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.


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


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


97: Chafing gear should be placed __________.


124: Bilge soundings indicate __________.

    N a. the amount of condensation in the hold
    N b. whether the cargo is leaking or not
    N c. whether the vessel is taking on water
    Y d. All of the above

171: 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 as listed. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 30°? d035dg

    Y a. 40 yards
    N b. 140 yards
    N c. 190 yards
    N d. 230 yards

241: If there are any changes in the crew in a foreign port, the changes will be made by __________.

    N a. the Master on the Certified Crew List
    Y b. the Master on the Shipping Articles
    N c. U.S. Consul on the Certified Crew List
    N d. U.S. Consul on the Shipping Articles

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

276: As a ship moves through the water, it causes a wake, which is also moving forward relative to the sea. In addition to a fore and aft motion, this wake also has a(n) __________.

    N a. downward and inward flow
    N b. downward and outward flow
    Y c. upward and inward flow
    N d. upward and outward flow

339: Oil product samples should be taken from the __________.

    N a. dock riser
    N b. ship's cargo tanks
    N c. shore tank discharge
    Y d. All of the above

356: It is possible, and sometimes necessary, to strengthen the deck of a vessel for carriage of deck cargo by __________.

    N a. placing bunker on the deck
    N b. building a stage on which to place the cargo
    N c. welding steel "feet" to the deck, on which the cargo is placed
    Y d. erecting vertical pillars under the deck to support the cargo

438: Your vessel is loaded with nonhygroscopic cargoes and is going from a cold to a warm climate. You should __________.

    N a. start the exhaust blowers
    N b. start the intake blowers
    Y c. not ventilate the cargo holds
    N d. ventilate the cargo holds

591: What will NOT be found on the Certificate of Inspection of an ocean going tankship?

    N a. Manning requirements
    Y b. Minimum freeboard permitted
    N c. Grade(s) of cargoes that the vessel may carry
    N d. Waters upon which the vessel may be operated

719: Most crude oils are classified as grade __________.

    N a. A or B
    N b. B
    Y c. C or D
    N d. E

744: When using natural-fiber rope, you should NEVER __________.

    N a. dry the line before stowing it
    N b. reverse turns on winches periodically to keep out kinks
    Y c. try to lubricate the line
    N d. use chafing gear

764: Roundline is a __________.

    N a. four-stranded, left- or right-handed line
    Y b. three-stranded, right-handed line
    N c. three-stranded, left-handed line
    N d. small tarred hempline of three strands laid left-handed

768: A cargo of canned foodstuff is packed in cartons. Each carton is 36 cubic feet and weighs 340 pounds. The stowage factor of the cargo is __________.

    N a. 9.5
    N b. 62
    N c. 212
    Y d. 237

923: An advantage of nylon rope over manila rope is that nylon rope __________.

    Y a. can hold a load even when a considerable number of the yarns have been abraded
    N b. can be stored on deck, exposed to sunlight
    N c. can be used in conjunction with wire or spring-lay rope
    N d. gives audible warning of overstress whereas manila does not

965: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel has deviated 15 degrees from course and there is no corrective rudder being applied. As a standard operating procedure you should first __________.

    N a. check the setting of the rudder adjustment
    N b. check the setting of the weather adjustment
    Y c. switch to hand steering
    N d. immediately engage the trick wheel

1077: A seaman dies during a voyage. What is NOT required to be entered into the Official Log?

    Y a. Statement that the Master has taken custody of the deceased's MMD and passport
    N b. An inventory of the money and property
    N c. Statement of the wages due
    N d. Statement as to the total deductions to be made from the wages

1184: A new coil of nylon line should be opened by __________.

    N a. pulling the end up through the eye of the coil
    N b. uncoiling from the outside with the coil standing on end
    N c. taking a strain on both ends
    Y d. unreeling from a spool

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

1322: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to take the seaman if the ship will not stop at a U.S. port within 30 days.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse to take the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He is required to take the seaman under any circumstance.

1410: The result of two forces acting in opposite directions and along parallel lines, is an example of what type of stress?

    N a. Tensile
    N b. Compression
    Y c. Shear
    N d. Strain

1540: In ship construction, keel scantlings should be the greatest __________.

    N a. at each frame
    Y b. amidships
    N c. one-third the distance from the bow
    N d. one-third the distance from the stern

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%

1638: On a twin-screw, twin-rudder vessel, the most effective way to turn in your own water, with no way on, is to put __________.

    Y a. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with full rudder
    N b. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with rudders amidships
    N c. both engines ahead, with full rudder
    N d. both engines astern, with full rudder

1665: Which picture in illustration DO30DG represents a sailmaker's whipping? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    N b. F
    N c. J
    Y d. K

1723: What is meant by the term "two-blocked"?

    Y a. The bottom block touches the top block.
    N b. The line has jumped the sheaves.
    N c. There are turns in the fall.
    N d. You have two blocks.

