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.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


169: The lowest temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to form a flammable mixture with air is known as the __________.


214: The helm command "meet her" means __________.


263: Which type of hull damage should be repaired FIRST?

    N a. Damage below the waterline
    N b. Damage to interior watertight boundaries
    N c. Damage in way of machinery rooms
    Y d. Damage at or just above the waterline

309: When planning the loading or discharging of a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) what is the most important consideration?

    N a. Draft and trim
    Y b. Limits of the bending moments
    N c. Rate of discharging
    N d. Rate of loading

361: The strictest load line regulations apply to __________.

    N a. gas carriers
    N b. freighters (break-bulk)
    Y c. passenger ships
    N d. tankers

434: To "belay" a line means to __________.

    N a. coil it down
    N b. heave it taut
    N c. stow it below
    Y d. secure it to a cleat

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

634: The "iron mike" is a(n) __________.

    N a. pilot
    N b. speaker
    N c. standby wheel
    Y d. automatic pilot

684: Right-laid line should be coiled __________.

    Y a. clockwise
    N b. counterclockwise
    N c. either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. on a reel

685: Which type of ballast is most commonly used in barges and ships?

    Y a. Water
    N b. Oil
    N c. Concrete and barite
    N d. Sand, rock and gravel

716: Your vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel. The effect called bank cushion has which effect on the vessel?

    Y a. Forces the bow away from the bank
    N b. Forces the stern away from the bank
    N c. Forces the entire vessel bodily away from the bank
    N d. Decreases the draft at the bow

814: In the manufacture of line, plant fibers are twisted together to form __________.

    N a. cable
    N b. line
    N c. strands
    Y d. yarns

837: When may foreign licensed or documented personnel be employed on a US-flag towing vessel?

    Y a. While on a foreign voyage and outside US jurisdiction, in order to meet manning requirements
    N b. While operating above the US outer continental shelf
    N c. On vessels operating on domestic voyages only
    N d. Never, under any circumstances

927: Sluicing or slushing wire rope __________.

    N a. prevents internal and external rust and corrosion
    N b. reduces chafing and increases its useful service life
    N c. reduces internal friction within the wire
    Y d. All of the above

1019: A tank holds 400 tons of sea water when filled. How many tons of liquid of specific gravity 0.9300 will it hold when filled to 90% capacity?

    Y a. 326.6
    N b. 343.2
    N c. 377.6
    N d. 390.2

1117: The knot used to form the bridle at the standing part of a gantline rigged to a stage is a __________.

    N a. sheet bend
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. bowline

1169: Static electricity may be built up by the __________.

    N a. spraying or splashing of petroleum
    N b. settling of solids or water in petroleum
    N c. flow of petroleum through pipes
    Y d. All of the above

1508: While towing, sudden shock-loading caused during heavy weather can be reduced by __________.

    N a. using a short tow hawser
    N b. using a nonelastic type hawser
    Y c. using a heavier hawser
    N d. decreasing the catenary in the hawser

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

1552: Which picture represents a stopper hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. M
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. L

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

1564: What is the main reason to slush a wire rope?

    N a. Keep the wire soft and manageable
    Y b. Lubricate the inner wires and prevent wear
    N c. Prevent kinking
    N d. Prevent rotting

1589: Why is 6X19 class wire rope more commonly used for cargo runners than the more flexible 6X37 wire rope?

    Y a. It resists abrasion better.
    N b. It is longer.
    N c. It hugs the winch drum better.
    N d. It is less expensive.

1624: Which kind of hitch should you use to secure a spar?

    N a. Blackwall hitch
    N b. Stage hitch
    Y c. Timber hitch
    N d. Two half hitches

1687: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 4.2 feet?

    Y a. 26.39 ft
    N b. 21.19 ft
    N c. 17.81 ft
    N d. 13.20 ft

1704: Whipping the bitter end of a fiber rope __________.

    N a. increases the circumference of the rope
    N b. makes for easier handling
    Y c. prevents fraying of the bitter end
    N d. prevents moisture from entering the bitter end

1732: Which picture in illustration D030DG represents a half hitch? (D030DG )

    Y a. U
    N b. S
    N c. K
    N d. H

1776: When anchoring in calm water, it is best to __________.

    N a. maintain slight headway when letting go the anchor
    N b. wait until the vessel is dead in the water before letting go the anchor
    Y c. have slight sternway on the vessel while letting go the anchor
    N d. let the anchor go from the stern with the anchor cable leading from the bow

1779: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 58°, and the wet bulb temperature is 53°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 56%
    N b. 61%
    N c. 66%
    Y d. 75%

1783: Which mooring line is likely to undergo the most strain when docking a ship under normal conditions?

    N a. Bow line
    N b. Breast line
    Y c. Spring line
    N d. Stern line

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

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

1829: The term "shift your rudder" means __________.

    Y a. change from right rudder to left rudder an equal number of degrees
    N b. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

2059: You are handling a mooring line and are instructed to "Check the line". What should you do?

    N a. Ensure the bight is not fouled by taking up slack.
    N b. Pay out the line smartly and keep it free for running.
    N c. Secure the line by adding more turns.
    Y d. Surge the line so it maintains a strain without parting.

2119: You are coming to anchor in 8 fathoms of water. In this case, the __________.

