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.


95: You should keep clear of __________.


128: Which is characteristic of a "special cargo"?


258: Your U.S. tankship is designed to carry anhydrous ammonia in bulk. The keel was laid in 1980. Which statement concerning the carriage of this cargo is TRUE?


378: In preparation for receiving chilled reefer cargo, the reefer space has been precooled for over twenty-four hours. Loading may begin when the space has been cooled to a temperature between __________.

    N a. -10°F (-23°C) and +10°F (-12°C)
    N b. 12°F (-11°C) and 20°F (-7°C)
    Y c. 28°F (-2°C) and 40°F ( 4°C)
    N d. 42°F (6°C) and 55°F (13°C)

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

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

461: Where is the best location to install a towing hook?

    N a. Forward of the towing bitts
    N b. On the fantail
    N c. Near the Norman Pins
    Y d. Just aft of amidships

482: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons is to be loaded aboard your vessel. You examine one of the cartons of the lot shown. What is the total cubic space the consignment will occupy? (Assume no broken stowage.) (D042DG )

    N a. 51 cubic feet (1.5 cubic meters)
    Y b. 58 cubic feet (1.7 cubic meters)
    N c. 336 cubic feet (10 cubic meters)
    N d. 700 cubic feet (21 cubic meters)

492: 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 __________.

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

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

597: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of monthly bills
    N b. payment of creditors
    Y c. support of a minor child
    N d. All of the above

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

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

691: On U.S. flag vessels, which certificate is always issued by the Coast Guard?

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Safety Equipment Certificate
    N c. Safety Construction Certificate
    N d. Register of cargo gear

698: Which agency issues a certificate of loading that is evidence that the rules and regulations concerning bulk grain cargoes have been observed?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Department of Agriculture
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Public Health Service

891: A seaman assaults the Second Mate and injures him with a beer bottle while the ship is at sea. The incident is logged in the Official Logbook. In subsequent suspension and revocation proceedings against the seaman, according to the regulations, __________.

    N a. the Second Mate and the Master must testify as to the facts of the assault
    N b. the case will be dismissed if the logbook entries are improperly made
    Y c. the logbook entry is prima facie evidence of the facts if it complies with the law
    N d. the logbook is inadmissible if the logbook entries do not conform to the law

946: Which measure should NOT be taken to reduce the pounding of a vessel in a head sea?

    Y a. Add ballast in the after peak.
    N b. Add ballast forward.
    N c. Alter course.
    N d. Reduce speed.

996: With a following sea, a vessel will tend to __________.

    N a. heave to
    N b. pound
    N c. reduce speed
    Y d. yaw

1067: The normal and safest way for a sailor to be lowered in a bosun's chair when descending vertically is __________.

    Y a. for that sailor to feed the hauling part through a bosun's chair hitch
    N b. to lead the hauling part to a cleat on the mast and slacking the sailor down
    N c. by taking several turns of the gantline on a winch drum and then lower the sailor by backing off on the winch
    N d. by leading the bight of the hauling part to a rail and taking several turns, then slacking away with the bight

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

1238: A contract of affreightment is a __________.

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Bottomry Bond
    N c. manifest
    N d. Portage Bill

1253: You are preparing to relieve the mate on watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.

    N a. during an engine speed change
    N b. while the Master is on the bridge
    Y c. during a collision avoidance maneuver
    N d. All of the above

1403: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

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

1444: If kinking results while wire rope is being coiled clockwise, you should __________.

    N a. coil it counterclockwise
    N b. not coil it
    Y c. take a turn under
    N d. twist out the kinks under a strain

1478: What does "in step" refer to in regards to towing?

    N a. The towed vessel follows exactly in the wake of the towing vessel.
    N b. There is no catenary in the towing hawser.
    N c. When turning, both the towed and towing vessels turn at the same time.
    Y d. Both the towed and towing vessels reach a wave crest or trough at the same time.

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

1611: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    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

1643: The splice designed to pass easily through a block is called a(n) __________.

    N a. eye splice
    N b. short splice
    Y c. long splice
    N d. block splice

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.

1712: You are to load styrene in bulk, which is subject to self-polymerization. You must __________.

    N a. not carry any cargo in the tanks surrounding the tank loaded with styrene
    N b. inject nitrogen to pad any ullage above the styrene to prevent contact with oxygen
    Y c. be furnished with a Certificate of Inhibition to be maintained on the bridge
    N d. use heating coils to maintain the styrene within the temperatures specified by the shipper

1726: When attempting to free an anchor jammed in the hawsepipe, the simplest method of freeing it may be __________.

