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.


10: You are scheduled to load a bulk shipment of steel turnings. Which statement is TRUE?


40: You are on a cargo vessel carrying toluol in bulk in portable tanks. Which is a requirement for pumping the toluol?


103: Your ship is in shallow water and the bow rides up on its bow wave while the stern sinks into a depression of its transverse wave system. What is this called?


146: When turning a ship in restricted space with a strong wind, it is normally best to __________.

    N a. go ahead on both engines with the rudder hard to one side, if on a twin-screw vessel
    N b. back down with the rudder hard to one side, if on a single-screw vessel
    N c. take advantage of the tendency to back to port, if on a twin-screw vessel
    Y d. turn so that the tendency to back into the wind can be used, if on a single-screw vessel

172: While a vessel is in a foreign port where there is no American Consul, a seaman becomes violent prior to sailing. The Master should __________.

    N a. call local police, put the seaman in prison ashore, and sail the vessel
    N b. pay off the seaman and make arrangements with the agent to return him to the original port of signing on in the U.S.
    Y c. put the seaman in irons and sail to the next port where there is an American Consul
    N d. send the seaman ashore and arrange with the agent to repatriate him by armed guard

252: 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.
    Y b. Pyridine and diisopropylamine may not be carried in tanks having a common header vent.
    N c. Pyridine must be separated from carbon disulfide by two barriers (cofferdams, voids, empty tanks, etc.).
    N d. A tank of diisopropylamine may be used to separate a tank of pyridine from a tank of carbon disulfide.

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

420: In handling break bulk hazardous materials, it is forbidden to use __________.

    N a. cargo nets
    Y b. metal bale hooks
    N c. pallets
    N d. slings

449: When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the first action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open?

    N a. Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor.
    N b. Unplug the deck scuppers.
    Y c. Order the dock man to shut down.
    N d. Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose.

477: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    N a. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N b. Damage of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    Y c. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

494: What best describes an anchor buoy?

    N a. A black ball that is hoisted when the ship anchors
    Y b. A buoy attached to the anchor
    N c. A buoy attached to the scope of an anchor chain
    N d. A mark of the number of fathoms in an anchor chain

526: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudders amidships. Your port engine stalls. To continue your course you should __________.

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

533: A towing hook may be released from the __________.

    N a. tug's engineroom or the bow
    Y b. pilot house or aft steering station
    N c. forecastle
    N d. towing bitts by reaching over and releasing a lever

651: Fire fighting equipment requirements for a particular vessel may be found on the __________.

    Y a. 4Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N c. Classification Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

799: Temporary Certificates of Inspection are effective until the __________.

    N a. Solas Certificate is issued
    N b. Load Line Certificate is renewed
    N c. classification society approval is issued
    Y d. permanent Certificate of Inspection is issued

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

912: You are aboard vessel "A" in a narrow channel and the pilot is approaching vessel "B" as shown. The reason he has not previously changed course to the starboard side of the channel is __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. to avoid vessel squat in the shallower water near the bank
    Y b. to avoid the effects of bank cushion and bank suction
    N c. because there is less chance of striking submerged objects in mid-channel
    N d. because the current has less eddies in mid-channel

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

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

1068: You shall notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible when your vessel has been damaged in excess of __________.

    N a. $1,000
    N b. $1,500
    N c. $10,000
    Y d. $25,000

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

1108: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N b. Nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    Y d. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.

1111: A vessel sailing from Liverpool to New York puts into Boston, Mass. for emergency repairs. If no inward foreign cargo is to be discharged at that port, which of the following documents is required?

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

1139: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

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

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

1211: When clearing a vessel for a foreign voyage, the original crew list is duly certified by proper authority. In a U.S. port, this authority is the U.S. __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. Customs
    N c. Immigration Service
    N d. Public Health Service

1242: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.

    N a. during an engine speed change
    Y b. during a navigational course change
    N c. unless the helm is in the "hand" mode
    N d. All of the above

1282: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, the vessel should be __________.

    N a. stopped with the wind dead ahead
    N b. stopped with the wind on the beam
    Y c. underway with the wind 30° on the bow
    N d. underway on a course to provide no apparent wind

1482: The two courses of action if the underwater hull is severely damaged are to plug the openings or to __________.

    Y a. establish and maintain flooding boundaries
    N b. dewater the compartment
    N c. secure power to the compartment
    N d. ballast to maintain even keel

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

1553: The correct way to make an eye in a wire rope with clips is to place the clips with the __________.

