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.


86: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.


119: Sour crude oil __________.


131: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one mate of towing vessels, and four seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?


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

442: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    N a. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    Y b. decrease the rudder angle
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    N d. steer the course which is your present heading

451: What is official proof of a vessel's ownership?

    Y a. Certificate of Documentation
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Transfer Certificate
    N d. Logbook

453: What purpose does a tow hook serve?

    Y a. To quickly connect or release the towing hawser
    N b. To help pick up the towing hawser from the water
    N c. To prevent the towing hawser from fouling the propeller
    N d. To recover the towing hawser from a barge

475: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "F" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. forward spring line
    N d. None of the above

506: With rudders amidships and negligible wind, a twin-screw vessel moving astern with both engines backing will back __________.

    N a. to port
    N b. to starboard
    Y c. in a fairly straight line
    N d. in a circular motion

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

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

734: What is the computed breaking strength of a 4-inch manila line?

    N a. 5,280 lbs.
    N b. 7,700 lbs.
    N c. 12,200 lbs.
    Y d. 14,400 lbs.

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

859: To insure proper seating when closing a valve on a tank, the valve should be __________.

    N a. closed against the stop and the locking pin inserted
    Y b. closed, opened a half turn, and then closed again
    N c. set up as tight as possible by hand
    N d. set up tight using a valve wrench

891: A seaman assaults the Second Mate and injures him with a beer bottle while the ship is at sea. The incident is logged in the Official Logbook. In subsequent suspension and revocation proceedings against the seaman, according to the regulations, __________.

    N a. the Second Mate and the Master must testify as to the facts of the assault
    N b. the case will be dismissed if the logbook entries are improperly made
    Y c. the logbook entry is prima facie evidence of the facts if it complies with the law
    N d. the logbook is inadmissible if the logbook entries do not conform to the law

970: What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

    Y a. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
    N b. Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
    N c. Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
    N d. There is no difference.

1122: Freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks __________.

    N a. prevent stress concentration in the bulwark
    N b. permit easy jettison of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. provide openings through the bulwarks for mooring lines
    Y d. allow water shipped on deck to flow off rapidly

1192: A person has fallen overboard and is being picked up with a lifeboat. If the person appears in danger of drowning, the lifeboat should make __________.

    N a. an approach from leeward
    N b. an approach from windward
    Y c. the most direct approach
    N d. an approach across the wind

1193: The main advantage of a Chinese stopper over the one line stopper is that it __________.

    Y a. will not jam on the mooring line
    N b. is stronger
    N c. is easier to use when under heavy tension
    N d. is safer to use when under heavy tension

1214: Which statement is TRUE about nylon line?

    N a. Manila line will usually last longer than nylon line.
    N b. Nylon line is excellent for use in alongside towing.
    N c. A normal safe working load will stretch nylon line 50%.
    Y d. Nylon stoppers should be used with nylon line.

1245: While on watch at sea you must maintain a proper lookout at all times. On a 700-foot cargo vessel being hand-steered during daylight hours in good visibility and clear of any navigational hazards, the lookout may be __________.

    N a. the helmsman
    Y b. the mate on watch
    N c. Either A or B
    N d. Neither A nor B

1257: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch. After reviewing the chart and having been briefed by the off-going mate, you are now ready to effect the relief. Which of the following is exemplary of the statement that would officially transfer the watch?

    N a. You say to the mate going off watch, "Destination New York, course 283°, speed 16 knots."
    N b. The mate being relieved says, "You now have the watch, course 147°, speed 15 knots."
    N c. The mate being relieved says, "All in apparent good order, course 068° per gyro, 075° per standard."
    Y d. You say to the mate going off watch, "I relieve you, course 321° per gyro, 316° per standard."

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.

1281: The agency most concerned with a stowaway is __________.

    N a. Customs
    Y b. Immigration
    N c. Public Health
    N d. U.S.D.A.

1344: When working with wire rope, which must be considered?

    N a. Metal sheaves should be lined with wood or leather.
    Y b. It needs better care than hemp or manila.
    N c. It should be lubricated annually.
    N d. The diameter of a sheave over which a rope is worked should be ten times that of the rope.

1476: How is the size of chain determined?

    N a. Length of link in inches
    Y b. Diameter of metal in link in inches
    N c. Links per fathom
    N d. Weight of stud cable in pounds

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

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

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

1604: Which knot would serve best as a safety sling for a person working over the side?

    N a. Bowline on a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Jug sling
    N d. Lifting hitch

1604: Which knot would serve best as a safety sling for a person working over the side?

    N a. Bowline on a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Jug sling
    N d. Lifting hitch

1622: What is NOT an indication that pack ice may be nearby?

    Y a. The presence of icebergs
    N b. Ice blink
    N c. Absence of wave motion
    N d. Sighting a walrus in the Arctic

1733: Separating both blocks of a tackle to prepare it for reuse is called __________.

