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.


19: The vessel's "quarter" is located __________.


50: A vessel is entering port 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?


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


60: You are on a vessel designed to carry compressed gasses in bulk with a cargo of butadiene. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The ullage must be padded with compressed air at a minimum pressure of 2 psig.
    Y b. Silver and copper are prohibited in the parts of valves and fittings in contact with the cargo.
    N c. The cargo tank may be sampled only when the tank is being filled.
    N d. The shipping document must specify the exact quantity of butadiene being carried.

169: The lowest temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to form a flammable mixture with air is known as the __________.

    N a. fire point
    Y b. flash point
    N c. lower explosive limit
    N d. threshold limit value

287: On the cargo manifest, the weight of the cargo inside a box is called __________.

    N a. gross weight
    Y b. net weight
    N c. light weight
    N d. rate weight

374: Holes in the bulwark, which allow deck water to drain into the sea, are __________.

    N a. doggers
    N b. fidleys
    Y c. freeing ports
    N d. swash ports

376: You are aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel with headway on. The engine is put full astern and the rudder hard left. What will the bow do?

    N a. It will swing to the left, and will swing left faster as the vessel loses way.
    Y b. It will swing to the left, straighten out and then swing to the right as the vessel loses way.
    N c. It will swing to the left without increasing or decreasing its swing.
    N d. The bow will swing to the right.

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

427: What is the greatest danger of an overriding tow?

    N a. Fouling of the towing hawser
    N b. Loss of steering
    N c. Tripping
    Y d. Collision between the tow and the stern of the towing vessel

433: When a tow is trimmed by the stern it is said to __________.

    N a. hog
    N b. sag
    Y c. drag
    N d. list

462: The safe working load (SWL) of wire rope with a safety factor of 6 is what percent of its strength?

    N a. 10%
    Y b. 17%
    N c. 50%
    N d. 80%

467: Of which type of material may a towing hawser be constructed?

    N a. Wire rope
    N b. Nylon, dacron, polypropylene or a blend of other synthetic fibers
    N c. Manila
    Y d. All of the above

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

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. forward spring line
    N d. None of the above

555: A chain bridle is used when towing astern because it __________.

    N a. is easy to connect
    Y b. provides an effective catenary and absorbs shock due to its weight
    N c. makes rigging a swivel unnecessary
    N d. prevents the tow from yawing by the drag of the chains in a seaway

611: The Certificate of Inspection for a containership __________.

    Y a. is issued by the Coast Guard and is usually valid for 2 years
    N b. must be posted under transparent material near the officers' licenses
    N c. lists all of the stability limitations and conditions imposed on the vessel
    N d. shows the due date of the quadrennial test of the cargo gear

621: Which document shows details of a tank vessel, cargoes it may carry, manning and safety equipment required?

    N a. Safety Construction Certificate
    N b. Cargo Gear Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Declaration of Inspection

635: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    Y a. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    N d. the estimated cost of damage

650: A crew member has just fallen overboard off your port side. Which action should you take?

    N a. Immediately put the rudder over hard right.
    Y b. Immediately put the rudder over hard left.
    N c. Immediately put the engines astern.
    N d. Wait until the stern is well clear of the man and then put the rudder over hard right.

666: You are proceeding at a slow speed with your starboard side near the right bank of a channel. If your vessel suddenly sheers toward the opposite bank, the best maneuver would be __________.

    N a. full ahead, hard left rudder
    Y b. full ahead, hard right rudder
    N c. full astern, hard left rudder
    N d. full astern, hard right rudder

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

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

880: The projecting lugs of the rudderpost which furnish support to the rudder are called __________.

    N a. bases
    Y b. gudgeons
    N c. pintles
    N d. rudder lugs

912: You are aboard vessel "A" in a narrow channel and the pilot is approaching vessel "B" as shown. The reason he has not previously changed course to the starboard side of the channel is __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. to avoid vessel squat in the shallower water near the bank
    Y b. to avoid the effects of bank cushion and bank suction
    N c. because there is less chance of striking submerged objects in mid-channel
    N d. because the current has less eddies in mid-channel

926: Usually the most gentle way of riding out a severe storm on a larger vessel is __________.

    N a. head on at slow speeds
    N b. hove to
    Y c. running before the seas
    N d. to rig a sea anchor

1071: In some cases, the 50% duty on all foreign repairs made to American flag merchant vessels may be remitted. Which work does NOT come under the remitting policy of U.S. Customs?

    Y a. Chipping, painting, and scaling by foreign labor
    N b. Repairs to hull structural damage
    N c. Repairs due to damage done by heavy weather
    N d. Repairs to the main propulsion machinery

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

1155: In the context of shiphandling, what would be the definition of shallow water?

    Y a. Water depth of less than twice a vessel's draft
    N b. Water depth of less than 1½ times a vessel's draft
    N c. Under keel clearance of twice a vessel's draft
    N d. Under keel clearance of less than 10 feet

1166: You are 15 feet off a pier and docking a vessel using only a bow and stern breast line. Once the slack is out of both lines you begin to haul in on the bow breast line. What is the effect on the vessel?

    N a. The bow will come in and the stern will go out.
    N b. The whole ship moves toward the pier.
    Y c. The bow will come in and the stern will remain the same distance off the pier.
    N d. The stern will come in and the bow will remain the same distance off the pier.

1181: Uncleared crew curios remaining on board during a domestic coastwise voyage after returning from foreign should be __________.

    N a. listed in the Official Logbook
    N b. cleared prior to the next foreign voyage
    Y c. noted in the Traveling Curio Manifest
    N d. retained under locked security by the owner

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.

1258: While your vessel is docked port side to a wharf, a sudden gale force wind causes the vessel's stern lines to part. The stern begins to fall away from the dock, and no tugs are immediately available. Which measure(s) should you take FIRST?

