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.


29: You are in charge of a U.S. documented vessel. Under title 46 of the United States Code, if you fail to report a complaint of a sexual offense, you may be __________.


123: When patching holes in the hull, pillows, bedding, and other soft materials can be used as __________.


133: The standard unit of liquid volume used in the petroleum industry, as well as the tanker industry, is a __________.


138: Which vessel is most likely to be loaded full but not down?

    N a. A bulk carrier loaded with heavy ore
    N b. A bulk carrier loaded with steel
    Y c. A break bulk vessel loaded with palletized cargo
    N d. A tanker loaded with heavy grain

280: Your ship is in a neutral port when full Naval Control of Shipping is established. You may expect to be boarded and instructed by a(n) __________.

    N a. U.S. Naval Control of Shipping Officer
    N b. allied Naval Control of Shipping Officer
    N c. Consular Shipping Advisors (CONSA)
    Y d. Any of the above

284: The beam of a vessel refers to the __________.

    N a. depth between decks
    N b. internal cubic capacity
    N c. molded depth of the vessel
    Y d. width of the vessel

292: Stress on the topping lift of a swinging boom can be reduced by __________.

    N a. rigging a back stay
    Y b. raising the boom
    N c. increasing the mechanical advantage of the cargo purchase
    N d. taking all slack out of the preventer

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.

342: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker with orders to load diethylamine. What is NOT a requirement for transporting this cargo?

    N a. You must have two toxic vapor detectors or the pumproom must meet special requirements.
    N b. Each crew member must be provided with an emergency escape breathing apparatus.
    Y c. A person taking cargo samples must wear protective clothing.
    N d. If you are also carrying allyl alcohol, the venting systems must be segregated.

384: A "strongback" refers to a __________.

    Y a. bar securing a cargo port
    N b. centerline vertical bulkhead
    N c. deep beam
    N d. spanner stay

426: You are stopped with no way upon your vessel at the pilot station. Your vessel is a large twin-screw ship. You must come around 180° to board your Pilot. How should you use the engines and rudder to turn the ship fastest in the least amount of space?

    N a. Full ahead on the engines and hard over rudder
    N b. Full ahead on one engine, full astern on the other
    Y c. Half ahead with hard over rudder, then full astern on inboard engine
    N d. Slow ahead with hard over rudder

433: When a tow is trimmed by the stern it is said to __________.

    N a. hog
    N b. sag
    Y c. drag
    N d. list

446: A twin-screw vessel can clear the inboard propeller and maneuver off a pier best by holding a(n) __________.

    N a. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the inboard engine
    N b. after spring line and going slow astern on the outboard engine
    N c. forward spring line and going slow ahead on both engines
    Y d. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the outboard engine

447: One reason a tug's towing bitts are located forward of the rudders is because __________.

    N a. it makes it easier to hook up the towing hawser
    N b. this is where the towhook is located
    Y c. this allows more responsive steering
    N d. it is traditional

472: On a long ocean tow, the bridle should be made up of two equal lengths of __________.

    Y a. chain
    N b. wire
    N c. nylon
    N d. manila

481: Which U.S. agency assigns an official number to a vessel?

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

546: A twin-screw ship going ahead on the starboard screw only tends to move __________.

    N a. in a straight line
    Y b. to port
    N c. from side to side
    N d. to starboard

600: You are on a containership. Which statement about the stowage of hazardous materials in containers is TRUE?

    N a. The containers provide automatic segregation of hazardous materials except for class A explosives.
    N b. All packages within a container must be marked "This End Up" to indicate the correct stowage.
    Y c. A refrigerated container with a fuel tank containing a flammable liquid must be stowed on deck.
    N d. Packages of liquids within a container should be stowed on top of packages of solids to prevent crushing.

660: You receive word that a person has fallen overboard from the starboard side. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    Y b. put the wheel hard right
    N c. put the engines full astern
    N d. sound the man overboard alarm

669: Which statement describes the motion of a yawing tow?

    N a. The tow twists, sometimes violently, astern of the tug
    N b. The tow sheers to one side behind the tug and maintains a position in a line diagonal to the tug's forward movement
    N c. The tow snakes behind the tug
    Y d. All of the above

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

723: What safety precautions must you take when maneuvering on a towing hook?

    N a. The engines must be operated on the slow bell.
    Y b. Clear the afterdeck and fantail of personnel.
    N c. Lash the hook closed so it does not open accidentally.
    N d. The towing winch engine must be running.

730: In a Williamson turn, the rudder is put over full until the __________.

    N a. vessel has turned 90°From her original course
    Y b. vessel has turned 60°From her original course
    N c. vessel is on a reciprocal course
    N d. emergency turn signal sounds

774: The strongest of the natural fibers is __________.

    N a. cotton
    N b. hemp
    Y c. manila
    N d. sisal

824: The larger sizes of manila line are measured by their __________.

    N a. radius
    N b. diameter
    Y c. circumference
    N d. weight per foot

927: Sluicing or slushing wire rope __________.

    N a. prevents internal and external rust and corrosion
    N b. reduces chafing and increases its useful service life
    N c. reduces internal friction within the wire
    Y d. All of the above

934: Which method is used to detect rot in manila lines?

    Y a. Opening the strands and examining the inner fibers
    N b. Measuring the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. Observing for the appearance of mildew on the outer surface
    N d. Feeling the surface of the line for broken fibers

973: The "weather adjustment" control on an autopilot steering stand is used to __________.

