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.


22: A wildcat is a __________.


71: You are the licensed Master of a 199 GT uninspected towing vessel making a 500 mile coastwise trip. You carry a deck crew of six (6). Which statement is TRUE?


118: Damage to cargo caused by fumes or vapors from liquids, gases, or solids is known as __________.


132: What is a characteristic of all centrifugal cargo pumps?

    N a. They are self-priming.
    Y b. Decreasing the speed of rotation will decrease the discharge pressure.
    N c. Opening the discharge valve wider will increase the discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

225: For safety reasons, when assistance towing __________.

    N a. the disabled vessel should be towed to the nearest port
    N b. the disabled vessel should be inspected for flammable gases
    N c. passengers should always be removed from the disabled vessel
    Y d. personnel on the disabled vessel should don PFD's

245: The fitting that allows a boom to move freely both vertically and laterally is called the __________.

    N a. swivel
    N b. lizard
    N c. spider band
    Y d. gooseneck

275: You have taken another vessel in tow. You can tell that the towing speed is too fast when the __________.

    N a. vessels are not in step
    N b. tow line feels like it is "jumping" when touched
    Y c. catenary comes clear of the water
    N d. towed vessel goes "in irons"

287: On the cargo manifest, the weight of the cargo inside a box is called __________.

    N a. gross weight
    Y b. net weight
    N c. light weight
    N d. rate weight

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

497: Which type of fiber towing hawser is preferred for towing astern?

    N a. Manila
    N b. Polypropylene
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Dacron

667: While towing in shallow water you should consider __________.

    N a. using a short towing hawser
    Y b. using a floating hawser
    N c. the catenary and the effect it may have on the tow
    N d. All of the above

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

853: Who is responsible for properly manning a vessel in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and international conventions?

    N a. The (USCG) Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection
    N b. The (USCG) Captain of the Port
    N c. The owner or operator of the vessel
    Y d. The Master of the vessel

868: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 72,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 493
    N b. 577
    N c. 602
    Y d. 648

875: Which statement, concerning offshore supply vessel operations, correctly defines the length of a voyage?

    N a. The distance from the point of departure to the vessel's first stop
    N b. The distance from the point of departure to the most distant point offshore
    Y c. The total distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival, not including stops at offshore points
    N d. The shortest measurable distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival

909: What is the purpose of the relief valve of a cargo pump?

    N a. Provides for the removal of vapors
    N b. Allows two or more tanks to be filled at the same time
    N c. Provides for the emergency shutdown of the pump
    Y d. Permits the return of cargo to the suction side of the pump

1051: A vessel arrives in San Francisco from a foreign voyage. When MUST the Master make formal entry at the custom house?

    N a. Within 24 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    Y b. Within 48 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    N c. Within 48 hours and before all foreign cargo is discharged for that port
    N d. Within 24 hours after arrival

1173: You are making a sharp turn in a channel and using a buoy four points on the bow to gauge your rate of turn. If you observe the buoy moving forward relative to you, what should you do?

    N a. Increase the rate of turn
    Y b. Decrease the rate of turn
    N c. Maintain a constant rate of turn
    N d. Increase speed

1201: When clearing customs for a foreign voyage, which of the following is processed at the custom's house and returned to the vessel?

    Y a. Shipping Articles
    N b. Traveling Curio Manifest
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. Cargo Gear Register

1254: Under identical load conditions, nylon, when compared with natural fiber line, will stretch __________.

    N a. less and have less strength
    N b. more and have less strength
    Y c. more and have greater strength
    N d. less and have greater strength

1291: "Free pratique" means that __________.

    N a. clearance requirements for all regulatory bodies have been met
    Y b. health requirements have been met and no further quarantine formalities are required
    N c. shipment will be made at no cost
    N d. tonnage taxes are not required to be paid

1421: The charterer has completed loading the vessel in 3 days instead of the 5 days agreed to in the charter party. As a result of this, the __________.

    N a. shipowner may charge for two lay days
    Y b. charterer may receive dispatch money
    N c. stevedore may collect demurrage
    N d. consignee may be required to pay a ceaser fee

1424: A wire rope for a 10-ton boom on a vessel shows signs of excessive wear and must be replaced. What safety factor should be used when ordering a new wire?

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

1495: A common class of wire rope is the 6X37 class. What does the 37 represent?

    N a. Number of wires in the inner core
    N b. Number of strands per wire rope
    N c. Tensile strength of the wire
    Y d. Number of wires per strand

1502: 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. 49.73 numeral
    N b. 52.76 numeral
    N c. 55.29 numeral
    N d. 57.93 numeral

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.

1584: The size of wire rope is determined by the __________.

    N a. number of strands
    N b. number of wires in each strand
    N c. circumference
    Y d. diameter

1617: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 84°, and the wet bulb temperature is 81°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 71%
    N b. 79%
    N c. 81%
    Y d. 87%

1625: All inspected vessels on unrestricted ocean routes must have equipment on board for testing an individual's __________.

