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.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


159: What is the standard net barrel for petroleum products?


179: The minimum temperature required to ignite gas or vapor without a spark or flame being present is called __________.


190: You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible?

    N a. Port of loading
    N b. Exact quantity on board
    N c. Name and address of consignee
    Y d. Firefighting procedures

290: What is NOT a form used by ice support services to disseminate information?

    N a. Ice Analyses
    N b. Ice Forecasts
    N c. Ice Outlooks
    Y d. Ice Bulletins

315: A vessel must have one approved ring life buoy on board if its length is over how many feet?

    N a. 6 feet
    N b. 16 feet
    Y c. 26 feet
    N d. 36 feet

345: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.
    Y b. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now.
    N c. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    N d. Stop the swing of the ship.

389: When hooking up a cargo hose to your vessel's manifold, you should use a(n)______________.

    N a. international shore connection
    Y b. insulating flange or single length of non-conducting hose
    N c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. oxygen analyzer

404: A vessel's "quarter" is that section which is __________.

    N a. abeam
    N b. dead astern
    N c. just aft of the bow
    Y d. on either side of the stern

503: Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. Nylon can stretch approximately 40% and still recover.
    N b. Only nylon stoppers should be used on nylon hawsers.
    Y c. Nylon is most practical for use on hip towing.
    N d. With proper care nylon hawsers will greatly outlast manila and other natural fibers.

538: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 80°F (27°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 70°F (21°C), what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 45%
    N b. 52%
    Y c. 58%
    N d. 65%

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

603: To reduce the amount of catenary you may __________.

    Y a. shorten the hawser or increase the tug's speed
    N b. lengthen the hawser or reduce the tug's speed
    N c. place your tug in irons
    N d. make a sharp turn

663: While towing astern, if your towing hawser becomes taut it results in __________.

    N a. more catenary in the towing hawser
    Y b. less catenary in the towing hawser
    N c. more yaw
    N d. less yaw

667: While towing in shallow water you should consider __________.

    N a. using a short towing hawser
    Y b. using a floating hawser
    N c. the catenary and the effect it may have on the tow
    N d. All of the above

700: A tug is approaching a broken down steamer in moderately heavy weather preparing to take it in tow. In most cases the __________.

    N a. steamer will drift stern downwind
    N b. tug will drift faster than the steamer
    N c. tug should approach stern to
    Y d. tug should approach from downwind

811: When oily ballast has been pumped overboard, an entry must be made in the __________.

    Y a. Oil Record Book
    N b. Official Logbook
    N c. deck rough log
    N d. engine rough log

941: Which logbook is required to be submitted to the Coast Guard?

    Y a. Official Log
    N b. Smooth log
    N c. Rough log
    N d. Bell log

1064: Which factor is most likely to impair the strength and durability of synthetic line?

    N a. Dry rot
    N b. Mildew
    Y c. Sunlight
    N d. Washing with mild soap

1165: The Muster List ("Station Bill") shows each person's lifeboat station, duties during abandonment, basic instructions, and __________.

    Y a. all emergency signals
    N b. instructions for lowering the lifeboats
    N c. the time each weekly drill will be held
    N d. work schedule

1166: You are 15 feet off a pier and docking a vessel using only a bow and stern breast line. Once the slack is out of both lines you begin to haul in on the bow breast line. What is the effect on the vessel?

    N a. The bow will come in and the stern will go out.
    N b. The whole ship moves toward the pier.
    Y c. The bow will come in and the stern will remain the same distance off the pier.
    N d. The stern will come in and the bow will remain the same distance off the pier.

1243: You are on watch at sea and find it prudent to call the Master to the bridge due to traffic congestion. The moment that the Master officially relieves you of the conn is whenever __________.

    N a. a watchstander announces "Captain's on the bridge"
    N b. you call the Captain to the bridge in a traffic situation
    Y c. the Master specifically informs you that he has the conn
    N d. the Captain states the course being steered

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

1266: You are docking a vessel in a slip which has its entrance athwart the tide. You land the ship across the end of the pier, stemming the tide, preparatory to breaking the ship around the corner. You have one tug to assist. Where would you generally tie up the tug?

    N a. Have her on a hawser from the stern.
    N b. Tie her up on the inshore bow to hold the ship off the end.
    Y c. Tie her up on the offshore bow.
    N d. Tie her up on the inshore quarter to lift the stern.

1338: A "dangerous cargo manifest" is needed for you to carry a combustible cargo. You should obtain the shipping papers to make this "manifest" from the __________.

    N a. manufacturer
    N b. ABS
    N c. Coast Guard
    Y d. shipper

1445: What is an example of a fundamental objective of cargo stowage?

    N a. Load so the trim does not exceed 3 feet by the stern.
    N b. Make maximum use of existing dunnage.
    N c. Separate wet and dry cargoes into separate holds.
    Y d. Prevent overcarriage by block stowage.

1571: As Chief Officer of a vessel underway, it comes to your attention that the vessel is, in some manner, unseaworthy. Under such circumstances the Master is required to take action upon receiving __________.

    N a. information of such condition from yourself
    Y b. notification of such condition from yourself and the Second Officer
    N c. notification of such condition from yourself and any other member of the crew
    N d. notification of such condition from yourself or the Second Officer

1590: A thirty pound plate would be __________.

    N a. 3/8" thick
    N b. 1/2" thick
    Y c. 3/4" thick
    N d. 1" thick

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

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

1624: Which kind of hitch should you use to secure a spar?

