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.


82: Floors aboard ship are __________.


129: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?


180: Your tank vessel is loading a hazardous cargo. The allowance for expansion is based on ambient temperatures of what maximum range?


180: Your tank vessel is loading a hazardous cargo. The allowance for expansion is based on ambient temperatures of what maximum range?

    N a. 0°C to 100°C
    N b. -10°C to 90°C
    Y c. -18°C to 46°C
    N d. -40°C to 50°C

191: An alien crewmember with a D-1 permit leaves the vessel in a U.S. port and fails to return. The first report you make should be to the __________.

    N a. Customs Service
    Y b. Immigration Service
    N c. local police
    N d. OCMI

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

    Y a. use rudder to check the swing
    N b. decrease the rudder angle which is on
    N c. steer more carefully
    N d. note the course and steady on that heading

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

285: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    N a. celestial
    Y b. electronic
    N c. piloting
    N d. None of the above

376: You are aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel with headway on. The engine is put full astern and the rudder hard left. What will the bow do?

    N a. It will swing to the left, and will swing left faster as the vessel loses way.
    Y b. It will swing to the left, straighten out and then swing to the right as the vessel loses way.
    N c. It will swing to the left without increasing or decreasing its swing.
    N d. The bow will swing to the right.

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

389: When hooking up a cargo hose to your vessel's manifold, you should use a(n)______________.

    N a. international shore connection
    Y b. insulating flange or single length of non-conducting hose
    N c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. oxygen analyzer

446: A twin-screw vessel can clear the inboard propeller and maneuver off a pier best by holding a(n) __________.

    N a. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the inboard engine
    N b. after spring line and going slow astern on the outboard engine
    N c. forward spring line and going slow ahead on both engines
    Y d. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the outboard engine

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

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

698: Which agency issues a certificate of loading that is evidence that the rules and regulations concerning bulk grain cargoes have been observed?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Department of Agriculture
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Public Health Service

727: Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?

    N a. Galley fitted with range or oven
    N b. Open structures
    N c. Passenger spaces
    Y d. Boatswain's stores

730: In a Williamson turn, the rudder is put over full until the __________.

    N a. vessel has turned 90°From her original course
    Y b. vessel has turned 60°From her original course
    N c. vessel is on a reciprocal course
    N d. emergency turn signal sounds

822: You are on watch at sea at night and a fire breaks out in #3 hold. What should be done IMMEDIATELY?

    Y a. Shut down the cargo hold ventilation.
    N b. Proceed to the space and determine the extent of the fire.
    N c. Flood the space with C02 from the fixed fire fighting system.
    N d. Cool the deck to contain the fire.

892: On a shallow water tow, the catenary of the towline should be __________.

    N a. large
    Y b. small
    N c. eliminated
    N d. adjusted frequently

911: Which entry is NOT required in the Official Logbook?

    N a. Steering gear tests
    N b. Position of the load line and freeboard upon sailing
    Y c. Commencement and termination of cargo operations
    N d. Closure of hatches and sideports upon sailing

939: What is the purpose of pressure-vacuum relief valves?

    N a. Regulation of discharge pressure from cargo pumps
    N b. Maintaining constant velocity in cargo lines
    N c. Regulation of suction head on cargo pumps
    Y d. To maintain a tank or void at atmospheric pressure

1058: 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 owner of the vessel
    N b. The Master of the vessel
    N c. The person in charge of the vessel at the time of casualty
    Y d. Any one of the above

1220: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1329: A pelican hook __________.

    Y a. can be released while under strain
    N b. is used for boat falls
    N c. is used for extra heavy loads
    N d. is used for light loads only

1390: The body plan of a vessel is a(n) __________.

    Y a. endwise view of the ship's molded form
    N b. longitudinal side elevation view
    N c. plan made looking down on the ship, showing it's hull cut horizontally by the first set of planes
    N d. vertical view made looking up in the ship, with the keel at the center

1404: Galvanizing would not be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    Y a. cargo runners
    N b. mooring wires
    N c. shrouds
    N d. stays

1456: How many turns of wire normally mark either side of the shackle 45 fathoms from the anchor?

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    Y c. 3
    N d. 4

1499: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "E" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1584: The size of wire rope is determined by the __________.

