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.


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


125: Chafing gear is normally used __________.


126: The distance a vessel moves parallel to the original course from the point where the rudder is put over to any point on the turning circle is called the __________.


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

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

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

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

200: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    N a. No able seamen are required.
    N b. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    Y d. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.

290: What is NOT a form used by ice support services to disseminate information?

    N a. Ice Analyses
    N b. Ice Forecasts
    N c. Ice Outlooks
    Y d. Ice Bulletins

294: Displacement refers to the __________.

    N a. cubic capacity of a vessel
    N b. deadweight carrying capacity of a vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of a vessel
    Y d. number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat

411: Tonnage tax is officially based upon the figures obtained from the __________.

    Y a. Admeasurement Certificate
    N b. deadweight scale
    N c. displacement scale
    N d. Load Line Certificate

461: Where is the best location to install a towing hook?

    N a. Forward of the towing bitts
    N b. On the fantail
    N c. Near the Norman Pins
    Y d. Just aft of amidships

568: Which statement concerning the carriage of containers is TRUE?

    N a. The Chief Mate and Master of a container ship should have the proposed stowage plan ready for the stevedore upon arrival in port.
    N b. When stowed on deck of a break bulk ship, the bottom of the container must be evenly supported throughout.
    Y c. With tiered containers, a 40-foot container may be stowed on top of two 20-foot containers.
    N d. Deck load calculations must take into account the square footage of the entire container bottom.

580: Which statement is FALSE about using a wire bridle on an ocean tow?

    N a. The inboard end of each bridle leg should have a large eye splice to fit over the bitts.
    Y b. The strength of each leg should be at least one-half that of the main towing hawser.
    N c. Each leg should be at least 60 to 90 feet long.
    N d. None of the above

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

678: Prior to being able to sail, each vessel that carries grain in bulk must have a certificate of loading issued by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Lloyds of London
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. U.S. Salvage

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

1063: You have been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair rigged to a mast that you intend to paint. You are now supporting your weight by seizing the hauling part and the standing part of the gantline in one hand. Your next procedure in securing the bosun's chair is to __________.

    N a. secure the tail of the standing part leading from the becket bend to the mast
    Y b. dip the bight of the hauling part around your back and up in front of you to form the hitch
    N c. take a strain on the hauling part by having it led to the gypsy head on a winch
    N d. secure the standing part of the gantline to the hauling part by taking turns of marlin and tying off

1077: A seaman dies during a voyage. What is NOT required to be entered into the Official Log?

    Y a. Statement that the Master has taken custody of the deceased's MMD and passport
    N b. An inventory of the money and property
    N c. Statement of the wages due
    N d. Statement as to the total deductions to be made from the wages

1087: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    Y a. center of gravity
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

1102: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. after breast line
    N b. after spring line
    Y c. inshore stern line
    N d. offshore stern line

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

1139: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

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

1185: As shown, the mooring line labeled "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. spring line
    Y c. breast line
    N d. shore line

1234: Which type of line will stretch the most when under strain?

    N a. Polypropylene
    N b. Dacron
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Manila

1270: When a man who is conscious has fallen overboard is being picked up by a lifeboat, the boat should approach with the wind __________.

    N a. astern and the victim just off the bow
    N b. ahead and the victim just off the bow
    N c. just off the bow and the victim to windward
    Y d. just off the bow and the victim to leeward

1319: In relation to cargo gear, what does "SWL" mean?

    Y a. Safe working load
    N b. Ship's working lift
    N c. Starboard wing lift
    N d. Stress, weight, load

1364: Which molten substance is poured into the basket of a wire rope socket being fitted to the end of a wire rope?

    N a. Babbitt
    N b. Bronze
    N c. Lead
    Y d. Zinc

1484: A metal eye spliced into a wire is called a __________.

    N a. cyclops
    N b. fish eye
    Y c. thimble
    N d. chip

1486: Which is NOT a part of an anchor?

    N a. Bill
    Y b. Devil's claw
    N c. Palm
    N d. Crown

1492: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a fisherman's bend? (DO30DG )

    N a. F
    Y b. G
    N c. K
    N d. L

1523: When making a short splice in wire rope __________.