    N a. first and third U-bolts on the bitter end and the second U-bolt on the standing part
    N b. first and third U-bolts on the standing part and the second U-bolt on the bitter end
    Y c. U-bolts of all clips on the bitter end
    N d. U-bolts of all clips on the standing part

1680: In vessel construction, the garboard strake is __________.

    Y a. located next to and parallel to the keel
    N b. located next to and parallel to the gunwale
    N c. another term for the bilge keel
    N d. another term for the rub rail

1700: Which letter designates the bilge strake of the vessel? (D001DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    Y d. D

1734: Which knot reduces the strength of a line by the LEAST amount?

    N a. Bowline
    N b. Clove hitch
    N c. Sheet bend
    Y d. Two half hitches

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

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

1864: Progressive flooding may be indicated by __________.

    N a. ballast control alarms
    N b. excessive draft
    N c. excessive list or trim
    Y d. a continual worsening of list or trim

1997: What is the name of tackle number 12? (DO29DG )

    Y a. Threefold purchase
    N b. Davit tackle
    N c. Deck tackle
    N d. Gin tackle

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

2085: What purpose does a bridge fitting serve when lashing containers?

    N a. Ties a container stack to the deck
    N b. Ties a container to the container below it
    N c. Restrains racking loads
    Y d. Restrains the container against horizontal motion

2112: What is NOT surveyed at an annual load line survey?

    N a. The overall structure and layout of the vessel for alterations to the superstructure
    Y b. The bilge pumping system
    N c. Main deck hatch covers
    N d. Portholes and deadlights in the side plating

2114: All handling and stowage of packaged hazardous materials on board a domestic vessel engaged in foreign trade shall be done under the supervision of __________.

    N a. a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector
    Y b. an officer assigned to the vessel
    N c. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. the National Cargo Bureau

2186: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0
    N b. 0.5
    N c. 1
    Y d. 2

2189: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn you take the ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 75°? (D034DG )

    N a. 340 yards (306 meters)
    Y b. 280 yards (252 meters)
    N c. 230 yards (207 meters)
    N d. 190 yards (171 meters)

2263: You are using tackle number 1 in illustration DO29DG 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? (DO29DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 55 lbs.
    N c. 100 lbs.
    Y d. 110 lbs.

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

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

2470: Which type of bottom provides most anchors with the best holding ability?

    N a. Clay and rocks
    N b. Soft mud
    Y c. Sandy mud
    N d. Soft sand

2500: Which part of an anchor actually digs into the bottom?

    N a. Stock
    Y b. Fluke
    N c. Shank
    N d. Crown

2896: You are proceeding against the current on a river in the Great Lakes System. You are meeting a downbound vessel. Both vessels are power-driven. The other vessel sounds one short blast. You must __________.

    N a. change course to port
    N b. hold course and speed
    N c. sound three short blasts
    Y d. sound one short blast

2920: You are on a large vessel fitted with a right-handed controllable-pitch propeller. When making large speed changes while decreasing pitch, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You will probably have full directional control throughout the speed change.
    Y b. You may lose rudder control until the ship's speed has dropped to correspond to propeller speed.
    N c. The stern will immediately slew to starboard due to unbalanced forces acting on the propeller.
    N d. The stern will immediately slew to port due to unbalanced forces acting on the propeller.

3017: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.
    Y b. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N c. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N d. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.

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

3164: How should you signal the crane operator to lower the boom and raise the load?

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

3248: The rope which is the lightest is __________.

    N a. manila
    N b. nylon
    Y c. polypropylene
    N d. dacron

3322: The fluke is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    N a. F
    N b. G
    N c. H
    Y d. I

3350: It is not advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too expensive for everyday towing usage
    N c. binds on the cleats
    N d. parts too readily

3542: The Certificate of Inspection on a passenger vessel of over 100 gross tons must be posted __________.

    N a. in the Master's office
    N b. on the bridge
    Y c. in a conspicuous place where observation by the passengers is likely
    N d. in the passengers' dining room or, where there is no dining room, in the lounge area

3690: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. tripping palm
    Y b. fluke
    N c. bill
    N d. stock

4103: Which of the following is not a loading or transfer feature aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Stern ramp and/or side ramp
    N b. Cargo lift
    N c. Hatch opening designed as a lift
    Y d. Stuelcken boom

4114: When accepting vehicles for shipment, the Master should ensure that __________.

    N a. all decks intended for the stowage of vehicles are, in so far as is practicable, free from oil and grease
    N b. the ship has on board an adequate supply of cargo securing gear, which is maintained in sound working condition
    N c. vehicles are in apparent good order and condition suitable for sea transport, particularly with regards to securing
    Y d. All of the above