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.


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?


108: Damage to cargo caused by dust is known as __________.


158: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the ship owner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.


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.

267: Which statement is NOT true concerning the stowage of class 1 explosives?

    N a. Class 1.1 explosives may be stowed with class 9 dangerous substances
    N b. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 5.1 oxidizing materials.
    Y c. Class 1.4 explosives may not be stowed in the same hold with class 6.1 poisons.
    N d. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 8 corrosive materials.

413: A person is found operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. He/she is liable for __________.

    N a. imprisonment for up to three years
    Y b. a civil penalty of not more than $5,000
    N c. a fine of not more than $3,000
    N d. a fine of not more than $10,000

431: Official proof of an American vessel's nationality is contained in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Official Log
    Y c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. Shipping Articles

450: Once a vessel has loaded packaged hazardous cargo, the cargo spaces shall be inspected. The spaces shall also be inspected at least once in every 24 hours. The only exception to daily inspection is when __________.

    Y a. a vessel is equipped with an automatic smoke or fire detecting system
    N b. the cargo hatches are of steel construction
    N c. the cargo is of a nonflammable type
    N d. there is sufficient fire protection located on the main deck adjacent to the cargo hatch

471: The official identification of a vessel is found in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Classification Certificate
    N c. Load Line Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Documentation

555: A chain bridle is used when towing astern because it __________.

    N a. is easy to connect
    Y b. provides an effective catenary and absorbs shock due to its weight
    N c. makes rigging a swivel unnecessary
    N d. prevents the tow from yawing by the drag of the chains in a seaway

574: Which type of link is generally used to connect shots of anchor chain?

    Y a. Detachable
    N b. Open
    N c. Pear shaped
    N d. Stud link

624: A serving mallet is used in __________.

    Y a. covering wire or fiber rope
    N b. forcing fids into a line
    N c. dogging hatches
    N d. splicing lines

626: What should NOT be used as an indicator that ice may be

    Y a.
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

638: Ship's officers should check every cargo compartment after it is filled with bulk grain to ensure __________.

    N a. all lighting circuits are energized
    Y b. all void spaces are filled
    N c. the correct grade of cargo has been loaded
    N d. the heavier grade is in the lower hold

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

666: You are proceeding at a slow speed with your starboard side near the right bank of a channel. If your vessel suddenly sheers toward the opposite bank, the best maneuver would be __________.

    N a. full ahead, hard left rudder
    Y b. full ahead, hard right rudder
    N c. full astern, hard left rudder
    N d. full astern, hard right rudder

684: Right-laid line should be coiled __________.

    Y a. clockwise
    N b. counterclockwise
    N c. either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. on a reel

751: A document which has a list of names, birthplaces, and residences of persons employed on a merchant vessel bound from a U.S. port on a foreign voyage and is required at every port is called the __________.

    Y a. Certified Crew List
    N b. Crew Manifest
    N c. Shipping Articles
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

777: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. Master must always request the Pilot to take corrective action
    Y b. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course
    N c. Master should agree to sign a release of liability form
    N d. vessel must be in extremis

838: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 110 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 72,000. If broken stowage is figured at 15%, how many tons of the wool can be stowed?

    Y a. 556
    N b. 654
    N c. 752
    N d. 770

839: The valve on the discharge side of a cargo pump on a tank vessel will usually be a __________.

    N a. butterfly valve
    N b. spectacle valve
    Y c. check valve
    N d. globe valve

886: Two vessels are abreast of each other and passing port to port in a confined waterway. What should you expect as your bow approaches the screws of the other vessel?

    N a. Your speed will significantly increase.
    N b. Your draft will significantly decrease.
    Y c. Your bow will sheer towards the other vessel.
    N d. Your bow will sheer away from the other vessel.

978: Anyone voluntarily surrendering their license to a U.S. Coast Guard investigating officer signs a statement indicating that __________.

    N a. all title to the license is given up for 5 years
    Y b. their rights to a hearing are waived
    N c. they may be issued a new license in 5 years after passing another written examination
    N d. All of the above

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

1094: Which statement is TRUE with respect to the elasticity of nylon mooring lines?

    N a. Nylon can stretch over forty percent without being in danger of parting.
    N b. Nylon can be elongated by one-hundred percent before it will part.
    N c. Nylon will part if it is stretched any more than twenty percent.
    Y d. Under load, nylon will stretch and thin out but will return to normal size when free of tension.

1149: You are on anchor watch. As an aid to preventing thievery on the vessel you should __________.

    N a. show running lights, anchor lights and deck lights
    N b. only show the required anchor lights and keep the rest of the vessel darkened
    N c. maintain water on deck with firehoses led out and all-purpose nozzles attached
    Y d. show anchor lights, deck lights and cargo lights hung over the vessel's side

1165: The Muster List ("Station Bill") shows each person's lifeboat station, duties during abandonment, basic instructions, and __________.

    Y a. all emergency signals
    N b. instructions for lowering the lifeboats
    N c. the time each weekly drill will be held
    N d. work schedule

1175: You have arrived at your anchorage location. You have put the engines astern prior to letting go the anchor. How will you know when the vessel has stopped making way?

    N a. The ship's Doppler log reads zero
    Y b. The backwash of the propeller reaches amidships
    N c. An azimuth bearing on the beam remains steady
    N d. All of the above

1187: You are taking the bow line from the port bow of a large vessel that is underway when the stern of your tug comes in contact with the vessel. The forward motion of both vessels causes your tug to be turned toward the other vessel and contact the stem thereby being "stemmed". You should immediately __________.

