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.


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


138: Which vessel is most likely to be loaded full but not down?


225: For safety reasons, when assistance towing __________.


253: The forward movement of a vessel in one revolution of its propeller is measured by __________.

    N a. advance
    N b. head reach
    Y c. the pitch
    N d. transfer

312: If you are bunkering and you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. remain constant

361: The strictest load line regulations apply to __________.

    N a. gas carriers
    N b. freighters (break-bulk)
    Y c. passenger ships
    N d. tankers

484: On stud-link anchor chain the addition of the stud increases the strength of the link by about __________.

    N a. 10%
    Y b. 15%
    N c. 20%
    N d. 50%

496: Your twin-screw vessel is moving ASTERN with rudders amidships. The starboard screw suddenly stops turning. Your vessel's head will __________.

    Y a. go to port
    N b. go to starboard
    N c. remain stationary
    N d. suddenly drop down

567: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required Pilot is TRUE?

    N a. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia and Maryland.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    Y c. The Pilot need only be licensed by the Coast Guard.
    N d. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.

575: What is a correct reply to a pilot's request, "How's your head"?

    N a. "Steady"
    N b. "Checked"
    Y c. "Passing 200°"
    N d. "Eased to 10° rudder"

607: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    Y a. scissor wire
    N b. towing wire
    N c. breast wire
    N d. cross wire

613: A lookout can leave his station __________.

    N a. at the end of the watch
    Y b. only when properly relieved
    N c. at any time
    N d. 15 minutes before the end of the watch

660: You receive word that a person has fallen overboard from the starboard side. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    Y b. put the wheel hard right
    N c. put the engines full astern
    N d. sound the man overboard alarm

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It forces the bow away from the bank.
    N b. It forces the stern away from the bank.
    N c. It forces the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

719: Most crude oils are classified as grade __________.

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

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.

789: Which statement about a centrifugal cargo pump is TRUE?

    N a. It is a positive displacement pump.
    Y b. It must have a positive suction.
    N c. Increasing rotation speed will decrease discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

797: A U.S. or foreign flag vessel that does not comply with the Officers Competency Certificates Convention of 1936 may be detained by certain designated officials. These officials include all of the following EXCEPT a/an ___________ .

    N a. Coast Guard officer
    N b. employee of the U.S. Customs Service
    N c. Coast Guard petty officer
    Y d. State Police officer

856: A wedge of water building up between the bow and nearer bank which forces the bow out and away describes __________.

    Y a. bank cushion
    N b. bank suction
    N c. combined effect
    N d. bend effect

1031: Which certificate is NOT issued by the Coast Guard?

    N a. Award of official number
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    Y c. Classification of Hull and Machinery
    N d. Safety Equipment Certificate

1036: What is meant by the term "broaching to"?

    N a. Having the vessel head toward the sea
    N b. Running before a sea
    Y c. Being turned broadside to the sea
    N d. Having the vessel filled with water

1160: In a longitudinally-framed ship, the longitudinal frames are held in place and supported by athwartship members called __________.

    N a. floors
    N b. margin plates
    N c. stringers
    Y d. web frames

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

1195: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    Y a. unseaworthiness when sailing
    N b. insufficient packing
    N c. quarantine delays
    N d. mismanagement of the vessel

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

1262: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $25,000
    N b. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N c. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel
    Y d. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible

1508: While towing, sudden shock-loading caused during heavy weather can be reduced by __________.

    N a. using a short tow hawser
    N b. using a nonelastic type hawser
    Y c. using a heavier hawser
    N d. decreasing the catenary in the hawser

1533: What is the best splice for repairing a parted synthetic fiber mooring line?

    N a. Liverpool splice
    N b. Locking long splice
    N c. Long splice
    Y d. Short splice

1640: The garboard strake is the __________.

    N a. raised flange at the main deck edge
    N b. riveted crack arrester strap on all-welded ships
    N c. riveting pattern most commonly used in ship construction
    Y d. row of plating nearest the keel

1675: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter D? (D003DG )

    Y a. Tropical load line
    N b. Summer load line
    N c. Fresh load line
    N d. Winter load line

1683: "Herringbone" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. anchoring
    N b. mooring
    Y c. sewing
    N d. splicing

1695: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 3.7 feet?

