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.


10: You are scheduled to load a bulk shipment of steel turnings. Which statement is TRUE?


184: You are standing look-out duty at night. A dim light on the horizon will be seen quickest by looking __________.


197: Serving is __________.


221: A vessel arrives in a foreign port and the Master is informed that the vessel is being sold to foreign interests. The new owners request that the crew remain on board to complete the voyage. Under these circumstances, the crew __________.

    Y a. has the right to an immediate discharge and transportation to original port of engagement
    N b. must remain on board
    N c. must comply with the decision made by the Master
    N d. must remain aboard until the vessel is delivered to the new owners at a mutually agreed upon port

240: The best way to lift many small articles aboard your vessel is with a __________.

    Y a. pallet
    N b. barrel hook
    N c. spreader
    N d. snotter

261: A seaman about to be discharged has a Continuous Discharge Book. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. A Certificate of Discharge Form should be attached to the book.
    N b. An entry should be made in the book and a Certificate of Discharge Form issued to the seaman.
    N c. If a vessel was on coastwise articles, the record of discharge will be made in the Official Logbook.
    Y d. The record of entry in the book must be submitted to the Coast Guard.

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"

305: What is considered a Serious Marine Incident?

    N a. an allision that results in $500 damage to a boat dock
    Y b. an injury to a crewmember, passenger, or other person which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid
    N c. grounding of a vessel on a sandbar that does not result in injuries and/or any damage to the vessel
    N d. None of the above

325: A deck fitting, used to secure line or wire rope, consisting of a single body with two protruding horns is called a __________.

    N a. bitt
    N b. bollard
    N c. capstan
    Y d. cleat

391: A tonnage tax is levied according to the __________.

    N a. deadweight cargo tonnage aboard
    N b. displacement tonnage of vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of vessel
    Y d. net tonnage of vessel

482: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons is to be loaded aboard your vessel. You examine one of the cartons of the lot shown. What is the total cubic space the consignment will occupy? (Assume no broken stowage.) (D042DG )

    N a. 51 cubic feet (1.5 cubic meters)
    Y b. 58 cubic feet (1.7 cubic meters)
    N c. 336 cubic feet (10 cubic meters)
    N d. 700 cubic feet (21 cubic meters)

512: When paying out nylon line from around the bitts __________.

    Y a. stand clear of the bitts and use two or more round turns under your figure eights
    N b. you can surge the line even with a single turn
    N c. no extra turns are necessary since nylon has a high coefficient of friction
    N d. stand in the bight of the line

536: Your vessel is backing on the starboard screw, and going ahead on the port screw. The bow will __________.

    N a. back on a straight line
    N b. move ahead on a straight line
    N c. swing to port
    Y d. swing to starboard

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

571: You are in port A in the United States, and your Certificate of Inspection has expired. You wish to go to port B in the United States for repairs and to complete the inspection. If the Officer-in-Charge Marine Inspection deems it safe, he may issue a __________.

    N a. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N b. Limited Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Temporary Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. Permit to Proceed

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

648: Bulk cargo refers to __________.

    N a. cargo which occupies a large volume of space
    N b. cargo which requires refrigeration
    N c. cargo which is very dense
    Y d. homogeneous cargo not enclosed in a container

729: A petroleum liquid has a flash point of 85°F. This is a grade __________.

    N a. B flammable liquid
    N b. C flammable liquid
    Y c. D combustible liquid
    N d. E combustible liquid

744: When using natural-fiber rope, you should NEVER __________.

    N a. dry the line before stowing it
    N b. reverse turns on winches periodically to keep out kinks
    Y c. try to lubricate the line
    N d. use chafing gear

772: To reduce stress on the towing hawser when towing astern (ocean tow), the hawser should be __________.

    N a. secured to the aftermost fitting on the towing vessel
    N b. just touching the water
    Y c. underwater
    N d. as short as possible

880: The projecting lugs of the rudderpost which furnish support to the rudder are called __________.

    N a. bases
    Y b. gudgeons
    N c. pintles
    N d. rudder lugs

909: What is the purpose of the relief valve of a cargo pump?

    N a. Provides for the removal of vapors
    N b. Allows two or more tanks to be filled at the same time
    N c. Provides for the emergency shutdown of the pump
    Y d. Permits the return of cargo to the suction side of the pump

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

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

1202: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    N a. an act of war
    Y b. lack of ventilation in transit
    N c. perils of the sea
    N d. an error in navigation

1225: Ice concentration is measured in OKTAs. What percentage of the sea surface is ice-covered with 2 OKTAs concentration?

    N a. 10%
    N b. 20%
    Y c. 25%
    N d. 67%

1302: Reinforcing frames attached to a bulkhead on a vessel are called __________.

    N a. side longitudinals
    N b. intercostals
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. brackets

1340: The usual depth of a beam bracket is __________.

    Y a. 2 1/2 times the depth of the beam
    N b. 5 times the depth of the beam
    N c. 10 times the depth of the beam
    N d. same depth as the beam

1430: A vessel's bottom will be subjected to tension when weight is concentrated __________.

    Y a. amidships
    N b. aft
    N c. at both ends of the vessel
    N d. forward

1478: What does "in step" refer to in regards to towing?

