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.


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


45: Which shallow water effect will increase dramatically if you increase your ship's speed past its "critical speed"?


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?


84: The ceiling is __________.

    N a. the overhead in berthing compartments
    Y b. a wooden protection placed over the tank top
    N c. material driven into seams or cracks to prevent leaking
    N d. None of the above are correct

201: Your vessel is in a foreign port and you find that one of the crew members has been incarcerated for drunkenness. The Official Logbook shows that the seaman doesn't have funds to cover the costs of the fine. Which action should the Master take?

    N a. Inventory his gear and send it and a pay voucher ashore with the agent.
    N b. Leave the seaman in jail and log him as a fail to join after the vessel sails.
    N c. Leave the seaman in jail and log him as a deserter after the vessel sails.
    Y d. Pay the seaman's fine.

258: Your U.S. tankship is designed to carry anhydrous ammonia in bulk. The keel was laid in 1980. Which statement concerning the carriage of this cargo is TRUE?

    N a. A flammable gas detection system must be installed in each cargo pump room.
    Y b. The cargo may be gauged by automatic float type devices.
    N c. Carriage of this cargo is authorized by issuance of an IMO Certificate.
    N d. Aluminum, copper, zinc, and mercury are allowed in valve parts in contact with the cargo.

275: You have taken another vessel in tow. You can tell that the towing speed is too fast when the __________.

    N a. vessels are not in step
    N b. tow line feels like it is "jumping" when touched
    Y c. catenary comes clear of the water
    N d. towed vessel goes "in irons"

332: The helm command "Meet her" means __________.

    N a. steer more carefully
    Y b. use rudder to check the swing
    N c. decrease the existing rudder angle
    N d. note the course and steady on that heading

390: A package contains nitric acid solution and is radioactive. The radiation level at the package surface is .36 millirems per hour. How should this package be labeled?

    N a. Radioactive II and oxidizer
    N b. Radioactive II and poison
    Y c. Radioactive I and corrosive
    N d. Fissile class I

474: On an anchor windlass, the wheel over which the anchor chain passes is called a __________.

    N a. brake compressor wheel
    N b. devil's claw
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. winchhead

578: When loading a container vessel, the operation is basically that of vertical loading. The important factors to be considered when loading containers are port of discharge, __________.

    N a. available dunnage, and chocking
    N b. crushability, and inherent vice
    N c. sweat, and weight
    Y d. weight, and refrigeration

616: "Ice blink" is __________.

    N a. the dark appearance of the underside of a cloud layer due to reflection of a surface of open water
    N b. the soft light appearance on the underside of a cloud layer due to reflection from a surface of open water
    Y c. the yellowish-white glare on the underside of a cloud layer
    N d. "water sky"

640: Which factor(s) can affect the performance of a river towboat?

    N a. The draft of the towboat and the draft of the barges under tow
    N b. The placement of the barges within the tow
    N c. The presence of flanking rudders and Kort nozzles
    Y d. All of the above

688: Who would normally certify that all preparations have been made and all regulations observed prior to loading a cargo of bulk grain?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Master of the vessel

769: The owner or Master of a towing vessel must ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel knows all of the following EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. the effects of maneuvering on the vessel and its tow
    N b. the speed and direction of any current for the area being transited
    N c. how to apply variation and deviation to readings from a magnetic compass
    Y d. the ownership of the vessel(s) being towed

834: A whipping on a fiber line __________.

    Y a. keeps the ends from fraying
    N b. strengthens it
    N c. protects your hands
    N d. becomes part of a splice

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

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

1007: When using the term "limber system" one is referring to a __________.

    N a. cleaning system
    Y b. drainage system
    N c. strengthening system
    N d. weight reduction system

1068: You shall notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible when your vessel has been damaged in excess of __________.

    N a. $1,000
    N b. $1,500
    N c. $10,000
    Y d. $25,000

1089: The system of valves and cargo lines in the bottom piping network of a tank vessel that connects one section of cargo tanks to another section is called a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. runaround
    N c. come-along
    N d. manifold

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

1182: Your vessel must moor port side to a berth limited by vessels ahead and astern using a single tug. You are stemming a slight current and there is a light breeze of the dock. Your tug should be made up to the vessel's __________.

    N a. stern on a hawser
    N b. quarter
    N c. waist
    Y d. bow

1289: What would you use to adjust the height of a cargo boom?

    N a. Lizard
    N b. Spanner guy
    Y c. Topping lift
    N d. Working guy

1325: 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
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    N d. fo'c'sle card

1424: A wire rope for a 10-ton boom on a vessel shows signs of excessive wear and must be replaced. What safety factor should be used when ordering a new wire?

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

1495: A common class of wire rope is the 6X37 class. What does the 37 represent?

