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.


65: 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 __________.


71: You are the licensed Master of a 199 GT uninspected towing vessel making a 500 mile coastwise trip. You carry a deck crew of six (6). Which statement is TRUE?


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


129: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline on a bight
    N b. Fisherman's loop
    Y c. French bowline
    N d. Spider hitch

236: As the propeller turns, voids are formed on the trailing and leading edges of the propeller blades causing a loss of propulsive efficiency, pitting of the blades, and vibration. These voids are known as __________.

    N a. advance
    Y b. cavitation
    N c. edging
    N d. slip

329: Litmus paste is used in order to determine __________.

    N a. innage
    Y b. thievage
    N c. ullage
    N d. the tank's datum point

516: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudder amidships. Your starboard engine stalls. To continue on course, you should __________.

    Y a. apply left rudder
    N b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

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

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

636: The use of an anchor to assist in turning in restricted waters is __________.

    N a. a last resort
    Y b. good seamanship
    N c. the sign of a novice shiphandler
    N d. to be used only with a single-screw vessel

683: Barges and vessels are ballasted before departure to __________.

    Y a. improve their stability
    N b. avoid polluting waters where liquid ballast may not be discharged
    N c. prevent free surface effects
    N d. allow movement of liquids within the barge for tank cleaning

691: On U.S. flag vessels, which certificate is always issued by the Coast Guard?

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Safety Equipment Certificate
    N c. Safety Construction Certificate
    N d. Register of cargo gear

743: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. towing arch
    N b. jockey bar
    N c. chafing bar
    Y d. Dutch tow bar

804: Line is called "small stuff" if its circumference is less than __________.

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

813: The Officers Competency Certificates Convention of 1936 applies to all of these vessels operating seaward of the boundary line EXCEPT a/an ___________ .

    N a. offshore supply vessel over 200 gross tons
    N b. passenger vessel of 295 gross tons
    Y c. uninspected towing vessel of less than 200 gross tons
    N d. inspected towing vessel of 305 gross tons

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

883: The size and material used for towline(s) must meet all of the following requirements, EXCEPT ____________ .

    N a. be appropriate to the vessel's horsepower or bollard pull
    N b. be strong enough to handle any static or dynamic loads expected during its service life
    Y c. fit any spare wire clips carried on board the vessel for repair purposes
    N d. be suitable for exposure to the marine environment

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

929: All of the following steps are taken in starting a centrifugal pump, EXCEPT to __________.

    Y a. set the relief valve
    N b. check the lubrication system
    N c. vent the pump casing
    N d. open the pump suction and discharge valves

963: You are the person in charge of a 199-GT uninspected towing vessel engaged in towing from Galveston to Savannah and then returning, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The sailors shall be divided into three watches.
    N b. All deck crew members are to have a Merchant Mariner's Document.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    Y d. The crew members are NOT required to sign articles.

1124: Which material makes the strongest mooring line?

    N a. Sisal
    N b. Manila
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Polyethylene

1126: You are approaching a pier and intend to use the port anchor to assist in docking port side to. You would NOT use the anchor if __________.

    N a. the current was setting you on the pier
    N b. another vessel is berthed ahead of your position
    N c. the wind was blowing from the starboard side
    Y d. there is shallow water enroute to the berth

1203: Under defense plans, operation of electronic aids may be temporarily suspended with __________.

    N a. one day's notice
    Y b. no notice
    N c. thirty (30) day's notice
    N d. a week's notice

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

1308: The S.S. Sheet Bend arrives in New York after encountering heavy weather on a voyage from Cape Town. Who will note the protest for the Master?

    N a. Collector of Customs
    Y b. Notary Public
    N c. Officer in Charge Marine Inspection
    N d. U.S. Shipping Commissioner

1366: The best method to stop a vessel from dragging anchor in a sand bottom is to __________.

    N a. reduce the length of the cable
    Y b. pay out more anchor cable
    N c. back the engines
    N d. swing the rudder several times to work the anchor into the bottom

1384: The wire rope used for cargo handling on board your vessel has a safe working load of eight tons. It shall be able to withstand a breaking test load of __________.

    N a. 32 tons
    Y b. 40 tons
    N c. 48 tons
    N d. 64 tons

1511: A vessel has been damaged by fire. The survey shows the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the repaired vessel. This is an example of a(n) __________.

    Y a. constructive total loss
    N b. salvage loss
    N c. actual loss
    N d. preferred loss

1516: The length of a standard "shot" of chain is __________.

    N a. 12 fathoms
    Y b. 15 fathoms
    N c. 18 fathoms
    N d. 20 fathoms

1524: A mooring line is described as being 6x24, 1-3/4 inch wire rope. What do the above numbers refer to?

    N a. Strands, yarns, circumference
    Y b. Strands, wires, diameter
    N c. Wires, yarns, diameter
    N d. Strands, circumference, wires

1578: A stream of water immediately surrounding a moving vessel's hull, flowing in the same direction as the vessel is known as __________.

    N a. directional current
    N b. forward current
    N c. propeller current
    Y d. wake current

1586: By paying out more anchor cable, you __________.

