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.


17: The mooring line labeled "E" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )


72: You are in the process of loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 1030, on 5 November, you gauge the vessel and find that you have loaded 203,000 barrels. At 1200 you find that you have loaded 218,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.


184: You are standing look-out duty at night. A dim light on the horizon will be seen quickest by looking __________.


201: Your vessel is in a foreign port and you find that one of the crew members has been incarcerated for drunkenness. The Official Logbook shows that the seaman doesn't have funds to cover the costs of the fine. Which action should the Master take?

    N a. Inventory his gear and send it and a pay voucher ashore with the agent.
    N b. Leave the seaman in jail and log him as a fail to join after the vessel sails.
    N c. Leave the seaman in jail and log him as a deserter after the vessel sails.
    Y d. Pay the seaman's fine.

228: Securing cargo by running timbers from an upper support down to the cargo, either vertically or at an angle, is called __________.

    N a. braces
    N b. dunnage
    N c. shores
    Y d. toms

360: The label required on containers carrying barium oxide in an international shipment must read __________.

    Y a. "Poison"
    N b. "Spontaneously Combustible"
    N c. "Radioactive"
    N d. "Infectious Substance"

474: On an anchor windlass, the wheel over which the anchor chain passes is called a __________.

    N a. brake compressor wheel
    N b. devil's claw
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. winchhead

500: What would NOT require that a detailed report of the release of hazardous cargo be made to the Department of Transportation?

    N a. The valve on an empty portable tank that contained acetone is accidentally opened and some of the residue escapes to the open sea.
    N b. A carboy of nitric acid is broken on deck while loading and is flushed overboard with no injury or damage.
    Y c. Part of your deck cargo of five gallon cans of paint is damaged and leaking so you jettison them to eliminate the fire hazard.
    N d. Heavy weather causes damage to packages of a hazardous liquid that is subsequently pumped out at sea through the bilge pumping system.

633: A tug is best positioned for towing and maneuvering on rivers and other restricted waters where wave action is limited when __________.

    Y a. directly astern and pushing the tow
    N b. towing on a hawser
    N c. towing alongside and parallel to the vessel it is towing
    N d. towing on the hip

637: A tow bridle is attached to the main tow hawser at the __________.

    N a. bight ring
    N b. tow hook
    Y c. fishplate
    N d. swivel

694: An advantage of nylon rope over manila rope is that nylon rope __________.

    N a. can be used in conjunction with wire or spring-lay rope
    N b. can be stored on decks exposed to sunlight
    Y c. can hold a load even when a considerable amount of the yarns have been abraded
    N d. gives audible warning of overstress whereas manila does not

724: Using a safety factor of five, determine what is the safe working load for 3-1/2 inch manila line with a breaking stress of 4.9 tons.

    N a. 0.82 ton
    Y b. 0.98 ton
    N c. 2.45 tons
    N d. 12.25 tons

760: The connection to the towline must be secured with a ____________ .

    N a. galvanized screw-pin shackle
    N b. hardened steel thimble
    Y c. shackle secured a nut and cotter pin
    N d. shackle fitted with a swivel piece

763: A vessel that tows astern must have a/an ___________ .

    N a. towing winch
    Y b. method to easily release the towline
    N c. oxy-acetylene cutting torch
    N d. ax or knife mounted near the towing bitts

779: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tankers?

    Y a. They are gravity-fed.
    N b. They are more expensive than reciprocating pumps.
    N c. They are positive displacement pumps.
    N d. They are used for stripping pumps.

779: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tankers?

    Y a. They are gravity-fed.
    N b. They are more expensive than reciprocating pumps.
    N c. They are positive displacement pumps.
    N d. They are used for stripping pumps.

865: A nylon line is rated at 15,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    Y a. 3,000 lbs
    N b. 5,000 lbs
    N c. 15,000 lbs
    N d. 65,000 lbs

917: What is the period of validity of a Safety Management Certificate?

    Y a. 60 months
    N b. 48 months
    N c. 42 months
    N d. 36 months

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.

