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.


67: You are in charge of a U.S. documented vessel. Under title 46 of the United States Code, if you fail to report a complaint of a sexual offense, you may be __________.


116: In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term "transfer" means the distance __________.


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


217: The holding capability of an anchor is primarily determined by the __________.

    N a. shape of the anchor
    N b. stowage of the anchor on board
    Y c. anchor's ability to dig in
    N d. size of the vessel and its draft

218: What is the main purpose of dunnage?

    N a. To act as ballast for light vessels
    Y b. To provide ventilation and drainage for cargo
    N c. To secure the tarpaulins in place
    N d. To support weakened bulkheads

415: A person is found operating a vessel while intoxicated. He/she is liable for __________.

    N a. imprisonment for up to one year
    N b. a civil penalty of not more than $1,000
    N c. a fine of not more than $2,000
    Y d. a civil penalty of not more than $5,000

459: Petroleum cargo tanks should not be topped off at deck level when loading on a cold day because __________.

    Y a. a subsequent temperature rise will cause the cargo to overflow
    N b. air pockets may cause the cargo to bubble out of the ullage hole
    N c. the increased viscosity of the product requires higher loading pressure which increases the chances of a spill
    N d. the tank valve may be stiff and a spill will occur before the valve can be closed

463: A tow span __________.

    N a. prevents the towing hawser from snagging any equipment or gear on deck
    N b. may be equipped with a greased, free sliding spool to fairlead the towing hawser
    N c. allows the crew access to the fantail and to move safely on deck aft of the towing bitts or winch
    Y d. All of the above

467: Of which type of material may a towing hawser be constructed?

    N a. Wire rope
    N b. Nylon, dacron, polypropylene or a blend of other synthetic fibers
    N c. Manila
    Y d. All of the above

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

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

906: A snag or other underwater obstruction may form a __________.

    Y a. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing upstream
    N b. V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing downstream
    N c. small patch of smooth water on a windy day
    N d. smoothing out of the vessel's wake

936: A precaution you should take before bunkering is to __________

    N a. plug the vents
    N b. plug the sounding pipes
    Y c. plug the scuppers
    N d. close the lids on the vents

963: You are the person in charge of a 199-GT uninspected towing vessel engaged in towing from Galveston to Savannah and then returning, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The sailors shall be divided into three watches.
    N b. All deck crew members are to have a Merchant Mariner's Document.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    Y d. The crew members are NOT required to sign articles.

969: A tank is loaded with 9,000 barrels of gasoline. The temperature of the product is 80°F (27°C), and it has a coefficient of expansion of .0008. The net amount of cargo loaded is __________.

    Y a. 8,856 barrels
    N b. 8,944 barrels
    N c. 9,072 barrels
    N d. 9,144 barrels

990: Freeboard is measured from the upper edge of the __________.

    N a. bulwark
    Y b. deck line
    N c. gunwale bar
    N d. sheer strake

1120: A stage should only be rigged __________.

    N a. over the bow or stern of a vessel
    N b. over the flat sides of a vessel
    Y c. over the open water
    N d. over the dockside

1153: What affect does shallow water have on a vessel's stopping distance?

    N a. The stopping distance is shorter.
    Y b. The stopping distance is longer.
    N c. There is no difference in the stopping distance.
    N d. The propeller is more effective when going astern in shallow water.

1208: When making a wire fast to bitts it is recommended that you __________.

    N a. use only figure eights
    N b. take 2 round turns around one bitt, then make figure eights
    Y c. take 3 round turns around both bitts, then make figure eights
    N d. alternate round turns and figure eights around both bitts

1226: You are docking a vessel starboard side to with the assistance of two tugs. You are attempting to hold the vessel off by operating both tugs at right angles to the vessel and at full power. You must ensure that __________.

    N a. steerageway is not taken off
    N b. the bow doesn't close the dock first
    N c. the bow closes the dock first
    Y d. the ship has no headway at the time

1234: Which type of line will stretch the most when under strain?

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

1391: The basic shipping paper that forms an agreement between a shipowner and a charterer is a __________.

    N a. Cargo Declaration
    N b. Charter Commission
    Y c. Charter Party
    N d. Letter of Intent

1505: The supplement to the IOPP Certificate contains what type of data?

    N a. The grades of cargo that an oil tanker is permitted to carry.
    Y b. A checklist of the equipment installed for controlling the discharge of oil.
    N c. The trade routes upon which the vessel may operate.
    N d. A list of the underwriters who will assume financial responsibility in the event of an oil spill.

1538: Your vessel is being towed and you are using a tripping rope. A tripping rope of fiber or wire is used to __________.

    N a. give added strength to the main tow hawser
    N b. retrieve the main tow hawser
    Y c. retrieve the outboard legs of the bridle where they are connected to the fishplate
    N d. open the pelican hook at the fishplate

1638: On a twin-screw, twin-rudder vessel, the most effective way to turn in your own water, with no way on, is to put __________.

    Y a. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with full rudder
    N b. one engine ahead and one engine astern, with rudders amidships
    N c. both engines ahead, with full rudder
    N d. both engines astern, with full rudder

1775: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2224 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Hexanol
    N b. Acrylic acid
    Y c. Benzonitrile
    N d. Propadiene, inhibited

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

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

1821: While towing, what is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a short hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. The barge may capsize from the sharp turn.
    Y b. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    N c. Free surface effect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads when turning too quickly.
    N d. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.

