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.


16: When underway and proceeding ahead, as the speed increases, the pivot point tends to __________.


178: Which can be prevented only by segregating two lots of cargo into separate holds?


190: You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible?


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

286: Sidewise force of the propeller tends to throw a vessel's stern to the right or left, depending on rotation. This force is caused by __________.

    N a. back current from the rudder
    N b. greater pressure on the right or left side of the propeller, depending on rotation
    N c. lower pressure on the right or left side of the propeller, depending on rotation
    Y d. torque from the velocity and angle at which the surrounding water impinges upon the propeller blades

300: On which form do you provide a written report of Marine Casualty to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. DD 214
    Y b. CG 2692
    N c. DOT 211
    N d. CG 5511

409: A tanker is loaded with 5,000 barrels of petroleum. The cargo was loaded at a temperature of 70°F, and the coefficient of expansion is .0004. What is the net amount in barrels of cargo loaded?

    N a. 4800
    Y b. 4980
    N c. 5020
    N d. 5200

423: When securing a synthetic line to a bitt what is the minimum number of round turns you should take before figure-eighting the line?

    N a. None
    N b. 1
    Y c. 2
    N d. 3

455: A vessel having continuous closely spaced transverse strength members is __________.

    N a. longitudinally framed
    Y b. transversely framed
    N c. cellular framed
    N d. web framed

470: A fiber towing hawser should be stowed __________.

    Y a. in an enclosed rope locker with adequate air circulation
    N b. by spooling it on the winch
    N c. by coiling it on deck
    N d. by hanging it in the engineroom

503: Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. Nylon can stretch approximately 40% and still recover.
    N b. Only nylon stoppers should be used on nylon hawsers.
    Y c. Nylon is most practical for use on hip towing.
    N d. With proper care nylon hawsers will greatly outlast manila and other natural fibers.

541: The official number of a documented vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    Y b. required to be permanently marked on the vessel's structure
    N c. required to be painted on the vessel's stern
    N d. required to be painted on the vessel's bow

639: The complete details of a crude oil washing system aboard your vessel, including the operating sequences and procedures, design characteristics, a description of the system, and required personnel will be found in the __________.

    N a. Oil Transfer Procedures Manual
    Y b. Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual
    N c. Code of Federal Regulations
    N d. Crude Oil Washing addendum to the Certificate of Inspection

652: When plugging holes below the waterline you should __________.

    N a. eliminate all water entering the hole
    N b. only plug holes in machinery or other vital spaces
    Y c. reduce the entry of water as much as possible
    N d. plug the largest holes first

713: How do the height and location of a tug's towing bitts relate to the danger of tripping?

    Y a. The further forward and closer to amidships the more readily the tug will trip.
    N b. Placement further aft permits more effective pulling, better steering and eliminates the danger of tripping.
    N c. Installing the bitts down low lowers the center of gravity.
    N d. The height and position of towing bitts has no significance.

994: Manila lines in which the strands are right-hand laid __________.

    Y a. should be coiled in a clockwise direction
    N b. should be coiled in a counterclockwise direction
    N c. may be coiled either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. should never be coiled

1036: What is meant by the term "broaching to"?

    N a. Having the vessel head toward the sea
    N b. Running before a sea
    Y c. Being turned broadside to the sea
    N d. Having the vessel filled with water

1045: If a hydraulic pump on a winch accidentally stops while hoisting, the load will stay suspended because __________.

    Y a. a check valve will close and prevent reverse circulation
    N b. a centrifugal counterweight counteracts the force of gravity.
    N c. the electric pump motor will cut out
    N d. the control lever will move to the stop position

1086: When taking a Pilot from a pilot vessel in a seaway, which way should you head your vessel if the ladder is on the leeward side?

    N a. Bow to the sea and no way on your vessel
    N b. Sea on the lee quarter with ship moving ahead slowly
    Y c. Sea on the weather bow and ship moving ahead slowly
    N d. Sea on the quarter with sternway on the ship

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

1201: When clearing customs for a foreign voyage, which of the following is processed at the custom's house and returned to the vessel?

    Y a. Shipping Articles
    N b. Traveling Curio Manifest
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. Cargo Gear Register

1237: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch. After reviewing the chart and having been briefed by the off-going mate, you are now ready to effect the relief. The watch is officially transferred to you after __________.

    N a. you state the vessel's charted position, present course and port of destination
    N b. the mate being relieved tells you the vessel's course and speed and states that you have the watch
    Y c. you say, "I relieve you" and you state the course per gyro and magnetic compasses
    N d. the mate being relieved says, "You have the conn" and you state the ship's course

1241: A Notice of Marine Casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    Y b. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N c. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N d. the amount of ballast on board

1312: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "D" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

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

1396: Lifting the anchor from the bottom is called __________.

    N a. broaching the anchor
    N b. shifting the anchor
    N c. walking the anchor
    Y d. weighing the anchor

1451: The implied condition(s) with respect to the doctrine of deviation in a marine insurance policy is(are) __________.

