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.


24: A crack in the deck plating of a vessel may be temporarily prevented from increasing in length by __________.


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


60: You are on a vessel designed to carry compressed gasses in bulk with a cargo of butadiene. Which statement is TRUE?


95: You should keep clear of __________.

    Y a. any line under a strain
    N b. lines that are paying out
    N c. lines that are coiled down only
    N d. None of the above are correct

96: The distance a vessel moves at right angles to the original course, when a turn of 180° has been completed, is called the __________.

    N a. advance
    N b. pivoting point
    Y c. tactical diameter
    N d. kick

116: In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term "transfer" means the distance __________.

    N a. gained in the direction of the original course
    Y b. gained at right angles to the original course
    N c. the ship moves sidewise from the original course away from the direction of the turn after the rudder is first put over
    N d. around the circumference of the turning circle

122: You may be able to avoid loss of suction in a pump by __________.

    N a. using a full tank to keep the pump primed
    N b. opening the vent cock on the pump
    N c. closing down on the tank valve
    Y d. All of the above

195: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. The Dangerous Cargo Manifest must be signed by the __________.

    N a. shipper
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector
    Y c. Master or his authorized representative
    N d. Master only

213: You are the Master of a single-screw vessel. You are docking at a port which has no tugs available. You decide to drop the offshore anchor to help in docking. The amount of chain you should pay out is __________.

    N a. 5 to 7 times the depth of the water
    Y b. 1 1/2 to 2 times the depth of the water
    N c. equal to the depth of the water
    N d. you should NEVER use the anchor to help in docking

232: The angle at which the fluke penetrates the soil is called the __________.

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

246: The force exerted by a propeller which tends to throw the stern right or left is called __________.

    N a. slip
    Y b. sidewise force
    N c. rotational force
    N d. thrust

281: Which action will take place if a crew member is replaced in a U.S. port after foreign articles have been signed, and the ship proceeds foreign?

    N a. The Master will remove the replaced man's name from the Certified Crew List but not from the articles.
    Y b. The name of the new man is added to the articles but not to the Certified Crew List.
    N c. The U.S. Consul will remove the replaced man's name from the Certified Crew List.
    N d. The U.S. Consul will add the new man's name to the Certified Crew List.

349: The periodic weight testing of a vessel's cargo booms may be performed by the __________.

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

406: A twin-screw vessel with a single rudder is making headway. The engines are full speed ahead. There is no wind or current. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. If one screw is stopped, the ship will turn toward the side of the stopped screw.
    N b. The principal force which turns the ship is set up by the wake against the forward side of the rudder.
    Y c. Turning response by use of the rudder only is greater than on a single-screw vessel.
    N d. With the rudder amidships, the ship will steer a fairly steady course.

418: On a vessel proceeding from a very cold to a warm climate with a cargo of a nonhygroscopic nature in the holds, which is TRUE?

    N a. Danger of heavy ship sweat exists; constant and vigorous ventilation is required.
    Y b. There is danger of heavy cargo sweat if outside air is introduced by ventilation.
    N c. There is little danger of ship's sweat, slight possibility of cargo sweat; moderate ventilation is needed.
    N d. The possibility of any sweat problem, either cargo or ship, is remote.

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

632: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Stop the swing of the ship.
    N b. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    Y c. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees that it is now.
    N d. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.

702: When paying off seamen in a foreign port, where a United States consul is not available, the release must be executed by the seamen and the __________.

    N a. representative of the foreign country
    N b. local port authority representative
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. ship's union delegate

768: A cargo of canned foodstuff is packed in cartons. Each carton is 36 cubic feet and weighs 340 pounds. The stowage factor of the cargo is __________.

    N a. 9.5
    N b. 62
    N c. 212
    Y d. 237

841: All entries in the Official Logbook must be signed by the Master and __________.

    N a. the Union Representative
    N b. the person about whom the entry concerns
    N c. no one else
    Y d. one other crew member

862: The term "pintle" and "gudgeon" are associated with the __________.

    N a. anchor windlass
    N b. jumbo boom
    Y c. rudder
    N d. steering engine

920: A vessel's light displacement is 12,000 tons. Its heavy displacement is 28,000 tons. When fully loaded it carries 200 tons of fuel and 100 tons of water and stores. What is the cargo carrying capacity in tons?

    N a. 11,700 tons
    Y b. 15,700 tons
    N c. 16,000 tons
    N d. 27,700 tons

940: When selecting the fuel oil tanks for the "burn-out" of bunkers during a voyage consideration of all of the following must be taken with the EXCEPTION of __________.

    Y a. flashpoint
    N b. stability
    N c. trim
    N d. list

941: Which logbook is required to be submitted to the Coast Guard?

    Y a. Official Log
    N b. Smooth log
    N c. Rough log
    N d. Bell log

993: Your vessel is docking, but not yet alongside. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Bow breast line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Inshore head line
    N d. Offshore head line

1141: A vessel has arrived in a U.S. port from a foreign voyage. Preliminary entry has been made. Formal entry at the U.S. Custom House must be made within how many hours after arrival (Sundays and holidays excepted)?

    N a. 12
    N b. 24
    Y c. 48
    N d. 72 without exception

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

1355: Ice concentration is measured in OKTAs. What percentage of the sea surface is ice-covered with 6 OKTAs concentration?

    N a. 6%
    N b. 50%
    N c. 60%
    Y d. 75%

1473: The "carrick bend" is used to __________.

