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.


75: Frames to which the tank top and bottom shell are fastened are called __________.


140: Your tankship is carrying a 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The cargo containment system must have a permanent inert gas system. While discharging this cargo the inert gas system must maintain a minimum pressure of __________.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


162: Oil may NOT be transferred unless __________.

    N a. there are two certificated tankermen on each vessel
    N b. the vessel is equipped with constant-tension winches
    Y c. discharge containment equipment (i.e. drip pans) are in place
    N d. All of the above

185: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    Y a. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course
    N b. vessel must be in extremis
    N c. Master should agree to sign a release of liability form
    N d. Master must first request the Pilot to take corrective action

238: A shore is a piece of securing dunnage that __________.

    Y a. runs from a low supporting level up to the cargo at an angle
    N b. is also known as a "distance piece"
    N c. is placed on the deck under the cargo to distribute its weight evenly
    N d. is run horizontally from a support to the cargo

240: The best way to lift many small articles aboard your vessel is with a __________.

    Y a. pallet
    N b. barrel hook
    N c. spreader
    N d. snotter

270: The disadvantage of using a heaving line to pass a towline is that __________.

    N a. it increases the likelihood of collision between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel
    Y b. recreational boaters tend to make the heaving line fast to the towed vessel as if it were the towline
    N c. the monkey fist may injure someone
    N d. it may reduce the catenary and increase yawing

272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

290: What is NOT a form used by ice support services to disseminate information?

    N a. Ice Analyses
    N b. Ice Forecasts
    N c. Ice Outlooks
    Y d. Ice Bulletins

426: You are stopped with no way upon your vessel at the pilot station. Your vessel is a large twin-screw ship. You must come around 180° to board your Pilot. How should you use the engines and rudder to turn the ship fastest in the least amount of space?

    N a. Full ahead on the engines and hard over rudder
    N b. Full ahead on one engine, full astern on the other
    Y c. Half ahead with hard over rudder, then full astern on inboard engine
    N d. Slow ahead with hard over rudder

476: You are backing on twin engines with rudders amidships, when your port engine stalls. To continue backing on course, you should __________.

    N a. apply left rudder
    Y b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

489: Your tank vessel is fully loaded, and you find that she is down slightly by the head. To adjust the trim, you may __________.

    N a. add ballast aft
    N b. load more cargo aft
    Y c. shift cargo aft
    N d. All of the above

490: Which agency is authorized to assist the Coast Guard in the inspection of vessels for the suitability of loading hazardous materials?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Environmental Protection Agency
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau, Inc.
    N d. U.S. Navy explosive loading details

589: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. ship's pump speeding up
    N d. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction

738: How many board feet of dunnage are there in a draft 3 feet wide, 1-1/2 feet high, and 14 feet long?

    N a. 526
    Y b. 756
    N c. 876
    N d. 906

821: The Master must maintain the Oil Record Book on board for at least __________.

    N a. 1 month
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 36 months

842: When can the US citizenship requirement for the Master of a US-flag uninspected towing vessel be waived?

    N a. When US-licensed Masters are not readily available
    N b. When it costs too much to hire a US-licensed Master
    N c. When the towing vessel operates shoreward of the boundary line
    Y d. Never, under any circumstances

888: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 62,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 520
    Y b. 558
    N c. 620
    N d. 654

893: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels, your three watch cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 people, exclusive of the officers. How many of these people do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?

    Y a. 13
    N b. 10
    N c. 7
    N d. 5

893: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels, your three watch cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 people, exclusive of the officers. How many of these people do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?

    Y a. 13
    N b. 10
    N c. 7
    N d. 5

1056: In which situation could a vessel most easily capsize?

    N a. Running into head seas
    Y b. Running in the trough
    N c. Running with following seas
    N d. Anchored with your bow into the seas

1114: What type of stopper would you use on a nylon mooring line?

    N a. Chain
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Manila
    N d. Wire

1133: To properly rig the downhaul to your stage for lowering, you must __________.

    N a. take only figure eights around the horns
    Y b. take 2 or 3 round turns around the stage and then belay the downhaul around the horns
    N c. take 2 round turns around the stage and then dip the third turn to form a clove hitch
    N d. pass the downhaul through the bridle formed by the standing part and then take round turns

1135: What equipment is customarily used when seamen are working on a stage rigged over the side of a vessel?

    N a. Jacob's ladder
    N b. Manropes
    N c. Heaving lines
    Y d. All of the above

1147: You are on watch and the pilot has just anchored the vessel. The next thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go is to __________.

    N a. stop the engines
    N b. escort the pilot to the accommodation ladder
    Y c. plot the vessel's position on the chart
    N d. make a round of the weather decks

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

1254: Under identical load conditions, nylon, when compared with natural fiber line, will stretch __________.

