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.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


247: The main advantage and chief characteristic of a Steulchen boom is that it can be __________.


251: A seaman lost his continuous discharge book during the voyage. Upon discharge from Articles, he should be issued a __________.


384: A "strongback" refers to a __________.

    Y a. bar securing a cargo port
    N b. centerline vertical bulkhead
    N c. deep beam
    N d. spanner stay

489: Your tank vessel is fully loaded, and you find that she is down slightly by the head. To adjust the trim, you may __________.

    N a. add ballast aft
    N b. load more cargo aft
    Y c. shift cargo aft
    N d. All of the above

558: A heated bulkhead has the effect on a hygroscopic commodity of __________.

    N a. causing moisture to accumulate against the bulkhead
    N b. lowering the vapor pressure of the commodity
    N c. lowering the dew point of the air
    Y d. raising the vapor pressure of the commodity

761: The Immigration and Naturalization Service is concerned with which document on a vessel making preliminary entry into a U.S. port from a foreign port?

    N a. Cargo Manifest
    Y b. Certified Crew List
    N c. Curio List
    N d. Shipping Articles

857: On vessels over 100 gross tons, whose responsibility is it to ensure that all able seamen in the vessel's crew have the documents and qualifications required by law and regulation?

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. USCG Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection
    N c. Owner or operator of the vessel
    N d. Company's personnel director

913: When commencing cargo operations on a container ship, one cell at a hatch is generally discharged completely (to the bottom of the ship) before removing any containers from the adjoining cells to ____________.

    N a. remove an existing list that would slow down cargo operations
    Y b. initiate loading in conjunction with unloading at the hatch
    N c. improve stability during cargo operations
    N d. allow longshoremen easy access to the hatch

921: Which item must be entered in the official log?

    N a. All engine orders
    Y b. Drafts upon leaving port
    N c. Names of night mates and engineers
    N d. Number of cargo gangs on board

945: After having been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair on a mast, you must now make yourself fast in the chair prior to painting the mast. You should first __________.

    N a. have the sailor on deck make the hauling part fast to a cleat on the mast
    N b. make the tail of the line leading from the becket bend fast to a padeye on the mast
    Y c. seize the hauling part and the standing part firmly in one hand to support your weight
    N d. frap yourself to the mast to take the strain off the hauling part

960: Gross tonnage indicates the vessel's __________.

    N a. displacement in metric tons
    N b. total weight including cargo
    Y c. volume in cubic feet
    N d. draft in feet

1046: In a following sea, a wave has overtaken your vessel and thrown the stern to starboard. To continue along your original course, you should __________.

    Y a. use more right rudder
    N b. use more left rudder
    N c. increase speed
    N d. decrease speed

1062: An IOPP Certificate on an inspected vessel is valid for what period of time?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 18 months
    Y d. 5 years

1080: The "inner bottom" is the __________.

    Y a. tank top
    N b. compartment between the tank top and shell of the vessel
    N c. inner side of the vessel's shell
    N d. space between two transverse bottom frames

1178: A shipper of cargo aboard your vessel offers a letter of indemnity for the cargo. This is done in order to obtain a(n) __________.

    Y a. Clean Bill of Lading
    N b. Order Bill of Lading
    N c. Straight Bill of Lading
    N d. Through Bill of Lading

1187: You are taking the bow line from the port bow of a large vessel that is underway when the stern of your tug comes in contact with the vessel. The forward motion of both vessels causes your tug to be turned toward the other vessel and contact the stem thereby being "stemmed". You should immediately __________.

    N a. stop engines and the vessel's wake will push you clear of the bow
    Y b. go full astern with rudder amidships
    N c. go full ahead with the rudder hard over to starboard
    N d. go full ahead with the rudder amidships

1218: Which is a negotiable document?

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Cargo Manifest
    N c. Export Declaration
    N d. Receiving Report

1365: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N c. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

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

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

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1559: It is permissible to place an eye splice in wire rope used as cargo gear providing the splice is made using __________.

    N a. two tucks with whole strands and one tuck with one-half strand
    Y b. three tucks with whole strands and two tucks with 1/2 the wire cut from the tucking strand
    N c. three tucks with whole strands
    N d. two tucks with whole strands and three tucks with half strands

1596: Using a scope of five, determine how many feet of chain you should put out to anchor in 12 fathoms of water.

    N a. 60 feet (18 meters)
    N b. 72 feet (22 meters)
    Y c. 360 feet (110 meters)
    N d. 450 feet (137 meters)

1605: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    N a. near the stern
    N b. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. at the hawsepipe
    Y d. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow

1625: All inspected vessels on unrestricted ocean routes must have equipment on board for testing an individual's __________.

    N a. blood
    Y b. breath
    N c. urine
    N d. All of the above

1636: When anchoring a vessel under normal conditions, which scope of chain is recommended?

    N a. Four times the depth of water
    N b. Two and one-half times the depth of water
    Y c. Five to seven times the depth of water
    N d. Fifteen times the depth of water

1643: The splice designed to pass easily through a block is called a(n) __________.

