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.


14: Damaged bulkheads often take a permanent set which is independent of the panting or bulge caused by water pressure. To control this, you should __________.


56: The effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel is most noticeable when __________.


84: The ceiling is __________.


120: You are on a multiple-product tankship and scheduled to load a cargo classed as an aromatic amine. This cargo is incompatible with cargoes classed as __________.

    Y a. organic anhydrides
    N b. ketones
    N c. phenols
    N d. esters

138: Which vessel is most likely to be loaded full but not down?

    N a. A bulk carrier loaded with heavy ore
    N b. A bulk carrier loaded with steel
    Y c. A break bulk vessel loaded with palletized cargo
    N d. A tanker loaded with heavy grain

310: Operators of Uninspected Passenger Vessels are required to keep their Coast Guard License aboard __________.

    N a. only when operating more than one mile from shore
    N b. only when operating at night
    Y c. only when carrying passengers for hire
    N d. At all times

392: Which statement is TRUE concerning insulating flanges?

    Y a. They should be inspected and tested periodically to ensure that the insulation is clean and in good condition.
    N b. Switching off a cathodic protection system may be substituted for using an insulating flange
    N c. The measured resistance value after installation should be less than 1,000 ohms.
    N d. After the insulating flange is installed, hot work may be performed on deck.

457: You are the operator 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. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N b. Able seamen are not required in the deck crew.
    Y c. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N d. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.

516: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudder amidships. Your starboard engine stalls. To continue on course, you should __________.

    Y a. apply left rudder
    N b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

568: Which statement concerning the carriage of containers is TRUE?

    N a. The Chief Mate and Master of a container ship should have the proposed stowage plan ready for the stevedore upon arrival in port.
    N b. When stowed on deck of a break bulk ship, the bottom of the container must be evenly supported throughout.
    Y c. With tiered containers, a 40-foot container may be stowed on top of two 20-foot containers.
    N d. Deck load calculations must take into account the square footage of the entire container bottom.

620: You are on a container vessel. What concerning the handling and stowage of containerized hazardous materials is TRUE?

    Y a. Open-bed containers may be used to transport hazardous materials if the cargo is properly secured.
    N b. A portable cargo tank of a flammable, cryogenic liquid may not be in transit for a period exceeding its marked rated holding time unless the liquid is inhibited.
    N c. A portable cargo tank containing a cryogenic liquid must be shipped on deck unless forced ventilation is provided to the decks-decks.
    N d. A container loaded with packages of tear gas would display a placard reading "Irritant."

626: What should NOT be used as an indicator that ice may be

    Y a.
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

882: The owner or Master of a towing vessel that tows astern must keep records of the towline(s) that include all of the following information EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. the towline's initial minimum breaking strength as determined by the manufacturer
    Y b. an invoice showing the cost of the towline
    N c. the towline's nautical miles of use or time in service
    N d. the history of loading of the towline

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.

990: Freeboard is measured from the upper edge of the __________.

    N a. bulwark
    Y b. deck line
    N c. gunwale bar
    N d. sheer strake

1036: What is meant by the term "broaching to"?

    N a. Having the vessel head toward the sea
    N b. Running before a sea
    Y c. Being turned broadside to the sea
    N d. Having the vessel filled with water

1049: You have water washed your cargo tanks using the fixed machines. What should you do before using portable machines to clean areas screened from the wash of the fixed machine by structural members?

    Y a. Ventilate the tank to eliminate any electrostatically charged mist.
    N b. Attach the water supply hose to the portable machine after the cleaning head is positioned inside the tank.
    N c. Insure that the tanks are not stripped until the final wash is started.
    N d. Ground the fixed machines to eliminate any electrostatic buildup on the cleaning head.

1100: What is the purpose of the freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks?

    Y a. Allow water which may be shipped on deck to flow off rapidly
    N b. Permit easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. Prevent the formation of any unusual stress concentration points
    N d. Lighten the above deck weight caused by a solid bulwark

1158: A vessel loads 100 tons of glass jars. The mate on watch discovers that some of the cartons have been damaged and has an exception made on the Bill of Lading. What is this document called?

