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.


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?


111: You are the licensed Master of a towing vessels operating between New York and Tampa, Florida. If you carry four (4) deckhands onboard, how many must be able seamen?


122: You may be able to avoid loss of suction in a pump by __________.


135: Corrosive liquids and acids should have which kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow and white
    N c. Red and white
    Y d. White and black

227: An ocean towing bridle should __________.

    Y a. have equal legs of sufficient length
    N b. have a large angle between the legs
    N c. be formed on a bight of cable through a ring
    N d. never be made up of chain

385: In controlling pollution, which action should be taken after all dirty ballast has been transferred to the slop tank and prior to discharge through the oily water separator?

    N a. The clean tanks should be ballasted.
    Y b. The slops should be allowed time to settle.
    N c. Chemicals should be added to emulsify the oil.
    N d. The dirty ballast tank is crude oil washed.

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

433: When a tow is trimmed by the stern it is said to __________.

    N a. hog
    N b. sag
    Y c. drag
    N d. list

448: Hygroscopic cargoes should be ventilated when __________.

    Y a. going from a warm to a cold climate
    N b. the dew point of the outside air is greater than the dew point of the air in the hold
    N c. the dew point of the air in the hold is very low
    N d. the outside dew point is 60°F (16°C) and the cargo temperature is 54°F (12°C)

499: Your tank vessel is loaded down to her marks, and you find that she has too much trim by the stern. To adjust the trim, you may __________.

    N a. add ballast forward
    N b. load more cargo forward
    Y c. shift bunkers forward
    N d. All of the above

605: You would properly secure a gantline to a bosun's chair with a __________.

    N a. fisherman's bend
    N b. bowline
    Y c. double sheet bend
    N d. double blackwall hitch

630: You are doing a Williamson turn. Your vessel has swung about 60° from the original course heading. You should __________.

    N a. put the rudder amidships and check the swing
    N b. stop the engines and prepare to maneuver to pick up the man in the water
    Y c. shift your rudder
    N d. increase to maximum speed

646: What shape barge offers the least resistance in river towing?

    N a. A square ended barge
    Y b. Barges with spoon shaped bows
    N c. Ship-shaped barges
    N d. Hopper barges

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

717: It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that __________.

    N a. the muster list is posted in each compartment
    Y b. temporary personnel and visitors are advised of emergency stations
    N c. names of crew members are listed on the muster list
    N d. no changes are made to the muster list

733: Before leaving port on an ocean tow, a tug captain should assure himself of all the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the towing hawser can be released quickly in an emergency
    N b. the correct navigation lights are rigged and operable on the tug and tow
    Y c. an insurance underwriter has prepared a pre-sailing survey
    N d. a pick-up wire has been rigged on the tow in case of a breakaway.

758: An IOPP Certificate on an inspected vessel is valid for what period of time?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 1 year
    N c. 2 years
    Y d. 5 years

761: The Immigration and Naturalization Service is concerned with which document on a vessel making preliminary entry into a U.S. port from a foreign port?

    N a. Cargo Manifest
    Y b. Certified Crew List
    N c. Curio List
    N d. Shipping Articles

910: The purpose of sheer in ship construction is to __________.

    Y a. allow the ship to ride waves with drier decks
    N b. eliminate the need for butt straps
    N c. eliminate the need for margin plates
    N d. give greater strength at the deck edge

926: Usually the most gentle way of riding out a severe storm on a larger vessel is __________.

    N a. head on at slow speeds
    N b. hove to
    Y c. running before the seas
    N d. to rig a sea anchor

967: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel is deviating from the given course and there is no follow up with corrective rudder action to return to the proper heading. The emergency operating procedure should require you to immediately change operation from __________.