    N a. eye splice
    N b. short splice
    Y c. long splice
    N d. block splice

1666: While anchoring your vessel, the best time to let go the anchor is when the vessel is __________.

    N a. dead in the water
    Y b. moving slowly astern over the ground
    N c. moving fast ahead over the ground
    N d. moving fast astern over the ground

1767: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter E? (DO03DG )

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

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

1801: A vessel proceeding to London, England, from New York makes an unscheduled call at the port of Hamilton, Bermuda. What term is used to denote the voluntary departure from the usual course?

    N a. Alteration
    Y b. Deviation
    N c. Liberty
    N d. Unscheduled stop

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)

2063: A "spring line" is __________.

    N a. any wire rope used for mooring
    N b. a fire-warp
    Y c. a mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N d. a mooring line perpendicular to the keel

2120: Wale shores would be used when dry docking a vessel with __________.

    N a. tumble home
    Y b. excessive deadrise
    N c. excessive trim
    N d. a list

2135: A load line certificate is valid for how many years?

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 5

2135: A load line certificate is valid for how many years?

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 5

2187: You are using tackle number 10 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 5. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 25
    N b. 20
    N c. 15
    N d. 10

2267: The knot lettered K in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. sailmaker's whipping
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper

2310: How do you determine the weight of the vessel that is supported by the ground when a vessel has run aground?

    N a. This requires extensive calculation and is usually performed only by a naval architect not by a ship's officer.
    N b. Determine the point where aground and the draft at that point, then calculate it using the grounding formula.
    Y c. Use the hydrostatic tables and enter with the mean draft before grounding and the mean draft after grounding.
    N d. Use the inclining experiment formula and substitute the change of trim for the angle of list.

2344: An example of an anchor which has a stock is a __________.

    N a. Bruce anchor
    N b. Dunn anchor
    N c. Hook anchor
    Y d. Danforth anchor

2347: What is an advantage of having wire rope with a fiber core over that of a wire rope of the same size with a wire core?

    N a. Fiber core rope offers greater strength.
    Y b. Fiber core rope offers greater flexibility.
    N c. Fiber core rope can be used at higher operating temperatures.
    N d. Fiber core rope is the only type authorized for cargo runners.

2602: As you hold a piece of manila line vertically in front of you, the strands run from the lower right to the upper left. Which type of line is this?

    N a. Plain-laid
    N b. Shroud-laid
    Y c. Left-hand laid
    N d. Water-laid

2710: You have orders to load cargoes of carbon disulfide, diisopropylamine and pyridine on your multi-product tankship. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Carbon disulfide may be carried in NOS. 1 and 2 center tanks and diisopropylamine in NOS. 1 and 2 wing tanks.
    N b. Pyridine and diisopropylamine may be carried in tanks having a common header vent.
    Y c. Diisopropylamine must be separated from carbon disulfide by two barriers (cofferdams, voids, empty tanks, etc.)
    N d. A tank of carbon disulfide may be used to separate a tank of pyridine from a tank of diisopropylamine.

2763: When a merchant vessel is under the Naval Control of Shipping Organization in wartime, naval authorities may give orders pertaining to __________.

    N a. minimum manning standards
    Y b. regulations about darkening ship
    N c. the stowage of explosives
    N d. the types of cargoes permitted on board

2804: Which publication is NOT carried on board U.S. merchant vessels operating under Naval Control of Shipping?

    N a. Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters
    N b. Communications Supplement
    Y c. Tactical Control and Routing of Merchant Vessels
    N d. All of the above are carried on board

2883: While you are on watch entering port, the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. asks you for instructions
    Y d. obeys the Master

2970: What material may be substituted for zinc when making a poured metal socket ending to a wire rope?

    N a. Lead
    N b. Babbitt
    N c. Solder
    Y d. Nothing

2978: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "E" (Echo) to signify that "________________".

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

3031: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. vessel must be in extremis
    N b. Master must request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N c. Master should release the Pilot from all liability
    Y d. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course

3089: How does an icebreaker normally free a ship which has become beset while navigating independently?

    N a. By backing down the track and cutting out ice on either bow
    Y b. By approaching from the stern and crossing ahead at an angle of 20° to 30° to the beset ship's course
    N c. By overtaking the beset ship, running ahead and then backing down the track to the beset vessel
    N d. By approaching the vessel from astern and towing the beset vessel stern first

3176: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter G is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    Y c. tripping palm
    N d. crown

3342: Which term refers to a transverse curvature of the deck?

    N a. Deadrise
    Y b. Camber
    N c. Freeboard
    N d. Flare

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

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

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.

3516: The signal man has both arms extended out, palms down, and is moving his arms back and forth. This is the signal for __________.

    N a. keep lifting
    N b. swing right
    N c. swing left
    Y d. emergency stop

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

4101: Which of the following is a characteristic of a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Passenger tours available upon docking
    N b. Long port stays necessary to secure vehicles
    Y c. Short in port turnaround times
    N d. Heavy vehicles only require lightweight securing equipment

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

4181: Which lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be painted or soaked in oil when not in use?

    N a. Wire rope.
    Y b. Chain
    N c. Webbing
    N d. All of the above

4383: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable