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.


53: The objective of shoring a damaged bulkhead is to __________.


77: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman will __________.


100: Which statement is ALWAYS true?


104: You are on watch at sea at night when a fire breaks out in #3 hold just forward of the bridge. You would NOT __________.

    N a. call the Master
    Y b. proceed to the space and inspect the extent of the fire
    N c. shut down the cargo hold ventilation
    N d. sound the fire alarm signal to roust out all hands

153: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. erase the entry and rewrite
    N b. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y d. draw one line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction

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

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

235: Which ending is NOT acceptable in a wire rope that is free to rotate when hoisting?

    N a. Poured socket
    Y b. Liverpool eye splice
    N c. Eye formed with a pressure clamped sleeve
    N d. Eye formed by clips

265: Which statement is TRUE about hooks and shackles?

    N a. Hooks are stronger than shackles of the same diameter.
    Y b. Shackles are stronger than hooks of the same diameter.
    N c. Hooks and shackles of the same diameter are of equal strength.
    N d. All the above may be true, depending on the hook's or shackle's overall length.

336: When a vessel with a single right-hand propeller backs to port the __________.

    Y a. bow falls off to starboard
    N b. vessel moves to port without changing heading
    N c. bow swings to port
    N d. vessel moves to starboard without changing heading

354: A "stopper" is __________.

    Y a. a short length of line used for temporarily holding another line
    N b. a snatch block for handling a topping lift
    N c. an engine order telegraph
    N d. the brake on a cargo winch

371: In the United States, the load line markings are set by the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Coast Guard
    N c. Federal Maritime Board
    N d. IMO

493: What does "end for end" mean in regard to a towing hawser?

    N a. To take the kinks out of the hawser
    N b. To fake it down in figure eights
    N c. To increase the catenary
    Y d. To swap ends of the hawser to minimize wear

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

640: Which factor(s) can affect the performance of a river towboat?

    N a. The draft of the towboat and the draft of the barges under tow
    N b. The placement of the barges within the tow
    N c. The presence of flanking rudders and Kort nozzles
    Y d. All of the above

744: When using natural-fiber rope, you should NEVER __________.

    N a. dry the line before stowing it
    N b. reverse turns on winches periodically to keep out kinks
    Y c. try to lubricate the line
    N d. use chafing gear

782: The owner or Master of a towing vessel shall ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel can accurately fix the vessel's position using all of the following EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. installed navigational equipment
    Y b. buoys alone
    N c. all available aids to navigation
    N d. depths soundings and hydrographic contour lines

856: A wedge of water building up between the bow and nearer bank which forces the bow out and away describes __________.

    Y a. bank cushion
    N b. bank suction
    N c. combined effect
    N d. bend effect

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

959: A relief valve for a cargo pump is generally installed __________.

    N a. after the discharge valve
    Y b. between the pump and discharge valve
    N c. after the suction valve
    N d. between the pump and suction valve

1145: You are on watch at night in clear visibility and the vessel has just been anchored. The first thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go is to __________.

    N a. stop the engines
    Y b. take bearings to obtain ship's position
    N c. turn off the running lights and turn on the anchor lights
    N d. lower the accommodation ladder and illuminate it

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

1227: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    Y a. shift the selector switch to the other steering pump
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    N c. call the engineroom
    N d. call the Master

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1344: When working with wire rope, which must be considered?

    N a. Metal sheaves should be lined with wood or leather.
    Y b. It needs better care than hemp or manila.
    N c. It should be lubricated annually.
    N d. The diameter of a sheave over which a rope is worked should be ten times that of the rope.

1344: When working with wire rope, which must be considered?

    N a. Metal sheaves should be lined with wood or leather.
    Y b. It needs better care than hemp or manila.
    N c. It should be lubricated annually.
    N d. The diameter of a sheave over which a rope is worked should be ten times that of the rope.

1462: Two mooring lines may be placed on the same bollard and either one cast off first if __________.

    Y a. the eye of the second line is dipped
    N b. the mooring lines are doubled
    N c. the bollard has two horns
    N d. one of the lines is a breast line

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

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

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

1508: While towing, sudden shock-loading caused during heavy weather can be reduced by __________.

    N a. using a short tow hawser
    N b. using a nonelastic type hawser
    Y c. using a heavier hawser
    N d. decreasing the catenary in the hawser

1655: Which knot represents a double blackwall hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. F
    N b. G
    Y c. L
    N d. R

1671: The number of certificated able seamen and lifeboatmen required on a vessel is determined by the __________.

    N a. International Maritime Organization
    N b. Corps of Engineers
    Y c. Coast Guard
    N d. American Bureau of Shipping

1687: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 4.2 feet?

    Y a. 26.39 ft
    N b. 21.19 ft
    N c. 17.81 ft
    N d. 13.20 ft

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1738: Which vessel is required by regulations to have an Official Logbook?

    Y a. A 100-gross ton tug on a trip between Baltimore, Maryland, and San Pedro, California.
    N b. A 199-gross ton tug on a coastwise trip of 610 miles.
    N c. A 66-gross ton tug operating between states.
    N d. All of the above

1753: To reeve a right-angle threefold purchase start with the __________.

    N a. left sheave bottom block
    N b. left sheave top block
    Y c. middle sheave top block
    N d. right sheave bottom block

1936: A "gypsy" or "gypsyhead" is a __________.

