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.


30: You are planning the stowage of two incompatible products on your multiple-product tankship. What will NOT provide the minimum required segregation?


49: Flammable liquid means any liquid which gives off flammable vapors at or below __________.


58: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


82: Floors aboard ship are __________.

    N a. also called decks
    Y b. vertical transverse plates connecting the vertical keel with the margin plates
    N c. large beams fitted in various parts of the vessel for additional strength
    N d. found in passenger and berthing spaces only

277: Allied Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) has been established. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Naval Control of Shipping Organization of each nation will serve their own ships only.
    N b. Allied ships, which are at sea when an emergency is declared, will all be controlled by a central authority.
    N c. The conduct of US-flag ships in an allied port will be controlled by US NCS authorities.
    Y d. After Naval Control of Shipping has been established, permission to sail must come from local naval authorities or consular officers.

448: Hygroscopic cargoes should be ventilated when __________.

    Y a. going from a warm to a cold climate
    N b. the dew point of the outside air is greater than the dew point of the air in the hold
    N c. the dew point of the air in the hold is very low
    N d. the outside dew point is 60°F (16°C) and the cargo temperature is 54°F (12°C)

502: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

533: A towing hook may be released from the __________.

    N a. tug's engineroom or the bow
    Y b. pilot house or aft steering station
    N c. forecastle
    N d. towing bitts by reaching over and releasing a lever

563: While the Pilot is maneuvering the vessel to a dock, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of the watch officer?

    N a. Supervise the signaling and flag etiquette.
    N b. Record the bells and their times in the bell book.
    Y c. Insure that helm and throttle orders given by the Pilot are correctly executed.
    N d. Judge the appropriateness of the Pilot's orders and countermand them if necessary.

596: Before entering an ice area, the ship should be __________.

    N a. either trimmed by the head or the stern
    N b. on an even keel
    N c. trimmed down by the head
    Y d. trimmed down by the stern

831: The Oil Record Book on a vessel NOT engaged on a foreign voyage shall be maintained on board for not less than __________.

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    Y c. 36 months
    N d. 48 months

871: In writing up the logbook at the end of your watch, you make an error in writing an entry. What is the proper means of correcting this error?

    Y a. Cross out the error with a single line, and write the correct entry, then initial it.
    N b. Carefully and neatly erase the entry and rewrite it correctly.
    N c. Remove this page of the log book, and rewrite all entries on a clean page.
    N d. Blot out the error completely and rewrite the entry correctly.

874: Which type of line would have the LEAST resistance to mildew and rot?

    Y a. Manila
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Dacron
    N d. Polypropylene

977: An ocean tow is sinking in deep water. Attempts to sever the towing hawser are unsuccessful. Which action should now be taken?

    N a. Abandon the towing vessel.
    N b. Radio for emergency assistance.
    Y c. Slip the towline and allow it to run off the drum.
    N d. Secure all watertight openings on the towing vessel.

998: When steering on autopilot which of the following input conditions may NOT have an effect on the control of the steering gear?

    Y a. Non-followup
    N b. Rudder adjustment
    N c. Weather adjustment
    N d. All the above may be activated

1045: If a hydraulic pump on a winch accidentally stops while hoisting, the load will stay suspended because __________.

    Y a. a check valve will close and prevent reverse circulation
    N b. a centrifugal counterweight counteracts the force of gravity.
    N c. the electric pump motor will cut out
    N d. the control lever will move to the stop position

1051: A vessel arrives in San Francisco from a foreign voyage. When MUST the Master make formal entry at the custom house?

    N a. Within 24 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    Y b. Within 48 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    N c. Within 48 hours and before all foreign cargo is discharged for that port
    N d. Within 24 hours after arrival

1064: Which factor is most likely to impair the strength and durability of synthetic line?

    N a. Dry rot
    N b. Mildew
    Y c. Sunlight
    N d. Washing with mild soap

1066: If your propeller is racing in rough weather, you should __________.

    Y a. decrease your engine speed
    N b. ignore it
    N c. increase your engine speed
    N d. stop your engine until the rough weather passes

1069: Which step is NOT generally taken when gas-freeing a tank?