    N a. add strength to a weak spot in a line
    Y b. join two hawsers
    N c. be a stopper to transfer a line under strain
    N d. join lines of different sizes

1609: For vessels fitted with cargo gear, an initial test of the units under a proof load shall be conducted. Subsequent tests and exams of the same nature shall be carried out at what time interval?

    N a. 1 year
    N b. 3 years
    N c. 4 years
    Y d. 5 years

1625: All inspected vessels on unrestricted ocean routes must have equipment on board for testing an individual's __________.

    N a. blood
    Y b. breath
    N c. urine
    N d. All of the above

1630: The fore and aft run of deck plating which strengthens the connection between the beams and the frames and keeps the beams square to the shell is called the __________.

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. limber strake
    N c. sheer strake
    Y d. stringer strake

1749: A sling is rigged on a piece of pipe weighing 1000 lbs. The angle between the sling legs is 140° and the legs are of equal length. What stress is exerted on each sling leg when the pipe is lifted?

    N a. 1318 lbs.
    N b. 1366 lbs.
    N c. 1414 lbs.
    Y d. 1462 lbs.

1784: The "rolling hitch" could be used to __________.

    N a. join two lines of different sizes
    N b. join two lines of equal sizes
    N c. add strength to a weak spot in a line
    Y d. act as a stopper to transfer a line under strain

1788: Which position shown is the most dangerous when tying up? (D019DG )

    Y a. I
    N b. II
    N c. III
    N d. IV

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

1875: A seam is indicated by which letter in illustration D033DG? (D033DG )

    Y a. E
    N b. H
    N c. L
    N d. M

2087: A vessel has a deadweight carrying capacity of 10,500 tons. Fuel, water, and stores require 1500 tons. The cubic capacity is 500,000 cubic feet. Which cargo will put her full and down?

    N a. Slabs of zinc, SF 7.1
    Y b. Rolls of barbed wire, SF 55.5
    N c. Barrels of tallow, SF 66.8
    N d. Bundles of rubber, SF 140.2

2143: Your vessel was damaged and initially assumed a significant list and trim; however, further increase has been slow. Based on this data, what should you expect?

    N a. The slowing is only temporary and the vessel will probably suddenly capsize or plunge from loss of stability due to change in the waterplane area.
    Y b. The vessel can probably be saved if further flooding can be stopped.
    N c. The vessel will continue to slowly list and/or trim due to the free surface effect and free communication effect.
    N d. The vessel will suddenly flop to the same or greater angle of list on the other side and may capsize.

2257: "Cribbing" is __________.

    Y a. wooden blocks or dunnage placed between a deck load and the deck
    N b. the chains and shackles used to secure a deck cargo
    N c. a crate in which a deck cargo is packaged
    N d. cardboard separation pieces placed between deck loads to prevent chafing

2341: The grooved wheel inside a block is called a __________.

    N a. cheek
    N b. gypsy
    Y c. sheave
    N d. drum

2455: The boom indicator on a crane will indicate the __________.

    N a. length of the boom
    Y b. angle of the boom
    N c. lifting capacity of the boom
    N d. direction of the boom

2456: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    N a. Lacings
    N b. Lays
    Y c. Strands
    N d. Twines

2491: Before being certified by the American Bureau of Shipping, anchor chain must undergo __________.

    N a. USCG inspection
    Y b. a breaking test
    N c. x-ray inspection
    N d. spectroanalysis

2557: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2 Vol. II - Allied Control of Shipping Manual
    N b. NWP-II - Underway Replenishment Guide
    N c. Warship Recognition Cards
    N d. ATP-1 - Allied Tactical Signals

2618: Due to the nature of a vessel's construction for a particular trade, it does not fully comply with the provisions of SOLAS. Where will this be indicated?

    Y a. On the Exemption Certificate
    N b. On the reverse of the particular SOLAS certificate affected
    N c. On the face of the Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Nowhere; the vessel must comply to engage in international trade.

2664: You must shore up a bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates a rectangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    N b. approximately one-third of the way up the bulkhead
    Y c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

2712: Which two Great Lakes are considered hydraulically as one?

    N a. Lakes Superior - Huron
    Y b. Lakes Michigan - Huron
    N c. Lakes Erie - St. Clair
    N d. Lakes Erie - Ontario

2776: How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?

    N a. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake St. Clair
    N b. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on Lake Erie
    Y c. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake Michigan
    N d. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on the New York State Barge Canal

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

2926: Many sheath-screw davits have markings to indicate the maximum angle to which they should be cranked out. If the angle is exceeded, the davit __________.

    N a. may jam against the stops
    N b. will not automatically position the boat at the embarkation station
    Y c. screw may come out of the sheath
    N d. will chafe against the falls and may cause their failure

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.

3091: Towlines should be inspected for chafing where the towline __________.

    N a. passes over the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. passes through chocks
    N c. is attached to the disabled vessel
    Y d. All of the above

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3321: By law, the maximum penalty for failing (without reasonable cause) to give aid in the case of collision is __________.

    N a. one year imprisonment or $500
    N b. two years imprisonment or $500
    Y c. two years imprisonment or $1000
    N d. two years imprisonment or $2000

3508: A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the towing line to you, you should secure the line __________.

    N a. to the base of the foremast
    Y b. to the forward-most bitts
    N c. to the forward part of the deckhouse
    N d. at the stern

3644: You are drifting in a locale where there is no current. As a rule, your vessel will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

4147: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4235: What describes a twin crane lift?

    N a. Single crane hoisting 30 tons
    Y b. Two cranes on a single pedestal hoisting 60 tons
    N c. Two sets of twin cranes hoisting 120 tons
    N 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