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.


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


124: Bilge soundings indicate __________.


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 __________.


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

224: The term "Shift the Rudder" means __________.

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

311: The Shipping Articles shall be signed by each seaman and the __________.

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. Shipping Commissioner
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs Service

372: Keeping the draft at or below the load line mark will insure that the vessel has adequate __________.

    N a. ballast
    Y b. reserve buoyancy
    N c. displacement
    N d. rolling periods

405: At the establishment of Naval Control of Shipping (NCS), ships at sea will __________.

    N a. stop and await further orders
    N b. attempt to make their way to the nearest port of a friendly nation and await further instructions
    Y c. continue voyages unless in danger areas defined in the advisory or supplemental message
    N d. keep radio silence

431: Official proof of an American vessel's nationality is contained in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Official Log
    Y c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. Shipping Articles

467: Of which type of material may a towing hawser be constructed?

    N a. Wire rope
    N b. Nylon, dacron, polypropylene or a blend of other synthetic fibers
    N c. Manila
    Y d. All of the above

492: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel
    N b. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $(SA)25,000
    Y c. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    N d. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in loss of life

569: In order to reduce the accumulation of static electricity while loading petroleum products, you should __________.

    N a. start to load at maximum pressure
    Y b. start to load slowly
    N c. increase the air flow into the tank
    N d. use the overall method of loading only

667: While towing in shallow water you should consider __________.

    N a. using a short towing hawser
    Y b. using a floating hawser
    N c. the catenary and the effect it may have on the tow
    N 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

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

859: To insure proper seating when closing a valve on a tank, the valve should be __________.

    N a. closed against the stop and the locking pin inserted
    Y b. closed, opened a half turn, and then closed again
    N c. set up as tight as possible by hand
    N d. set up tight using a valve wrench

865: A nylon line is rated at 15,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    Y a. 3,000 lbs
    N b. 5,000 lbs
    N c. 15,000 lbs
    N d. 65,000 lbs

875: Which statement, concerning offshore supply vessel operations, correctly defines the length of a voyage?

    N a. The distance from the point of departure to the vessel's first stop
    N b. The distance from the point of departure to the most distant point offshore
    Y c. The total distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival, not including stops at offshore points
    N d. The shortest measurable distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival

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

895: Which factor would NOT lead to removing a towline from service?

    N a. An excessive number of miles of towing service.
    N b. Failing a tensile strength test that proved the towline was no longer appropriate for expected sea conditions.
    Y c. When heavy grease on the towline saturates the core of the wire rope.
    N d. Its surface condition is noted, including its corrosion and discoloration.

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.

1037: After an IOPP Certificate is issued to an inspected vessel, how many other surveys of the vessel's pollution prevention equipment are conducted during the period of validity of the certificate?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

1210: To rigidly fasten together the peak frames, the stem, and the outside framing, a horizontal plate is fitted across the forepeak of a vessel. This plate is known as a(n) __________.

    N a. apron plate
    Y b. breasthook
    N c. intercostal plate
    N d. joiner

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

1235: You are on watch entering port while the pilot has the conn. The pilot gives a steering command to the helmsman who partially repeats the command. You should immediately __________.

    Y a. repeat the Pilot's command and ensure that the helmsman repeats it completely
    N b. ask the Pilot to repeat the command since the helmsman failed to hear it completely
    N c. observe the helmsman's wheel action to be sure that it complies with the Pilot's command
    N d. ignore the helmsman's response as long as it was close to what the Pilot ordered

1237: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch. After reviewing the chart and having been briefed by the off-going mate, you are now ready to effect the relief. The watch is officially transferred to you after __________.

    N a. you state the vessel's charted position, present course and port of destination
    N b. the mate being relieved tells you the vessel's course and speed and states that you have the watch
    Y c. you say, "I relieve you" and you state the course per gyro and magnetic compasses
    N d. the mate being relieved says, "You have the conn" and you state the ship's course

1334: Close link chain of not less the 3/4" (or the wire rope equivalent) is required for lashing deck cargoes of timber. What size flexible wire rope would provide the strength equivalent to 3/4" chain, using a safety factor of 5?

    N a. 9/16"
    Y b. 1"
    N c. 1 1/4"
    N d. 1 3/8"

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

1370: The strength of a deck will be increased by adding __________.

    N a. camber
    Y b. deck beam brackets
    N c. hatch beams
    N d. sheer

1462: Two mooring lines may be placed on the same bollard and either one cast off first if __________.

    Y a. the eye of the second line is dipped
    N b. the mooring lines are doubled
    N c. the bollard has two horns
    N d. one of the lines is a breast line

1561: The Master of any vessel bound on a voyage must apply to a district court when an allegation of unseaworthiness has been made to the Master by __________.

    N a. any member of the crew of the vessel
    N b. any two officers of the vessel and a majority of the crew
    Y c. the First and Second Officers of the vessel or a majority of the crew
    N d. the First Officer of the vessel

1577: You are the Chief Mate of a 30,000-DWT tankship. The vessel is engaged in trade with another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Certificate of Inspection serves as prima facie evidence of complying with MARPOL 73/78.
    Y b. The IOPP Certificate for an inspected vessel is valid for 5 years.
    N c. An IOPP Certificate is invalidated if the ship carries cargoes outside the classes authorized thereon.
    N d. An IOPP Certificate is renewed at each inspection for certification.