1111: A vessel sailing from Liverpool to New York puts into Boston, Mass. for emergency repairs. If no inward foreign cargo is to be discharged at that port, which of the following documents is required?

    N a. Custom Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    Y c. Pro Forma Manifest
    N d. Traveling Manifest

1112: What is an advantage of the 6X37 class of wire rope over the 6X19 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

    Y a. Greater flexibility
    N b. More resistance to corrosion
    N c. More resistance to elongation
    N d. Lower weight per foot

1154: Which line would be least likely to kink?

    Y a. Braided
    N b. Left-handed laid
    N c. Right-handed laid
    N d. Straight laid

1241: A Notice of Marine Casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    Y b. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N c. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N d. the amount of ballast on board

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.

1393: Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to __________.

    N a. the Light List
    Y b. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Coast Pilot

1505: The supplement to the IOPP Certificate contains what type of data?

    N a. The grades of cargo that an oil tanker is permitted to carry.
    Y b. A checklist of the equipment installed for controlling the discharge of oil.
    N c. The trade routes upon which the vessel may operate.
    N d. A list of the underwriters who will assume financial responsibility in the event of an oil spill.

1519: When snaking cargo into the wing of a hold with the cargo winch, the runner should be lead from the __________.

    N a. head block to a snatch block
    Y b. heel block to a snatch block
    N c. lizard to a snatch block
    N d. winch to a snatch block

1534: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE concerning wire rope?

    Y a. Wire rope should be condemned if the outside wires are worn to one-half their original diameter.
    N b. Wire rope should be condemned if the fiber core appears moist.
    N c. Wire rope which is right-hand laid should be coiled counterclockwise to prevent kinking.
    N d. All of the above

1561: The Master of any vessel bound on a voyage must apply to a district court when an allegation of unseaworthiness has been made to the Master by __________.

    N a. any member of the crew of the vessel
    N b. any two officers of the vessel and a majority of the crew
    Y c. the First and Second Officers of the vessel or a majority of the crew
    N d. the First Officer of the vessel

1589: Why is 6X19 class wire rope more commonly used for cargo runners than the more flexible 6X37 wire rope?

    Y a. It resists abrasion better.
    N b. It is longer.
    N c. It hugs the winch drum better.
    N d. It is less expensive.

1603: Which weakens a line the LEAST?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Long splice
    Y c. Short splice
    N d. Square knot

1608: Your ship is dead in the water with the rudder amidships. As the right-handed screw starts to turn ahead, the bow will tend to go __________.

    N a. to starboard
    Y b. to port
    N c. straight ahead
    N d. as influenced by the tide and sea

1623: A short splice in a line __________.

    N a. decreases the size of the line
    N b. should be used if the line is going through a block
    N c. should only be used in wire rope
    Y d. doubles the size of the line

1654: Which knot should be used to bend two hawsers together for towing?

    Y a. Double carrick bend
    N b. Fisherman's bend
    N c. Heaving line bend
    N d. Rolling hitch

1848: You are docking a vessel. Wind and current are most favorable when they are __________.

    N a. crossing your course in the same direction
    N b. crossing your course in opposite directions
    Y c. parallel to the pier from ahead
    N d. setting you on the pier

1941: The helm command "Left twenty" means __________.

    N a. change course twenty degrees to the left
    Y b. put the rudder left twenty degrees
    N c. put the rudder hard left for the first twenty degrees of swing
    N d. put the rudder left twenty degrees and then ease back as the vessel starts swinging

2062: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. She is making more leeway than you. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    Y d. D

2095: You are using a racetrack turn to recover a man overboard. The vessel is first steadied when how many degrees away from the original heading?

    N a. 60° to 70°
    N b. 90°
    N c. 135°
    Y d. 180°

2133: The S.S. Hollowpoint has a charter party in which the charterer assumes no responsibility for the operation of the vessel but pays stevedoring expenses. What is the name of the charter party?

    N a. Bareboat
    N b. Dispatch
    Y c. Voyage
    N d. Demise

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.

2234: Keeping certain cargoes separated because of their inherent characteristics is known as __________.