    Y a. starting the disengaged windlass at high speed
    N b. rigging a bull rope to pull it out
    N c. to grease the hawsepipe
    N d. to pry it loose with a short piece of pipe

1893: A block and tackle is "rove to advantage". This means that the __________.

    N a. blocks have been overhauled
    N b. hauling parts of two tackles are attached
    Y c. hauling part leads through the movable block
    N d. hauling part leads through the standing block

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

1950: You are proceeding to a distress site and expect large numbers of people in the water. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the survivors in the water and only use the ship's boats to recover the survivors.
    N b. If the survivors are in inflatable rafts you should approach from windward to create a lee for the survivors.
    Y c. An inflatable liferaft secured alongside can be an effective boarding station for transfer of survivors from the boats.
    N d. Survivors in the water should never be permitted alongside due to the possibility of injury from the vessel.

1966: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    N b. bridge
    Y c. center of gravity
    N d. centerline

2000: The vessel has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. Both vessels are making the same amount of leeway. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (D025DG )

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

2057: While assigned to a 106 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from San Francisco to which port?

    N a. Mazatlan, Mexico (west coast)
    N b. Vera Cruz, Mexico (east coast)
    Y c. New York, NY
    N d. Vancouver, Canada (west coast)

2074: You are proceeding to a distress site. The survivors are in liferafts. What will make your ship more visible to the survivors?

    N a. Steering a sinuous course
    N b. Steering a zig-zag course
    Y c. Turning on all available deck lights at night
    N d. Dumping debris over the side to make a trail to your vessel

2120: Wale shores would be used when dry docking a vessel with __________.

    N a. tumble home
    Y b. excessive deadrise
    N c. excessive trim
    N d. a list

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

2202: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence will you assign this message?

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

2212: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are listed in illustration D035DG. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 30°? (D035DG )

    N a. 380 yards
    N b. 420 yards
    Y c. 470 yards
    N d. 525 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

2293: As defined in the regulations governing marine casualties a "marine employer" may be the __________.

    N a. owner
    N b. agent
    N c. Master
    Y d. All of the above

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.

2489: A post on a dock or wharf used to secure mooring lines or hawsers is called a __________.

    N a. bitt
    Y b. bollard
    N c. cleat
    N d. capstan

2629: Each open lifeboat carried on a vessel on an international voyage must have __________.

    N a. hand-propelling gear
    Y b. a davit span with at least 2 lifelines
    N c. a mast and a sail
    N d. a motor

2791: What is the period of validity of a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate?

    N a. 72 months
    Y b. 60 months
    N c. 48 months
    N d. 42 months

2876: A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker may use all of the following distinctive lights when escorting ships in ice EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a single amber rotating light
    N b. a single red rotating light
    N c. red aircraft warning lights
    Y d. a single blue rotating light

2902: Which basic category of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes is the most regular?

    Y a. Seasonal fluctuations
    N b. Outflow fluctuations
    N c. Short-term fluctuations
    N d. Long-term fluctuations

2939: A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is south of an approaching eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience __________.

    N a. a falling barometer
    N b. lowering clouds and drizzle
    Y c. a southwest to west wind
    N d. rain or snow

3085: Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) publications should be __________.

    N a. in the Master's custody
    N b. safely stowed
    N c. turned over to the relieving Master
    Y d. All of the above

3098: A weight of 1,000 short tons is equivalent to __________.

    N a. 1,500 foot-pounds
    N b. 2,240 long tons
    N c. 2,000 pounds
    Y d. 2,000 kips

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.

3171: A high cube container would most likely be used to stow __________.

    N a. dense bulk cargoes
    Y b. household appliances
    N c. fragile cargoes
    N d. heavy industrial machinery

3291: The riding pawl is __________.

    N a. a safety interlock in a cargo winch that prevents the runner from overspeeding
    Y b. a stopper that prevents the anchor cable from running free if the cable jumps the wildcat
    N c. the device that locks the deck lashings of the Peck and Hale system
    N d. the lug that rides on the eccentric rib and engages the locking ring on the windlass

3608: The horizontal port or starboard movement of a vessel is called __________.

    N a. yaw
    Y b. sway
    N c. surge
    N d. heave

3960: The line with the most stretch is __________.

    N a. manila
    Y b. nylon
    N c. polypropylene
    N d. dacron

4043: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. aft of the propellers
    Y b. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. at the bow

4211: Pedestal cranes have limit switches to restrict movement of which function(s)?

    N a. Hoist upper & lower limits
    N b. Luff travel limits
    N c. Rider block hoist upper & lower limits
    Y d. All of the above