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.


9: Defense plans may cause the operation of electronic aids to navigation to be suspended with __________.


104: You are on watch at sea at night when a fire breaks out in #3 hold just forward of the bridge. You would NOT __________.


221: A vessel arrives in a foreign port and the Master is informed that the vessel is being sold to foreign interests. The new owners request that the crew remain on board to complete the voyage. Under these circumstances, the crew __________.


229: Which refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

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

463: A tow span __________.

    N a. prevents the towing hawser from snagging any equipment or gear on deck
    N b. may be equipped with a greased, free sliding spool to fairlead the towing hawser
    N c. allows the crew access to the fantail and to move safely on deck aft of the towing bitts or winch
    Y d. All of the above

489: Your tank vessel is fully loaded, and you find that she is down slightly by the head. To adjust the trim, you may __________.

    N a. add ballast aft
    N b. load more cargo aft
    Y c. shift cargo aft
    N d. All of the above

533: A towing hook may be released from the __________.

    N a. tug's engineroom or the bow
    Y b. pilot house or aft steering station
    N c. forecastle
    N d. towing bitts by reaching over and releasing a lever

538: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 80°F (27°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 70°F (21°C), what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 45%
    N b. 52%
    Y c. 58%
    N d. 65%

557: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    Y d. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

649: Before a tank is to be crude oil washed, the oxygen content in the tank must be measured at a position __________.

    N a. immediately above the level of the oil
    N b. at the top of the tank
    N c. in the vent riser
    Y d. one meter from the deck

675: An advantage of the modified Christmas Tree towing method is to __________.

    N a. increase the towing hawser's catenary and provide more spring
    Y b. reduce catenary, allow operation in shallower water, and to release one barge without breaking up the entire tow
    N c. enable one tug and its crew without any outside assistance to make up or break down the tow
    N d. provide rapid delivery of logs from the northwestern United States to Hawaiian sawmills

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It forces the bow away from the bank.
    N b. It forces the stern away from the bank.
    N c. It forces the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

703: The operator of an uninspected vessel MUST assist people affected by an accident if he or she can do so without __________.

    Y a. serious danger to his or her own vessel
    N b. further damaging the other vessel
    N c. undue delay
    N d. creating a panic on either vessel

1086: When taking a Pilot from a pilot vessel in a seaway, which way should you head your vessel if the ladder is on the leeward side?

    N a. Bow to the sea and no way on your vessel
    N b. Sea on the lee quarter with ship moving ahead slowly
    Y c. Sea on the weather bow and ship moving ahead slowly
    N d. Sea on the quarter with sternway on the ship

1107: You are rigging a stage over the vessel's side and are securing the downhaul with lowering turns at your end of the stage. When finished, the remainder of the line should be __________.

    Y a. lowered down into the water
    N b. coiled on the stage with the bitter end on the bottom
    N c. coiled on the stage with the bitter end on top
    N d. coiled on deck to be slacked down by a seaman as needed

1158: A vessel loads 100 tons of glass jars. The mate on watch discovers that some of the cartons have been damaged and has an exception made on the Bill of Lading. What is this document called?

    N a. Damage Bill of Lading
    N b. Letter of Indemnity
    N c. Non-negotiable Bill of Lading
    Y d. Unclean Bill of Lading

1171: If you intend to land tulip bulbs from Holland in a U.S. port, they must be inspected by the __________.

    Y a. Animal and Plant Health Service Inspector
    N b. Captain of the Port personnel
    N c. Quarantine Officer
    N d. All of the above

1172: You are making a sharp turn in a channel and using a buoy four points on the bow to gauge your rate of turn. If you observe the buoy moving aft relative to you, what should you do?

    Y a. Increase the rate of turn
    N b. Decrease the rate of turn
    N c. Maintain a constant rate of turn
    N d. Decrease speed

1224: Which is NOT a recommended practice when handling nylon line?

    N a. Nylon lines which become slippery because of oil or grease should be scrubbed down.
    Y b. Manila line stoppers should be used for holding nylon hawsers.
    N c. When easing out nylon line, keep an extra turn on the bitt to prevent slipping.
    N d. Iced-over nylon lines should be thawed and drained before stowing.

1361: On a voyage charter, when a vessel is ready to load cargo, the Master should render to the charterer a __________.

    Y a. Notice of Readiness
    N b. Master Certificate of Service
    N c. Shipmasters Declaration
    N d. Vessel Utilization and Performance Report

1435: Which letter shown represents a clove hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. X
    N b. U
    N c. T
    N d. R

1595: Which picture represents a barrel hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. O
    N b. U
    N c. E
    N d. P

1741: The load line regulations are administered by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Maritime Administration
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1776: When anchoring in calm water, it is best to __________.

    N a. maintain slight headway when letting go the anchor
    N b. wait until the vessel is dead in the water before letting go the anchor
    Y c. have slight sternway on the vessel while letting go the anchor
    N d. let the anchor go from the stern with the anchor cable leading from the bow

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

1852: What is normally used to pass a mooring line to a dock?