    N a. number of strands
    N b. number of wires in each strand
    N c. circumference
    Y d. diameter

1610: The joint formed when two steel shell plates are placed longitudinally side to side is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. bond
    N c. strake
    Y d. seam

1828: Your vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. You can reduce the danger of capsizing by __________.

    N a. constantly shifting the rudder
    N b. moving all passengers to one side of the boat
    Y c. rigging a sea anchor
    N d. moving all passengers to the stern

1842: The knot shown lettered W is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. clove hitch
    Y b. square knot
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper knot

1843: The sheave diameter to be used with a 3-inch manila rope is __________.

    N a. 3 inches
    Y b. 6 inches
    N c. 9 inches
    N d. 12 inches

1896: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U,S, port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.
    N b. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    N c. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.
    N d. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.

1981: The boom stops on a pedestal crane prevent the boom from __________.

    Y a. being raised too high
    N b. swinging at sea
    N c. overloading when not in use
    N d. being lowered too low

2022: In determining the scope of cable to be used when anchoring, what would NOT be considered?

    N a. Depth of the water
    N b. Character of the holding ground
    Y c. maintenance cost for the chain
    N d. Type of anchor cable

2027: Your vessel is issued a load line certificate dated 27 May 1992. What is NOT an acceptable date for one of the surveys for endorsements?

    N a. 28-Feb-93
    Y b. 27-Nov-93
    N c. 26-Aug-94
    N d. 27-May-95

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

2106: A racetrack turn would be better than a Williamson turn in recovering a man overboard if __________.

    N a. the man has been missing for a period of time
    Y b. the sea water is very cold and the man is visible
    N c. there is thick fog
    N d. the wind was from astern on the original course

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

2159: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 9? (DO29DG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 4

2168: What is the name of tackle number 6? (DO29DG )

    N a. Triple purchase
    N b. Clew garnet tackle
    N c. Boat falls
    Y d. Threefold purchase

2227: You are using tackle number 4 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 120 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. 20 lbs.
    N b. 30 lbs.
    Y c. 42 lbs.
    N d. 57 lbs.

2254: You are using tackle number 4 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 10. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 5
    N c. 9
    Y d. 20

2256: 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 transfer for a turn of 180°? (D034DG )

    N a. 875 yards
    Y b. 910 yards
    N c. 975 yards
    N d. 1015 yards

2274: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

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)

2876: A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker may use all of the following distinctive lights when escorting ships in ice EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a single amber rotating light
    N b. a single red rotating light
    N c. red aircraft warning lights
    Y d. a single blue rotating light

2900: Which statement about Naval Control of Shipping in wartime is TRUE?

    Y a. It is mandatory in wartime.
    N b. It is mandatory in hazardous areas and voluntary in other areas.
    N c. It is mandatory only for vessels sailing in convoy.
    N d. It is mandatory for vessels bound foreign and voluntary for vessels in the coastwise trade.

2944: Your ship is navigating independently in heavy ice when it becomes beset. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The vessel will most likely require an icebreaker to free her.
    N b. The vessel may be able to free herself by pumping ballast from side to side.
    Y c. The propeller is more susceptible to ice damage when turning slowly than when stopped.
    N d. It is advisable to clear the rudder area of ice by using ahead turns before backing down.

3120: You are operating a 150 GT towing vessel. What is NOT required on the vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    N b. FCC station license
    N c. Your Coast Guard license
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

3201: You are on watch entering port, and 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. obeys the Pilot
    N b. asks you for instructions
    Y c. obeys the Master
    N d. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions

3240: You are the operator of a towing vessel which becomes involved in a collision. By law you must assist __________.

    N a. if your vessel is at fault
    N b. if you can do so without excessive delay
    Y c. if you can do so without serious danger to your vessel
    N d. regardless of the circumstances

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

3372: The lead of a tow bridle is usually redirected with a __________.

    N a. bollard
    Y b. chock
    N c. pad eye
    N d. devil's claw

4036: When a cargo boom or crane is rated at varying capacities, there will be a table at the controls which relates safe working load to __________.

    N a. winch speed
    N b. boom strength
    Y c. load radius
    N d. cable strength

4144: Which tensioning device is used with chain to secure heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

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.

4241: What should be given, as a minimum, to personnel who are involved in crane cargo handling?

    Y a. Protective head gear, gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes
    N b. A survival suit for work on the stern or side port
    N c. A life preserver for going aloft to work on the crane
    N d. All of the above