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.


27: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.


70: You are on a tankship designed to carry molten sulfur. Which statement is TRUE?


164: A look-out should report objects sighted using __________.


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

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

314: "Avast" means __________.

    N a. let go
    N b. pull
    N c. slack off
    Y d. stop

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

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

579: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge, and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction
    N d. ship's pump speeding up

626: What should NOT be used as an indicator that ice may be

    Y a.
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

670: You must evacuate a seaman by helicopter lift. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The ship should be stopped with the wind off the beam while the helicopter is hovering overhead.
    N b. The basket or stretcher must not be allowed to touch the deck.
    N c. The tending line of the litter basket should be secured to the ship beyond the radius of the helicopter blades.
    Y d. The hoist line should be slack before the basket or stretcher is hooked on.

678: Prior to being able to sail, each vessel that carries grain in bulk must have a certificate of loading issued by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Lloyds of London
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. U.S. Salvage

685: Which type of ballast is most commonly used in barges and ships?

    Y a. Water
    N b. Oil
    N c. Concrete and barite
    N d. Sand, rock and gravel

834: A whipping on a fiber line __________.

    Y a. keeps the ends from fraying
    N b. strengthens it
    N c. protects your hands
    N d. becomes part of a splice

970: What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

    Y a. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
    N b. Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
    N c. Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
    N d. There is no difference.

1042: Your vessel has the symbol shown inscribed on the sides amidships. Which statement is TRUE? (D022DG )

    N a. This line represents the load line mark for a Great Lakes voyage.
    Y b. The gross and net tonnage of the ship will change if this mark is submerged and the load line is visible.
    N c. The line directly under the triangle is at the same level as the summer load line.
    N d. This is the equivalent of a load line marking for government (CofE, NOAA, MSC) vessels.

1085: Which of the following statements concerning the rigging of bosuns' chairs and their use is TRUE?

    N a. Always secure the gantline to the chair with a bowline.
    N b. Always have the chair hoisted with at least three turns on a winch drum.
    Y c. Any tools, paint pots etc. should be secured by lanyards.
    N d. When riding a stay, make sure that the bow of the shackle passes through the becket of the bridle.

1115: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y b. draw a line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N d. erase the entry and rewrite

1118: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N b. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    Y c. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N d. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requiring repairs costing $19,000.

1125: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    Y a. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N b. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. at the hawsepipe
    N d. near the stern

1193: The main advantage of a Chinese stopper over the one line stopper is that it __________.

    Y a. will not jam on the mooring line
    N b. is stronger
    N c. is easier to use when under heavy tension
    N d. is safer to use when under heavy tension

1253: You are preparing to relieve the mate on watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.

    N a. during an engine speed change
    N b. while the Master is on the bridge
    Y c. during a collision avoidance maneuver
    N d. All of the above

1283: Which statement about the fo'c'sle card is TRUE?

    N a. The fo'c'sle card is a blank sample of the articles.
    N b. It contains copies of the crew's signatures from the articles.
    Y c. Is an exact copy of shipping articles.
    N d. Each crewmember is given a copy of the fo'c'sle card.

1292: The Articles of Agreement __________.

    N a. is also known as a Merchant Mariner's Document
    N b. designates the quarters a seaman will occupy during a voyage
    Y c. advises the crew of the conditions of employment
    N d. are signed by each crewmember at the end of the voyage

1448: Nylon line is better suited than manila for __________.

    N a. towing alongside
    Y b. towing astern
    N c. holding knots and splices
    N d. resisting damage from chemicals

1459: When handling cargo, the majority of cargo gear breakdowns is due to __________.

    N a. compression bending of the boom
    N b. extension failure of the boom
    Y c. guy failures
    N d. topping lift failures

1530: Shell plating is __________.

    N a. the galvanizing on steel
    N b. a hatch cover
    Y c. the outer plating of a vessel
    N d. synonymous with decking

1586: By paying out more anchor cable, you __________.

    N a. decrease the holding power of your anchor
    N b. decrease the swing of your vessel while at anchor
    Y c. increase the holding power of your anchor
    N d. increase the possibility that your vessel will drag anchor

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

1729: The greatest strain, when lifting a load with the jumbo purchase, is on __________.

    N a. all of the parts, dividing the load equally
    Y b. the hauling part because it must absorb the frictional losses of all the sheaves
    N c. the parts in the movable block
    N d. the standing part because it is directly connected to the weight

1779: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 58°, and the wet bulb temperature is 53°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 56%
    N b. 61%
    N c. 66%
    Y d. 75%

1950: You are proceeding to a distress site and expect large numbers of people in the water. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the survivors in the water and only use the ship's boats to recover the survivors.
    N b. If the survivors are in inflatable rafts you should approach from windward to create a lee for the survivors.
    Y c. An inflatable liferaft secured alongside can be an effective boarding station for transfer of survivors from the boats.
    N d. Survivors in the water should never be permitted alongside due to the possibility of injury from the vessel.

1951: A case received for shipment is marked as shown. The portion of the symbol indicated by the letter A is _______ . (D043DG )

    Y a. a stowage sequence marking
    N b. the consignee's marking
    N c. a stowage mark, showing the top of the case
    N d. the symbol for toxic contents

1975: The knot lettered F in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. becket bend
    N b. square knot
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. round turn and two half hitches

2074: You are proceeding to a distress site. The survivors are in liferafts. What will make your ship more visible to the survivors?

