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.


27: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.


36: The distance that a vessel travels from the time that the order to put engines full astern until the vessel is dead in the water is known as __________.


51: You are the licensed Master of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand any order spoken by the officers?


57: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.

    N a. charged with accessory to sexual assault
    Y b. fined up to $5,000
    N c. imprisoned for up to one year
    N d. All of the above

99: What is meant by "thieving" a petroleum cargo?

    N a. Siphoning off a few barrels of petroleum for shipboard use
    Y b. Determining the amount of water (if any) in each cargo tank
    N c. Adjusting the cargo figures to coincide with the draft
    N d. Reducing the gross cargo calculations to net amounts

132: What is a characteristic of all centrifugal cargo pumps?

    N a. They are self-priming.
    Y b. Decreasing the speed of rotation will decrease the discharge pressure.
    N c. Opening the discharge valve wider will increase the discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

140: Your tankship is carrying a 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The cargo containment system must have a permanent inert gas system. While discharging this cargo the inert gas system must maintain a minimum pressure of __________.

    Y a. 0.5 psig
    N b. 3.0 psig
    N c. 5.0 psig
    N d. atmospheric pressure

142: What is NOT an advantage of centrifugal pumps over reciprocating pumps?

    N a. They pump more cargo in less time.
    N b. They are smaller for equivalent pumping ability.
    N c. They are less expensive.
    Y d. They require priming for stripping.

180: Your tank vessel is loading a hazardous cargo. The allowance for expansion is based on ambient temperatures of what maximum range?

    N a. 0°C to 100°C
    N b. -10°C to 90°C
    Y c. -18°C to 46°C
    N d. -40°C to 50°C

446: A twin-screw vessel can clear the inboard propeller and maneuver off a pier best by holding a(n) __________.

    N a. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the inboard engine
    N b. after spring line and going slow astern on the outboard engine
    N c. forward spring line and going slow ahead on both engines
    Y d. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the outboard engine

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

522: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one Mate of Towing Vessels and four (4) seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

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

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.

629: You are planning to use a crude oil washing system. What precaution must be taken with the source tank for the washing machines?

    Y a. At least one meter must be decanted from the source tank.
    N b. The oil in the source tank must be sampled for compatibility.
    N c. The source tank must have been crude oil washed at least once in the past 150 days.
    N d. The inert gas system must lower the oxygen content in the source tank to a maximum of 12%.

752: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons as shown is to be loaded. What is the total cubic capacity the consignment will occupy if you assume 10% broken stowage? (D042DG )

    N a. 51 cubic feet (1.5 cubic meters)
    N b. 58 cubic feet (1.7 cubic meters)
    Y c. 65 cubic feet (2.0 cubic meters)
    N d. 336 cubic feet (10 cubic meters)

785: With rudders amidships and negligible wind, a twin-screw vessel moving ahead on the port screw and backing on the starboard screw will __________.

    N a. move in a straight line
    Y b. pivot to starboard
    N c. pivot to port
    N d. walk sideways to starboard

850: Panting frames are located in the __________.

    N a. after double bottoms
    N b. centerline tanks on tankships
    Y c. fore and after peaks
    N d. forward double bottoms

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

861: Every entry required to be made in the Official Logbook shall be signed by the __________.

    N a. Mate on watch
    Y b. Master and Chief Mate or other member of the crew
    N c. Master only
    N d. Purser, one of the Mates, and some other member of the crew

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

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

915: What is the period of validity of a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 60 months

916: A condition where two currents meet at the downstream end of a middle bar can be determined by a __________.

    N a. small whirlpool
    N b. smooth patch of water
    Y c. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing downstream
    N d. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing upstream

1121: What should be readily available on deck while seamen are working over the side on a stage?

    Y a. Rng buoy
    N b. Fire extinguisher
    N c. First aid kit
    N d. Stokes basket

1183: Which towing equipment can be used to prevent the tripping of a tug?

    N a. Bridles
    N b. Chafing boards
    Y c. Gob ropes
    N d. Drogues

1221: Your vessel is in Charleston, S.C. You need not clear Customs if __________.

    Y a. all the cargo on board is of U.S. origin and destined for New York
    N b. you took on no new cargo in Charleston, S.C. and are bound for Puerto Rico and thence foreign
    N c. you did not discharge any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Panama
    N d. you did not load any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Halifax

1270: When a man who is conscious has fallen overboard is being picked up by a lifeboat, the boat should approach with the wind __________.

    N a. astern and the victim just off the bow
    N b. ahead and the victim just off the bow
    N c. just off the bow and the victim to windward
    Y d. just off the bow and the victim to leeward

1330: Beams are cambered to __________.

    N a. increase their strength
    Y b. provide drainage from the decks
    N c. relieve deck stress
    N d. All of the above

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

1434: In the manufacture of wire rope, if the wires are shaped to conform to the curvature of the finished rope before they are laid up, the rope is called __________.

    N a. composite
    N b. left-lay
    N c. improved
    Y d. preformed

1474: To find the distance the strands should be unlaid for an eye splice, multiply the diameter of the wire in inches by __________.

