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.


39: Combustible liquids are divided into how many grades?


77: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman will __________.


136: Under the federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?


196: A VLCC (100,000 DWT+) with a 30,000 Shaft Horsepower Steam Turbine is slow to respond to engine movements and has less stopping power than normal ships because it has a __________.

    N a. bigger propeller
    Y b. smaller power to weight ratio
    N c. smaller propeller
    N d. larger power to weight ratio

407: You are carrying cargoes of crotonaldehyde, phosphoric acid, and morpholine on your multiple-product tankship. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    Y a. Each of the cargoes must be segregated from the other by at least two barriers.
    N b. The minimum protective clothing required for taking samples of phosphoric acid is goggles or a face shield.
    N c. Aluminum, copper, and zinc are prohibited in all valve parts in contact with these cargoes.
    N d. The required warning sign must have the legend "cancer hazard" added to it.

429: A tank is loaded with 9,000 barrels of gasoline. The temperature of the product is 90°F (32°C), and it has a coefficient of expansion of .0008. What is the net amount of cargo loaded?

    N a. 8856 bbls
    Y b. 8784 bbls
    N c. 8820 bbls
    N d. 9216 bbls

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

490: Which agency is authorized to assist the Coast Guard in the inspection of vessels for the suitability of loading hazardous materials?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Environmental Protection Agency
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau, Inc.
    N d. U.S. Navy explosive loading details

693: The effect of excessive catenary in shallow water may be __________.

    N a. dragging the towing hawser along the bottom and chafing it
    N b. snagging sunken or submerged objects
    N c. slowing, stopping or endangering the towing operation by placing the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

742: Lighter longitudinal stiffening frames on the vessel's side plating are called __________.

    Y a. stringers
    N b. side frames
    N c. side stiffeners
    N d. intercostals

749: Butadiene, inhibited, is labeled as a __________.

    N a. combustible liquid
    Y b. flammable gas
    N c. flammable liquid
    N d. flammable solid

897: Which factor(s) might indicate that a towline should be removed from service?

    N a. Visible damage to the towline, including fishhooks.
    N b. Measurements showing a decrease in diameter.
    N c. A surface condition of corrosion and discoloration.
    Y d. All of the above

899: When must the owner or Master of a towing vessel retest a towline or remove it from service?

    Y a. When the record of its material condition lapses for 3 months or more.
    N b. After it jams on the towing winch.
    N c. After it drags on the bottom.
    N d. When it has not been used for over 60 days.

914: When natural fiber rope gets wet, the __________.

    N a. overall strength of the line will decrease
    Y b. line shrinks in length
    N c. line will become more elastic
    N d. line will be easier to handle

942: 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?

    Y a. The Master of the vessel
    N b. The Radio Officer
    N c. The Chief Officer
    N d. All of the above

1024: A natural fiber rope can be ruined by dampness because it may __________.

    Y a. rot
    N b. shrink
    N c. stretch
    N d. unlay

1060: You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.

    Y a. refuse to accept the package
    N b. note the exception(s) on the Bill of Lading
    N c. replace the packaging material before stowage
    N d. seek the approval of the USCG Captain of the Port

1088: As Master or person in charge, you must notify the U.S. Coast Guard if an injury leaves a crewman unfit to perform routine duties for more than __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 48 hours
    N c. 72 hours
    Y d. Any amount of time

1117: The knot used to form the bridle at the standing part of a gantline rigged to a stage is a __________.

    N a. sheet bend
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. bowline

1121: What should be readily available on deck while seamen are working over the side on a stage?

    Y a. Rng buoy
    N b. Fire extinguisher
    N c. First aid kit
    N d. Stokes basket

1153: What affect does shallow water have on a vessel's stopping distance?

    N a. The stopping distance is shorter.
    Y b. The stopping distance is longer.
    N c. There is no difference in the stopping distance.
    N d. The propeller is more effective when going astern in shallow water.

1233: You are on watch while your vessel is entering port with a pilot conning. The pilot gives a steering command to the helmsman who fails to acknowledge it by repeating the command. You should immediately __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    N b. ask the Pilot to repeat the command since the helmsman failed to hear it
    N c. tell the helmsman to ask the Pilot to repeat any command that he fails to hear or understand
    Y d. repeat the Pilot's command and ensure that the helmsman repeats it exactly

1296: To ensure the best results during the Mediterranean moor, the chains should __________.

    N a. be crossed around the bow
    N b. tend out at right angles to the bow
    N c. tend aft 60°From each bow
    Y d. tend forward 30° on either bow

1396: Lifting the anchor from the bottom is called __________.

    N a. broaching the anchor
    N b. shifting the anchor
    N c. walking the anchor
    Y d. weighing the anchor

1434: In the manufacture of wire rope, if the wires are shaped to conform to the curvature of the finished rope before they are laid up, the rope is called __________.

    N a. composite
    N b. left-lay
    N c. improved
    Y d. preformed

1460: Weight concentration in which area will cause a vessel's bottom to be subjected to tension stresses?

    N a. Aft
    Y b. Amidships
    N c. At both ends
    N d. Forward

1583: Which statement concerning a short splice is TRUE?

