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.


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


10: You are scheduled to load a bulk shipment of steel turnings. Which statement is TRUE?


28: The stowage factor for a cargo is based upon __________.


39: Combustible liquids are divided into how many grades?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

159: What is the standard net barrel for petroleum products?

    Y a. 42 gallons at 60°Fahrenheit
    N b. 48 gallons at 70°Fahrenheit
    N c. 50 gallons at 50°Celsius
    N d. 60 gallons at 100°Saybolt

167: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    Y b. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.
    N c. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.
    N d. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.

229: Which refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

    N a. Outage
    N b. Ullage
    N c. Thievage
    Y d. Innage

302: 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 carrying propionic acid also, the venting systems must be segregated.

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

344: The purpose of a bilge well is to __________.

    N a. afford access to the shell through the double bottoms
    Y b. collect water to be pumped out
    N c. provide access for the pneumercator
    N d. provide a base line for sounding measurements

455: A vessel having continuous closely spaced transverse strength members is __________.

    N a. longitudinally framed
    Y b. transversely framed
    N c. cellular framed
    N d. web framed

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

744: When using natural-fiber rope, you should NEVER __________.

    N a. dry the line before stowing it
    N b. reverse turns on winches periodically to keep out kinks
    Y c. try to lubricate the line
    N d. use chafing gear

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

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

999: You are loading 530,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0945 on 13 April, you find that you have loaded 202,000 barrels. At 1130, you find that you have loaded 223,000 barrels. If you continue at the same rate, you will finish at __________.

    N a. 1322, 13 April
    N b. 1920, 13 April
    N c. 1120, 14 April
    Y d. 1305, 14 April

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

1052: A term used to describe the dip in a towline that acts as a shock absorber is __________.

    Y a. catenary
    N b. step
    N c. shock dip
    N d. bight

1103: What should you inspect to be sure that it is safe to go aloft in a bosun's chair?

    N a. The gantline
    N b. The tail block
    N c. The chair and bridle
    Y d. All of the above

1114: What type of stopper would you use on a nylon mooring line?

    N a. Chain
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Manila
    N d. Wire

1125: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    Y a. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N b. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. at the hawsepipe
    N d. near the stern

1142: The hitch used to secure the standing part of a gantline to the horns of a stage is a __________.

    Y a. marlinespike hitch
    N b. clove hitch
    N c. blackwall hitch
    N d. Killick hitch

1173: You are making a sharp turn in a channel and using a buoy four points on the bow to gauge your rate of turn. If you observe the buoy moving forward relative to you, what should you do?

    N a. Increase the rate of turn
    Y b. Decrease the rate of turn
    N c. Maintain a constant rate of turn
    N d. Increase speed

1276: When moored with a Mediterranean moor, the ship should be secured to the pier by having __________.

    Y a. a stern line and two quarter lines crossing under the stern
    N b. a stern line, 2 bow lines, and 2 quarter lines leading aft to the pier
    N c. all regular lines leading to the pier in opposition to the anchor
    N d. two bow lines and two midship lines leading aft to the pier

1314: A wire rope rove through two single blocks with two parts at the moving block is used for a boat fall. The weight of the 100-person boat is 5 tons. Compute the required breaking strain. Safety Factor - 6, weight per person - 165 lbs., 10% friction per sheave (2 sheaves).

    N a. 18.30 tons B.S.
    N b. 20.29 tons B.S.
    Y c. 22.27 tons B.S.
    N d. 24.31 tons B.S.

1361: On a voyage charter, when a vessel is ready to load cargo, the Master should render to the charterer a __________.

    Y a. Notice of Readiness
    N b. Master Certificate of Service
    N c. Shipmasters Declaration
    N d. Vessel Utilization and Performance Report

1370: The strength of a deck will be increased by adding __________.

    N a. camber
    Y b. deck beam brackets
    N c. hatch beams
    N d. sheer

1441: Dead freight is the charge for the __________.

    N a. carriage of demise cargo
    N b. cost of transshipment of over-carried cargo
    N c. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo discharged
    Y d. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo booked, through no fault of the vessel

1452: The helm command "Check her" means __________.

    N a. test the steering control
    N b. read the compass heading
    N c. stop the swing using hard over rudder
    Y d. slow the swing using moderate rudder

1455: Which letter represents a bowline on a bight? (DO30DG )

    N a. H
    Y b. I
    N c. M
    N d. W

1613: Which splice should you use in order to make a permanent loop in a line?

