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.


38: A cargo that has a stowage factor over 40 is known as a __________.


64: Which statement about damage control is TRUE?


72: You are in the process of loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 1030, on 5 November, you gauge the vessel and find that you have loaded 203,000 barrels. At 1200 you find that you have loaded 218,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.


81: Your 199 GT tugboat is on a 675 mile coastwise voyage. What percentage of the deck crew must be Able Bodied Seamen?

    N a. 0%
    N b. 25%
    N c. 50%
    Y d. 65%

99: What is meant by "thieving" a petroleum cargo?

    N a. Siphoning off a few barrels of petroleum for shipboard use
    Y b. Determining the amount of water (if any) in each cargo tank
    N c. Adjusting the cargo figures to coincide with the draft
    N d. Reducing the gross cargo calculations to net amounts

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

219: What refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

    Y a. Innage
    N b. Outage
    N c. Thievage
    N d. Ullage

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

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

295: Which publication offers information on Great Lakes ice services?

    N a. Light List volume VII
    Y b. U.S. Coast Pilot #6
    N c. Marine Weather Log
    N d. National Weather Service, Ice Outlooks

389: When hooking up a cargo hose to your vessel's manifold, you should use a(n)______________.

    N a. international shore connection
    Y b. insulating flange or single length of non-conducting hose
    N c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. oxygen analyzer

473: 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 accept the seaman if the seaman is medically unfit.
    N b. He must take the seaman even if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N c. He is always required to take the seaman.
    Y d. He may refuse to take the seaman if it will violate the Certificate of Inspection.

504: Anchors are prevented from running out when secured by the __________.

    N a. brake
    N b. devil's claw
    N c. pawls
    Y d. All of the above

507: You are signing on your crew. Which is NOT authorized?

    Y a. A man presenting his Chief Mate's license to sign on as able seaman
    N b. An engineer presenting an MMD endorsed "QMED - any rating" to sign on as an Electrician
    N c. A man presenting an MMD endorsed as "Able Seaman" to sign on as Bosun
    N d. A man presenting an MMD endorsed "Steward's Department (F.H.)" to sign on as Chief Cook

539: Which type of shackle is used for most towing connections?

    Y a. Safety shackles
    N b. Round pin anchor shackles
    N c. Screw pin shackles
    N d. Heart shaped shackles

592: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

    Y a. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N b. "Aye Aye Sir"
    N c. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order.

746: Which effect does speed through the water have on a vessel which is underway in shallow water?

    N a. A decrease in the speed results in a decrease in steering response and maneuverability.
    Y b. An increase in speed results in the stern sucking down lower than the bow.
    N c. An increase in speed results in the vessel rising on an even plane.
    N d. A decrease in speed results in the vessel sucking down on an even plane.

756: A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may NOT serve as the Captain of which towing vessel?

    N a. 99 GRT towing vessel operating on Chesapeake Bay
    N b. 199 GRT towing vessel operating in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. 400 GRT towboat operating on the Western Rivers
    Y d. 375 GRT towing vessel operating between Texas and Puerto Rico

772: To reduce stress on the towing hawser when towing astern (ocean tow), the hawser should be __________.

    N a. secured to the aftermost fitting on the towing vessel
    N b. just touching the water
    Y c. underwater
    N d. as short as possible

820: A partial deck in a hold is called a(n) __________.

    N a. weather deck
    Y b. orlop deck
    N c. shelter deck
    N d. main deck

823: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    N a. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    N b. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    Y c. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N d. No able seamen are required.

831: The Oil Record Book on a vessel NOT engaged on a foreign voyage shall be maintained on board for not less than __________.

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    Y c. 36 months
    N d. 48 months

967: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel is deviating from the given course and there is no follow up with corrective rudder action to return to the proper heading. The emergency operating procedure should require you to immediately change operation from __________.

    Y a. "gyro" to "hand"
    N b. "hand" to "gyro"
    N c. "gyro" to "control"
    N d. "control" to "hand"

1016: Your vessel is off a lee shore in heavy weather and laboring. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Put the sea and wind about two points on either bow and reduce speed.
    N b. Heave to in the trough of the sea.
    N c. Put the sea and wind on either quarter and proceed at increased speed.
    N d. Put the bow directly into the sea and proceed at full speed.

1166: You are 15 feet off a pier and docking a vessel using only a bow and stern breast line. Once the slack is out of both lines you begin to haul in on the bow breast line. What is the effect on the vessel?

    N a. The bow will come in and the stern will go out.
    N b. The whole ship moves toward the pier.
    Y c. The bow will come in and the stern will remain the same distance off the pier.
    N d. The stern will come in and the bow will remain the same distance off the pier.

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

1350: A deck beam does NOT __________.

    N a. act as a beam to support vertical deck loads
    Y b. lessen the longitudinal stiffness of the vessel
    N c. act as a tie to keep the sides of the ship in place
    N d. act as a web to prevent plate wrinkling due to twisting action on the vessel

1531: Maritime Administration personnel may be allowed in the pilothouse upon the responsibility of the __________.

    N a. Chief Officer
    N b. Navigator
    N c. most senior person present from the Maritime Administration
    Y d. officer in charge of the watch

1575: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

    N a. good communication
    N b. a dedicated crew
    N c. good equipment
    Y d. well-conducted drills

1661: Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Official Crew List
    N c. Officer's licenses
    N d. Muster list

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1750: A grapnel is a __________.

    N a. device for securing a chain topping lift
    N b. hook to prevent the anchor cable from slipping
    Y c. device used to drag for a submerged cable or line
    N d. type of clam bucket used for discharging bulk cargo

1791: Which factor does NOT affect the required freeboard of a cargo vessel?

    N a. Season of the year
    N b. Geographic zone of operation
    N c. Density of the water
    Y d. Condition of trim in normal operation

2013: A mooring line that checks forward motion of a vessel at a pier is a __________.

    N a. bow line
    N b. forward bow line
    Y c. stern line
    N d. stern breast line

2081: A seaman is reported missing in the morning and was last seen after coming off the mid-watch. Which type of turn would you use to return to the track-line steamed during the night?

    Y a. Williamson
    N b. Racetrack
    N c. 180° turn
    N d. Anderson

2121: Which statement concerning the lashings of containers with solid bar or wire rope lashings is TRUE?

    Y a. Stack weights should be less when using a solid bar lashing as compared to a wire lashing.
    N b. Stack heights may be increased when using a solid bar lashing.
    N c. Stack heights should be reduced when using a solid bar lashing.
    N d. Solid bars should be used for lashing the first tier only, with wire lashings on the higher tier(s).

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

2186: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0
    N b. 0.5
    N c. 1
    Y d. 2

2201: When referring to dry bulk cargoes, the term "flow state" __________.

    N a. designates the state of a commodity when the ship is heeled past the angle of repose
    N b. relates to the suitability of loading a cargo by flowing down inclined chutes
    Y c. refers to the saturation of a dry bulk product with water to the point where it acts as a liquid
    N d. relates to the minimum granule size of a particular product where it will flow like a liquid at an angle of 30°

2234: Keeping certain cargoes separated because of their inherent characteristics is known as __________.

    N a. overstowage
    Y b. segregation
    N c. spot loading
    N d. cargo typing

2291: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. Master must first request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N b. Master should agree to sign a release of liability form
    Y c. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course
    N d. vessel must be in extremis

2352: The recessed areas on a wildcat are called __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. sockets
    Y c. pockets
    N d. devil's claws

2388: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 4 feet after a sector of 120° has been removed?

    N a. 2.67 square ft.
    N b. 4.19 square ft.
    Y c. 8.38 square ft.
    N d. 10.67 square ft.

2462: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    N a. Twines
    Y b. Fibers
    N c. Lays
    N d. Lacings

2480: A Danforth lightweight anchor does NOT hold well in which type of bottom?

    N a. Mud
    Y b. Grass
    N c. Sand
    N d. Clay

2554: The welds used to attach stiffeners to a plate are known as __________.

    N a. butt welds
    N b. seam welds
    Y c. fillet welds
    N d. plate welds

2812: If a tug equipped with flanking rudders is to be turned in a confined circle, when going astern, the stern will move to port the quickest if __________.

    Y a. the rudder is hard to port and the flanking rudders are hard to port
    N b. the rudder is amidships and the flanking rudders are hard to port
    N c. the rudder is hard to port and the flanking rudders are hard to starboard
    N d. all rudders are hard to starboard

2876: A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker may use all of the following distinctive lights when escorting ships in ice EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a single amber rotating light
    N b. a single red rotating light
    N c. red aircraft warning lights
    Y d. a single blue rotating light

2879: The vertical reference for all water levels and bench marks on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System is known as __________.

    N a. Mean Sea Level Datum
    Y b. International Great Lakes Datum
    N c. Great Lakes Low Water Datum
    N d. North Central Reference Datum

2922: A long pole with a hook at one end, used to reach for lines, is known as a __________.

    Y a. pike pole
    N b. jack staff
    N c. line rod
    N d. hooker

2944: Your ship is navigating independently in heavy ice when it becomes beset. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The vessel will most likely require an icebreaker to free her.
    N b. The vessel may be able to free herself by pumping ballast from side to side.
    Y c. The propeller is more susceptible to ice damage when turning slowly than when stopped.
    N d. It is advisable to clear the rudder area of ice by using ahead turns before backing down.

2944: Your ship is navigating independently in heavy ice when it becomes beset. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The vessel will most likely require an icebreaker to free her.
    N b. The vessel may be able to free herself by pumping ballast from side to side.
    Y c. The propeller is more susceptible to ice damage when turning slowly than when stopped.
    N d. It is advisable to clear the rudder area of ice by using ahead turns before backing down.

3061: 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
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    N c. 10 minutes if possible
    Y d. 30 minutes to 1 hour

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

3325: Flammable liquids should have what kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow
    Y c. Red
    N d. White

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

3576: Heave is motion along the __________.

    N a. longitudinal axis
    N b. transverse axis
    Y c. vertical axis
    N d. centerline axis

4231: The 30 ton capacity pedestal cranes shown in the illustration can lift a maximum weight of how many tons in the single mode? (D047DG )

    N a. 15 tons
    Y b. 30 tons
    N c. 60 tons
    N d. 120 tons

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above

4263: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment must be safely checked prior to commencing a lift.
    N b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting needs to be properly secured so as to prevent shifting during transport.
    N c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    Y d. All the above

4383: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable