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.


101: You can safely step in the bight of a line __________.


128: Which is characteristic of a "special cargo"?


133: The standard unit of liquid volume used in the petroleum industry, as well as the tanker industry, is a __________.


309: When planning the loading or discharging of a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) what is the most important consideration?

    N a. Draft and trim
    Y b. Limits of the bending moments
    N c. Rate of discharging
    N d. Rate of loading

324: A "chock" is a __________.

    N a. deck fitting used to secure mooring lines
    Y b. casting fitted at the side of a weather deck, used as a fairlead
    N c. sharp block of wood used to support hygroscopic cargo
    N d. smoke pipe for the galley stove

361: The strictest load line regulations apply to __________.

    N a. gas carriers
    N b. freighters (break-bulk)
    Y c. passenger ships
    N d. tankers

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

437: Prior to getting underway in fresh or brackish water, the Master must __________.

    Y a. log the density of the water
    N b. secure all overboard discharges
    N c. take on fresh water ballast
    N d. clean the sides with fresh water

442: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    N a. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    Y b. decrease the rudder angle
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    N d. steer the course which is your present heading

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

484: On stud-link anchor chain the addition of the stud increases the strength of the link by about __________.

    N a. 10%
    Y b. 15%
    N c. 20%
    N d. 50%

517: What is the purpose of the intermediate spring?

    N a. Serves as a backup for the main tow hawser in case of failure.
    Y b. Provides weight and flexibility to the total tow makeup.
    N c. Lengthens the main tow hawser to keep the tow in step.
    N d. Distributes the towing load.

604: The term "lee side" refers to the __________.

    N a. side of the vessel exposed to the wind
    Y b. side of the vessel sheltered from the wind
    N c. port side
    N d. starboard side

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

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

736: You notice that your speed has decreased, the stern of your vessel has settled into the water, and your rudder is sluggish in responding. The MOST likely cause is __________.

    N a. mechanical problems with the steering gear
    Y b. shallow water
    N c. loss of lubricating oil in the engine
    N d. current

746: Which effect does speed through the water have on a vessel which is underway in shallow water?

    N a. A decrease in the speed results in a decrease in steering response and maneuverability.
    Y b. An increase in speed results in the stern sucking down lower than the bow.
    N c. An increase in speed results in the vessel rising on an even plane.
    N d. A decrease in speed results in the vessel sucking down on an even plane.

877: On which vessels may licensed individuals be required to stand watch under the two-watch system, on voyages of more than 600 miles in length?

    Y a. Uninspected towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Cargo ships
    N d. Tank vessels

920: A vessel's light displacement is 12,000 tons. Its heavy displacement is 28,000 tons. When fully loaded it carries 200 tons of fuel and 100 tons of water and stores. What is the cargo carrying capacity in tons?

    N a. 11,700 tons
    Y b. 15,700 tons
    N c. 16,000 tons
    N d. 27,700 tons

945: After having been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair on a mast, you must now make yourself fast in the chair prior to painting the mast. You should first __________.

    N a. have the sailor on deck make the hauling part fast to a cleat on the mast
    N b. make the tail of the line leading from the becket bend fast to a padeye on the mast
    Y c. seize the hauling part and the standing part firmly in one hand to support your weight
    N d. frap yourself to the mast to take the strain off the hauling part

959: A relief valve for a cargo pump is generally installed __________.

    N a. after the discharge valve
    Y b. between the pump and discharge valve
    N c. after the suction valve
    N d. between the pump and suction valve

965: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel has deviated 15 degrees from course and there is no corrective rudder being applied. As a standard operating procedure you should first __________.

    N a. check the setting of the rudder adjustment
    N b. check the setting of the weather adjustment
    Y c. switch to hand steering
    N d. immediately engage the trick wheel

1012: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1133: To properly rig the downhaul to your stage for lowering, you must __________.

    N a. take only figure eights around the horns
    Y b. take 2 or 3 round turns around the stage and then belay the downhaul around the horns
    N c. take 2 round turns around the stage and then dip the third turn to form a clove hitch
    N d. pass the downhaul through the bridle formed by the standing part and then take round turns

1168: A vessel has completed loading cargo in the port of San Francisco. What document is signed by the Master stating the terms that goods were delivered and received by the ship?

    N a. Bill of Goods
    Y b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Cargo Manifest
    N d. Cargo Receipt

1218: Which is a negotiable document?

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Cargo Manifest
    N c. Export Declaration
    N d. Receiving Report

1233: You are on watch while your vessel is entering port with a pilot conning. The pilot gives a steering command to the helmsman who fails to acknowledge it by repeating the command. You should immediately __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    N b. ask the Pilot to repeat the command since the helmsman failed to hear it
    N c. tell the helmsman to ask the Pilot to repeat any command that he fails to hear or understand
    Y d. repeat the Pilot's command and ensure that the helmsman repeats it exactly

1252: Control of flooding should be addressed __________.

