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.


98: A hygroscopic cargo is defined as a cargo __________.


107: When may a seaman on a vessel engaged in foreign trade be paid before earning the wages?


190: You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible?


414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

419: A cargo of 10,000 barrels of gasoline is loaded at a temperature of 90°F, and a cargo temperature of 55°F, is expected on this voyage. It has a coefficient of expansion of .0006. How many barrels would you expect to discharge at your destination?

    Y a. 9790
    N b. 9994
    N c. 10210
    N d. 10410

622: A predictable result of a vessel nearing a bank or edge of a channel is that the __________.

    Y a. stern is drawn to the bank as the bow sheers off
    N b. bow sheers toward the bank
    N c. vessel continues in a straight line, but with greatly reduced maneuverability
    N d. vessel will be drawn bodily into the bank unless the engines are stopped

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

687: The damage to a vessel is over $25,000. Who must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible?

    N a. The vessel's agent
    N b. The owner of the vessel
    N c. The Master of the vessel
    Y d. Any one of the above

766: Insufficient space between the hull and bottom in shallow water will prevent normal screw currents resulting in __________.

    N a. waste of power
    N b. sudden sheering to either side
    N c. sluggish rudder response
    Y d. All of the above

778: What is the stowage factor of a commodity whose density is 15 pounds per cubic foot?

    N a. 15
    N b. 45
    N c. 133
    Y d. 149

868: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 72,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 493
    N b. 577
    N c. 602
    Y d. 648

950: The upward slope of a ships bottom from the keel to the bilge is known as __________.

    N a. camber
    N b. slope
    Y c. deadrise
    N d. keel height

967: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel is deviating from the given course and there is no follow up with corrective rudder action to return to the proper heading. The emergency operating procedure should require you to immediately change operation from __________.

    Y a. "gyro" to "hand"
    N b. "hand" to "gyro"
    N c. "gyro" to "control"
    N d. "control" to "hand"

970: What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

    Y a. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
    N b. Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
    N c. Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
    N d. There is no difference.

1010: When the longitudinal strength members of a vessel are continuous and closely spaced, the vessel is __________.

    N a. transversely framed
    Y b. longitudinally framed
    N c. intermittently framed
    N d. web framed

1024: A natural fiber rope can be ruined by dampness because it may __________.

    Y a. rot
    N b. shrink
    N c. stretch
    N d. unlay

1171: If you intend to land tulip bulbs from Holland in a U.S. port, they must be inspected by the __________.

    Y a. Animal and Plant Health Service Inspector
    N b. Captain of the Port personnel
    N c. Quarantine Officer
    N d. All of the above

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

1195: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    Y a. unseaworthiness when sailing
    N b. insufficient packing
    N c. quarantine delays
    N d. mismanagement of the vessel

1243: You are on watch at sea and find it prudent to call the Master to the bridge due to traffic congestion. The moment that the Master officially relieves you of the conn is whenever __________.

    N a. a watchstander announces "Captain's on the bridge"
    N b. you call the Captain to the bridge in a traffic situation
    Y c. the Master specifically informs you that he has the conn
    N d. the Captain states the course being steered

1252: Control of flooding should be addressed __________.

    N a. first
    Y b. following control of fire
    N c. following restoration of vital services
    N d. only if a threat exists

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

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

1516: The length of a standard "shot" of chain is __________.

    N a. 12 fathoms
    Y b. 15 fathoms
    N c. 18 fathoms
    N d. 20 fathoms

1523: When making a short splice in wire rope __________.

    Y a. all tucks go against the lay
    N b. all tucks go with the lay
    N c. the first three wires are tucked against the lay and the last three go with the lay
    N d. the first three wires are tucked with the lay and the last three go against the lay

1544: The main function of the core of a wire rope is to __________.

    N a. give flexibility
    Y b. support the strands laid around it
    N c. allow some circulation around the strands
    N d. allow lubrication inside the rope

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

1619: A periodic thorough examination of the cargo gear proves satisfactory. What percentage of the total gear must be dismantled to determine actual internal condition?

    Y a. None
    N b. 10%
    N c. 25%
    N d. 100%

1724: A "bowline" is used to __________.

    N a. join lines of equal size
    Y b. form a temporary eye (loop) at the end of a line
    N c. be a stopper
    N d. keep a line from fraying

1791: Which factor does NOT affect the required freeboard of a cargo vessel?

    N a. Season of the year
    N b. Geographic zone of operation
    N c. Density of the water
    Y d. Condition of trim in normal operation

1819: The stringer plate is represented by which letter? (D033DG )

    Y a. A
    N b. C
    N c. I
    N d. N

1844: A wooden float placed between a ship and a dock to prevent damage to both is called a __________.

    Y a. camel
    N b. dolphin
    N c. rat guard
    N d. wedge

1928: Which towing method maintains the most control over the tow?

    N a. Tandem towing
    N b. Honolulu towing
    N c. Tandem tug towing
    Y d. Breasted tug towing

1974: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

1978: When towing, the least amount of tension will be on each bridle leg when the two legs __________.

    N a. form a large angle with each other
    Y b. form a small angle with each other
    N c. are of unequal length
    N d. are joined by a fishplate

2019: A man was sighted as he fell overboard. After completing a Williamson turn, the man is not sighted. What type of search should be conducted?