    N a. overstowage
    Y b. segregation
    N c. spot loading
    N d. cargo typing

2290: The sprocket teeth on a wildcat are known as the __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. devil's claws
    Y c. whelps
    N d. pockets

2466: The pillar shape that gives the greatest strength for the least weight is the __________.

    N a. octagonal pillar
    N b. "H" Beam pillar
    N c. "I" Beam pillar
    Y d. circular type pillar

2471: To determine the number of able seamen required on an inspected vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. operations manual
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2479: Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?

    N a. Magnetic particle
    N b. Dye penetrant
    Y c. Ultrasonic
    N d. Chemical reaction

2589: The angle at which the anchor flukes penetrate the soil is the __________.

    N a. burial angle
    N b. penetration angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. holding angle

2842: By definition, a "spar deck" is the __________.

    N a. lower most continuous deck not broken by water tight bulkheads
    N b. after most weather deck above the main strength deck
    Y c. upper or weather deck above the main strength deck
    N d. deck of light construction below the main or strength deck

2944: Your ship is navigating independently in heavy ice when it becomes beset. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The vessel will most likely require an icebreaker to free her.
    N b. The vessel may be able to free herself by pumping ballast from side to side.
    Y c. The propeller is more susceptible to ice damage when turning slowly than when stopped.
    N d. It is advisable to clear the rudder area of ice by using ahead turns before backing down.

3050: Which characteristic is an advantage of a butterfly valve as compared to a gate valve?

    N a. Precise control over cargo flow
    Y b. Quick operation
    N c. No resistance to cargo flow when open
    N d. Less maintenance required

3138: When pushing ahead, wires leading from the quarters of the after outboard barges to the bow of a towboat __________.

    N a. prevent the towboat from sliding when the rudder is moved
    Y b. prevent the barges from spreading out when backing down
    N c. hold the towboat securely to the barges
    N d. prevent the sidewise movement of the face barges

3360: On a light tow, what could you substitute for a fishplate?

    Y a. heart-shaped shackle
    N b. pelican hook
    N c. swivel
    N d. ring

3400: In a tow made up astern, the fishplate __________.

    Y a. connects the hawser to the bridle
    N b. connects the bridle to the tow
    N c. keeps the hawser amidships on the tug
    N d. is the capping piece on the "H" bitt

3490: A device used to tighten up remaining slack in wire rope when you are making up to a tow in inland waters is a __________.

    N a. tripping line
    N b. tripping bracket
    N c. norman pin
    Y d. steamboat ratchet

3556: The choice of length of tow bridle legs is governed by the __________.

    N a. expected towing forces
    N b. capability of retrieving gear
    N c. freeboard of the unit being towed
    Y d. need to reduce yaw

3719: Besides saving distance along the track line, another advantage of the Scharnow Turn over the Williamson Turn in a man overboard situation is because __________.

    Y a. it is faster
    N b. it can be used in both the immediate action and the delayed action situations
    N c. in fog, if the turn is started as soon as the man goes over, the vessel will be at the point where he went over when the turn is completed
    N d. it returns the vessel to the original track line on a reciprocal course

3742: It is good practice to use long towlines for ocean tows because the __________.

    N a. wear on the towline is equalized
    N b. weight of the towline increases the towing force
    Y c. dip in the towline absorbs shock loads
    N d. danger of overriding is reduced

3820: When making a Scharnow turn, the __________.

    N a. rudder must be put over towards the side the man went over
    N b. initial turn direction is away from the side the man went over
    Y c. rudder is put hard over and the initial turn is maintained until about 240° from the original course
    N d. man overboard must be not more than 300 feet astern when starting the turn

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

4171: While loading or discharging vehicles, which is the most important safety consideration aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Preventing the asphyxiation of personnel below decks
    N b. Notifying the engine room prior to completing operations
    N c. Calling out the deck department for all hands periodically
    N d. Ensuring that a fuel barge cannot come alongside

4440: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard, starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. throw a life ring to mark the spot
    N c. put the rudder amidships
    Y d. give full right rudder