    N a. Washing the tank interior with sea water
    Y b. Application of degreasing solvents
    N c. Removal of corrosion products and sludge
    N d. Fresh air ventilation

1172: You are making a sharp turn in a channel and using a buoy four points on the bow to gauge your rate of turn. If you observe the buoy moving aft relative to you, what should you do?

    Y a. Increase the rate of turn
    N b. Decrease the rate of turn
    N c. Maintain a constant rate of turn
    N d. Decrease speed

1216: It is easier to dock a right-hand, single-screw vessel __________.

    N a. starboard side to the wharf
    N b. either side to the wharf
    Y c. port side to the wharf
    N d. stern to the wharf

1304: A nylon line is rated at 12,000 lbs. breaking strain. Using a safety factor of 5, what is the safe working load (SWL)?

    N a. 2,000 lbs.
    Y b. 2,400 lbs.
    N c. 12,000 lbs.
    N d. 60,000 lbs.

1313: Where should a vessel being towed alongside be positioned for increased maneuverability?

    N a. Stern of the towed vessel aft of the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. Stern of the towed vessel even with the stern of the towing vessel
    Y c. Stern of the towed vessel forward of the stern of the towing vessel
    N d. Bow of the towed vessel even with the bow of the towing vessel

1341: The owners of the S.S. Short Haul agree to a charter with the Longsplice Steamship Company. The owners stipulate in the charter party that the regular Master must be employed as the vessel's Master for the entire life of the contract. Which charter has been affected?

    N a. Bareboat
    N b. Lease
    Y c. Time
    N d. Voyage

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1464: When talking about wire rope, the lay of the wire is the __________.

    Y a. direction wires and strands are twisted together
    N b. number of strands in the wire
    N c. direction the core is twisted
    N d. material used in the core

1533: What is the best splice for repairing a parted synthetic fiber mooring line?

    N a. Liverpool splice
    N b. Locking long splice
    N c. Long splice
    Y d. Short splice

1623: A short splice in a line __________.

    N a. decreases the size of the line
    N b. should be used if the line is going through a block
    N c. should only be used in wire rope
    Y d. doubles the size of the line

1640: The garboard strake is the __________.

    N a. raised flange at the main deck edge
    N b. riveted crack arrester strap on all-welded ships
    N c. riveting pattern most commonly used in ship construction
    Y d. row of plating nearest the keel

1732: Which picture in illustration D030DG represents a half hitch? (D030DG )

    Y a. U
    N b. S
    N c. K
    N d. H

1778: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller port side to a dock. As you approach the dock, you back down on your engine with rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. drift away from the dock
    N b. lose headway without swinging
    Y c. swing its stern towards the dock
    N d. swing its stern away from the dock

1860: A towline should be fastened to __________.

    N a. the chocks at the bow of a towed vessel
    N b. the most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail
    N c. the mast of a towed sailboat
    Y d. a secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel

1979: What is a proper size block to use with a 3-inch circumference Manila line?

    N a. At least a 12-inch sheave
    Y b. 9-inch cheek, 6-inch sheave
    N c. 8-inch cheek, any size sheave
    N d. 6-inch cheek, 4-inch sheave

2048: The MINIMUM acceptable size for a towing bridle would be that size in which the safe working load (SWL) of each leg of the bridle is equal to __________.

    N a. one-half the SWL of the main towing hawser
    N b. three-fourths the SWL of the main towing hawser
    Y c. that of the main towing hawser
    N d. twice that of the main towing hawser

2048: The MINIMUM acceptable size for a towing bridle would be that size in which the safe working load (SWL) of each leg of the bridle is equal to __________.

    N a. one-half the SWL of the main towing hawser
    N b. three-fourths the SWL of the main towing hawser
    Y c. that of the main towing hawser
    N d. twice that of the main towing hawser

2113: One major advantage of the round turn maneuver in a man overboard situation is that it __________.

