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.


37: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required Pilot is TRUE?


48: Which term describes goods having a stowage factor below 40?


136: Under the federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?


311: The Shipping Articles shall be signed by each seaman and the __________.

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. Shipping Commissioner
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs Service

325: A deck fitting, used to secure line or wire rope, consisting of a single body with two protruding horns is called a __________.

    N a. bitt
    N b. bollard
    N c. capstan
    Y d. cleat

329: Litmus paste is used in order to determine __________.

    N a. innage
    Y b. thievage
    N c. ullage
    N d. the tank's datum point

346: A vessel is equipped with a single right-handed screw. With rudder amidships and calm wind, the vessel will most likely back __________.

    N a. straight astern
    Y b. to port
    N c. to starboard
    N d. in no particular direction

409: A tanker is loaded with 5,000 barrels of petroleum. The cargo was loaded at a temperature of 70°F, and the coefficient of expansion is .0004. What is the net amount in barrels of cargo loaded?

    N a. 4800
    Y b. 4980
    N c. 5020
    N d. 5200

543: You would be most likely to use a fishplate __________.

    N a. when towing alongside
    Y b. on a hawser tow
    N c. when pushing ahead or in the notch
    N d. when running "light boat"

546: A twin-screw ship going ahead on the starboard screw only tends to move __________.

    N a. in a straight line
    Y b. to port
    N c. from side to side
    N d. to starboard

597: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of monthly bills
    N b. payment of creditors
    Y c. support of a minor child
    N d. All of the above

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

659: You are planning to use the crude oil washing system on your tankship. What is required to prevent electrostatic buildup in the tanks?

    N a. The portable machines must be set at the proper drop for the first wash before the fixed machines are used.
    Y b. The source tank for the tank cleaning machines must have least one meter decanted from it.
    N c. The inert gas system must reduce the oxygen content in the tanks to a maximum of 18%.
    N d. The fixed machines must be operated simultaneously with the portable machines to equalize the electrostatic potential.

673: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

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

675: An advantage of the modified Christmas Tree towing method is to __________.

    N a. increase the towing hawser's catenary and provide more spring
    Y b. reduce catenary, allow operation in shallower water, and to release one barge without breaking up the entire tow
    N c. enable one tug and its crew without any outside assistance to make up or break down the tow
    N d. provide rapid delivery of logs from the northwestern United States to Hawaiian sawmills

709: The designations A,B,C,D, and E grades of cargo refer to the __________.

    N a. degrees of quality of petroleum products
    Y b. flash point range and Reid vapor pressure index of petroleum products
    N c. grades of crude oil
    N d. pour point, color, and viscosity index of petroleum products

758: An IOPP Certificate on an inspected vessel is valid for what period of time?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 1 year
    N c. 2 years
    Y d. 5 years

804: Line is called "small stuff" if its circumference is less than __________.

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

917: What is the period of validity of a Safety Management Certificate?

    Y a. 60 months
    N b. 48 months
    N c. 42 months
    N d. 36 months

964: To coil a left-hand laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.

    N a. a clockwise direction only
    Y b. a counterclockwise direction only
    N c. an alternating clockwise and counterclockwise direction
    N d. either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction

1097: Which of the knots, bends, or hitches shown in the illustration would you use to properly secure a bosun's chair to a gantline? (D030DG )

    N a. I
    N b. P
    Y c. R
    N d. X

1129: The main function of a stripping system is to __________.

    N a. maintain the temperature of the cargo throughout the vessel
    N b. dispose of dangerous vapors within the cargo tanks
    N c. increase the loading rate of the shoreside pumps
    Y d. discharge liquid left in the cargo tanks after the main pumps have discharged the bulk

1154: Which line would be least likely to kink?

    Y a. Braided
    N b. Left-handed laid
    N c. Right-handed laid
    N d. Straight laid

1154: Which line would be least likely to kink?

    Y a. Braided
    N b. Left-handed laid
    N c. Right-handed laid
    N d. Straight laid

1165: The Muster List ("Station Bill") shows each person's lifeboat station, duties during abandonment, basic instructions, and __________.

    Y a. all emergency signals
    N b. instructions for lowering the lifeboats
    N c. the time each weekly drill will be held
    N d. work schedule

1221: Your vessel is in Charleston, S.C. You need not clear Customs if __________.

    Y a. all the cargo on board is of U.S. origin and destined for New York
    N b. you took on no new cargo in Charleston, S.C. and are bound for Puerto Rico and thence foreign
    N c. you did not discharge any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Panama
    N d. you did not load any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Halifax

1246: When a tug is pulling on a hawser at right angles to the ship, and the pilot wants to come ahead or astern on the ship's engine, care must be taken that the pilot __________.

    N a. does not break the towline
    Y b. does not get too much way on the vessel
    N c. keeps a steady course so the towline will remain tight
    N d. turns the ship toward the direction of pull

1296: To ensure the best results during the Mediterranean moor, the chains should __________.

