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.


9: Defense plans may cause the operation of electronic aids to navigation to be suspended with __________.


19: The vessel's "quarter" is located __________.


59: Combustible liquid is defined as any liquid having a flash point above __________.


85: The wooden planking that protects the tank top from cargo loading is called __________.

    Y a. ceiling
    N b. shores
    N c. frames
    N d. toms

153: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. erase the entry and rewrite
    N b. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y d. draw one line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction

156: When heading on a course, you put your rudder hard over. The distance traveled parallel to the direction of the original course from where you put your rudder over to any point on the turning circle is known as __________.

    Y a. advance
    N b. head reach
    N c. tactical diameter
    N d. transfer

188: Which cargoes require strips of common building lathe as dunnage in order to carry away heat generated by the cargo?

    N a. Canned soups packaged in crates
    N b. Cardboard cartons of shoes
    N c. Paper products packaged in rolls
    Y d. Refrigerated fruit that is ripening

206: In stopping distances of vessels, "head reach" can best be described as the __________.

    N a. difference between the vessel's speed through the water at any instant and the new speed ordered on the telegraph
    N b. distance the vessel has actually run through the water since a change of speed was ordered
    Y c. distance the vessel will run between taking action to stop her and being stationary in the water
    N d. speed at which a vessel should proceed to ensure that she will run a predetermined distance, once her engines have been stopped

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.

315: A vessel must have one approved ring life buoy on board if its length is over how many feet?

    N a. 6 feet
    N b. 16 feet
    Y c. 26 feet
    N d. 36 feet

374: Holes in the bulwark, which allow deck water to drain into the sea, are __________.

    N a. doggers
    N b. fidleys
    Y c. freeing ports
    N d. swash ports

376: You are aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel with headway on. The engine is put full astern and the rudder hard left. What will the bow do?

    N a. It will swing to the left, and will swing left faster as the vessel loses way.
    Y b. It will swing to the left, straighten out and then swing to the right as the vessel loses way.
    N c. It will swing to the left without increasing or decreasing its swing.
    N d. The bow will swing to the right.

436: The rudders are amidships and both screws are going ahead. What will happen if the starboard screw is stopped?

    N a. The bow will go to port.
    Y b. The bow will go to starboard.
    N c. The bow will remain steady.
    N d. The stern will go to starboard.

443: 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. 86.72 numeral
    N b. 89.98 numeral
    Y c. 91.40 numeral
    N d. 93.18 numeral

623: When hugging a bank in a narrow channel, you should take precautions against_______________.

    N a. bank suction, squat and the effects of vessels passing close aboard
    N b. clogged sea chests, plugged sea strainers and overheated machinery
    N c. striking underwater obstructions close to the bank
    Y d. All of the above

693: The effect of excessive catenary in shallow water may be __________.

    N a. dragging the towing hawser along the bottom and chafing it
    N b. snagging sunken or submerged objects
    N c. slowing, stopping or endangering the towing operation by placing the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

743: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. towing arch
    N b. jockey bar
    N c. chafing bar
    Y d. Dutch tow bar

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

779: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tankers?

    Y a. They are gravity-fed.
    N b. They are more expensive than reciprocating pumps.
    N c. They are positive displacement pumps.
    N d. They are used for stripping pumps.

816: Water may boil up around the stern of a vessel in a channel due to __________.

    N a. slack water when upbound
    Y b. shallow water
    N c. a cross current
    N d. a head current

927: Sluicing or slushing wire rope __________.

    N a. prevents internal and external rust and corrosion
    N b. reduces chafing and increases its useful service life
    N c. reduces internal friction within the wire
    Y d. All of the above

951: The responsibility for maintaining the Official Logbook on voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States rests with the __________.

    N a. Chief Mate of the vessel
    Y b. Master of the vessel
    N c. Deck Officer of the watch at the time of the occurrence
    N d. Purser of the vessel

1092: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

    N a. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N b. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y c. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order.

1101: A vessel puts into the port of Kobe, Japan, to discharge cargo. The vessel contracts a local shipyard to have the hull chipped and scaled. If the vessel provides the primer and paint, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You need NOT declare the cost of labor, since no duty is involved.
    N b. You need NOT declare the cost of labor, since this is considered ship's personnel work.
    Y c. You MUST declare the cost of labor and pay duty.
    N d. You MUST declare the cost of labor, but no duty is charged since labor is involved.

1240: Bilge keels are fitted on ships to __________.

    N a. assist in dry dock alignment
    N b. improve the vessel's stability
    N c. protect the vessel from slamming against piers
    Y d. reduce the rolling of the vessel

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

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

1527: A 30,000 DWT tankship is required to have an IOPP certificate when __________.

    N a. engaged in the coastwise trade
    N b. going foreign
    Y c. calling at ports in another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78
    N d. carrying cargoes listed in the MARPOL regulations

1576: Using a scope of five, determine how many shots of chain you should put out to anchor in 5 fathoms of water?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 5

1580: Shell plating that has curvature in two directions and must be heated and hammered to shape over specially prepared forms is called __________.

    N a. compound plate
    Y b. furnaced plate
    N c. flat plate
    N d. rolled plate

1640: The garboard strake is the __________.

    N a. raised flange at the main deck edge
    N b. riveted crack arrester strap on all-welded ships
    N c. riveting pattern most commonly used in ship construction
    Y d. row of plating nearest the keel

1640: The garboard strake is the __________.

