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.


32: The explosive range of a fuel lies between the lower explosive limit and the __________.


103: Your ship is in shallow water and the bow rides up on its bow wave while the stern sinks into a depression of its transverse wave system. What is this called?


125: Chafing gear is normally used __________.


144: The lookout sights a vessel dead ahead. This should be reported on the bell with __________.

    N a. one bell
    N b. two bells
    Y c. three bells
    N d. four bells

149: A standard net barrel of petroleum products is __________.

    Y a. 42 gallons at 60°F
    N b. 48 gallons at 70°F
    N c. 50 gallons at 50°F
    N d. 60 gallons at 100°F

315: A vessel must have one approved ring life buoy on board if its length is over how many feet?

    N a. 6 feet
    N b. 16 feet
    Y c. 26 feet
    N d. 36 feet

491: A change of a documented vessel's name can only be made by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Commissioner of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

517: What is the purpose of the intermediate spring?

    N a. Serves as a backup for the main tow hawser in case of failure.
    Y b. Provides weight and flexibility to the total tow makeup.
    N c. Lengthens the main tow hawser to keep the tow in step.
    N d. Distributes the towing load.

526: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudders amidships. Your port engine stalls. To continue your course you should __________.

    Y a. apply right rudder
    N b. apply left rudder
    N c. keep your rudder amidships
    N d. increase engine speed

583: Which factor(s) must you consider when making up a towing bridle?

    N a. The horsepower of the tug
    N b. The desired amount of swing in the tow hook up
    N c. The weight of the tow
    Y d. All of the above

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

    N a. payment of monthly bills
    N b. payment of creditors
    Y c. support of a minor child
    N d. All of the above

769: The owner or Master of a towing vessel must ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel knows all of the following EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. the effects of maneuvering on the vessel and its tow
    N b. the speed and direction of any current for the area being transited
    N c. how to apply variation and deviation to readings from a magnetic compass
    Y d. the ownership of the vessel(s) being towed

906: A snag or other underwater obstruction may form a __________.

    Y a. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing upstream
    N b. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing downstream
    N c. small patch of smooth water on a windy day
    N d. smoothing out of the vessel's wake

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

951: The responsibility for maintaining the Official Logbook on voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States rests with the __________.

    N a. Chief Mate of the vessel
    Y b. Master of the vessel
    N c. Deck Officer of the watch at the time of the occurrence
    N d. Purser of the vessel

1037: After an IOPP Certificate is issued to an inspected vessel, how many other surveys of the vessel's pollution prevention equipment are conducted during the period of validity of the certificate?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

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

1290: What is NOT an advantage of double bottom ships?

    N a. The tank top forms a second skin for the vessel.
    N b. The center of gravity of a loaded bulk cargo ship may be raised to produce a more comfortable roll.
    N c. The floors and longitudinals distribute the upward push of the water on the ship's bottom.
    Y d. They are less expensive to construct because of increased access space.

1468: What will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    N b. Trimming the tow by the stern
    Y c. Stowing deck loads forward
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

1498: The biggest problem you generally encounter while towing a single tow astern is __________.

    N a. the catenary dragging on the bottom
    N b. swamping of the tow
    N c. the tow tending to dive
    Y d. yaw

1643: The splice designed to pass easily through a block is called a(n) __________.

    N a. eye splice
    N b. short splice
    Y c. long splice
    N d. block splice

1708: For the purpose of regulating tank vessels, flammable liquids are liquids which will __________.

    Y a. give off flammable vapors at or below 80°F (27°C)
    N b. have a Reid vapor pressure of 18 pounds or more
    N c. give off flammable vapors only above 80°F (27°C)
    N d. sustain combustion at a temperature at or below 100°F (38°C)

1756: When anchoring a vessel, it is best to release the anchor when __________.

    N a. going full astern
    N b. going full ahead
    Y c. going slow astern
    N d. dead in the water

1758: As operator of a 199 GT towing vessel sailing foreign, it shall be your duty to enter in the Official Logbook or other permanent record __________.

    N a. all information contained on the barge's Certificate of Inspection
    N b. the condition of all towing gear to be used
    N c. all navigational aids to be used
    Y d. the barges load line and draft readings

1771: The agency which assigns load lines and issues Load Line Certificates is the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Secretary of Commerce
    N c. U.S. Customs
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard

1949: Using a scope of 5, determine how many feet of cable you should put out to anchor in 5 fathoms of water.

    N a. 100 feet
    Y b. 150 feet
    N c. 200 feet
    N d. 250 feet

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

2064: While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

    N a. figure eight turn
    N b. Round turn
    N c. Racetrack turn
    Y d. Williamson turn

2100: The primary purpose of a load line is to establish required __________.

    Y a. minimum freeboard
    N b. GM
    N c. transverse stability
    N d. fresh water allowances

2113: One major advantage of the round turn maneuver in a man overboard situation is that it __________.

    Y a. is the fastest method
    N b. is easy for a single-screw vessel to perform
    N c. requires the least shiphandling skills to perform
    N d. can be used in reduced visibility

2116: What is the name of tackle number 10 in illustration DO29DG? (DO29DG )

    N a. Two-two purchase
    N b. Deck purchase
    Y c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. Double runner

2136: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required pilot is TRUE?

    Y a. The pilot need only be licensed by the Coast Guard.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    N c. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia and Maryland.
    N d. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.

