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.


147: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )


149: A standard net barrel of petroleum products is __________.


191: An alien crewmember with a D-1 permit leaves the vessel in a U.S. port and fails to return. The first report you make should be to the __________.


195: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. The Dangerous Cargo Manifest must be signed by the __________.

    N a. shipper
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector
    Y c. Master or his authorized representative
    N d. Master only

199: What is a cofferdam?

    N a. Tube fitted to an ullage hole
    N b. Area the product is loaded into
    Y c. Void or empty space separating two tanks
    N d. Opening in the deck used for cleaning a tank

217: The holding capability of an anchor is primarily determined by the __________.

    N a. shape of the anchor
    N b. stowage of the anchor on board
    Y c. anchor's ability to dig in
    N d. size of the vessel and its draft

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

504: Anchors are prevented from running out when secured by the __________.

    N a. brake
    N b. devil's claw
    N c. pawls
    Y d. All of the above

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.

654: A rope made of a combination of wire and fiber is known as __________.

    N a. independent
    N b. lang lay
    N c. preformed
    Y d. spring lay

656: A deep draft VLCC (100,000 DWT+) navigating in a narrow channel or canal __________.

    Y a. draws more water than when underway in deep water
    N b. draws less water with an increase in speed
    N c. requires less power for a given speed
    N d. steers better under full power

710: Which statement is FALSE, concerning the Williamson turn?

    N a. In a large vessel (VLCC) much of the headway will be lost thereby requiring little astern maneuvering.
    N b. When the turn is completed, the vessel will be on a reciprocal course and nearly on the original track line.
    N c. The initial actions are taken at well defined points and reduce the need for individual judgment.
    Y d. The turn will return the vessel to the man's location in the shortest possible time.

735: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. main brace
    Y b. tow span
    N c. jockey bar
    N d. None of the above

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.

818: Your vessel has a deadweight capacity of 5000 tons and a cubic capacity of 300,000 cu. ft. You are to load lead, with a stowage factor of 18, and cotton, with a stowage factor of 80. If you load full and down, how much cotton should you load?

    N a. 1613 tons
    N b. 2190 tons
    N c. 2810 tons
    Y d. 3387 tons

821: The Master must maintain the Oil Record Book on board for at least __________.

    N a. 1 month
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 36 months

850: Panting frames are located in the __________.

    N a. after double bottoms
    N b. centerline tanks on tankships
    Y c. fore and after peaks
    N d. forward double bottoms

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

862: The term "pintle" and "gudgeon" are associated with the __________.

    N a. anchor windlass
    N b. jumbo boom
    Y c. rudder
    N d. steering engine

886: Two vessels are abreast of each other and passing port to port in a confined waterway. What should you expect as your bow approaches the screws of the other vessel?

    N a. Your speed will significantly increase.
    N b. Your draft will significantly decrease.
    Y c. Your bow will sheer towards the other vessel.
    N d. Your bow will sheer away from the other vessel.

894: When taking a length of new manila rope from the coil, you should __________.

    N a. mount the coil so it will turn like a spool and unreel from the outside
    N b. roll the coil along the deck and allow the rope to fall off the coil
    Y c. lay the coil on end with the inside end down, then pull the inside end up through the middle of the coil
    N d. lay the coil on end with the inside end up then unwind the rope from the outside of the coil

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

985: 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 __________.

    N a. call the engineroom and report that you have lost steering
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    Y c. shift the selector switch to the other steering system
    N d. call the Master

1042: Your vessel has the symbol shown inscribed on the sides amidships. Which statement is TRUE? (D022DG )

    N a. This line represents the load line mark for a Great Lakes voyage.
    Y b. The gross and net tonnage of the ship will change if this mark is submerged and the load line is visible.
    N c. The line directly under the triangle is at the same level as the summer load line.
    N d. This is the equivalent of a load line marking for government (CofE, NOAA, MSC) vessels.

1196: You are landing a single-screw vessel, with a right-hand propeller, starboard side to the dock. When you have approached the berth and back the engine, you would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. lose headway without swinging
    Y b. turn her bow toward the dock
    N c. turn her bow away from the dock
    N d. head into the wind, regardless of the side the wind is on

1231: What is NOT a condition for a salvage claim?

    N a. The property saved must be "maritime property."
    Y b. The salvors must save or attempt to save any life in peril.
    N c. The salvage service must be voluntary.
    N d. The property must be in peril.

1261: A vessel operating "in class" has met all the requirements of the __________.

    Y a. ABS or similar society
    N b. insurance company
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs

1264: Which type of line is best able to withstand sudden shock loads?

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

1280: Vertical structural members attached to the floors that add strength to the floors are called __________.

    N a. boss plates
    N b. buckler plates
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. breast hooks

1351: Your vessel is chartered under a time charter party. Under this type of charter party, your responsibility is __________.

    N a. solely to the charterer for all matters pertaining to cargo and ship administration
    N b. solely to the cargo shippers and consignees
    N c. solely to the owner, as under normal conditions
    Y d. to the owner for vessel administration and to the charterer for cargo operations and schedule

1392: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. forward breast line
    N b. offshore spring line
    Y c. offshore bow line
    N d. onshore bow line

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

1521: An underwriter is liable for __________.

    N a. loss arising from the subject itself because of its inherent qualities
    N b. loss caused by the ordinary evaporation of liquids
    Y c. loss caused by heavy weather
    N d. the natural decay of the vessel due to the passage of time

1584: The size of wire rope is determined by the __________.

    N a. number of strands
    N b. number of wires in each strand
    N c. circumference
    Y d. diameter

1594: What is the breaking strain of steel wire rope with a 5/8" diameter?

    N a. 1.0 tons
    N b. 6.6 tons
    Y c. 9.6 tons
    N d. 15.6 tons

1605: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

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

1712: You are to load styrene in bulk, which is subject to self-polymerization. You must __________.

    N a. not carry any cargo in the tanks surrounding the tank loaded with styrene
    N b. inject nitrogen to pad any ullage above the styrene to prevent contact with oxygen
    Y c. be furnished with a Certificate of Inhibition to be maintained on the bridge
    N d. use heating coils to maintain the styrene within the temperatures specified by the shipper

1826: The knot lettered X in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    N b. becket bend
    Y c. clove hitch
    N d. blackwall hitch

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

    N a. fairlead
    Y b. heaving line
    N c. stay
    N d. warp

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

2116: What is the name of tackle number 10 in illustration DO29DG? (DO29DG )

    N a. Two-two purchase
    N b. Deck purchase
    Y c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. Double runner

2150: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam. You are making more leeway than she. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

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

2159: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 9? (DO29DG )

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

2213: You are using tackle number 6 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. Disregarding friction, what is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 11
    N b. 16
    Y c. 18
    N d. 24

2552: When using a Mediterranean Moor, the vessel is moored with her __________.

    N a. bow to the pier
    N b. anchors crossed
    N c. anchor chains forward, side to the pier
    Y d. stern to the pier

2601: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. SOLAS Certificate
    N c. Stability Letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2776: How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?

    N a. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake St. Clair
    N b. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on Lake Erie
    Y c. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake Michigan
    N d. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on the New York State Barge Canal

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

2929: A vessel is loaded to her summer marks for a voyage from Montreal, Canada to Duluth, MN via the Great Lakes System. The voyage has been estimated to take nine (9) days. If the vessel departs Montreal on September 28th, which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel must be at her summer marks when she arrives at Duluth.
    N b. The vessel is in violation of the load line requirements.
    Y c. The vessel's intermediate load line marks may not be submerged after September 30.
    N d. The vessel must be at her winter marks by the evening of the third day.

3140: If the Certificate of Inspection of a damaged tank barge has expired, which certificate may be issued to allow its movement to a repair facility?

    N a. Change of employment
    Y b. Permit to proceed
    N c. Application for inspection
    N d. Temporary Certificate of Inspection

3394: The crown of the anchor shown is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3530: Which is NOT a duty of a look-out?

    N a. Refuse to talk to others, except as required by duty.
    N b. Remain standing during your watch.
    N c. Report every sighting.
    Y d. Supervise any deck work going on in the area.

3719: Besides saving distance along the track line, another advantage of the Scharnow Turn over the Williamson Turn in a man overboard situation is because __________.

    Y a. it is faster
    N b. it can be used in both the immediate action and the delayed action situations
    N c. in fog, if the turn is started as soon as the man goes over, the vessel will be at the point where he went over when the turn is completed
    N d. it returns the vessel to the original track line on a reciprocal course

4071: The head block is located___________.

    N a. at the base of the boom
    Y b. at the head of the boom
    N c. at the head of the mast
    N d. on top of the jack staff

4109: Which operating procedure(s) should be adhered to on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. One officer assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N b. All lashings should be completed before leaving port
    N c. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings during the voyage
    Y d. All of the above

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

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

4143: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Buckle tensioner
    Y c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Ratchet tensioner

4172: What should be done after putting down the ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on red cargo light.
    Y b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    N d. None of the above

4875: The crane manufacturer's operating tables are posted near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire-rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane controls