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 __________.


36: The distance that a vessel travels from the time that the order to put engines full astern until the vessel is dead in the water is known as __________.


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


272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

295: Which publication offers information on Great Lakes ice services?

    N a. Light List volume VII
    Y b. U.S. Coast Pilot #6
    N c. Marine Weather Log
    N d. National Weather Service, Ice Outlooks

406: A twin-screw vessel with a single rudder is making headway. The engines are full speed ahead. There is no wind or current. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. If one screw is stopped, the ship will turn toward the side of the stopped screw.
    N b. The principal force which turns the ship is set up by the wake against the forward side of the rudder.
    Y c. Turning response by use of the rudder only is greater than on a single-screw vessel.
    N d. With the rudder amidships, the ship will steer a fairly steady course.

411: Tonnage tax is officially based upon the figures obtained from the __________.

    Y a. Admeasurement Certificate
    N b. deadweight scale
    N c. displacement scale
    N d. Load Line Certificate

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

536: Your vessel is backing on the starboard screw, and going ahead on the port screw. The bow will __________.

    N a. back on a straight line
    N b. move ahead on a straight line
    N c. swing to port
    Y d. swing to starboard

551: The name and hailing port of a documented commercial vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    N b. required to be marked on both bows and on the keel
    Y c. required to be marked on the stern with the name of the vessel marked on both bows
    N d. required to be marked on the keel, stern, and both bows

559: A vessel loads edible oil in a deep tank through a manhole at the mid-length of the tank. In order to fill the tank to maximum capacity, what trim should the vessel have?

    N a. Down by the bow
    N b. Down by the stern
    N c. Down by either the bow or stern
    Y d. In level trim

601: Your vessel has completed an inspection for certification and is issued a temporary certificate. This __________.

    N a. expires six months after it is issued
    N b. must be exchanged for a regular Certificate of Inspection before going foreign or out of state
    Y c. has the full force of a regular Certificate of Inspection
    N d. must be posted in the vicinity of the officers' licenses

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

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

665: The catenary __________.

    N a. acts as a reserve length of towing hawser when the tug applies more power, and it dampens the surge effect of the tow
    N b. gives an approximation of the amount of strain on the towing hawser
    N c. is the dip in the towing hawser between the tug and the tow
    Y d. All of the above

723: What safety precautions must you take when maneuvering on a towing hook?

    N a. The engines must be operated on the slow bell.
    Y b. Clear the afterdeck and fantail of personnel.
    N c. Lash the hook closed so it does not open accidentally.
    N d. The towing winch engine must be running.

765: The owner or Master of a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside must ensure that each of the following is appropriate for the vessel's horsepower and tow arrangement EXCEPT _________ .

    Y a. hydraulic couplings
    N b. face wires
    N c. push gear
    N d. spring lines

826: In order to reduce your wake in a narrow channel you should __________.

    N a. apply enough rudder to counter the effect of the current
    N b. change your course to a zigzag course
    Y c. reduce your speed
    N d. shift the weight to the stern

865: A nylon line is rated at 15,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    Y a. 3,000 lbs
    N b. 5,000 lbs
    N c. 15,000 lbs
    N d. 65,000 lbs

898: You must load as much of a large shipment of case goods as possible into a hold which has 24,000 cubic feet of space. Each case measures 2 feet by 2-1/2 feet by 4 feet and weights 448 pounds. If you allow for broken stowage of 15%, how many long tons can be loaded?

    N a. 280
    N b. 233
    Y c. 204
    N d. 190

905: When should you conduct a visual inspection of your towline?

    N a. Whenever its serviceability is in doubt.
    N b. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
    N c. At least once a month.
    Y d. All of the above

1119: A single fitting installed in a pipeline that either blanks off the pipe or allows a full flow passage of a liquid through the pipe is referred to as a __________.

    N a. blind flange
    N b. pivot coupling
    N c. quick-release coupling
    Y d. spectacle flange

1163: When piloting a vessel, how are visual references used to establish a constant rate of turn?

    Y a. Fixed objects that stay on the same relative bearing when the ship is turning indicate a constant rate of turn.
    N b. Visual references cannot be used to maintain a constant rate of turn.
    N c. Begin the turn when the fixed object is on the beam.
    N d. Keep the fixed object's relative relative bearing opening, for a constant rate of turn.

1180: The regulations require that inspected vessels on an international voyage, other than small passenger vessels, must carry which of the following distress signals on or near the navigating bridge?

    N a. 12 hand red flares
    Y b. 12 rocket parachute flares
    N c. 12 hand combination flares and orange smoke signals
    N d. 6 hand red flares, and 6 hand orange smoke signals

1221: Your vessel is in Charleston, S.C. You need not clear Customs if __________.

    Y a. all the cargo on board is of U.S. origin and destined for New York
    N b. you took on no new cargo in Charleston, S.C. and are bound for Puerto Rico and thence foreign
    N c. you did not discharge any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Panama
    N d. you did not load any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Halifax

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

1278: The document that establishes the facts of a casualty and is the prima facie relief from liability for the damage is the __________.

    N a. adjuster's report
    N b. insurance policy
    N c. invoice
    Y d. Master's protest

1300: Tonnage openings must be closed by means of __________.

