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.


16: When underway and proceeding ahead, as the speed increases, the pivot point tends to __________.


158: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the ship owner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.


170: Which is NOT required on a tankship carrying hazardous liquid cargoes in bulk?


304: To warp a vessel means to __________.

    N a. anchor the vessel
    N b. bring the head into the wind
    N c. clean the decks
    Y d. move the vessel by hauling on lines

407: You are carrying cargoes of crotonaldehyde, phosphoric acid, and morpholine on your multiple-product tankship. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    Y a. Each of the cargoes must be segregated from the other by at least two barriers.
    N b. The minimum protective clothing required for taking samples of phosphoric acid is goggles or a face shield.
    N c. Aluminum, copper, and zinc are prohibited in all valve parts in contact with these cargoes.
    N d. The required warning sign must have the legend "cancer hazard" added to it.

476: You are backing on twin engines with rudders amidships, when your port engine stalls. To continue backing on course, you should __________.

    N a. apply left rudder
    Y b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

525: To lay out a towing hawser in a fore-and-aft direction so each bight is clear and can run out freely without snagging describes __________.

    N a. flemishing
    Y b. faking
    N c. spooling
    N d. worming, parceling and serving

577: You are signing on a crew. A man presents a Merchant Mariner's Document that you suspect has been tampered with. Which action should you take?

    N a. Confiscate the document and deliver it to the Coast Guard.
    N b. Sign the man on and notify the Coast Guard at the first U.S. port of call.
    Y c. Refuse to sign the man on articles until authorized by the Coast Guard.
    N d. Refuse to sign the man on and notify the FBI of unauthorized use of a federal document.

591: What will NOT be found on the Certificate of Inspection of an ocean going tankship?

    N a. Manning requirements
    Y b. Minimum freeboard permitted
    N c. Grade(s) of cargoes that the vessel may carry
    N d. Waters upon which the vessel may be operated

750: On a single-screw vessel the stern frame _____________,

    Y a. furnishes support to the rudder, propeller shaft, and transom frame
    N b. provides foundations for after mooring winches
    N c. provides foundations for the main propulsion engines
    N d. transfers the driving force of the propeller to the hull

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

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

847: When towing astern what equipment should be stowed ready for use near the towline?

    N a. First aid kit
    Y b. Axe or cutting torch
    N c. Fire extinguisher
    N d. Chafing gear

930: Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed at night while bunkering at a dock?

    Y a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. One red light over a yellow light
    N d. One red light over a white light

1000: The "Mode" selector switch can be positioned and select all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. weather adjustments
    N b. hand-electric steering
    N c. automatic gyro
    N d. non-followup control

1104: Nylon line can be dangerous because it __________.

    N a. breaks down when wet
    N b. kinks when wet
    N c. is not elastic
    Y d. stretches

1211: When clearing a vessel for a foreign voyage, the original crew list is duly certified by proper authority. In a U.S. port, this authority is the U.S. __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. Customs
    N c. Immigration Service
    N d. Public Health Service

1244: Nylon line is NOT suitable for __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. lashings
    N c. stoppers
    N d. mooring lines

1270: When a man who is conscious has fallen overboard is being picked up by a lifeboat, the boat should approach with the wind __________.

    N a. astern and the victim just off the bow
    N b. ahead and the victim just off the bow
    N c. just off the bow and the victim to windward
    Y d. just off the bow and the victim to leeward

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

1314: A wire rope rove through two single blocks with two parts at the moving block is used for a boat fall. The weight of the 100-person boat is 5 tons. Compute the required breaking strain. Safety Factor - 6, weight per person - 165 lbs., 10% friction per sheave (2 sheaves).

    N a. 18.30 tons B.S.
    N b. 20.29 tons B.S.
    Y c. 22.27 tons B.S.
    N d. 24.31 tons B.S.

1321: Which type of carrier accepts without discrimination all legal cargoes of a shipper?

    Y a. Common
    N b. Industrial
    N c. Private
    N d. Tramp

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

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1477: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises out of __________.

    N a. delays due to seizure of the vessel
    N b. fire caused by fault of the carrier
    N c. strikes or lockouts
    Y d. improper stowage

1510: The type of welding employed in shipyards is primarily __________.

    N a. brazing
    Y b. electric arc
    N c. pressure welding
    N d. thermite welding

1537: Which is NOT a potential hazard of approaching close to an iceberg?

    Y a. The brash ice in the vicinity may clog sea intakes.
    N b. The berg may calve with the bergy bit hitting the vessel.
    N c. There may be underwater rams extending out from the berg.
    N d. The berg may suddenly tilt or capsize due to uneven melting and hit the vessel.

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

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1690: Molded depth is measured from the __________.

    Y a. inside of the shell
    N b. outside of the shell
    N c. top of the center vertical keel
    N d. top of the garboard stake

1709: The force acting on a single cargo runner which is vertically lifting or lowering a load is greatest when __________.

