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.


180: Your tank vessel is loading a hazardous cargo. The allowance for expansion is based on ambient temperatures of what maximum range?


245: The fitting that allows a boom to move freely both vertically and laterally is called the __________.


313: With the exception of a Coast Guard approved commercial hybrid Personal Flotation Device (PFD), which type of life preserver must be carried for each person on board an uninspected passenger vessel?


473: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to accept the seaman if the seaman is medically unfit.
    N b. He must take the seaman even if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N c. He is always required to take the seaman.
    Y d. He may refuse to take the seaman if it will violate the Certificate of Inspection.

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

519: What is NOT a precaution to be taken when topping off?

    N a. Reduce the loading rate.
    Y b. Notify the engine room of the procedure.
    N c. Maintain communications with the dock man.
    N d. Give the operation your undivided attention.

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

692: The tow makeup that is designed to keep the catenary of the tow hawser to a minimum is called the __________.

    Y a. Christmas tree tow
    N b. tandem tow
    N c. British tow
    N d. tandem tug tow

763: A vessel that tows astern must have a/an ___________ .

    N a. towing winch
    Y b. method to easily release the towline
    N c. oxy-acetylene cutting torch
    N d. ax or knife mounted near the towing bitts

953: When bunkering at anchorage which of the following signals must be displayed?

    N a. A red flag by day, red light by night
    Y b. A red flag by day ONLY
    N c. A red light by night ONLY
    N d. No signal required at anchorage

1081: You are Master of a U.S. flag vessel which was dry docked for bottom cleaning in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Upon return to a U.S. port, you must __________.

    Y a. file a customs' form for duty on this repair
    N b. file no extra reports
    N c. file a report of the dry docking with the U.S.C.G. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N d. obtain a U.S. Coast Guard diver to certify the work

1083: 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. G
    N b. I
    N c. Q
    Y d. R

1170: Transverse frames are more widely spaced on a ship that is designed with the __________.

    N a. centerline system of framing
    N b. isometric system of framing
    Y c. longitudinal system of framing
    N d. transverse system of framing

1198: The most probable position of the object of a search at any given time is the __________.

    Y a. datum position
    N b. incident position
    N c. reported position
    N d. dead-reckoning position

1200: Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to __________.

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

1223: The organization that certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel is the __________.

    Y a. classification society
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. none of the above

1228: A cargo exception would appear on __________.

    Y a. a Bill of Lading
    N b. the cargo manifest
    N c. the Export Declaration
    N d. a Letter of Indemnity

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

1262: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $25,000
    N b. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N c. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel
    Y d. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible

1411: The time allowed for loading and discharging cargo in a charter party is referred to as __________.

    N a. charter hire
    N b. demurrage
    N c. dispatch
    Y d. lay days

1439: Which part provides for transverse control and positioning of a boom in a conventional yard and stay system?

    Y a. Guy
    N b. Shroud
    N c. Spider
    N d. Topping lift

1462: Two mooring lines may be placed on the same bollard and either one cast off first if __________.

    Y a. the eye of the second line is dipped
    N b. the mooring lines are doubled
    N c. the bollard has two horns
    N d. one of the lines is a breast line

1528: You are being towed by one tug. As you lengthen the bridle legs you __________.

    N a. increase your chances of breaking the towing hawser
    Y b. reduce the yawing of your vessel
    N c. reduce the spring effect of the tow connection
    N d. increase your chances of breaking the bridle legs

1581: A vessel is found to be seaworthy after a complaint in writing to the American Consul by the Chief and Second Mates. The cost of the survey is to be paid by the __________.

    N a. American Consul
    Y b. Chief and Second Mates
    N c. Vessel's agent
    N d. vessel's owners

1693: What is the stress on the hauling part when lifting a 4900 lbs. weight using a twofold purchase rove to least advantage? (Allow 10 percent of the weight per sheave for friction.)

    N a. 980 lbs.
    N b. 1225 lbs.
    Y c. 1715 lbs.
    N d. 1837 lbs.

1705: You are to load a consignment of lumber. Each piece measures 3-inches thick, 12-inches wide and 16-feet long. There are 30,000 pieces in the shipment. How many board feet would be listed on the Bill of Lading?

    N a. 96,000
    N b. 1,200,000
    Y c. 1,440,000
    N d. 14,400,000

1751: The load line certificate is issued by __________.

    Y a. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. the National Cargo Bureau
    N c. the United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1886: The knot lettered R is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. double becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. round turn and two half hitches

1895: The knot lettered Q as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. clove hitch
    Y c. bowline
    N d. round knot

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.

2018: When towing astern, one way to reduce yawing of the tow is to __________.

    Y a. trim the tow by the stern
    N b. trim the tow by the head
    N c. have the tow on an even keel
    N d. list the tow on the side it is yawing

2069: A "spring line" is a __________.

