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.


207: A towing vessel's capability is BEST measured by horsepower, maneuverability, displacement, and __________.


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


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


755: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    Y a. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N b. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N c. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

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

811: When oily ballast has been pumped overboard, an entry must be made in the __________.

    Y a. Oil Record Book
    N b. Official Logbook
    N c. deck rough log
    N d. engine rough log

877: On which vessels may licensed individuals be required to stand watch under the two-watch system, on voyages of more than 600 miles in length?

    Y a. Uninspected towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Cargo ships
    N d. Tank vessels

878: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 96 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 84,000. How many tons of wool can be stowed in the compartment?

    N a. 577
    N b. 602
    N c. 654
    Y d. 875

913: When commencing cargo operations on a container ship, one cell at a hatch is generally discharged completely (to the bottom of the ship) before removing any containers from the adjoining cells to ____________.

    N a. remove an existing list that would slow down cargo operations
    Y b. initiate loading in conjunction with unloading at the hatch
    N c. improve stability during cargo operations
    N d. allow longshoremen easy access to the hatch

1060: You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.

    Y a. refuse to accept the package
    N b. note the exception(s) on the Bill of Lading
    N c. replace the packaging material before stowage
    N d. seek the approval of the USCG Captain of the Port

1063: You have been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair rigged to a mast that you intend to paint. You are now supporting your weight by seizing the hauling part and the standing part of the gantline in one hand. Your next procedure in securing the bosun's chair is to __________.

    N a. secure the tail of the standing part leading from the becket bend to the mast
    Y b. dip the bight of the hauling part around your back and up in front of you to form the hitch
    N c. take a strain on the hauling part by having it led to the gypsy head on a winch
    N d. secure the standing part of the gantline to the hauling part by taking turns of marlin and tying off

1091: Which of the following statements concerning the rigging and use of bosun's chairs is TRUE?

    N a. When riding a stay, make sure that the bow of the shackle passes through the becket of the bridle.
    Y b. Always have the chair hoisted manually.
    N c. The lowering hitch should always be made before getting into the chair.
    N d. Always secure the gantline to the chair with a clove hitch.

1115: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y b. draw a line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N d. erase the entry and rewrite

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

1243: You are on watch at sea and find it prudent to call the Master to the bridge due to traffic congestion. The moment that the Master officially relieves you of the conn is whenever __________.

    N a. a watchstander announces "Captain's on the bridge"
    N b. you call the Captain to the bridge in a traffic situation
    Y c. the Master specifically informs you that he has the conn
    N d. the Captain states the course being steered

1246: When a tug is pulling on a hawser at right angles to the ship, and the pilot wants to come ahead or astern on the ship's engine, care must be taken that the pilot __________.

    N a. does not break the towline
    Y b. does not get too much way on the vessel
    N c. keeps a steady course so the towline will remain tight
    N d. turns the ship toward the direction of pull

1307: Which type of ice is a hazard to navigation?

    N a. Ice rind
    N b. Pancake ice
    N c. Frazil ice
    Y d. Growlers

1310: Which statement is TRUE concerning protection of double bottom tanks against excessive pressure?

    N a. Each vent for the tank must be equal to the area of the tank filling line.
    N b. The tanks must be protected by overflows.
    Y c. The total area of the vents or the overflow shall be at least 125% of the area of the fill line.
    N d. There must be twice as much vent area as the area of the fill line.

1336: When picking up your mooring at the buoy, the correct method is to __________.

    N a. approach the buoy with the wind and current astern
    Y b. approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead
    N c. approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam
    N d. stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy

1348: Preparation of muster lists and signing of same is the responsibility of the __________.

    N a. Chief Officer of the vessel
    N b. owner of the vessel
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. United States Coast Guard

1528: You are being towed by one tug. As you lengthen the bridle legs you __________.

    N a. increase your chances of breaking the towing hawser
    Y b. reduce the yawing of your vessel
    N c. reduce the spring effect of the tow connection
    N d. increase your chances of breaking the bridle legs

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

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

1598: On a vessel with a single propeller, transverse force has the most effect on the vessel when the engine is put __________.

    N a. full ahead
    Y b. full astern
    N c. half ahead
    N d. slow astern

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1660: The strake on each side of the keel is called a __________.

    N a. sheer strake
    N b. gatewood strake
    N c. insulation strake
    Y d. garboard strake

1673: A sail hook is used for __________.

    N a. hoisting a windsail
    N b. parceling
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. testing canvas

1676: When preparing to hoist the anchor, you should FIRST __________.

    Y a. engage the wildcat
    N b. put the brake in the off position
    N c. take off the chain stopper
    N d. take the riding pawl off the chain

1720: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    Y a. Bow spring line
    N b. Bow breast line
    N c. Stern breast line
    N d. Inshore head line

1741: The load line regulations are administered by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Maritime Administration
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1923: Disregarding friction, a twofold purchase when rove to disadvantage has a mechanical advantage of __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 3
    Y c. 4
    N d. 5

1973: Which statement is TRUE about placing the eyes of two mooring lines on the same bollard?

