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.


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?


70: You are on a tankship designed to carry molten sulfur. Which statement is TRUE?


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?


151: The forecastle card is a copy of the __________.

    N a. quarters allocation
    Y b. shipping agreement
    N c. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. unlicensed shipping card from the union

166: The distance gained in the direction of the original course when you are making a turn is known as __________.

    Y a. advance
    N b. drift
    N c. tactical diameter
    N d. transfer

186: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    N a. at the hawsepipe
    Y b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. near the stern

205: A vessel is to make a voyage between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and return. The crew should be signed on_____________.

    Y a. Coastwise Articles
    N b. Foreign Articles
    N c. Intercoastal Articles
    N d. no articles

510: You have loaded dangerous cargo on your vessel and must fill out a Dangerous Cargo Manifest. In which publication would you find the requirements to complete this form?

    N a. 33 CFR - Navigation and Navigable Waters
    Y b. 46 CFR - Shipping
    N c. IMCO - Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization
    N d. IMDG - International Maritime Dangerous Goods

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

565: When the pilot is embarked he or she __________.

    N a. relieves the officer of the watch
    N b. relieves the Master of his duties
    N c. is solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel
    Y d. is a specialist hired for his or her local navigational knowledge

716: Your vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel. The effect called bank cushion has which effect on the vessel?

    Y a. Forces the bow away from the bank
    N b. Forces the stern away from the bank
    N c. Forces the entire vessel bodily away from the bank
    N d. Decreases the draft at the bow

740: The extension of the after part of the keel in a single- screw vessel upon which the stern post rests is called the __________.

    N a. boss
    N b. knuckle
    Y c. skeg
    N d. strut

752: A lot of special cargo of similar cartons as shown is to be loaded. What is the total cubic capacity the consignment will occupy if you assume 10% broken stowage? (D042DG )

    N a. 51 cubic feet (1.5 cubic meters)
    N b. 58 cubic feet (1.7 cubic meters)
    Y c. 65 cubic feet (2.0 cubic meters)
    N d. 336 cubic feet (10 cubic meters)

755: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    Y a. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N b. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N c. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

780: Bilge keels are more effective at dampening rolls as the __________.

    N a. pitching increases
    N b. list increases
    Y c. rolling increases
    N d. draft decreases

806: Which will most likely occur when entering shallow water?

    N a. Rudder action will become more effective.
    N b. The vessel's list will change.
    Y c. The vessel's trim will change.
    N d. An increase in speed will occur.

855: Which party must ensure that legal work hour limitations (for both officers and crew members), rest periods and regulations governing work on Sundays and holidays are followed when the vessel is in a safe harbor?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The company operating the vessel
    Y c. The Master of the vessel
    N d. The company chartering the vessel

897: Which factor(s) might indicate that a towline should be removed from service?

    N a. Visible damage to the towline, including fishhooks.
    N b. Measurements showing a decrease in diameter.
    N c. A surface condition of corrosion and discoloration.
    Y d. All of the above

1016: Your vessel is off a lee shore in heavy weather and laboring. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Put the sea and wind about two points on either bow and reduce speed.
    N b. Heave to in the trough of the sea.
    N c. Put the sea and wind on either quarter and proceed at increased speed.
    N d. Put the bow directly into the sea and proceed at full speed.

1142: The hitch used to secure the standing part of a gantline to the horns of a stage is a __________.

    Y a. marlinespike hitch
    N b. clove hitch
    N c. blackwall hitch
    N d. Killick hitch

1148: The document which acknowledges that the cargo has been received and is in the carrier's custody is called the __________.

    Y a. Dock Receipt
    N b. Hatch Report and Recapitulation
    N c. Cargo Manifest
    N d. Stowage Plan

1293: What is required to be posted in the pilothouse of a vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Officer's licenses
    N c. Company Mission Statement
    Y d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1371: Delivery of a vessel to a charterer is called __________.

    N a. chartering
    N b. dispatching
    N c. fixing
    Y d. tendering

1481: A fire has damaged 20 bales of cotton on a freighter loaded with general cargo. This claim would come under __________.

    N a. constructive total loss
    N b. general average
    Y c. particular average
    N d. total loss of a part

1518: Your vessel is being towed and back-up wires have been installed. Back-up wires carry the towing load in the event that the __________.

    N a. bridle legs part
    Y b. towing bitt or pad eye fails
    N c. bight ring fails
    N d. main towing hawser parts

1575: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

    N a. good communication
    N b. a dedicated crew
    N c. good equipment
    Y d. well-conducted drills

1609: For vessels fitted with cargo gear, an initial test of the units under a proof load shall be conducted. Subsequent tests and exams of the same nature shall be carried out at what time interval?

    N a. 1 year
    N b. 3 years
    N c. 4 years
    Y d. 5 years

1683: "Herringbone" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. anchoring
    N b. mooring
    Y c. sewing
    N d. splicing

1730: A disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line, is called the __________.