    N a. Distance line
    N b. Gantline
    Y c. Heaving line
    N d. Tag line

1997: What is the name of tackle number 12? (DO29DG )

    Y a. Threefold purchase
    N b. Davit tackle
    N c. Deck tackle
    N d. Gin tackle

2053: A mooring line leading 45° to the keel, used to check forward or astern movement of a vessel, is called a __________.

    Y a. spring line
    N b. warp line
    N c. bow line
    N d. breast line

2085: What purpose does a bridge fitting serve when lashing containers?

    N a. Ties a container stack to the deck
    N b. Ties a container to the container below it
    N c. Restrains racking loads
    Y d. Restrains the container against horizontal motion

2111: You are anchoring in 16 fathoms of water. On a small to medium size vessel, the __________.

    N a. anchor may be dropped from the hawsepipe
    Y b. anchor should be lowered to within 2 fathoms of the bottom before being dropped
    N c. scope should always be at least ten times the depth of the water
    N d. scope should always be less than 5 times the depth of the water

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

2133: The S.S. Hollowpoint has a charter party in which the charterer assumes no responsibility for the operation of the vessel but pays stevedoring expenses. What is the name of the charter party?

    N a. Bareboat
    N b. Dispatch
    Y c. Voyage
    N d. Demise

2156: You are standing watch on entering port and the Master gives a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should ensure the helmsman __________.

    Y a. obeys the Master
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. brings the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting positions
    N d. asks the Pilot if he has relinquished control

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

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

2263: You are using tackle number 1 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 100 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 55 lbs.
    N c. 100 lbs.
    Y d. 110 lbs.

2266: Your vessel has been damaged and is partially flooded. The first step to be taken in attempting to save the vessel is to __________.

    Y a. establish flooding boundaries and prevent further spread of flood water
    N b. plug the hole(s) in the outer shell
    N c. pump out the water inside the vessel
    N d. calculate the free surface effect and lost buoyancy to determine the vessel's stability

2510: Mooring lines should be turned end-for-end occasionally. This is because __________.

    N a. a line is weakened by constantly pulling on it in one direction
    Y b. normal wear on the line is thus distributed to different areas
    N c. it prevents the line from kinking or unlaying
    N d. it prevents permanent misalignment of the line's internal strands

2580: You want to double the strength of a mooring line by using two lines. To accomplish this, the second line must __________.

    N a. be 1 1/2 times the diameter of the first
    N b. be married to the first
    N c. not cross the first
    Y d. be of the same length

2581: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It pulls the stern toward the bank.
    N b. It heels the vessel toward the bank.
    N c. It pushes the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It pulls the bow toward the bank.

2590: Which method of adjusting mooring lines is MOST useful for leaving a boat free to rise and fall with the tide?

    Y a. Crossing the spring lines
    N b. Slacking all forward running lines while keeping all after running lines taut
    N c. Doubling up on spring or breast lines
    N d. Slacking bow and stern lines

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

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

2988: You are mooring to a buoy. You should approach the buoy with the current from __________.

    Y a. ahead
    N b. broad on the bow
    N c. abeam
    N d. astern

3000: The pipe used to connect two separate piping systems on a tank vessel is known as a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. transfer
    N c. connection
    N d. junction

3058: Which type of ice is the most difficult to combat and presents the greatest hazard to shipping on the Great Lakes during the winter months?

    N a. Icebergs
    N b. Fast ice
    N c. Slow ice
    Y d. Pack slush ice

3338: What is used to prevent wear on towlines that bear on hard surfaces?

    Y a. Chafing gear
    N b. Chocks
    N c. Grease
    N d. Boots

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

3449: What term indicates an inward curvature of the ship's hull above the waterline?

    N a. Camber
    Y b. Tumble home
    N c. Deadrise
    N d. Flare

3484: You are on watch and see a man fall overboard. Which man- overboard turn should NOT be used in this situation?

    Y a. Scharnow
    N b. Single turn
    N c. Racetrack
    N d. Williamson

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

3644: You are drifting in a locale where there is no current. As a rule, your vessel will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

3652: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses in the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    N b. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is less at 20°.
    Y d. The stress on the masthead fairlead for the topping lift is greater at 20°.

4061: The two factors which make underwater hull repair difficult are accessibility and the __________.

    N a. availability of tools
    N b. shape of the hull
    Y c. pressure exerted by the water
    N d. threat of progressive flooding

4171: While loading or discharging vehicles, which is the most important safety consideration aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Preventing the asphyxiation of personnel below decks
    N b. Notifying the engine room prior to completing operations
    N c. Calling out the deck department for all hands periodically
    N d. Ensuring that a fuel barge cannot come alongside

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

4264: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment need not be checked prior to commencing a lift.
    N b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting need not be secured.
    Y c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    N d. All the above

4272: Which action should be taken immediately by the operator of a pedestal crane, if crane control is lost?

    N a. Increase power to the crane to regain control.
    N b. Place control levers in opposite positions.
    Y c. Let go of both control levers and return to the neutral positions.
    N d. Check the circuit breakers.

4275: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Lightning
    N b. High winds
    N c. Fire aboard
    Y d. All of the above

4391: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    N b. the amount of ballast on board
    Y c. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N d. an evaluation of who was at fault