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.


10: You are scheduled to load a bulk shipment of steel turnings. Which statement is TRUE?


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


188: Which cargoes require strips of common building lathe as dunnage in order to carry away heat generated by the cargo?


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

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

312: If you are bunkering and you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. remain constant

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

357: What does the proof test load of an anchor chain demonstrate?

    N a. Breaking strength of the chain
    Y b. Strength of the chain to a specified limit
    N c. Adequate holding power for new bottom conditions
    N d. Safe working load of the chain

420: In handling break bulk hazardous materials, it is forbidden to use __________.

    N a. cargo nets
    Y b. metal bale hooks
    N c. pallets
    N d. slings

420: In handling break bulk hazardous materials, it is forbidden to use __________.

    N a. cargo nets
    Y b. metal bale hooks
    N c. pallets
    N d. slings

445: Where are the towing bitts best placed for towing purposes?

    N a. Near the centerline and over the rudders
    N b. On each side of the vessel near the stern
    Y c. Forward of the rudder post and close to the tug's center of pivot
    N d. As far aft as possible

474: On an anchor windlass, the wheel over which the anchor chain passes is called a __________.

    N a. brake compressor wheel
    N b. devil's claw
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. winchhead

491: A change of a documented vessel's name can only be made by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Commissioner of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

531: Spring loaded towing hooks are used in towing to __________.

    N a. absorb and cushion the shock of towing
    N b. prevent whiplash
    Y c. trip and release when the pull of the towing hawser exceeds a predetermined limit
    N d. make it easier to attach and release the tow

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

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

553: A bridle for an ocean tow consists of __________.

    Y a. two chains of equal length
    N b. a single nylon pendant rove through a heavy ring free to move on the pendant
    N c. two long legs of wire rope shackled to a fishplate
    N d. a single length of heavy chain with both ends secured on deck to welded pad eyes

651: Fire fighting equipment requirements for a particular vessel may be found on the __________.

    Y a. 4Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N c. Classification Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

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.

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.

724: Using a safety factor of five, determine what is the safe working load for 3-1/2 inch manila line with a breaking stress of 4.9 tons.

    N a. 0.82 ton
    Y b. 0.98 ton
    N c. 2.45 tons
    N d. 12.25 tons

767: On the cargo manifest, the total weight of an empty cargo box is the __________.

    Y a. tare weight
    N b. net weight
    N c. gross weight
    N d. cargo weight

795: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo booms on a vessel?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    N d. The Ship's Master

885: How many wire clips must be used to make a temporary repair to a tow wire?

    N a. 3
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. Wire clips are never, under any circumstances, permitted

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

987: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Stop the swing of the ship.
    N b. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    N c. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.
    Y d. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now.

1000: The "Mode" selector switch can be positioned and select all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. weather adjustments
    N b. hand-electric steering
    N c. automatic gyro
    N d. non-followup control

1051: A vessel arrives in San Francisco from a foreign voyage. When MUST the Master make formal entry at the custom house?

    N a. Within 24 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    Y b. Within 48 hours after arrival, Sundays and holidays excepted
    N c. Within 48 hours and before all foreign cargo is discharged for that port
    N d. Within 24 hours after arrival

1092: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

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

1124: Which material makes the strongest mooring line?

    N a. Sisal
    N b. Manila
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Polyethylene

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

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

1195: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    Y a. unseaworthiness when sailing
    N b. insufficient packing
    N c. quarantine delays
    N d. mismanagement of the vessel

1212: What is NOT characteristic of the conditions which would be experienced by a vessel located southeast of an approaching eastward-moving storm center on the Great Lakes?

    Y a. Falling barometer
    N b. A westerly wind
    N c. Lowering clouds
    N d. Rain or snow

1215: What is an advantage in the use of a towing hook?

    N a. To prevent the tug from becoming tripped
    N b. To quickly connect or release a tow, especially a sinking tow
    N c. To facilitate berthing maneuvers
    Y d. All of the above

1220: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1613: Which splice should you use in order to make a permanent loop in a line?

    N a. Back splice
    Y b. Eye splice
    N c. Long splice
    N d. Short splice

1625: All inspected vessels on unrestricted ocean routes must have equipment on board for testing an individual's __________.

    N a. blood
    Y b. breath
    N c. urine
    N d. All of the above

1683: "Herringbone" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. anchoring
    N b. mooring
    Y c. sewing
    N d. splicing

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1973: Which statement is TRUE about placing the eyes of two mooring lines on the same bollard?

    N a. Put one line at the low point and one at the high point of the bollard so they don't touch.
    Y b. Take the eye of the second line up through the eye of the first line before putting the second line on the bollard.
    N c. Never put two mooring lines on the same bollard.
    N d. The mooring line forward should be put on the bollard first.