    N a. Put one line at the low point and one at the high point of the bollard so they don't touch.
    Y b. Take the eye of the second line up through the eye of the first line before putting the second line on the bollard.
    N c. Never put two mooring lines on the same bollard.
    N d. The mooring line forward should be put on the bollard first.

1976: Which letter indicates a longitudinal? (D033DG )

    N a. C
    N b. E
    Y c. L
    N d. M

2033: A spring line leads __________.

    Y a. fore and aft from the ship's side
    N b. to the dock at a right angle to the vessel
    N c. through the bull nose or chock at the bow
    N d. through the chock at the stern

2094: A large basin cut into the shore, closed off by a caisson, and used for dry docking of ships is known as a __________.

    N a. slipway
    Y b. graving dock
    N c. ground warp
    N d. caisson dock

2170: Your vessel is disabled and in imminent danger of grounding on a lee shore. The Master agrees to salvage services using Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement. Which is TRUE?

    N a. The salvage award will be decided by suit in Admiralty Court.
    Y b. The salvage service is on a "no cure-no pay" basis.
    N c. Underwriters will repudiate the agreement if it is unsuccessful, due to their increased liability.
    N d. The salvor becomes the owner of the vessel until the salvage award, if any, is paid.

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

2226: The knot lettered O is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    Y b. barrel hitch
    N c. carrick bend
    N d. blackwall hitch

2242: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 21 feet after a sector of 120° has been removed?

    N a. 115.45 sq. ft
    N b. 230.91 sq. ft
    N c. 461.81 sq. ft
    Y d. 923.63 sq. ft

2274: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

2302: What is NOT required to be approved or certified by the U.S. Coast Guard before being used on inspected vessels?

    N a. Lifesaving equipment that is in excess of the regulatory minimum
    N b. Ship's stores that are Class A poisons or Class A explosives
    Y c. Steel plate used in hull construction
    N d. EPIRBs

2387: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 2 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 0.25 square ft.
    N b. 0.52 square ft.
    N c. 2.09 square ft.
    Y d. 2.62 square ft.

2391: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 40.8 lbs. steel measuring 3 feet by 5 feet.

    N a. 326.4 lbs
    N b. 453.6 lbs
    Y c. 612.0 lbs
    N d. 1224.0 lbs

2469: While cranking out a quadrantal davit, slippage of the quadrant due to excessive wear or failure of the teeth in the quadrant will cause the __________.

    Y a. davit arm to pivot on the traveling nut and the head to fall outboard
    N b. traveling nut to lock up in place on the worm gear
    N c. limit switch to engage and hold the traveling nut in position
    N d. winch brake to lock in position and prevent lowering the boat

2666: On the Great Lakes, short-term fluctuations in water levels may be a result of any of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. strong winds
    N b. sudden changes in barometric pressure
    N c. seiches
    Y d. below normal rain fall

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"

2734: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 98.23 numeral
    Y b. 95.70 numeral
    N c. 84.46 numeral
    N d. 81.37 numeral

2760: When the wave period and the apparent rolling period are the same __________.

    Y a. synchronous rolling occurs
    N b. roll period decreases
    N c. roll period increases
    N d. roll amplitude is dampened

2763: When a merchant vessel is under the Naval Control of Shipping Organization in wartime, naval authorities may give orders pertaining to __________.

    N a. minimum manning standards
    Y b. regulations about darkening ship
    N c. the stowage of explosives
    N d. the types of cargoes permitted on board

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

3082: Which statement is FALSE with regards to the Great Lakes Light List?

    Y a. The Light List does not contain information on any of the navigational aids maintained by Canada.
    N b. Volume VII does not include information on Class III private aids to navigation.
    N c. The Light List does not include Coast Guard mooring buoys, special purpose buoys, or buoys marking fish net areas.
    N d. The Light List should be corrected each week from the appropriate Notice to Mariners.

3100: A holder of a license as Master of towing vessels may work each 24 hours for a period not to exceed __________.

    N a. 6 hours
    Y b. 12 hours
    N c. 18 hours
    N d. 24 hours

3338: What is used to prevent wear on towlines that bear on hard surfaces?

    Y a. Chafing gear
    N b. Chocks
    N c. Grease
    N d. Boots

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

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

    N a. deadeyes
    N b. bollards
    N c. bitts
    Y d. chocks

4018: The BEST holding ground for conventional anchors is __________.

    Y a. sand
    N b. very soft mud
    N c. shale
    N d. rock

4088: With a given load on the cargo hook, the thrust on a cargo boom __________.

    Y a. increases as the angle to the horizontal increases
    N b. increases as the angle to the horizontal decreases
    N c. is greatest at an angle of 45° and decreases as the boom is raised or lowered
    N d. is least at an angle of 45° and increases as the boom is raised or lowered

4091: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    Y b. center of gravity
    N c. centerline
    N d. bridge

4147: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever.
    Y b. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N c. Buckle tensioner
    N d. Ratchet tensioner

4240: It is the responsibility of the crane operator to, at all times, be aware of the location of the __________.

    N a. load
    N b. hook
    N c. boom
    Y d. All of the above