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.


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


138: Which vessel is most likely to be loaded full but not down?


389: When hooking up a cargo hose to your vessel's manifold, you should use a(n)______________.


439: When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the FIRST action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open?

    N a. Trip the pump relief valve.
    Y b. Order the dock man to shut down.
    N c. Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor.
    N d. Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose.

441: The document which shows a vessel's nationality, ownership, and tonnage is the __________.

    N a. Manifest Certificate
    N b. Bill of Lading Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. Official Logbook

452: Where should the foundation supports for towing bitts terminate?

    N a. Forward of the towing winch
    Y b. In the frames or other substantial structural members below decks
    N c. On the deck plates in the engineroom
    N d. On deck, aft of the towing winch

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

570: A chain bridle is preferable to a wire rope towing bridle on a long ocean tow because chain __________.

    N a. is more flexible and has the ability to absorb shock because of its weight
    N b. is less subject to wear and damage from abrasion
    N c. requires little maintenance
    Y d. All of the above

571: You are in port A in the United States, and your Certificate of Inspection has expired. You wish to go to port B in the United States for repairs and to complete the inspection. If the Officer-in-Charge Marine Inspection deems it safe, he may issue a __________.

    N a. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N b. Limited Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Temporary Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. Permit to Proceed

572: A vessel is entering port "A" for the first time and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Nothing; The Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.
    N b. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    N c. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    Y d. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot.

778: What is the stowage factor of a commodity whose density is 15 pounds per cubic foot?

    N a. 15
    N b. 45
    N c. 133
    Y d. 149

787: While assigned to a 120 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from New York City to which port?

    N a. Halifax, Canada
    Y b. Long Beach, California
    N c. Veracruz, Mexico
    N d. Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

791: The oil record book is required to be carried aboard __________.

    N a. tankers
    N b. passenger vessels
    N c. cargo vessels
    Y d. All 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.

841: All entries in the Official Logbook must be signed by the Master and __________.

    N a. the Union Representative
    N b. the person about whom the entry concerns
    N c. no one else
    Y d. one other crew member

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

912: You are aboard vessel "A" in a narrow channel and the pilot is approaching vessel "B" as shown. The reason he has not previously changed course to the starboard side of the channel is __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. to avoid vessel squat in the shallower water near the bank
    Y b. to avoid the effects of bank cushion and bank suction
    N c. because there is less chance of striking submerged objects in mid-channel
    N d. because the current has less eddies in mid-channel

958: You are in a tropical port. The refrigeration machinery on a container loaded with air-cooled fruit fails. It cannot be repaired for 18 to 24 hours. Which step should you take to reduce the temperature rise and spoilage of the fruit?

    N a. Discharge a cylinder of nitrogen into the container
    Y b. Shade the container and periodically hose it down
    N c. Seal any ventilation openings and add dry ice
    N d. Spread ice over the top layer and in any voids within the container

1012: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. after breast line
    N b. after spring line
    Y c. offshore stern line
    N d. inshore stern line

1068: You shall notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible when your vessel has been damaged in excess of __________.

    N a. $1,000
    N b. $1,500
    N c. $10,000
    Y d. $25,000

1088: As Master or person in charge, you must notify the U.S. Coast Guard if an injury leaves a crewman unfit to perform routine duties for more than __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 48 hours
    N c. 72 hours
    Y d. Any amount of time

1088: As Master or person in charge, you must notify the U.S. Coast Guard if an injury leaves a crewman unfit to perform routine duties for more than __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 48 hours
    N c. 72 hours
    Y d. Any amount of time

1130: The fittings used to secure a watertight door are known as __________.

    N a. clamps
    N b. clasps
    Y c. dogs
    N d. latches

1183: Which towing equipment can be used to prevent the tripping of a tug?

    N a. Bridles
    N b. Chafing boards
    Y c. Gob ropes
    N d. Drogues

1190: A normal safe working load for used nylon rope in good conditon is __________.

    N a. 10% of its breaking strain
    Y b. 25% of its breaking strain
    N c. 33% of its breaking strain
    N d. 50% of its breaking strain

1265: You are picking up an unconscious person that has fallen overboard in a fresh breeze. For safety reasons a small craft should approach with the __________.

    N a. victim to leeward
    Y b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

1326: After casting off moorings at a mooring buoy in calm weather, you should __________.

    N a. go full ahead on the engine(s)
    Y b. back away a few lengths to clear the buoy and then go ahead on the engines
    N c. go half ahead on the engines and put the rudder hard right
    N d. go half ahead on the engines and pass upstream of the buoy

1505: The supplement to the IOPP Certificate contains what type of data?

    N a. The grades of cargo that an oil tanker is permitted to carry.
    Y b. A checklist of the equipment installed for controlling the discharge of oil.
    N c. The trade routes upon which the vessel may operate.
    N d. A list of the underwriters who will assume financial responsibility in the event of an oil spill.

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline in a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Fisherman's loop
    N d. Spider hitch

1546: What is the best guide for determining the proper scope of anchor chain to use for anchoring in normal conditions?

    N a. One shot of chain for every ten feet of water
    Y b. One shot of chain for every fifteen feet of water
    N c. One shot of chain for every thirty feet of water
    N d. One shot of chain for every ninety feet of water

1550: Keel scantlings of any vessel are greatest amidships because __________.

    N a. connections between forebody and afterbody are most crucial
    Y b. of maximum longitudinal bending moments
    N c. of severest racking stresses
    N d. resistance to grounding is at a maximum amidships

1632: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    Y a. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.
    N b. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N d. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.

1648: When steaming through an anchorage, a shipmaster should __________.

    N a. avoid crossing close astern of the anchored ships
    Y b. avoid crossing close ahead of the anchored ships
    N c. keep the ship moving at a good speed to reduce set
    N d. transit only on a flood tide

1668: Your ship is steaming at night with the gyro-pilot engaged. You notice that the vessel's course is slowly changing to the right. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Notify the engine room of the steering malfunction.
    Y b. Change to hand steering.
    N c. Call the Master.
    N d. Send the Quartermaster to the emergency steering station.

1689: The mooring line shown as "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. spring line
    N c. shore line
    Y d. breast line

1702: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2282 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Isoheptene
    N b. Phosphine
    N c. Furan
    Y d. Hexanols

1718: A combustible liquid with a flash point of 90°F would be grade __________.

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

1765: The annual survey for endorsement of a Load Line Certificate must be held within __________.

    N a. the three month period immediately following the certificate's anniversary date
    N b. the three month period immediately preceding the certificate's anniversary date
    Y c. three months either way of the certificate's anniversary date
    N d. the three month period centered on the certificate's anniversary date

1769: Two falls are supporting a 1.5 ton load. The port fall is at an angle of 40° from the vertical. The starboard fall is at an angle of 70° from the vertical. What is the stress on each fall?

    Y a. Port 1.5 tons, starboard 1.0 tons
    N b. Port 1.5 tons, starboard 1.5 tons
    N c. Port 1.7 tons, starboard 1.3 tons
    N d. Port 1.7 tons, starboard 2.0 tons

1803: A snatch block is a __________.

    N a. block used only with manila rope
    N b. chock roller
    Y c. hinged block
    N d. strong block used for short, sharp pulls

1820: If a drill required by regulations is not completed, the Master or person in charge must __________.

    N a. report this immediately to the Commandant of the Coast Guard
    Y b. log the reason for not completing the drill
    N c. conduct two of the required drills at the next opportunity
    N d. All of the above

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

2008: When towing another vessel, the length of the towing line should be __________.

    N a. as long as possible
    N b. as short as possible under the circumstances and not over two wave lengths
    N c. such that one vessel will be on a crest while the other is in a trough
    Y d. such that the vessels will be in step

2030: Safety equipment on board vessels must be approved by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Safety Standards Bureau
    N c. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    N d. National Safety Council

2377: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    Y b. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

2602: As you hold a piece of manila line vertically in front of you, the strands run from the lower right to the upper left. Which type of line is this?

    N a. Plain-laid
    N b. Shroud-laid
    Y c. Left-hand laid
    N d. Water-laid

2736: Distances on the Great Lakes System are generally expressed in __________.

    N a. miles above the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway (MASLW)
    N b. miles above the head of the passes (AHP)
    N c. nautical miles
    Y d. statute miles

2813: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters"
    N b. ATP-1, Volume II "Allied Tactical Signals"
    N c. NWP-14, "Amphibious Operations"
    N d. PUB 102, "International Code of Signals"

2859: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "M" (Mike) to signify that "________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    N b. I am altering my course to port
    N c. I am operating astern propulsion
    Y d. my vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2908: How should you signal the crane operator to use the whip line?

    N a. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out for as long as the load movement is desired.
    Y b. First tap your elbow with one hand, and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N c. First tap the top of your head with your fist, and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N d. Use one hand to give any motion signal, and place the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal.

3039: What is NOT a problem when carrying coal?

    Y a. The requirement for through-ventilation
    N b. The corrosion some types of coal will cause to the ship
    N c. Spontaneous heating
    N d. Generation of methane gas

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

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

3400: In a tow made up astern, the fishplate __________.

    Y a. connects the hawser to the bridle
    N b. connects the bridle to the tow
    N c. keeps the hawser amidships on the tug
    N d. is the capping piece on the "H" bitt

3493: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.
    Y b. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N c. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N d. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.

3502: The point that is halfway between the forward and after perpendicular and is a reference point for vessel construction is the __________.

    N a. half length
    N b. mid-body
    N c. center line
    Y d. amidships

3562: The signal man assisting a crane operator has his arm extended with his fingers closed and thumb pointing upward. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. raise the boom
    N b. raise the hook
    N c. raise the boom and hook
    N d. check the boom stop

4018: The BEST holding ground for conventional anchors is __________.

    Y a. sand
    N b. very soft mud
    N c. shale
    N d. rock

4030: While discharging a cargo, the stripping of the tanks falls behind schedule. This would indicate the __________.

    N a. main pumps are working at a high discharge pressure
    Y b. main pumps are leaving too much oil in the tanks
    N c. stripping pump is not primed
    N d. stripping line is cross-connected to the main line

4146: Which of the following tensioning devices is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4150: Which of the following is/are TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. The securing of cargo on flats and trailers and in containers must be adequate to withstand both road and sea motions
    N b. The generally recommended lash angle cannot be greater than 45 degrees relative to the deck in any direction.
    N c. It is necessary for an adequate number of securing points on the vehicles themselves in order that lashings may be properly and safely utilized.
    Y d. All the above