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.


135: Corrosive liquids and acids should have which kind of label?


207: A towing vessel's capability is BEST measured by horsepower, maneuverability, displacement, and __________.


211: A seaman is entitled by law to a release from Foreign Articles when __________.


220: The best method to secure a towline to bitts is to __________.

    N a. take a round turn on the bitt farthest from the pull and use figure-eights
    Y b. take a round turn on the bitt closest to the pull and use figure-eights
    N c. use figure-eights and take a round turn at the top of the bitts
    N d. use only figure-eights

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

247: The main advantage and chief characteristic of a Steulchen boom is that it can be __________.

    N a. operated by one winchman
    N b. cradled on deck
    Y c. swung from one hatch to the adjacent hatch
    N d. collared to the mast

270: The disadvantage of using a heaving line to pass a towline is that __________.

    N a. it increases the likelihood of collision between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel
    Y b. recreational boaters tend to make the heaving line fast to the towed vessel as if it were the towline
    N c. the monkey fist may injure someone
    N d. it may reduce the catenary and increase yawing

272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

426: You are stopped with no way upon your vessel at the pilot station. Your vessel is a large twin-screw ship. You must come around 180° to board your Pilot. How should you use the engines and rudder to turn the ship fastest in the least amount of space?

    N a. Full ahead on the engines and hard over rudder
    N b. Full ahead on one engine, full astern on the other
    Y c. Half ahead with hard over rudder, then full astern on inboard engine
    N d. Slow ahead with hard over rudder

561: Which space cannot be deducted from gross tonnage when calculating net tonnage?

    N a. Crew messroom
    Y b. Forepeak ballast tank
    N c. Master's cabin
    N d. Chain locker

719: Most crude oils are classified as grade __________.

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

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

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

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

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

890: A term applied to the bottom shell plating in a double-bottom ship is __________.

    N a. bottom floor
    Y b. outer bottom
    N c. shear plating
    N d. tank top

1114: What type of stopper would you use on a nylon mooring line?

    N a. Chain
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Manila
    N d. Wire

1157: What is a correct reply to a pilot's request, "How's your head"?

    N a. "Steady"
    Y b. "Passing 150°"
    N c. "Checked"
    N d. "Eased to 5° rudder"

1221: Your vessel is in Charleston, S.C. You need not clear Customs if __________.

    Y a. all the cargo on board is of U.S. origin and destined for New York
    N b. you took on no new cargo in Charleston, S.C. and are bound for Puerto Rico and thence foreign
    N c. you did not discharge any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Panama
    N d. you did not load any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Halifax

1354: A 6x19 wire rope would be __________.

    N a. 6 inches in diameter and 19 fathoms long
    N b. 6 inches in circumference with 19 strands
    Y c. 6 strands with 19 wires in each strand
    N d. 19 strands with 6 wires in each strand

1411: The time allowed for loading and discharging cargo in a charter party is referred to as __________.

    N a. charter hire
    N b. demurrage
    N c. dispatch
    Y d. lay days

1452: The helm command "Check her" means __________.

    N a. test the steering control
    N b. read the compass heading
    N c. stop the swing using hard over rudder
    Y d. slow the swing using moderate rudder

1476: How is the size of chain determined?

    N a. Length of link in inches
    Y b. Diameter of metal in link in inches
    N c. Links per fathom
    N d. Weight of stud cable in pounds

1558: When making up a tow connection, you should use __________.

    N a. safety hooks
    N b. plain eye hooks
    N c. round pin shackles
    Y d. screw pin shackles

1615: A towing vessel should be on the crest of a wave at the same time as its tow and in the trough at the same time. The term used to describe this is __________.

    N a. tow strain
    N b. catenary length
    Y c. being in step
    N d. Williamson's Tow

1638: On a twin-screw, twin-rudder vessel, the most effective way to turn in your own water, with no way on, is to put __________.

    Y a. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with full rudder
    N b. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with rudders amidships
    N c. both engines ahead, with full rudder
    N d. both engines astern, with full rudder

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

1664: A method used to make an eye in a bight of line where it cannot be spliced is known as __________.

    N a. braiding
    N b. plaiting
    Y c. seizing
    N d. serving

1827: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 8 feet and a height of 6 feet?

    Y a. 100.53 Cu. Ft
    N b. 131.39 Cu. Ft
    N c. 172.72 Cu. Ft
    N d. 197.39 Cu. Ft

1853: A breeches buoy is being rigged from the shore to a stranded vessel. The initial shot line passed to the vessel is normally made fast to a __________.

    N a. hawser which is used to pass a tail-block and whip to the vessel
    N b. hawser with breeches buoy and harness attached
    N c. hawser which should be made fast to the vessel below the intended location of the tail-block
    Y d. tail-block and whip which may be used to pass a hawser to the vessel

1916: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 68°, and the wet bulb temperature is 65°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? ( D008DG )

    N a. 66%
    N b. 74%
    Y c. 82%
    N d. 90%

1948: The Honolulu (Christmas tree) tow was devised to __________.

