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.


58: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


81: Your 199 GT tugboat is on a 675 mile coastwise voyage. What percentage of the deck crew must be Able Bodied Seamen?


272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.


284: The beam of a vessel refers to the __________.

    N a. depth between decks
    N b. internal cubic capacity
    N c. molded depth of the vessel
    Y d. width of the vessel

290: What is NOT a form used by ice support services to disseminate information?

    N a. Ice Analyses
    N b. Ice Forecasts
    N c. Ice Outlooks
    Y d. Ice Bulletins

306: You are aboard a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller. The vessel is dead in the water and the rudder is amidships. If you reverse your engine you would expect your vessel to __________.

    Y a. kick its stern to port
    N b. kick its stern to starboard
    N c. move astern without swinging
    N d. swing its stern to starboard, then to port

330: You have completed a Dangerous Cargo Manifest for dangerous cargoes loaded on board. It should be kept in a conspicuous location __________.

    N a. in the radio room
    N b. in the ship's office
    Y c. on or near the bridge
    N d. outside the Captain's stateroom

400: You are on a containership carrying a tank container that had been filled with sodium hydroxide solution. The container is empty but has not been cleaned. Which, if any, placard is required?

    N a. No placard is required; the tank openings must be sealed
    N b. Empty placard with corrosive placard
    N c. Residue label with the UN number
    Y d. Black and white corrosive placard

426: You are stopped with no way upon your vessel at the pilot station. Your vessel is a large twin-screw ship. You must come around 180° to board your Pilot. How should you use the engines and rudder to turn the ship fastest in the least amount of space?

    N a. Full ahead on the engines and hard over rudder
    N b. Full ahead on one engine, full astern on the other
    Y c. Half ahead with hard over rudder, then full astern on inboard engine
    N d. Slow ahead with hard over rudder

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

552: Which type of bridle is the most effective for a heavy ocean tow?

    N a. Nylon because of its strength
    N b. Polypropylene because it floats and is easier to handle
    Y c. Stud link anchor chain for chafe resistance and strength
    N d. Wire rope for flexibility and strength

613: A lookout can leave his station __________.

    N a. at the end of the watch
    Y b. only when properly relieved
    N c. at any time
    N d. 15 minutes before the end of the watch

636: The use of an anchor to assist in turning in restricted waters is __________.

    N a. a last resort
    Y b. good seamanship
    N c. the sign of a novice shiphandler
    N d. to be used only with a single-screw vessel

647: Synchronous towing means that the __________.

    N a. tug is on the crest of a wave while the tow is in the trough
    N b. tug is in the trough while the tow is riding on the crest of a wave
    Y c. tug and tow are both in the same relative position on different waves at the same time
    N d. port and starboard engines on the tug are turning at the same RPM

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

    N a. forward spring line
    Y b. after spring line
    N c. waist breast line
    N d. stern line

810: In nautical terminology a "dog" is a __________.

    N a. crow bar
    Y b. device to force a water tight door against the frame
    N c. heavy steel beam
    N d. wedge

840: The terms "cant frame" and "counter" are associated with the vessel's __________.

    N a. cargo hatch
    N b. forecastle
    N c. steering engine
    Y d. stern

848: You are loading a cargo of canned goods with a stowage factor of 65. If you allow 15% for broken stowage, how many tons can be loaded in a space of 55,000 cubic feet?

    N a. 687
    Y b. 719
    N c. 846
    N d. 973

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.

1011: After your vessel has been involved in a casualty, you are required to make your logbooks, bell books, etc., available to __________.

    N a. attorneys for opposition parties
    N b. marine surveyors
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard officials
    N d. All of the above

1050: The "margin plate" is the __________.

    Y a. outboard strake of plating on each side of an inner bottom
    N b. outer strake of plating on each side of the main deck of a vessel
    N c. plate which sits atop the center vertical keel
    N d. uppermost continuous strake of plating on the shell of a vessel

1056: In which situation could a vessel most easily capsize?

    N a. Running into head seas
    Y b. Running in the trough
    N c. Running with following seas
    N d. Anchored with your bow into the seas

1103: What should you inspect to be sure that it is safe to go aloft in a bosun's chair?

    N a. The gantline
    N b. The tail block
    N c. The chair and bridle
    Y d. All of the above

1115: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y b. draw a line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N d. erase the entry and rewrite

1134: The critical point in nylon line elongation is about __________.

    N a. 20%
    N b. 30%
    Y c. 40%
    N d. 50%

1235: You are on watch entering port while the pilot has the conn. The pilot gives a steering command to the helmsman who partially repeats the command. You should immediately __________.

    Y a. repeat the Pilot's command and ensure that the helmsman repeats it completely
    N b. ask the Pilot to repeat the command since the helmsman failed to hear it completely
    N c. observe the helmsman's wheel action to be sure that it complies with the Pilot's command
    N d. ignore the helmsman's response as long as it was close to what the Pilot ordered

1240: Bilge keels are fitted on ships to __________.

    N a. assist in dry dock alignment
    N b. improve the vessel's stability
    N c. protect the vessel from slamming against piers
    Y d. reduce the rolling of the vessel

1269: What is meant by the term "topping the boom"?

    N a. Lowering the boom
    Y b. Raising the boom
    N c. Spotting the boom over the deck
    N d. Swinging the boom athwartships

1298: A Master should file a marine note of protest if __________.

