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.


410: You are loading a cargo tank on your container ship. The tank displays the red label shown. Which statement is TRUE? (D023DG )


455: A vessel having continuous closely spaced transverse strength members is __________.


504: Anchors are prevented from running out when secured by the __________.


570: A chain bridle is preferable to a wire rope towing bridle on a long ocean tow because chain __________.

    N a. is more flexible and has the ability to absorb shock because of its weight
    N b. is less subject to wear and damage from abrasion
    N c. requires little maintenance
    Y d. All of the above

572: A vessel is entering port "A" for the first time 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?

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

607: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    Y a. scissor wire
    N b. towing wire
    N c. breast wire
    N d. cross wire

624: A serving mallet is used in __________.

    Y a. covering wire or fiber rope
    N b. forcing fids into a line
    N c. dogging hatches
    N d. splicing lines

719: Most crude oils are classified as grade __________.

    N a. A or B
    N b. B
    Y c. C or D
    N d. E

747: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    N a. inadequate ullage space
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    Y d. having to breathe the fumes

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

    N a. forward spring line
    N b. forward breast line
    Y c. inshore bow line
    N d. offshore bow line

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

1031: Which certificate is NOT issued by the Coast Guard?

    N a. Award of official number
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    Y c. Classification of Hull and Machinery
    N d. Safety Equipment Certificate

1115: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

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

1196: You are landing a single-screw vessel, with a right-hand propeller, starboard side to the dock. When you have approached the berth and back the engine, you would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. lose headway without swinging
    Y b. turn her bow toward the dock
    N c. turn her bow away from the dock
    N d. head into the wind, regardless of the side the wind is on

1218: Which is a negotiable document?

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Cargo Manifest
    N c. Export Declaration
    N d. Receiving Report

1265: You are picking up an unconscious person that has fallen overboard in a fresh breeze. For safety reasons a small craft should approach with the __________.

    N a. victim to leeward
    Y b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

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

1274: If given equal care, nylon line should last how many times longer than manila line?

    N a. Three
    N b. Four
    Y c. Five
    N d. Six

1285: Which information MUST be entered on the muster list?

    N a. Names of all crew members
    N b. Use and application of special equipment
    N c. Listing of approved emergency equipment
    Y d. Duties and station of each person during emergencies

1304: A nylon line is rated at 12,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    N a. 2,000 lbs.
    Y b. 2,400 lbs.
    N c. 12,000 lbs.
    N d. 60,000 lbs.

1369: What is meant by "spotting the boom"?

    N a. Lowering it into a cradle
    Y b. Placing it in a desired position
    N c. Spotting it with wash primer and red lead
    N d. Two-blocking it

1582: Which is an example of failure to exercise due diligence?

    Y a. Overloading
    N b. Sailing short of union manning requirements
    N c. Sailing with less than 30% reserve fuel oil supply
    N d. Sailing short of being full and down

1606: To safely anchor a vessel there must be sufficient "scope" in the anchor cable. Scope is the ratio of __________.

    N a. weight of cable to weight of vessel
    N b. weight of cable to weight of anchor
    N c. length of anchor to depth of water
    Y d. length of cable to depth of water

1624: Which kind of hitch should you use to secure a spar?

    N a. Blackwall hitch
    N b. Stage hitch
    Y c. Timber hitch
    N d. Two half hitches

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

    Y a. heaving line
    N b. lead line
    N c. manrope
    N d. mooring line

1743: A mooring line leading at nearly right angles to the keel is a __________.

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. spring line
    N d. stern line

1816: Which picture shown represents a square knot? (DO30DG )

    Y a. W
    N b. R
    N c. P
    N d. H

1831: A "loose" tow may cause all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. loss of maneuverability
    N b. lines to part
    N c. damage to the towing vessel and tow
    Y d. a saving in the transit time

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

1898: Back-up wires on a towed vessel provide __________.

    N a. a factor of safety
    N b. additional strength
    N c. a distribution of the towing load
    Y d. All of the above

1972: Payment of penalty for a ship's delay after the expiration of lay days due to some fault of the charterer or his agent is known as __________.

    Y a. demurrage
    N b. late fee
    N c. miscibility
    N d. volatility

2062: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. She is making more leeway than you. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    Y d. D

2064: While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

    N a. figure eight turn
    N b. Round turn
    N c. Racetrack turn
    Y d. Williamson turn

2102: A seaman deserts the vessel in a foreign port. What should the Master do with any of the deserter's personal effects remaining on board?