    Y a. all tucks go against the lay
    N b. all tucks go with the lay
    N c. the first three wires are tucked against the lay and the last three go with the lay
    N d. the first three wires are tucked with the lay and the last three go against the lay

1577: You are the Chief Mate of a 30,000-DWT tankship. The vessel is engaged in trade with another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Certificate of Inspection serves as prima facie evidence of complying with MARPOL 73/78.
    Y b. The IOPP Certificate for an inspected vessel is valid for 5 years.
    N c. An IOPP Certificate is invalidated if the ship carries cargoes outside the classes authorized thereon.
    N d. An IOPP Certificate is renewed at each inspection for certification.

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1665: Which picture in illustration DO30DG represents a sailmaker's whipping? (DO30DG )

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

1702: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2282 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Isoheptene
    N b. Phosphine
    N c. Furan
    Y d. Hexanols

1726: When attempting to free an anchor jammed in the hawsepipe, the simplest method of freeing it may be __________.

    Y a. starting the disengaged windlass at high speed
    N b. rigging a bull rope to pull it out
    N c. to grease the hawsepipe
    N d. to pry it loose with a short piece of pipe

1826: The knot lettered X in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    N b. becket bend
    Y c. clove hitch
    N d. blackwall hitch

1924: The knot lettered I as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. round knot
    Y c. bowline on a bight
    N d. timber hitch

2195: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as listed. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D035DG )

    N a. 745 yards
    N b. 770 yards
    Y c. 840 yards
    N d. 890 yards

2212: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are listed in illustration D035DG. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 30°? (D035DG )

    N a. 380 yards
    N b. 420 yards
    Y c. 470 yards
    N d. 525 yards

2219: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 75 lbs.
    Y c. 90 lbs.
    N d. 112 lbs.

2377: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    Y b. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

2602: As you hold a piece of manila line vertically in front of you, the strands run from the lower right to the upper left. Which type of line is this?

    N a. Plain-laid
    N b. Shroud-laid
    Y c. Left-hand laid
    N d. Water-laid

2624: The certificate of loading required by each vessel carrying grain in bulk is issued by the __________.

    N a. owner or charterer of the vessel
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. shipper of the cargo
    Y d. National Cargo Bureau

2848: Nautical charts published by the Canadian Hydrographic service which are referenced in the United States Coast Pilot are identified by __________.

    N a. the abbreviation "can" preceding the chart number
    N b. the letter "C" in parentheses following the chart number
    Y c. an asterisk preceding the chart number
    N d. a footnote number

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3039: What is NOT a problem when carrying coal?

    Y a. The requirement for through-ventilation
    N b. The corrosion some types of coal will cause to the ship
    N c. Spontaneous heating
    N d. Generation of methane gas

3103: A case received for shipment has the markings shown. Each carton measures 13" X 15" X 23". What is the total cubic capacity the entire consignment will occupy? (Ignore broken stowage.) (D043DG )

    Y a. 779 cubic feet (22 cubic meters)
    N b. 992 cubic feet (28 cubic meters)
    N c. 1,047 cubic feet (30 cubic meters)
    N d. 112,125 cubic feet (3173 cubic meters)

3165: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y b. use as much rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N c. use as little rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N d. advise his relief of the course being steered

3352: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended, his fingers closed, and his thumb pointing downward. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. hoist the load
    N b. raise the boom
    Y c. lower the boom
    N d. lower the load

3542: The Certificate of Inspection on a passenger vessel of over 100 gross tons must be posted __________.

    N a. in the Master's office
    N b. on the bridge
    Y c. in a conspicuous place where observation by the passengers is likely
    N d. in the passengers' dining room or, where there is no dining room, in the lounge area

3632: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The thrust on the boom is greater at 60°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is less at 20°.
    N d. The stress on the head block is less at 60°.

3726: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The angle of elevation does not change the stresses in the masthead fairlead for the topping lift.
    Y b. The stress on the head block is greater at 60°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is greater at 60°.
    N d. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.

3776: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the sagging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 29.70 numeral
    N b. 33.63 numeral
    N c. 49.82 numeral
    N d. 58.33 numeral

4091: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    Y b. center of gravity
    N c. centerline
    N d. bridge

4121: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. rolling
    N b. pitching
    N c. heaving
    Y d. All of the above

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

4173: What should be done before energizing the cargo hold ventilation on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    N b. Notify the boarding agent.
    Y c. Notify the engine room.
    N d. All of the above

4178: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp
    N c. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door
    N d. Raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds

4256: Which of the following statement(s) is/are FALSE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    Y c. The cranes are powered by independent internal combustion power units.
    N d. All of the above

4267: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    Y a. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    N b. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor.
    N d. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance.