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.


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


266: The distance that a ship moves forward with each revolution of its propeller, if there is no slip, is called __________.


489: Your tank vessel is fully loaded, and you find that she is down slightly by the head. To adjust the trim, you may __________.


538: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 80°F (27°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 70°F (21°C), what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 45%
    N b. 52%
    Y c. 58%
    N d. 65%

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

672: When towing alongside (breasted tow), more forward movement will be imparted to the tow by __________.

    N a. increasing the angle of line pull to the keel axis of the tow
    Y b. reducing the angle of line pull to the keel axis of the tow
    N c. positioning the towing vessel on the forward end of the tow
    N d. shortening the length of the tow line

680: You must medevac a critically injured seaman by helicopter hoist. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The ship's relative wind should be from dead ahead at 10 to 30 knots.
    Y b. The deck crew at the hoist point should not wear baseball hats.
    N c. The helicopter's drop line should be secured to the ship not more than 15 feet from the hoist position.
    N d. When using a "horse collar", the bight of the loop should be around the chest of the injured seaman.

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

729: A petroleum liquid has a flash point of 85°F. This is a grade __________.

    N a. B flammable liquid
    N b. C flammable liquid
    Y c. D combustible liquid
    N d. E combustible liquid

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

826: In order to reduce your wake in a narrow channel you should __________.

    N a. apply enough rudder to counter the effect of the current
    N b. change your course to a zigzag course
    Y c. reduce your speed
    N d. shift the weight to the stern

859: To insure proper seating when closing a valve on a tank, the valve should be __________.

    N a. closed against the stop and the locking pin inserted
    Y b. closed, opened a half turn, and then closed again
    N c. set up as tight as possible by hand
    N d. set up tight using a valve wrench

936: A precaution you should take before bunkering is to __________

    N a. plug the vents
    N b. plug the sounding pipes
    Y c. plug the scuppers
    N d. close the lids on the vents

950: The upward slope of a ships bottom from the keel to the bilge is known as __________.

    N a. camber
    N b. slope
    Y c. deadrise
    N d. keel height

996: With a following sea, a vessel will tend to __________.

    N a. heave to
    N b. pound
    N c. reduce speed
    Y d. yaw

1003: You are on a containership. The cargo includes a container of small arms ammunition, a container of lead-acid storage batteries and a container of methyl acetylene bottles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The storage batteries must be stowed on deck away from the ammunition.
    N b. The storage batteries must be at least ten horizontal feet away from the methyl acetylene.
    N c. The ammunition must be separated from the methyl acetylene by at least one hold.
    Y d. No separation is required because freight containers are exempted.

1120: A stage should only be rigged __________.

    N a. over the bow or stern of a vessel
    N b. over the flat sides of a vessel
    Y c. over the open water
    N d. over the dockside

1143: When rigging a stage, the standing part should be fastened to the horns of a stage with which of the following hitches?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Timber hitch
    Y c. Marlinespike hitch
    N d. Double blackwall hitch

1224: Which is NOT a recommended practice when handling nylon line?

    N a. Nylon lines which become slippery because of oil or grease should be scrubbed down.
    Y b. Manila line stoppers should be used for holding nylon hawsers.
    N c. When easing out nylon line, keep an extra turn on the bitt to prevent slipping.
    N d. Iced-over nylon lines should be thawed and drained before stowing.

1290: What is NOT an advantage of double bottom ships?

    N a. The tank top forms a second skin for the vessel.
    N b. The center of gravity of a loaded bulk cargo ship may be raised to produce a more comfortable roll.
    N c. The floors and longitudinals distribute the upward push of the water on the ship's bottom.
    Y d. They are less expensive to construct because of increased access space.

1322: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to take the seaman if the ship will not stop at a U.S. port within 30 days.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse to take the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He is required to take the seaman under any circumstance.

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

1519: When snaking cargo into the wing of a hold with the cargo winch, the runner should be lead from the __________.

    N a. head block to a snatch block
    Y b. heel block to a snatch block
    N c. lizard to a snatch block
    N d. winch to a snatch block

1536: When anchoring, it is a common rule of thumb to use a length of chain __________.

    Y a. five to seven times the depth of water
    N b. seven to ten times the depth of water
    N c. twice the depth of water
    N d. twice the depth of water plus the range of tide

1627: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the shipowner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.

    Y a. ensure the fitness and safety of cargo spaces
    N b. ensure adequate packaging of the cargo
    N c. prevent delays due to quarantine restrictions
    N d. correct all defects in the ship's construction

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

1859: You are attempting to take a dead ship in tow. All lines have been passed and secured. How should you get underway?

    N a. Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is just clear of the water, then reduce speed to that necessary to keep the line clear of the water.
    N b. If the towline is properly adjusted and weighted you can order slow or dead slow and the towline will act as a spring to absorb the initial shock.
    N c. Order minimum turns until the towing hawser is taut and then continue at that speed until towing speed is attained.
    Y d. Order minimum turns until the catenary almost breaks the water, then stop. Order more turns as the hawser slackens but keep the catenary in the water.

1889: The helm command "Nothing to the left" means do NOT __________.

