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.


5: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard starboard side". You should instinctively __________.


36: The distance that a vessel travels from the time that the order to put engines full astern until the vessel is dead in the water is known as __________.


37: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required Pilot is TRUE?


69: Ullages are measured from __________.

    N a. the tank ceiling
    N b. the tank top bushing
    N c. the thievage mark
    Y d. an above deck datum

88: Which is an example of cargo damage caused by inherent vice?

    N a. Tainting
    N b. Wear and tear
    N c. Stevedore damage
    Y d. Heating of grain

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 __________.

    N a. call the Master
    Y b. proceed to the space and inspect the extent of the fire
    N c. shut down the cargo hold ventilation
    N d. sound the fire alarm signal to roust out all hands

175: While the Pilot is maneuvering the vessel to a dock, what is the primary responsibility of the watch officer?

    N a. Judge the appropriateness of the Pilot's orders and countermand them if necessary
    Y b. Insure that helm and throttle orders given by the Pilot are correctly executed
    N c. Record the bells and their times in the bell book
    N d. Supervise the signaling and flag etiquette

247: The main advantage and chief characteristic of a Steulchen boom is that it can be __________.

    N a. operated by one winchman
    N b. cradled on deck
    Y c. swung from one hatch to the adjacent hatch
    N d. collared to the mast

272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

293: Which space(s) is(are) NOT exempt when measuring gross tonnage?

    N a. Auxiliary machinery spaces above the deck
    N b. Steering gear room
    Y c. Cargo holds
    N d. Galley in a deckhouse

314: "Avast" means __________.

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

327: You are on a multiple product tankship and carrying methyl acrylate, diethanolamine, and triethylamine. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Methyl acrylate may be loaded in a tank adjacent to diethanolamine but not triethylamine.
    Y b. The heating coils to the cargo tank loaded with methyl acrylate must be blanked off.
    N c. Valve components made of aluminum, copper, or zinc may not be in contact with the cargoes.
    N d. Each crew member working on deck must have an emergency escape breathing apparatus.

366: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    Y c. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N d. aft of the propellers

460: When stowing hazardous materials on deck, lashing of such cargo is permitted if __________.

    N a. a wooden bin is constructed of at least 2-inch dunnage and bolted together
    N b. the cargo is lashed to the adjacent guard rails
    Y c. the lashings are secured to deck pad eyes
    N d. there is at least 3 inches of dunnage on deck

505: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    N a. celestial
    N b. piloting
    Y c. electronic
    N d. None of the above

550: If the towing bridle legs are not of equal length __________.

    N a. excessive strain is placed on the shorter leg
    N b. the shorter leg may fail
    N c. the longer leg is slack
    Y d. All of the above

569: In order to reduce the accumulation of static electricity while loading petroleum products, you should __________.

    N a. start to load at maximum pressure
    Y b. start to load slowly
    N c. increase the air flow into the tank
    N d. use the overall method of loading only

614: A fid is a __________.

    N a. mallet used when splicing wire rope
    N b. sharp pointed crow bar used to unlay wire rope
    N c. tapered steel pin used to separate wire rope
    Y d. tapered wooden pin used when splicing heavy rope

664: Coiling new rope against the lay, bringing the lower end up through the center of the coil, then coiling with the lay, in order to remove the kinks, is known as __________.

    N a. coiling
    N b. faking
    N c. flemishing
    Y d. thoroughfooting

682: The mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. forward breast line
    Y b. offshore bow line
    N c. offshore spring line
    N d. onshore bow line

717: It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that __________.

    N a. the muster list is posted in each compartment
    Y b. temporary personnel and visitors are advised of emergency stations
    N c. names of crew members are listed on the muster list
    N d. no changes are made to the muster list

729: A petroleum liquid has a flash point of 85°F. This is a grade __________.

    N a. B flammable liquid
    N b. C flammable liquid
    Y c. D combustible liquid
    N d. E combustible liquid

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.

1036: What is meant by the term "broaching to"?

    N a. Having the vessel head toward the sea
    N b. Running before a sea
    Y c. Being turned broadside to the sea
    N d. Having the vessel filled with water

1192: A person has fallen overboard and is being picked up with a lifeboat. If the person appears in danger of drowning, the lifeboat should make __________.

    N a. an approach from leeward
    N b. an approach from windward
    Y c. the most direct approach
    N d. an approach across the wind

1210: To rigidly fasten together the peak frames, the stem, and the outside framing, a horizontal plate is fitted across the forepeak of a vessel. This plate is known as a(n) __________.

    N a. apron plate
    Y b. breasthook
    N c. intercostal plate
    N d. joiner

1287: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    Y a. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N b. use right or left rudder
    N c. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    N d. put the rudder amidships

1354: A 6x19 wire rope would be __________.

    N a. 6 inches in diameter and 19 fathoms long
    N b. 6 inches in circumference with 19 strands
    Y c. 6 strands with 19 wires in each strand
    N d. 19 strands with 6 wires in each strand

1500: Sometimes it is desirable to connect a member both by riveting and welding. Which statement is TRUE concerning this procedure?