    N a. blood
    Y b. breath
    N c. urine
    N d. All of the above

1808: Which organization would conduct a survey of the insulation in a reefer compartment prior to loading cargo?

    N a. U.S. Customs Service
    N b. OSHA
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1858: The easiest way to anchor a vessel in a current is to __________.

    N a. stem the current and make very slow headway when the anchor is dropped
    Y b. stem the current and be falling aft very slowly when the anchor is dropped
    N c. stem the current and endeavor to make neither headway nor sternway when the anchor is dropped
    N d. stop all headway through the water and keep the current astern when the anchor is dropped

1887: A small light tackle with blocks of steel or wood that is used for miscellaneous small jobs is called a __________.

    N a. snatch block
    N b. threefold purchase
    Y c. handy-billy
    N d. chockablock

1931: You are using tackle number 12 to lift a weight of 300 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. 80 lbs.
    Y b. 69 lbs.
    N c. 55 lbs.
    N d. 50 lbs.

1985: You are on a 165 foot (50.3 meters) long vessel with a draft of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and twin screws. Which statement about rescuing a survivor in the water with ship pickup is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the man and drift down on him.
    N b. You should stop with the man on your weather beam and twist the ship up to him.
    Y c. A pickup off the weather bow gives maximum maneuverability with the least possibility of injury to the man.
    N d. Ship pick up should never be used with a shallow draft vessel.

2086: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 11? (DO29DG )

    N a. 7
    Y b. 6
    N c. 5.5
    N d. 5

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

2150: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam. You are making more leeway than she. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

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

2152: Your vessel has the symbol shown inscribed on the side. Which statement concerning this symbol is TRUE? (DO22DG )

    N a. This represents the load line marks when engaged on a voyage upon the Great Lakes.
    N b. The line directly under the triangle is at the same level as the summer load line.
    N c. The symbol is the equivalent of a load line marking and is used by government vessels (USN, MSC, USCG) only.
    Y d. The applicable gross and net tonnage of the ship will change if this mark is submerged and the load line mark is visible.

2171: The order of importance in addressing damage control is __________.

    N a. control flooding, control fire, repair structural damage
    N b. restore vital services, control fire, control flooding
    N c. control fire, restore vital services, control flooding
    Y d. control fire, control flooding, repair structural damage

2207: After an explosion, repair of emergency machinery and services should be accomplished __________.

    Y a. after control of fire, flooding, and structural repairs
    N b. immediately, before the emergency is under control
    N c. after control of fire, but before control of flooding
    N d. after stability is restored

2211: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. 5.5

2311: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

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

2554: The welds used to attach stiffeners to a plate are known as __________.

    N a. butt welds
    N b. seam welds
    Y c. fillet welds
    N d. plate welds

2567: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. variation
    N b. gyro error
    Y c. course per magnetic steering compass
    N d. maximum rudder angle previously used

2860: How are riveted lap joints made watertight?

    N a. The faying surfaces are coated with white lead (or similar product) before the rivets are set.
    N b. A sealing weld bead of 1/8" or less pitch is run along the plate edge.
    Y c. The plate edge is split close to an adjacent plate and mechanically forced into contact with the adjacent plate.
    N d. A properly riveted joint will be watertight; any leakage is stopped by setting up on the rivets.

2883: 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. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. asks you for instructions
    Y d. obeys the Master

2897: Form 2692 (Notice of Marine Casualty), when required, must be filed to the U.S. Coast Guard within how many days?

    N a. 1 day
    N b. 3 days
    Y c. 5 days
    N d. 7 days

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)

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)

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3046: What is an explosion hazard when exposed to flame?

    N a. Formic acid
    N b. Nitrous oxide
    N c. Tallow
    Y d. Toluene

3074: In securing a towing cable, consideration must be given to letting go in an emergency. The possible whip of towlines when released can be overcome by __________.

    N a. increasing the shaft RPM prior to release
    N b. using a pelican hook for quick release
    Y c. using preventers
    N d. using a short chain for the lead through the stern chock

3130: What is NOT required on an uninspected towing vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Operators Merchant Marine license
    N d. FCC Station License

3140: If the Certificate of Inspection of a damaged tank barge has expired, which certificate may be issued to allow its movement to a repair facility?

    N a. Change of employment
    Y b. Permit to proceed
    N c. Application for inspection
    N d. Temporary Certificate of Inspection

3148: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter H is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    N c. tripping palm
    Y d. crown

3300: You are heading into the sea during rough weather. Having too much weight forward can cause your small boat to __________.

    N a. broach
    Y b. plunge into the wave
    N c. rise rapidly over the wave
    N d. list

3378: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter F is the __________. (D038DG )

    Y a. shank
    N b. bar
    N c. stock
    N d. shot

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    Y b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. roll

4383: 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