    N a. less and have less strength
    N b. more and have less strength
    Y c. more and have greater strength
    N d. less and have greater strength

1302: Reinforcing frames attached to a bulkhead on a vessel are called __________.

    N a. side longitudinals
    N b. intercostals
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. brackets

1313: Where should a vessel being towed alongside be positioned for increased maneuverability?

    N a. Stern of the towed vessel aft of the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. Stern of the towed vessel even with the stern of the towing vessel
    Y c. Stern of the towed vessel forward of the stern of the towing vessel
    N d. Bow of the towed vessel even with the bow of the towing vessel

1348: Preparation of muster lists and signing of same is the responsibility of the __________.

    N a. Chief Officer of the vessel
    N b. owner of the vessel
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. United States Coast Guard

1365: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N c. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

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

1565: While in dry dock your vessel will be belt-gauged. This process involves __________.

    N a. measuring the thickness of the tail shaft liner
    N b. taking the vessel's offsets to check for hull deformation
    N c. testing and examining the anchor cables for defective links
    Y d. drilling or sonic-testing the hull to determine the plate thickness

1639: All wire rope used in shipboard cargo gear must be identified and described in a certificate. The certificate shall certify all of the following EXCEPT the __________.

    N a. date of the test
    N b. load at which a test sample broke
    Y c. name of the vessel
    N d. number of strands and of wires in each strand

1689: The mooring line shown as "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. spring line
    N c. shore line
    Y d. breast line

1729: The greatest strain, when lifting a load with the jumbo purchase, is on __________.

    N a. all of the parts, dividing the load equally
    Y b. the hauling part because it must absorb the frictional losses of all the sheaves
    N c. the parts in the movable block
    N d. the standing part because it is directly connected to the weight

1793: The lines led forward from the bow and aft from the stern when a vessel is moored to the dock are __________.

    Y a. bow and stern lines
    N b. breast lines
    N c. halyards
    N d. warps

1813: A snatch block would most likely be used as a __________.

    N a. boat fall
    Y b. fairlead
    N c. riding pawl
    N d. topping lift

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

1848: You are docking a vessel. Wind and current are most favorable when they are __________.

    N a. crossing your course in the same direction
    N b. crossing your course in opposite directions
    Y c. parallel to the pier from ahead
    N d. setting you on the pier

1880: You are using tackle number 11 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 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 )

    Y a. 75 lbs.
    N b. 90 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    N d. 117 lbs.

1881: In time of war Naval Control of Shipping Authorities may give orders concerning the __________.

    N a. cargo to be loaded
    N b. final destination
    Y c. ship's route
    N d. All of the above

1989: If you were to pass a stopper on a wire rope, what should the stopper be made of?

    N a. Wire
    N b. Manila
    N c. Nylon
    Y d. Chain

2206: You are using tackle number 6 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 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 )

    Y a. 80 lbs.
    N b. 69 lbs.
    N c. 55 lbs.
    N d. 50 lbs.

2222: The lower seam of the strake indicated by the letter B is sometimes riveted. This is done to __________. (D033DG )

    N a. increase the strength in a highly stressed area
    N b. provide the flexibility inherent in a riveted seam
    Y c. serve as a crack arrestor and prevent hull girder failure
    N d. reduce construction costs

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

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)

2546: The dangerous cargo manifest does NOT indicate __________.

    N a. the stowage location of hazardous material aboard the vessel
    N b. a description of the packaging (drums, boxes, etc.)
    N c. UN identification numbers
    Y d. the net weight of each hazardous cargo

2564: The major components which determine the length of catenary in a deployed anchor cable are water depth, cable tension, and __________.

    N a. environmental forces
    N b. bottom conditions
    Y c. cable weight
    N d. water density

2589: The angle at which the anchor flukes penetrate the soil is the __________.

    N a. burial angle
    N b. penetration angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. holding angle

2626: The "grip" of a joint represents the __________.

    Y a. thickness of the connected members
    N b. diameter of the head
    N c. entire length of the rivet
    N d. diameter of the shank

2702: How long is the standard container used to measure equivalent units?

    N a. 10 feet (3 meters)
    Y b. 20 feet (6 meters)
    N c. 35 feet (11 meters)
    N d. 40 feet (12 meters)

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)

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

3252: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended and is pointing his finger in the direction to move the boom. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend
    N b. lower
    N c. hoist
    Y d. swing

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

3820: When making a Scharnow turn, the __________.

    N a. rudder must be put over towards the side the man went over
    N b. initial turn direction is away from the side the man went over
    Y c. rudder is put hard over and the initial turn is maintained until about 240° from the original course
    N d. man overboard must be not more than 300 feet astern when starting the turn

4180: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Raise/open stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    Y b. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N c. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open stern door
    N d. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open stern door, lower the stern ramp

4255: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    N c. When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited.
    Y d. All of the above