    Y a. keep the catenary to a minimum
    N b. allow easy removal of a center tow
    N c. reduce hawser length
    N d. increase the catenary

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

2067: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 12? (DO29DG )

    N a. 3
    N b. 5.5
    N c. 6
    Y d. 7

2117: When a vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

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

2119: You are coming to anchor in 8 fathoms of water. In this case, the __________.

    Y a. anchor may be dropped from the hawsepipe
    N b. anchor should be lowered to within 2 fathoms of the bottom before being dropped
    N c. anchor should be lowered to the bottom then the ship backed and the remainder of the cable veered
    N d. scope should be less than 3 times the depth of the water

2124: You are on watch aboard a vessel heading NW, with the wind from dead ahead, in heavy seas. You notice a man fall overboard from the starboard bow. Which action would NOT be appropriate?

    N a. Hard right rudder
    N b. Throw a lifebuoy to the man, if possible
    N c. Send a man aloft
    Y d. Get the port boat ready

2227: You are using tackle number 4 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. 20 lbs.
    N b. 30 lbs.
    Y c. 42 lbs.
    N d. 57 lbs.

2282: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 77° and the wet bulb temperature is 69°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 67%
    N b. 70%
    N c. 77%
    N d. 81%

2315: Which splice is used to connect two separate lines together?

    N a. Back splice
    N b. Chain splice
    N c. Eye splice
    Y d. Long splice

2354: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 21 feet after a sector of 72° has been removed?

    Y a. 277.09 square ft.
    N b. 149.43 square ft.
    N c. 69.27 square ft.
    N d. 52.78 square ft.

2476: At the outbreak of war your ship is caught in an enemy port. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. You should attempt to contact U.S. Consular officials.
    N b. You should attempt to clear for sea before your ship is interned.
    Y c. You should resist boarding by local officials.
    N d. You should try to send a Ship Hostile Action Report to the NGA (formerly NIMA).

2566: The welds used to join shell plates in flush construction are known as __________.

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

2598: Where, due to the arrangement of the vessel, lifejackets may become inaccessible, additional lifejackets shall be carried __________.

    N a. for the people on bridge watch
    N b. for the forward lifeboats
    Y c. as determined by the OCMI
    N d. for 50% of the crew of the vessel, not including those assigned to engineering duties

2646: Which statement is true concerning repairs on the hull of a vessel which is to be riveted and welded?

    N a. Riveting must be completed before welding begins.
    N b. Riveting and welding should be done alternately.
    Y c. Welding must be completed before the riveting begins.
    N d. It does not matter in what order the operations are done.

2666: On the Great Lakes, short-term fluctuations in water levels may be a result of any of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. strong winds
    N b. sudden changes in barometric pressure
    N c. seiches
    Y d. below normal rain fall

2692: Your vessel is on a voyage from Ogdensburg, NY, to Chicago, IL, via the Great Lakes. The date is October 3 of the current year. If your vessel is subject to the load line requirements, to which of her marks should she be loaded? (D031DG )

    N a. Fresh water - Winter
    N b. Salt water - Intermediate
    Y c. Fresh water - Intermediate
    N d. Salt water - Winter

2914: Your vessel has been ordered to proceed to the United Grain Growers Wharf at Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, for the purpose of taking on a load of wheat. Which publication(s) would you consult for such information as the length of the wharf, the depth of the water alongside, and the loading capacity at the facility?

    N a. The Navigational Chart and Light List Vol. VII
    N b. The International Guide to Canadian Ports and Facilities
    N c. The Lake Carriers Association Facilities Directory
    Y d. The United States Coast Pilot #6

2938: Which statement concerning storm surges on the Great Lakes is FALSE?

    Y a. They are common along the deeper areas of the lakes.
    N b. They cause rapid differences in levels between one end of the lake and the other.
    N c. The greatest water level difference occurs when the wind is blowing along the axis of the lake.
    N d. If the wind subsides rapidly, a seiche effect will most likely occur.

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

3024: How should you signal the crane operator to dog everything?

    N a. Place both fists in front of your body with thumbs pointing toward each other.
    Y b. Clasp hands in front of your body.
    N c. Extend arm with the palm down and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out.

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

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

3232: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended with the palm down and holds this position rigidly. This is the signal to __________.

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

3508: A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the towing line to you, you should secure the line __________.

    N a. to the base of the foremast
    Y b. to the forward-most bitts
    N c. to the forward part of the deckhouse
    N d. at the stern

3564: The angle at which the fluke penetrates the soil is called the __________.

    Y a. fluke angle
    N b. tripping angle
    N c. penetration angle
    N d. holding angle

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

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

4064: Which statement concerning castor oil is TRUE?

    N a. It has a Reid vapor pressure of 9.5.
    N b. It has a specific gravity of 1.3.
    N c. The boiling point is 215°F (102°C).
    Y d. It is a grade E combustible liquid.

4107: Which of the following are considered to be "road vehicles" that can be carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Semi-trailer
    N b. Train
    N c. Articulated train
    N d. All of the above

4121: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. rolling
    N b. pitching
    N c. heaving
    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.

4209: Pedestal cranes have limit switches to restrict the movement of which function?

    N a. Slew travel limits
    N b. Turntable limits
    N c. Luff travel limits
    Y d. All of the above