    N a. Back splice
    Y b. Eye splice
    N c. Long splice
    N d. Short splice

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

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

1798: You are on a single-screw vessel with a left-handed propeller making no way in the water. How will your vessel react when you apply right rudder?

    N a. Bow will kick to starboard
    N b. Bow will kick to port
    Y c. Rudder alone has no effect on the vessel
    N d. Stern will kick to port, then slowly swing to starboard

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

1915: A butt is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. J
    N b. F
    N c. E
    Y d. D

1925: Which material should NOT be used to secure cargo on deck for a voyage?

    N a. Steel chain
    N b. Wire rope
    N c. Steel strapping
    Y d. Fiber rope

1963: What should you do to a line to prevent fraying where it passes over the side of the vessel?

    N a. Worm that part of the line.
    N b. Splice that part of the line.
    Y c. Cover it with chafing gear.
    N d. Install a cleat.

2053: A mooring line leading 45° to the keel, used to check forward or astern movement of a vessel, is called a __________.

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

2094: A large basin cut into the shore, closed off by a caisson, and used for dry docking of ships is known as a __________.

    N a. slipway
    Y b. graving dock
    N c. ground warp
    N d. caisson dock

2197: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

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

2213: You are using tackle number 6 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. Disregarding friction, what is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 11
    N b. 16
    Y c. 18
    N d. 24

2258: The knot lettered L in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    Y b. double blackwall hitch
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. timber hitch

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

2278: You will load and carry a bulk cargo of sulfur at ambient temperature. Which statement is true?

    N a. Wooden covers must be laid over the bilge wells to prevent the sulfur from entering the bilges.
    Y b. Bulk sulfur may be carried without a special permit providing the vessel complies with all applicable regulations.
    N c. The major characteristic of this cargo is that it forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water.
    N d. Other hazardous material may not be stowed in the same hold as the sulfur but may be carried on deck above the hold.

2365: A six-strand composite rope made up of alternate fiber and wire strands around a fiber core is called __________.

    Y a. spring lay
    N b. lang lay
    N c. cable lay
    N d. alternate lay

2393: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 25.5 lbs. steel measuring 4.5 feet by 6.7 feet.

    N a. 285.6 lbs.
    N b. 329.7 lbs.
    N c. 591.2 lbs.
    Y d. 768.8 lbs.

2509: What is the purpose of cant frames in steel vessels?

    N a. To support the overhang of the stern
    Y b. To provide strength to shell plating at the stern
    N c. To add strength to the deck beams which support the weather decks
    N d. To support the plating of a cylindrical tank

2546: The dangerous cargo manifest does NOT indicate __________.

    N a. the stowage location of hazardous material aboard the vessel
    N b. a description of the packaging (drums, boxes, etc.)
    N c. UN identification numbers
    Y d. the net weight of each hazardous cargo

2836: Which of the Great Lakes is generally the last to reach its seasonal low and seasonal high water marks?

    Y a. Lake Superior
    N b. Lake Michigan
    N c. Lake Huron
    N d. Lake Ontario

2948: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "S" (Sierra) to signify that "________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    N b. I am altering my course to port
    Y c. I am operating astern propulsion
    N d. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2981: When the anchor is brought to and holding, the horizontal component of anchor cable tensions should equal the __________.

    N a. displacement tonnage
    N b. weight forces
    N c. buoyancy forces
    Y d. environmental forces

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

3072: A Great Lakes bulk ore vessel would use an "Iron Deckhand" to assist in __________.

    N a. unloading bulk cargo
    N b. steering the vessel
    N c. making the vessel fast to a dock
    Y d. removing hatch covers

3326: The signal man assisting the crane operator uses one hand to give any motion signal and places the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. move slowly
    N b. increase speed
    N c. proceed with caution
    N d. stop

3381: A half-height container is used __________.

    N a. to carry cargoes of low density
    N b. when stowage space is limited
    Y c. to carry cargoes such as steel products or drums
    N d. to double the stowage capacity of the vessel

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

    N a. deadeyes
    N b. bollards
    N c. bitts
    Y d. chocks

4088: With a given load on the cargo hook, the thrust on a cargo boom __________.

    Y a. increases as the angle to the horizontal increases
    N b. increases as the angle to the horizontal decreases
    N c. is greatest at an angle of 45° and decreases as the boom is raised or lowered
    N d. is least at an angle of 45° and increases as the boom is raised or lowered

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

4258: Which statement is TRUE regarding the operation of a crane?

    Y a. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N b. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the hoisting winch.
    N c. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N d. The crane jib is raised and lowered by a jibing winch.

4279: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    Y b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchease that raise and lower the topping lift.