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.


64: Which statement about damage control is TRUE?


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?


151: The forecastle card is a copy of the __________.


257: The distance between the surface of the liquid and the tank top in a cargo tank is called __________.

    N a. thievage
    N b. innage
    Y c. ullage
    N d. tankage

434: To "belay" a line means to __________.

    N a. coil it down
    N b. heave it taut
    N c. stow it below
    Y d. secure it to a cleat

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

522: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one Mate of Towing Vessels and four (4) seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

    N a. 4
    N b. 3
    Y c. 2
    N d. 1

634: The "iron mike" is a(n) __________.

    N a. pilot
    N b. speaker
    N c. standby wheel
    Y d. automatic pilot

688: Who would normally certify that all preparations have been made and all regulations observed prior to loading a cargo of bulk grain?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Master of the vessel

715: The term "overriding" or "overrunning" when applied to towing, implies that __________.

    N a. there is more crew on board than required
    Y b. the tow has overtaken its tug
    N c. the towing hawser comes out of the water
    N d. the Norman pins are not effective

818: Your vessel has a deadweight capacity of 5000 tons and a cubic capacity of 300,000 cu. ft. You are to load lead, with a stowage factor of 18, and cotton, with a stowage factor of 80. If you load full and down, how much cotton should you load?

    N a. 1613 tons
    N b. 2190 tons
    N c. 2810 tons
    Y d. 3387 tons

866: For the deepest water when rounding a bend in a river, you should navigate your vessel __________.

    N a. toward the inside of the bend
    Y b. toward the outside of the bend
    N c. toward the center of the river just before the bend, then change course for the river's center after the bend
    N d. in the river's center

919: A deepwell pump is a type of __________.

    N a. screw pump
    Y b. centrifugal pump
    N c. eductor
    N d. gear pump

984: To coil a right-laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.

    Y a. a clockwise direction
    N b. a counterclockwise direction
    N c. alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions
    N d. either a clockwise or counterclockwise directions

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

    N a. 29.49 numeral
    Y b. 31.97 numeral
    N c. 33.61 numeral
    N d. 35.12 numeral

1029: When cleaning a tank by the Butterworth process, you should begin to pump out the slops __________.

    N a. at the end of the drop schedule
    Y b. when the process is started
    N c. when the process is finished
    N d. when the tank is clean

1054: Which mooring line has the least elasticity?

    Y a. Dacron
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Esterlene
    N d. Polypropylene

1089: The system of valves and cargo lines in the bottom piping network of a tank vessel that connects one section of cargo tanks to another section is called a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. runaround
    N c. come-along
    N d. manifold

1103: What should you inspect to be sure that it is safe to go aloft in a bosun's chair?

    N a. The gantline
    N b. The tail block
    N c. The chair and bridle
    Y d. All of the above

1146: While your vessel is docked port side to a wharf, a sudden gale force wind causes the vessel's bow lines to part. The bow begins to fall away from the dock, and no tugs are immediately available. Which measure(s) should you take FIRST?

    N a. Call the Master and the deck gang.
    N b. Slip the stern lines, let the vessel drift into the river, and then anchor.
    Y c. Let go the starboard anchor.
    N d. Obtain assistance and attempt to put some new bow lines out.

1215: What is an advantage in the use of a towing hook?

    N a. To prevent the tug from becoming tripped
    N b. To quickly connect or release a tow, especially a sinking tow
    N c. To facilitate berthing maneuvers
    Y d. All of the above

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

1293: What is required to be posted in the pilothouse of a vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Officer's licenses
    N c. Company Mission Statement
    Y d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1323: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    Y a. decrease the rudder angle
    N b. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    N d. steer the course which is your present heading

1325: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. Crew list
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    N d. fo'c'sle card

1424: A wire rope for a 10-ton boom on a vessel shows signs of excessive wear and must be replaced. What safety factor should be used when ordering a new wire?

    N a. 4
    Y b. 5
    N c. 6
    N d. 7

1626: Using a scope of 6, determine how many feet of anchor cable you should put out to anchor in 12 feet (3.7 meters) of water.

    N a. 2 feet (0.6 meters)
    N b. 18 feet (5.5 meters)
    N c. 48 feet (14.6 meters)
    Y d. 72 feet (21.9 meters)

1672: You are to load a consignment of lumber. Each piece measures 2-inches thick, 10-inches wide and 16-feet long. There are 30,000 pieces in the shipment. How many board feet would be listed on the Bill of Lading?

    Y a. 800,000
    N b. 1,200,000
    N c. 1,440,000
    N d. 14,400,000

1722: 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
    Y b. 1 to 6 hours
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

1764: The "square knot" is used for __________.

