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.


135: Corrosive liquids and acids should have which kind of label?


170: Which is NOT required on a tankship carrying hazardous liquid cargoes in bulk?


176: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.


517: What is the purpose of the intermediate spring?

    N a. Serves as a backup for the main tow hawser in case of failure.
    Y b. Provides weight and flexibility to the total tow makeup.
    N c. Lengthens the main tow hawser to keep the tow in step.
    N d. Distributes the towing load.

609: While discharging a tanker, list can be controlled by __________.

    N a. shoreside personnel
    N b. using a center tank near the bow, discharging as necessary
    Y c. using wing tanks near the longitudinal center, discharging as necessary
    N d. using the after peak tank, loading as necessary

623: When hugging a bank in a narrow channel, you should take precautions against_______________.

    N a. bank suction, squat and the effects of vessels passing close aboard
    N b. clogged sea chests, plugged sea strainers and overheated machinery
    N c. striking underwater obstructions close to the bank
    Y d. All of the above

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.

682: The mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

729: A petroleum liquid has a flash point of 85°F. This is a grade __________.

    N a. B flammable liquid
    N b. C flammable liquid
    Y c. D combustible liquid
    N d. E combustible liquid

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

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

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

827: The pitch of a propeller is a measure of the __________.

    N a. angle that the propeller makes with a free stream of water
    N b. angle that the propeller makes with the surface of the water
    Y c. number of feet per revolution the propeller is designed to advance in still water without slip
    N d. positive pressure resulting from the difference of the forces on both sides of the moving propeller in still water without slip

919: A deepwell pump is a type of __________.

    N a. screw pump
    Y b. centrifugal pump
    N c. eductor
    N d. gear pump

1007: When using the term "limber system" one is referring to a __________.

    N a. cleaning system
    Y b. drainage system
    N c. strengthening system
    N d. weight reduction system

1018: Which U.S. Government agency can suspend or revoke a Merchant Mariner's license for violating the load line act?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. U.S. Customs Service
    N d. U.S. Maritime Administration

1093: When rigging a bosun's chair, a tail block or lizard is used to __________.

    N a. guide the bosun's chair down a stay when applying a protective coating
    N b. run paint or tools up to a sailor in a chair with a heaving line
    N c. keep a bosun's chair from swinging with the ship's motion
    Y d. reeve the gantline through

1105: You are rigging a stage over the ship's side to serve as a working platform. For stability of the stage, the downhaul to one end of the stage and the downhaul to the other end, which are used for lowering the stage, should be led __________.

    N a. both to the inboard side of the stage
    N b. both to the outboard side of the stage
    Y c. one to the inboard and the other to the outboard
    N d. either both to the inboard or both to the outboard side of the stage

1116: On a single-screw vessel, when coming port side to a pier and being set off the pier, you should __________.

    N a. swing wide and approach the pier so as to land starboard side to
    N b. approach the pier on a parallel course at reduced speed
    Y c. make your approach at a greater angle than in calm weather
    N d. point the vessel's head well up into the slip and decrease your speed

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

1188: An implied warranty of seaworthiness on the part of the vessel's owner lies in the __________.

    N a. Cargo Manifest
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Classification Certificate
    Y d. contract of carriage, i.e. Bill of Lading

1194: What type of line melts easiest?

    N a. Wire
    N b. Dacron
    N c. Nylon
    Y d. Polypropylene

1292: The Articles of Agreement __________.

    N a. is also known as a Merchant Mariner's Document
    N b. designates the quarters a seaman will occupy during a voyage
    Y c. advises the crew of the conditions of employment
    N d. are signed by each crewmember at the end of the voyage

1307: Which type of ice is a hazard to navigation?

    N a. Ice rind
    N b. Pancake ice
    N c. Frazil ice
    Y d. Growlers

1491: While underway, part of your cargo is damaged by fire. In marine insurance terms this partial loss is called __________.

    N a. absolute total loss
    N b. constructive total loss
    N c. general average
    Y d. particular average

1530: Shell plating is __________.

    N a. the galvanizing on steel
    N b. a hatch cover
    Y c. the outer plating of a vessel
    N d. synonymous with decking

1697: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 85°, and the wet bulb temperature is 73°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 42%
    Y b. 55%
    N c. 67%
    N d. 85%

1753: To reeve a right-angle threefold purchase start with the __________.

    N a. left sheave bottom block
    N b. left sheave top block
    Y c. middle sheave top block
    N d. right sheave bottom block

1768: As a rule, ships of most configurations, when drifting in calm water with negligible current, will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

1798: You are on a single-screw vessel with a left-handed propeller making no way in the water. How will your vessel react when you apply right rudder?

    N a. Bow will kick to starboard
    N b. Bow will kick to port
    Y c. Rudder alone has no effect on the vessel
    N d. Stern will kick to port, then slowly swing to starboard

1799: The maximum theoretical stress that can be developed on a guy in a yard and stay rig is limited by the __________.

