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.


18: To determine the weight capacity of a deck in a cargo hold, you would refer to the __________.


83: The mooring line labeled "A" as shown is called a(n) __________. (D044DG )


178: Which can be prevented only by segregating two lots of cargo into separate holds?


224: The term "Shift the Rudder" means __________.

    N a. put the rudder amidships
    N b. use right or left rudder
    N c. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    Y d. change from right to left or left or right

258: Your U.S. tankship is designed to carry anhydrous ammonia in bulk. The keel was laid in 1980. Which statement concerning the carriage of this cargo is TRUE?

    N a. A flammable gas detection system must be installed in each cargo pump room.
    Y b. The cargo may be gauged by automatic float type devices.
    N c. Carriage of this cargo is authorized by issuance of an IMO Certificate.
    N d. Aluminum, copper, zinc, and mercury are allowed in valve parts in contact with the cargo.

278: Regulations concerning the stowage, lashing, and securing of timber deck cargoes aboard general cargo vessels may be found in the __________.

    N a. International Cargo Bureau Regulations
    Y b. Load Line Regulations
    N c. Rules and Regulations for Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels
    N d. vessel's classification society rules and regulations

346: A vessel is equipped with a single right-handed screw. With rudder amidships and calm wind, the vessel will most likely back __________.

    N a. straight astern
    Y b. to port
    N c. to starboard
    N d. in no particular direction

505: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    N a. celestial
    N b. piloting
    Y c. electronic
    N d. None of the above

511: All U.S. Flag vessels engaged in foreign trade are required to have a(n) __________.

    N a. enrollment
    N b. license
    Y c. registry
    N d. sea letter

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

600: You are on a containership. Which statement about the stowage of hazardous materials in containers is TRUE?

    N a. The containers provide automatic segregation of hazardous materials except for class A explosives.
    N b. All packages within a container must be marked "This End Up" to indicate the correct stowage.
    Y c. A refrigerated container with a fuel tank containing a flammable liquid must be stowed on deck.
    N d. Packages of liquids within a container should be stowed on top of packages of solids to prevent crushing.

688: Who would normally certify that all preparations have been made and all regulations observed prior to loading a cargo of bulk grain?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Master of the vessel

712: What is the effect of releasing the towline in a tripping situation?

    Y a. It disconnects the capsizing force and allows the tug to recover from its list.
    N b. It frees the tug from its towing responsibilities.
    N c. There is no effect other than relief.
    N d. Yawing

760: The connection to the towline must be secured with a ____________ .

    N a. galvanized screw-pin shackle
    N b. hardened steel thimble
    Y c. shackle secured a nut and cotter pin
    N d. shackle fitted with a swivel piece

870: The terms "ceiling" and "margin plate" are associated with the __________.

    N a. crew's quarters
    N b. engine room
    N c. main deck
    Y d. tank top

888: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 62,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 520
    Y b. 558
    N c. 620
    N d. 654

948: Twenty-five hundred (2500) tons of iron ore with a stowage factor of 17 is stowed in a cargo hold. The dimensions of the hold are 55 feet long and 45 feet wide and 35 feet high. What is the height of the center of gravity of the ore above the bottom of the hold?

    N a. 7.8 feet
    Y b. 8.6 feet
    N c. 17.1 feet
    N d. 34.6 feet

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

1110: One function of a bulwark is to __________.

    Y a. help keep the deck dry
    N b. prevent stress concentrations on the stringer plate
    N c. protect against twisting forces exerted on the frame of the vessel
    N d. reinforce the side stringers

1134: The critical point in nylon line elongation is about __________.

    N a. 20%
    N b. 30%
    Y c. 40%
    N d. 50%

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

1182: Your vessel must moor port side to a berth limited by vessels ahead and astern using a single tug. You are stemming a slight current and there is a light breeze of the dock. Your tug should be made up to the vessel's __________.

    N a. stern on a hawser
    N b. quarter
    N c. waist
    Y d. bow

1414: A wire rope that has been overstrained will show __________.

    N a. a bulge in the wire where the strain occurred
    Y b. a decrease in diameter where the strain occurred
    N c. a kink in the wire where the strain occurred
    N d. no visible effects of an overstrain

1458: The catenary in a towline is __________.

    N a. a short bridle
    Y b. the downward curvature of the hawser
    N c. another name for a pelican hook
    N d. used to hold it amidships

1494: After splicing an eye in a piece of wire rope, the splice should be parceled and served to __________.

    N a. strengthen the line
    N b. increase its efficiency
    Y c. prevent hand injury by covering loose ends
    N d. make the line more flexible

1497: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a round turn and two half hitches? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. F
    N c. Q
    N d. S

1502: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 49.73 numeral
    N b. 52.76 numeral
    N c. 55.29 numeral
    N d. 57.93 numeral

1576: Using a scope of five, determine how many shots of chain you should put out to anchor in 5 fathoms of water?

