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.


51: You are the licensed Master of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand any order spoken by the officers?


74: The best information on the location of the blocks when dry docking a vessel is contained in the __________.


119: Sour crude oil __________.


154: A look-out at the bow sights an object on your port side. How many bell strokes should he sound?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

184: You are standing look-out duty at night. A dim light on the horizon will be seen quickest by looking __________.

    N a. at an area just a little below the horizon
    N b. at the horizon, where the sky and water appear to meet
    Y c. a little above the horizon
    N d. well below the horizon

197: Serving is __________.

    N a. marline or ratline wound along the grooves of a rope
    N b. narrow strips of light canvas or cotton cloth spiral-wrapped along the rope
    Y c. marline tightly wound on the rope by means of a board or mallet
    N d. a splice made by laying the strand of one rope into the vacated grooves of another rope

229: Which refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

    N a. Outage
    N b. Ullage
    N c. Thievage
    Y d. Innage

315: A vessel must have one approved ring life buoy on board if its length is over how many feet?

    N a. 6 feet
    N b. 16 feet
    Y c. 26 feet
    N d. 36 feet

450: Once a vessel has loaded packaged hazardous cargo, the cargo spaces shall be inspected. The spaces shall also be inspected at least once in every 24 hours. The only exception to daily inspection is when __________.

    Y a. a vessel is equipped with an automatic smoke or fire detecting system
    N b. the cargo hatches are of steel construction
    N c. the cargo is of a nonflammable type
    N d. there is sufficient fire protection located on the main deck adjacent to the cargo hatch

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

545: Repairing damage to the hull at or above the waterline reduces the threat of __________.

    N a. free surface effects
    N b. capsizing
    Y c. continued progressive flooding
    N d. wind heel

571: You are in port A in the United States, and your Certificate of Inspection has expired. You wish to go to port B in the United States for repairs and to complete the inspection. If the Officer-in-Charge Marine Inspection deems it safe, he may issue a __________.

    N a. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N b. Limited Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Temporary Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. Permit to Proceed

732: Which action should be taken FIRST if your tow is sinking in shallow water?

    Y a. Pay out the towline until the sunken tow reaches bottom.
    N b. Sever the towline.
    N c. Immediately head for the nearest shoreline.
    N d. Contact the Coast Guard.

744: When using natural-fiber rope, you should NEVER __________.

    N a. dry the line before stowing it
    N b. reverse turns on winches periodically to keep out kinks
    Y c. try to lubricate the line
    N d. use chafing gear

785: With rudders amidships and negligible wind, a twin-screw vessel moving ahead on the port screw and backing on the starboard screw will __________.

    N a. move in a straight line
    Y b. pivot to starboard
    N c. pivot to port
    N d. walk sideways to starboard

827: The pitch of a propeller is a measure of the __________.

    N a. angle that the propeller makes with a free stream of water
    N b. angle that the propeller makes with the surface of the water
    Y c. number of feet per revolution the propeller is designed to advance in still water without slip
    N d. positive pressure resulting from the difference of the forces on both sides of the moving propeller in still water without slip

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)

876: You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel. As you approach the other vessel's stern __________.

    N a. you will gain speed
    N b. both vessels will gain speed
    Y c. the vessels will drift together
    N d. the vessels will drift apart

879: Centrifugal pumps have what advantage(s) over reciprocating pumps?

    N a. They are less expensive.
    N b. They are smaller for equivalent pumping ability.
    N c. They pump more cargo in less time.
    Y d. All of the above

902: The number of able seamen required on board is stated in the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping code
    N b. Solas Certificate
    N c. Classification Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

958: You are in a tropical port. The refrigeration machinery on a container loaded with air-cooled fruit fails. It cannot be repaired for 18 to 24 hours. Which step should you take to reduce the temperature rise and spoilage of the fruit?

    N a. Discharge a cylinder of nitrogen into the container
    Y b. Shade the container and periodically hose it down
    N c. Seal any ventilation openings and add dry ice
    N d. Spread ice over the top layer and in any voids within the container

1128: The most accurate account of cargo on board will be found in the __________.

    N a. Manifest
    N b. charter party
    Y c. Bill of Lading
    N d. Portage Bill

1221: Your vessel is in Charleston, S.C. You need not clear Customs if __________.

    Y a. all the cargo on board is of U.S. origin and destined for New York
    N b. you took on no new cargo in Charleston, S.C. and are bound for Puerto Rico and thence foreign
    N c. you did not discharge any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Panama
    N d. you did not load any cargo in Charleston and are bound for Halifax

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1458: The catenary in a towline is __________.

    N a. a short bridle
    Y b. the downward curvature of the hawser
    N c. another name for a pelican hook
    N d. used to hold it amidships

1477: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises out of __________.

    N a. delays due to seizure of the vessel
    N b. fire caused by fault of the carrier
    N c. strikes or lockouts
    Y d. improper stowage

1514: A 6x12, two-inch wire rope has __________.

    N a. 12 strands and a two-inch diameter
    N b. 12 strands and a two-inch circumference
    Y c. 6 strands and a two-inch diameter
    N d. 6 strands and a two-inch circumference

1560: Which arrangement of shell plating is used most in modern shipbuilding?