    N a. Damage Bill of Lading
    N b. Letter of Indemnity
    N c. Non-negotiable Bill of Lading
    Y d. Unclean Bill of Lading

1177: A "Mediterranean moor" should be used when __________.

    N a. when anchoring in the Mediterranean
    Y b. when docking stern to a berth
    N c. when docking bow to a berth
    N d. when anchoring in a strong current

1207: The Tonnage Certificate indicates __________.

    N a. deadweight tons
    N b. displacement tons
    Y c. net tons
    N d. light displacement tons

1217: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

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

1265: You are picking up an unconscious person that has fallen overboard in a fresh breeze. For safety reasons a small craft should approach with the __________.

    N a. victim to leeward
    Y b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

1281: The agency most concerned with a stowaway is __________.

    N a. Customs
    Y b. Immigration
    N c. Public Health
    N d. U.S.D.A.

1441: Dead freight is the charge for the __________.

    N a. carriage of demise cargo
    N b. cost of transshipment of over-carried cargo
    N c. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo discharged
    Y d. difference in the amount of cargo loaded and the amount of cargo booked, through no fault of the vessel

1549: On your vessel, a wire rope for the cargo gear shows signs of excessive wear and must be replaced. In ordering a new wire for this 10-ton boom, what safety factor should you use?

    N a. Three
    Y b. Five
    N c. Six
    N d. Seven

1575: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

    N a. good communication
    N b. a dedicated crew
    N c. good equipment
    Y d. well-conducted drills

1620: Owing to the greater girth of a ship amidships than at the ends, certain strakes are dropped as they approach the bow and stern to reduce the amount of plating at the ends. These strakes are called __________.

    Y a. drop strakes
    N b. stealers
    N c. throughs
    N d. voids

1622: What is NOT an indication that pack ice may be nearby?

    Y a. The presence of icebergs
    N b. Ice blink
    N c. Absence of wave motion
    N d. Sighting a walrus in the Arctic

1638: On a twin-screw, twin-rudder vessel, the most effective way to turn in your own water, with no way on, is to put __________.

    Y a. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with full rudder
    N b. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with rudders amidships
    N c. both engines ahead, with full rudder
    N d. both engines astern, with full rudder

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1655: Which knot represents a double blackwall hitch? (DO30DG )

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

1708: For the purpose of regulating tank vessels, flammable liquids are liquids which will __________.

    Y a. give off flammable vapors at or below 80°F (27°C)
    N b. have a Reid vapor pressure of 18 pounds or more
    N c. give off flammable vapors only above 80°F (27°C)
    N d. sustain combustion at a temperature at or below 100°F (38°C)

1813: A snatch block would most likely be used as a __________.

    N a. boat fall
    Y b. fairlead
    N c. riding pawl
    N d. topping lift

1843: The sheave diameter to be used with a 3-inch manila rope is __________.

    N a. 3 inches
    Y b. 6 inches
    N c. 9 inches
    N d. 12 inches

1894: A load line is assigned by __________.

    N a. the U.S. Customs
    N b. the U.S. Department of Energy
    N c. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Y d. a recognized classification society approved by the U.S. Coast Guard

1965: A maritime lien may be placed against __________.

    N a. any assets that a ship's owner may have
    Y b. a vessel, cargo, or freight
    N c. objects that are fixed and immovable, such as wharves
    N d. the vessel only

2041: Which tackle arrangement has the LEAST mechanical advantage?

    Y a. Single whip
    N b. Gun tackle
    N c. Luff tackle
    N d. Twofold purchase

2157: You are in a fresh water port loading logs with gear rated at 5 tons, and suspect the weight of the logs exceeds the SWL of the gear. The logs are floating in the water alongside the vessel and have 95% of their volume submerged. The average length of the logs is 15 feet and the average diameter is 4.4 feet. What is the nearest average weight of the logs, based on these average measurements?