    N a. Sell them at auction and deposit the money in the ship's morale or welfare fund.
    N b. Donate them to a local charity upon return to the United States.
    Y c. Transfer them to the appropriate district court of the U.S. at the end of the voyage.
    N d. Inventory them, make an appropriate entry in the Official Logbook and dispose of them at sea.

2169: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 8? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 3
    N b. 1.5
    N c. 1
    N d. 0.5

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

2222: The lower seam of the strake indicated by the letter B is sometimes riveted. This is done to __________. (D033DG )

    N a. increase the strength in a highly stressed area
    N b. provide the flexibility inherent in a riveted seam
    Y c. serve as a crack arrestor and prevent hull girder failure
    N d. reduce construction costs

2271: You are signing on a crew. You can determine the minimum number and qualifications of the crew that you are required to carry by consulting which document?

    N a. Crew list
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    N d. fo'c'sle card

2336: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

    N a. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    N b. two 180°Turns
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    Y d. a single turn with hard rudder

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.

2400: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

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

2470: Which type of bottom provides most anchors with the best holding ability?

    N a. Clay and rocks
    N b. Soft mud
    Y c. Sandy mud
    N d. Soft sand

2572: A tug would NOT assist a ship to steer if the tug is made up to the large vessel __________.

    N a. by a tow line ahead of the vessel
    N b. forward on either bow of the vessel
    Y c. approximately amidships of the vessel
    N d. on the vessel's quarter

2636: When riveted joints occur at the ends of plating they are called __________.

    N a. trailers
    N b. terminals
    N c. seams
    Y d. butts

2710: You have orders to load cargoes of carbon disulfide, diisopropylamine and pyridine on your multi-product tankship. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Carbon disulfide may be carried in NOS. 1 and 2 center tanks and diisopropylamine in NOS. 1 and 2 wing tanks.
    N b. Pyridine and diisopropylamine may be carried in tanks having a common header vent.
    Y c. Diisopropylamine must be separated from carbon disulfide by two barriers (cofferdams, voids, empty tanks, etc.)
    N d. A tank of carbon disulfide may be used to separate a tank of pyridine from a tank of diisopropylamine.

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

2805: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    Y b. put the rudder over to the right all the way
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    N d. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder

2814: Your vessel is crossing a river on the Great Lakes System. A power-driven vessel is ascending the river, crossing your course from port to starboard. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The vessel ascending the river has the right of way.
    N b. Your vessel has the right of way, but you are directed not to impede the other vessel.
    N c. The other vessel must hold as necessary to allow you to pass.
    N d. You are required to propose the manner of passage.

2886: How should you signal the crane operator to lower?

    N a. With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    Y b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm and point finger in the direction to move the boom.
    N d. Extend arm with thumb pointing downward, and flex fingers in and out.

2921: The process of lowering a boom to a horizontal position and onto its deck support is called __________.

    N a. spotting a boom
    N b. collaring a boom
    Y c. cradling a boom
    N d. toppling a boom

2926: Many sheath-screw davits have markings to indicate the maximum angle to which they should be cranked out. If the angle is exceeded, the davit __________.

    N a. may jam against the stops
    N b. will not automatically position the boat at the embarkation station
    Y c. screw may come out of the sheath
    N d. will chafe against the falls and may cause their failure

2956: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    Y a. Z (FLASH)
    N b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. O (IMMEDIATE)

3089: How does an icebreaker normally free a ship which has become beset while navigating independently?

    N a. By backing down the track and cutting out ice on either bow
    Y b. By approaching from the stern and crossing ahead at an angle of 20° to 30° to the beset ship's course
    N c. By overtaking the beset ship, running ahead and then backing down the track to the beset vessel
    N d. By approaching the vessel from astern and towing the beset vessel stern first

3167: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

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

3170: A license for apprentice mate (steersman) of uninspected towing vessels shall be renewed within what time period before or after the expiration date?

    N a. 30 days
    N b. 90 days
    N c. 6 months
    Y d. 12 months

3662: Unless extremely flexible wire rope is used, the sheave diameter should always be as large as possible, but should never be less than __________.

    Y a. 20 times the rope diameter
    N b. 10 times the rope diameter
    N c. 2 times the rope diameter
    N d. the rope diameter

4054: "Hanging a barge off" means to __________.

    Y a. moor a damaged barge to the bank and leave
    N b. remove and deliver a loaded barge from a multiple tow
    N c. remove a barge while locking through
    N d. tow an empty barge astern

4146: Which of the following tensioning devices is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    Y b. Buckle tensioner
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Turnbuckle

4223: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable

4440: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard, starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. throw a life ring to mark the spot
    N c. put the rudder amidships
    Y d. give full right rudder