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.


31: An embarked Pilot __________.


56: The effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel is most noticeable when __________.


130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?


131: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one mate of towing vessels, and four seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

138: Which vessel is most likely to be loaded full but not down?

    N a. A bulk carrier loaded with heavy ore
    N b. A bulk carrier loaded with steel
    Y c. A break bulk vessel loaded with palletized cargo
    N d. A tanker loaded with heavy grain

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

    N a. at an area just a little below the horizon
    N b. at the horizon, where the sky and water appear to meet
    Y c. a little above the horizon
    N d. well below the horizon

265: Which statement is TRUE about hooks and shackles?

    N a. Hooks are stronger than shackles of the same diameter.
    Y b. Shackles are stronger than hooks of the same diameter.
    N c. Hooks and shackles of the same diameter are of equal strength.
    N d. All the above may be true, depending on the hook's or shackle's overall length.

281: Which action will take place if a crew member is replaced in a U.S. port after foreign articles have been signed, and the ship proceeds foreign?

    N a. The Master will remove the replaced man's name from the Certified Crew List but not from the articles.
    Y b. The name of the new man is added to the articles but not to the Certified Crew List.
    N c. The U.S. Consul will remove the replaced man's name from the Certified Crew List.
    N d. The U.S. Consul will add the new man's name to the Certified Crew List.

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

481: Which U.S. agency assigns an official number to a vessel?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Collector of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

597: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of monthly bills
    N b. payment of creditors
    Y c. support of a minor child
    N d. All of the above

609: While discharging a tanker, list can be controlled by __________.

    N a. shoreside personnel
    N b. using a center tank near the bow, discharging as necessary
    Y c. using wing tanks near the longitudinal center, discharging as necessary
    N d. using the after peak tank, loading as necessary

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

792: When the vessel is on coastwise articles, the original certificate of the seaman's certificate of discharge is __________.

    Y a. given to the seaman
    N b. retained on board
    N c. sent to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. sent to the shipping company

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

811: When oily ballast has been pumped overboard, an entry must be made in the __________.

    Y a. Oil Record Book
    N b. Official Logbook
    N c. deck rough log
    N d. engine rough log

869: To ensure proper seating when closing a valve on a tank, the valve should be __________.

    N a. set up as tight as possible by hand
    N b. set up tight using a valve wrench
    Y c. closed, opened a half turn, and then closed
    N d. closed against the stop and the locking pin inserted

874: Which type of line would have the LEAST resistance to mildew and rot?

    Y a. Manila
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Dacron
    N d. Polypropylene

929: All of the following steps are taken in starting a centrifugal pump, EXCEPT to __________.

    Y a. set the relief valve
    N b. check the lubrication system
    N c. vent the pump casing
    N d. open the pump suction and discharge valves

937: When towing astern, you notice that another vessel is about to pass between the towing vessel and the tow. You should immediately __________.

    N a. turn away from the approaching vessel
    N b. shine a spotlight in the direction of the approaching vessel
    N c. sever the towline
    Y d. slow down and pay out the main tow hawser

960: Gross tonnage indicates the vessel's __________.

    N a. displacement in metric tons
    N b. total weight including cargo
    Y c. volume in cubic feet
    N d. draft in feet

1056: In which situation could a vessel most easily capsize?

    N a. Running into head seas
    Y b. Running in the trough
    N c. Running with following seas
    N d. Anchored with your bow into the seas

1078: By law, the maximum penalty for failing (without reasonable cause) to give aid in the case of collision is __________.

    N a. one year imprisonment or $500
    Y b. two years imprisonment or $1000
    N c. two years imprisonment or $1500
    N d. two years imprisonment or $2000

1087: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    Y a. center of gravity
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

1098: During the course of a voyage, a seaman falls on the main deck and injures his ankle. The Master should submit a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death if the __________.

    Y a. injured is unfit for duty
    N b. injured is able to return to work
    N c. injury results in loss of life only
    N d. injury is the result of misconduct

1224: Which is NOT a recommended practice when handling nylon line?

    N a. Nylon lines which become slippery because of oil or grease should be scrubbed down.
    Y b. Manila line stoppers should be used for holding nylon hawsers.
    N c. When easing out nylon line, keep an extra turn on the bitt to prevent slipping.
    N d. Iced-over nylon lines should be thawed and drained before stowing.

1269: What is meant by the term "topping the boom"?

    N a. Lowering the boom
    Y b. Raising the boom
    N c. Spotting the boom over the deck
    N d. Swinging the boom athwartships

1276: When moored with a Mediterranean moor, the ship should be secured to the pier by having __________.

    Y a. a stern line and two quarter lines crossing under the stern
    N b. a stern line, 2 bow lines, and 2 quarter lines leading aft to the pier
    N c. all regular lines leading to the pier in opposition to the anchor
    N d. two bow lines and two midship lines leading aft to the pier

1336: When picking up your mooring at the buoy, the correct method is to __________.

    N a. approach the buoy with the wind and current astern
    Y b. approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead
    N c. approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam
    N d. stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy

1375: A chain stripper is used to __________.