1583: Which statement concerning a short splice is TRUE?

    N a. It is used to temporarily join two lines together.
    Y b. A short splice is stronger than two lines joined by a knot.
    N c. A short splice decreases the diameter of the line.
    N d. None of the above

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

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

1672: You are to load a consignment of lumber. Each piece measures 2-inches thick, 10-inches wide and 16-feet long. There are 30,000 pieces in the shipment. How many board feet would be listed on the Bill of Lading?

    Y a. 800,000
    N b. 1,200,000
    N c. 1,440,000
    N d. 14,400,000

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

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

1737: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which course should the ship take?

    N a. Downwind so that the apparent wind is close to nil.
    Y b. A course that will keep a free flow of air, clear of smoke, over the hoist area.
    N c. A course that will have the hoist area in the lee of the superstructure.
    N d. With the wind dead ahead because the helicopter is more maneuverable when going into the wind.

1979: What is a proper size block to use with a 3-inch circumference Manila line?

    N a. At least a 12-inch sheave
    Y b. 9-inch cheek, 6-inch sheave
    N c. 8-inch cheek, any size sheave
    N d. 6-inch cheek, 4-inch sheave

2016: The revolving drum of a winch used to haul lines is called a __________.

    N a. bull gear
    Y b. gypsyhead
    N c. spanner
    N d. wildcat

2102: A seaman deserts the vessel in a foreign port. What should the Master do with any of the deserter's personal effects remaining on board?

    N a. Sell them at auction and deposit the money in the ship's morale or welfare fund.
    N b. Donate them to a local charity upon return to the United States.
    Y c. Transfer them to the appropriate district court of the U.S. at the end of the voyage.
    N d. Inventory them, make an appropriate entry in the Official Logbook and dispose of them at sea.

2173: What is the name of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 3-2 purchase
    Y b. Double luff tackle
    N c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. Four-fold whip

2193: 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 listed in illustration D035DG. Based on this data what is the tactical diameter of the turning circle? (D035DG )

    N a. 755 yards
    N b. 780 yards
    N c. 820 yards
    Y d. 880 yards

2253: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 17 feet after a sector of 57° has been removed?

    Y a. 764.17 sq. ft
    N b. 190.66 sq. ft
    N c. 145.27 sq. ft
    N d. 36.85 sq. ft

2316: A lookout can leave his/her station __________.

    N a. at any time
    N b. at the end of the watch
    N c. 15 minutes before the end of the watch
    Y d. only when properly relieved

2399: You are standing wheel watch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?

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

2453: On a ship's crane, the load chart relates the allowable load to the combination of the boom length and __________.

    N a. winch speed
    N b. boom strength
    Y c. load radius
    N d. cable strength

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

2549: An example of a modern anchor which has a stock is a(n) __________.

    N a. articulated anchor
    N b. Flipper Delta anchor
    N c. Baldt anchor
    Y d. Danforth anchor

2629: Each open lifeboat carried on a vessel on an international voyage must have __________.

    N a. hand-propelling gear
    Y b. a davit span with at least 2 lifelines
    N c. a mast and a sail
    N d. a motor

2869: When more than one vessel is being assisted by an icebreaker, distances between vessels should be constant. Which signal should be given by a vessel which is ahead of another and whose speed suddenly begins to drop?

    N a. Four short blast on the whistle
    N b. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "4"
    Y c. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "5"
    N d. A flag hoist consisting of the code letters "FE" (Foxtrot-Echo)

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

3098: A weight of 1,000 short tons is equivalent to __________.

    N a. 1,500 foot-pounds
    N b. 2,240 long tons
    N c. 2,000 pounds
    Y d. 2,000 kips

3104: When maneuvering a heavy barge up a wide channel with a tug, the tow may be most closely controlled by making up to the barge __________.

    N a. with a short tow astern
    N b. nearly bow to bow, at a small angle
    N c. amidships, parallel to the barge
    Y d. nearly stern to stern, at a small angle to the barge

3173: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 10 minutes if possible
    N d. 30 minutes to 1 hour

3589: A vessel has been surveyed in a foreign port and found unseaworthy as a result of neglect. A seaman on this vessel is entitled to discharge and __________.

    N a. transportation to the port of engagement
    N b. one month's pay only
    N c. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the least amount
    Y d. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the greater amount

4024: An icebreaker displaying a flag hoist which consists of the code letters "WO" (Whiskey Oscar) is indicating that __________.

    Y a. icebreaker support is finished
    N b. icebreaker support is commencing
    N c. the icebreaker is icebound
    N d. the icebreaker is beset

4152: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. It is imperative that the securing of cargo on flats and trailers and in containers be adequate for both road and sea motions.
    N b. The movements experienced by road borne cargo differ significantly from the roll and sway movements of a ship at sea.
    N c. It is necessary for adequate number and strength of securing points on the vehicles themselves in order that lashings may be properly and safely utilized.
    Y d. All the above

4252: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Normal boom stowage and shutdown operations
    N b. Emergency shutdown operation
    N c. Removing booms from stowage
    Y d. All of the above

4259: Which statement is FALSE regarding the operation of a crane?

    N a. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N b. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the hoisting winch.
    Y c. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N d. None of the above