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.


26: The pivoting point of a fully loaded vessel with normal trim proceeding ahead at sea speed is __________.


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 __________.


47: 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?


50: A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.
    N b. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    Y c. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot.
    N d. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.

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

124: Bilge soundings indicate __________.

    N a. the amount of condensation in the hold
    N b. whether the cargo is leaking or not
    N c. whether the vessel is taking on water
    Y d. All of the above

262: Mousing a cargo hook with marline or small line __________.

    N a. increases the lifting capacity of the hook
    N b. protects the hook from the sling ring
    Y c. prevents the sling ring from coming out of the hook
    N d. All of the above

263: Which type of hull damage should be repaired FIRST?

    N a. Damage below the waterline
    N b. Damage to interior watertight boundaries
    N c. Damage in way of machinery rooms
    Y d. Damage at or just above the waterline

286: Sidewise force of the propeller tends to throw a vessel's stern to the right or left, depending on rotation. This force is caused by __________.

    N a. back current from the rudder
    N b. greater pressure on the right or left side of the propeller, depending on rotation
    N c. lower pressure on the right or left side of the propeller, depending on rotation
    Y d. torque from the velocity and angle at which the surrounding water impinges upon the propeller blades

299: Cargo transfer operations on a tank vessel need NOT be stopped when __________.

    Y a. a tug comes alongside while the tanker is loading grade D and E cargoes
    N b. a large, fresh oil spill is discovered immediately adjacent to the side of the tanker
    N c. there is an electrical storm in the vicinity
    N d. there is a fire on the dock or on a nearby vessel

321: Which is a TRUE statement concerning the examining of cargo equipment at the time of a vessels Inspection for Certification.

    N a. Cargo booms must be weight tested at this time by the U.S. Coast Guard.
    N b. Cargo booms must be weight tested at this time by the American Bureau of Shipping.
    N c. Cargo booms must be weight tested at this time by the National Cargo Bureau.
    Y d. No test at this time is required.

409: A tanker is loaded with 5,000 barrels of petroleum. The cargo was loaded at a temperature of 70°F, and the coefficient of expansion is .0004. What is the net amount in barrels of cargo loaded?

    N a. 4800
    Y b. 4980
    N c. 5020
    N d. 5200

702: When paying off seamen in a foreign port, where a United States consul is not available, the release must be executed by the seamen and the __________.

    N a. representative of the foreign country
    N b. local port authority representative
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. ship's union delegate

790: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tank vessels?

    N a. They are positive displacement pumps.
    Y b. They are gravity-fed.
    N c. They produce a pulsating flow.
    N d. They require more maintenance than a reciprocating pump.

830: On which vessels are the officers and deck crew allowed to operate under a two-watch system on voyages of less than 600 miles?

    N a. Towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Barges, when manned
    Y d. All of the above

837: When may foreign licensed or documented personnel be employed on a US-flag towing vessel?

    Y a. While on a foreign voyage and outside US jurisdiction, in order to meet manning requirements
    N b. While operating above the US outer continental shelf
    N c. On vessels operating on domestic voyages only
    N d. Never, under any circumstances

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

911: Which entry is NOT required in the Official Logbook?

    N a. Steering gear tests
    N b. Position of the load line and freeboard upon sailing
    Y c. Commencement and termination of cargo operations
    N d. Closure of hatches and sideports upon sailing

1033: Each crewmember has an assigned firefighting station. This assignment is shown on the __________.

    N a. fire fighting plan
    N b. shipping articles
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. muster list

1154: Which line would be least likely to kink?

    Y a. Braided
    N b. Left-handed laid
    N c. Right-handed laid
    N d. Straight laid

1246: When a tug is pulling on a hawser at right angles to the ship, and the pilot wants to come ahead or astern on the ship's engine, care must be taken that the pilot __________.

    N a. does not break the towline
    Y b. does not get too much way on the vessel
    N c. keeps a steady course so the towline will remain tight
    N d. turns the ship toward the direction of pull

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.

1340: The usual depth of a beam bracket is __________.

    Y a. 2 1/2 times the depth of the beam
    N b. 5 times the depth of the beam
    N c. 10 times the depth of the beam
    N d. same depth as the beam

1420: Tensile stress is a result of two forces acting in __________.

    Y a. opposite directions on the same line, tending to pull the material apart
    N b. opposite directions on the same line, tending to compress the object
    N c. opposite directions along parallel lines
    N d. the same direction along parallel lines

1421: The charterer has completed loading the vessel in 3 days instead of the 5 days agreed to in the charter party. As a result of this, the __________.

    N a. shipowner may charge for two lay days
    Y b. charterer may receive dispatch money
    N c. stevedore may collect demurrage
    N d. consignee may be required to pay a ceaser fee

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline in a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Fisherman's loop
    N d. Spider hitch

1643: The splice designed to pass easily through a block is called a(n) __________.