    N a. Clinker
    Y b. Flush
    N c. In-and-Out
    N d. Joggled

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

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

1605: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    N a. near the stern
    N b. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. at the hawsepipe
    Y d. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow

1607: Using a scope of 6, how much cable would have to be used in order to anchor in 24 feet of water?

    N a. 4 feet
    N b. 18 feet
    N c. 30 feet
    Y d. 144 feet

1730: A disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line, is called the __________.

    N a. deadrise mark
    N b. maximum allowable draft mark
    Y c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. tonnage mark

1781: Which organization usually assigns load lines to U.S. vessels?

    N a. National Load-Line Agency
    N b. National Shipping Bureau
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. American Regulations Council

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

1791: Which factor does NOT affect the required freeboard of a cargo vessel?

    N a. Season of the year
    N b. Geographic zone of operation
    N c. Density of the water
    Y d. Condition of trim in normal operation

1792: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter F? (D003DG )

    N a. Fresh water load line
    N b. Summer load line
    Y c. Winter load line
    N d. Tropical load line

1831: A "loose" tow may cause all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. loss of maneuverability
    N b. lines to part
    N c. damage to the towing vessel and tow
    Y d. a saving in the transit time

1862: How much force would be required to lift a weight of 200 lbs. using a gun tackle rigged to disadvantage (do not consider friction)?

    N a. 50 lbs.
    Y b. 100 lbs.
    N c. 150 lbs.
    N d. 200 lbs.

1868: When being towed by one tug, the towing bridle should be connected to towing __________.

    Y a. bitts with figure eights
    N b. pad eyes with pelican hooks
    N c. pad eyes with safety hooks
    N d. All of the above

1893: A block and tackle is "rove to advantage". This means that the __________.

    N a. blocks have been overhauled
    N b. hauling parts of two tackles are attached
    Y c. hauling part leads through the movable block
    N d. hauling part leads through the standing block

1917: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 14 feet?

    N a. 31.42
    N b. 15.71
    Y c. 7.85
    N d. 6.25

1936: A "gypsy" or "gypsyhead" is a __________.

    N a. punt used for painting over the side
    N b. small, reciprocating steam engine
    Y c. spool-shaped drum fitted on a winch
    N d. swinging derrick

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

2020: To facilitate passing the end of a large rope through a block, you could use a __________.

    N a. gantline
    N b. head line
    Y c. reeving line
    N d. sail line

2094: A large basin cut into the shore, closed off by a caisson, and used for dry docking of ships is known as a __________.

    N a. slipway
    Y b. graving dock
    N c. ground warp
    N d. caisson dock

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

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

2281: Your vessel has run hard aground in an area subject to heavy wave action. Backing full astern failed to free her. Which action should be taken next?

    N a. Continue backing to scour out the bottom.
    N b. Wait for high tide and then try backing.
    Y c. Flood empty tanks to increase bottom pressure and prevent inshore creep.
    N d. Shift weight aft to reduce the forward draft.

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

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

2494: The major components which determine the length of a catenary in a deployed anchor cable are water depth, cable weight, and __________.

    Y a. cable tension
    N b. water temperature
    N c. bottom conditions
    N d. water density

2600: A smooth, tapered pin, usually of wood, used to open up the strands of a rope for splicing is called a(n) __________.

    N a. batten
    N b. bench hook
    N c. awl
    Y d. fid

2609: Which tanker discharge pattern would be the safest and most efficient?

    N a. Empty the forward tanks and start working aft, emptying each tank in sequence
    Y b. Start discharging with most of the discharge coming from forward, but include some from midships and after tanks
    N c. Start pumping from forward, midships, and aft with the discharge distributed equally among the tanks
    N d. Start pumping from midships and then work forward and aft simultaneously as the midships tank is emptied

2718: On Great Lakes vessels, midsummer load lines apply __________.

    N a. April 16 through April 30 and September 16 through September 30
    Y b. May 1 through September 15
    N c. July 16 through August 30
    N d. June 16 through September 16

3451: After inventorying the Naval Control of Shipping publications you find there is no copy of ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Bridge Supplement". You should ask for a replacement from the __________.

    Y a. Maritime Administration
    N b. Coast Guard
    N c. Chief of Naval Operations
    N d. local Operational Control Authority

3452: A drift lead indicates that the vessel is dragging anchor when the line is __________.

    Y a. taut and leading forward
    N b. slack
    N c. leading out perpendicular to the centerline
    N d. leading under the hull

3464: The ultimate or maximum strength of a wire rope is referred to as the __________.

    N a. operating strength
    N b. working load
    Y c. breaking strength
    N d. lifting load

3576: Heave is motion along the __________.

    N a. longitudinal axis
    N b. transverse axis
    Y c. vertical axis
    N d. centerline axis

3616: A tug in irons is __________.

    N a. rudder bound
    N b. being tripped by the towline
    Y c. unable to maneuver
    N d. broached

4107: Which of the following are considered to be "road vehicles" that can be carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Semi-trailer
    N b. Train
    N c. Articulated train
    N d. All of the above

4202: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    N a. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    N c. They are more economical and weigh less.
    Y d. All of the above