1823: Chafing gear __________.

    N a. reduces and prevents corrosion of standing rigging
    N b. prevents corrosion of running rigging
    Y c. reduces and prevents wear caused by the rubbing of one object against another
    N d. protects the body against extreme cold

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

1933: When checking a mooring line, you should __________.

    N a. ensure the bight is not fouled between the ship and the dock by taking up slack
    N b. pay out slack smartly and keep free for running
    N c. secure more turns to hold the line against any strain, then clear the area
    Y d. surge the line so that it maintains a strain without parting

1933: When checking a mooring line, you should __________.

    N a. ensure the bight is not fouled between the ship and the dock by taking up slack
    N b. pay out slack smartly and keep free for running
    N c. secure more turns to hold the line against any strain, then clear the area
    Y d. surge the line so that it maintains a strain without parting

1985: You are on a 165 foot (50.3 meters) long vessel with a draft of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and twin screws. Which statement about rescuing a survivor in the water with ship pickup is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the man and drift down on him.
    N b. You should stop with the man on your weather beam and twist the ship up to him.
    Y c. A pickup off the weather bow gives maximum maneuverability with the least possibility of injury to the man.
    N d. Ship pick up should never be used with a shallow draft vessel.

1993: The usual method of arranging a line on deck so that it will run out easily without kinking or fouling is __________.

    N a. coiling the line
    Y b. faking down the line
    N c. flemishing the line
    N d. racking the line

2075: The knot lettered E is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper hitch
    N b. blackwall hitch
    Y c. timber and half hitch
    N d. bowline on a bight

2094: A large basin cut into the shore, closed off by a caisson, and used for dry docking of ships is known as a __________.

    N a. slipway
    Y b. graving dock
    N c. ground warp
    N d. caisson dock

2247: The knot lettered M in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper
    N b. lashing
    N c. becket bend
    Y d. carrick bend

2259: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    N a. 490 yards
    N b. 350 yards
    Y c. 800 yards
    N d. 885 yards

2264: When you "end for end" a wire rope, you __________.

    N a. cut off the free end and bitter end of the rope
    N b. splice two wire ropes together
    Y c. remove the wire rope from the drum and reverse it so that the free end becomes the bitter end
    N d. remove the wire rope from the drum and turn it over, so the wire bends in the opposite direction

2278: You will load and carry a bulk cargo of sulfur at ambient temperature. Which statement is true?

    N a. Wooden covers must be laid over the bilge wells to prevent the sulfur from entering the bilges.
    Y b. Bulk sulfur may be carried without a special permit providing the vessel complies with all applicable regulations.
    N c. The major characteristic of this cargo is that it forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water.
    N d. Other hazardous material may not be stowed in the same hold as the sulfur but may be carried on deck above the hold.

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

2290: The sprocket teeth on a wildcat are known as the __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. devil's claws
    Y c. whelps
    N d. pockets

2350: A temporary wire eye splice made with three wire rope clamps will hold approximately what percentage of the total rope strength?

    N a. 20%
    N b. 50%
    Y c. 80%
    N d. 99%

2387: What is the area of a circle with a diameter of 2 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 0.25 square ft.
    N b. 0.52 square ft.
    N c. 2.09 square ft.
    Y d. 2.62 square ft.

2466: The pillar shape that gives the greatest strength for the least weight is the __________.

    N a. octagonal pillar
    N b. "H" Beam pillar
    N c. "I" Beam pillar
    Y d. circular type pillar

2499: Single hull vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes must be dry docked at intervals not to exceed __________.

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 48 months
    Y d. 60 months

2529: Which condition would NOT entitle a vessel to carry goods on deck?

    N a. The shipper agrees to deck stowage
    Y b. The cargo will damage other cargoes by tainting or contamination
    N c. Deck stowage is required by law or regulation
    N d. Deck stowage is customary in the trade (i.e. timber cargoes)

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.

2722: "Limber" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. emergency gear
    Y b. drainage
    N c. deck cargo storage
    N d. securing gear

2854: The term "Great Lakes", as defined by the Inland Rules of the Road, does NOT include __________.

    N a. portions of the Chicago River
    N b. portions of the Calumet River
    Y c. the St. Lawrence River to Trois Rivieres
    N d. Saginaw Bay

2939: A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is south of an approaching eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience __________.

    N a. a falling barometer
    N b. lowering clouds and drizzle
    Y c. a southwest to west wind
    N d. rain or snow

3066: A list man would expect to see any of the following light signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. two red lights
    N b. one green light
    N c. one white light
    Y d. one amber light

3078: Another name for coal naphtha that would appear on a dangerous cargo manifest is __________.

    Y a. benzene
    N b. tar
    N c. middle oil
    N d. toluene

3088: A "check" line is __________.

    N a. a safety line attached to a man working over the side
    N b. used to measure water depth
    Y c. used to slow the headway of a barge
    N d. used to measure the overhead height of a bridge

4043: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. aft of the propellers
    Y b. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. at the bow

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

4161: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 30 tons and 40 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    N c. Three
    Y d. Four

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above

4275: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Lightning
    N b. High winds
    N c. Fire aboard
    Y d. All of the above