    N a. use left rudder
    Y b. steer left of the ordered course
    N c. steer right of the ordered course
    N d. leave any buoys on the port side

1920: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    Y a. electronic
    N b. celestial
    N c. piloting
    N d. None of the above

1991: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 91°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 79%
    Y b. 85%
    N c. 91%
    N d. 98%

2034: You are ordering a new block to use with a 3-inch circumference manila line. Which represents a proper size block for this line?

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

2061: A sheave is a __________.

    Y a. grooved wheel in a block
    N b. line to hold a lifeboat next to the embarkation deck
    N c. partial load of grain
    N d. seaman's knife

2081: A seaman is reported missing in the morning and was last seen after coming off the mid-watch. Which type of turn would you use to return to the track-line steamed during the night?

    Y a. Williamson
    N b. Racetrack
    N c. 180° turn
    N d. Anderson

2122: What is the name of tackle number 9? (DO29DG )

    N a. Single purchase
    N b. One-two tackle
    N c. Double whip
    Y d. Luff tackle

2128: Several merchant ships are arriving at the scene of a distress incident. One of the them must assume the duties of the Coordinator Surface Search (CSS). Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. CSS duties are always assumed by passenger vessels, dry cargo vessels, or tankers in that order of precedence.
    Y b. The CSS must be established by mutual agreement between the ships concerned.
    N c. A tank vessel should never be assigned CSS duties unless only tank vessels are present.
    N d. The first vessel to arrive at the distress incident is designated as the CSS.

2351: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 12 feet after a sector of 86° has been removed?

    N a. 108.57 square ft.
    Y b. 86.08 square ft.
    N c. 28.65 square ft.
    N d. 27.14 square ft.

2361: The BEST information on the nature and extent of damage to the vessel is obtained from __________.

    N a. alarms and monitoring devices
    N b. the engineroom watch
    Y c. personnel at the scene of the damage
    N d. the bridge watch

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.

2475: The use of liners in riveted construction is eliminated by using __________.

    N a. lapped construction
    N b. strapped construction
    Y c. joggled construction
    N d. belted construction

2533: You should attach a towline to a trailer eye bolt using a(n)______________.

    N a. eye splice
    Y b. bowline
    N c. towing hitch
    N d. square knot

2804: Which publication is NOT carried on board U.S. merchant vessels operating under Naval Control of Shipping?

    N a. Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters
    N b. Communications Supplement
    Y c. Tactical Control and Routing of Merchant Vessels
    N d. All of the above are carried on board

2805: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    Y b. put the rudder over to the right all the way
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    N d. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder

2852: On a small passenger vessel the collision bulkhead is __________.

    N a. amidships forward of the engine room
    N b. just forward of the steering compartment
    N c. in the engine room
    Y d. A distance of 5% to 15% of the waterline length abaft the stem measured at the load waterline

3004: What is NOT a basic shiphandling rule for navigating in ice concentrations on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Keep moving - even very slowly, but keep moving.
    N b. Work with the ice movement, not against.
    Y c. Transit ice along pressure ridges when possible.
    N d. Excessive speed means ice damage.

3111: While the Pilot is maneuvering the vessel to a dock, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of the watch officer?

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

3114: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another barge when going ahead? (D024DG )

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

3152: The danger of a towing vessel tripping is increased the closer the towline is secured to __________.

    N a. the stern
    Y b. amidships
    N c. the bow
    N d. the quarter

3165: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y b. use as much rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N c. use as little rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N d. advise his relief of the course being steered

3201: You are on watch entering port, and the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. obeys the Pilot
    N b. asks you for instructions
    Y c. obeys the Master
    N d. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions

3204: What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel forward of the parallel mid-body?

    N a. Run
    N b. Flare
    Y c. Entrance
    N d. Sheer

3322: The fluke is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    N a. F
    N b. G
    N c. H
    Y d. I

3326: The signal man assisting the crane operator uses one hand to give any motion signal and places the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. move slowly
    N b. increase speed
    N c. proceed with caution
    N d. stop

3434: The Scharnow turn should be used in a man overboard situation only when __________.

    N a. the man can be kept in sight from the bridge while maneuvering
    N b. the turn is started immediately when the man goes over
    Y c. there has been sufficient time elapsed since the man went over to complete the maneuver
    N d. the vessel has twin screws to assist in making the turn

3491: You are the licensed Master of a towing vessel operating between New York and Tampa, Florida. If you carry four (4) deckhands onboard, how many must be able seamen?

    N a. 4
    Y b. 3
    N c. 2
    N d. 1

3600: A helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder." The helmsman's IMMEDIATE reply should be __________.

    N a. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y b. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N c. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order

4154: What should you be concerned with when loading and securing vehicles aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. That all fuel is drained from the vehicles' tanks to prevent fire hazard
    Y b. The size, weight, and center of gravity of vehicle/cargo unit
    N c. The preferred stowage of vehicles is athwartships wherever possible
    N d. The vehicles' brakes should not be set to allow for adjusting the lashings

4206: Which piece(s) of equipment is/are required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    Y a. Equalizing beam
    N b. Portable power swivel
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. All of the above

4206: Which piece(s) of equipment is/are required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    Y a. Equalizing beam
    N b. Portable power swivel
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. All of the above

4230: 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
    N c. Crane house assembly
    Y d. Rider block tagline system

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