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.


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


57: 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 __________.


80: You are on a cargo vessel carrying portable tanks of dangerous cargoes in bulk. Which statement is TRUE?


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

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

137: The system of valves and cargo lines in the bottom piping network of a tank barge that connects one section of cargo tanks to another section is called a __________.

    N a. come-along
    Y b. crossover
    N c. manifold
    N d. runaround

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

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

174: A proper look-out must be kept __________.

    N a. only in fog
    N b. only between the hours of sunset and sunrise
    N c. only when entering and leaving port
    Y d. at all times

190: You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible?

    N a. Port of loading
    N b. Exact quantity on board
    N c. Name and address of consignee
    Y d. Firefighting procedures

247: The main advantage and chief characteristic of a Steulchen boom is that it can be __________.

    N a. operated by one winchman
    N b. cradled on deck
    Y c. swung from one hatch to the adjacent hatch
    N d. collared to the mast

285: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    N a. celestial
    Y b. electronic
    N c. piloting
    N d. None of the above

383: What is TRUE of pressure/vacuum valves?

    N a. They are designed to provide for the flow of small volumes of tank atmospheres caused by thermal variations in a cargo tank.
    N b. They should operate in advance of the pressure/vacuum breakers.
    N c. They should be kept in good working order by regular inspection and cleaning.
    Y d. All of the above

404: A vessel's "quarter" is that section which is __________.

    N a. abeam
    N b. dead astern
    N c. just aft of the bow
    Y d. on either side of the stern

451: What is official proof of a vessel's ownership?

    Y a. Certificate of Documentation
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Transfer Certificate
    N d. Logbook

505: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    N a. celestial
    N b. piloting
    Y c. electronic
    N d. None of the above

545: Repairing damage to the hull at or above the waterline reduces the threat of __________.

    N a. free surface effects
    N b. capsizing
    Y c. continued progressive flooding
    N d. wind heel

599: When stripping a tank, excessive air in the suction line may cause __________.

    N a. an over pressurized line
    N b. back pressure
    Y c. loss of suction
    N d. increase of suction

600: You are on a containership. Which statement about the stowage of hazardous materials in containers is TRUE?

    N a. The containers provide automatic segregation of hazardous materials except for class A explosives.
    N b. All packages within a container must be marked "This End Up" to indicate the correct stowage.
    Y c. A refrigerated container with a fuel tank containing a flammable liquid must be stowed on deck.
    N d. Packages of liquids within a container should be stowed on top of packages of solids to prevent crushing.

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

624: A serving mallet is used in __________.

    Y a. covering wire or fiber rope
    N b. forcing fids into a line
    N c. dogging hatches
    N d. splicing lines

639: The complete details of a crude oil washing system aboard your vessel, including the operating sequences and procedures, design characteristics, a description of the system, and required personnel will be found in the __________.

    N a. Oil Transfer Procedures Manual
    Y b. Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual
    N c. Code of Federal Regulations
    N d. Crude Oil Washing addendum to the Certificate of Inspection

651: Fire fighting equipment requirements for a particular vessel may be found on the __________.

    Y a. 4Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N c. Classification Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

689: When your tug reduces speed to shorten tow, the __________.

    N a. length of the tow gets shorter as the strain is reduced
    N b. tow may continue its momentum and overtake the tug
    N c. towing hawser may drag the bottom and put the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

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

851: Your vessel (185 GT) is on a voyage between New York and San Francisco. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The maintenance of an Official Logbook is optional.
    N b. The vessel must be on foreign articles.
    N c. This is considered a coastwise voyage.
    Y d. An Official Logbook must be maintained.

861: Every entry required to be made in the Official Logbook shall be signed by the __________.

    N a. Mate on watch
    Y b. Master and Chief Mate or other member of the crew
    N c. Master only
    N d. Purser, one of the Mates, and some other member of the crew

890: A term applied to the bottom shell plating in a double-bottom ship is __________.

    N a. bottom floor
    Y b. outer bottom
    N c. shear plating
    N d. tank top

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

1034: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand the language commonly used onboard the vessel?

    N a. 100%
    Y b. 75%
    N c. 65%
    N d. 50%

1116: On a single-screw vessel, when coming port side to a pier and being set off the pier, you should __________.

    N a. swing wide and approach the pier so as to land starboard side to
    N b. approach the pier on a parallel course at reduced speed
    Y c. make your approach at a greater angle than in calm weather
    N d. point the vessel's head well up into the slip and decrease your speed

1138: A vessel arrives in the port of Los Angeles from a foreign port and discharges some of its inward foreign cargo. What additional manifest is required?

    N a. Discharge Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    N c. Pro Forma Manifest
    Y d. Traveling Manifest

1159: Which product is most likely to accumulate static electricity?