    Y a. prevent chain from clinging to the wildcat
    N b. clean the marine debris from the chain
    N c. flake chain from a boat's chain locker
    N d. clean chain prior to an x-ray inspection

1506: The sprocket wheel in a windlass, used for heaving in the anchor, is called a __________.

    N a. capstan
    N b. dog wheel
    N c. fairlead
    Y d. wildcat

1523: When making a short splice in wire rope __________.

    Y a. all tucks go against the lay
    N b. all tucks go with the lay
    N c. the first three wires are tucked against the lay and the last three go with the lay
    N d. the first three wires are tucked with the lay and the last three go against the lay

1534: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE concerning wire rope?

    Y a. Wire rope should be condemned if the outside wires are worn to one-half their original diameter.
    N b. Wire rope should be condemned if the fiber core appears moist.
    N c. Wire rope which is right-hand laid should be coiled counterclockwise to prevent kinking.
    N d. All of the above

1540: In ship construction, keel scantlings should be the greatest __________.

    N a. at each frame
    Y b. amidships
    N c. one-third the distance from the bow
    N d. one-third the distance from the stern

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    N a. use right or left rudder
    N b. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    Y c. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N d. put the rudder amidships

1782: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel should be stopped with the wind dead ahead during the hoisting operation.
    Y b. Flags should be flown to provide a visual reference as to the direction of the apparent wind.
    N c. The drop line should be grounded first then secured as close to the hoist point as possible.
    N d. The hoist area should be located as far aft as possible so the pilot will have a visual reference while approaching.

1914: You need to make a fixed loop at the end of a line in order to use the line as a mooring line. You have insufficient time to make a splice. Which knot should you use?

    N a. Clove Hitch
    N b. Fisherman's Bend
    Y c. Bowline
    N d. Round-turn and two half hitches

2014: You are using tackle number 12, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 2. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

    N a. 9
    N b. 10
    Y c. 14
    N d. 21

2148: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N b. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N c. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N d. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.

2172: The lower hold of your vessel has a bale cubic of 52,000 cu. ft. You will load a cargo of cases, each weighing 380 lbs. and measuring 3 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. The estimated broken stowage is 15%. How many tons of cases can be loaded?

    N a. 137 tons
    N b. 161 tons
    Y c. 625 tons
    N d. 969 tons

2194: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 6? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 6
    N b. 5.5
    N c. 5
    N d. 3

2288: What will cause wire rope to fail?

    N a. Operating the winch too fast
    N b. Using a sheave 9 times the wire's diameter
    N c. Kinking
    Y d. All of the above

2341: The grooved wheel inside a block is called a __________.

    N a. cheek
    N b. gypsy
    Y c. sheave
    N d. drum

2349: What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 7 feet?

    N a. 11,491.87 cubic ft.
    Y b. 1,436.76 cubic ft.
    N c. 963.72 cubic ft.
    N d. 205.21 cubic ft.

2351: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 12 feet after a sector of 86° has been removed?

    N a. 108.57 square ft.
    Y b. 86.08 square ft.
    N c. 28.65 square ft.
    N d. 27.14 square ft.

2578: According to regulations when, if ever, may cargo hatches on Great Lakes vessels, with more than 6 feet of freeboard, be left uncovered or open while the vessel is being navigated?

    N a. If a Mate deems it necessary for ship's maintenance
    Y b. At the discretion of the Master, for reasonable purposes
    N c. On the authority of the Bosun
    N d. The hatch may never be uncovered

2597: On a small boat, if someone fell overboard and you did not know over which side the person fell, you should __________.

    N a. immediately reverse the engines
    Y b. stop the propellers from turning and throw a ring buoy over the side
    N c. increase speed to full to get the vessel away from the person
    N d. first put the rudder hard over in either direction

2707: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    N b. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    Y c. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but no damage to the vessel.
    N d. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.

2736: Distances on the Great Lakes System are generally expressed in __________.

    N a. miles above the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway (MASLW)
    N b. miles above the head of the passes (AHP)
    N c. nautical miles
    Y d. statute miles

2763: When a merchant vessel is under the Naval Control of Shipping Organization in wartime, naval authorities may give orders pertaining to __________.

    N a. minimum manning standards
    Y b. regulations about darkening ship
    N c. the stowage of explosives
    N d. the types of cargoes permitted on board

2783: The effect of ocean current is usually more evident on a tug and tow than on a tug navigating independently because the __________.

    Y a. speed of the tug and tow is less
    N b. towline catches the current
    N c. current causes yawing
    N d. current will offset the tow

3239: Which term indicates the rise in height of the bottom plating from the plane of the base line?

    Y a. Deadrise
    N b. Camber
    N c. Molded height
    N d. Sheer

3342: Which term refers to a transverse curvature of the deck?

    N a. Deadrise
    Y b. Camber
    N c. Freeboard
    N d. Flare

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

4138: The disadvantage(s) of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that __________.

    N a. it is heavy
    N b. the links lose strength if placed over corners
    N c. it does not absorb shock
    Y d. All of the above

4213: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Liftline

4237: What is used to power modern pedestal cranes?

    N a. Steam
    N b. Water
    Y c. Hydraulics
    N d. All of the above

4242: What is the advantage of the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when operating cargo?

    N a. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance
    N b. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor
    Y d. All of the above