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.


22: A wildcat is a __________.


96: The distance a vessel moves at right angles to the original course, when a turn of 180° has been completed, is called the __________.


155: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. You must inspect this cargo __________.


273: You will load class 1.2 commercial explosives and need to construct a portable magazine. The magazine MUST __________.

    N a. be made of metal
    Y b. be elevated with skids 10cm (3.9 inches) above the deck
    N c. have a hinged cover
    N d. be fastened with nails or screws

310: Operators of Uninspected Passenger Vessels are required to keep their Coast Guard License aboard __________.

    N a. only when operating more than one mile from shore
    N b. only when operating at night
    Y c. only when carrying passengers for hire
    N d. At all times

326: In order to back a right-handed, single-screw vessel in a straight line, you will probably need to use __________.

    N a. very little rudder
    N b. some left rudder
    Y c. some right rudder
    N d. full left rudder

400: You are on a containership carrying a tank container that had been filled with sodium hydroxide solution. The container is empty but has not been cleaned. Which, if any, placard is required?

    N a. No placard is required; the tank openings must be sealed
    N b. Empty placard with corrosive placard
    N c. Residue label with the UN number
    Y d. Black and white corrosive placard

477: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    N a. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N b. Damage of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    Y c. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

491: A change of a documented vessel's name can only be made by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Commissioner of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

518: Which factor is MOST important in preventing sweat damage within a cargo hold?

    Y a. Dew point of the cargo hold
    N b. Dew point of the outside atmosphere
    N c. Outside air temperature
    N d. Temperature of the cargo

534: Which is part of the ground tackle?

    N a. Charlie noble
    Y b. Devil's claw
    N c. Gooseneck
    N d. Rat's tail

577: You are signing on a crew. A man presents a Merchant Mariner's Document that you suspect has been tampered with. Which action should you take?

    N a. Confiscate the document and deliver it to the Coast Guard.
    N b. Sign the man on and notify the Coast Guard at the first U.S. port of call.
    Y c. Refuse to sign the man on articles until authorized by the Coast Guard.
    N d. Refuse to sign the man on and notify the FBI of unauthorized use of a federal document.

776: In most cases, when a large merchant vessel enters shallow water at high speed the __________.

    N a. maneuverability will increase
    N b. speed will increase
    Y c. bow will squat farther than the stern
    N d. vessel will rise slightly, on a level plane

814: In the manufacture of line, plant fibers are twisted together to form __________.

    N a. cable
    N b. line
    N c. strands
    Y d. yarns

880: The projecting lugs of the rudderpost which furnish support to the rudder are called __________.

    N a. bases
    Y b. gudgeons
    N c. pintles
    N d. rudder lugs

909: What is the purpose of the relief valve of a cargo pump?

    N a. Provides for the removal of vapors
    N b. Allows two or more tanks to be filled at the same time
    N c. Provides for the emergency shutdown of the pump
    Y d. Permits the return of cargo to the suction side of the pump

925: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "E" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

949: Cargo pump relief valves are piped to the __________.

    N a. cargo pump pressure gauges
    N b. crossover lines interconnecting two pumps
    Y c. suction side of pumps
    N d. atmosphere through pump vents

958: You are in a tropical port. The refrigeration machinery on a container loaded with air-cooled fruit fails. It cannot be repaired for 18 to 24 hours. Which step should you take to reduce the temperature rise and spoilage of the fruit?

    N a. Discharge a cylinder of nitrogen into the container
    Y b. Shade the container and periodically hose it down
    N c. Seal any ventilation openings and add dry ice
    N d. Spread ice over the top layer and in any voids within the container

983: When a vessel is on autopilot steering, the "weather " control is adjusted to compensate for which severe weather effect on a vessel?

    Y a. Yaw
    N b. Roll
    N c. Pitch
    N d. Leeway

1037: After an IOPP Certificate is issued to an inspected vessel, how many other surveys of the vessel's pollution prevention equipment are conducted during the period of validity of the certificate?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

1092: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

    N a. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N b. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y c. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order.

1110: One function of a bulwark is to __________.

    Y a. help keep the deck dry
    N b. prevent stress concentrations on the stringer plate
    N c. protect against twisting forces exerted on the frame of the vessel
    N d. reinforce the side stringers

1151: The term used in levying customs duties when such are fixed at rates proportioned to estimated value of goods concerned is __________.

    Y a. ad valorem
    N b. infinite
    N c. secure
    N d. specific

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1299: Which part of a conventional cargo gear rig provides for vertical control and positioning of a boom?

    N a. Cargo whip
    N b. Gooseneck fitting
    N c. Spider band
    Y d. Topping lift

1348: Preparation of muster lists and signing of same is the responsibility of the __________.

    N a. Chief Officer of the vessel
    N b. owner of the vessel
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. United States Coast Guard

1375: A chain stripper is used to __________.

    Y a. prevent chain from clinging to the wildcat
    N b. clean the marine debris from the chain
    N c. flake chain from a boat's chain locker
    N d. clean chain prior to an x-ray inspection

1517: Which picture represents a timber hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. E
    N b. F
    N c. N
    N d. U

1809: The greatest horizontal stress between the heads of the booms in the yard and stay rig occurs when the load is in such a position that the __________.

    Y a. falls are at an equal angle to the horizontal
    N b. stay fall is vertical
    N c. stay fall is at a greater angle to the horizontal than the yard fall
    N d. yard fall is at a greater angle to the horizontal than the stay fall

1823: Chafing gear __________.