    N a. stop engines and the vessel's wake will push you clear of the bow
    Y b. go full astern with rudder amidships
    N c. go full ahead with the rudder hard over to starboard
    N d. go full ahead with the rudder amidships

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.

1411: The time allowed for loading and discharging cargo in a charter party is referred to as __________.

    N a. charter hire
    N b. demurrage
    N c. dispatch
    Y d. lay days

1435: Which letter shown represents a clove hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. X
    N b. U
    N c. T
    N d. R

1555: When carrying out a parallel track search pattern, the course of the search units should normally be which of the following?

    Y a. In the same direction as the anticipated drift
    N b. In the opposite direction of the anticipated drift
    N c. Perpendicular to the line of anticipated drift
    N d. Downwind

1591: A complaint of unseaworthiness by a majority of crew members to the American Consul is found to be justified after a survey is completed. Who must pay the cost of the survey?

    N a. Crew members requesting the survey
    N b. American Consul
    Y c. Master
    N d. Vessel's owners

1684: Temporary seizings on wire rope are made with __________.

    N a. marline
    N b. sail twine
    N c. tape
    Y d. wire

1772: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 32 feet and a height of 21 feet?

    N a. 8,444.60 cubic ft.
    N b. 7,732.81 cubic ft.
    Y c. 5,629.73 cubic ft.
    N d. 703.72 cubic ft.

1859: You are attempting to take a dead ship in tow. All lines have been passed and secured. How should you get underway?

    N a. Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is just clear of the water, then reduce speed to that necessary to keep the line clear of the water.
    N b. If the towline is properly adjusted and weighted you can order slow or dead slow and the towline will act as a spring to absorb the initial shock.
    N c. Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is taut and then continue at that speed until towing speed is attained.
    Y d. Order minimum turns until the catenary almost breaks the water, then stop. Order more turns as the hawser slackens but keep the catenary in the water.

1871: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    Y d. P (PRIORITY)

2000: The vessel has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. Both vessels are making the same amount of leeway. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (D025DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

2022: In determining the scope of cable to be used when anchoring, what would NOT be considered?

    N a. Depth of the water
    N b. Character of the holding ground
    Y c. maintenance cost for the chain
    N d. Type of anchor cable

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

2121: Which statement concerning the lashings of containers with solid bar or wire rope lashings is TRUE?

    Y a. Stack weights should be less when using a solid bar lashing as compared to a wire lashing.
    N b. Stack heights may be increased when using a solid bar lashing.
    N c. Stack heights should be reduced when using a solid bar lashing.
    N d. Solid bars should be used for lashing the first tier only, with wire lashings on the higher tier(s).

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

2247: The knot lettered M in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper
    N b. lashing
    N c. becket bend
    Y d. carrick bend

2289: A seaman you have just discharged has a Continuous Discharge Book. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The record of entry in the continuous discharge book shall agree with the entry made in the Ship's Articles.
    N b. If the vessel was on coastwise articles, the record of discharge will be made in the Official Logbook.
    N c. An entry should be made in the book and a Certificate of Discharge issued to the seaman.
    N d. A Certificate of Discharge form should be attached to the book.

2350: A temporary wire eye splice made with three wire rope clamps will hold approximately what percentage of the total rope strength?

    N a. 20%
    N b. 50%
    Y c. 80%
    N d. 99%

2350: A temporary wire eye splice made with three wire rope clamps will hold approximately what percentage of the total rope strength?

    N a. 20%
    N b. 50%
    Y c. 80%
    N d. 99%

2512: Ultrasonic testing is used to determine the thickness of a vessel's shell plating and to __________.

    N a. provide tail shaft clearances
    Y b. test welds for subsurface defects
    N c. check the wear of the rudder carrier bearing
    N d. test the links of the anchor cables while being ranged

2532: For a given weight of cargo, the stress on the heel block of a cargo boom __________.

    N a. increases as the cargo closes the head while hoisting
    N b. increases if the cargo runner is doubled up
    Y c. decreases as the boom is topped to a greater angle
    N d. is determined by the thrust stresses on the boom

2709: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker should indicate that she is ready to cast off the towline by __________.

    Y a. displaying code letter "Y" (Yankee)
    N b. sounding five short blasts on his whistle
    N c. displaying code numeral "5"
    N d. sounding one prolonged blast on his whistle

2889: What is the minimum size required before a vessel can be documented?

    Y a. 5 net tons
    N b. 100 gross tons
    N c. 26 feet length
    N d. 65 feet length

2940: A vessel reduces speed without backing. The rate that her speed through the water decreases depends primarily on the __________.

    N a. vessel's horsepower
    N b. sea state
    N c. number of propellers
    Y d. vessel's displacement

2988: You are mooring to a buoy. You should approach the buoy with the current from __________.

    Y a. ahead
    N b. broad on the bow
    N c. abeam
    N d. astern

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3219: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

3560: What should look-outs report?

    N a. Discolored water
    N b. Shoals
    N c. Floating objects
    Y d. All of the above

3606: A spreader bar is used to __________.

    N a. increase the lifting capacity
    N b. increase the lifting radius
    N c. protect the slings
    Y d. protect the upper part of a load

4059: A 750 foot passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes, not subject to SOLAS regulations, is required to carry how many ring life buoys?

    Y a. 24
    N b. 18
    N c. 12
    N d. 6

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.

4268: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    Y b. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    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.