    N a. allow leeway according to the weather conditions
    N b. proportionally set the number of degrees of rudder response per degree of course error
    Y c. set the null band or dead zone signal before actuating the rudder
    N d. set the speed at which the rudder responds

1029: When cleaning a tank by the Butterworth process, you should begin to pump out the slops __________.

    N a. at the end of the drop schedule
    Y b. when the process is started
    N c. when the process is finished
    N d. when the tank is clean

1039: When cleaning cargo tanks with portable machines, how is the machine grounded?

    N a. Bonding wires are secured from the machine to a convenient location on deck.
    N b. The machines must maintain physical contact with the deck at the Butterworth opening.
    Y c. The water supply hoses contain internal wires that act as conductors
    N d. The water jets impinging on the vessel's structure form a pathway to ground.

1124: Which material makes the strongest mooring line?

    N a. Sisal
    N b. Manila
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Polyethylene

1272: You are on a tankship carrying benzene in bulk. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. No other cargoes may be carried due to the possibility of contamination by a carcinogen.
    N b. The crew quarters must have positive-pressure ventilation to prevent the fumes from entering the living spaces.
    N c. Benzene is not a cancer-causing agent.
    Y d. Personnel working in regulated areas must use respirators.

1274: If given equal care, nylon line should last how many times longer than manila line?

    N a. Three
    N b. Four
    Y c. Five
    N d. Six

1298: A Master should file a marine note of protest if __________.

    N a. cargo was received at ship side which was damaged in land transit
    N b. longshore labor went on strike in the port causing undue vessel delay
    N c. portions of his vessel's cargo were illegally impounded in a foreign port
    Y d. the vessel encountered heavy weather which might have caused cargo damage

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)

1532: To determine the number of portable fire extinguishers required on an inspected vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. hot work permit
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1580: Shell plating that has curvature in two directions and must be heated and hammered to shape over specially prepared forms is called __________.

    N a. compound plate
    Y b. furnaced plate
    N c. flat plate
    N d. rolled plate

1603: Which weakens a line the LEAST?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Long splice
    Y c. Short splice
    N d. Square knot

1752: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2199 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Furan
    Y b. Phosphine
    N c. Adiponitrile
    N d. Xylenol

1813: A snatch block would most likely be used as a __________.

    N a. boat fall
    Y b. fairlead
    N c. riding pawl
    N d. topping lift

1839: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    N a. leeway
    N b. variation in the area
    Y c. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N d. deviation on that heading

1855: Which problem is virtually impossible to detect during an in-service inspection of used anchor chain?

    N a. Cracks
    N b. Elongation
    N c. Loose studs
    Y d. Fatigue

1860: A towline should be fastened to __________.

    N a. the chocks at the bow of a towed vessel
    N b. the most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail
    N c. the mast of a towed sailboat
    Y d. a secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel

1919: The disadvantage of using three strand nylon line for towing is its __________.

    N a. inherent weakness
    N b. tendency to rot if left damp
    Y c. danger to crew if it parts
    N d. strength and shock absorbing abilities

2070: Which statement about the Williamson turn is FALSE?

    Y a. It requires the highest degree of shiphandling skills to accomplish.
    N b. It is the slowest of the methods used in turning the vessel.
    N c. It is the best turn to use when the victim is not in sight due to reduced visibility.
    N d. It returns the vessel to the original track-line on a reciprocal course.

2123: Your vessel is required to have a slop chest. Which of the following articles is NOT required by law to be carried in the slop chest?

    N a. Foul weather clothing
    Y b. Candy
    N c. Tobacco products
    N d. Blankets

2243: You are using tackle number 4, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 11. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 10
    Y d. 24

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

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

2530: Your vessel has gone aground in waters where the tide is falling. The BEST action you can take is to __________.

    Y a. set out a kedge anchor
    N b. shift the vessel's load aft and repeatedly surge the engine(s) astern
    N c. shift the vessel's load forward and wait until the next high tide
    N d. slowly bring the engine(s) to full speed astern

2567: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

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

2789: Your vessel is approaching the International Bridge on the St. Marys River. If the gage on the bridge, read from top to bottom, indicates 124 ft. and the IGLD (1955) is 600 ft., determine the actual vertical clearances between the existing water level and the lowest point of the bridge over the channel.

    Y a. 124 feet
    N b. 476 feet
    N c. 724 feet
    N d. 840 feet

2792: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    N a. variation in the area
    Y b. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N c. leeway
    N d. deviation on that heading

2906: You are planning to anchor in an area where several anchors have been lost due to fouling. As a precaution, you should __________.

    N a. anchor using both anchors
    N b. anchor with scope of 8 or more to 1
    N c. use a stern anchor
    Y d. fit a crown strap and work wire to the anchor

3032: Ice is often strong enough to halt navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway by mid- __________.

    N a. October
    N b. November
    Y c. December
    N d. January

3392: What term indicates the midships portion of a vessel that has a constant cross section?

    N a. Half length
    N b. Amidships
    Y c. Middle body
    N d. Molded length

4048: You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 600 yards and your vessel's LOA is 525 feet. If you anchor in 10 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle?

    Y a. 4 shots
    N b. 5 shots
    N c. 6 shots
    N d. 7 shots

4110: Which standard operating procedure(s) should be adhered to on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N b. Battery cables must be disconnected to prevent fire hazard
    N c. One deck engine mechanic assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N d. All of the above

4174: What should be done immediately after putting down the stern ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N b. Turn on pumproom ventilation.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    Y d. Raise/open the stern door.

4237: What is used to power modern pedestal cranes?

    N a. Steam
    N b. Water
    Y c. Hydraulics
    N d. All of the above