    N a. be crossed around the bow
    N b. tend out at right angles to the bow
    N c. tend aft 60°From each bow
    Y d. tend forward 30° on either bow

1299: Which part of a conventional cargo gear rig provides for vertical control and positioning of a boom?

    N a. Cargo whip
    N b. Gooseneck fitting
    N c. Spider band
    Y d. Topping lift

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

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

1720: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

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

2039: There is a large shipment of case goods available to be loaded on your vessel. You are to load as many tons as possible in a hold which has 32,300 cubic feet left unfilled by cargo. Each case measures 2-feet high by 2-feet wide by 4-feet long and weighs 500 pounds. If you allow a broken stowage allowance of 10% of the 32,300 feet, what is the nearest whole number of tons which may be loaded?

    N a. 324 tons
    N b. 360 tons
    N c. 363 tons
    Y d. 406 tons

2050: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

2070: Which statement about the Williamson turn is FALSE?

    Y a. It requires the highest degree of shiphandling skills to accomplish.
    N b. It is the slowest of the methods used in turning the vessel.
    N c. It is the best turn to use when the victim is not in sight due to reduced visibility.
    N d. It returns the vessel to the original track-line on a reciprocal course.

2107: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter A? (D003DG )

    N a. Winter North Atlantic load line
    N b. Fresh Water load line
    Y c. Deck line
    N d. Plimsoll line

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

2244: If you are loading fruit in reefer spaces and you notice that the fruit is beginning to mold, you should __________.

    N a. carry the cargo at a cooler temperature than originally planned
    Y b. write up exceptions on the cargo
    N c. refuse to carry the cargo
    N d. discharge CO2 into the compartment after loading

2248: A "wet cargo" refers to __________.

    N a. a cargo that will be damaged if it gets wet
    N b. bulk liquids
    N c. cargoes that will cause condensation
    Y d. liquids in containers

2262: Which statement about the carriage of solid hazardous materials in bulk is TRUE?

    N a. A special permit issued by the Coast Guard is required before the cargo is loaded.
    Y b. The loading of the cargo must be conducted under the direction and observation of a person employed or assigned for that purpose.
    N c. A certificate issued by ABS will be accepted as evidence that the vessel complies with all applicable loading regulations.
    N d. The shipping papers must indicate the primary hazardous characteristic or property of the material.

2391: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 40.8 lbs. steel measuring 3 feet by 5 feet.

    N a. 326.4 lbs
    N b. 453.6 lbs
    Y c. 612.0 lbs
    N d. 1224.0 lbs

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

2528: Which entry on a dangerous cargo manifest concerning the classification of a cargo is correct?

    Y a. Class 8
    N b. Class 3 - flammable liquid
    N c. Division 2.2 - nonflammable gas
    N d. All of the above are correct

2540: In small craft terminology, all of the anchor gear between a boat and her anchor is called the __________.

    N a. stock
    N b. chock
    N c. scope
    Y d. rode

2579: Where are the test certificates, for wire rope used as cargo runners, and loose gear certificates usually maintained?

    Y a. With the Cargo Gear Register on the ship
    N b. In the Official Log
    N c. At the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office with the vessel's inspection records
    N d. At the central records center of the agency testing the cargo gear

2603: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

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

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

3059: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker would display a flag hoist consisting of the code numeral "4" when the vessel __________.

    N a. speed begins to drop
    N b. stops
    N c. receives ice damage
    Y d. becomes icebound

3088: A "check" line is __________.

    N a. a safety line attached to a man working over the side
    N b. used to measure water depth
    Y c. used to slow the headway of a barge
    N d. used to measure the overhead height of a bridge

3167: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    N a. No able seamen are required.
    Y b. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    N d. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.

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

3282: What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel aft of the parallel mid-body?

    Y a. Run
    N b. Stern
    N c. Counter
    N d. Flow

3340: It is NOT advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too difficult to make fast
    N c. parts too readily
    N d. is too susceptible to mildew

3500: Small hull leaks can be temporarily repaired by __________.

    N a. parceling
    N b. parbuckling
    Y c. caulking
    N d. seizing

3682: The boom indicator tells the operator at what angle the boom is compared to the __________.

    Y a. horizontal position of the boom
    N b. vertical position of the boom
    N c. horizontal position of the load being lifted
    N d. vertical position of the load being lifted

4122: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. pitching and heaving
    N b. rolling
    N c. any force of gravity acting on the lashes
    Y d. All of the above

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

4155: Which factor(s) should be considered when loading vehicles or trailers aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Layout of decks
    N b. Vertical clearances
    N c. Tie-down and lashing
    Y d. All of the above

4241: What should be given, as a minimum, to personnel who are involved in crane cargo handling?

    Y a. Protective head gear, gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes
    N b. A survival suit for work on the stern or side port
    N c. A life preserver for going aloft to work on the crane
    N d. All of the above