    Y a. "gyro" to "hand"
    N b. "hand" to "gyro"
    N c. "gyro" to "control"
    N d. "control" to "hand"

989: You are loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0900 you find that you have loaded 207,000 barrels. At 1030 you find that you have loaded 223,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 2100 that night
    N b. 0730 the next day
    Y c. 0910 the next day
    N d. 1215 the next day

1021: A vessel's Classification Certificate is issued by the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1044: Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of a line with a breaking strain of 30,000 pounds.

    N a. 4,000 lbs.
    Y b. 5,000 lbs.
    N c. 20,000 lbs.
    N d. 100,000 lbs.

1067: The normal and safest way for a sailor to be lowered in a bosun's chair when descending vertically is __________.

    Y a. for that sailor to feed the hauling part through a bosun's chair hitch
    N b. to lead the hauling part to a cleat on the mast and slacking the sailor down
    N c. by taking several turns of the gantline on a winch drum and then lower the sailor by backing off on the winch
    N d. by leading the bight of the hauling part to a rail and taking several turns, then slacking away with the bight

1067: The normal and safest way for a sailor to be lowered in a bosun's chair when descending vertically is __________.

    Y a. for that sailor to feed the hauling part through a bosun's chair hitch
    N b. to lead the hauling part to a cleat on the mast and slacking the sailor down
    N c. by taking several turns of the gantline on a winch drum and then lower the sailor by backing off on the winch
    N d. by leading the bight of the hauling part to a rail and taking several turns, then slacking away with the bight

1069: Which step is NOT generally taken when gas-freeing a tank?

    N a. Washing the tank interior with sea water
    Y b. Application of degreasing solvents
    N c. Removal of corrosion products and sludge
    N d. Fresh air ventilation

1102: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1206: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a left-handed propeller, starboard side to the dock. As you approach the dock you back your engine with your rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. lose headway without swinging
    N b. turn its bow towards the dock
    Y c. turn its stern towards the dock
    N d. drift away from the dock

1261: A vessel operating "in class" has met all the requirements of the __________.

    Y a. ABS or similar society
    N b. insurance company
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs

1365: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N c. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

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

1444: If kinking results while wire rope is being coiled clockwise, you should __________.

    N a. coil it counterclockwise
    N b. not coil it
    Y c. take a turn under
    N d. twist out the kinks under a strain

1455: Which letter represents a bowline on a bight? (DO30DG )

    N a. H
    Y b. I
    N c. M
    N d. W

1487: You are approaching a disabled vessel in order to remove survivors from it. If your vessel drifts faster than the disabled vessel, how should you make your approach?

    Y a. To windward of the disabled vessel
    N b. To leeward of the disabled vessel
    N c. Directly astern of the disabled vessel
    N d. At three times the drifting speed of the disabled vessel

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

1574: Wire rope is galvanized to __________.

    Y a. protect it from corrosion due to contact with saltwater
    N b. make it bend more easily
    N c. increase its strength
    N d. increase its circumference

1577: You are the Chief Mate of a 30,000-DWT tankship. The vessel is engaged in trade with another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Certificate of Inspection serves as prima facie evidence of complying with MARPOL 73/78.
    Y b. The IOPP Certificate for an inspected vessel is valid for 5 years.
    N c. An IOPP Certificate is invalidated if the ship carries cargoes outside the classes authorized thereon.
    N d. An IOPP Certificate is renewed at each inspection for certification.

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

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

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

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1829: The term "shift your rudder" means __________.

    Y a. change from right rudder to left rudder an equal number of degrees
    N b. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

1855: Which problem is virtually impossible to detect during an in-service inspection of used anchor chain?

    N a. Cracks
    N b. Elongation
    N c. Loose studs
    Y d. Fatigue

1924: The knot lettered I as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. round knot
    Y c. bowline on a bight
    N d. timber hitch

2081: A seaman is reported missing in the morning and was last seen after coming off the mid-watch. Which type of turn would you use to return to the track-line steamed during the night?

    Y a. Williamson
    N b. Racetrack
    N c. 180° turn
    N d. Anderson

2092: You are signing on a crew. When they present their Merchant Mariner's Documents, you should suspect a fraudulent document if it has a single endorsement that says __________.

