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.


16: When underway and proceeding ahead, as the speed increases, the pivot point tends to __________.


68: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


71: You are the licensed Master of a 199 GT uninspected towing vessel making a 500 mile coastwise trip. You carry a deck crew of six (6). Which statement is TRUE?


104: You are on watch at sea at night when a fire breaks out in #3 hold just forward of the bridge. You would NOT __________.

    N a. call the Master
    Y b. proceed to the space and inspect the extent of the fire
    N c. shut down the cargo hold ventilation
    N d. sound the fire alarm signal to roust out all hands

115: During the course of a voyage, a seaman falls on the main deck and injures his ankle. The Master should submit a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death if the __________.

    N a. injury is the result of misconduct
    N b. injury results in loss of life only
    N c. injured need first aid
    Y d. injured is incapacitated

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

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

130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?

    Y a. Cargo manual
    N b. Cargo information card
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Shipping document

136: Under the federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?

    N a. .18% BAC
    N b. .10% BAC
    N c. .06% BAC
    Y d. .04% BAC

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

253: The forward movement of a vessel in one revolution of its propeller is measured by __________.

    N a. advance
    N b. head reach
    Y c. the pitch
    N d. transfer

294: Displacement refers to the __________.

    N a. cubic capacity of a vessel
    N b. deadweight carrying capacity of a vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of a vessel
    Y d. number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat

400: You are on a containership carrying a tank container that had been filled with sodium hydroxide solution. The container is empty but has not been cleaned. Which, if any, placard is required?

    N a. No placard is required; the tank openings must be sealed
    N b. Empty placard with corrosive placard
    N c. Residue label with the UN number
    Y d. Black and white corrosive placard

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

668: Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk?

    Y a. Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only.
    N b. Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet.
    N c. Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions.
    N d. Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible.

750: On a single-screw vessel the stern frame _____________,

    Y a. furnishes support to the rudder, propeller shaft, and transom frame
    N b. provides foundations for after mooring winches
    N c. provides foundations for the main propulsion engines
    N d. transfers the driving force of the propeller to the hull

766: Insufficient space between the hull and bottom in shallow water will prevent normal screw currents resulting in __________.

    N a. waste of power
    N b. sudden sheering to either side
    N c. sluggish rudder response
    Y d. All of the above

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

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

926: Usually the most gentle way of riding out a severe storm on a larger vessel is __________.

    N a. head on at slow speeds
    N b. hove to
    Y c. running before the seas
    N d. to rig a sea anchor

983: When a vessel is on autopilot steering, the "weather " control is adjusted to compensate for which severe weather effect on a vessel?

    Y a. Yaw
    N b. Roll
    N c. Pitch
    N d. Leeway

985: 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. call the engineroom and report that you have lost steering
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    Y c. shift the selector switch to the other steering system
    N d. call the Master

1181: Uncleared crew curios remaining on board during a domestic coastwise voyage after returning from foreign should be __________.

    N a. listed in the Official Logbook
    N b. cleared prior to the next foreign voyage
    Y c. noted in the Traveling Curio Manifest
    N d. retained under locked security by the owner

1216: It is easier to dock a right-hand, single-screw vessel __________.

    N a. starboard side to the wharf
    N b. either side to the wharf
    Y c. port side to the wharf
    N d. stern to the wharf

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1434: In the manufacture of wire rope, if the wires are shaped to conform to the curvature of the finished rope before they are laid up, the rope is called __________.

    N a. composite
    N b. left-lay
    N c. improved
    Y d. preformed

1532: To determine the number of portable fire extinguishers required on an inspected vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. hot work permit
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1556: When anchoring, good practice requires 5 to 7 fathoms of chain for each fathom of depth. In deep water you should use __________.

    N a. the same ratio
    N b. more chain for each fathom of depth
    Y c. less chain for each fathom of depth
    N d. two anchors with the same ratio of chain

1581: A vessel is found to be seaworthy after a complaint in writing to the American Consul by the Chief and Second Mates. The cost of the survey is to be paid by the __________.