    Y a. lifting capacity of the winch
    N b. location of the boom
    N c. position of the guy
    N d. weight of the load

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

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%

1845: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

1852: What is normally used to pass a mooring line to a dock?

    N a. Distance line
    N b. Gantline
    Y c. Heaving line
    N d. Tag line

1996: Which method should be used to secure a manila line to bitts?

    N a. A round turn on the bitt farthest from the strain and then figure eights
    Y b. A round turn on the bitt closest to the strain and then figure eights
    N c. Figure eights and then a round turn at the top of both bitts
    N d. Only figure eights are necessary on both bitts

2013: A mooring line that checks forward motion of a vessel at a pier is a __________.

    N a. bow line
    N b. forward bow line
    Y c. stern line
    N d. stern breast line

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

2141: You are Master of a vessel that is sold in a foreign country after discharge of cargo. What is your responsibility to the crew in regards to return to the United States?

    N a. You must provide air transportation to the nearest port of entry in the United States.
    Y b. You must provide passage to the port of original engagement.
    N c. There is no requirement for return to the United States provided the voyage has exceeded 4 weeks duration.
    N d. The crew can be employed on another United States vessel, but only if it is returning to the port of original engagement.

2188: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

    N a. quarters allocation
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. unlicensed shipping card from the union
    Y d. copy of the shipping agreement

2211: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. 5.5

2213: You are using tackle number 6 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. Disregarding friction, what is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 11
    N b. 16
    Y c. 18
    N d. 24

2260: Cargo that gives off fumes that may contaminate other cargo is known as a(n) __________.

    N a. delicate cargo
    N b. dirty cargo
    N c. toxic cargo
    Y d. odorous cargo

2279: In plugging submerged holes; rags, wedges, and other materials should be used in conjunction with plugs to __________.

    N a. reduce the water pressure on the hull
    N b. reduce the possibility of stress fractures
    N c. prevent progressive flooding
    Y d. reduce the water leaking around the plugs

2460: You are operating a twin-screw vessel and lose your port engine. You continue to operate on your starboard engine only. Which action would you take to move your vessel ahead in a straight line?

    Y a. Compensate with right rudder.
    N b. Compensate with left rudder.
    N c. Surge the starboard engine.
    N d. Rudder amidships - no compensation is necessary on a twin-screw vessel.

2509: What is the purpose of cant frames in steel vessels?

    N a. To support the overhang of the stern
    Y b. To provide strength to shell plating at the stern
    N c. To add strength to the deck beams which support the weather decks
    N d. To support the plating of a cylindrical tank

2662: What will NOT increase friction of a liquid flowing in a pipe and cause a loss of suction head?

    N a. Bends in the piping
    Y b. Slowing the pumping rate
    N c. Pipeline valves
    N d. Backing rings for pipe welds

2785: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2922: A long pole with a hook at one end, used to reach for lines, is known as a __________.

    Y a. pike pole
    N b. jack staff
    N c. line rod
    N d. hooker

3082: Which statement is FALSE with regards to the Great Lakes Light List?

    Y a. The Light List does not contain information on any of the navigational aids maintained by Canada.
    N b. Volume VII does not include information on Class III private aids to navigation.
    N c. The Light List does not include Coast Guard mooring buoys, special purpose buoys, or buoys marking fish net areas.
    N d. The Light List should be corrected each week from the appropriate Notice to Mariners.

3092: Item A is the __________. (D024DG )

    Y a. lashing
    N b. drag wire
    N c. scissor wire
    N d. tandem wire

3309: Catenary as applied to tow lines denotes the __________.

    Y a. dip of the line
    N b. stretch of the line
    N c. strain on the line
    N d. length of the line

3378: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter F is the __________. (D038DG )

    Y a. shank
    N b. bar
    N c. stock
    N d. shot

3502: The point that is halfway between the forward and after perpendicular and is a reference point for vessel construction is the __________.

    N a. half length
    N b. mid-body
    N c. center line
    Y d. amidships

3938: With a given load on the cargo hook, tension in a single span topping lift __________.

    N a. increases as the boom's angle to the horizontal increases
    N b. is at a maximum when the boom is at a 45° angle to the horizontal
    Y c. increases as the boom's angle to the horizontal decreases
    N d. decreases as the boom's angle to the horizontal decreases

4022: Your vessel is being assisted through an ice field in Thunder Bay by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Alexander Henry. The starboard lookout reports that the icebreaker has run up the code flag "N" (November). What action should you take?

    N a. Reduce speed
    Y b. Stop your engines
    N c. Reverse your engines
    N d. Stop your vessel instantly

4134: What may NOT be used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Turnbuckle
    Y c. Webbing
    N d. Chain

4215: The electrical components for each single crane are installed in its __________.

    N a. crane house
    N b. machinery base
    N c. turntable
    Y 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

4277: Which wire rope purchases may be used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Hoist
    N b. Luff
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. All of the above