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.


41: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels (100 gross tons and above), your cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 men, exclusive of the officers. How many of these men do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?


53: The objective of shoring a damaged bulkhead is to __________.


77: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman will __________.


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

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow and white
    N c. Red and white
    Y d. White and black

151: The forecastle card is a copy of the __________.

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

203: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    N a. It pulls the bow toward the bank.
    N b. It pushes the entire vessel away from the bank.
    Y c. It pulls the stern toward the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

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

249: Functions aboard a tanker or tank barge such as connecting, disconnecting, and topping off must be supervised by __________.

    N a. any certificated tankerman
    N b. the Master of the vessel
    N c. the officer of the watch
    Y d. the person designated as "person in charge"

355: Generally, you can best keep a vessel under steering control when the vessel has __________.

    Y a. headway
    N b. sternway
    N c. no way on, with engines stopped
    N d. no way on, with engines full ahead

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

    Y a. combustible liquid
    N b. flammable liquid
    N c. flammable solid
    N d. poison B

514: The part of an anchor which takes hold on the bottom is the __________.

    N a. arm
    N b. base
    Y c. fluke
    N d. stock

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.

589: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. ship's pump speeding up
    N d. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction

626: What should NOT be used as an indicator that ice may be

    Y a.
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

770: The ratio of the height of a vessel's rudder to its width is referred to as the __________.

    Y a. aspect ratio
    N b. constriction ratio
    N c. rudder ratio
    N d. steering ratio

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

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

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

974: The "Port-Off-Stbd" selector switch on an autopilot steering stand is used to __________.

    N a. change from hand electric steering to automatic gyro
    Y b. change over one steering system to the other
    N c. change over hand electric steering to non-followup
    N d. change over the port to the starboard bow thruster

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.

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

1052: A term used to describe the dip in a towline that acts as a shock absorber is __________.

    Y a. catenary
    N b. step
    N c. shock dip
    N d. bight

1091: Which of the following statements concerning the rigging and use of bosun's chairs is TRUE?

    N a. When riding a stay, make sure that the bow of the shackle passes through the becket of the bridle.
    Y b. Always have the chair hoisted manually.
    N c. The lowering hitch should always be made before getting into the chair.
    N d. Always secure the gantline to the chair with a clove hitch.

1191: Which statement is TRUE about the use of a "gob rope"?

    N a. The gob rope is a mooring line for tyhing up lighters for working cargo alongside a vessel anchored in an open roadstead.
    Y b. The gob rope is used to secure the towline aft over the centerline of a tug..
    N c. The gob rope is a line hung over a vessel's side to assist in boarding.
    N d. The gob rope is a rope used in mooring a vessel to a buoy.

1320: A cofferdam is __________.

    N a. any deck below the main deck and above the lowest deck
    N b. a member that gives fore-and-aft strength
    Y c. made by placing two bulkheads a few feet apart
    N d. a heavy fore-and-aft beam under the deck

1414: A wire rope that has been overstrained will show __________.

    N a. a bulge in the wire where the strain occurred
    Y b. a decrease in diameter where the strain occurred
    N c. a kink in the wire where the strain occurred
    N d. no visible effects of an overstrain

1435: Which letter shown represents a clove hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. X
    N b. U
    N c. T
    N d. R

1443: The Safety of Life at Sea Convention was developed by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y c. International Maritime Organization
    N d. American Institute of Maritime Shipping

1459: When handling cargo, the majority of cargo gear breakdowns is due to __________.

    N a. compression bending of the boom
    N b. extension failure of the boom
    Y c. guy failures
    N d. topping lift failures

1468: What will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    N b. Trimming the tow by the stern
    Y c. Stowing deck loads forward
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

1562: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    N b. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N c. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.
    Y d. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.

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

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.

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

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

1748: An Official Logbook is required on which vessel?

    N a. A 150-G.T. tug going from Boston to New Orleans.
    Y b. A 100-G.T. tug going from New York to San Pedro, California.
    N c. A 50-G.T. tug going from Miami to Seattle.
    N d. A 199-G.T. tug on a coastwise trip of 650 miles.

1761: Load lines for U.S. vessels are assigned by __________.

    N a. the U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. the National Cargo Bureau

1764: The "square knot" is used for __________.