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

2059: You are handling a mooring line and are instructed to "Check the line". What should you do?

    N a. Ensure the bight is not fouled by taking up slack.
    N b. Pay out the line smartly and keep it free for running.
    N c. Secure the line by adding more turns.
    Y d. Surge the line so it maintains a strain without parting.

2087: A vessel has a deadweight carrying capacity of 10,500 tons. Fuel, water, and stores require 1500 tons. The cubic capacity is 500,000 cubic feet. Which cargo will put her full and down?

    N a. Slabs of zinc, SF 7.1
    Y b. Rolls of barbed wire, SF 55.5
    N c. Barrels of tallow, SF 66.8
    N d. Bundles of rubber, SF 140.2

2110: Your ship is carrying hazardous cargo. During a daily inspection, you notice that some of the cargo has shifted and several cases are broken. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. call out the deck gang to jettison the cargo
    N b. log the facts in the rough log and inform the Chief Mate later
    N c. make a determination of the seriousness of the breakage, and do what you think best
    Y d. report the facts immediately to the Master, who will make a decision

2113: One major advantage of the round turn maneuver in a man overboard situation is that it __________.

    Y a. is the fastest method
    N b. is easy for a single-screw vessel to perform
    N c. requires the least shiphandling skills to perform
    N d. can be used in reduced visibility

2179: A design modification of an anchor chain which prevents kinking is the __________.

    N a. detachable link
    Y b. stud link
    N c. Kenter link
    N d. connecting link

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

2574: You are proceeding down a channel and lose the engine(s). You must use the anchors to stop the ship. Which statement is true?

    N a. Pay out all of the cable before setting up on the brake to insure the anchors dig in and hold.
    N b. For a mud, mud and clay, or sandy bottom pay out a scope of 5 to 7 times the depth before setting up on the brake.
    Y c. Use one or both anchors with a scope of twice the depth before setting the brake.
    N d. Drop the anchor to short stay and hold that scope.

2580: You want to double the strength of a mooring line by using two lines. To accomplish this, the second line must __________.

    N a. be 1 1/2 times the diameter of the first
    N b. be married to the first
    N c. not cross the first
    Y d. be of the same length

2649: Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?

    Y a. Radiographic
    N b. Magnetic particle
    N c. Dye penetrant
    N d. Chemical reaction

2672: The term "scantlings" refers to the __________.

    N a. draft of a vessel
    Y b. measurements of structural members
    N c. requirements for ship's gear
    N d. placement of a vessel's load line

3086: Which statement concerning the navigation of a vessel in ice is FALSE?

    N a. Anchoring in the presence of ice is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N b. Towing a vessel through an ice field is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N c. The "Free and Proceed" system of escorting a beset vessel cuts down on the number of freeing operations.
    Y d. When anchoring in ice, it is advisable to increase the scope of the chain over what is normally used for non-icing conditions.

3089: How does an icebreaker normally free a ship which has become beset while navigating independently?

    N a. By backing down the track and cutting out ice on either bow
    Y b. By approaching from the stern and crossing ahead at an angle of 20° to 30° to the beset ship's course
    N c. By overtaking the beset ship, running ahead and then backing down the track to the beset vessel
    N d. By approaching the vessel from astern and towing the beset vessel stern first

3142: Why are stern towing bitts placed well forward of the rudder when hawser towing?

    N a. To keep the hawser from fouling the rudder
    N b. To keep the towing bitts as far away as possible from the tugs pivoting point
    Y c. To allow the stern to swing more freely when using rudder
    N d. To have as much of the towing hawser in use as possible

3144: A tow consists of 8 barges: 6 jumbo barges made up 3 abreast and 2 long, with 2 standard barges abreast as lead barges. How long is this tow?

    N a. 525 feet
    N b. 545 feet
    Y c. 565 feet
    N d. 595 feet

3487: The opening in the deck that leads the anchor cable outside the hull is the __________.

    Y a. hawsepipe
    N b. fall pipe
    N c. drop-pipe
    N d. spill pipe

3516: The signal man has both arms extended out, palms down, and is moving his arms back and forth. This is the signal for __________.

    N a. keep lifting
    N b. swing right
    N c. swing left
    Y d. emergency stop

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

4024: An icebreaker displaying a flag hoist which consists of the code letters "WO" (Whiskey Oscar) is indicating that __________.

    Y a. icebreaker support is finished
    N b. icebreaker support is commencing
    N c. the icebreaker is icebound
    N d. the icebreaker is beset

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. swing
    N b. lower
    Y c. hoist
    N d. extend

4068: What produces the MOST dangerous vapors?

    Y a. Anhydrous ammonia
    N b. Camphor oil
    N c. Methyl alcohol
    N d. Pentane

4279: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    Y b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchease that raise and lower the topping lift.