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.


15: Floors aboard ship are __________.


69: Ullages are measured from __________.


135: Corrosive liquids and acids should have which kind of label?


172: While a vessel is in a foreign port where there is no American Consul, a seaman becomes violent prior to sailing. The Master should __________.

    N a. call local police, put the seaman in prison ashore, and sail the vessel
    N b. pay off the seaman and make arrangements with the agent to return him to the original port of signing on in the U.S.
    Y c. put the seaman in irons and sail to the next port where there is an American Consul
    N d. send the seaman ashore and arrange with the agent to repatriate him by armed guard

172: While a vessel is in a foreign port where there is no American Consul, a seaman becomes violent prior to sailing. The Master should __________.

    N a. call local police, put the seaman in prison ashore, and sail the vessel
    N b. pay off the seaman and make arrangements with the agent to return him to the original port of signing on in the U.S.
    Y c. put the seaman in irons and sail to the next port where there is an American Consul
    N d. send the seaman ashore and arrange with the agent to repatriate him by armed guard

238: A shore is a piece of securing dunnage that __________.

    Y a. runs from a low supporting level up to the cargo at an angle
    N b. is also known as a "distance piece"
    N c. is placed on the deck under the cargo to distribute its weight evenly
    N d. is run horizontally from a support to the cargo

300: On which form do you provide a written report of Marine Casualty to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. DD 214
    Y b. CG 2692
    N c. DOT 211
    N d. CG 5511

303: What requires a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death?

    N a. Collision with a bridge
    N b. Injury beyond first aid
    N c. loss of life
    Y d. All of the above

341: The Certificate of Freeboard is the __________.

    Y a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Admeasurer's Certificate
    N d. Forecastle Card

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

    N a. Companions and booby hatches
    Y b. Chart room
    N c. Open structures
    N d. All of the above

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

    Y a. combustible liquid
    N b. flammable liquid
    N c. flammable solid
    N d. poison B

410: You are loading a cargo tank on your container ship. The tank displays the red label shown. Which statement is TRUE? (D023DG )

    Y a. The tank contains propylene.
    N b. The tank's volume is 1077 cubic feet.
    N c. There are three tanks in the shipment.
    N d. The tank contains an oxidizing material.

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

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

618: When considering a vessel's stability, which spaces in a general cargo vessel are the best locations for the carriage of bulk grain?

    Y a. Deep tanks
    N b. Lower holds
    N c. Lower holds at the ends of the vessel
    N d. 'Tween-decks

630: You are doing a Williamson turn. Your vessel has swung about 60° from the original course heading. You should __________.

    N a. put the rudder amidships and check the swing
    N b. stop the engines and prepare to maneuver to pick up the man in the water
    Y c. shift your rudder
    N d. increase to maximum speed

666: You are proceeding at a slow speed with your starboard side near the right bank of a channel. If your vessel suddenly sheers toward the opposite bank, the best maneuver would be __________.

    N a. full ahead, hard left rudder
    Y b. full ahead, hard right rudder
    N c. full astern, hard left rudder
    N d. full astern, hard right rudder

687: The damage to a vessel is over $25,000. Who must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible?

    N a. The vessel's agent
    N b. The owner of the vessel
    N c. The Master of the vessel
    Y d. Any one of the above

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

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

789: Which statement about a centrifugal cargo pump is TRUE?

    N a. It is a positive displacement pump.
    Y b. It must have a positive suction.
    N c. Increasing rotation speed will decrease discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

837: When may foreign licensed or documented personnel be employed on a US-flag towing vessel?

    Y a. While on a foreign voyage and outside US jurisdiction, in order to meet manning requirements
    N b. While operating above the US outer continental shelf
    N c. On vessels operating on domestic voyages only
    N d. Never, under any circumstances

882: The owner or Master of a towing vessel that tows astern must keep records of the towline(s) that include all of the following information EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. the towline's initial minimum breaking strength as determined by the manufacturer
    Y b. an invoice showing the cost of the towline
    N c. the towline's nautical miles of use or time in service
    N d. the history of loading of the towline

911: Which entry is NOT required in the Official Logbook?

    N a. Steering gear tests
    N b. Position of the load line and freeboard upon sailing
    Y c. Commencement and termination of cargo operations
    N d. Closure of hatches and sideports upon sailing

964: To coil a left-hand laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.

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

1045: If a hydraulic pump on a winch accidentally stops while hoisting, the load will stay suspended because __________.

    Y a. a check valve will close and prevent reverse circulation
    N b. a centrifugal counterweight counteracts the force of gravity.
    N c. the electric pump motor will cut out
    N d. the control lever will move to the stop position

1059: You are cleaning the tanks after carrying a cargo of crude oil. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Washing water should be recirculated if possible because it has the same electric potential as the cargo tank being cleaned.
    N b. The hoses to portable cleaning machines should be disconnected before the machines are removed from the tank.
    N c. The principal hazard with steaming cargo tanks is raising the ambient temperature above the flame point of the cargo residue.
    Y d. Steam cleaning and water washing are both capable of generating electrostatic charges within a tank.