    N a. deadrise mark
    N b. maximum allowable draft mark
    Y c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. tonnage mark

1793: The lines led forward from the bow and aft from the stern when a vessel is moored to the dock are __________.

    Y a. bow and stern lines
    N b. breast lines
    N c. halyards
    N d. warps

1807: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Evacuation should be from an area forward of the bridge.
    N b. The vessel should be slowed to bare steerageway.
    N c. If the hoist is at the stern, booms extending aft at the stern should be cradled with the topping lifts hove taut.
    Y d. The litter should not be touched until it has been grounded.

1873: How much weight can you lift by applying 100 lbs. of force to a twofold purchase rigged to disadvantage (do not consider friction)?

    N a. 200 lbs.
    N b. 300 lbs.
    Y c. 400 lbs.
    N d. 500 lbs.

1983: When a line is subject to wear where it passes through a mooring chock, it should be __________.

    N a. wormed, parceled, and served
    N b. wrapped with heavy tape
    Y c. wrapped with chafing gear
    N d. wrapped in leather

2001: You are using tackle number 9 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. 52 lbs.
    Y b. 39 lbs.
    N c. 30 lbs.
    N d. 27 lbs.

2141: You are Master of a vessel that is sold in a foreign country after discharge of cargo. What is your responsibility to the crew in regards to return to the United States?

    N a. You must provide air transportation to the nearest port of entry in the United States.
    Y b. You must provide passage to the port of original engagement.
    N c. There is no requirement for return to the United States provided the voyage has exceeded 4 weeks duration.
    N d. The crew can be employed on another United States vessel, but only if it is returning to the port of original engagement.

2220: The load chart of a crane enables the operator to combine the load radius with boom length to determine the __________.

    N a. maximum counter weight required
    N b. minimum horsepower required
    N c. hoist rope strength
    Y d. allowable load

2250: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 380 yards
    N b. 430 yards
    N c. 485 yards
    N d. 525 yards

2272: Which knot is secure only when there is a strain on the line? (D030DG )

    N a. H
    N b. I
    Y c. L
    N d. P

2341: The grooved wheel inside a block is called a __________.

    N a. cheek
    N b. gypsy
    Y c. sheave
    N d. drum

2347: What is an advantage of having wire rope with a fiber core over that of a wire rope of the same size with a wire core?

    N a. Fiber core rope offers greater strength.
    Y b. Fiber core rope offers greater flexibility.
    N c. Fiber core rope can be used at higher operating temperatures.
    N d. Fiber core rope is the only type authorized for cargo runners.

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

2493: 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?

    N a. A flammable gas detection system must be installed in each cargo pump room.
    N b. Tanks may not be located "on deck".
    N c. Carriage of this cargo is authorized by issuance of an IMO Certificate.
    Y d. Aluminum and copper alloys are prohibited from being in valve parts in contact with the cargo.

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

2664: You must shore up a bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates a rectangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    N b. approximately one-third of the way up the bulkhead
    Y c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

2754: Which statement is TRUE concerning vessels over 1600 gross tons certificated for service solely on the Great Lakes?

    N a. They must have magnetic compasses.
    N b. They must have gyro compasses.
    Y c. They must carry a deep-sea hand lead.
    N d. All of the above statements are TRUE.

2892: What is LEAST likely to be used to strip a cargo tank?

    Y a. Centrifugal pump
    N b. Eductor
    N c. Rotary pump
    N d. Reciprocating pump

3000: The pipe used to connect two separate piping systems on a tank vessel is known as a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. transfer
    N c. connection
    N d. junction

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

3164: How should you signal the crane operator to lower the boom and raise the load?

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

3172: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his hands clasped in front of his body. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. dog everything
    N b. stop
    N c. stand-by
    N d. prepare for signal

3360: On a light tow, what could you substitute for a fishplate?

    Y a. heart-shaped shackle
    N b. pelican hook
    N c. swivel
    N d. ring

3576: Heave is motion along the __________.

    N a. longitudinal axis
    N b. transverse axis
    Y c. vertical axis
    N d. centerline axis

3604: The Jews' harp is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. K
    N b. J
    N c. H
    N d. F

3840: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is true?

    N a. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    Y c. The stress on the heel block is less at 60°.
    N d. The change in angle of elevation has no effect on the stresses in the head block.

4013: What is the minimum size required before a vessel can be documented?

    N a. 26 feet; end-to-end over the deck excluding sheer
    N b. 100 gross tons
    Y c. 5 net tons
    N d. 26 feet between perpendiculars

4024: An icebreaker displaying a flag hoist which consists of the code letters "WO" (Whiskey Oscar) is indicating that __________.

    Y a. icebreaker support is finished
    N b. icebreaker support is commencing
    N c. the icebreaker is icebound
    N d. the icebreaker is beset

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. swing
    N b. lower
    Y c. hoist
    N d. extend

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above

4175: Which of the following is NOT necessary, prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds.
    N b. Lower the stern ramp.
    Y c. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N d. Raise/open the stern door.

4255: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    N c. When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited.
    Y d. All of the above