    N a. eye splice
    N b. short splice
    Y c. long splice
    N d. block splice

1782: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel should be stopped with the wind dead ahead during the hoisting operation.
    Y b. Flags should be flown to provide a visual reference as to the direction of the apparent wind.
    N c. The drop line should be grounded first then secured as close to the hoist point as possible.
    N d. The hoist area should be located as far aft as possible so the pilot will have a visual reference while approaching.

1846: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

2008: When towing another vessel, the length of the towing line should be __________.

    N a. as long as possible
    N b. as short as possible under the circumstances and not over two wave lengths
    N c. such that one vessel will be on a crest while the other is in a trough
    Y d. such that the vessels will be in step

2216: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 4? (DO29DG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 4

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 20
    N b. 9
    N c. 5
    N d. 4

2288: What will cause wire rope to fail?

    N a. Operating the winch too fast
    N b. Using a sheave 9 times the wire's diameter
    N c. Kinking
    Y d. All of the above

2345: A splice that can be used in running rigging, where the line will pass through blocks, is a __________.

    N a. short splice
    Y b. long splice
    N c. back splice
    N d. spindle splice

2385: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of butyric acid, propylene oxide, and octyl alcohol. Which statement is true?

    N a. Butyric acid is incompatible with octyl alcohol but not propylene oxide.
    Y b. Propylene oxide may not be stowed in a tank adjacent to butyric acid.
    N c. All of these cargoes are compatible.
    N d. Octyl alcohol is incompatible with both butyric acid and propylene oxide.

2450: Which statement is FALSE concerning precautions during fueling operations?

    N a. All engines, motors, fans, etc. should be shut down when fueling.
    N b. All windows, doors, hatches, etc. should be closed.
    N c. A fire extinguisher should be kept nearby.
    Y d. Fuel tanks should be topped off with no room for expansion.

2475: The use of liners in riveted construction is eliminated by using __________.

    N a. lapped construction
    N b. strapped construction
    Y c. joggled construction
    N d. belted construction

2479: Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?

    N a. Magnetic particle
    N b. Dye penetrant
    Y c. Ultrasonic
    N d. Chemical reaction

2619: On the Great Lakes, the term "controlling depth" means the __________.

    N a. designed dredging depth of a channel constructed by the Corps. of Engineers
    N b. minimum amount of tail water available behind a dam
    N c. distance in units of the chart (feet, meters or fathoms) from the reference datum to the bottom
    Y d. least depth within the limits of the channel which restricts the navigation

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

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

2735: Periodic surveys to renew the load line assignment must be made at intervals NOT exceeding __________.

    N a. 18 months
    N b. two years
    N c. three years
    Y d. five years

2798: The primary purpose of the stud is to prevent the anchor chain from __________.

    Y a. kinking
    N b. distorting
    N c. elongating
    N d. breaking

2812: If a tug equipped with flanking rudders is to be turned in a confined circle, when going astern, the stern will move to port the quickest if __________.

    Y a. the rudder is hard to port and the flanking rudders are hard to port
    N b. the rudder is amidships and the flanking rudders are hard to port
    N c. the rudder is hard to port and the flanking rudders are hard to starboard
    N d. all rudders are hard to starboard

2886: How should you signal the crane operator to lower?

    N a. With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    Y b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm and point finger in the direction to move the boom.
    N d. Extend arm with thumb pointing downward, and flex fingers in and out.

2931: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    Y b. 10 minutes if possible
    N c. 1 to 6 hours
    N d. 30 minutes to 1 hour

3000: The pipe used to connect two separate piping systems on a tank vessel is known as a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. transfer
    N c. connection
    N d. junction

3052: How should you signal the crane operator to lower the boom?

    Y a. With arm extended and fingers closed, point thumb downward.
    N b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm with the palm down, and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. With hands clasped in front of your body.

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

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

3192: How should you signal the crane operator to hoist?

    Y a. With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm with fingers closed and thumb pointing upward.
    N d. Place both fists in front of body with the thumbs pointing upward.

3218: The term "bollard pull" refers to a towing vessel's __________.

    N a. propulsion horsepower available
    N b. pulling ability at cruise power
    N c. towing winch capability
    Y d. pulling ability under static conditions

3518: A tug's horsepower available at the shaft is __________.

    N a. indicated horsepower
    Y b. brake horsepower
    N c. dynamic horsepower
    N d. net horsepower

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

4114: When accepting vehicles for shipment, the Master should ensure that __________.

    N a. all decks intended for the stowage of vehicles are, in so far as is practicable, free from oil and grease
    N b. the ship has on board an adequate supply of cargo securing gear, which is maintained in sound working condition
    N c. vehicles are in apparent good order and condition suitable for sea transport, particularly with regards to securing
    Y d. All of the above

4133: What is used when securing light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Chain
    N c. Wire
    Y d. None of these

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

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.

4248: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding crane operations?

    Y a. The crane operator and signalman must be familiar with hand signals.
    N b. The cranes can be operated from shoreside.
    N c. The cranes can be operated from the bridge.
    N d. All of the above

4278: Which wire rope purchase(s) is/are optional with a 30-Ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Hoist
    N b. Luff
    Y c. Rider block
    N d. All of the above