    N a. first
    Y b. following control of fire
    N c. following restoration of vital services
    N d. only if a threat exists

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

1538: Your vessel is being towed and you are using a tripping rope. A tripping rope of fiber or wire is used to __________.

    N a. give added strength to the main tow hawser
    N b. retrieve the main tow hawser
    Y c. retrieve the outboard legs of the bridle where they are connected to the fishplate
    N d. open the pelican hook at the fishplate

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

1560: Which arrangement of shell plating is used most in modern shipbuilding?

    N a. Clinker
    Y b. Flush
    N c. In-and-Out
    N d. Joggled

1605: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

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

1647: Under Naval Control of Shipping who is responsible for routing and diverting ships and convoys?

    N a. The Maritime Defense Zone Sector
    Y b. The Operational Control Authority
    N c. The National Shipping Authority
    N d. Any Navy Command

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

1935: The knot lettered H in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. plain whipping
    N d. crown knot

1967: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 92°, and the wet bulb temperature is 85°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 75%
    N b. 81%
    N c. 84%
    N d. 88%

1998: When towing in an open seaway, it is important to use a towing line __________.

    N a. made only of wire rope, due to possible weather conditions
    N b. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is in a trough
    Y c. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is on a crest
    N d. with little dip to gain maximum control of the tow

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

2097: What is the name of tackle number 11? (DO29DG )

    N a. Three-two purchase
    Y b. Double luff tackle
    N c. Gun tackle
    N d. Topping lift

2234: Keeping certain cargoes separated because of their inherent characteristics is known as __________.

    N a. overstowage
    Y b. segregation
    N c. spot loading
    N d. cargo typing

2335: When two lines are spliced together, __________.

    N a. the size of the lines at the splice decreases
    Y b. they are stronger than if knotted together
    N c. the overall strength of each line is increased
    N d. the bitter ends will resist rotting

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

2484: The type of joint formed when an edge of one plate is laid over the edge of the plate to which it is riveted is a __________.

    N a. grip joint
    N b. strap joint
    N c. thread joint
    Y d. lap joint

2560: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 101.02 numeral
    N b. 91.36 numeral
    N c. 72.43 numeral
    Y d. 52.79 numeral

2789: Your vessel is approaching the International Bridge on the St. Marys River. If the gage on the bridge, read from top to bottom, indicates 124 ft. and the IGLD (1955) is 600 ft., determine the actual vertical clearances between the existing water level and the lowest point of the bridge over the channel.

    Y a. 124 feet
    N b. 476 feet
    N c. 724 feet
    N d. 840 feet

2813: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters"
    N b. ATP-1, Volume II "Allied Tactical Signals"
    N c. NWP-14, "Amphibious Operations"
    N d. PUB 102, "International Code of Signals"

2813: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters"
    N b. ATP-1, Volume II "Allied Tactical Signals"
    N c. NWP-14, "Amphibious Operations"
    N d. PUB 102, "International Code of Signals"

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

2896: You are proceeding against the current on a river in the Great Lakes System. You are meeting a downbound vessel. Both vessels are power-driven. The other vessel sounds one short blast. You must __________.

    N a. change course to port
    N b. hold course and speed
    N c. sound three short blasts
    Y d. sound one short blast

2926: Many sheath-screw davits have markings to indicate the maximum angle to which they should be cranked out. If the angle is exceeded, the davit __________.

    N a. may jam against the stops
    N b. will not automatically position the boat at the embarkation station
    Y c. screw may come out of the sheath
    N d. will chafe against the falls and may cause their failure

2979: Which statement about shipping coal is TRUE?

    N a. Anthracite will generate more methane than bituminous coal.
    N b. Coal should not be shipped while wet.
    Y c. Coal should be surface ventilated to remove methane gas.
    N d. The methane gas generated by coal will react with moisture on the ship's structure and accelerate corrosion.

3012: Which statement about the ventilation of bulk coal is TRUE?

    N a. Coal should not be ventilated; all oxygen should be excluded from the cargo.
    N b. Coal should be through-ventilated to remove methane and reduce the heat of spontaneous combustion.
    N c. Coal should be ventilated only if temperatures in the center of the cargo exceed 125°F.
    Y d. Coal should be surface ventilated only.

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

3293: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

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

3662: Unless extremely flexible wire rope is used, the sheave diameter should always be as large as possible, but should never be less than __________.

    Y a. 20 times the rope diameter
    N b. 10 times the rope diameter
    N c. 2 times the rope diameter
    N d. the rope diameter

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

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

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

4184: Which of the following lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be stowed when not in use?

    N a. Chain
    N b. Wire rope
    N c. Webbing
    Y d. All of the above