    N a. 12
    N b. 24
    Y c. 36
    N d. 48

1651: Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

    Y a. Official Crew List
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Officer's licenses
    N d. Muster List

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1784: The "rolling hitch" could be used to __________.

    N a. join two lines of different sizes
    N b. join two lines of equal sizes
    N c. add strength to a weak spot in a line
    Y d. act as a stopper to transfer a line under strain

1973: Which statement is TRUE about placing the eyes of two mooring lines on the same bollard?

    N a. Put one line at the low point and one at the high point of the bollard so they don't touch.
    Y b. Take the eye of the second line up through the eye of the first line before putting the second line on the bollard.
    N c. Never put two mooring lines on the same bollard.
    N d. The mooring line forward should be put on the bollard first.

1989: If you were to pass a stopper on a wire rope, what should the stopper be made of?

    N a. Wire
    N b. Manila
    N c. Nylon
    Y d. Chain

2027: Your vessel is issued a load line certificate dated 27 May 1992. What is NOT an acceptable date for one of the surveys for endorsements?

    N a. 28-Feb-93
    Y b. 27-Nov-93
    N c. 26-Aug-94
    N d. 27-May-95

2145: The fo'c'sle card __________.

    N a. is posted in the crews quarters and lists the emergency stations
    Y b. advises the crew of the conditions of employment
    N c. is also known as a Merchant Mariner's Document
    N d. designates the quarters a seaman will occupy during a voyage

2186: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0
    N b. 0.5
    N c. 1
    Y d. 2

2221: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20
    Y b. 15
    N c. 10
    N d. 5

2223: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 3? (DO29DG )

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

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

2291: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. Master must first request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N b. Master should agree to sign a release of liability form
    Y c. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course
    N d. vessel must be in extremis

2377: 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?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    Y b. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further 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.

2532: For a given weight of cargo, the stress on the heel block of a cargo boom __________.

    N a. increases as the cargo closes the head while hoisting
    N b. increases if the cargo runner is doubled up
    Y c. decreases as the boom is topped to a greater angle
    N d. is determined by the thrust stresses on the boom

2870: A single-screw vessel going ahead tends to turn more rapidly to port because of propeller __________.

    N a. discharge current
    N b. suction current
    Y c. sidewise force
    N d. thrust

2936: Storms that enter the Great Lakes Basin from the west and northwest at a peak in October are the products of pressure systems known as __________.

    N a. Northwesters
    Y b. Alberta lows
    N c. Fata morgana
    N d. Polar highs

3054: The phenomenon known as a "seiche" is most likely to occur on Lake Erie __________.

    N a. during the passage of a rapidly moving warm front
    Y b. when strong winds from the Northeast suddenly diminish
    N c. during the months of May through August
    N d. when the Moon and Sun are in alignment

3201: You are on watch entering port, and the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. obeys the Pilot
    N b. asks you for instructions
    Y c. obeys the Master
    N d. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions

3325: Flammable liquids should have what kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow
    Y c. Red
    N d. White

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

3484: You are on watch and see a man fall overboard. Which man- overboard turn should NOT be used in this situation?

    Y a. Scharnow
    N b. Single turn
    N c. Racetrack
    N d. Williamson

3584: The tripping palm is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3602: What is the penalty for desertion?

    N a. Fine of not more than 2000 dollars and forfeiture of wages
    N b. Imprisonment for not more than 2 years and/or a fine of not more than 2000 dollars
    N c. Revocation of Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable) and forfeiture of wages due
    Y d. Forfeiture of money and property left on the vessel, and wages due

4056: 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. 89.75 numeral
    N b. 40.18 numeral
    N c. 28.62 numeral
    Y d. 22.44 numeral

4072: How should you signal the crane operator to stop in an emergency?

    N a. Extend arm with the palm down and hold this position rigidly.
    N b. Place clasped hands in front of your body.
    Y c. Extend arm and move hand rapidly right and left with the palm down.
    N d. Place both fists in front of the body with the thumbs pointing outward.

4140: The disadvantage(s) of using web lashing on light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. deteriorates in sunlight
    N b. cuts on sharp edges
    N c. is vulnerable to damage and pilferage
    Y d. All of the above

4188: The most important safety consideration during loading or discharge aboard a Ro-Ro vessel is __________.

    N a. having all crewmembers and longshoremen wear hard hats
    Y b. the thorough ventilation of all cargo spaces
    N c. ensuring that visitors cannot come aboard
    N d. having the outboard anchor down

4208: What is the purpose of the equalizing beam aboard a crane vessel?

    N a. It allows for rotation of the hook in the single mode.
    Y b. It is required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes.
    N c. It is used to pick up light loads.
    N d. It is used to rigidly connect two cranes.

4225: What does item "G" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Mast
    N b. Pillar
    Y c. Turntable
    N d. Pedestal

4270: Which immediate action should the operator of a pedestal crane take if crane control is lost?

    Y a. Let go of both control levers and return to neutral position.
    N b. Call the engine room.
    N c. Disconnect the power to the pedestal.
    N d. Call the electrician.