    N a. see Certificate of Registry
    N b. any unlicensed rating in the deck department including AB
    N c. Steward's Department (F.H.)
    Y d. Bosun

2129: The exact and complete identification of all cargo on board must be found on the __________.

    Y a. Cargo Manifest
    N b. Mate's Receipt
    N c. Hatch Report
    N d. Loading List

2170: Your vessel is disabled and in imminent danger of grounding on a lee shore. The Master agrees to salvage services using Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement. Which is TRUE?

    N a. The salvage award will be decided by suit in Admiralty Court.
    Y b. The salvage service is on a "no cure-no pay" basis.
    N c. Underwriters will repudiate the agreement if it is unsuccessful, due to their increased liability.
    N d. The salvor becomes the owner of the vessel until the salvage award, if any, is paid.

2315: Which splice is used to connect two separate lines together?

    N a. Back splice
    N b. Chain splice
    N c. Eye splice
    Y d. Long splice

2463: The crane manufacturer's load chart should be posted at or near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane control console

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

2529: Which condition would NOT entitle a vessel to carry goods on deck?

    N a. The shipper agrees to deck stowage
    Y b. The cargo will damage other cargoes by tainting or contamination
    N c. Deck stowage is required by law or regulation
    N d. Deck stowage is customary in the trade (i.e. timber cargoes)

2609: Which tanker discharge pattern would be the safest and most efficient?

    N a. Empty the forward tanks and start working aft, emptying each tank in sequence
    Y b. Start discharging with most of the discharge coming from forward, but include some from midships and after tanks
    N c. Start pumping from forward, midships, and aft with the discharge distributed equally among the tanks
    N d. Start pumping from midships and then work forward and aft simultaneously as the midships tank is emptied

3070: What is an advantage of a gate valve over a butterfly valve?

    Y a. Less frequent maintenance
    N b. Faster operation
    N c. Cheaper
    N d. More compact

3126: Your tankship is carrying a cargo of styrene. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for carriage of this cargo?

    Y a. P/V valves with galvanized parts must be replaced.
    N b. Authorization to carry styrene must be endorsed on the Certificate of Inspection.
    N c. You must have a "Certificate of Inhibition" provided by the shipper.
    N d. The cargo tank heating coils must be blanked off.

3450: Kort nozzles are installed around the propellers of some vessels to __________.

    Y a. increase the thrust of the propeller
    N b. protect the propeller from striking sawyers
    N c. prevent the propeller from striking barges towed on the hip
    N d. prevent the propeller from touching bottom in low water

3680: What is the penalty for willfully damaging cargo?

    Y a. Forfeiture of wages equal to the value of the damage and, if ordered by the court, imprisonment for not more than 12 months
    N b. Fine equal to the value of the damage plus a 1000 dollar penalty and/or imprisonment not to exceed 2 years
    N c. Fine not to exceed the value of the damage and/or imprisonment not to exceed 18 months
    N d. Revocation of Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable), fine equal to the value of the damage or imprisonment for not more than 2 years

3728: The main reason a long towline is used during an ocean tow is that __________.

    N a. a margin of safety is provided should the line part
    N b. the towline will wear more evenly
    Y c. there will be less stress on the towline
    N d. a slight increase in speed will be realized

4042: You are on a 120,000 DWT loaded bulk carrier. What is the maximum safe docking speed when coming alongside?

    N a. 0.1 foot per second (0.06 knot)
    Y b. 0.2 foot per second (0.12 knot)
    N c. 0.5 foot per second (0.30 knot)
    N d. 0.75 foot per second (0.44 knot)

4234: What describes a tandem crane lift?

    N a. Single crane hoisting 30 tons
    N b. Two cranes on a single pedestal hoisting 60 tons
    Y c. Two sets of twin cranes hoisting 120 tons
    N d. All of the above