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.


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


150: Protective clothing must be worn while sampling hazardous cargo on a tankship, and as a minimum includes __________.


187: You are standing the wheel watch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?


204: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    Y a. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now.
    N b. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.
    N c. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    N d. Stop the swing of the ship.

319: Static electricity may be built up by the __________.

    N a. flow of petroleum through pipes
    N b. spraying or splashing of petroleum
    N c. settling of solids or water in petroleum
    Y d. All of the above

366: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    Y c. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N d. aft of the propellers

383: What is TRUE of pressure/vacuum valves?

    N a. They are designed to provide for the flow of small volumes of tank atmospheres caused by thermal variations in a cargo tank.
    N b. They should operate in advance of the pressure/vacuum breakers.
    N c. They should be kept in good working order by regular inspection and cleaning.
    Y d. All of the above

456: You are conning a twin-screw vessel going ahead with rudders amidships. If the port screw stops turning the bow will __________.

    Y a. go to port
    N b. go to starboard
    N c. not veer to either side
    N d. go first to port and then to starboard

469: With an increase in temperature the volume of flammable and combustible liquids __________.

    Y a. expands
    N b. contracts
    N c. remains constant
    N d. remains constant if pressure remains constant

480: What is NOT a requirement for the preparation of used, gasoline-propelled cars if they are to be carried as ordinary cargo and not as hazardous cargo?

    N a. The engine must be run until it dies from lack of fuel.
    Y b. The fuel tank must be inerted with CO2.
    N c. The ignition key may not be in the ignition.
    N d. The vehicle must be inspected for fuel leaks.

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

593: To lead the towing hawser over the center of the stern when not under a strain you could __________.

    N a. fairlead it through a stern roller chock
    N b. lead it through the Norman pins
    N c. hold it in the median position by a gob rope or lizard stopper
    Y d. All of the above when so equipped

632: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Stop the swing of the ship.
    N b. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    Y c. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees that it is now.
    N d. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.

658: When carrying a full or nearly full load of bulk ore in a general cargo type vessel which has engine spaces amidships, the cargo in each hold should be trimmed so that the bulk of the cargo lies __________.

    N a. along the centerline
    N b. toward the forward bulkhead of the forward holds and toward the after bulkhead of the after holds
    Y c. toward the after bulkhead of the forward holds and the forward bulkhead of the after holds
    N d. toward the after bulkhead of all holds

704: Laying out a line in successive circles flat on deck with the bitter end in the center is known as __________.

    N a. coiling
    N b. faking
    Y c. flemishing
    N d. lining

726: A common occurrence when a vessel is running into shallow water is that __________.

    N a. the wake is less pronounced
    N b. the vessel is more responsive to the rudder
    Y c. "squat" will cause a decrease in bottom clearance and an increase in draft
    N d. All of the above

787: While assigned to a 120 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from New York City to which port?

    N a. Halifax, Canada
    Y b. Long Beach, California
    N c. Veracruz, Mexico
    N d. Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

808: You are loading a cargo of cases into a hold which has a bale cubic of 44,000. The cargo consists of cases measuring 4 ft by 2 ft by 1.5 ft. Estimated broken stowage is 15%. What is the maximum number of cases which can be stowed in the hold?

    N a. 3096
    Y b. 3116
    N c. 3136
    N d. 3156

872: In a foreign port with a consulate, the U.S. Consul may excuse the Master from personally appearing before him to consent to the mutual release of an injured seaman, when the __________.

    Y a. injury requires immediate inpatient hospitalization of the seaman
    N b. Master authorizes the agent to act in his place
    N c. ship is still in port and the seaman can appear before the Consul after medical treatment
    N d. seaman also consents to the absence, and there is no dispute as to the wages due

934: Which method is used to detect rot in manila lines?

    Y a. Opening the strands and examining the inner fibers
    N b. Measuring the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. Observing for the appearance of mildew on the outer surface
    N d. Feeling the surface of the line for broken fibers

995: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

    Y a. a single turn with hard rudder
    N b. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    N d. two 180° turns

1026: When making way in heavy seas you notice that your vessel's screw is being lifted clear of the water and racing. One way to correct this would be to __________.

    N a. increase speed
    Y b. decrease speed
    N c. move more weight forward
    N d. shift the rudder back and forth several times

1080: The "inner bottom" is the __________.

    Y a. tank top
    N b. compartment between the tank top and shell of the vessel
    N c. inner side of the vessel's shell
    N d. space between two transverse bottom frames

1112: What is an advantage of the 6X37 class of wire rope over the 6X19 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

    Y a. Greater flexibility
    N b. More resistance to corrosion
    N c. More resistance to elongation
    N d. Lower weight per foot

1137: When lowering manropes alongside a stage rigged over the side of a vessel, they should be allowed to trail in the water __________.

    N a. to easily remove the kinks that form in the lines
    N b. to allow the seamen on the stage to know the direction and strength of the current
    Y c. to provide the seaman something to hold onto if he or she falls from the stage into the water
    N d. only for short periods of time since they will become waterlogged and be very heavy to pull up

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

1230: Which statement concerning solid floors is TRUE?

    N a. They must be watertight.
    Y b. They may have lightening, limber, or air holes cut into them.
    N c. They are built of structural frames connected by angle struts and stiffeners, with flanged plate brackets at each end.
    N d. They are lighter than open floors.

1260: The function of the bilge keel is to __________.

