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.


125: Chafing gear is normally used __________.


132: What is a characteristic of all centrifugal cargo pumps?


252: You have orders to load cargoes of carbon disulfide, diisopropylamine and pyridine on your multi-product tankship. Which statement is true?


257: The distance between the surface of the liquid and the tank top in a cargo tank is called __________.

    N a. thievage
    N b. innage
    Y c. ullage
    N d. tankage

270: The disadvantage of using a heaving line to pass a towline is that __________.

    N a. it increases the likelihood of collision between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel
    Y b. recreational boaters tend to make the heaving line fast to the towed vessel as if it were the towline
    N c. the monkey fist may injure someone
    N d. it may reduce the catenary and increase yawing

284: The beam of a vessel refers to the __________.

    N a. depth between decks
    N b. internal cubic capacity
    N c. molded depth of the vessel
    Y d. width of the vessel

292: Stress on the topping lift of a swinging boom can be reduced by __________.

    N a. rigging a back stay
    Y b. raising the boom
    N c. increasing the mechanical advantage of the cargo purchase
    N d. taking all slack out of the preventer

427: What is the greatest danger of an overriding tow?

    N a. Fouling of the towing hawser
    N b. Loss of steering
    N c. Tripping
    Y d. Collision between the tow and the stern of the towing vessel

433: When a tow is trimmed by the stern it is said to __________.

    N a. hog
    N b. sag
    Y c. drag
    N d. list

436: The rudders are amidships and both screws are going ahead. What will happen if the starboard screw is stopped?

    N a. The bow will go to port.
    Y b. The bow will go to starboard.
    N c. The bow will remain steady.
    N d. The stern will go to starboard.

443: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 86.72 numeral
    N b. 89.98 numeral
    Y c. 91.40 numeral
    N d. 93.18 numeral

588: Because of the arrangement of the cell guides, the MOST important factor while loading containers is the __________.

    N a. contents of the container
    Y b. list of the vessel
    N c. size of the shoreside crane
    N d. weight of the container

700: A tug is approaching a broken down steamer in moderately heavy weather preparing to take it in tow. In most cases the __________.

    N a. steamer will drift stern downwind
    N b. tug will drift faster than the steamer
    N c. tug should approach stern to
    Y d. tug should approach from downwind

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

778: What is the stowage factor of a commodity whose density is 15 pounds per cubic foot?

    N a. 15
    N b. 45
    N c. 133
    Y d. 149

829: In terms of vessel manning, a watch is the ____________ .

    Y a. direct performance of deck or engine operations in a scheduled and fixed rotation
    N b. performance of maintenance work necessary for the vessel's safe operation, on a daily basis
    N c. performance of lookout duties
    N d. direct performance of cargo loading and discharge operations only

854: A piece of small stuff (small line) secured to an object to prevent it from going adrift is a __________.

    Y a. lanyard
    N b. keeper
    N c. noose
    N d. stopper

858: The lower hold of your vessel has a bale capacity of 60,000 cubic feet. How many tons of cotton in bales having a stowage factor of 85 can be stowed in the lower hold, assuming a broken stowage factor of 20%?

    N a. 141
    Y b. 565
    N c. 706
    N d. 847

931: Which is NOT a required entry in the ship's Official Logbook?

    N a. Sale of effects of a deceased crew member
    N b. Medical treatment of an injury
    N c. Inspections of cargo gear
    Y d. Dry docking of the vessel

1009: You are loading 475,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0800 on 8 July, you find that you have loaded 174,000 barrels. At 1000, you find that you have loaded 192,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 1752, 8 July
    N b. 1940, 8 July
    N c. 0143, 9 July
    Y d. 1727, 9 July

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

1117: The knot used to form the bridle at the standing part of a gantline rigged to a stage is a __________.

    N a. sheet bend
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. bowline

1134: The critical point in nylon line elongation is about __________.

    N a. 20%
    N b. 30%
    Y c. 40%
    N d. 50%

1135: What equipment is customarily used when seamen are working on a stage rigged over the side of a vessel?

    N a. Jacob's ladder
    N b. Manropes
    N c. Heaving lines
    Y d. All of the above

1520: A welded joint's effectiveness is considered __________.

    N a. 48%
    N b. 90%
    Y c. 100%
    N d. 121%

1521: An underwriter is liable for __________.

    N a. loss arising from the subject itself because of its inherent qualities
    N b. loss caused by the ordinary evaporation of liquids
    Y c. loss caused by heavy weather
    N d. the natural decay of the vessel due to the passage of time

1548: What could be used as fairleads on a towed vessel?

    N a. Chocks
    N b. Double bitts
    N c. Roller chocks
    Y d. All of the above

1562: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

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

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

1630: The fore and aft run of deck plating which strengthens the connection between the beams and the frames and keeps the beams square to the shell is called the __________.