    N a. Steering a sinuous course
    N b. Steering a zig-zag course
    Y c. Turning on all available deck lights at night
    N d. Dumping debris over the side to make a trail to your vessel

2084: A copy of the Articles of Agreement, less the signatures, is required to be posted. This document is called the __________.

    Y a. Fo'c'sle Card
    N b. Articles Copy
    N c. Voyage Agreement
    N d. Shipping Articles

2109: What is NOT an item that requires the vessel to be dry-docked?

    N a. Inspection of tail shaft liner
    N b. Repacking and grinding of skin valves
    Y c. Verification of load line measurements
    N d. Belt gauging

2158: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2196: You are using tackle number 10 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 4. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 24
    Y b. 20
    N c. 13
    N d. 9

2259: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    N a. 490 yards
    N b. 350 yards
    Y c. 800 yards
    N d. 885 yards

2282: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 77° and the wet bulb temperature is 69°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 67%
    N b. 70%
    N c. 77%
    N d. 81%

2290: The sprocket teeth on a wildcat are known as the __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. devil's claws
    Y c. whelps
    N d. pockets

2354: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 21 feet after a sector of 72° has been removed?

    Y a. 277.09 square ft.
    N b. 149.43 square ft.
    N c. 69.27 square ft.
    N d. 52.78 square ft.

2508: What is required to launch a boat stowed in a crescent davit?

    N a. Hoist the boat clear of the cradle.
    N b. Release the outboard part of the cradle.
    N c. Rig the tricing lines.
    Y d. Crank the crescent out.

2824: While being assisted by an icebreaker on Lake Superior, you receive a single letter code instructing you to slow your vessel. Which signal could you use to signify that you are complying with the request?

    N a. Three blasts of the whistle
    N b. The code flag "A" (Alpha) displayed from a halyard
    Y c. Four blasts of the whistle, namely 1 short 2 long and 1 short
    N d. The code flag "L" (Lima) displayed from a halyard

2832: You are transiting the Straits of Mackinac by way of an improved channel. You have information which indicates that the channel's Federal project depth is 28 ft. Which of the following statements is true with regards to this channel?

    N a. The least depth within the limits of the channel is 28 ft.
    Y b. The design dredging depth of the channel is 28 ft.
    N c. The channel has 28 ft. in the center but lesser depths may exist in the remainder of the channel.
    N d. The maximum depth which may be expected within the limits of the channel is 28 ft.

3054: The phenomenon known as a "seiche" is most likely to occur on Lake Erie __________.

    N a. during the passage of a rapidly moving warm front
    Y b. when strong winds from the Northeast suddenly diminish
    N c. during the months of May through August
    N d. when the Moon and Sun are in alignment

3066: A list man would expect to see any of the following light signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. two red lights
    N b. one green light
    N c. one white light
    Y d. one amber light

3208: 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. 72.42 numeral
    Y b. 78.98 numeral
    N c. 83.46 numeral
    N d. 91.48 numeral

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3252: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended and is pointing his finger in the direction to move the boom. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend
    N b. lower
    N c. hoist
    Y d. swing

3291: The riding pawl is __________.

    N a. a safety interlock in a cargo winch that prevents the runner from overspeeding
    Y b. a stopper that prevents the anchor cable from running free if the cable jumps the wildcat
    N c. the device that locks the deck lashings of the Peck and Hale system
    N d. the lug that rides on the eccentric rib and engages the locking ring on the windlass

3320: Which type of bottom is best suited for holding an anchor of a small boat?

    Y a. Mud and clay
    N b. Rocky
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Gravel

3454: For any given pedestal crane, when the boom is lengthened, the lifting capacity is __________.

    N a. unchanged
    N b. increased
    N c. eliminated
    Y d. decreased

3504: Metal plates that cover the top of the hawsepipe are called __________.

    N a. footings
    N b. plugs
    Y c. buckler plates
    N d. stop waters

3556: The choice of length of tow bridle legs is governed by the __________.

    N a. expected towing forces
    N b. capability of retrieving gear
    N c. freeboard of the unit being towed
    Y d. need to reduce yaw

3556: The choice of length of tow bridle legs is governed by the __________.

    N a. expected towing forces
    N b. capability of retrieving gear
    N c. freeboard of the unit being towed
    Y d. need to reduce yaw

3612: Buckler plates are __________.

    N a. triangular-shaped plates connecting the bull chain to the topping lift
    Y b. metal plates secured over the tops of the hawsepipes
    N c. faired shell plates with curvature in two directions
    N d. sheets of dunnage used to prevent heavy cargo from buckling the deck plates

4205: Which piece of equipment is required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    N a. Portable power swivel
    Y b. Equalizing beam
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. 40-foot container spreader

4245: What is meant by the term "level-luffing" a crane?

    Y a. Luffing while the load remains at a constant height
    N b. Maintaining the boom at a constant height
    N c. Slewing the boom left or right in a level planet
    N d. None of the above

4249: Which action(s) are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation of the anchor windlass
    N b. Preparing steam on deck
    Y c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    N d. All of the above