    N a. forming temporary eyes in lines
    Y b. joining two lines of equal size
    N c. keeping line from unlaying or fraying
    N d. joining two lines of different size

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

1835: Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to __________.

    Y a. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N b. the Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Light List

1930: The holding capabilities of an anchor are determined PRIMARILY by the __________.

    N a. design of the anchor
    N b. weight of the anchor
    Y c. scope of the anchor chain
    N d. size of the vessel

1985: You are on a 165 foot (50.3 meters) long vessel with a draft of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and twin screws. Which statement about rescuing a survivor in the water with ship pickup is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the man and drift down on him.
    N b. You should stop with the man on your weather beam and twist the ship up to him.
    Y c. A pickup off the weather bow gives maximum maneuverability with the least possibility of injury to the man.
    N d. Ship pick up should never be used with a shallow draft vessel.

1989: If you were to pass a stopper on a wire rope, what should the stopper be made of?

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

2127: The maneuver which will return your vessel to a person who has fallen overboard in the shortest time is __________.

    N a. a Williamson Turn
    N b. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    Y c. a single turn with hard rudder
    N d. two 180° turns

2155: 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 if you assume 10% broken stowage? (D043DG )

    N a. 779 cubic feet (22 cubic meters)
    Y b. 857 cubic feet (24 cubic meters)
    N c. 1047 cubic feet (30 cubic meters)
    N d. 112,125 cubic feet (3173 cubic meters)

2162: A crew has signed on for a 3-month voyage. Fourteen days into the voyage a seaman is improperly discharged at the first port of call. How much pay is he entitled to receive?

    N a. 14 days
    N b. 1 month's
    Y c. 14 days and one month's extra
    N d. double wages (28 days)

2451: A safety shackle is identified by its __________.

    N a. shape
    Y b. pin
    N c. certification stamp
    N d. color code

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

2618: Due to the nature of a vessel's construction for a particular trade, it does not fully comply with the provisions of SOLAS. Where will this be indicated?

    Y a. On the Exemption Certificate
    N b. On the reverse of the particular SOLAS certificate affected
    N c. On the face of the Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Nowhere; the vessel must comply to engage in international trade.

2689: After riveting is completed, the joints on the shell of a vessel are generally made watertight by __________.

    N a. faying
    Y b. caulking
    N c. felt or canvas packing
    N d. red lead

2696: You are on a power-driven vessel proceeding down a channel, with the current, on a river on the Great Lakes System. If you meet another power-driven vessel who is upbound, your responsibilities include __________.

    N a. backing down to get out of the way of the other vessel
    N b. waiting for the other vessel to signal her intentions, and then answering promptly
    Y c. proposing a safe way to pass
    N d. All of the above

2707: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    N b. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    Y c. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but no damage to the vessel.
    N d. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.

3100: A holder of a license as Master of towing vessels may work each 24 hours for a period not to exceed __________.

    N a. 6 hours
    Y b. 12 hours
    N c. 18 hours
    N d. 24 hours

3143: You are the person in charge of a 199 GRT uninspected towing vessel engaged in coastwise towing from the Gulf of Mexico to the New York area, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The deckhands shall be divided into 3 watches.
    Y b. Certificates of Discharge are not required to be issued.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N d. All crew members shall have Merchant Mariner's Documents.

3210: A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may NOT serve as the person in charge of which towing vessel?

    N a. 99 GRT towing vessel operating on Chesapeake Bay
    N b. 199 GRT towing vessel operating in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. 500 GRT towboat operating on the Western Rivers
    Y d. 349 GRT towing vessel operating between Florida and Puerto Rico

3447: The best method to secure a tow line to a cleat is to __________.

    Y a. take a turn around the cleat, then figure-eights, and a half-hitch
    N b. make figure-eights, followed by a half-hitch, then a figure-eight knot
    N c. take a turn, a half turn, and a figure-eight
    N d. take several turns around the cleat only

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

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

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

4101: Which of the following is a characteristic of a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Passenger tours available upon docking
    N b. Long port stays necessary to secure vehicles
    Y c. Short in port turnaround times
    N d. Heavy vehicles only require lightweight securing equipment

4118: Which factor(s) affect lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Ship’s characteristics and motion in a seaway
    N b. Trim of the vessel
    N c. Wide variations of air temperature
    N d. All of the above

4133: What is used when securing light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Chain
    N c. Wire
    Y d. None of these