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.


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


197: Serving is __________.


201: Your vessel is in a foreign port and you find that one of the crew members has been incarcerated for drunkenness. The Official Logbook shows that the seaman doesn't have funds to cover the costs of the fine. Which action should the Master take?


212: Your vessel is port side to a pier with a spring line led aft from the bow. In calm weather, putting the engines ahead with the rudder hard left should bring __________.

    Y a. the bow in and the stern out
    N b. both the bow and stern in
    N c. the bow out and the stern in
    N d. both the bow and stern out

243: A towing vessel becomes tripped while towing on a hawser astern. What factor is MOST important when assessing the risk of capsizing?

    N a. Length of the towline
    Y b. Height of the towline connection
    N c. Longitudinal position of the towline connection
    N d. Direction of opposing force

342: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker with orders to load diethylamine. What is NOT a requirement for transporting this cargo?

    N a. You must have two toxic vapor detectors or the pumproom must meet special requirements.
    N b. Each crew member must be provided with an emergency escape breathing apparatus.
    Y c. A person taking cargo samples must wear protective clothing.
    N d. If you are also carrying allyl alcohol, the venting systems must be segregated.

344: The purpose of a bilge well is to __________.

    N a. afford access to the shell through the double bottoms
    Y b. collect water to be pumped out
    N c. provide access for the pneumercator
    N d. provide a base line for sounding measurements

386: You are maneuvering a vessel with a right-hand propeller. The rudder is amidships. The vessel will generally back __________.

    Y a. to port
    N b. to starboard
    N c. in a straight line directly astern
    N d. downstream, the stern going in the direction of the current

426: You are stopped with no way upon your vessel at the pilot station. Your vessel is a large twin-screw ship. You must come around 180° to board your Pilot. How should you use the engines and rudder to turn the ship fastest in the least amount of space?

    N a. Full ahead on the engines and hard over rudder
    N b. Full ahead on one engine, full astern on the other
    Y c. Half ahead with hard over rudder, then full astern on inboard engine
    N d. Slow ahead with hard over rudder

485: To clean a dirty fiber towing hawser used in ocean towing, you should __________.

    N a. use lye or other mild detergent
    Y b. wash it with fresh water, dry and store it
    N c. wash it with salt water
    N d. use cleaning fluid on nylon, dacron and other synthetic lines

514: The part of an anchor which takes hold on the bottom is the __________.

    N a. arm
    N b. base
    Y c. fluke
    N d. stock

577: You are signing on a crew. A man presents a Merchant Mariner's Document that you suspect has been tampered with. Which action should you take?

    N a. Confiscate the document and deliver it to the Coast Guard.
    N b. Sign the man on and notify the Coast Guard at the first U.S. port of call.
    Y c. Refuse to sign the man on articles until authorized by the Coast Guard.
    N d. Refuse to sign the man on and notify the FBI of unauthorized use of a federal document.

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

708: The National Cargo Bureau represents the __________.

    N a. agent
    N b. operator
    N c. shipper
    Y d. All of the above

727: Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?

    N a. Galley fitted with range or oven
    N b. Open structures
    N c. Passenger spaces
    Y d. Boatswain's stores

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

801: When oil is discharged overboard, an entry is required in the __________.

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

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.

1018: Which U.S. Government agency can suspend or revoke a Merchant Mariner's license for violating the load line act?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. U.S. Customs Service
    N d. U.S. Maritime Administration

1238: A contract of affreightment is a __________.

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Bottomry Bond
    N c. manifest
    N d. Portage Bill

1248: A declaration made by the Master before a U.S. Consul, giving particulars regarding heavy weather or other incidents which may have caused damage to the vessel or cargo, through no fault of the vessel, her officers, or crew is a(n) __________.

    N a. cargo addendum
    N b. exception report
    N c. Master's declaration
    Y d. note of protest

1256: You are docking an oceangoing single-screw vessel under normal circumstances with a single tug. The tug is usually used to __________.

    Y a. control the bow and is tied to the offshore bow
    N b. control the stern and is tied to the stern on the offshore side
    N c. pull the vessel into the slip and is tied to the bow
    N d. push the ship bodily alongside and is tied to the offshore side amidships

1260: The function of the bilge keel is to __________.

    Y a. reduce the rolling of the vessel
    N b. serve as the vessel's main strength member
    N c. add strength to the bilge
    N d. protect the vessel's hull when alongside a dock

1261: A vessel operating "in class" has met all the requirements of the __________.

    Y a. ABS or similar society
    N b. insurance company
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs

1299: Which part of a conventional cargo gear rig provides for vertical control and positioning of a boom?

    N a. Cargo whip
    N b. Gooseneck fitting
    N c. Spider band
    Y d. Topping lift

1302: Reinforcing frames attached to a bulkhead on a vessel are called __________.