1729: The greatest strain, when lifting a load with the jumbo purchase, is on __________.

    N a. all of the parts, dividing the load equally
    Y b. the hauling part because it must absorb the frictional losses of all the sheaves
    N c. the parts in the movable block
    N d. the standing part because it is directly connected to the weight

1843: The sheave diameter to be used with a 3-inch manila rope is __________.

    N a. 3 inches
    Y b. 6 inches
    N c. 9 inches
    N d. 12 inches

1880: You are using tackle number 11 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 75 lbs.
    N b. 90 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    N d. 117 lbs.

2042: Which statement about the deck line is TRUE?

    N a. The top of the deck line is marked at the highest point of the freeboard deck, including camber, at the midships point.
    Y b. A vessel with wooden planks on a steel deck will have the deck line marked at the intersection of the upper line of the wood sheathing with the side shell.
    N c. The deck edge is marked at the intersection of the freeboard deck with the side shell, at the lowest point of sheer, with the vessel at even trim.
    N d. On a vessel with a rounded stringer-sheer plate, the deck line is marked where the stringer plate turns down from the plane of the deck line.

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

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.

2117: When a vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

    Y a. cost of labor and material to restore the vessel to the service condition which existed before the casualty
    N b. loss of revenue while the vessel is being repaired, up to a maximum of $50,000
    N c. damage claims awarded to individuals or companies involved in the casualty
    N d. All of the above

2119: You are coming to anchor in 8 fathoms of water. In this case, the __________.

    Y a. anchor may be dropped from the hawsepipe
    N b. anchor should be lowered to within 2 fathoms of the bottom before being dropped
    N c. anchor should be lowered to the bottom then the ship backed and the remainder of the cable veered
    N d. scope should be less than 3 times the depth of the water

2149: When anchoring in a clay bottom, what is one hazard that may cause the anchor to drag?

    N a. The flukes may dig in unevenly and capsize the anchor when under stress.
    N b. The flukes may not dig in.
    Y c. The anchor may get shod with clay and not develop full holding power.
    N d. The anchor will tend to dig in and come to rest near the vertical.

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.

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

2293: As defined in the regulations governing marine casualties a "marine employer" may be the __________.

    N a. owner
    N b. agent
    N c. Master
    Y d. All of the above

2355: The metal, teardrop-shaped object sometimes used within an eyesplice is a __________.

    N a. grommet
    N b. reinforcement
    N c. splice form
    Y d. thimble

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

2568: You are proceeding along the right bank of a narrow channel aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel. The vessel starts to sheer due to bank suction/cushion effect. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and put the rudder left full
    N b. back full with rudder amidships
    N c. decrease speed and put the rudder right full
    Y d. increase speed and put the rudder right full

2568: You are proceeding along the right bank of a narrow channel aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel. The vessel starts to sheer due to bank suction/cushion effect. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and put the rudder left full
    N b. back full with rudder amidships
    N c. decrease speed and put the rudder right full
    Y d. increase speed and put the rudder right full

2588: Rivets are usually made of __________.

    N a. wrought-iron
    N b. aluminum
    N c. high-tensile steel
    Y d. mild steel

2601: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. SOLAS Certificate
    N c. Stability Letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2656: What is an example of the term "Restraint of Rulers, Princes, or Peoples" in a marine insurance policy?

    Y a. A prohibition from loading a cargo from a country when the cargo may be a carrier of infectious diseases.
    N b. Arrest of a vessel by legal authorities to satisfy claims through exercise of a maritime lien.
    N c. Damage caused by riot of the population of a port.
    N d. Losses caused by fines from polluting the harbor after malfunction of a piping system.

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

2908: How should you signal the crane operator to use the whip line?

    N a. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out for as long as the load movement is desired.
    Y b. First tap your elbow with one hand, and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N c. First tap the top of your head with your fist, and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N d. Use one hand to give any motion signal, and place the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal.

2921: The process of lowering a boom to a horizontal position and onto its deck support is called __________.

    N a. spotting a boom
    N b. collaring a boom
    Y c. cradling a boom
    N d. toppling a boom

3020: The main underdeck pipeline on a tankship is connected to individual tanks by __________.

    N a. tank drops
    N b. line drops
    N c. crossovers
    Y d. branch lines

3079: What is a solid at ambient temperature?

    N a. Aniline
    N b. Formic acid
    N c. Methyl chloride
    Y d. Napthalene

3095: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. put the rudder amidships
    Y c. give full right rudder
    N d. throw a life ring to mark the spot

3322: The fluke is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    N a. F
    N b. G
    N c. H
    Y d. I

3465: Which type of anchor is illustrated? (D038DG )

    Y a. Stockless
    N b. Danforth
    N c. Old-fashioned
    N d. Kedge

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

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.

4202: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    N a. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    N c. They are more economical and weigh less.
    Y d. All of the above

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