    Y a. reduce the rolling of the vessel
    N b. serve as the vessel's main strength member
    N c. add strength to the bilge
    N d. protect the vessel's hull when alongside a dock

1331: The S.S. Microwave has been chartered to the Longline Steamship Company. The Longline Steamship Company agrees to pay all expenses and employ and pay the crew. Which type of contract is involved?

    Y a. Bareboat Charter Party
    N b. Lease Charter Party
    N c. Time Charter Party
    N d. Voyage Charter Party

1486: Which is NOT a part of an anchor?

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

1494: After splicing an eye in a piece of wire rope, the splice should be parceled and served to __________.

    N a. strengthen the line
    N b. increase its efficiency
    Y c. prevent hand injury by covering loose ends
    N d. make the line more flexible

1553: The correct way to make an eye in a wire rope with clips is to place the clips with the __________.

    N a. first and third U-bolts on the bitter end and the second U-bolt on the standing part
    N b. first and third U-bolts on the standing part and the second U-bolt on the bitter end
    Y c. U-bolts of all clips on the bitter end
    N d. U-bolts of all clips on the standing part

1611: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    Y a. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N b. the Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Light List

1639: All wire rope used in shipboard cargo gear must be identified and described in a certificate. The certificate shall certify all of the following EXCEPT the __________.

    N a. date of the test
    N b. load at which a test sample broke
    Y c. name of the vessel
    N d. number of strands and of wires in each strand

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

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

1697: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 85°, and the wet bulb temperature is 73°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 42%
    Y b. 55%
    N c. 67%
    N d. 85%

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

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

1845: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

1905: You have a large, broken-down vessel in tow with a wire rope and anchor cable towline. Both vessels have made provision for slipping the tow in an emergency; however, unless there are special circumstances __________.

    Y a. the towing vessel should slip first
    N b. the vessel towed should slip first
    N c. they should slip simultaneously
    N d. either vessel may slip first

1974: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

1996: Which method should be used to secure a manila line to bitts?

    N a. A round turn on the bitt farthest from the strain and then figure eights
    Y b. A round turn on the bitt closest to the strain and then figure eights
    N c. Figure eights and then a round turn at the top of both bitts
    N d. Only figure eights are necessary on both bitts

2208: Under normal weather and sea conditions when securing a stack of containers with twist locks, lashings are required when the tier exceeds what height?

    N a. Lashings are always required
    N b. One container
    Y c. Two containers
    N d. Three containers

2236: Another name for the garboard strake is the __________.

    Y a. A strake
    N b. Z strake
    N c. side keel plate
    N d. stringer plate

2254: You are using tackle number 4 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 10. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

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

2311: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

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

2388: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 4 feet after a sector of 120° has been removed?

    N a. 2.67 square ft.
    N b. 4.19 square ft.
    Y c. 8.38 square ft.
    N d. 10.67 square ft.

2452: Which is an advantage of using watertight longitudinal divisions in double bottom tanks?

    Y a. Cuts down free surface effect
    N b. Increases the rolling period
    N c. Decreases weight because extra stiffeners are unneeded
    N d. Lowers the center of buoyancy without decreasing GM

2618: Due to the nature of a vessel's construction for a particular trade, it does not fully comply with the provisions of SOLAS. Where will this be indicated?

    Y a. On the Exemption Certificate
    N b. On the reverse of the particular SOLAS certificate affected
    N c. On the face of the Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Nowhere; the vessel must comply to engage in international trade.

2699: The thickness of a 30.6 pound plate is __________.

    N a. 3/8"
    N b. 1/2"
    Y c. 3/4"
    N d. 1"

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

3013: Which will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    Y b. Trimming the tow by the bow
    N c. Trimming the tow by the stern
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

3078: Another name for coal naphtha that would appear on a dangerous cargo manifest is __________.

    Y a. benzene
    N b. tar
    N c. middle oil
    N d. toluene

3414: You are lifting a 3-ton weight with a single whip rove on a swinging boom set at an angle 20° to the horizontal. Use the formula for the size of a shackle with a safe working load and determine the minimum size shackle that should be used to secure the head block to the boom.

    Y a. 1 3/8 inch
    N b. 1 1/2 inch
    N c. 1 5/8 inch
    N d. 1 3/4 inch

3693: When the Pilot is embarked he or she __________.

    N a. relieves the Master of his duties
    N b. is solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel
    Y c. is a specialist hired for his or her local navigational knowledge
    N d. relieves the officer of the watch

4047: Your vessel is to dock bow in at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Inshore head line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Stern breast line
    N d. Bow breast line

4063: The knot at the end of the heaving line used to pass the towing hawser is called a __________.

    Y a. monkey's fist
    N b. ball or baseball knot
    N c. heaving knot
    N d. three strand Turk's head

4128: Which of the following lashing materials would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Webbing
    N c. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N d. All of the above

4132: What is used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N b. Webbing
    N c. Manila rope
    Y d. None of these

4146: Which of the following tensioning devices is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    Y b. Buckle tensioner
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Turnbuckle

4151: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. It is NOT imperative that the securing of cargo on flats and trailers and in containers be adequate for BOTH road and sea motions.
    Y b. The generally recommended lash angle should not be greater than 45 degrees relative to the deck in any direction.
    N c. For effective securing vehicles should be stowed athwartships whenever possible.
    N d. It is not necessary to lash automobiles since setting the brakes is sufficient to keep them from moving.