    N a. reduces and prevents corrosion of standing rigging
    N b. prevents corrosion of running rigging
    Y c. reduces and prevents wear caused by the rubbing of one object against another
    N d. protects the body against extreme cold

1914: You need to make a fixed loop at the end of a line in order to use the line as a mooring line. You have insufficient time to make a splice. Which knot should you use?

    N a. Clove Hitch
    N b. Fisherman's Bend
    Y c. Bowline
    N d. Round-turn and two half hitches

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2003: Chafing gear is used to __________.

    N a. anchor the boat
    N b. pick up heavy loads
    Y c. protect fiber rope from abrasion
    N d. strengthen mooring lines

2081: A seaman is reported missing in the morning and was last seen after coming off the mid-watch. Which type of turn would you use to return to the track-line steamed during the night?

    Y a. Williamson
    N b. Racetrack
    N c. 180° turn
    N d. Anderson

2114: All handling and stowage of packaged hazardous materials on board a domestic vessel engaged in foreign trade shall be done under the supervision of __________.

    N a. a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector
    Y b. an officer assigned to the vessel
    N c. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. the National Cargo Bureau

2215: Given a dry bulb temperature of 78°F and wet bulb temperature of 66.5°F, the dew point is __________.

    N a. 47.0°F
    N b. 51.5°F
    Y c. 59.0°F
    N d. 70.0°F

2218: If reefer spaces are not properly cleaned prior to loading cargo, it will most likely cause __________.

    Y a. mold to develop on commodities
    N b. malfunction of the refrigeration equipment
    N c. contamination of the insulation in the space
    N d. All of the above

2264: When you "end for end" a wire rope, you __________.

    N a. cut off the free end and bitter end of the rope
    N b. splice two wire ropes together
    Y c. remove the wire rope from the drum and reverse it so that the free end becomes the bitter end
    N d. remove the wire rope from the drum and turn it over, so the wire bends in the opposite direction

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%

2579: Where are the test certificates, for wire rope used as cargo runners, and loose gear certificates usually maintained?

    Y a. With the Cargo Gear Register on the ship
    N b. In the Official Log
    N c. At the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office with the vessel's inspection records
    N d. At the central records center of the agency testing the cargo gear

2656: What is an example of the term "Restraint of Rulers, Princes, or Peoples" in a marine insurance policy?

    Y a. A prohibition from loading a cargo from a country when the cargo may be a carrier of infectious diseases.
    N b. Arrest of a vessel by legal authorities to satisfy claims through exercise of a maritime lien.
    N c. Damage caused by riot of the population of a port.
    N d. Losses caused by fines from polluting the harbor after malfunction of a piping system.

2672: The term "scantlings" refers to the __________.

    N a. draft of a vessel
    Y b. measurements of structural members
    N c. requirements for ship's gear
    N d. placement of a vessel's load line

2704: The legs of a tow bridle are joined together with a __________.

    N a. bridle plate
    N b. shackle
    Y c. fishplate
    N d. tri-link

2706: Which type of davit is not considered to be a mechanical davit?

    N a. Sheath-screw boom
    Y b. Radial
    N c. Crescent
    N d. Quadrantal

2894: The term "Great Lakes", as defined by the Inland Rules of the Road, includes part of the __________.

    N a. Calumet River
    N b. Chicago River
    N c. St. Lawrence River
    Y d. All of the above

2924: You are on a large vessel fitted with a right-handed controllable-pitch propeller set at maximum forward pitch. Which statement about reversing is TRUE?

    N a. When the pitch is reversed, the stern will slew to port even with headway.
    N b. The vessel will respond to the rudder until sternway is developed, then the stern will slew to starboard.
    Y c. There will probably be a loss of steering control.
    N d. The vessel will have full rudder control throughout the speed change from ahead to astern.

2982: How should you signal the crane operator to stop?

    N a. Place both fists in front of your body with the thumbs pointing outward.
    N b. With both arms extended out and palms down, move arms back and forth.
    Y c. Extend arm with the palm down and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. Clasp hands in front of your body.

3075: 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)
    Y b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. Z (FLASH)

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

3088: A "check" line is __________.

    N a. a safety line attached to a man working over the side
    N b. used to measure water depth
    Y c. used to slow the headway of a barge
    N d. used to measure the overhead height of a bridge

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

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

3269: What provides little or no indication that a vessel is dragging anchor?

    Y a. Changing range to an object abeam
    N b. Drift lead with the line tending forward
    N c. The cable alternates between slack and heavy tension
    N d. Changing bearing to a fixed distant object abeam

3662: Unless extremely flexible wire rope is used, the sheave diameter should always be as large as possible, but should never be less than __________.

    Y a. 20 times the rope diameter
    N b. 10 times the rope diameter
    N c. 2 times the rope diameter
    N d. the rope diameter

4010: You have completed a crude oil wash. What action should be taken with the oil in the lines running to the washing machines?

    Y a. Open a COW nozzle forward and one aft and drain the line into the after tank by gravity
    N b. Blow the line out using compressed air
    N c. Pull a suction using the supply line pump
    N d. Close off all valves in the system and leave the oil in the line primed for the next crude oil wash

4054: "Hanging a barge off" means to __________.

    Y a. moor a damaged barge to the bank and leave
    N b. remove and deliver a loaded barge from a multiple tow
    N c. remove a barge while locking through
    N d. tow an empty barge astern

4145: Which tensioning device is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4153: What should you be concerned with when loading and securing vehicles on a Ro-Ro?

    Y a. Number, position and angle of lashes
    N b. Number of axles
    N c. Disconnecting the battery cables to prevent fire hazard
    N d. Minor air pressure changes in the tires