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.


107: When may a seaman on a vessel engaged in foreign trade be paid before earning the wages?


164: A look-out should report objects sighted using __________.


233: A vessel brought alongside should be fended off the towing vessel by __________.


374: Holes in the bulwark, which allow deck water to drain into the sea, are __________.

    N a. doggers
    N b. fidleys
    Y c. freeing ports
    N d. swash ports

486: You are backing on twin engines with rudders amidships. Your starboard engine stalls. To continue backing on course, you should __________.

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

510: You have loaded dangerous cargo on your vessel and must fill out a Dangerous Cargo Manifest. In which publication would you find the requirements to complete this form?

    N a. 33 CFR - Navigation and Navigable Waters
    Y b. 46 CFR - Shipping
    N c. IMCO - Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization
    N d. IMDG - International Maritime Dangerous Goods

514: The part of an anchor which takes hold on the bottom is the __________.

    N a. arm
    N b. base
    Y c. fluke
    N d. stock

543: You would be most likely to use a fishplate __________.

    N a. when towing alongside
    Y b. on a hawser tow
    N c. when pushing ahead or in the notch
    N d. when running "light boat"

579: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge, and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction
    N d. ship's pump speeding up

591: What will NOT be found on the Certificate of Inspection of an ocean going tankship?

    N a. Manning requirements
    Y b. Minimum freeboard permitted
    N c. Grade(s) of cargoes that the vessel may carry
    N d. Waters upon which the vessel may be operated

606: For operations in pack ice, a vessel should __________.

    N a. be on an even keel
    N b. be trimmed slightly by the head
    Y c. have a drag of not more than 2 to 3 feet
    N d. be ballasted so the forefoot is near the surface

618: When considering a vessel's stability, which spaces in a general cargo vessel are the best locations for the carriage of bulk grain?

    Y a. Deep tanks
    N b. Lower holds
    N c. Lower holds at the ends of the vessel
    N d. 'Tween-decks

635: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

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

725: By law, a user of marijuana shall be subject to __________.

    N a. loss of pay during the period of such use
    N b. reprimand by the US Coast Guard
    Y c. revocation of license or certificate
    N d. termination of employment

820: A partial deck in a hold is called a(n) __________.

    N a. weather deck
    Y b. orlop deck
    N c. shelter deck
    N d. main deck

990: Freeboard is measured from the upper edge of the __________.

    N a. bulwark
    Y b. deck line
    N c. gunwale bar
    N d. sheer strake

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

1196: You are landing a single-screw vessel, with a right-hand propeller, starboard side to the dock. When you have approached the berth and back the engine, you would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. lose headway without swinging
    Y b. turn her bow toward the dock
    N c. turn her bow away from the dock
    N d. head into the wind, regardless of the side the wind is on

1212: What is NOT characteristic of the conditions which would be experienced by a vessel located southeast of an approaching eastward-moving storm center on the Great Lakes?

    Y a. Falling barometer
    N b. A westerly wind
    N c. Lowering clouds
    N d. Rain or snow

1287: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

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

1376: Generally speaking, the most favorable bottom for anchoring is __________.

    N a. very soft mud
    N b. rocky
    Y c. a mixture of mud and clay
    N d. loose sand

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

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

1570: What is NOT an advantage of ship construction methods using welded butt joints in the shell plating?

    N a. Keeps practically 100% of tensile strength at the joints
    N b. Reduces frictional resistance
    Y c. Reduces plate stress
    N d. Reduces weight

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

1593: A long splice in a line __________.

    Y a. is used in running rigging
    N b. doubles the size of the line
    N c. is only used on fiber rope
    N d. is very weak

1595: Which picture represents a barrel hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. O
    N b. U
    N c. E
    N d. P

1611: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

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

1628: You are going ahead on twin engines when you want to make a quick turn to port. Which actions will turn your boat the fastest?

    Y a. Reverse port engine; apply left rudder
    N b. Reverse port engine; rudder amidships
    N c. Reverse starboard engine; apply left rudder
    N d. Reverse starboard engine; rudder amidships

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.

1704: Whipping the bitter end of a fiber rope __________.

    N a. increases the circumference of the rope
    N b. makes for easier handling
    Y c. prevents fraying of the bitter end
    N d. prevents moisture from entering the bitter end

1869: You are using tackle number 10 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 120 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. 57 lbs.
    N b. 42 lbs.
    N c. 39 lbs.
    Y d. 34 lbs.

1887: A small light tackle with blocks of steel or wood that is used for miscellaneous small jobs is called a __________.