    Y a. anchor may be dropped from the hawsepipe
    N b. anchor should be lowered to within 2 fathoms of the bottom before being dropped
    N c. anchor should be lowered to the bottom then the ship backed and the remainder of the cable veered
    N d. scope should be less than 3 times the depth of the water

2171: The order of importance in addressing damage control is __________.

    N a. control flooding, control fire, repair structural damage
    N b. restore vital services, control fire, control flooding
    N c. control fire, restore vital services, control flooding
    Y d. control fire, control flooding, repair structural damage

2185: You are using tackle number 7 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. 200 lbs.
    N b. 150 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    Y d. 55 lbs.

2390: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 20.4 lb. steel measuring 4 feet by 6 feet.

    N a. 204.0 lbs.
    Y b. 489.6 lbs.
    N c. 734.4 lbs.
    N d. 979.2 lbs.

2528: Which entry on a dangerous cargo manifest concerning the classification of a cargo is correct?

    Y a. Class 8
    N b. Class 3 - flammable liquid
    N c. Division 2.2 - nonflammable gas
    N d. All of the above are correct

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

2748: The Lake Carriers Association and the Canadian Shipowners Association prescribe separation routes for upbound and downbound vessels on the Great Lakes. The recommended courses for these routes are shown on the Great Lakes Charts in the form of __________.

    Y a. red or magenta figures over a segmented course line track
    N b. red figures over a solid course line track
    N c. black figures over a segmented course line track
    N d. green figures over a solid course line track

2822: Which statement about stopping a vessel is TRUE?

    N a. A lightly laden vessel requires as much stopping distance as a fully laden vessel when the current is from astern.
    N b. A vessel is dead in the water when the back wash from astern operation reaches the bow.
    N c. A tunnel bow thruster can be used in an emergency to reduce the stopping distance.
    Y d. When a vessel is dead in the water any speed displayed by Doppler log reflects the current.

2930: A large vessel is equipped with a controllable pitch propeller. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When dead in the water, it is often difficult to find the neutral position and slight headway or sternway may result.
    N b. When going directly from full ahead to full astern, there is complete steering control.
    N c. When the vessel has headway and the propeller is in neutral, there is no effect on rudder control.
    N d. When maneuvering in port, full ahead or astern power can usually be obtained without changing shaft RPM.

2964: "Seiche" is defined as a(n) __________.

    N a. unusually strong storm system which approaches the Great Lakes System generally from the Northeast
    N b. lake current which is predominant during the spring and fall navigation season on the Great Lakes
    Y c. oscillation caused by the diminishing of forces which cause lake level fluctuations
    N d. higher than normal high water or lower than normal low water

3124: You attach a line to a stationary barge lying off your starboard beam in order to maneuver it into position to make up tow. The line used to do this is a __________.

    N a. jockey line
    N b. fore and aft line
    N c. check line
    Y d. swing line

3143: You are the person in charge of a 199 GRT uninspected towing vessel engaged in coastwise towing from the Gulf of Mexico to the New York area, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The deckhands shall be divided into 3 watches.
    Y b. Certificates of Discharge are not required to be issued.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N d. All crew members shall have Merchant Mariner's Documents.

3170: A license for apprentice mate (steersman) of uninspected towing vessels shall be renewed within what time period before or after the expiration date?

    N a. 30 days
    N b. 90 days
    N c. 6 months
    Y d. 12 months

3290: What will be accepted as the shipping papers for an unmanned tank barge but will not be accepted if the tank barge is manned?

    N a. Bill of Lading
    Y b. Logbook entry
    N c. Manifest
    N d. Shipping document

3291: The riding pawl is __________.

    N a. a safety interlock in a cargo winch that prevents the runner from overspeeding
    Y b. a stopper that prevents the anchor cable from running free if the cable jumps the wildcat
    N c. the device that locks the deck lashings of the Peck and Hale system
    N d. the lug that rides on the eccentric rib and engages the locking ring on the windlass

3420: A face line is used to __________.

    N a. prevent barge movement in a lock
    N b. secure two barges end-to-end
    Y c. secure barges to the towboat
    N d. secure barges side-by-side

3432: A vessel is wind rode when it is __________.

    Y a. at anchor and heading into the wind
    N b. backing into the wind
    N c. carrying lee rudder
    N d. necessary to apply a leeway correction to the course

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

4011: Under defense plans, operation of electronic aids may be temporarily suspended with __________.

    N a. thirty (30) day's notice
    N b. a week's notice
    N c. one day's notice
    Y d. no notice

4054: "Hanging a barge off" means to __________.

    Y a. moor a damaged barge to the bank and leave
    N b. remove and deliver a loaded barge from a multiple tow
    N c. remove a barge while locking through
    N d. tow an empty barge astern

4113: What is(are) standard operating procedure(s) used on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N b. Lashings may be completed after the vessel leaves port
    N c. One QMED assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N d. All of the above

4120: Which of the following is considered auxiliary securing equipment that provides extra reliability to lashing in Ro-Ro transport operations?

    N a. Trailer trestles
    N b. Pedestals
    N c. Wheel chocks
    Y d. All of the above

4175: Which of the following is NOT necessary, prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds.
    N b. Lower the stern ramp.
    Y c. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N d. Raise/open the stern door.

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

4276: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Lightning in the vicinity
    N b. An approaching squall line
    N c. A fire on the pier
    Y d. All of the above

4440: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard, starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. throw a life ring to mark the spot
    N c. put the rudder amidships
    Y d. give full right rudder