    N a. press board
    N b. steel hatch boards
    Y c. steel plates
    N d. wooden hatch boards

1524: A mooring line is described as being 6x24, 1-3/4 inch wire rope. What do the above numbers refer to?

    N a. Strands, yarns, circumference
    Y b. Strands, wires, diameter
    N c. Wires, yarns, diameter
    N d. Strands, circumference, wires

1616: In moderate wind and current what should be the length of chain with a single anchor?

    Y a. 5 times the depth of the water in good holding ground
    N b. 10 times the depth of the water in shallow water
    N c. 2 times the depth of the water in poor holding ground
    N d. 8 times the depth of the water in deep water

1623: A short splice in a line __________.

    N a. decreases the size of the line
    N b. should be used if the line is going through a block
    N c. should only be used in wire rope
    Y d. doubles the size of the line

1750: A grapnel is a __________.

    N a. device for securing a chain topping lift
    N b. hook to prevent the anchor cable from slipping
    Y c. device used to drag for a submerged cable or line
    N d. type of clam bucket used for discharging bulk cargo

1760: A hook that will release quickly is a __________.

    N a. longshore hook
    N b. margin hook
    N c. marginal hook
    Y d. pelican hook

1821: While towing, what is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a short hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. The barge may capsize from the sharp turn.
    Y b. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    N c. Free surface effect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads when turning too quickly.
    N d. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.

1842: The knot shown lettered W is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. clove hitch
    Y b. square knot
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper knot

1846: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

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

1949: Using a scope of 5, determine how many feet of cable you should put out to anchor in 5 fathoms of water.

    N a. 100 feet
    Y b. 150 feet
    N c. 200 feet
    N d. 250 feet

2018: When towing astern, one way to reduce yawing of the tow is to __________.

    Y a. trim the tow by the stern
    N b. trim the tow by the head
    N c. have the tow on an even keel
    N d. list the tow on the side it is yawing

2227: You are using tackle number 4 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 120 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20 lbs.
    N b. 30 lbs.
    Y c. 42 lbs.
    N d. 57 lbs.

2249: Which knot should be used to secure a line to a spar when the pull is parallel to the spar? (DO30DG )

    N a. G
    N b. F
    Y c. P
    N d. Q

2256: 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 transfer for a turn of 180°? (D034DG )

    N a. 875 yards
    Y b. 910 yards
    N c. 975 yards
    N d. 1015 yards

2268: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

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

2286: Cargo that is highly susceptible to damage by tainting from odorous cargo is called __________.

    N a. clean cargo
    Y b. delicate cargo
    N c. dry cargo
    N d. immune cargo

2377: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    Y b. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

2564: The major components which determine the length of catenary in a deployed anchor cable are water depth, cable tension, and __________.

    N a. environmental forces
    N b. bottom conditions
    Y c. cable weight
    N d. water density

2598: Where, due to the arrangement of the vessel, lifejackets may become inaccessible, additional lifejackets shall be carried __________.

    N a. for the people on bridge watch
    N b. for the forward lifeboats
    Y c. as determined by the OCMI
    N d. for 50% of the crew of the vessel, not including those assigned to engineering duties

2712: Which two Great Lakes are considered hydraulically as one?

    N a. Lakes Superior - Huron
    Y b. Lakes Michigan - Huron
    N c. Lakes Erie - St. Clair
    N d. Lakes Erie - Ontario

2746: Which of the Great Lakes experiences the least amount of water level fluctuation between seasonal high and low water marks?

    N a. Lake Huron
    N b. Lake Erie
    Y c. Lake Superior
    N d. Lake Michigan

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

2958: The bow thruster generally is ineffective at __________.

    Y a. over 3 knots headway
    N b. at any speed astern
    N c. at any speed ahead
    N d. over 1 knot sternway

3096: When loading a cargo of taconite, proper sequencing of loading by hatch number is necessary to __________.

    N a. provide the proper trim
    N b. prevent negative stability from developing
    Y c. prevent excessive longitudinal stresses
    N d. control list

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3472: You are the Master of a 500 gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    Y a. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    N b. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $(SA)25,000
    N c. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N d. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in injury to personnel

3580: You are standing the wheelwatch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?

    Y a. Obey the Master.
    N b. Obey the Pilot.
    N c. Bring the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting orders.
    N d. Ask the Pilot if he relinquishes control.

3587: Following a serious marine incident, a device to test an individuals breath can be used by __________.

    Y a. any individual trained to conduct such tests
    N b. the marine employer
    N c. qualified medical personnel only
    N d. any USCG licensed deck officer

3681: While you are on watch entering port, the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. obeys the Pilot
    Y b. obeys the Master
    N c. asks you for instructions
    N d. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions

4048: You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 600 yards and your vessel's LOA is 525 feet. If you anchor in 10 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle?

    Y a. 4 shots
    N b. 5 shots
    N c. 6 shots
    N d. 7 shots

4111: What is(are) standard operating procedure(s) used on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Two deck officers assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N b. Lashings may be completed after leaving port
    Y c. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N d. All of the above

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

4279: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    Y b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchease that raise and lower the topping lift.