    N a. It is used to temporarily join two lines together.
    Y b. A short splice is stronger than two lines joined by a knot.
    N c. A short splice decreases the diameter of the line.
    N d. None of the above

1802: Which picture represents a bowline? (DO30DG )

    N a. G
    N b. H
    N c. L
    Y d. Q

1880: You are using tackle number 11 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 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 )

    Y a. 75 lbs.
    N b. 90 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    N d. 117 lbs.

1929: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 10 feet?

    N a. 22.44 T
    N b. 11.22 T
    N c. 7.48 T
    Y d. 5.61 T

1956: Which lien against a vessel would be settled FIRST?

    N a. Maintenance and cure
    N b. Vessel mortgage
    Y c. Salvage lien
    N d. Ship repairer's lien

2023: A mooring line leading at nearly right angles to the keel is a __________.

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

2039: There is a large shipment of case goods available to be loaded on your vessel. You are to load as many tons as possible in a hold which has 32,300 cubic feet left unfilled by cargo. Each case measures 2-feet high by 2-feet wide by 4-feet long and weighs 500 pounds. If you allow a broken stowage allowance of 10% of the 32,300 feet, what is the nearest whole number of tons which may be loaded?

    N a. 324 tons
    N b. 360 tons
    N c. 363 tons
    Y d. 406 tons

2143: Your vessel was damaged and initially assumed a significant list and trim; however, further increase has been slow. Based on this data, what should you expect?

    N a. The slowing is only temporary and the vessel will probably suddenly capsize or plunge from loss of stability due to change in the waterplane area.
    Y b. The vessel can probably be saved if further flooding can be stopped.
    N c. The vessel will continue to slowly list and/or trim due to the free surface effect and free communication effect.
    N d. The vessel will suddenly flop to the same or greater angle of list on the other side and may capsize.

2168: What is the name of tackle number 6? (DO29DG )

    N a. Triple purchase
    N b. Clew garnet tackle
    N c. Boat falls
    Y d. Threefold purchase

2222: The lower seam of the strake indicated by the letter B is sometimes riveted. This is done to __________. (D033DG )

    N a. increase the strength in a highly stressed area
    N b. provide the flexibility inherent in a riveted seam
    Y c. serve as a crack arrestor and prevent hull girder failure
    N d. reduce construction costs

2301: In towing, chocks are used to __________.

    Y a. protect the towline from chafing
    N b. secure the end of the towline on the tug
    N c. stop off the towline while retrieving it
    N d. absorb shock loading on the towline

2481: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2552: When using a Mediterranean Moor, the vessel is moored with her __________.

    N a. bow to the pier
    N b. anchors crossed
    N c. anchor chains forward, side to the pier
    Y d. stern to the pier

2632: The horizontal flat surfaces where the upper stock joins the rudder are the __________.

    N a. rudder keys
    Y b. rudder palms
    N c. lifting flanges
    N d. shoes of the rudder

2694: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. gyro error
    Y b. course per magnetic steering compass
    N c. variation
    N d. maximum rudder angle previously used

2736: Distances on the Great Lakes System are generally expressed in __________.

    N a. miles above the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway (MASLW)
    N b. miles above the head of the passes (AHP)
    N c. nautical miles
    Y d. statute miles

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

3067: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. face wire
    N b. cross wire
    Y c. scissor wire
    N d. breast wire

3132: What may prevent a tug from tripping or capsizing when towing a large vessel?

    N a. Surge lines
    Y b. Norman Pins
    N c. Under riders
    N d. Safety shackles

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

3165: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y b. use as much rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N c. use as little rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N d. advise his relief of the course being steered

3170: A license for apprentice mate (steersman) of uninspected towing vessels shall be renewed within what time period before or after the expiration date?

    N a. 30 days
    N b. 90 days
    N c. 6 months
    Y d. 12 months

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

3360: On a light tow, what could you substitute for a fishplate?

    Y a. heart-shaped shackle
    N b. pelican hook
    N c. swivel
    N d. ring

3395: The holding power of an anchor at a given scope of cable increases when the __________.

    Y a. amount of chain lying along the bottom increases
    N b. length of the catenary is reduced
    N c. mooring line tension is increased
    N d. amount of chain lying along the bottom decreases

3840: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on 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 thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    Y c. The stress on the heel block is less at 60°.
    N d. The change in angle of elevation has no effect on the stresses in the head block.

4020: You are on a tankship discharging oil. When all of the oil that the main cargo pumps can handle is pumped out of a tank, the remainder is __________.

    N a. stripped out and pumped directly ashore into the mainline as the remaining cargo tanks are pumped out with the main pumps
    Y b. stripped to one tank and then pumped out with the main pumps
    N c. stripped out and pumped directly ashore after all the tanks have been emptied by the main pumps
    N d. gravitated to the centers from the wings and pumped out with the main pumps

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

4155: Which factor(s) should be considered when loading vehicles or trailers aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Layout of decks
    N b. Vertical clearances
    N c. Tie-down and lashing
    Y d. All of the above

4157: Which of the following element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Duration of the voyage
    N b. Types of cargo units and vehicles to be carried
    N c. Weight of cargo units and vehicles
    Y d. All of the above

4202: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    N a. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    N c. They are more economical and weigh less.
    Y d. All of the above

4204: Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    Y a. A centerline crane can never be operated in tandem.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    N c. These cranes are more economical and weigh less than outboard-mounted cranes.
    N d. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.

4214: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Slewing control

4280: Which statement is FALSE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    Y a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be fastened to corners of vehicles or containers.
    N d. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.