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.


90: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker. The loading plan includes cargoes of diethylenetriamine and formamide. Which statement concerning the stowage of these cargoes is TRUE?


109: What is meant by "thieving" a petroleum cargo?


270: The disadvantage of using a heaving line to pass a towline is that __________.


528: Determine the dew point when the dry bulb temperature is 74°F (23°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 60°F (16°C). (D008DG )

    N a. 14°F
    N b. 20°F
    N c. 28°F
    Y d. 50°F

549: Your vessel is taking on cargo oil when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. Before you resume pumping, you should __________.

    N a. notify the terminal superintendent
    N b. place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers
    N c. repair the hose with a patch
    Y d. replace the hose

605: You would properly secure a gantline to a bosun's chair with a __________.

    N a. fisherman's bend
    N b. bowline
    Y c. double sheet bend
    N d. double blackwall hitch

644: The "lay" of a line refers to __________.

    N a. its normal location of stowage
    Y b. the direction of twist in the strands
    N c. the manner in which it is coiled
    N d. the manner in which it is rigged

655: Good seamanship while towing in heavy weather requires all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. reducing speed to reduce surging on the towline
    N b. lashing down or stowing all loose gear
    N c. dogging all hatches and watertight doors
    Y d. streaming all of your towing hawser

660: You receive word that a person has fallen overboard from the starboard side. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    Y b. put the wheel hard right
    N c. put the engines full astern
    N d. sound the man overboard alarm

710: Which statement is FALSE, concerning the Williamson turn?

    N a. In a large vessel (VLCC) much of the headway will be lost thereby requiring little astern maneuvering.
    N b. When the turn is completed, the vessel will be on a reciprocal course and nearly on the original track line.
    N c. The initial actions are taken at well defined points and reduce the need for individual judgment.
    Y d. The turn will return the vessel to the man's location in the shortest possible time.

769: The owner or Master of a towing vessel must ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel knows all of the following EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. the effects of maneuvering on the vessel and its tow
    N b. the speed and direction of any current for the area being transited
    N c. how to apply variation and deviation to readings from a magnetic compass
    Y d. the ownership of the vessel(s) being towed

792: When the vessel is on coastwise articles, the original certificate of the seaman's certificate of discharge is __________.

    Y a. given to the seaman
    N b. retained on board
    N c. sent to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. sent to the shipping company

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

965: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel has deviated 15 degrees from course and there is no corrective rudder being applied. As a standard operating procedure you should first __________.

    N a. check the setting of the rudder adjustment
    N b. check the setting of the weather adjustment
    Y c. switch to hand steering
    N d. immediately engage the trick wheel

989: You are loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0900 you find that you have loaded 207,000 barrels. At 1030 you find that you have loaded 223,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 2100 that night
    N b. 0730 the next day
    Y c. 0910 the next day
    N d. 1215 the next day

1009: You are loading 475,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0800 on 8 July, you find that you have loaded 174,000 barrels. At 1000, you find that you have loaded 192,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 1752, 8 July
    N b. 1940, 8 July
    N c. 0143, 9 July
    Y d. 1727, 9 July

1037: After an IOPP Certificate is issued to an inspected vessel, how many other surveys of the vessel's pollution prevention equipment are conducted during the period of validity of the certificate?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

1138: A vessel arrives in the port of Los Angeles from a foreign port and discharges some of its inward foreign cargo. What additional manifest is required?

    N a. Discharge Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    N c. Pro Forma Manifest
    Y d. Traveling Manifest

1170: Transverse frames are more widely spaced on a ship that is designed with the __________.

    N a. centerline system of framing
    N b. isometric system of framing
    Y c. longitudinal system of framing
    N d. transverse system of framing

1215: What is an advantage in the use of a towing hook?

    N a. To prevent the tug from becoming tripped
    N b. To quickly connect or release a tow, especially a sinking tow
    N c. To facilitate berthing maneuvers
    Y d. All of the above

1223: The organization that certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel is the __________.

    Y a. classification society
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. none of the above

1230: Which statement concerning solid floors is TRUE?

    N a. They must be watertight.
    Y b. They may have lightening, limber, or air holes cut into them.
    N c. They are built of structural frames connected by angle struts and stiffeners, with flanged plate brackets at each end.
    N d. They are lighter than open floors.

1236: You are docking a ship with a single-screw tug assisting on your starboard bow. How should the tug be tied up if you are anticipating that she will have to hold your bow off while you stem the current?

    N a. One head line would be sufficient.
    N b. The tug would need at least two head lines.
    N c. The tug should put a spring line up, leading astern on the ship.
    Y d. The tug should put a stern line up, leading ahead on the ship.

1336: When picking up your mooring at the buoy, the correct method is to __________.

    N a. approach the buoy with the wind and current astern
    Y b. approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead
    N c. approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam
    N d. stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy

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

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

1426: Forty-five fathoms is marked on the anchor chain by __________.

    N a. one turn of wire on the first stud from each side of the detachable link
    N b. two turns of wire on the second stud from each side of the detachable link
    Y c. three turns of wire on the third stud from each side of the detachable link
    N d. four turns of wire on the fourth stud from each side of the detachable link

1464: When talking about wire rope, the lay of the wire is the __________.

    Y a. direction wires and strands are twisted together
    N b. number of strands in the wire
    N c. direction the core is twisted
    N d. material used in the core

1487: You are approaching a disabled vessel in order to remove survivors from it. If your vessel drifts faster than the disabled vessel, how should you make your approach?

    Y a. To windward of the disabled vessel
    N b. To leeward of the disabled vessel
    N c. Directly astern of the disabled vessel
    N d. At three times the drifting speed of the disabled vessel

1557: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    Y a. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N b. variation in the area
    N c. leeway
    N d. deviation on that heading

1558: When making up a tow connection, you should use __________.

    N a. safety hooks
    N b. plain eye hooks
    N c. round pin shackles
    Y d. screw pin shackles

1614: Which bend or knot is used to tie a small line to a larger one?

    Y a. Becket bend
    N b. Bowline
    N c. Clove hitch
    N d. Lark's head

1639: All wire rope used in shipboard cargo gear must be identified and described in a certificate. The certificate shall certify all of the following EXCEPT the __________.

    N a. date of the test
    N b. load at which a test sample broke
    Y c. name of the vessel
    N d. number of strands and of wires in each strand

1893: A block and tackle is "rove to advantage". This means that the __________.

    N a. blocks have been overhauled
    N b. hauling parts of two tackles are attached
    Y c. hauling part leads through the movable block
    N d. hauling part leads through the standing block

1901: 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 transmission?

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

1941: The helm command "Left twenty" means __________.

    N a. change course twenty degrees to the left
    Y b. put the rudder left twenty degrees
    N c. put the rudder hard left for the first twenty degrees of swing
    N d. put the rudder left twenty degrees and then ease back as the vessel starts swinging

2009: A cargo of canned foodstuffs is packed in cartons. Each carton is 36 cubic feet and weighs 380 pounds. What is the stowage factor of the cargo?

    N a. 9.5
    N b. 62
    Y c. 212
    N d. 237

2086: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 11? (DO29DG )

    N a. 7
    Y b. 6
    N c. 5.5
    N d. 5

2123: Your vessel is required to have a slop chest. Which of the following articles is NOT required by law to be carried in the slop chest?

    N a. Foul weather clothing
    Y b. Candy
    N c. Tobacco products
    N d. Blankets

2181: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

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

2184: The lashings on a stack of containers with interlocking fittings restrain the forces that cause __________.

    N a. toppling
    Y b. racking
    N c. buckling
    N d. crushing

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

2281: Your vessel has run hard aground in an area subject to heavy wave action. Backing full astern failed to free her. Which action should be taken next?

    N a. Continue backing to scour out the bottom.
    N b. Wait for high tide and then try backing.
    Y c. Flood empty tanks to increase bottom pressure and prevent inshore creep.
    N d. Shift weight aft to reduce the forward draft.

2356: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

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

2394: Determine the area of a triangle with a base of 3.5 feet and a height of 4.0 feet.

    Y a. 7.0 square ft.
    N b. 7.5 square ft.
    N c. 11.5 square ft.
    N d. 14.0 square ft.

2553: The key to rescuing a man overboard is __________.

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

2568: You are proceeding along the right bank of a narrow channel aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel. The vessel starts to sheer due to bank suction/cushion effect. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and put the rudder left full
    N b. back full with rudder amidships
    N c. decrease speed and put the rudder right full
    Y d. increase speed and put the rudder right full

2574: You are proceeding down a channel and lose the engine(s). You must use the anchors to stop the ship. Which statement is true?

    N a. Pay out all of the cable before setting up on the brake to insure the anchors dig in and hold.
    N b. For a mud, mud and clay, or sandy bottom pay out a scope of 5 to 7 times the depth before setting up on the brake.
    Y c. Use one or both anchors with a scope of twice the depth before setting the brake.
    N d. Drop the anchor to short stay and hold that scope.

2578: According to regulations when, if ever, may cargo hatches on Great Lakes vessels, with more than 6 feet of freeboard, be left uncovered or open while the vessel is being navigated?

    N a. If a Mate deems it necessary for ship's maintenance
    Y b. At the discretion of the Master, for reasonable purposes
    N c. On the authority of the Bosun
    N d. The hatch may never be uncovered

2618: Due to the nature of a vessel's construction for a particular trade, it does not fully comply with the provisions of SOLAS. Where will this be indicated?

    Y a. On the Exemption Certificate
    N b. On the reverse of the particular SOLAS certificate affected
    N c. On the face of the Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Nowhere; the vessel must comply to engage in international trade.

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

2792: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    N a. variation in the area
    Y b. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N c. leeway
    N d. deviation on that heading

2848: Nautical charts published by the Canadian Hydrographic service which are referenced in the United States Coast Pilot are identified by __________.

    N a. the abbreviation "can" preceding the chart number
    N b. the letter "C" in parentheses following the chart number
    Y c. an asterisk preceding the chart number
    N d. a footnote number

2879: The vertical reference for all water levels and bench marks on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System is known as __________.

    N a. Mean Sea Level Datum
    Y b. International Great Lakes Datum
    N c. Great Lakes Low Water Datum
    N d. North Central Reference Datum

3012: Which statement about the ventilation of bulk coal is TRUE?

    N a. Coal should not be ventilated; all oxygen should be excluded from the cargo.
    N b. Coal should be through-ventilated to remove methane and reduce the heat of spontaneous combustion.
    N c. Coal should be ventilated only if temperatures in the center of the cargo exceed 125°F.
    Y d. Coal should be surface ventilated only.

3012: Which statement about the ventilation of bulk coal is TRUE?

    N a. Coal should not be ventilated; all oxygen should be excluded from the cargo.
    N b. Coal should be through-ventilated to remove methane and reduce the heat of spontaneous combustion.
    N c. Coal should be ventilated only if temperatures in the center of the cargo exceed 125°F.
    Y d. Coal should be surface ventilated only.

3168: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another when backing down? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. C
    N d. B

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

3645: Conventional anchors are least likely to hold in a bottom consisting of __________.

    N a. soft clay
    N b. hard mud
    Y c. very soft mud
    N d. sand

4145: Which tensioning device is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Turnbuckle
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    Y d. Ratchet tensioner