    N a. chockablocking
    N b. out-hauling
    Y c. over-hauling
    N d. two-blocking

1740: The group of markings shown is called a __________. (D003DG )

    N a. loft mark
    Y b. load line mark
    N c. test mark
    N d. water mark

1772: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 32 feet and a height of 21 feet?

    N a. 8,444.60 cubic ft.
    N b. 7,732.81 cubic ft.
    Y c. 5,629.73 cubic ft.
    N d. 703.72 cubic ft.

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

1823: Chafing gear __________.

    N a. reduces and prevents corrosion of standing rigging
    N b. prevents corrosion of running rigging
    Y c. reduces and prevents wear caused by the rubbing of one object against another
    N d. protects the body against extreme cold

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

    N a. fairlead
    Y b. heaving line
    N c. stay
    N d. warp

1981: The boom stops on a pedestal crane prevent the boom from __________.

    Y a. being raised too high
    N b. swinging at sea
    N c. overloading when not in use
    N d. being lowered too low

2014: You are using tackle number 12, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 2. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

    N a. 9
    N b. 10
    Y c. 14
    N d. 21

2199: What is the name of tackle number 2? (DO29DG )

    N a. Whip
    N b. Onefold purchase
    N c. Single purchase
    Y d. Gun tackle

2218: If reefer spaces are not properly cleaned prior to loading cargo, it will most likely cause __________.

    Y a. mold to develop on commodities
    N b. malfunction of the refrigeration equipment
    N c. contamination of the insulation in the space
    N d. All of the above

2293: As defined in the regulations governing marine casualties a "marine employer" may be the __________.

    N a. owner
    N b. agent
    N c. Master
    Y d. All of the above

2458: A carling is used aboard ship __________.

    N a. as a connecting strap between the butted ends of plating
    Y b. to stiffen areas under points of great stress between beams
    N c. to prevent the anchor from fouling when the brake is released
    N d. to provide an extra heavy fitting in a heavy lift cargo rig

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

2489: A post on a dock or wharf used to secure mooring lines or hawsers is called a __________.

    N a. bitt
    Y b. bollard
    N c. cleat
    N d. capstan

2632: The horizontal flat surfaces where the upper stock joins the rudder are the __________.

    N a. rudder keys
    Y b. rudder palms
    N c. lifting flanges
    N d. shoes of the rudder

2658: A Kip is equal to __________.

    Y a. 1000 lbs.
    N b. 1000 kgs.
    N c. 2000 lbs.
    N d. 2240 lbs.

2719: Which publication would give detailed information on the commercial vessel traffic reporting system for connecting waters from Lake Erie to Lake Huron?

    N a. United States Coast Pilot - Great Lakes #6
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Light List - Vol. VII
    Y c. Code of Federal Regulations - Title 33
    N d. The appropriate Great Lakes Navigation Chart

2888: The Coordinator Surface Search in a SAR situation should display by day __________.

    Y a. the code flags FR
    N b. a black ball over a black diamond shape
    N c. code flag Quebec over a black ball
    N d. two black diamond shapes in a vertical line

2982: How should you signal the crane operator to stop?

    N a. Place both fists in front of your body with the thumbs pointing outward.
    N b. With both arms extended out and palms down, move arms back and forth.
    Y c. Extend arm with the palm down and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. Clasp hands in front of your body.

3010: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold directly to a cargo tank and serves only one tank is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    N b. filler line
    Y c. tank drop
    N d. branch line

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

3308: What term indicates a curvature of the decks in a longitudinal direction?

    N a. Deadrise
    N b. Camber
    Y c. Sheer
    N d. Flare

3589: A vessel has been surveyed in a foreign port and found unseaworthy as a result of neglect. A seaman on this vessel is entitled to discharge and __________.

    N a. transportation to the port of engagement
    N b. one month's pay only
    N c. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the least amount
    Y d. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the greater amount

4051: You are the operator of an uninspected vessel which is involved in an accident. You are not required to assist people affected by the accident if __________.

    N a. the other vessel did not appear to be sinking
    N b. it would unduly delay your voyage
    N c. the other vessel was at fault
    Y d. it would cause serious danger to your vessel

4096: Yawing is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

    N a. Longitudinal
    N b. Transverse
    Y c. Vertical
    N d. Centerline

4143: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4158: Which of the following element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Weight of cargo units and vehicles
    N b. Types of cargo units and vehicles to be carried
    N c. Dynamic forces under adverse weather conditions
    Y d. All of the above

4236: What is another description for a tandem crane lift?

    N a. Single crane hoisting 30 tons
    N b. Twin cranes hoisting 60 tons
    Y c. Quad lift hoisting 120 tons
    N d. All of the above

4241: What should be given, as a minimum, to personnel who are involved in crane cargo handling?

    Y a. Protective head gear, gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes
    N b. A survival suit for work on the stern or side port
    N c. A life preserver for going aloft to work on the crane
    N d. All of the above

4875: The crane manufacturer's operating tables are posted near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire-rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane controls