    N a. snatch block
    N b. threefold purchase
    Y c. handy-billy
    N d. chockablock

1894: A load line is assigned by __________.

    N a. the U.S. Customs
    N b. the U.S. Department of Energy
    N c. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Y d. a recognized classification society approved by the U.S. Coast Guard

1935: The knot lettered H in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. plain whipping
    N d. crown knot

1944: The garboard strake is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. G
    Y d. H

2008: When towing another vessel, the length of the towing line should be __________.

    N a. as long as possible
    N b. as short as possible under the circumstances and not over two wave lengths
    N c. such that one vessel will be on a crest while the other is in a trough
    Y d. such that the vessels will be in step

2009: A cargo of canned foodstuffs is packed in cartons. Each carton is 36 cubic feet and weighs 380 pounds. What is the stowage factor of the cargo?

    N a. 9.5
    N b. 62
    Y c. 212
    N d. 237

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

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

2548: What is the accepted standard for wire rope falls used in connection with the lifeboat gear?

    N a. Six by seven galvanized wire rope
    N b. Six by twenty-four improved plow steel wire rope
    N c. Six by thirty-seven preformed fiber-core wire rope
    Y d. Six by nineteen regular-lay filler wire rope

2601: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. SOLAS Certificate
    N c. Stability Letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2794: The Great Lakes Edition of the Notice to Mariners is published __________.

    Y a. weekly by the 9th Coast Guard District
    N b. monthly by the Army Corps of Engineers
    N c. monthly by the Naval Oceanographic office
    N d. biweekly by the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

2855: A 150-meter vessel is proceeding down the course of a narrow channel in the Great Lakes System. A 60-meter vessel is starting to cross the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. If the smaller vessel is engaged in fishing, he shall not impede the passage of the other vessel.
    N b. The crossing vessel has the right of way.
    N c. The vessel in the channel must slow to her steerageway.
    N d. The larger vessel is considered to be a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

2861: A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    Y b. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the pilot.
    N c. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    N d. Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.

2879: The vertical reference for all water levels and bench marks on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System is known as __________.

    N a. Mean Sea Level Datum
    Y b. International Great Lakes Datum
    N c. Great Lakes Low Water Datum
    N d. North Central Reference Datum

2950: In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term "advance" means the distance __________.

    N a. gained at right angles to the original course
    Y b. gained in the direction of the original course
    N c. moved sidewise from the original course when the rudder is first put over
    N d. around the circumference of the turning circle

3026: Which type of fog is the most dense and widely spread of those that occur on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Steam fog
    Y b. Advection fog
    N c. Radiation fog
    N d. Lake effect fog

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3140: If the Certificate of Inspection of a damaged tank barge has expired, which certificate may be issued to allow its movement to a repair facility?

    N a. Change of employment
    Y b. Permit to proceed
    N c. Application for inspection
    N d. Temporary Certificate of Inspection

3346: When connecting the tow bridle to a tug, the end of the bridle is passed with a __________.

    N a. heaving line
    N b. shot line
    N c. high line
    Y d. messenger line

3487: The opening in the deck that leads the anchor cable outside the hull is the __________.

    Y a. hawsepipe
    N b. fall pipe
    N c. drop-pipe
    N d. spill pipe

3576: Heave is motion along the __________.

    N a. longitudinal axis
    N b. transverse axis
    Y c. vertical axis
    N d. centerline axis

3580: You are standing the wheelwatch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?

    Y a. Obey the Master.
    N b. Obey the Pilot.
    N c. Bring the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting orders.
    N d. Ask the Pilot if he relinquishes control.

4071: The head block is located___________.

    N a. at the base of the boom
    Y b. at the head of the boom
    N c. at the head of the mast
    N d. on top of the jack staff

4101: Which of the following is a characteristic of a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Passenger tours available upon docking
    N b. Long port stays necessary to secure vehicles
    Y c. Short in port turnaround times
    N d. Heavy vehicles only require lightweight securing equipment

4159: 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 3.5 Tons and 20 Tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4230: Which of the following is/are the optional component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    N c. Crane house assembly
    Y d. Rider block tagline system

4231: The 30 ton capacity pedestal cranes shown in the illustration can lift a maximum weight of how many tons in the single mode? (D047DG )

    N a. 15 tons
    Y b. 30 tons
    N c. 60 tons
    N d. 120 tons

4248: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding crane operations?

    Y a. The crane operator and signalman must be familiar with hand signals.
    N b. The cranes can be operated from shoreside.
    N c. The cranes can be operated from the bridge.
    N d. All of the above

4273: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering
    Y b. High winds
    N c. Potable water spill on deck
    N d. More than 3° list