    Y a. is the fastest method
    N b. is easy for a single-screw vessel to perform
    N c. requires the least shiphandling skills to perform
    N d. can be used in reduced visibility

2175: Which is a negotiated charter?

    Y a. Fixture
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Conference agreement
    N d. All of the above

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

2398: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 4.5 feet and a length of 8 feet?

    N a. 1.82
    Y b. 3.64
    N c. 7.27
    N d. 14.54

2479: Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?

    N a. Magnetic particle
    N b. Dye penetrant
    Y c. Ultrasonic
    N d. Chemical reaction

2568: You are proceeding along the right bank of a narrow channel aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel. The vessel starts to sheer due to bank suction/cushion effect. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and put the rudder left full
    N b. back full with rudder amidships
    N c. decrease speed and put the rudder right full
    Y d. increase speed and put the rudder right full

2732: Flanking rudders effect a vessel's heading because of the __________.

    Y a. effect of the propeller flow on the rudders
    N b. water flow due to the vessel's movement through the water
    N c. tunnel affect of the water flow past opposing rudders
    N d. discharge current being channeled to impinge on the vessel's deadwood

2897: Form 2692 (Notice of Marine Casualty), when required, must be filed to the U.S. Coast Guard within how many days?

    N a. 1 day
    N b. 3 days
    Y c. 5 days
    N d. 7 days

2957: Your vessel is to dock bow in at a pier without the assistance of tugboats. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Bow breast line
    N b. Inshore head line
    N c. Stern breast line
    Y d. Bow spring line

3079: What is a solid at ambient temperature?

    N a. Aniline
    N b. Formic acid
    N c. Methyl chloride
    Y d. Napthalene

3080: Which method should be used to warm up the pump turbines prior to discharge?

    N a. Lock the turbine rotor and slowly bleed in steam until operating temperature is reached
    N b. Run the pump at high speed with the discharge valves closed
    N c. Run the turbine at slow speed with the pump disconnected
    Y d. Shut the discharge valve and run the pump at slow speed

3091: Towlines should be inspected for chafing where the towline __________.

    N a. passes over the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. passes through chocks
    N c. is attached to the disabled vessel
    Y d. All of the above

3103: A case received for shipment has the markings shown. Each carton measures 13" X 15" X 23". What is the total cubic capacity the entire consignment will occupy? (Ignore broken stowage.) (D043DG )

    Y a. 779 cubic feet (22 cubic meters)
    N b. 992 cubic feet (28 cubic meters)
    N c. 1,047 cubic feet (30 cubic meters)
    N d. 112,125 cubic feet (3173 cubic meters)

3220: If you are guilty of failure to properly perform your duties as Master of Uninspected Towing Vessels, which of the following actions may NOT be taken?

    N a. Issuance of a letter of warning
    N b. Suspension of your license
    N c. Revocation of your license
    Y d. A fine placed against your license

3244: The shank is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3292: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

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

3436: The signal man assisting the crane operator has one hand occupied and one fist in front of his chest with the thumb pointing outward and is tapping his chest with the heel of his fist. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend the boom
    N b. lower the boom
    Y c. retract the boom
    N d. hoist the boom

3470: The section of each end of a barge which is heavily reinforced to take the pressure of pushing is called the __________.

    Y a. headlog
    N b. towhead
    N c. collision bulkhead
    N d. bullnose

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

3692: What provides little or no indication that a vessel is dragging anchor?

    N a. Increasing radar range to a fixed object ahead
    Y b. Drift lead with the line leading perpendicular to the centerline
    N c. Vibrations felt by placing a hand on the anchor cable
    N d. Changing bearings to distant fixed objects abeam

4117: Cargo securing for Ro-Ro is based on the concept of __________.

    N a. solid packing
    Y b. rapid loading and discharge
    N c. vessel loaded full and down to her marks
    N d. palletized cargo

4229: Which of the following is/are the optional component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    Y c. Rider block tagline system
    N d. All of the above

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above

4274: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering barge alongside
    N b. Potable water spill on deck
    Y c. Crane hydraulic hose bursts
    N d. Trim greater than 4 feet