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.


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


130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?


203: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?


227: An ocean towing bridle should __________.

    Y a. have equal legs of sufficient length
    N b. have a large angle between the legs
    N c. be formed on a bight of cable through a ring
    N d. never be made up of chain

230: 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 damage to property in excess of $25,000
    Y b. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    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

240: The best way to lift many small articles aboard your vessel is with a __________.

    Y a. pallet
    N b. barrel hook
    N c. spreader
    N d. snotter

263: Which type of hull damage should be repaired FIRST?

    N a. Damage below the waterline
    N b. Damage to interior watertight boundaries
    N c. Damage in way of machinery rooms
    Y d. Damage at or just above the waterline

409: A tanker is loaded with 5,000 barrels of petroleum. The cargo was loaded at a temperature of 70°F, and the coefficient of expansion is .0004. What is the net amount in barrels of cargo loaded?

    N a. 4800
    Y b. 4980
    N c. 5020
    N d. 5200

419: A cargo of 10,000 barrels of gasoline is loaded at a temperature of 90°F, and a cargo temperature of 55°F, is expected on this voyage. It has a coefficient of expansion of .0006. How many barrels would you expect to discharge at your destination?

    Y a. 9790
    N b. 9994
    N c. 10210
    N d. 10410

527: What equipment is NOT used to protect a towing hawser?

    N a. Hawser boards and chafing gear
    Y b. Halyards and snaphooks
    N c. Seizing wire, rope yarn and marline
    N d. Norman pins and tow spans

564: The anchors on the bow are known as __________.

    Y a. bower anchors
    N b. kedge anchors
    N c. spare anchors
    N d. stream anchors

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

649: Before a tank is to be crude oil washed, the oxygen content in the tank must be measured at a position __________.

    N a. immediately above the level of the oil
    N b. at the top of the tank
    N c. in the vent riser
    Y d. one meter from the deck

692: The tow makeup that is designed to keep the catenary of the tow hawser to a minimum is called the __________.

    Y a. Christmas tree tow
    N b. tandem tow
    N c. British tow
    N d. tandem tug tow

693: The effect of excessive catenary in shallow water may be __________.

    N a. dragging the towing hawser along the bottom and chafing it
    N b. snagging sunken or submerged objects
    N c. slowing, stopping or endangering the towing operation by placing the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

695: A tug is "in irons" when held in a fixed position by __________.

    N a. the weight of its tow, its being anchored, or grounded
    Y b. the weight of its towing hawser on the bottom
    N c. an adverse current
    N d. lack of power or an engine breakdown

738: How many board feet of dunnage are there in a draft 3 feet wide, 1-1/2 feet high, and 14 feet long?

    N a. 526
    Y b. 756
    N c. 876
    N d. 906

774: The strongest of the natural fibers is __________.

    N a. cotton
    N b. hemp
    Y c. manila
    N d. sisal

781: The trim and stability booklet must be approved by the __________.

    N a. International Maritime Organization
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    Y d. United States Coast Guard

829: In terms of vessel manning, a watch is the ____________ .

    Y a. direct performance of deck or engine operations in a scheduled and fixed rotation
    N b. performance of maintenance work necessary for the vessel's safe operation, on a daily basis
    N c. performance of lookout duties
    N d. direct performance of cargo loading and discharge operations only

862: The term "pintle" and "gudgeon" are associated with the __________.

    N a. anchor windlass
    N b. jumbo boom
    Y c. rudder
    N d. steering engine

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

1002: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel has deviated 15 degrees from course and there is no corrective rudder being applied. As a standard operating procedure you may need to __________.

    N a. check the setting of the rudder adjustment
    N b. check the setting of the weather adjustment
    N c. immediately engage the trick wheel
    Y d. switch to the other steering system

1242: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.

    N a. during an engine speed change
    Y b. during a navigational course change
    N c. unless the helm is in the "hand" mode
    N d. All of the above

1340: The usual depth of a beam bracket is __________.

    Y a. 2 1/2 times the depth of the beam
    N b. 5 times the depth of the beam
    N c. 10 times the depth of the beam
    N d. same depth as the beam

1356: If your vessel is dragging her anchor in a strong wind, you should __________.

    N a. shorten the scope of anchor cable
    Y b. increase the scope of anchor cable
    N c. put over the sea anchor
    N d. put over a stern anchor

1360: What are reef points used for?

    Y a. Reduce the area of a sail
    N b. Keep the sail taut in light airs
    N c. Reduce the draft if the boat runs aground
    N d. Increase the strength of the mast

1482: The two courses of action if the underwater hull is severely damaged are to plug the openings or to __________.

    Y a. establish and maintain flooding boundaries
    N b. dewater the compartment
    N c. secure power to the compartment
    N d. ballast to maintain even keel

1557: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    Y a. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N b. variation in the area
    N c. leeway
    N d. deviation on that heading

1560: Which arrangement of shell plating is used most in modern shipbuilding?

    N a. Clinker
    Y b. Flush
    N c. In-and-Out
    N d. Joggled

1565: While in dry dock your vessel will be belt-gauged. This process involves __________.

    N a. measuring the thickness of the tail shaft liner
    N b. taking the vessel's offsets to check for hull deformation
    N c. testing and examining the anchor cables for defective links
    Y d. drilling or sonic-testing the hull to determine the plate thickness

1566: In bad weather, what length of chain should be used with a single anchor?

    N a. 3 times the depth of water
    N b. 6 times the depth of water
    Y c. 10 times the depth of water
    N d. 15 times the depth of water

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

1632: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    Y a. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.
    N b. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N d. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.

1657: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 5.1 feet?

    N a. 81.71 ft
    N b. 64.08 ft
    N c. 40.85 ft
    Y d. 32.04 ft

1820: If a drill required by regulations is not completed, the Master or person in charge must __________.

    N a. report this immediately to the Commandant of the Coast Guard
    Y b. log the reason for not completing the drill
    N c. conduct two of the required drills at the next opportunity
    N d. All of the above

1896: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U,S, port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.
    N b. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    N c. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.
    N d. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.

1951: A case received for shipment is marked as shown. The portion of the symbol indicated by the letter A is _______ . (D043DG )

    Y a. a stowage sequence marking
    N b. the consignee's marking
    N c. a stowage mark, showing the top of the case
    N d. the symbol for toxic contents

2038: With a large ocean tow in heavy weather, you should NOT __________.

    N a. keep the stern of the tug well down in the water
    Y b. adjust the towline so the tug is on the crest when the tow is in the trough
    N c. keep the low point of the catenary in the water
    N d. use a long towing hawser

2136: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required pilot is TRUE?

    Y a. The pilot need only be licensed by the Coast Guard.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    N c. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia and Maryland.
    N d. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.

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

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 20
    N b. 9
    N c. 5
    N d. 4

2302: What is NOT required to be approved or certified by the U.S. Coast Guard before being used on inspected vessels?

    N a. Lifesaving equipment that is in excess of the regulatory minimum
    N b. Ship's stores that are Class A poisons or Class A explosives
    Y c. Steel plate used in hull construction
    N d. EPIRBs

2387: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 2 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 0.25 square ft.
    N b. 0.52 square ft.
    N c. 2.09 square ft.
    Y d. 2.62 square ft.

2534: Great Lakes vessels, using liferafts, must have sufficient liferaft capacity on each side of the vessel to accommodate at least __________.

    N a. 50% of the persons on board
    Y b. 100% of the persons on board
    N c. 100% of the persons normally assigned to those spaces
    N d. 150% of the crew

2719: Which publication would give detailed information on the commercial vessel traffic reporting system for connecting waters from Lake Erie to Lake Huron?

    N a. United States Coast Pilot - Great Lakes #6
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Light List - Vol. VII
    Y c. Code of Federal Regulations - Title 33
    N d. The appropriate Great Lakes Navigation Chart

2726: The lifeboats on your vessel are stowed on cradles on deck and are handled by sheath-screw boom davits. Which of the following statements about launching a boat is TRUE?

    N a. The boat should be hoisted a few inches clear of the cradle before cranking out the davits.
    N b. The inboard gripes should be cast off before the outboard gripes.
    Y c. The outboard section of the cradle must be released.
    N d. The tricing pendants will automatically bring the boat alongside at the embarkation deck.

2861: 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?

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

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

2990: When cutting regular-lay wire rope, what is the minimum number of seizings to be placed on each side of the cut?

    N a. One
    N b. Two, and three on rope diameters over 1 inch
    Y c. Three, and more on larger diameter wire ropes
    N d. Four

3009: While loading cargo, a white trimming light on the starboard side comes on. This indicates that __________.

    Y a. the vessel has a list of about 1` to starboard
    N b. the chutes should be directed to the starboard side
    N c. the chutes in No. 1 hold should be directed to the starboard side
    N d. a severe list to starboard has developed and all loading should cease

3030: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold to underdeck pipelines is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    Y b. line drop
    N c. transfer
    N d. branch line

3124: You attach a line to a stationary barge lying off your starboard beam in order to maneuver it into position to make up tow. The line used to do this is a __________.

    N a. jockey line
    N b. fore and aft line
    N c. check line
    Y d. swing 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

3556: The choice of length of tow bridle legs is governed by the __________.

    N a. expected towing forces
    N b. capability of retrieving gear
    N c. freeboard of the unit being towed
    Y d. need to reduce yaw

3691: On the cargo manifest, the gross weight of a box containing cargo is the weight of the __________.

    N a. cargo
    N b. box
    Y c. cargo and box
    N d. rate weight

4134: What may NOT be used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Turnbuckle
    Y c. Webbing
    N d. Chain

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

4205: Which piece of equipment is required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    N a. Portable power swivel
    Y b. Equalizing beam
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. 40-foot container spreader

4213: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Liftline