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.


8: What is NOT an advantage of filler cargo?


9: Defense plans may cause the operation of electronic aids to navigation to be suspended with __________.


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?

    N a. 5
    N b. 7
    N c. 10
    Y d. 13

75: Frames to which the tank top and bottom shell are fastened are called __________.

    Y a. floors
    N b. intercostals
    N c. stringers
    N d. tank top supports

89: Ullage measurements are taken from the top of the liquid to __________.

    N a. the base of the expansion trunk
    N b. the base of the ullage port
    N c. a line scribed within the ullage port
    Y d. an above-deck datum, usually the top of the ullage hole

126: The distance a vessel moves parallel to the original course from the point where the rudder is put over to any point on the turning circle is called the __________.

    Y a. advance
    N b. drift angle
    N c. pivoting point
    N d. transfer

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

203: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

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

263: Which type of hull damage should be repaired FIRST?

    N a. Damage below the waterline
    N b. Damage to interior watertight boundaries
    N c. Damage in way of machinery rooms
    Y d. Damage at or just above the waterline

324: A "chock" is a __________.

    N a. deck fitting used to secure mooring lines
    Y b. casting fitted at the side of a weather deck, used as a fairlead
    N c. sharp block of wood used to support hygroscopic cargo
    N d. smoke pipe for the galley stove

465: Which structural members improve a towing vessel's chance of surviving punctured shell plating?

    N a. Stringers
    N b. Longitudinals
    Y c. Transverse watertight bulkheads
    N d. The rake

468: Sweat damage in a hatch full of canned goods in cartons will occur when the __________.

    N a. air temperature is higher than the temperature of the cargo
    N b. air temperature is lower than the temperature of the cargo
    Y c. dew point is higher than the temperature of the cargo
    N d. dew point is lower than the temperature of the cargo

565: When the pilot is embarked he or she __________.

    N a. relieves the officer of the watch
    N b. relieves the Master of his duties
    N c. is solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel
    Y d. is a specialist hired for his or her local navigational knowledge

622: A predictable result of a vessel nearing a bank or edge of a channel is that the __________.

    Y a. stern is drawn to the bank as the bow sheers off
    N b. bow sheers toward the bank
    N c. vessel continues in a straight line, but with greatly reduced maneuverability
    N d. vessel will be drawn bodily into the bank unless the engines are stopped

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

810: In nautical terminology a "dog" is a __________.

    N a. crow bar
    Y b. device to force a water tight door against the frame
    N c. heavy steel beam
    N d. wedge

833: The Master may require part of the crew to work when needed for ___________ .

    N a. maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring and unmooring
    N b. performing work necessary for the safety of the vessel, its passengers, crew or cargo
    N c. performing fire, lifeboat or other drills in port or at sea
    Y d. All of the above

904: In order to help protect a natural fiber rope from rotting, the line must be __________.

    Y a. dried, and stowed in a place with adequate ventilation
    N b. stowed in a hot, moist compartment
    N c. stowed on deck at all times
    N d. stowed in any compartment

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

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

1005: Which device is designed to automatically hold the load if power should fail to an electric winch?

    N a. Pneumatic brake
    Y b. Electromagnetic brake
    N c. Hand brake
    N d. Motor controller

1018: Which U.S. Government agency can suspend or revoke a Merchant Mariner's license for violating the load line act?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. U.S. Customs Service
    N d. U.S. Maritime Administration

1021: A vessel's Classification Certificate is issued by the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1082: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. backing wire
    Y b. scissor wire
    N c. face wire
    N d. breast wire

1102: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1208: When making a wire fast to bitts it is recommended that you __________.

    N a. use only figure eights
    N b. take 2 round turns around one bitt, then make figure eights
    Y c. take 3 round turns around both bitts, then make figure eights
    N d. alternate round turns and figure eights around both bitts

1275: The tension on an anchor cable increases so that the angle of the catenary to the seabed at the anchor reaches 10°. How will this affect the anchor in sandy soil?

    N a. It will have no effect.
    N b. It will increase the holding power.
    Y c. It will reduce the holding power.
    N d. It will cause the anchor to snag.

1445: What is an example of a fundamental objective of cargo stowage?

    N a. Load so the trim does not exceed 3 feet by the stern.
    N b. Make maximum use of existing dunnage.
    N c. Separate wet and dry cargoes into separate holds.
    Y d. Prevent overcarriage by block stowage.

1598: On a vessel with a single propeller, transverse force has the most effect on the vessel when the engine is put __________.

    N a. full ahead
    Y b. full astern
    N c. half ahead
    N d. slow astern

1632: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    Y a. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.
    N b. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N d. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.

1650: To reduce the number of strakes at the bow, two strakes are tapered and joined at their ends by a single plate. This plate is known as a __________.

    N a. cover plate
    N b. joiner
    N c. lap strake
    Y d. stealer plate

1717: With a large tow astern, there is immediate danger to the tug in the event of the __________.