    N a. decrease the holding power of your anchor
    N b. decrease the swing of your vessel while at anchor
    Y c. increase the holding power of your anchor
    N d. increase the possibility that your vessel will drag anchor

1610: The joint formed when two steel shell plates are placed longitudinally side to side is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. bond
    N c. strake
    Y d. seam

1796: Which safety check(s) should be made before letting go the anchor?

    N a. See that the anchor is clear of obstructions.
    N b. See that the chain is all clear.
    N c. See that the wildcat is disengaged.
    Y d. All of the above

1800: The figure obtained by dividing the total volume of the ship in cubic feet (after omission of exempted spaces) by 100 is the __________.

    N a. bale cubic
    Y b. gross tonnage
    N c. light displacement
    N d. net tonnage

1875: A seam is indicated by which letter in illustration D033DG? (D033DG )

    Y a. E
    N b. H
    N c. L
    N d. M

2029: When anchored, increasing the scope of the anchor chain normally serves to __________.

    N a. prevent fouling of the anchor
    N b. decrease swing of the vessel
    Y c. prevent dragging of the anchor
    N d. reduce strain on the windlass

2086: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 11? (DO29DG )

    N a. 7
    Y b. 6
    N c. 5.5
    N d. 5

2127: The maneuver which will return your vessel to a person who has fallen overboard in the shortest time is __________.

    N a. a Williamson Turn
    N b. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    Y c. a single turn with hard rudder
    N d. two 180° turns

2165: The original Bill of Lading, once signed by the Master, is NOT __________.

    N a. a receipt and proof that goods have been received on board
    Y b. surrendered to the customs agency of the country where the cargo is discharged
    N c. used to transfer ownership of the cargo while the ship is enroute
    N d. proof of title or ownership of the cargo

2187: You are using tackle number 10 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 5. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 25
    N b. 20
    N c. 15
    N d. 10

2195: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as listed. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D035DG )

    N a. 745 yards
    N b. 770 yards
    Y c. 840 yards
    N d. 890 yards

2264: When you "end for end" a wire rope, you __________.

    N a. cut off the free end and bitter end of the rope
    N b. splice two wire ropes together
    Y c. remove the wire rope from the drum and reverse it so that the free end becomes the bitter end
    N d. remove the wire rope from the drum and turn it over, so the wire bends in the opposite direction

2286: Cargo that is highly susceptible to damage by tainting from odorous cargo is called __________.

    N a. clean cargo
    Y b. delicate cargo
    N c. dry cargo
    N d. immune cargo

2976: Which statement is TRUE with respect to shiphandling procedures in ice?

    N a. Never go "full astern" at any time while in ice.
    Y b. Go astern in ice with extreme care - always with rudder amidships.
    N c. Enter ice at medium speeds to reduce impact.
    N d. The presence of a snow cover on the ice assists a vessel's progress through an ice field.

3056: Advection fog holds longest over which portions of the lakes?

    Y a. Northwest
    N b. Southeast
    N c. Northeast
    N d. Southwest

3086: Which statement concerning the navigation of a vessel in ice is FALSE?

    N a. Anchoring in the presence of ice is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N b. Towing a vessel through an ice field is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N c. The "Free and Proceed" system of escorting a beset vessel cuts down on the number of freeing operations.
    Y d. When anchoring in ice, it is advisable to increase the scope of the chain over what is normally used for non-icing conditions.

3112: A tug is to assist in docking an oceangoing vessel on a hawser. The greatest danger to the tug is __________.

    N a. from the ship's propeller when making up aft
    N b. from being overrun if making up forward
    N c. hull damage while alongside passing a hawser
    Y d. getting in a tripping position

3144: A tow consists of 8 barges: 6 jumbo barges made up 3 abreast and 2 long, with 2 standard barges abreast as lead barges. How long is this tow?

    N a. 525 feet
    N b. 545 feet
    Y c. 565 feet
    N d. 595 feet

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

3381: A half-height container is used __________.

    N a. to carry cargoes of low density
    N b. when stowage space is limited
    Y c. to carry cargoes such as steel products or drums
    N d. to double the stowage capacity of the vessel

3450: Kort nozzles are installed around the propellers of some vessels to __________.

    Y a. increase the thrust of the propeller
    N b. protect the propeller from striking sawyers
    N c. prevent the propeller from striking barges towed on the hip
    N d. prevent the propeller from touching bottom in low water

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3493: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.
    Y b. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N c. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N d. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.

3662: Unless extremely flexible wire rope is used, the sheave diameter should always be as large as possible, but should never be less than __________.

    Y a. 20 times the rope diameter
    N b. 10 times the rope diameter
    N c. 2 times the rope diameter
    N d. the rope diameter

3950: In general, an unreinforced vessel can safely navigate in ice provided the concentration does not exceed how many OKTAs?

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

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above

4126: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Number, position and angle of lashings
    N b. Vessel's draft
    N c. Port of origin
    N d. ABS requirements

4142: The advantage(s) of using wire rope lashing on vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. is Lighter than chain
    N b. has a good working life
    N c. is not affected by temperature
    Y d. All of the above

4185: How could lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels be stowed when not in use?

    N a. Drape along brackets
    N b. Hang vertically in a sheltered area
    N c. Stow in bins at hatch coming side
    Y d. All of the above

4282: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    Y c. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the topping lift.