    N a. forming temporary eyes in lines
    Y b. joining two lines of equal size
    N c. keeping line from unlaying or fraying
    N d. joining two lines of different size

1775: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2224 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Hexanol
    N b. Acrylic acid
    Y c. Benzonitrile
    N d. Propadiene, inhibited

1842: The knot shown lettered W is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. clove hitch
    Y b. square knot
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper knot

1858: The easiest way to anchor a vessel in a current is to __________.

    N a. stem the current and make very slow headway when the anchor is dropped
    Y b. stem the current and be falling aft very slowly when the anchor is dropped
    N c. stem the current and endeavor to make neither headway nor sternway when the anchor is dropped
    N d. stop all headway through the water and keep the current astern when the anchor is dropped

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

1919: The disadvantage of using three strand nylon line for towing is its __________.

    N a. inherent weakness
    N b. tendency to rot if left damp
    Y c. danger to crew if it parts
    N d. strength and shock absorbing abilities

1966: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

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

2035: A seaman signed on articles on 16 January 1987 and signed off on 2 March 1987. How should you enter this under the Time of Service column in the articles?

    N a. 1 Month 18 Days
    N b. 1 Month 16 Days
    N c. 2 Months
    Y d. 46 Days

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

2178: Segregation of cargoes refers to __________.

    Y a. separating cargoes so that the inherent characteristics of one cannot damage the other
    N b. separating cargoes by destination
    N c. classifying cargoes according to their toxicity
    N d. listing the cargoes in order of their flammability

2240: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 1? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1
    N c. 1.5
    N d. 2

2342: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 3 feet and a length of 8 feet?

    Y a. 1.62
    N b. 1.98
    N c. 3.23
    N d. 6.46

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

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

2566: The welds used to join shell plates in flush construction are known as __________.

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

2690: When must the Master of a vessel log the position of load line marks in relation to the surface of the water in the Official Logbook?

    N a. Once a day
    N b. At the change of every watch
    N c. Only when in fresh or brackish water
    Y d. Prior to getting underway

2979: Which statement about shipping coal is TRUE?

    N a. Anthracite will generate more methane than bituminous coal.
    N b. Coal should not be shipped while wet.
    Y c. Coal should be surface ventilated to remove methane gas.
    N d. The methane gas generated by coal will react with moisture on the ship's structure and accelerate corrosion.

3167: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

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

3347: The opening in the deck beneath the anchor windlass that leads to the chain locker is the __________.

    N a. hawsepipe
    N b. fallpipe
    N c. drop-pipe
    Y d. spill pipe

3372: The lead of a tow bridle is usually redirected with a __________.

    N a. bollard
    Y b. chock
    N c. pad eye
    N d. devil's claw

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3770: SOLAS requires a lifesaving training manual be provided in each crew cabin or in the __________.

    N a. bridge
    N b. engineering control station
    Y c. recreation and messrooms
    N d. fire control room

4007: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    Y a. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N b. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

4012: The purpose of item G is to __________. (D024DG )

    N a. distribute the vessel's thrust over a wider area
    N b. prevent the towboat from capsizing if item I should part
    Y c. prevent the knee from shifting when the rudder is put hard over
    N d. keep the barges from shifting fore and aft

4104: The primary objective of a Ro-Ro vessel is to __________.

    N a. transfer containers without chassis
    N b. load the vessel with palletized cargo
    Y c. transport vehicles
    N d. be loaded full and down to her marks

4104: The primary objective of a Ro-Ro vessel is to __________.

    N a. transfer containers without chassis
    N b. load the vessel with palletized cargo
    Y c. transport vehicles
    N d. be loaded full and down to her marks

4104: The primary objective of a Ro-Ro vessel is to __________.

    N a. transfer containers without chassis
    N b. load the vessel with palletized cargo
    Y c. transport vehicles
    N d. be loaded full and down to her marks

4105: Cargo that is suitable for carriage on Ro-Ro vessels includes __________.

    N a. trailers
    N b. rolling vehicles
    N c. containers
    Y d. All of the above

4128: Which of the following lashing materials would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Webbing
    N c. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N d. All of the above

4135: An advantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    Y a. has long life
    N b. is light weight
    N c. absorbs shock
    N d. has fine adjustment

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.

4378: Which statement concerning an automatic towing engine is FALSE?

    N a. It automatically maintains tow line tension.
    N b. It prolongs the life of the hawser by distributing chafing as the hawser is paid out and taken in.
    Y c. As tension on the hawser increases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine.
    N d. As tension on the hawser decreases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine.