. wet cargoes
    N d. bulk cargoes

2400: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    Y c. center of gravity
    N d. tipping center

2551: What welding pattern is NOT used to permanently attach a stiffener to a plate?

    N a. Chain intermittent
    Y b. Tack
    N c. Continuous
    N d. Staggered intermittent

2554: The welds used to attach stiffeners to a plate are known as __________.

    N a. butt welds
    N b. seam welds
    Y c. fillet welds
    N d. plate welds

2562: As you hold a piece of manila line vertically in front of you, the strands run from the lower left to the upper right. Which type of line is this?

    Y a. Right-hand laid
    N b. Cable-laid
    N c. Sennet-laid
    N d. Water-laid

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

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

2910: Your vessel is a single-screw ship with a right-hand propeller. There is no current. The easiest way to make a landing is __________.

    Y a. port side to
    N b. starboard side to
    N c. dropping anchor and swinging the ship in to the pier
    N d. either port or starboard side to, with no difference in degree of difficulty

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

2919: Which statement about general average is TRUE?

    N a. Damage to a ship must have been incurred while the ship and/or its machinery was being used for its intended purpose.
    Y b. Property must have been sacrificed or an expenditure of money incurred.
    N c. The loss or damage to deck cargo due to heavy weather constitutes general average.
    N d. Of the ship, the freight, and the cargo interests, only one need be involved.

2921: The process of lowering a boom to a horizontal position and onto its deck support is called __________.

    N a. spotting a boom
    N b. collaring a boom
    Y c. cradling a boom
    N d. toppling a boom

3018: When turning a vessel in shallow water, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The rate of turn is increased.
    N b. The rate of turn is decreased.
    Y c. The turning diameter increases.
    N d. The turning diameter remains the same.

3110: The number or name of a tank barge shall be __________.

    N a. displayed in at least 4 different positions on the barge
    N b. carved on a wooden board and attached to the barge's hull
    N c. displayed as close to the navigation lights as possible
    Y d. displayed at the highest point of the barge's hull such that it can be seen from either side

3172: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his hands clasped in front of his body. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. dog everything
    N b. stop
    N c. stand-by
    N d. prepare for signal

3322: The fluke is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

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

3516: The signal man has both arms extended out, palms down, and is moving his arms back and forth. This is the signal for __________.

    N a. keep lifting
    N b. swing right
    N c. swing left
    Y d. emergency stop

4007: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    Y a. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N b. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

4046: Which statement about tunnel bow thrusters fitted to large vessels is TRUE?

    N a. They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots.
    N b. Because of their location, most modern installations have as much power as a tug.
    N c. They are fully effective at all drafts.
    Y d. When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control.

4261: Who should be notified prior to starting up a crane?

    N a. The pumpman
    N b. The stevedore foreman
    Y c. The engine room
    N d. All the above

4266: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cranes require shoreside assistance to handle heavy cargos.
    N b. The cargo discharge cannot be accomplished without pendulation.
    N c. The cargo discharge cannot be performed at anchor.
    Y d. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.

4379: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. maximum rudder angle previously used
    N b. gyro error
    N c. variation
    Y d. course per magnetic steering compass