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

1608: Your ship is dead in the water with the rudder amidships. As the right-handed screw starts to turn ahead, the bow will tend to go __________.

    N a. to starboard
    Y b. to port
    N c. straight ahead
    N d. as influenced by the tide and sea

1761: Load lines for U.S. vessels are assigned by __________.

    N a. the U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. the National Cargo Bureau

1796: Which safety check(s) should be made before letting go the anchor?

    N a. See that the anchor is clear of obstructions.
    N b. See that the chain is all clear.
    N c. See that the wildcat is disengaged.
    Y d. All of the above

1803: A snatch block is a __________.

    N a. block used only with manila rope
    N b. chock roller
    Y c. hinged block
    N d. strong block used for short, sharp pulls

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%

1816: Which picture shown represents a square knot? (DO30DG )

    Y a. W
    N b. R
    N c. P
    N d. H

1846: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

1872: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Y d. less than 10 minutes

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.

1967: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 92°, and the wet bulb temperature is 85°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 75%
    N b. 81%
    N c. 84%
    N d. 88%

2028: When making up a long, large coastwise tow, which of the following procedures is INCORRECT?

    N a. A chain towing bridle is generally preferred
    N b. Safety shackles should be used when connecting to the fishplate
    N c. Rig tripping ropes (retrieving lines)
    Y d. Back-up wires are left slack

2046: The structural member indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. center pillar
    Y c. keel
    N d. girder

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

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

2144: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    N b. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    Y d. put the rudder over to the right all the way

2146: You are on a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller. The vessel is going full speed astern with full right rudder. The bow will swing __________.

    N a. quickly to port, then more slowly to port
    Y b. probably to port
    N c. slowly to port, then quickly to starboard
    N d. probably to starboard

2255: You are using tackle number 2 to lift a weight of 100 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? (D029DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 55 lbs.
    Y c. 60 lbs.
    N d. 110 lbs.

2280: 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 45°? (D034DG )

    N a. 590 yards
    N b. 635 yards
    Y c. 690 yards
    N d. 740 yards

2772: The Coordinator Surface Search (CSS) in a SAR situation should display by night __________.

    N a. deck lights forward and aft
    N b. a white light over two red lights
    N c. a red light, white light, and blue light in a vertical line
    Y d. a distinctive signal promulgated by the CSS

2886: How should you signal the crane operator to lower?

    N a. With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    Y b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm and point finger in the direction to move the boom.
    N d. Extend arm with thumb pointing downward, and flex fingers in and out.

2929: A vessel is loaded to her summer marks for a voyage from Montreal, Canada to Duluth, MN via the Great Lakes System. The voyage has been estimated to take nine (9) days. If the vessel departs Montreal on September 28th, which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel must be at her summer marks when she arrives at Duluth.
    N b. The vessel is in violation of the load line requirements.
    Y c. The vessel's intermediate load line marks may not be submerged after September 30.
    N d. The vessel must be at her winter marks by the evening of the third day.

3009: While loading cargo, a white trimming light on the starboard side comes on. This indicates that __________.

    Y a. the vessel has a list of about 1` to starboard
    N b. the chutes should be directed to the starboard side
    N c. the chutes in No. 1 hold should be directed to the starboard side
    N d. a severe list to starboard has developed and all loading should cease

3077: The flash point of vinyl chloride is __________.

    Y a. -108°F (-78°C)
    N b. -20°F (-29°C)
    N c. 32°F (0°C)
    N d. 97°F (36°C)

3099: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. quarter line
    N b. back line
    N c. peg line
    Y d. jockey line

3145: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N b. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N c. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.
    Y d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.

3173: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 10 minutes if possible
    N d. 30 minutes to 1 hour

3239: Which term indicates the rise in height of the bottom plating from the plane of the base line?

    Y a. Deadrise
    N b. Camber
    N c. Molded height
    N d. Sheer

3521: Once a towline is connected between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel, the towing vessel should __________.

    N a. not exceed bare steerageway during the transit
    N b. take a strain as soon as you can to control the tow
    Y c. come up to speed very slowly and maintain a "safe speed"
    N d. come up to speed quickly, then cut back power considerably to ease the strain

4006: No hot work shall be performed on board a vessel with hazardous materials as cargo unless the work is approved by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y b. local U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port
    N c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. harbormaster

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.

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

4227: Which of the following is/are the component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Foundation assembly
    N b. Turntable assembly
    N c. Crane house assembly
    Y d. All of the above

4255: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    N c. When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited.
    Y d. All of the above