    N a. that the cargo be discharged from the vessel with customary dispatch
    N b. that the voyage be commenced in a reasonable time
    N c. that the voyage be pursued over the usual and direct route
    Y d. All of the above

1483: The knot used to join two lines or two large hawsers for towing is called a __________.

    N a. square knot
    Y b. carrick bend
    N c. sheet bend
    N d. bowline

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

    Y a. heaving line
    N b. lead line
    N c. manrope
    N d. mooring line

1802: Which picture represents a bowline? (DO30DG )

    N a. G
    N b. H
    N c. L
    Y d. Q

1860: A towline should be fastened to __________.

    N a. the chocks at the bow of a towed vessel
    N b. the most forward, centermost point of a towed vessel such as a sturdy bow rail
    N c. the mast of a towed sailboat
    Y d. a secure fitting near the bow of the towed vessel

1959: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

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

2028: When making up a long, large coastwise tow, which of the following procedures is INCORRECT?

    N a. A chain towing bridle is generally preferred
    N b. Safety shackles should be used when connecting to the fishplate
    N c. Rig tripping ropes (retrieving lines)
    Y d. Back-up wires are left slack

2137: The securing systems for containers were developed to prevent container movement during which ship motion?

    N a. Surge
    Y b. Roll
    N c. Sway
    N d. Yaw

2187: You are using tackle number 10 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 5. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 25
    N b. 20
    N c. 15
    N d. 10

2221: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20
    Y b. 15
    N c. 10
    N d. 5

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

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

2245: To determine the number of certificated lifeboatmen required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. operations manual

2248: A "wet cargo" refers to __________.

    N a. a cargo that will be damaged if it gets wet
    N b. bulk liquids
    N c. cargoes that will cause condensation
    Y d. liquids in containers

2287: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

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

2396: Determine the area of a triangle with a base of 5.8 feet and a height of 2.1 feet.

    N a. 12.2 square ft.
    N b. 7.9 square ft.
    Y c. 6.1 square ft.
    N d. 3.0 square ft.

2460: You are operating a twin-screw vessel and lose your port engine. You continue to operate on your starboard engine only. Which action would you take to move your vessel ahead in a straight line?

    Y a. Compensate with right rudder.
    N b. Compensate with left rudder.
    N c. Surge the starboard engine.
    N d. Rudder amidships - no compensation is necessary on a twin-screw vessel.

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

2838: A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker, while escorting ships in ice, may sound four short and one long blasts on the whistle to indicate that the icebreaker __________.

    Y a. has become beset in fast ice
    N b. is increasing speed; watch for broken ice
    N c. has its engines full astern
    N d. is increasing the distance between vessels

2839: Adequate horsepower is of great importance when a ship is navigating independently in ice. Adequate horsepower is generally considered to exist when the horsepower to length ratio is at least __________.

    N a. 4 to 1 or better
    N b. 5 to 1 or better
    Y c. 6 to 1 or better
    N d. 8 to 1 or better

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

2906: You are planning to anchor in an area where several anchors have been lost due to fouling. As a precaution, you should __________.

    N a. anchor using both anchors
    N b. anchor with scope of 8 or more to 1
    N c. use a stern anchor
    Y d. fit a crown strap and work wire to the anchor

2956: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

3054: The phenomenon known as a "seiche" is most likely to occur on Lake Erie __________.

    N a. during the passage of a rapidly moving warm front
    Y b. when strong winds from the Northeast suddenly diminish
    N c. during the months of May through August
    N d. when the Moon and Sun are in alignment

3078: Another name for coal naphtha that would appear on a dangerous cargo manifest is __________.

    Y a. benzene
    N b. tar
    N c. middle oil
    N d. toluene

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

3382: The signal man assisting the crane operator first taps his elbow with one hand and then proceeds to use regular signals. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. use the main hoist
    N b. proceed slowly
    N c. increase speed
    Y d. use the whip line

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

3447: The best method to secure a tow line to a cleat is to __________.

    Y a. take a turn around the cleat, then figure-eights, and a half-hitch
    N b. make figure-eights, followed by a half-hitch, then a figure-eight knot
    N c. take a turn, a half turn, and a figure-eight
    N d. take several turns around the cleat only

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

4156: Which element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Weight of the vehicles
    N b. Geographical area of the voyage
    N c. Dynamic forces under adverse weather conditions
    Y d. All of the above

4226: What does item "E" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    Y a. Tagline
    N b. Electric cable
    N c. Cargo snaking wire
    N d. Hook release cable

4257: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N b. An independent slew drive system rotates the turntable.
    N c. Each crane is supplied with luff, hoist, and slew functions for crane load handling.
    Y d. All of the above

4258: Which statement is TRUE regarding the operation of a crane?

    Y a. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N b. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the hoisting winch.
    N c. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N d. The crane jib is raised and lowered by a jibing winch.

4270: Which immediate action should the operator of a pedestal crane take if crane control is lost?

    Y a. Let go of both control levers and return to neutral position.
    N b. Call the engine room.
    N c. Disconnect the power to the pedestal.
    N d. Call the electrician.