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. limber strake
    N c. sheer strake
    Y d. stringer strake

1642: Which illustration represents a carrick bend? (DO30DG )

    N a. H
    N b. J
    N c. L
    Y d. M

1653: Which tool is used to open the strands of fiber lines when making an eye splice?

    N a. Belaying spike
    Y b. Fid
    N c. Heaver
    N d. Pricker

1657: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 5.1 feet?

    N a. 81.71 ft
    N b. 64.08 ft
    N c. 40.85 ft
    Y d. 32.04 ft

1687: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 4.2 feet?

    Y a. 26.39 ft
    N b. 21.19 ft
    N c. 17.81 ft
    N d. 13.20 ft

1788: Which position shown is the most dangerous when tying up? (D019DG )

    Y a. I
    N b. II
    N c. III
    N d. IV

1832: The run of plating labeled A is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    Y b. stringer plate
    N c. deck strake
    N d. deck longitudinal

1860: A towline should be fastened to __________.

    N a. the chocks at the bow of a towed vessel
    N b. the most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail
    N c. the mast of a towed sailboat
    Y d. a secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel

2046: The structural member indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. center pillar
    Y c. keel
    N d. girder

2182: What is the name of tackle number 4? (DO29DG )

    N a. Double whip
    N b. Luff tackle
    Y c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. 2-2 tackle

2268: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

    N a. check the swing of the vessel
    N b. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    Y d. change from right rudder to left rudder, or vice versa, an equal number of degrees

2484: The type of joint formed when an edge of one plate is laid over the edge of the plate to which it is riveted is a __________.

    N a. grip joint
    N b. strap joint
    N c. thread joint
    Y d. lap joint

2594: Which is NOT an advantage of the flush method of welded shell plating?

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

2594: Which is NOT an advantage of the flush method of welded shell plating?

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

2754: Which statement is TRUE concerning vessels over 1600 gross tons certificated for service solely on the Great Lakes?

    N a. They must have magnetic compasses.
    N b. They must have gyro compasses.
    Y c. They must carry a deep-sea hand lead.
    N d. All of the above statements are TRUE.

2791: What is the period of validity of a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate?

    N a. 72 months
    Y b. 60 months
    N c. 48 months
    N d. 42 months

2914: Your vessel has been ordered to proceed to the United Grain Growers Wharf at Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, for the purpose of taking on a load of wheat. Which publication(s) would you consult for such information as the length of the wharf, the depth of the water alongside, and the loading capacity at the facility?

    N a. The Navigational Chart and Light List Vol. VII
    N b. The International Guide to Canadian Ports and Facilities
    N c. The Lake Carriers Association Facilities Directory
    Y d. The United States Coast Pilot #6

2935: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2948: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "S" (Sierra) to signify that "________________".

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

3036: Which statement about ships operating in ice is FALSE?

    N a. Light and partly loaded ships should be ballasted as deeply as possible.
    Y b. In brash-filled channels, operating with a shallow draft forward is most effective.
    N c. Traditionally, operating ships light in the ice has been effective in the spring.
    N d. Good searchlights should be available in the event of night navigation with or without icebreaker escort.

3141: What is NOT a securing system used on a containership?

    N a. Lashing system
    Y b. Stacking system
    N c. Locking system
    N d. Buttress system

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

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

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

3451: After inventorying the Naval Control of Shipping publications you find there is no copy of ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Bridge Supplement". You should ask for a replacement from the __________.

    Y a. Maritime Administration
    N b. Coast Guard
    N c. Chief of Naval Operations
    N d. local Operational Control Authority

3500: Small hull leaks can be temporarily repaired by __________.

    N a. parceling
    N b. parbuckling
    Y c. caulking
    N d. seizing

3560: What should look-outs report?

    N a. Discolored water
    N b. Shoals
    N c. Floating objects
    Y d. All of the above

4022: Your vessel is being assisted through an ice field in Thunder Bay by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Alexander Henry. The starboard lookout reports that the icebreaker has run up the code flag "N" (November). What action should you take?

    N a. Reduce speed
    Y b. Stop your engines
    N c. Reverse your engines
    N d. Stop your vessel instantly

4128: Which of the following lashing materials would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Webbing
    N c. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N d. All of the above

4181: Which lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be painted or soaked in oil when not in use?

    N a. Wire rope.
    Y b. Chain
    N c. Webbing
    N d. All of the above

4210: Pedestal cranes have limit switches to restrict the movement of which function?

    N a. Luff rate limits
    Y b. Slew travel limits
    N c. Swivel power limits
    N d. Slew rate limits

4279: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    Y b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchease that raise and lower the topping lift.