    N a. Expanding circle
    Y b. Sector search
    N c. Parallel track pattern
    N d. Datum-drift search

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

2190: What is the name of tackle number 3? (DO29DG )

    N a. 1-2 purchase
    N b. Gun tackle
    Y c. Single luff tackle
    N d. Double whip

2192: The part of a windlass which physically engages the chain during hauling or paying out is the __________.

    N a. devil's claw
    N b. bull gear
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. cat head

2224: When improperly tied, which knot shown is called a granny or thief's knot? (D030DG )

    N a. F
    N b. M
    N c. R
    Y d. W

2245: To determine the number of certificated lifeboatmen required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. operations manual

2261: The machinery associated with heaving in and running out anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. winch
    Y b. windlass
    N c. draw works
    N d. dynamic pay out system

2282: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 77° and the wet bulb temperature is 69°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 67%
    N b. 70%
    N c. 77%
    N d. 81%

2287: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

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

2367: What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 5 feet?

    N a. 4,188.00 cubic ft.
    Y b. 523.60 cubic ft.
    N c. 129.62 cubic ft.
    N d. 65.44 cubic ft.

2393: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 25.5 lbs. steel measuring 4.5 feet by 6.7 feet.

    N a. 285.6 lbs.
    N b. 329.7 lbs.
    N c. 591.2 lbs.
    Y d. 768.8 lbs.

2532: For a given weight of cargo, the stress on the heel block of a cargo boom __________.

    N a. increases as the cargo closes the head while hoisting
    N b. increases if the cargo runner is doubled up
    Y c. decreases as the boom is topped to a greater angle
    N d. is determined by the thrust stresses on the boom

2579: Where are the test certificates, for wire rope used as cargo runners, and loose gear certificates usually maintained?

    Y a. With the Cargo Gear Register on the ship
    N b. In the Official Log
    N c. At the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office with the vessel's inspection records
    N d. At the central records center of the agency testing the cargo gear

2606: You are approaching the pilot station with the wind fine on the starboard bow and making about 3 knots. You can help to calm the seas by taking what action just before the pilot boat comes along on the port side?

    N a. Backing full
    N b. Stopping the engines
    N c. Giving right full rudder
    Y d. A short burst of ahead full with left full rudder

2612: When using the anchor to steady the bow while approaching a dock you must be aware of the fact that __________.

    N a. the vessel will tend to take a large sheer towards the side where the anchor is down
    N b. steering control is ineffective in trying to turn to the side opposite to that of the anchor being used
    N c. the anchor cable must never lead under the hull
    Y d. using an offshore anchor decreases the chances of the anchor holding

2742: The internal volume of a cargo hold measured from the inside of the side shell, the underside of the deck, and the tank top is known as the __________.

    N a. gross tonnage
    N b. deadweight space
    N c. measurement space
    Y d. grain cubic

2862: What is used to prevent accidental flooding of a double bottom or peak tanks in the event of a pipe rupture due to collision?

    N a. Separate lines are provided for filling and pumping these tanks.
    N b. Pipe lines must run vertically from the tank to a point above the margin line before turning fore or aft towards the pump.
    N c. All tanks must be served by the fewest possible number of pipes to reduce the possibility of rupture.
    Y d. Suction lines are fitted with a non-return valve

2919: Which statement about general average is TRUE?

    N a. Damage to a ship must have been incurred while the ship and/or its machinery was being used for its intended purpose.
    Y b. Property must have been sacrificed or an expenditure of money incurred.
    N c. The loss or damage to deck cargo due to heavy weather constitutes general average.
    N d. Of the ship, the freight, and the cargo interests, only one need be involved.

3042: A Great Lakes vessel bound for Anticosti Island is exempt from the IMO Grain Regulations if the vessel meets all of the following standards EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the metacentric height corrected for free surface must meet regulatory minimums throughout the voyage
    Y b. slack surfaces should be in a mound
    N c. the longitudinal strength of the vessel must not be imperiled
    N d. the Master must ascertain the expected weather conditions enroute

3218: The term "bollard pull" refers to a towing vessel's __________.

    N a. propulsion horsepower available
    N b. pulling ability at cruise power
    N c. towing winch capability
    Y d. pulling ability under static conditions

3589: A vessel has been surveyed in a foreign port and found unseaworthy as a result of neglect. A seaman on this vessel is entitled to discharge and __________.

    N a. transportation to the port of engagement
    N b. one month's pay only
    N c. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the least amount
    Y d. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the greater amount

3608: The horizontal port or starboard movement of a vessel is called __________.

    N a. yaw
    Y b. sway
    N c. surge
    N d. heave

4090: The BEST holding ground for conventional anchors is_____.

    N a. very soft mud
    Y b. hard mud
    N c. shale
    N d. rock

4109: Which operating procedure(s) should be adhered to on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. One officer assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N b. All lashings should be completed before leaving port
    N c. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings during the voyage
    Y d. All of the above

4256: Which of the following statement(s) is/are FALSE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    Y c. The cranes are powered by independent internal combustion power units.
    N d. All of the above