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.


3: A stopper used in securing the ground tackle for sea that consists of a grab attached to a turnbuckle is a __________.


86: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.


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


108: Damage to cargo caused by dust is known as __________.

    Y a. contamination
    N b. oxidation
    N c. tainting
    N d. vaporization

207: A towing vessel's capability is BEST measured by horsepower, maneuverability, displacement, and __________.

    N a. stability
    N b. propeller design
    Y c. bollard pull
    N d. towing winch horsepower

208: Your vessel has been damaged and you must shore a bulkhead. You should cut the shore __________.

    N a. approximately 1/2 inch longer than the measured length to allow for trimming
    Y b. approximately 1/2 inch shorter than the measured length to allow for wedges
    N c. approximately 1/2 inch shorter per foot of shoring to allow for wet expansion
    N d. to the same length as the measured length

220: The best method to secure a towline to bitts is to __________.

    N a. take a round turn on the bitt farthest from the pull and use figure-eights
    Y b. take a round turn on the bitt closest to the pull and use figure-eights
    N c. use figure-eights and take a round turn at the top of the bitts
    N d. use only figure-eights

378: In preparation for receiving chilled reefer cargo, the reefer space has been precooled for over twenty-four hours. Loading may begin when the space has been cooled to a temperature between __________.

    N a. -10°F (-23°C) and +10°F (-12°C)
    N b. 12°F (-11°C) and 20°F (-7°C)
    Y c. 28°F (-2°C) and 40°F ( 4°C)
    N d. 42°F (6°C) and 55°F (13°C)

478: The moisture equilibrium chart can be used to determine the __________.

    N a. absolute moisture content of the air surrounding a hygroscopic cargo when moisture equilibrium exists
    Y b. dew point temperature that the air surrounding a hygroscopic commodity will have when in moisture equilibrium with that commodity
    N c. enthalpy of the air surrounding a hydroscopic cargo which is in moisture equilibrium with the cargo
    N d. temperature at which moisture equilibrium will occur in a cargo hold containing a hygroscopic cargo

565: When the pilot is embarked he or she __________.

    N a. relieves the officer of the watch
    N b. relieves the Master of his duties
    N c. is solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel
    Y d. is a specialist hired for his or her local navigational knowledge

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

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

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

717: It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that __________.

    N a. the muster list is posted in each compartment
    Y b. temporary personnel and visitors are advised of emergency stations
    N c. names of crew members are listed on the muster list
    N d. no changes are made to the muster list

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

956: When a vessel is swinging from side to side off course due to quartering seas, the vessel is __________.

    N a. broaching
    N b. pitchpoling
    N c. rolling
    Y d. yawing

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

1054: Which mooring line has the least elasticity?

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

1156: The best time to work a boat into a slip is __________.

    N a. when the wind is against you
    N b. with the current setting against you
    Y c. at slack water
    N d. with a cross current

1164: Which type of line floats?

    N a. Dacron
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Old manila
    Y d. Polypropylene

1180: The regulations require that inspected vessels on an international voyage, other than small passenger vessels, must carry which of the following distress signals on or near the navigating bridge?

    N a. 12 hand red flares
    Y b. 12 rocket parachute flares
    N c. 12 hand combination flares and orange smoke signals
    N d. 6 hand red flares, and 6 hand orange smoke signals

1190: A normal safe working load for used nylon rope in good conditon is __________.

    N a. 10% of its breaking strain
    Y b. 25% of its breaking strain
    N c. 33% of its breaking strain
    N d. 50% of its breaking strain

1240: Bilge keels are fitted on ships to __________.

    N a. assist in dry dock alignment
    N b. improve the vessel's stability
    N c. protect the vessel from slamming against piers
    Y d. reduce the rolling of the vessel

1247: You are on watch and the Pilot has the conn. The Master has temporarily gone below. The Pilot orders a course change which you are certain will put the vessel into imminent danger. Your first action should be to __________.

    Y a. countermand the order and immediately notify the Master
    N b. make an appropriate entry in the deck log concerning the Pilot's order
    N c. immediately call the Master and await further orders from him
    N d. immediately sound a short ring on the general alarm

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1403: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

    N a. loss of revenue while the vessel is being repaired, up to a maximum of $50,000
    Y b. cost of labor and material to restore the vessel to the service condition which existed before the casualty
    N c. damage claims awarded to individuals or companies involved in the casualty, up to a maximum of $50,000
    N d. All of the above

1491: While underway, part of your cargo is damaged by fire. In marine insurance terms this partial loss is called __________.

    N a. absolute total loss
    N b. constructive total loss
    N c. general average
    Y d. particular average

1546: What is the best guide for determining the proper scope of anchor chain to use for anchoring in normal conditions?

    N a. One shot of chain for every ten feet of water
    Y b. One shot of chain for every fifteen feet of water
    N c. One shot of chain for every thirty feet of water
    N d. One shot of chain for every ninety feet of water

1657: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 5.1 feet?

    N a. 81.71 ft
    N b. 64.08 ft
    N c. 40.85 ft
    Y d. 32.04 ft

1674: Which is NOT a type of seizing?

    N a. Flat seizing
    N b. Racking seizing
    N c. Throat seizing
    Y d. Tube seizing

1750: A grapnel is a __________.

    N a. device for securing a chain topping lift
    N b. hook to prevent the anchor cable from slipping
    Y c. device used to drag for a submerged cable or line
    N d. type of clam bucket used for discharging bulk cargo

1764: The "square knot" is used for __________.

    N a. forming temporary eyes in lines
    Y b. joining two lines of equal size
    N c. keeping line from unlaying or fraying
    N d. joining two lines of different size

1807: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Evacuation should be from an area forward of the bridge.
    N b. The vessel should be slowed to bare steerageway.
    N c. If the hoist is at the stern, booms extending aft at the stern should be cradled with the topping lifts hove taut.
    Y d. The litter should not be touched until it has been grounded.

1914: You need to make a fixed loop at the end of a line in order to use the line as a mooring line. You have insufficient time to make a splice. Which knot should you use?

    N a. Clove Hitch
    N b. Fisherman's Bend
    Y c. Bowline
    N d. Round-turn and two half hitches

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

1956: Which lien against a vessel would be settled FIRST?

    N a. Maintenance and cure
    N b. Vessel mortgage
    Y c. Salvage lien
    N d. Ship repairer's lien

2056: A seaman may not make an allotment to his __________.

    N a. minor children
    N b. grandparents
    N c. brother
    Y d. mother-in-law

2144: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

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

2244: If you are loading fruit in reefer spaces and you notice that the fruit is beginning to mold, you should __________.

    N a. carry the cargo at a cooler temperature than originally planned
    Y b. write up exceptions on the cargo
    N c. refuse to carry the cargo
    N d. discharge CO2 into the compartment after loading

2276: 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 60°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 665 yards
    N b. 710 yards
    N c. 745 yards
    N d. 780 yards

2385: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of butyric acid, propylene oxide, and octyl alcohol. Which statement is true?

    N a. Butyric acid is incompatible with octyl alcohol but not propylene oxide.
    Y b. Propylene oxide may not be stowed in a tank adjacent to butyric acid.
    N c. All of these cargoes are compatible.
    N d. Octyl alcohol is incompatible with both butyric acid and propylene oxide.

2706: Which type of davit is not considered to be a mechanical davit?

    N a. Sheath-screw boom
    Y b. Radial
    N c. Crescent
    N d. Quadrantal

2760: When the wave period and the apparent rolling period are the same __________.

    Y a. synchronous rolling occurs
    N b. roll period decreases
    N c. roll period increases
    N d. roll amplitude is dampened

2861: A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    Y b. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the pilot.
    N c. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    N d. Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.

2883: While you are on watch entering port, the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. asks you for instructions
    Y d. obeys the Master

2954: An intermediate spring is __________.

    N a. fitted in each leg of the towing bridle
    Y b. generally located between the "fishplate" and the main towing hawser
    N c. secured at the "H" bitts
    N d. usually made of manila hawser

2970: What material may be substituted for zinc when making a poured metal socket ending to a wire rope?

    N a. Lead
    N b. Babbitt
    N c. Solder
    Y d. Nothing

2977: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

3083: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. fo'c'sle card
    N b. Crew list
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

3176: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter G is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    Y c. tripping palm
    N d. crown

3180: A license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for Master of Towing Vessels is valid for __________.

    N a. 2 years and must be renewed
    N b. 3 years and must be renewed
    Y c. 5 years and must be renewed
    N d. life and need not be renewed

3324: What descriptive term indicates that the dimension is measured from the inner face of the shell or deck plating?

    Y a. Molded
    N b. Register
    N c. Tonnage
    N d. Effective

3340: It is NOT advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too difficult to make fast
    N c. parts too readily
    N d. is too susceptible to mildew

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

3442: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter J is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. crown
    N b. shank
    Y c. bill
    N d. tip

3487: The opening in the deck that leads the anchor cable outside the hull is the __________.

    Y a. hawsepipe
    N b. fall pipe
    N c. drop-pipe
    N d. spill pipe

3561: A holder of a license as Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels may work each 24 hours for a period not to exceed __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 18 hours
    Y c. 12 hours
    N d. 6 hours

4056: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the sagging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 89.75 numeral
    N b. 40.18 numeral
    N c. 28.62 numeral
    Y d. 22.44 numeral

4068: What produces the MOST dangerous vapors?

    Y a. Anhydrous ammonia
    N b. Camphor oil
    N c. Methyl alcohol
    N d. Pentane

4068: What produces the MOST dangerous vapors?

    Y a. Anhydrous ammonia
    N b. Camphor oil
    N c. Methyl alcohol
    N d. Pentane

4148: Which tensioning device is used with chain to secure heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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