    N a. 5.5 tons
    Y b. 6.0 tons
    N c. 7.7 tons
    N d. 24.1 tons

2201: When referring to dry bulk cargoes, the term "flow state" __________.

    N a. designates the state of a commodity when the ship is heeled past the angle of repose
    N b. relates to the suitability of loading a cargo by flowing down inclined chutes
    Y c. refers to the saturation of a dry bulk product with water to the point where it acts as a liquid
    N d. relates to the minimum granule size of a particular product where it will flow like a liquid at an angle of 30°

2202: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence will you assign this message?

    N a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    Y d. Z (FLASH)

2214: 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 90°? (D034DG )

    N a. 820 yards
    Y b. 870 yards
    N c. 930 yards
    N d. 975 yards

2278: You will load and carry a bulk cargo of sulfur at ambient temperature. Which statement is true?

    N a. Wooden covers must be laid over the bilge wells to prevent the sulfur from entering the bilges.
    Y b. Bulk sulfur may be carried without a special permit providing the vessel complies with all applicable regulations.
    N c. The major characteristic of this cargo is that it forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water.
    N d. Other hazardous material may not be stowed in the same hold as the sulfur but may be carried on deck above the hold.

2335: When two lines are spliced together, __________.

    N a. the size of the lines at the splice decreases
    Y b. they are stronger than if knotted together
    N c. the overall strength of each line is increased
    N d. the bitter ends will resist rotting

2366: To "shore up" the main deck for the stowage of deck cargo means to __________.

    N a. weld pad eyes on deck in proper position to secure the cargo
    Y b. strengthen the main deck by placing pillars underneath it in the tween-decks
    N c. distribute the weight of the cargo by placing fore-and-aft planks on the main deck
    N d. package the cargo in wooden crates so it will not damage the deck

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

2604: The joint formed when two steel plates are placed end-to-end is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. seam
    Y c. butt
    N d. bond

2646: Which statement is true concerning repairs on the hull of a vessel which is to be riveted and welded?

    N a. Riveting must be completed before welding begins.
    N b. Riveting and welding should be done alternately.
    Y c. Welding must be completed before the riveting begins.
    N d. It does not matter in what order the operations are done.

2783: The effect of ocean current is usually more evident on a tug and tow than on a tug navigating independently because the __________.

    Y a. speed of the tug and tow is less
    N b. towline catches the current
    N c. current causes yawing
    N d. current will offset the tow

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

2948: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "S" (Sierra) to signify that "________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    N b. I am altering my course to port
    Y c. I am operating astern propulsion
    N d. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2952: Spontaneous heating of coal rapidly accelerates at the approximate minimum temperature of __________.

    N a. 88°F
    Y b. 100°F
    N c. 111°F
    N d. 119°F

3220: If you are guilty of failure to properly perform your duties as Master of Uninspected Towing Vessels, which of the following actions may NOT be taken?

    N a. Issuance of a letter of warning
    N b. Suspension of your license
    N c. Revocation of your license
    Y d. A fine placed against your license

3328: The vertical motion of a floating vessel is known as __________.

    N a. surge
    N b. sway
    Y c. heave
    N d. yaw

3520: A situation has occurred where it becomes necessary for you to be towed. What action should be taken to prevent your vessel from yawing?

    N a. Shift weight to the bow
    N b. Shift weight to the center of the boat
    Y c. Shift weight to the stern
    N d. Throw excess weight overboard

4067: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. use as little rudder as possible to maintain course
    N b. advise his relief of the course being steered
    N c. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y d. use as much rudder as possible to maintain course

4159: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 3.5 Tons and 20 Tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

4160: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 20 tons and 30 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    Y c. Three
    N d. Four

4242: What is the advantage of the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when operating cargo?

    N a. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance
    N b. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4379: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. maximum rudder angle previously used
    N b. gyro error
    N c. variation
    Y d. course per magnetic steering compass