    N a. Number of wires in the inner core
    N b. Number of strands per wire rope
    N c. Tensile strength of the wire
    Y d. Number of wires per strand

1741: The load line regulations are administered by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Maritime Administration
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1778: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller port side to a dock. As you approach the dock, you back down on your engine with rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. drift away from the dock
    N b. lose headway without swinging
    Y c. swing its stern towards the dock
    N d. swing its stern away from the dock

1816: Which picture shown represents a square knot? (DO30DG )

    Y a. W
    N b. R
    N c. P
    N d. H

1856: When passing a hawser to the dock you would first use what line?

    N a. Gantline
    Y b. Heaving line
    N c. Preventer
    N d. Warp

1969: If you shorten the scope of anchor cable, your anchor's holding power __________.

    Y a. decreases
    N b. increases
    N c. remains the same
    N d. has no relation to the scope

2026: After a seaman is discharged, at the end of the voyage, the final payment of wages due must be made, whichever is earliest, either within 24 hours after the cargo has been discharged, or __________.

    Y a. within 4 days after the seaman's discharge
    N b. prior to the vessel's departure on the next voyage
    N c. prior to loading any out-bound cargo
    N d. prior to any change of Master

2033: A spring line leads __________.

    Y a. fore and aft from the ship's side
    N b. to the dock at a right angle to the vessel
    N c. through the bull nose or chock at the bow
    N d. through the chock at the stern

2144: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    N b. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    Y d. put the rudder over to the right all the way

2238: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 12 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 18.85 square feet
    N b. 75.40 square feet
    N c. 94.25 square feet
    Y d. 376.99 square feet

2352: The recessed areas on a wildcat are called __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. sockets
    Y c. pockets
    N d. devil's claws

2504: A seaman may have all or part of his wages deposited by allotment to a bank or savings institution. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for this type of allotment?

    Y a. The account must be either a checking or savings account.
    N b. The institution must be insured by the FSLIC or FDIC.
    N c. The account must be opened by the seaman and maintained in the seaman's name.
    N d. All of the above are requirements.

2553: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

    N a. good equipment
    N b. a dedicated crew
    Y c. well-conducted drills
    N d. good communication

2582: What is usually NOT required in preparing a hold for reception of a bulk grain cargo?

    N a. Remove residue of previous cargo.
    N b. Remove loose rust and scale.
    Y c. Steam clean areas obstructed by structural members.
    N d. Spray or fumigate any insect colonies.

2684: Which statement about bilge keels is CORRECT?

    N a. They are critical strength members and require careful design consideration.
    Y b. They increase resistance to rolling.
    N c. They attach to a low stress area.
    N d. They provide support when the vessel is dry docked.

2852: On a small passenger vessel the collision bulkhead is __________.

    N a. amidships forward of the engine room
    N b. just forward of the steering compartment
    N c. in the engine room
    Y d. A distance of 5% to 15% of the waterline length abaft the stem measured at the load waterline

2883: While you are on watch entering port, the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. asks you for instructions
    Y d. obeys the Master

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.

2960: When cutting wire rope, seizings are put on each side of the cut. The seizings prevent the wire from unlaying and also __________.

    Y a. maintain the original balance of the tension in the wires and strands
    N b. prevent moisture from entering between the wires at the cut end
    N c. forces lubricant from the core to protect the raw, cut end
    N d. All of the above

2968: On the Great Lakes, winter storms compound the ice threat by bringing a variety of wind, wave, and weather problems on an average of every __________.

    N a. two days
    N b. three days
    Y c. four days
    N d. five days

3004: What is NOT a basic shiphandling rule for navigating in ice concentrations on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Keep moving - even very slowly, but keep moving.
    N b. Work with the ice movement, not against.
    Y c. Transit ice along pressure ridges when possible.
    N d. Excessive speed means ice damage.

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

3099: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. quarter line
    N b. back line
    N c. peg line
    Y d. jockey line

3162: When maneuvering from pull towing to breasted (alongside) towing, a twin-screw vessel is more likely than a single-screw vessel of equal horsepower to __________.

    N a. trip or capsize
    Y b. foul the towline
    N c. go into irons
    N d. part the towing strap

3176: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter G is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    Y c. tripping palm
    N d. crown

3252: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended and is pointing his finger in the direction to move the boom. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend
    N b. lower
    N c. hoist
    Y d. swing

3288: The angular movement of a vessel about a horizontal line drawn from its bow to its stern is __________.

    N a. pitching
    Y b. rolling
    N c. heaving
    N d. swaying

3488: Angular motion about the vertical axis of a vessel is called __________.

    Y a. yaw
    N b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. roll

3590: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

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

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°.

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above

4253: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. Each single boom is of the partial-level luffing type and is capable of limited rotation.
    N b. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N c. An independent slew drive system rotates the turntable.
    Y d. All of the above

4261: Who should be notified prior to starting up a crane?

    N a. The pumpman
    N b. The stevedore foreman
    Y c. The engine room
    N d. All the above

4391: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    N b. the amount of ballast on board
    Y c. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N d. an evaluation of who was at fault