    N a. Blackwall hitch
    N b. Stage hitch
    Y c. Timber hitch
    N d. Two half hitches

1659: The safe working load for the assembled cargo gear and the minimum angle to the horizontal for which the gear is designed shall be marked on the __________.

    N a. deck
    N b. head of the boom
    Y c. heel of the boom
    N d. mast or king post

1673: A sail hook is used for __________.

    N a. hoisting a windsail
    N b. parceling
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. testing canvas

1707: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. What precedence would you assign this message?

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

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

1816: Which picture shown represents a square knot? (DO30DG )

    Y a. W
    N b. R
    N c. P
    N d. H

1831: A "loose" tow may cause all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. loss of maneuverability
    N b. lines to part
    N c. damage to the towing vessel and tow
    Y d. a saving in the transit time

1957: The strake of shell plating indicated by letter H is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    N b. outboard keel plate
    Y c. garboard strake
    N d. bilge strake

1998: When towing in an open seaway, it is important to use a towing line __________.

    N a. made only of wire rope, due to possible weather conditions
    N b. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is in a trough
    Y c. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is on a crest
    N d. with little dip to gain maximum control of the tow

2005: A block that can be opened at the hook or shackle end to receive a bight of the line is a __________.

    N a. bight block
    N b. gin block
    N c. heel block
    Y d. snatch block

2034: You are ordering a new block to use with a 3-inch circumference manila line. Which represents a proper size block for this line?

    N a. 6-inch cheek, 4-inch sheave
    N b. 8-inch cheek, any size sheave
    Y c. 9-inch cheek, 6-inch sheave
    N d. At least a 12-inch sheave

2035: A seaman signed on articles on 16 January 1987 and signed off on 2 March 1987. How should you enter this under the Time of Service column in the articles?

    N a. 1 Month 18 Days
    N b. 1 Month 16 Days
    N c. 2 Months
    Y d. 46 Days

2077: While assigned to a 150 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from New Orleans to which port?

    N a. Houston, Texas
    N b. Veracruz, Mexico
    N c. Kingston, Jamaica
    Y d. Cristobal Colon, Panama

2081: A seaman is reported missing in the morning and was last seen after coming off the mid-watch. Which type of turn would you use to return to the track-line steamed during the night?

    Y a. Williamson
    N b. Racetrack
    N c. 180° turn
    N d. Anderson

2128: Several merchant ships are arriving at the scene of a distress incident. One of the them must assume the duties of the Coordinator Surface Search (CSS). Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. CSS duties are always assumed by passenger vessels, dry cargo vessels, or tankers in that order of precedence.
    Y b. The CSS must be established by mutual agreement between the ships concerned.
    N c. A tank vessel should never be assigned CSS duties unless only tank vessels are present.
    N d. The first vessel to arrive at the distress incident is designated as the CSS.

2181: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

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

2238: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 12 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 18.85 square feet
    N b. 75.40 square feet
    N c. 94.25 square feet
    Y d. 376.99 square feet

2276: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 60°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 665 yards
    N b. 710 yards
    N c. 745 yards
    N d. 780 yards

2281: Your vessel has run hard aground in an area subject to heavy wave action. Backing full astern failed to free her. Which action should be taken next?

    N a. Continue backing to scour out the bottom.
    N b. Wait for high tide and then try backing.
    Y c. Flood empty tanks to increase bottom pressure and prevent inshore creep.
    N d. Shift weight aft to reduce the forward draft.

2302: What is NOT required to be approved or certified by the U.S. Coast Guard before being used on inspected vessels?

    N a. Lifesaving equipment that is in excess of the regulatory minimum
    N b. Ship's stores that are Class A poisons or Class A explosives
    Y c. Steel plate used in hull construction
    N d. EPIRBs

2472: A "liner" in riveted construction of a vessel is a(n) __________.

    Y a. small plate which fills the aperture between riveted strakes and the vessel framing
    N b. backing plate which is used to level the strakes while riveting, and then removed
    N c. internal frame to which the side shell is riveted
    N d. seam that is welded after riveting is completed

2666: On the Great Lakes, short-term fluctuations in water levels may be a result of any of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. strong winds
    N b. sudden changes in barometric pressure
    N c. seiches
    Y d. below normal rain fall

2776: How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?

    N a. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake St. Clair
    N b. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on Lake Erie
    Y c. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake Michigan
    N d. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on the New York State Barge Canal

2933: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

2942: How should you signal the crane operator to move slowly?

    Y a. Use one hand to give any motion signal, and place the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal.
    N b. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out for as long as the load movement is desired.
    N c. First tap your elbow with one hand and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N d. First tap the top of your head with your fist and then proceed to use regular signals.

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3456: The vertical movement of a vessel in the water is called __________.

    N a. pitch
    N b. sway
    Y c. heave
    N d. roll

3508: A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the towing line to you, you should secure the line __________.

    N a. to the base of the foremast
    Y b. to the forward-most bitts
    N c. to the forward part of the deckhouse
    N d. at the stern

4009: What is used to prevent twisting of a towing bridle?

    N a. A bitt
    N b. A bulkhead
    N c. A V-spring
    Y d. A fishplate

4113: What is(are) standard operating procedure(s) used on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N b. Lashings may be completed after the vessel leaves port
    N c. One QMED assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N d. All of the above

4164: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 30 tons and 40 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    N c. Three
    Y d. None of the above