    N a. The towed vessel follows exactly in the wake of the towing vessel.
    N b. There is no catenary in the towing hawser.
    N c. When turning, both the towed and towing vessels turn at the same time.
    Y d. Both the towed and towing vessels reach a wave crest or trough at the same time.

1615: A towing vessel should be on the crest of a wave at the same time as its tow and in the trough at the same time. The term used to describe this is __________.

    N a. tow strain
    N b. catenary length
    Y c. being in step
    N d. Williamson's Tow

1650: To reduce the number of strakes at the bow, two strakes are tapered and joined at their ends by a single plate. This plate is known as a __________.

    N a. cover plate
    N b. joiner
    N c. lap strake
    Y d. stealer plate

1787: Which picture represents a blackwall hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. F
    N b. H
    N c. P
    Y d. S

1827: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 8 feet and a height of 6 feet?

    Y a. 100.53 Cu. Ft
    N b. 131.39 Cu. Ft
    N c. 172.72 Cu. Ft
    N d. 197.39 Cu. Ft

1840: You are approaching a steamer that is broken down and are preparing to take her in tow. BEFORE positioning your vessel to pass the towline, you must __________.

    Y a. compare the rate of drift between the ships
    N b. install chafing gear on the towline
    N c. secure the bitter end of the towing hawser to prevent loss if the tow is slipped
    N d. have traveling lizards rigged to guide the towline while it is paid-out

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

1870: The knot lettered S is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. bowline
    Y b. blackwall hitch
    N c. half hitch
    N d. hook hitch

1897: 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)

    Y a. 43.19 numeral
    N b. 46.56 numeral
    N c. 49.92 numeral
    N d. 55.72 numeral

1992: While the Pilot is embarked he or she __________.

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

2108: You are the Master signing on a crew. In completing the articles, who should sign in the various places indicated for the Shipping Commissioner's signature?

    N a. After sign on, the articles are presented at the nearest Marine Inspection/Safety Office for signature.
    N b. The space is left blank.
    N c. A marine notary public must sign after sign on is complete.
    Y d. The Master.

2176: 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. 91.42 numeral
    N b. 85.60 numeral
    Y c. 79.23 numeral
    N d. 74.73 numeral

2270: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated ROUTINE will be delivered within __________.

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

2290: The sprocket teeth on a wildcat are known as the __________.

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

2474: Generally speaking, the more destructive storms occurring on the Great Lakes usually come from the __________.

    N a. northeast or east
    Y b. southwest or west
    N c. northwest or north
    N d. southeast or south

2696: You are on a power-driven vessel proceeding down a channel, with the current, on a river on the Great Lakes System. If you meet another power-driven vessel who is upbound, your responsibilities include __________.

    N a. backing down to get out of the way of the other vessel
    N b. waiting for the other vessel to signal her intentions, and then answering promptly
    Y c. proposing a safe way to pass
    N d. All of the above

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

2798: The primary purpose of the stud is to prevent the anchor chain from __________.

    Y a. kinking
    N b. distorting
    N c. elongating
    N d. breaking

2826: An icebreaker may use the code letter "K" to remind ships of their obligation to listen continuously on their radio. This signal may be made by any of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. sound signal
    N b. light signal
    N c. visual signal
    Y d. radiotelephone

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

3022: You are in the process of adding a barge to your tow. A line run from your power capstan and around timber heads on your tow is made fast on the new barge so that it can be pulled into position. This line is called a __________.

    N a. scissors wire
    Y b. capstan line
    N c. spring line
    N d. fore and aft line

3096: When loading a cargo of taconite, proper sequencing of loading by hatch number is necessary to __________.

    N a. provide the proper trim
    N b. prevent negative stability from developing
    Y c. prevent excessive longitudinal stresses
    N d. control list

3111: While the Pilot is maneuvering the vessel to a dock, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of the watch officer?

    Y a. Insure that helm and throttle orders given by the Pilot are correctly executed.
    N b. Judge the appropriateness of the Pilot's orders and countermand them if necessary.
    N c. Supervise the signaling and flag etiquette.
    N d. Record the bells and their times in the bell book.

3142: Why are stern towing bitts placed well forward of the rudder when hawser towing?

    N a. To keep the hawser from fouling the rudder
    N b. To keep the towing bitts as far away as possible from the tugs pivoting point
    Y c. To allow the stern to swing more freely when using rudder
    N d. To have as much of the towing hawser in use as possible

3442: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter J is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. crown
    N b. shank
    Y c. bill
    N d. tip

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

4068: What produces the MOST dangerous vapors?

    Y a. Anhydrous ammonia
    N b. Camphor oil
    N c. Methyl alcohol
    N d. Pentane

4070: Small floes of rough, hummocky sea ice capable of damaging a vessel __________.

    Y a. can usually be detected by radar in a smooth sea at a range of 4 to 6 kilometers
    N b. are indistinguishable from sea return on the PPI
    N c. are invisible to radar when covered with a thick layer of snow
    N d. are usually seen at night before they are close enough to provide a radar echo

4071: The head block is located___________.

    N a. at the base of the boom
    Y b. at the head of the boom
    N c. at the head of the mast
    N d. on top of the jack staff

4174: What should be done immediately after putting down the stern ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N b. Turn on pumproom ventilation.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    Y d. Raise/open the stern door.

4203: Which of the following statements is/are FALSE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    N a. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    Y c. A centerline crane can never work more than one hatch.
    N d. All of the above