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

2174: A vessel puts into the port of Kobe, Japan to discharge cargo. While awaiting completion of the cargo operation, the vessel contracts with a local shipyard to have the hull chipped, scaled, and painted. How is the cost of this maintenance handled with the Collector of Customs?

    Y a. A declaration is required and duty is involved on the total cost.
    N b. No declaration is required since this is considered routine maintenance.
    N c. A declaration is made and duty is charged on the materials only.
    N d. A declaration is made, but duty is charged on the labor only.

2286: Cargo that is highly susceptible to damage by tainting from odorous cargo is called __________.

    N a. clean cargo
    Y b. delicate cargo
    N c. dry cargo
    N d. immune cargo

2286: Cargo that is highly susceptible to damage by tainting from odorous cargo is called __________.

    N a. clean cargo
    Y b. delicate cargo
    N c. dry cargo
    N d. immune cargo

2459: Tripping defects in anchors frequently occur in __________.

    N a. deep water
    N b. shallow water
    N c. stiff soils
    Y d. soft soils

2488: A vessel is constructed with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The aluminum will provide greater resistance to the spread of fire by conduction.
    Y b. The aluminum structure is usually attached to a steel coaming by a method that insulates the two metals.
    N c. If the superstructure is stressed, an aluminum structure requires additional expansion joints to prevent fracture.
    N d. The steel at the area of the aluminum-to-steel connection must be closely checked for galvanic corrosion.

2490: The best method of protecting that portion of a fiber anchor line nearest the anchor from chafing on the bottom is by __________.

    N a. using a small scope ratio
    Y b. replacing that portion with a short length of chain
    N c. using a hockle to keep that portion of the anchor line off the bottom
    N d. using a synthetic line

2502: A tow of 9 barges is made up three abreast by three long. The towboat is faced up to the last barge of the center string. The outer two strings of barges are the __________.

    N a. port and starboard strings
    N b. outer strings
    Y c. drag strings
    N d. side strings

2528: Which entry on a dangerous cargo manifest concerning the classification of a cargo is correct?

    Y a. Class 8
    N b. Class 3 - flammable liquid
    N c. Division 2.2 - nonflammable gas
    N d. All of the above are correct

2548: What is the accepted standard for wire rope falls used in connection with the lifeboat gear?

    N a. Six by seven galvanized wire rope
    N b. Six by twenty-four improved plow steel wire rope
    N c. Six by thirty-seven preformed fiber-core wire rope
    Y d. Six by nineteen regular-lay filler wire rope

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.

2817: The command "meet her" means the helmsman should __________.

    N a. decrease the rudder angle
    N b. steer more carefully
    Y c. use rudder to slow the vessel's swing
    N d. note the course and steady on that heading

2920: You are on a large vessel fitted with a right-handed controllable-pitch propeller. When making large speed changes while decreasing pitch, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You will probably have full directional control throughout the speed change.
    Y b. You may lose rudder control until the ship's speed has dropped to correspond to propeller speed.
    N c. The stern will immediately slew to starboard due to unbalanced forces acting on the propeller.
    N d. The stern will immediately slew to port due to unbalanced forces acting on the propeller.

3008: A list signal of one white light indicates that the vessel is __________.

    N a. on an even keel
    Y b. listing about 1° to the side the light is displayed on
    N c. listing over 5°With the light displayed on the high side
    N d. listing, and the chutes should be directed to the side where the light is displayed

3220: If you are guilty of failure to properly perform your duties as Master of Uninspected Towing Vessels, which of the following actions may NOT be taken?

    N a. Issuance of a letter of warning
    N b. Suspension of your license
    N c. Revocation of your license
    Y d. A fine placed against your license

3447: The best method to secure a tow line to a cleat is to __________.

    Y a. take a turn around the cleat, then figure-eights, and a half-hitch
    N b. make figure-eights, followed by a half-hitch, then a figure-eight knot
    N c. take a turn, a half turn, and a figure-eight
    N d. take several turns around the cleat only

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

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

3519: Strengthening damaged bulkheads by using wood or steel is called __________.

    N a. bracing
    N b. battening
    N c. blocking
    Y d. shoring

3586: The last shot of an anchor cable is usually painted __________.

    N a. white
    N b. international orange
    N c. yellow
    Y d. red

4040: When towing another vessel astern, the length of the towline should be __________.

    N a. as long as possible
    N b. such that one vessel will be on a crest while the other is in a trough
    Y c. such that the vessels will be "in step"
    N d. not over two wave lengths in seas up to 10 feet

4059: A 750 foot passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes, not subject to SOLAS regulations, is required to carry how many ring life buoys?

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

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

4115: Entries should be made in a Ro-Ro vessel’s cargo-securing device record book for __________.

    N a. procedures for accepting cargo securing devices
    N b. procedures for maintaining and repairing cargo-securing devices
    N c. record of cargo securing device inspections
    Y d. All of the above

4172: What should be done after putting down the ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on red cargo light.
    Y b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    N d. None of the above

4225: What does item "G" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Mast
    N b. Pillar
    Y c. Turntable
    N d. Pedestal

4235: What describes a twin crane lift?

    N a. Single crane hoisting 30 tons
    Y b. Two cranes on a single pedestal hoisting 60 tons
    N c. Two sets of twin cranes hoisting 120 tons
    N d. All of the above

4268: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    Y b. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor.
    N d. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance.

4281: 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.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for positioning the crane pedestal.
    Y c. Taglines can be fastened to the corners of vehicles or containers during cargo operations.
    N d. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the topping lift.