    N a. side longitudinals
    N b. intercostals
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. brackets

1358: Seeing that all hands are familiar with their duties, as specified in the muster list, is the responsibility of the __________.

    Y a. Master
    N b. Chief Mate
    N c. safety officer
    N d. department heads

1369: What is meant by "spotting the boom"?

    N a. Lowering it into a cradle
    Y b. Placing it in a desired position
    N c. Spotting it with wash primer and red lead
    N d. Two-blocking it

1379: The heel block is located __________.

    Y a. at the base of the boom
    N b. at the cargo hook
    N c. near the midships guy
    N d. near the spider band

1462: Two mooring lines may be placed on the same bollard and either one cast off first if __________.

    Y a. the eye of the second line is dipped
    N b. the mooring lines are doubled
    N c. the bollard has two horns
    N d. one of the lines is a breast line

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.

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

1675: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter D? (D003DG )

    Y a. Tropical load line
    N b. Summer load line
    N c. Fresh load line
    N d. Winter load line

1777: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 23 feet and a height of 14 feet?

    N a. 1,648.05 cubic ft.
    Y b. 1,938.89 cubic ft.
    N c. 2,908.33 cubic ft.
    N d. 7,755.55 cubic ft.

1905: You have a large, broken-down vessel in tow with a wire rope and anchor cable towline. Both vessels have made provision for slipping the tow in an emergency; however, unless there are special circumstances __________.

    Y a. the towing vessel should slip first
    N b. the vessel towed should slip first
    N c. they should slip simultaneously
    N d. either vessel may slip first

1959: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

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

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2063: A "spring line" is __________.

    N a. any wire rope used for mooring
    N b. a fire-warp
    Y c. a mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N d. a mooring line perpendicular to the keel

2088: You have been towing astern and have just let go the tow. Your deckhands are pulling in and faking the towline by hand on the stern. The most dangerous action to take is to __________.

    N a. continue ahead at slow speed
    N b. continue ahead at half speed
    N c. stop your engines
    Y d. back down on your engines

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

2127: The maneuver which will return your vessel to a person who has fallen overboard in the shortest time is __________.

    N a. a Williamson Turn
    N b. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    Y c. a single turn with hard rudder
    N d. two 180° turns

2164: What provides the majority of strength to an aluminum-sided container?

    N a. Corner fittings
    Y b. Framework, primarily the corner posts
    N c. Framework and siding acting as a girder
    N d. Aluminum side and end panels

2303: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. P (PRIORITY)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    Y d. O (IMMEDIATE)

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

2463: The crane manufacturer's load chart should be posted at or near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane control console

2464: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

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

2560: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 101.02 numeral
    N b. 91.36 numeral
    N c. 72.43 numeral
    Y d. 52.79 numeral

2732: Flanking rudders effect a vessel's heading because of the __________.

    Y a. effect of the propeller flow on the rudders
    N b. water flow due to the vessel's movement through the water
    N c. tunnel affect of the water flow past opposing rudders
    N d. discharge current being channeled to impinge on the vessel's deadwood

2782: What is a wet cargo?

    N a. A liquid cargo carried in the deep tanks
    Y b. A canned or bottled liquid such as beer
    N c. A cargo that contains hygroscopic moisture
    N d. A cargo particularly susceptible to damage by moisture

2933: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

3466: What is a spill pipe?

    N a. A drainage pipe that carries rain or spray from an upper deck to a lower deck
    Y b. A pipe under the anchor windlass leading to the chain locker
    N c. A chute, usually over the stern, to lead dumped garbage clear of the hull
    N d. An opening in the deck leading outside the hull

4071: The head block is located___________.

    N a. at the base of the boom
    Y b. at the head of the boom
    N c. at the head of the mast
    N d. on top of the jack staff

4106: Which of the following are considered to be "road vehicles" that can be carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Semi-trailer
    N b. Road train
    N c. Articulated road train
    Y d. All of the above

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above

4140: The disadvantage(s) of using web lashing on light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. deteriorates in sunlight
    N b. cuts on sharp edges
    N c. is vulnerable to damage and pilferage
    Y d. All of the above

4207: Which piece of equipment is required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    N a. Portable power swivel
    N b. 20-foot container spreader
    N c. 40-foot container spreader
    Y d. None of the above

4221: What does item "D" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Heel block
    N b. Gin block
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. Hook block

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

4239: Which safety precaution(s) should be observed during crane operations?

    N a. Checking for proper lifting from beneath the load during cargo operations
    Y b. Using the proper slings or other lifting devices during cargo operations
    N c. Relaying communications to port agents on the pier during cargo hoists
    N d. All of the above

4254: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. Each single boom is of the partial-level luffing type and is capable of limited rotation.
    N b. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N c. Maintenance logs and records are to be kept for each crane.
    Y d. All of the above