    N a. punt used for painting over the side
    N b. small, reciprocating steam engine
    Y c. spool-shaped drum fitted on a winch
    N d. swinging derrick

1993: The usual method of arranging a line on deck so that it will run out easily without kinking or fouling is __________.

    N a. coiling the line
    Y b. faking down the line
    N c. flemishing the line
    N d. racking the line

2106: A racetrack turn would be better than a Williamson turn in recovering a man overboard if __________.

    N a. the man has been missing for a period of time
    Y b. the sea water is very cold and the man is visible
    N c. there is thick fog
    N d. the wind was from astern on the original course

2146: You are on a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller. The vessel is going full speed astern with full right rudder. The bow will swing __________.

    N a. quickly to port, then more slowly to port
    Y b. probably to port
    N c. slowly to port, then quickly to starboard
    N d. probably to starboard

2157: You are in a fresh water port loading logs with gear rated at 5 tons, and suspect the weight of the logs exceeds the SWL of the gear. The logs are floating in the water alongside the vessel and have 95% of their volume submerged. The average length of the logs is 15 feet and the average diameter is 4.4 feet. What is the nearest average weight of the logs, based on these average measurements?

    N a. 5.5 tons
    Y b. 6.0 tons
    N c. 7.7 tons
    N d. 24.1 tons

2185: You are using tackle number 7 to lift a weight of 100 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. 200 lbs.
    N b. 150 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    Y d. 55 lbs.

2239: You are using tackle number 3 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 )

    Y a. 52 lbs.
    N b. 49 lbs.
    N c. 40 lbs.
    N d. 27 lbs.

2279: In plugging submerged holes; rags, wedges, and other materials should be used in conjunction with plugs to __________.

    N a. reduce the water pressure on the hull
    N b. reduce the possibility of stress fractures
    N c. prevent progressive flooding
    Y d. reduce the water leaking around the plugs

2348: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of allyl alcohol, benzene, and propanolamine. Which of the following is true?

    N a. All of these cargoes are mutually compatible.
    N b. Benzene may not be carried in a tank adjacent to either of the other two cargoes.
    Y c. Allyl alcohol is incompatible with propanolamine but both are compatible with benzene.
    N d. Propanolamine is compatible with allyl alcohol but must be segregated from benzene.

2386: A vessel has an amidships superstructure. Which location would be most suitable for main deck stowage of vehicles?

    N a. On top of #1 hatch
    N b. Beside the hatches, forward of the midships house
    N c. On top of the aftermost hatch on the vessel
    Y d. On top of the hatch immediately aft of the midships house

2716: A channel is stated as having a controlling depth of 38 feet. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. At least 80% of the channel is cleared to the charted depth.
    N b. At least 50% of the channel is cleared to the charted depth.
    Y c. 100% of the channel width is clear to 38 feet.
    N d. The sides of the channel conform to at least 50% of the controlling depth.

2858: Which characteristic is a disadvantage of a controllable- pitch propeller as compared to a fixed-pitch propeller?

    N a. Slightly higher fuel consumption
    N b. Lack of directional control when backing
    N c. Inefficient at high shaft RPM
    Y d. Some unusual handling characteristics

2950: In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term "advance" means the distance __________.

    N a. gained at right angles to the original course
    Y b. gained in the direction of the original course
    N c. moved sidewise from the original course when the rudder is first put over
    N d. around the circumference of the turning circle

2969: Fog can form in any season on the Great Lakes, but it is most likely to occur over open waters in __________.

    N a. summer and early autumn
    N b. autumn and early winter
    N c. winter and early spring
    Y d. spring and early summer

2976: Which statement is TRUE with respect to shiphandling procedures in ice?

    N a. Never go "full astern" at any time while in ice.
    Y b. Go astern in ice with extreme care - always with rudder amidships.
    N c. Enter ice at medium speeds to reduce impact.
    N d. The presence of a snow cover on the ice assists a vessel's progress through an ice field.

3054: The phenomenon known as a "seiche" is most likely to occur on Lake Erie __________.

    N a. during the passage of a rapidly moving warm front
    Y b. when strong winds from the Northeast suddenly diminish
    N c. during the months of May through August
    N d. when the Moon and Sun are in alignment

3168: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another when backing down? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. C
    N d. B

3390: When towing, a tow hook is used to __________.

    Y a. provide quick release of the hawser
    N b. pull a tow alongside
    N c. attach a hawser to a tow which has no bitts or pad eyes
    N d. join two hawsers for lengthening a tow

3451: After inventorying the Naval Control of Shipping publications you find there is no copy of ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Bridge Supplement". You should ask for a replacement from the __________.

    Y a. Maritime Administration
    N b. Coast Guard
    N c. Chief of Naval Operations
    N d. local Operational Control Authority

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

3542: The Certificate of Inspection on a passenger vessel of over 100 gross tons must be posted __________.

    N a. in the Master's office
    N b. on the bridge
    Y c. in a conspicuous place where observation by the passengers is likely
    N d. in the passengers' dining room or, where there is no dining room, in the lounge area

4061: The two factors which make underwater hull repair difficult are accessibility and the __________.

    N a. availability of tools
    N b. shape of the hull
    Y c. pressure exerted by the water
    N d. threat of progressive flooding

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