    N a. Tearing through the member is more likely in this type connection.
    N b. The weld may be broken by the stresses caused by riveting.
    N c. The weld increases the tensile stress on the rivet heads.
    Y d. The welding must be completed before the riveting commences.

1512: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

1584: The size of wire rope is determined by the __________.

    N a. number of strands
    N b. number of wires in each strand
    N c. circumference
    Y d. diameter

1838: You are docking a vessel. If possible, you should __________.

    N a. go in with the current
    Y b. go in against the current
    N c. approach the dock at a 90° angle and swing to
    N d. pass a mooring line to the dock with a heaving line and let the crew pull the vessel in

1883: The most common method of securing a line to a cleat is a __________.

    N a. half hitch, then round turns
    Y b. round turn, then figure eights
    N c. figure eight, then round turns
    N d. figure eight, then half hitches

2063: A "spring line" is __________.

    N a. any wire rope used for mooring
    N b. a fire-warp
    Y c. a mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N d. a mooring line perpendicular to the keel

2163: What is the name of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    Y a. Runner
    N b. Inverted whip
    N c. Whip
    N d. Single purchase

2172: The lower hold of your vessel has a bale cubic of 52,000 cu. ft. You will load a cargo of cases, each weighing 380 lbs. and measuring 3 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. The estimated broken stowage is 15%. How many tons of cases can be loaded?

    N a. 137 tons
    N b. 161 tons
    Y c. 625 tons
    N d. 969 tons

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

2209: Certain cargoes must be segregated because of their __________.

    Y a. inherent characteristics
    N b. weight
    N c. destination
    N d. danger to humans

2247: The knot lettered M in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper
    N b. lashing
    N c. becket bend
    Y d. carrick bend

2283: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 2 feet after a sector of 86° has been removed?

    N a. 2.39 sq. ft
    N b. 3.02 sq. ft
    Y c. 9.55 sq. ft
    N d. 12.57 sq. ft

2351: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 12 feet after a sector of 86° has been removed?

    N a. 108.57 square ft.
    Y b. 86.08 square ft.
    N c. 28.65 square ft.
    N d. 27.14 square ft.

2366: To "shore up" the main deck for the stowage of deck cargo means to __________.

    N a. weld pad eyes on deck in proper position to secure the cargo
    Y b. strengthen the main deck by placing pillars underneath it in the tween-decks
    N c. distribute the weight of the cargo by placing fore-and-aft planks on the main deck
    N d. package the cargo in wooden crates so it will not damage the deck

2553: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

    N a. good equipment
    N b. a dedicated crew
    Y c. well-conducted drills
    N d. good communication

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

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

2808: Under the forces of its own weight, the suspended length of line will fall into a shape known as a __________.

    N a. polygon
    N b. holding arc
    Y c. catenary curve
    N d. parabolic curve

2816: Which statement is TRUE concerning lighting requirements for Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. The showing of a forward masthead light is optional for vessels under 150 meters.
    Y b. An all-round white light may be carried in lieu of the second masthead light and stern light.
    N c. Sidelights for vessels over 50 meters are required to have only a two-mile range of visibility.
    N d. Great Lakes vessels are exempted from the requirement to show yellow towing lights.

2902: Which basic category of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes is the most regular?

    Y a. Seasonal fluctuations
    N b. Outflow fluctuations
    N c. Short-term fluctuations
    N d. Long-term fluctuations

3048: The proximity of pack ice may be indicated by __________.

    N a. changes in seawater salinity
    Y b. glare on clouds on the horizon
    N c. changes in air temperature
    N d. icebergs

3083: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

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

3142: Why are stern towing bitts placed well forward of the rudder when hawser towing?

    N a. To keep the hawser from fouling the rudder
    N b. To keep the towing bitts as far away as possible from the tugs pivoting point
    Y c. To allow the stern to swing more freely when using rudder
    N d. To have as much of the towing hawser in use as possible

3152: The danger of a towing vessel tripping is increased the closer the towline is secured to __________.

    N a. the stern
    Y b. amidships
    N c. the bow
    N d. the quarter

3172: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his hands clasped in front of his body. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. dog everything
    N b. stop
    N c. stand-by
    N d. prepare for signal

3446: The best way to determine if a load is within maximum lift limits is to use __________.

    N a. a boom angle indicator
    Y b. a load weight indicator
    N c. material invoices for shipping weights
    N d. prior experience with similar lifts

3480: When barge headlogs do not meet or are not even with one another, the void or opening between them is called a __________.

    Y a. notch
    N b. hole
    N c. spacing
    N d. gap

3587: Following a serious marine incident, a device to test an individuals breath can be used by __________.

    Y a. any individual trained to conduct such tests
    N b. the marine employer
    N c. qualified medical personnel only
    N d. any USCG licensed deck officer

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

4147: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever.
    Y b. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N c. Buckle tensioner
    N d. Ratchet tensioner

4253: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. Each single boom is of the partial-level luffing type and is capable of limited rotation.
    N b. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N c. An independent slew drive system rotates the turntable.
    Y d. All of the above

4261: Who should be notified prior to starting up a crane?

    N a. The pumpman
    N b. The stevedore foreman
    Y c. The engine room
    N d. All the above