    Y a. decelerating when lowering the load
    N b. decelerating when raising the load
    N c. lowering the load at constant speed
    N d. raising the load at constant speed

1748: An Official Logbook is required on which vessel?

    N a. A 150-G.T. tug going from Boston to New Orleans.
    Y b. A 100-G.T. tug going from New York to San Pedro, California.
    N c. A 50-G.T. tug going from Miami to Seattle.
    N d. A 199-G.T. tug on a coastwise trip of 650 miles.

1768: As a rule, ships of most configurations, when drifting in calm water with negligible current, will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

1803: A snatch block is a __________.

    N a. block used only with manila rope
    N b. chock roller
    Y c. hinged block
    N d. strong block used for short, sharp pulls

1805: In towing it is desirable for the tug and the tow to ride wave crests simultaneously because __________.

    Y a. shock loading on the tow line is reduced
    N b. towing speed is improved
    N c. the tow is more visible from the tug
    N d. the catenary of the towline is reduced

1835: Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to __________.

    Y a. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N b. the Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Light List

1860: A towline should be fastened to __________.

    N a. the chocks at the bow of a towed vessel
    N b. the most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail
    N c. the mast of a towed sailboat
    Y d. a secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel

1874: The label required for magnesium scrap is __________.

    N a. oxidizer
    N b. yellow
    N c. corrosive
    Y d. None of the above

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

1962: The maximum draft to which a vessel can legally be submerged is indicated by the __________.

    Y a. load line mark
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. tonnage mark

2030: Safety equipment on board vessels must be approved by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Safety Standards Bureau
    N c. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    N d. National Safety Council

2070: Which statement about the Williamson turn is FALSE?

    Y a. It requires the highest degree of shiphandling skills to accomplish.
    N b. It is the slowest of the methods used in turning the vessel.
    N c. It is the best turn to use when the victim is not in sight due to reduced visibility.
    N d. It returns the vessel to the original track-line on a reciprocal course.

2117: When a vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

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

2137: The securing systems for containers were developed to prevent container movement during which ship motion?

    N a. Surge
    Y b. Roll
    N c. Sway
    N d. Yaw

2215: Given a dry bulb temperature of 78°F and wet bulb temperature of 66.5°F, the dew point is __________.

    N a. 47.0°F
    N b. 51.5°F
    Y c. 59.0°F
    N d. 70.0°F

2452: Which is an advantage of using watertight longitudinal divisions in double bottom tanks?

    Y a. Cuts down free surface effect
    N b. Increases the rolling period
    N c. Decreases weight because extra stiffeners are unneeded
    N d. Lowers the center of buoyancy without decreasing GM

2604: The joint formed when two steel plates are placed end-to-end is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. seam
    Y c. butt
    N d. bond

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

2858: Which characteristic is a disadvantage of a controllable- pitch propeller as compared to a fixed-pitch propeller?

    N a. Slightly higher fuel consumption
    N b. Lack of directional control when backing
    N c. Inefficient at high shaft RPM
    Y d. Some unusual handling characteristics

2888: The Coordinator Surface Search in a SAR situation should display by day __________.

    Y a. the code flags FR
    N b. a black ball over a black diamond shape
    N c. code flag Quebec over a black ball
    N d. two black diamond shapes in a vertical line

2980: What is a step in attaching a poured metal socket to a wire rope?

    Y a. Etch the wire with acid.
    N b. Install a wire seizing on the wire that will be inside the socket.
    N c. Ensure the fiber core is well lubricated.
    N d. Pour molten babbitt metal into the socket.

3044: When you have a tow alongside, your stern should extend aft of the tow in order to __________.

    N a. avoid obscuring your stern light
    N b. provide a better lead for your lines
    Y c. obtain better steering control
    N d. let the barge deflect floating objects from your propeller

3058: Which type of ice is the most difficult to combat and presents the greatest hazard to shipping on the Great Lakes during the winter months?

    N a. Icebergs
    N b. Fast ice
    N c. Slow ice
    Y d. Pack slush ice

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3338: What is used to prevent wear on towlines that bear on hard surfaces?

    Y a. Chafing gear
    N b. Chocks
    N c. Grease
    N d. Boots

3381: A half-height container is used __________.

    N a. to carry cargoes of low density
    N b. when stowage space is limited
    Y c. to carry cargoes such as steel products or drums
    N d. to double the stowage capacity of the vessel

3584: The tripping palm is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    N a. F
    Y b. G
    N c. H
    N d. J

4122: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. pitching and heaving
    N b. rolling
    N c. any force of gravity acting on the lashes
    Y d. All of the above

4136: A disadvantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. can wrap around cargo
    N b. is easily damaged
    N c. is affected by temperature
    Y d. does not absorb shock

4182: Which lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be painted or soaked in oil when not in use?

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

4272: Which action should be taken immediately by the operator of a pedestal crane, if crane control is lost?

    N a. Increase power to the crane to regain control.
    N b. Place control levers in opposite positions.
    Y c. Let go of both control levers and return to the neutral positions.
    N d. Check the circuit breakers.