    N a. 11.62 ft
    N b. 17.49 ft
    Y c. 23.25 ft
    N d. 25.72 ft

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    N a. use right or left rudder
    N b. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    Y c. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N d. put the rudder amidships

1807: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Evacuation should be from an area forward of the bridge.
    N b. The vessel should be slowed to bare steerageway.
    N c. If the hoist is at the stern, booms extending aft at the stern should be cradled with the topping lifts hove taut.
    Y d. The litter should not be touched until it has been grounded.

1815: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

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

1994: The space indicated by the letter J is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    Y a. double bottom
    N b. flooding barrier
    N c. floor space
    N d. bilge tank

2026: After a seaman is discharged, at the end of the voyage, the final payment of wages due must be made, whichever is earliest, either within 24 hours after the cargo has been discharged, or __________.

    Y a. within 4 days after the seaman's discharge
    N b. prior to the vessel's departure on the next voyage
    N c. prior to loading any out-bound cargo
    N d. prior to any change of Master

2037: You are riding to a single anchor. The vessel is yawing excessively. Which action should be taken to reduce the yawing?

    N a. Veer chain to the riding anchor
    N b. Heave to a shorter scope of chain on the riding anchor
    N c. Drop the second anchor at the extreme end of the yaw and veer the riding anchor
    Y d. Drop the second anchor at the extreme end of the yaw, then adjust the cables until the scope is equal

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.

2375: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of ethanolamine, methyl acrylate, and glycerine. Which statement is true?

    N a. All of these cargoes are mutually incompatible.
    N b. Glycerine may be stowed adjacent to methyl acrylate but must be segregated from ethanolamine.
    N c. Methyl acrylate and ethanolamine are compatible but both must be segregated from glycerine.
    Y d. Glycerine is compatible with both of the other cargoes.

2464: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    Y a. Yarns
    N b. Twines
    N c. Lacings
    N d. Lays

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

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

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

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

2689: After riveting is completed, the joints on the shell of a vessel are generally made watertight by __________.

    N a. faying
    Y b. caulking
    N c. felt or canvas packing
    N d. red lead

2908: How should you signal the crane operator to use the whip line?

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

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

2946: Which single-letter signal, when used by icebreakers on the Great Lakes, may be made by using the ship's whistle?

    N a. E
    N b. I
    Y c. M
    N d. None

3111: While the Pilot is maneuvering the vessel to a dock, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of the watch officer?

    Y a. Insure that helm and throttle orders given by the Pilot are correctly executed.
    N b. Judge the appropriateness of the Pilot's orders and countermand them if necessary.
    N c. Supervise the signaling and flag etiquette.
    N d. Record the bells and their times in the bell book.

3234: Rolling is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

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

3342: Which term refers to a transverse curvature of the deck?

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

3434: The Scharnow turn should be used in a man overboard situation only when __________.

    N a. the man can be kept in sight from the bridge while maneuvering
    N b. the turn is started immediately when the man goes over
    Y c. there has been sufficient time elapsed since the man went over to complete the maneuver
    N d. the vessel has twin screws to assist in making the turn

3682: The boom indicator tells the operator at what angle the boom is compared to the __________.

    Y a. horizontal position of the boom
    N b. vertical position of the boom
    N c. horizontal position of the load being lifted
    N d. vertical position of the load being lifted

3712: When should a crane boom-up so high that the boom hits the stops?

    N a. Only if the load has not exceeded the limit at that angle
    N b. Only if the load contains non-hazardous materials
    N c. Only if necessary to perform a given lift
    Y d. Never

4070: Small floes of rough, hummocky sea ice capable of damaging a vessel __________.

    Y a. can usually be detected by radar in a smooth sea at a range of 4 to 6 kilometers
    N b. are indistinguishable from sea return on the PPI
    N c. are invisible to radar when covered with a thick layer of snow
    N d. are usually seen at night before they are close enough to provide a radar echo

4145: Which tensioning device is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4160: 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 20 tons and 30 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    Y c. Three
    N d. Four

4442: Insulating flanges minimize the dangers arising from __________.

    N a. smoking on deck
    N b. loading asphalt
    Y c. accumulations of electrostatic charges
    N d. tank over-pressurization