    Y a. tug losing power
    N b. tow line parting
    N c. bridle twisting
    N d. tow broaching

1720: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    Y a. Bow spring line
    N b. Bow breast line
    N c. Stern breast line
    N d. Inshore head line

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.

1790: Which space(s) is(are) exempt when measuring gross tonnage?

    N a. Auxiliary machinery spaces above the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Steering gear room
    N c. Part of the wheelhouse used to control vessel
    Y d. All of the above

1948: The Honolulu (Christmas tree) tow was devised to __________.

    Y a. keep the catenary to a minimum
    N b. allow easy removal of a center tow
    N c. reduce hawser length
    N d. increase the catenary

2038: With a large ocean tow in heavy weather, you should NOT __________.

    N a. keep the stern of the tug well down in the water
    Y b. adjust the towline so the tug is on the crest when the tow is in the trough
    N c. keep the low point of the catenary in the water
    N d. use a long towing hawser

2050: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. forward breast line
    N b. offshore spring line
    N c. onshore bow line
    Y d. offshore bow line

2141: You are Master of a vessel that is sold in a foreign country after discharge of cargo. What is your responsibility to the crew in regards to return to the United States?

    N a. You must provide air transportation to the nearest port of entry in the United States.
    Y b. You must provide passage to the port of original engagement.
    N c. There is no requirement for return to the United States provided the voyage has exceeded 4 weeks duration.
    N d. The crew can be employed on another United States vessel, but only if it is returning to the port of original engagement.

2250: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 380 yards
    N b. 430 yards
    N c. 485 yards
    N d. 525 yards

2263: You are using tackle number 1 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 100 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 )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 55 lbs.
    N c. 100 lbs.
    Y d. 110 lbs.

2279: In plugging submerged holes; rags, wedges, and other materials should be used in conjunction with plugs to __________.

    N a. reduce the water pressure on the hull
    N b. reduce the possibility of stress fractures
    N c. prevent progressive flooding
    Y d. reduce the water leaking around the plugs

2315: Which splice is used to connect two separate lines together?

    N a. Back splice
    N b. Chain splice
    N c. Eye splice
    Y d. Long splice

2336: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

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

2345: A splice that can be used in running rigging, where the line will pass through blocks, is a __________.

    N a. short splice
    Y b. long splice
    N c. back splice
    N d. spindle splice

2499: Single hull vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes must be dry docked at intervals not to exceed __________.

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 48 months
    Y d. 60 months

2558: A sling is a device used in __________.

    Y a. hoisting cargo aboard a vessel
    N b. hoisting personnel aboard a vessel
    N c. securing a small boat to a large vessel
    N d. hoisting the anchor

2592: The internal volume of a cargo hold measured from the inside faces of the cargo battens, the lower side of the deck beams, and the top of the tank top ceiling is known as the __________.

    N a. gross tonnage
    N b. deadweight space
    Y c. bale cubic
    N d. stowage area

2595: Yawing can be described as __________.

    N a. jumping on the towline as the tow pitches
    N b. jumping on the towline as the tow slams into waves
    Y c. veering from side to side on the end of the towline
    N d. corkscrew motion of the tow due to wave action

2606: You are approaching the pilot station with the wind fine on the starboard bow and making about 3 knots. You can help to calm the seas by taking what action just before the pilot boat comes along on the port side?

    N a. Backing full
    N b. Stopping the engines
    N c. Giving right full rudder
    Y d. A short burst of ahead full with left full rudder

2648: The smallest size of flaw that can be detected on a radiograph examination of a weld will be indicated by the __________.

    N a. film speed
    Y b. penetrometer
    N c. exposure reading
    N d. time of exposure

2809: The fitting at the end of a cargo line in a tank that allows suction to be taken close to the bottom of a tank is a __________.

    N a. suction end
    N b. strainer
    Y c. bell-mouth
    N d. vacuum valve

2960: When cutting wire rope, seizings are put on each side of the cut. The seizings prevent the wire from unlaying and also __________.

    Y a. maintain the original balance of the tension in the wires and strands
    N b. prevent moisture from entering between the wires at the cut end
    N c. forces lubricant from the core to protect the raw, cut end
    N d. All of the above

2977: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    Y a. P (PRIORITY)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. O (IMMEDIATE)

3070: What is an advantage of a gate valve over a butterfly valve?

    Y a. Less frequent maintenance
    N b. Faster operation
    N c. Cheaper
    N d. More compact

3442: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter J is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. crown
    N b. shank
    Y c. bill
    N d. tip

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

4129: Which lashing materials would be used in securing light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    Y b. Webbing
    N c. Chain
    N d. None of the above

4136: A disadvantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. can wrap around cargo
    N b. is easily damaged
    N c. is affected by temperature
    Y d. does not absorb shock

4150: Which of the following is/are TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. The securing of cargo on flats and trailers and in containers must be adequate to withstand both road and sea motions
    N b. The generally recommended lash angle cannot be greater than 45 degrees relative to the deck in any direction.
    N c. It is necessary for an adequate number of securing points on the vehicles themselves in order that lashings may be properly and safely utilized.
    Y d. All the above