    N a. cargo was received at ship side which was damaged in land transit
    N b. longshore labor went on strike in the port causing undue vessel delay
    N c. portions of his vessel's cargo were illegally impounded in a foreign port
    Y d. the vessel encountered heavy weather which might have caused cargo damage

1371: Delivery of a vessel to a charterer is called __________.

    N a. chartering
    N b. dispatching
    N c. fixing
    Y d. tendering

1376: Generally speaking, the most favorable bottom for anchoring is __________.

    N a. very soft mud
    N b. rocky
    Y c. a mixture of mud and clay
    N d. loose sand

1466: When dropping anchor, you are stationed at the windlass brake. The most important piece(s) of gear is(are) __________.

    N a. a hard hat
    N b. a long sleeve shirt
    N c. gloves
    Y d. goggles

1478: What does "in step" refer to in regards to towing?

    N a. The towed vessel follows exactly in the wake of the towing vessel.
    N b. There is no catenary in the towing hawser.
    N c. When turning, both the towed and towing vessels turn at the same time.
    Y d. Both the towed and towing vessels reach a wave crest or trough at the same time.

1536: When anchoring, it is a common rule of thumb to use a length of chain __________.

    Y a. five to seven times the depth of water
    N b. seven to ten times the depth of water
    N c. twice the depth of water
    N d. twice the depth of water plus the range of tide

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.

1578: A stream of water immediately surrounding a moving vessel's hull, flowing in the same direction as the vessel is known as __________.

    N a. directional current
    N b. forward current
    N c. propeller current
    Y d. wake current

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

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1786: You are anchoring in a river where the current is from one direction only. The best way to lay out two anchors is to have them __________.

    N a. directly in line with the bow
    N b. side by side, with their lines on the port and starboard side
    Y c. so that their lines form an angle
    N d. on top of one another

1792: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter F? (D003DG )

    N a. Fresh water load line
    N b. Summer load line
    Y c. Winter load line
    N d. Tropical load line

1941: The helm command "Left twenty" means __________.

    N a. change course twenty degrees to the left
    Y b. put the rudder left twenty degrees
    N c. put the rudder hard left for the first twenty degrees of swing
    N d. put the rudder left twenty degrees and then ease back as the vessel starts swinging

2016: The revolving drum of a winch used to haul lines is called a __________.

    N a. bull gear
    Y b. gypsyhead
    N c. spanner
    N d. wildcat

2040: The plating indicated by the letter N is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    Y a. inner bottom
    N b. floor riders
    N c. tank-top rider plating
    N d. ceiling

2144: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    N b. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    Y d. put the rudder over to the right all the way

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

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

2343: When securing a hook to the end of a wire rope you should use __________.

    N a. a bowline knot
    N b. a long splice
    N c. an overhand knot with a wire rope clip
    Y d. wire rope clips with a thimble eye

2508: What is required to launch a boat stowed in a crescent davit?

    N a. Hoist the boat clear of the cradle.
    N b. Release the outboard part of the cradle.
    N c. Rig the tricing lines.
    Y d. Crank the crescent out.

2510: Mooring lines should be turned end-for-end occasionally. This is because __________.

    N a. a line is weakened by constantly pulling on it in one direction
    Y b. normal wear on the line is thus distributed to different areas
    N c. it prevents the line from kinking or unlaying
    N d. it prevents permanent misalignment of the line's internal strands

2516: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest, carried on a ship, is TRUE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the Master or other designated ship's officer.
    N b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargo may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    Y c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The type of label(s) required for each cargo must be indicated.

2588: Rivets are usually made of __________.

    N a. wrought-iron
    N b. aluminum
    N c. high-tensile steel
    Y d. mild steel

2639: A wooden plug fitted tightly in the vent of a damaged tank may prevent the tank from __________.

    Y a. filling completely
    N b. developing free surface
    N c. developing free surface moment
    N d. collapsing

2860: How are riveted lap joints made watertight?

    N a. The faying surfaces are coated with white lead (or similar product) before the rivets are set.
    N b. A sealing weld bead of 1/8" or less pitch is run along the plate edge.
    Y c. The plate edge is split close to an adjacent plate and mechanically forced into contact with the adjacent plate.
    N d. A properly riveted joint will be watertight; any leakage is stopped by setting up on the rivets.

2930: A large vessel is equipped with a controllable pitch propeller. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When dead in the water, it is often difficult to find the neutral position and slight headway or sternway may result.
    N b. When going directly from full ahead to full astern, there is complete steering control.
    N c. When the vessel has headway and the propeller is in neutral, there is no effect on rudder control.
    N d. When maneuvering in port, full ahead or astern power can usually be obtained without changing shaft RPM.

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.

3606: A spreader bar is used to __________.

    N a. increase the lifting capacity
    N b. increase the lifting radius
    N c. protect the slings
    Y d. protect the upper part of a load

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

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

4127: Which lashing device(s) would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N b. Webbing
    Y c. Chain
    N d. All of the above

4245: What is meant by the term "level-luffing" a crane?

    Y a. Luffing while the load remains at a constant height
    N b. Maintaining the boom at a constant height
    N c. Slewing the boom left or right in a level planet
    N d. None of the above

4442: Insulating flanges minimize the dangers arising from __________.

    N a. smoking on deck
    N b. loading asphalt
    Y c. accumulations of electrostatic charges
    N d. tank over-pressurization