    N a. raised flange at the main deck edge
    N b. riveted crack arrester strap on all-welded ships
    N c. riveting pattern most commonly used in ship construction
    Y d. row of plating nearest the keel

1657: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 5.1 feet?

    N a. 81.71 ft
    N b. 64.08 ft
    N c. 40.85 ft
    Y d. 32.04 ft

1677: A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the master do?

    Y a. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot.
    N b. Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.
    N c. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    N d. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.

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

1715: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    Y a. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N b. No able seamen are required.
    N c. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    N d. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.

1728: You are trying to rescue survivors from a wrecked vessel on fire. You should approach __________.

    N a. to leeward of the wrecked vessel
    N b. at a speed of at most one-half that of the wrecked vessel
    N c. at a speed of at least that of the wrecked vessel
    Y d. to windward of the wrecked vessel

1742: You should conduct a sector search under which of the following circumstances?

    Y a. The search target is sighted and then lost.
    N b. More than one vessel is available for a search.
    N c. The search object is a target that will be readily detected by radar.
    N d. An aircraft is available to assist a surface vessel.

1742: You should conduct a sector search under which of the following circumstances?

    Y a. The search target is sighted and then lost.
    N b. More than one vessel is available for a search.
    N c. The search object is a target that will be readily detected by radar.
    N d. An aircraft is available to assist a surface vessel.

1759: The amount of strain on each runner of a married fall system lifting 2000 lbs. when the angle made by the legs is 90° would be __________.

    N a. 1000 lbs.
    N b. 1154 lbs.
    Y c. 1414 lbs.
    N d. 2000 lbs.

1886: The knot lettered R is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. double becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. round turn and two half hitches

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

1959: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

    N a. damage claims awarded to individuals or companies involved in the casualty, up to a maximum of $50,000
    N b. loss of revenue while the vessel is being repaired, up to a maximum of $50,000
    Y c. cost of labor and material to restore the vessel to the service condition which existed before the casualty
    N d. All of the above

2025: What is the chief hazard encountered when surging synthetic mooring lines on the gypsyhead during operations?

    N a. If there is sudden strain, the man tending the line may be pulled into the gypsyhead.
    N b. The lines may jam and then jump off the gypsyhead.
    N c. The lines' surging may cause the vessel to surge.
    Y d. The heat generated may cause the lines to temporarily fuse to the gypsyhead.

2069: A "spring line" is a __________.

    N a. mooring line made of spring lay wire rope
    Y b. mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N c. mooring line parallel to the keel
    N d. wire rope used for securing an anchor buoy

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

2179: A design modification of an anchor chain which prevents kinking is the __________.

    N a. detachable link
    Y b. stud link
    N c. Kenter link
    N d. connecting link

2220: The load chart of a crane enables the operator to combine the load radius with boom length to determine the __________.

    N a. maximum counter weight required
    N b. minimum horsepower required
    N c. hoist rope strength
    Y d. allowable load

2240: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 1? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1
    N c. 1.5
    N d. 2

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

2280: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results as shown. Based on this information, what is the advance for a turn of 45°? (D034DG )

    N a. 590 yards
    N b. 635 yards
    Y c. 690 yards
    N d. 740 yards

2322: Fittings used for towing must be __________.

    N a. Coast Guard approved
    N b. stamped with maximum working loads
    Y c. securely fastened
    N d. positioned exactly at the bow of the towed vessel

2530: Your vessel has gone aground in waters where the tide is falling. The BEST action you can take is to __________.

    Y a. set out a kedge anchor
    N b. shift the vessel's load aft and repeatedly surge the engine(s) astern
    N c. shift the vessel's load forward and wait until the next high tide
    N d. slowly bring the engine(s) to full speed astern

2581: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It pulls the stern toward the bank.
    N b. It heels the vessel toward the bank.
    N c. It pushes the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It pulls the bow toward the bank.

2919: Which statement about general average is TRUE?

    N a. Damage to a ship must have been incurred while the ship and/or its machinery was being used for its intended purpose.
    Y b. Property must have been sacrificed or an expenditure of money incurred.
    N c. The loss or damage to deck cargo due to heavy weather constitutes general average.
    N d. Of the ship, the freight, and the cargo interests, only one need be involved.

2938: Which statement concerning storm surges on the Great Lakes is FALSE?

    Y a. They are common along the deeper areas of the lakes.
    N b. They cause rapid differences in levels between one end of the lake and the other.
    N c. The greatest water level difference occurs when the wind is blowing along the axis of the lake.
    N d. If the wind subsides rapidly, a seiche effect will most likely occur.

2988: You are mooring to a buoy. You should approach the buoy with the current from __________.

    Y a. ahead
    N b. broad on the bow
    N c. abeam
    N d. astern

3290: What will be accepted as the shipping papers for an unmanned tank barge but will not be accepted if the tank barge is manned?

    N a. Bill of Lading
    Y b. Logbook entry
    N c. Manifest
    N d. Shipping document

3502: The point that is halfway between the forward and after perpendicular and is a reference point for vessel construction is the __________.

    N a. half length
    N b. mid-body
    N c. center line
    Y d. amidships

4141: What is/are the advantage(s) of using web lashing on light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Good working life
    N b. Light and easy to handle
    N c. Flexible
    Y d. All of the above