    N a. Notify the engineroom of the need for propulsion.
    Y b. Shut down any cargo transfer that's in progress.
    N c. Let go the port anchor and veer to a short scope of chain.
    N d. Obtain assistance from the terminal to put new stern lines out.

1285: Which information MUST be entered on the muster list?

    N a. Names of all crew members
    N b. Use and application of special equipment
    N c. Listing of approved emergency equipment
    Y d. Duties and station of each person during emergencies

1484: A metal eye spliced into a wire is called a __________.

    N a. cyclops
    N b. fish eye
    Y c. thimble
    N d. chip

1550: Keel scantlings of any vessel are greatest amidships because __________.

    N a. connections between forebody and afterbody are most crucial
    Y b. of maximum longitudinal bending moments
    N c. of severest racking stresses
    N d. resistance to grounding is at a maximum amidships

1688: Grade E combustible liquids have a flash point of __________.

    N a. 80°F to 150°F
    Y b. 150°F or above
    N c. 60°F to 100°F
    N d. 90°F to 120°F

1729: The greatest strain, when lifting a load with the jumbo purchase, is on __________.

    N a. all of the parts, dividing the load equally
    Y b. the hauling part because it must absorb the frictional losses of all the sheaves
    N c. the parts in the movable block
    N d. the standing part because it is directly connected to the weight

1795: Which knot represents a double sheet bend? (DO30DG )

    N a. F
    N b. L
    Y c. R
    N d. T

1830: Using the graph, if the dry bulb temperature is 76°, and the wet bulb temperature is 58°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 35%
    N b. 47%
    N c. 61%
    N d. 76%

1853: A breeches buoy is being rigged from the shore to a stranded vessel. The initial shot line passed to the vessel is normally made fast to a __________.

    N a. hawser which is used to pass a tail-block and whip to the vessel
    N b. hawser with breeches buoy and harness attached
    N c. hawser which should be made fast to the vessel below the intended location of the tail-block
    Y d. tail-block and whip which may be used to pass a hawser to the vessel

1873: How much weight can you lift by applying 100 lbs. of force to a twofold purchase rigged to disadvantage (do not consider friction)?

    N a. 200 lbs.
    N b. 300 lbs.
    Y c. 400 lbs.
    N d. 500 lbs.

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

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

1950: You are proceeding to a distress site and expect large numbers of people in the water. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the survivors in the water and only use the ship's boats to recover the survivors.
    N b. If the survivors are in inflatable rafts you should approach from windward to create a lee for the survivors.
    Y c. An inflatable liferaft secured alongside can be an effective boarding station for transfer of survivors from the boats.
    N d. Survivors in the water should never be permitted alongside due to the possibility of injury from the vessel.

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2064: While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

    N a. figure eight turn
    N b. Round turn
    N c. Racetrack turn
    Y d. Williamson turn

2091: When operating in an area where sea ice and icebergs are present, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Icebergs may travel in a direction many degrees different from the sea ice.
    N b. Both icebergs and sea ice will move in approximately the same direction and at the same speed.
    N c. Icebergs and sea ice will move in the same direction, but at different speeds due to the sail effect of the berg.
    N d. Icebergs and sea ice will move in the same direction, but the iceberg will move slower because of its underwater bulk.

2235: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results as shown. Based on this information, what is the advance for a turn of 75°? (D034DG )

    Y a. 800 yards (720 meters)
    N b. 860 yards (774 meters)
    N c. 910 yards (819 meters)
    N d. 955 yards (860 meters)

2288: What will cause wire rope to fail?

    N a. Operating the winch too fast
    N b. Using a sheave 9 times the wire's diameter
    N c. Kinking
    Y d. All of the above

2454: You are going astern (single-screw, right-handed propeller) with the anchor down at a scope of twice the depth of the water. As the anchor dredges, you should expect the __________.

    N a. stern to walk to the same side as the anchor being used
    N b. vessel to back in a straight line
    Y c. stern to walk to port but at a reduced rate
    N d. stern to walk to port at a faster rate than normal

2496: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest is FALSE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the carrier, agents, and any person designated for this purpose.
    Y b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargoes may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    N c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The hazard class of each cargo must be indicated.

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

2542: When loading containers into the cell guides in the hold of a container ship, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. No further securing is usually required.
    N b. Containers must have vertical lashings if they do not have twist lock securing.
    N c. All containers must have vertical and horizontal lashings.
    N d. The container must be locked into the cell guide.

2624: The certificate of loading required by each vessel carrying grain in bulk is issued by the __________.

    N a. owner or charterer of the vessel
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. shipper of the cargo
    Y d. National Cargo Bureau

2819: On which of the Great Lakes would shore ice be the most pronounced?

    N a. Lake Michigan
    Y b. Lake Superior
    N c. Lake Huron
    N d. Lake Erie

3048: The proximity of pack ice may be indicated by __________.

    N a. changes in seawater salinity
    Y b. glare on clouds on the horizon
    N c. changes in air temperature
    N d. icebergs

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

4029: Which statement is TRUE concerning toluene?

    N a. Its Reid Vapor Pressure is 9.4.
    N b. The boiling point is 174°F.
    Y c. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon.
    N d. It is classified as a grade A flammable liquid.

4046: Which statement about tunnel bow thrusters fitted to large vessels is TRUE?

    N a. They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots.
    N b. Because of their location, most modern installations have as much power as a tug.
    N c. They are fully effective at all drafts.
    Y d. When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control.

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

4156: Which element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Weight of the vehicles
    N b. Geographical area of the voyage
    N c. Dynamic forces under adverse weather conditions
    Y d. All of the above

4273: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering
    Y b. High winds
    N c. Potable water spill on deck
    N d. More than 3° list