1087: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    Y a. center of gravity
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

1090: A chock __________.

    N a. is a deck fitting used to shackle gear to the deck
    N b. permits easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. prevents stress concentration in the bulwark
    Y d. provides openings through the bulwark for mooring lines

1140: In a transversely framed ship, the transverse frames are supported by all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. girders
    N b. longitudinals
    N c. side stringers
    Y d. web plates

1286: The anchors should be dropped well out from the pier while at a Mediterranean moor to __________.

    N a. eliminate navigational hazards by allowing the chain to lie along the harbor bottom
    N b. increase the anchor's reliability by providing a large catenary in the chain
    Y c. permit the ship to maneuver in the stream while weighing anchors
    N d. prevent damage to the stern caused by swinging against the pier in the approach

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.

1687: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 4.2 feet?

    Y a. 26.39 ft
    N b. 21.19 ft
    N c. 17.81 ft
    N d. 13.20 ft

1707: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. What precedence would you assign this message?

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

1824: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 4.5 feet and a height of 3 feet?

    N a. 4.50 cubic ft.
    N b. 7.12 cubic ft.
    N c. 9.81 cubic ft.
    Y d. 15.90 cubic ft.

1849: The knot lettered U is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. half hitch
    N b. round knot
    N c. becket bend
    N d. plain whipping

1985: You are on a 165 foot (50.3 meters) long vessel with a draft of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and twin screws. Which statement about rescuing a survivor in the water with ship pickup is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the man and drift down on him.
    N b. You should stop with the man on your weather beam and twist the ship up to him.
    Y c. A pickup off the weather bow gives maximum maneuverability with the least possibility of injury to the man.
    N d. Ship pick up should never be used with a shallow draft vessel.

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

2120: Wale shores would be used when dry docking a vessel with __________.

    N a. tumble home
    Y b. excessive deadrise
    N c. excessive trim
    N d. a list

2179: A design modification of an anchor chain which prevents kinking is the __________.

    N a. detachable link
    Y b. stud link
    N c. Kenter link
    N d. connecting link

2238: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 12 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 18.85 square feet
    N b. 75.40 square feet
    N c. 94.25 square feet
    Y d. 376.99 square feet

2241: The letter M indicates a(n) __________. (D033DG )

    Y a. web frame
    N b. intercostal
    N c. stringer
    N d. cant frame

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

2253: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 17 feet after a sector of 57° has been removed?

    Y a. 764.17 sq. ft
    N b. 190.66 sq. ft
    N c. 145.27 sq. ft
    N d. 36.85 sq. ft

2776: How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?

    N a. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake St. Clair
    N b. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on Lake Erie
    Y c. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake Michigan
    N d. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on the New York State Barge Canal

2958: The bow thruster generally is ineffective at __________.

    Y a. over 3 knots headway
    N b. at any speed astern
    N c. at any speed ahead
    N d. over 1 knot sternway

3070: What is an advantage of a gate valve over a butterfly valve?

    Y a. Less frequent maintenance
    N b. Faster operation
    N c. Cheaper
    N d. More compact

3116: You are lifting a 5-ton weight with a single whip rove on a swinging boom set at an angle of 20° to the horizontal. Use the formula for the size of a shackle with a safe working load and determine the minimum size shackle that should be used to secure the head block to the boom?

    N a. 1 3/8 inch
    N b. 1 1/2 inch
    Y c. 1 3/4 inch
    N d. 1 7/8 inch

3141: What is NOT a securing system used on a containership?

    N a. Lashing system
    Y b. Stacking system
    N c. Locking system
    N d. Buttress system

3148: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter H is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    N c. tripping palm
    Y d. crown

3166: 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 must always take the seaman.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He may refuse to take the seaman if he is being held by shore authorities.

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

3381: A half-height container is used __________.

    N a. to carry cargoes of low density
    N b. when stowage space is limited
    Y c. to carry cargoes such as steel products or drums
    N d. to double the stowage capacity of the vessel

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

4024: An icebreaker displaying a flag hoist which consists of the code letters "WO" (Whiskey Oscar) is indicating that __________.

    Y a. icebreaker support is finished
    N b. icebreaker support is commencing
    N c. the icebreaker is icebound
    N d. the icebreaker is beset

4053: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you give this message?

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

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

4127: Which lashing device(s) would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4159: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 3.5 Tons and 20 Tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

4232: The 30 ton capacity pedestal cranes shown in the illustration can lift a maximum weight of how many tons in the twin mode? (D049DG )

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

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