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 __________.


32: The explosive range of a fuel lies between the lower explosive limit and the __________.


85: The wooden planking that protects the tank top from cargo loading is called __________.


151: The forecastle card is a copy of the __________.

    N a. quarters allocation
    Y b. shipping agreement
    N c. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. unlicensed shipping card from the union

251: A seaman lost his continuous discharge book during the voyage. Upon discharge from Articles, he should be issued a __________.

    N a. letter of service on company letterhead signed and sealed by the master
    N b. Record of Entry in a Continuous Discharge Book for use in applying for a duplicate book
    Y c. Certificate of Discharge with the white copy forwarded to the Commandant
    N d. Mutual Release (CG-2119), and the articles should be annotated as to the loss

260: You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.

    N a. have the U.S.C.G. Captain of the Port approve the shipment
    N b. note an exception on the Bill of Lading
    N c. repair or replace the packaging before stowage
    Y d. seek the shipper's advice with regard to withdrawal, repair, or replacement

335: You are steaming in a heavy gale and find it necessary to heave to. Under most circumstances, this is best done by __________.

    N a. stopping the engines and drifting beam to the seas
    N b. going slow astern and taking the seas on the quarter
    Y c. taking the sea fine on the bow and reducing the speed to the minimum to hold that position
    N d. maintaining speed and taking the sea broad on the bow

406: A twin-screw vessel with a single rudder is making headway. The engines are full speed ahead. There is no wind or current. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. If one screw is stopped, the ship will turn toward the side of the stopped screw.
    N b. The principal force which turns the ship is set up by the wake against the forward side of the rudder.
    Y c. Turning response by use of the rudder only is greater than on a single-screw vessel.
    N d. With the rudder amidships, the ship will steer a fairly steady course.

411: Tonnage tax is officially based upon the figures obtained from the __________.

    Y a. Admeasurement Certificate
    N b. deadweight scale
    N c. displacement scale
    N d. Load Line Certificate

493: What does "end for end" mean in regard to a towing hawser?

    N a. To take the kinks out of the hawser
    N b. To fake it down in figure eights
    N c. To increase the catenary
    Y d. To swap ends of the hawser to minimize wear

512: When paying out nylon line from around the bitts __________.

    Y a. stand clear of the bitts and use two or more round turns under your figure eights
    N b. you can surge the line even with a single turn
    N c. no extra turns are necessary since nylon has a high coefficient of friction
    N d. stand in the bight of the line

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

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

524: The purpose of the stripping bar on an anchor windlass is to __________.

    N a. clean off any mud that may have accumulated on the chain
    N b. engage or disengage the wildcat
    N c. fairlead the chain from the hawsepipe to the wildcat
    Y d. prevent the chain from fouling the wildcat

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

    N a. chafing bar
    Y b. Dutch tow bar
    N c. carling
    N d. None of the above

747: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    N a. inadequate ullage space
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    Y d. having to breathe the fumes

771: What does a Visaed Alien Crew List which is made and submitted to the U.S. Consul for visa show?

    N a. All aliens aboard
    N b. All crew members
    Y c. Nonresident aliens aboard
    N d. Registered aliens aboard

848: You are loading a cargo of canned goods with a stowage factor of 65. If you allow 15% for broken stowage, how many tons can be loaded in a space of 55,000 cubic feet?

    N a. 687
    Y b. 719
    N c. 846
    N d. 973

887: The condition of a towline must be monitored by ______________ .

    N a. keeping record of the towline's initial minimum breaking strength
    N b. keeping record of each retest of the towline's minimum breaking strength
    N c. conducting routine visual inspections of the towline
    Y d. All of the above

918: Ten triangular piles of piping on the pier are to be loaded - each pile has a 20 foot base, is 15 feet high and 30 feet long. If the breadth of the hold is 60 feet and the piping is to be stowed fore and aft in a 30 foot space, how high will it stow?

    N a. 16.6 feet
    Y b. 25.0 feet
    N c. 50.0 feet
    N d. 75.0 feet

1185: As shown, the mooring line labeled "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. spring line
    Y c. breast line
    N d. shore line

1232: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    N a. check that the wheel is firmly connected to the shaft
    N b. signal the engineroom to "Standby the Engines"
    N c. set the "Mode" switch to "Auto" and steer by auto-pilot
    Y d. switch to the other steering pump

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1391: The basic shipping paper that forms an agreement between a shipowner and a charterer is a __________.

    N a. Cargo Declaration
    N b. Charter Commission
    Y c. Charter Party
    N d. Letter of Intent

1465: 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
    Y b. a single turn with hard rudder
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    N d. two 180° turns

1526: One shot of anchor chain is equal to how many feet (meters)?

    N a. 6 (1.8 meters)
    N b. 15 (4.6 meters)
    N c. 45 (13.7 meters)
    Y d. 90 (27.4 meters)

1552: Which picture represents a stopper hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. M
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. L

1566: In bad weather, what length of chain should be used with a single anchor?

    N a. 3 times the depth of water
    N b. 6 times the depth of water
    Y c. 10 times the depth of water
    N d. 15 times the depth of water

1609: For vessels fitted with cargo gear, an initial test of the units under a proof load shall be conducted. Subsequent tests and exams of the same nature shall be carried out at what time interval?

    N a. 1 year
    N b. 3 years
    N c. 4 years
    Y d. 5 years

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1659: The safe working load for the assembled cargo gear and the minimum angle to the horizontal for which the gear is designed shall be marked on the __________.

    N a. deck
    N b. head of the boom
    Y c. heel of the boom
    N d. mast or king post

1692: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2206 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    Y a. Isocyanates, n.o.s.
    N b. Propadiene, inhibited
    N c. Xylenol
    N d. Hexanols

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

1782: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel should be stopped with the wind dead ahead during the hoisting operation.
    Y b. Flags should be flown to provide a visual reference as to the direction of the apparent wind.
    N c. The drop line should be grounded first then secured as close to the hoist point as possible.
    N d. The hoist area should be located as far aft as possible so the pilot will have a visual reference while approaching.

1806: If the situation arose where it became necessary to tow a disabled vessel, which statement is TRUE concerning the towing line?

    N a. The towing line between the two vessels should be clear of the water.
    N b. The towing line should be taut at all times between the vessels.
    Y c. There should be a catenary so the line dips into the water.
    N d. None of the above

1929: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 10 feet?

    N a. 22.44 T
    N b. 11.22 T
    N c. 7.48 T
    Y d. 5.61 T

1943: In order to pay out or slack a mooring line which is under strain, you should __________.

    N a. sluice the line
    Y b. surge the line
    N c. stopper the line
    N d. slip the line

1984: Your load line certificate expires on 27 May 1988. The vessel is surveyed on that date and is found satisfactory. You are sailing foreign the same day. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. A new certificate must be issued before you sail.
    N b. The existing certificate is endorsed as valid for a five year period commencing 27 May 1988.
    Y c. The existing certificate is extended for a period of up to 150 days.
    N d. The existing certificate is extended until the first foreign port of call where a new certificate will be issued by the local surveyor.

1988: When towing, what is the main reason for using a chain bridle on a wire hawser?

    N a. It makes for an easy connection.
    Y b. It gives a spring effect to cushion the shock.
    N c. It eliminates the necessity of a swivel.
    N d. It does not chafe.

2015: During a period of "whiteout", you should expect which of the following?

    N a. Snowfall or blowing snow
    Y b. Lack of ability to estimate distance
    N c. Harsh contrast between sun-illuminated snow cover and the background
    N d. Hazy horizons with extensive mirage effects

2226: The knot lettered O is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    Y b. barrel hitch
    N c. carrick bend
    N d. blackwall hitch

2508: What is required to launch a boat stowed in a crescent davit?

    N a. Hoist the boat clear of the cradle.
    N b. Release the outboard part of the cradle.
    N c. Rig the tricing lines.
    Y d. Crank the crescent out.

2552: When using a Mediterranean Moor, the vessel is moored with her __________.

    N a. bow to the pier
    N b. anchors crossed
    N c. anchor chains forward, side to the pier
    Y d. stern to the pier

2562: As you hold a piece of manila line vertically in front of you, the strands run from the lower left to the upper right. Which type of line is this?

    Y a. Right-hand laid
    N b. Cable-laid
    N c. Sennet-laid
    N d. Water-laid

2569: When discharging an oil cargo, the first consideration is to __________.

    Y a. get the bow up
    N b. discharge from the wings first
    N c. discharge from the centerline tanks first
    N d. discharge from amidships first

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

2774: There are basically three categories of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes. What is NOT included as one of these?

    N a. Long range fluctuations
    Y b. Controlled outflow fluctuations
    N c. Seasonal fluctuations
    N d. Short period fluctuations

2798: The primary purpose of the stud is to prevent the anchor chain from __________.

    Y a. kinking
    N b. distorting
    N c. elongating
    N d. breaking

2802: The single line located directly above the diamond is the __________. (D031DG )

    N a. load line
    N b. water line
    N c. freeboard line
    Y d. deck line

2990: When cutting regular-lay wire rope, what is the minimum number of seizings to be placed on each side of the cut?

    N a. One
    N b. Two, and three on rope diameters over 1 inch
    Y c. Three, and more on larger diameter wire ropes
    N d. Four

2996: Advection fog, a common occurrence on the Great Lakes, forms when __________.

    N a. air comes in contact with a rapidly cooling land surface
    N b. frigid arctic air moves across the lakes and becomes saturated
    Y c. relatively warm air flows over cooler water
    N d. cool air contacts warm river currents

3004: What is NOT a basic shiphandling rule for navigating in ice concentrations on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Keep moving - even very slowly, but keep moving.
    N b. Work with the ice movement, not against.
    Y c. Transit ice along pressure ridges when possible.
    N d. Excessive speed means ice damage.

3122: When a tug is "in irons", she __________.

    N a. is made fast to the dock with engines secured
    N b. is in dry dock
    Y c. may be in danger of being overrun by her tow
    N d. should pay out more towline

3150: You are moving a gas free tank barge to dry dock for repairs. The barge must have onboard a valid __________.

    N a. Gas Free Certificate
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Permit to Proceed and Hot Work Permit
    N d. All of the above

3340: It is NOT advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too difficult to make fast
    N c. parts too readily
    N d. is too susceptible to mildew

3436: The signal man assisting the crane operator has one hand occupied and one fist in front of his chest with the thumb pointing outward and is tapping his chest with the heel of his fist. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend the boom
    N b. lower the boom
    Y c. retract the boom
    N d. hoist the boom

3466: What is a spill pipe?

    N a. A drainage pipe that carries rain or spray from an upper deck to a lower deck
    Y b. A pipe under the anchor windlass leading to the chain locker
    N c. A chute, usually over the stern, to lead dumped garbage clear of the hull
    N d. An opening in the deck leading outside the hull

3570: As look-out, you spot an object 45° off your port bow. You should report the object as __________.

    Y a. broad on the port bow
    N b. 3 points on the port bow
    N c. 3 points forward of the port beam
    N d. on the port beam

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. swing
    N b. lower
    Y c. hoist
    N d. extend

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