    N a. American Consul
    Y b. Chief and Second Mates
    N c. Vessel's agent
    N d. vessel's owners

1589: Why is 6X19 class wire rope more commonly used for cargo runners than the more flexible 6X37 wire rope?

    Y a. It resists abrasion better.
    N b. It is longer.
    N c. It hugs the winch drum better.
    N d. It is less expensive.

1617: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 84°, and the wet bulb temperature is 81°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 71%
    N b. 79%
    N c. 81%
    Y d. 87%

1678: Grade D combustible liquids have a maximum flash point of __________.

    N a. 109°F
    N b. 100°F
    Y c. 149°F
    N d. 80°F

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

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

1836: While towing, what is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    Y b. The barge may pass under the hawser and capsize the tug.
    N c. Free surface affect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads when turning too quickly.
    N d. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.

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

2080: A Contract of Affreightment covering the movement of a particular cargo from one designated port to another at a specified rate for each ton of goods loaded is called a __________.

    N a. bareboat charter party
    N b. demise charter party
    N c. time charter party
    Y d. voyage charter party

2188: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

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

2516: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest, carried on a ship, is TRUE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the Master or other designated ship's officer.
    N b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargo may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    Y c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The type of label(s) required for each cargo must be indicated.

2536: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of any fines imposed by the court
    N b. payment of back taxes to the IRS
    Y c. support of a spouse
    N d. All of the above

2547: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

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

2664: You must shore up a bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates a rectangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    N b. approximately one-third of the way up the bulkhead
    Y c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

2699: The thickness of a 30.6 pound plate is __________.

    N a. 3/8"
    N b. 1/2"
    Y c. 3/4"
    N d. 1"

2709: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker should indicate that she is ready to cast off the towline by __________.

    Y a. displaying code letter "Y" (Yankee)
    N b. sounding five short blasts on his whistle
    N c. displaying code numeral "5"
    N d. sounding one prolonged blast on his whistle

2799: Who publishes the "Canadian List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals"?

    N a. The U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. The Canadian Coast Guard
    N c. The U.S. Hydrographic Service
    N d. The Canadian Hydrographic Service

2936: Storms that enter the Great Lakes Basin from the west and northwest at a peak in October are the products of pressure systems known as __________.

    N a. Northwesters
    Y b. Alberta lows
    N c. Fata morgana
    N d. Polar highs

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3064: What is the meaning of a flag hoist consisting of the code letters "WM" (Whiskey Mike) when displayed by an icebreaker?

    N a. "I am going ahead; follow me."
    N b. "You should stop your vessel instantly."
    Y c. "Icebreaker support is now commencing."
    N d. "Icebreaker support is finished."

3066: A list man would expect to see any of the following light signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. two red lights
    N b. one green light
    N c. one white light
    Y d. one amber light

3083: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. fo'c'sle card
    N b. Crew list
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

3114: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another barge when going ahead? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. E
    N d. B

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

3324: What descriptive term indicates that the dimension is measured from the inner face of the shell or deck plating?

    Y a. Molded
    N b. Register
    N c. Tonnage
    N d. Effective

3492: The Master of a passenger vessel which is not required to maintain an Official Logbook must keep a record of the number of passengers received and delivered from day to day. This record must be available for a period of __________.

    N a. 6 months
    Y b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    N d. 36 months

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

3684: In towing, heaving lines are used for __________.

    N a. passing a tow bridle to the tug
    Y b. passing a messenger line
    N c. heaving in the tow bridle
    N d. service lines with rocket line throwers

4012: The purpose of item G is to __________. (D024DG )

    N a. distribute the vessel's thrust over a wider area
    N b. prevent the towboat from capsizing if item I should part
    Y c. prevent the knee from shifting when the rudder is put hard over
    N d. keep the barges from shifting fore and aft

4212: What is another name for the boom of a crane?

    N a. Lift
    N b. Rider
    Y c. Jib
    N d. All of the above

4228: Which of the following is/are the component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    N c. Operator's cab
    Y d. All of the above

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

4255: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    N c. When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited.
    Y d. All of the above