    N a. Crude oil
    N b. Hard asphalt
    Y c. Lubricating oil
    N d. Residual fuel oil

1170: Transverse frames are more widely spaced on a ship that is designed with the __________.

    N a. centerline system of framing
    N b. isometric system of framing
    Y c. longitudinal system of framing
    N d. transverse system of framing

1201: When clearing customs for a foreign voyage, which of the following is processed at the custom's house and returned to the vessel?

    Y a. Shipping Articles
    N b. Traveling Curio Manifest
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. Cargo Gear Register

1252: Control of flooding should be addressed __________.

    N a. first
    Y b. following control of fire
    N c. following restoration of vital services
    N d. only if a threat exists

1283: Which statement about the fo'c'sle card is TRUE?

    N a. The fo'c'sle card is a blank sample of the articles.
    N b. It contains copies of the crew's signatures from the articles.
    Y c. Is an exact copy of shipping articles.
    N d. Each crewmember is given a copy of the fo'c'sle card.

1406: How many fathoms are in a shot of anchor cable?

    N a. 6
    Y b. 15
    N c. 20
    N d. 30

1439: Which part provides for transverse control and positioning of a boom in a conventional yard and stay system?

    Y a. Guy
    N b. Shroud
    N c. Spider
    N d. Topping lift

1458: The catenary in a towline is __________.

    N a. a short bridle
    Y b. the downward curvature of the hawser
    N c. another name for a pelican hook
    N d. used to hold it amidships

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

1668: Your ship is steaming at night with the gyro-pilot engaged. You notice that the vessel's course is slowly changing to the right. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Notify the engine room of the steering malfunction.
    Y b. Change to hand steering.
    N c. Call the Master.
    N d. Send the Quartermaster to the emergency steering station.

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

1798: You are on a single-screw vessel with a left-handed propeller making no way in the water. How will your vessel react when you apply right rudder?

    N a. Bow will kick to starboard
    N b. Bow will kick to port
    Y c. Rudder alone has no effect on the vessel
    N d. Stern will kick to port, then slowly swing to starboard

1817: Refrigeration machinery is often surveyed before loading reefer cargo. This survey is usually performed by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. local port authority

2178: Segregation of cargoes refers to __________.

    Y a. separating cargoes so that the inherent characteristics of one cannot damage the other
    N b. separating cargoes by destination
    N c. classifying cargoes according to their toxicity
    N d. listing the cargoes in order of their flammability

2221: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20
    Y b. 15
    N c. 10
    N d. 5

2267: The knot lettered K in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. sailmaker's whipping
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper

2353: Which mooring line prevents sideways motion of a vessel moored to a pier?

    N a. A line led forward from the bow
    N b. A line led aft from the bow
    N c. A line led in the same direction as the keel
    Y d. A line led at a right angle to the keel

2603: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    Y a. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N b. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N c. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    N d. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.

2744: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "I" (India) to signify that "___________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    Y b. I am altering my course to port
    N c. I am operating astern propulsion
    N d. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2762: Which vessel is exempt from the load line and marking requirements for vessels operating on the Great Lakes System?

    N a. A 300 GT tank barge operating exclusively on Lake Michigan
    N b. A 200 GT passenger vessel operating between Duluth, MN and Munising, MI
    N c. A 79-foot, 150 GT pleasure craft operating on the St. Lawrence River
    Y d. A 500 GT dry cargo river barge operated continuously between Calumet Hbr Chicago, IL and Burns Hbr, IN

3008: A list signal of one white light indicates that the vessel is __________.

    N a. on an even keel
    Y b. listing about 1° to the side the light is displayed on
    N c. listing over 5°With the light displayed on the high side
    N d. listing, and the chutes should be directed to the side where the light is displayed

3152: The danger of a towing vessel tripping is increased the closer the towline is secured to __________.

    N a. the stern
    Y b. amidships
    N c. the bow
    N d. the quarter

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

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

3690: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. tripping palm
    Y b. fluke
    N c. bill
    N d. stock

3710: A new crewman reports on board. He must be trained in the use of the ship's lifesaving appliances within what time period?

    N a. 2 months
    N b. 1 month
    Y c. 2 weeks
    N d. Before sailing

4016: Which statement is TRUE concerning weather conditions on the Great Lakes?

    N a. When a vessel is south of an eastward-moving storm center, the approach of the low is evidenced by winds from the north to northeast.
    Y b. When a vessel is north of an eastward-moving storm center, changes in the weather are less distinctive than when sailing south of the center.
    N c. The most destructive storms usually come from the northwest or north.
    N d. Thunderstorms are most likely to develop from November through April.

4134: What may NOT be used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Turnbuckle
    Y c. Webbing
    N d. Chain

4174: What should be done immediately after putting down the stern ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N b. Turn on pumproom ventilation.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    Y d. Raise/open the stern door.

4221: What does item "D" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Heel block
    N b. Gin block
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. Hook block