    N a. mooring line made of spring lay wire rope
    Y b. mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N c. mooring line parallel to the keel
    N d. wire rope used for securing an anchor buoy

2088: You have been towing astern and have just let go the tow. Your deckhands are pulling in and faking the towline by hand on the stern. The most dangerous action to take is to __________.

    N a. continue ahead at slow speed
    N b. continue ahead at half speed
    N c. stop your engines
    Y d. back down on your engines

2104: You are proceeding to a distress site where the survivors are in liferafts. Which action will assist in making your vessel more visible to the survivors?

    N a. Steering a zigzag course with 5 to 10 minutes on each leg
    N b. Steering a sinuous course
    N c. Dumping debris over the side to make a trail to your vessel
    Y d. Making smoke in daylight

2189: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn you take the ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 75°? (D034DG )

    N a. 340 yards (306 meters)
    Y b. 280 yards (252 meters)
    N c. 230 yards (207 meters)
    N d. 190 yards (171 meters)

2219: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 75 lbs.
    Y c. 90 lbs.
    N d. 112 lbs.

2222: The lower seam of the strake indicated by the letter B is sometimes riveted. This is done to __________. (D033DG )

    N a. increase the strength in a highly stressed area
    N b. provide the flexibility inherent in a riveted seam
    Y c. serve as a crack arrestor and prevent hull girder failure
    N d. reduce construction costs

2275: When inspecting wire rope before a hoisting operation, one must look for __________.

    N a. fishhooks
    N b. kinks
    N c. worn spots
    Y d. All of the above

2321: Your vessel has run aground and is touching bottom for the first one-quarter of its length. What is the LEAST desirable method from the standpoint of stability to decrease the bottom pressure?

    N a. Discharge forward deck cargo.
    Y b. Pump out the forepeak tank.
    N c. Shift deck cargo aft.
    N d. Flood an after double-bottom tank.

2521: The period of roll is the time difference between __________.

    N a. zero inclination to full inclination on one side
    N b. full inclination on one side to full inclination on the other side
    Y c. full inclination on one side to the next full inclination on the same side
    N d. zero inclination to the next zero inclination

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

2626: The "grip" of a joint represents the __________.

    Y a. thickness of the connected members
    N b. diameter of the head
    N c. entire length of the rivet
    N d. diameter of the shank

2664: You must shore up a bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates a rectangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    N b. approximately one-third of the way up the bulkhead
    Y c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

3064: What is the meaning of a flag hoist consisting of the code letters "WM" (Whiskey Mike) when displayed by an icebreaker?

    N a. "I am going ahead; follow me."
    N b. "You should stop your vessel instantly."
    Y c. "Icebreaker support is now commencing."
    N d. "Icebreaker support is finished."

3078: Another name for coal naphtha that would appear on a dangerous cargo manifest is __________.

    Y a. benzene
    N b. tar
    N c. middle oil
    N d. toluene

3104: When maneuvering a heavy barge up a wide channel with a tug, the tow may be most closely controlled by making up to the barge __________.

    N a. with a short tow astern
    N b. nearly bow to bow, at a small angle
    N c. amidships, parallel to the barge
    Y d. nearly stern to stern, at a small angle to the barge

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

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

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    Y b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. roll

3542: The Certificate of Inspection on a passenger vessel of over 100 gross tons must be posted __________.

    N a. in the Master's office
    N b. on the bridge
    Y c. in a conspicuous place where observation by the passengers is likely
    N d. in the passengers' dining room or, where there is no dining room, in the lounge area

3544: Wire rope should be renewed when the __________.

    N a. outer wires are rusted
    Y b. outer wires are worn to half their original diameter
    N c. inner core appears dry
    N d. certification period expires

3614: While you are on watch, you learn that a crewman has not been seen on board for the past three hours. Which type of turn is best in this man-overboard situation?

    N a. Round
    Y b. Scharnow
    N c. Racetrack
    N d. Single turn of 180°

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

    N a. deadeyes
    N b. bollards
    N c. bitts
    Y d. chocks

4059: A 750 foot passenger vessel operating on the Great Lakes, not subject to SOLAS regulations, is required to carry how many ring life buoys?

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

4096: Yawing is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

    N a. Longitudinal
    N b. Transverse
    Y c. Vertical
    N d. Centerline

4106: Which of the following are considered to be "road vehicles" that can be carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Semi-trailer
    N b. Road train
    N c. Articulated road train
    Y d. All of the above

4145: Which tensioning device is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4224: What does item "K" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Manual slewing cables
    Y b. Rider block taglines
    N c. Jib luffing cables
    N d. Cargo snaking cables

4265: Which statement(s) is/are FALSE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment must be safely checked prior to commencing a lift.
    Y b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting need not be secured.
    N c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    N d. All the above

4272: Which action should be taken immediately by the operator of a pedestal crane, if crane control is lost?

    N a. Increase power to the crane to regain control.
    N b. Place control levers in opposite positions.
    Y c. Let go of both control levers and return to the neutral positions.
    N d. Check the circuit breakers.

4390: 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"
    N c. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order
    Y d. "Right 15 degrees rudder"