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 __________.


22: A wildcat is a __________.


31: An embarked Pilot __________.


32: The explosive range of a fuel lies between the lower explosive limit and the __________.

    N a. flash point
    N b. ignition temperature
    Y c. upper explosive limit
    N d. fire point

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

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

252: You have orders to load cargoes of carbon disulfide, diisopropylamine and pyridine on your multi-product tankship. Which statement is true?

    N a. Carbon disulfide may be carried in NOS. 1 and 2 center tanks and diisopropylamine in NOS. 1 and 2 wing tanks.
    Y b. Pyridine and diisopropylamine may not be carried in tanks having a common header vent.
    N c. Pyridine must be separated from carbon disulfide by two barriers (cofferdams, voids, empty tanks, etc.).
    N d. A tank of diisopropylamine may be used to separate a tank of pyridine from a tank of carbon disulfide.

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

294: Displacement refers to the __________.

    N a. cubic capacity of a vessel
    N b. deadweight carrying capacity of a vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of a vessel
    Y d. number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat

375: The best line for towing small vessels is __________.

    N a. three strand nylon
    Y b. double-braided nylon
    N c. polypropylene
    N d. manila

431: Official proof of an American vessel's nationality is contained in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Official Log
    Y c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. Shipping Articles

635: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

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

659: You are planning to use the crude oil washing system on your tankship. What is required to prevent electrostatic buildup in the tanks?

    N a. The portable machines must be set at the proper drop for the first wash before the fixed machines are used.
    Y b. The source tank for the tank cleaning machines must have least one meter decanted from it.
    N c. The inert gas system must reduce the oxygen content in the tanks to a maximum of 18%.
    N d. The fixed machines must be operated simultaneously with the portable machines to equalize the electrostatic potential.

728: How many board feet of dunnage are in a draft 4 feet wide, 1-1/2 feet high and 13 feet long?

    N a. 84
    N b. 756
    Y c. 936
    N d. 1021

746: Which effect does speed through the water have on a vessel which is underway in shallow water?

    N a. A decrease in the speed results in a decrease in steering response and maneuverability.
    Y b. An increase in speed results in the stern sucking down lower than the bow.
    N c. An increase in speed results in the vessel rising on an even plane.
    N d. A decrease in speed results in the vessel sucking down on an even plane.

983: When a vessel is on autopilot steering, the "weather " control is adjusted to compensate for which severe weather effect on a vessel?

    Y a. Yaw
    N b. Roll
    N c. Pitch
    N d. Leeway

1005: Which device is designed to automatically hold the load if power should fail to an electric winch?

    N a. Pneumatic brake
    Y b. Electromagnetic brake
    N c. Hand brake
    N d. Motor controller

1026: When making way in heavy seas you notice that your vessel's screw is being lifted clear of the water and racing. One way to correct this would be to __________.

    N a. increase speed
    Y b. decrease speed
    N c. move more weight forward
    N d. shift the rudder back and forth several times

1048: You are the person in charge of a vessel involved in a marine casualty. You must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office if the property damage is over __________.

    N a. $1,500
    N b. $10,000
    Y c. $25,000
    N d. $50,000

1144: Which rope has the greatest breaking strength?

    N a. Manila
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Polyethylene
    N d. Polypropylene

1175: You have arrived at your anchorage location. You have put the engines astern prior to letting go the anchor. How will you know when the vessel has stopped making way?

    N a. The ship's Doppler log reads zero
    Y b. The backwash of the propeller reaches amidships
    N c. An azimuth bearing on the beam remains steady
    N d. All of the above

1305: What is an advantage of the 6X19 class of wire rope over the 6X37 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

    N a. Greater holding power
    N b. Better for towing
    N c. More resistance to elongation
    Y d. More resistance to corrosion

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

1319: In relation to cargo gear, what does "SWL" mean?

    Y a. Safe working load
    N b. Ship's working lift
    N c. Starboard wing lift
    N d. Stress, weight, load

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

1564: What is the main reason to slush a wire rope?

    N a. Keep the wire soft and manageable
    Y b. Lubricate the inner wires and prevent wear
    N c. Prevent kinking
    N d. Prevent rotting

1591: A complaint of unseaworthiness by a majority of crew members to the American Consul is found to be justified after a survey is completed. Who must pay the cost of the survey?

    N a. Crew members requesting the survey
    N b. American Consul
    Y c. Master
    N d. Vessel's owners

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

1794: A "figure eight" knot is used to __________.

    N a. be a stopper
    N b. shorten a line
    N c. join lines of equal size
    Y d. keep a line from passing through a sheave

1814: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "D" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1818: When comparing twin screw tug to single-screw tugs, which statement about a twin-screw tug is FALSE?

    N a. If one engine fails, you do not lose control of the tow.
    N b. It is more maneuverable.
    Y c. It develops more bollard pull for the same horsepower.
    N d. It is generally subject to more propeller damage from debris in the water.

1883: The most common method of securing a line to a cleat is a __________.

    N a. half hitch, then round turns
    Y b. round turn, then figure eights
    N c. figure eight, then round turns
    N d. figure eight, then half hitches

1945: One of your crew members falls overboard from the starboard side. You should IMMEDIATELY __________.

    N a. apply left rudder
    Y b. throw the crew member a life preserver
    N c. begin backing your engines
    N d. position your vessel to windward and begin recovery

2132: Which statement concerning dual-tonnage vessels is TRUE?

    N a. The dual-tonnage mark is always marked above the load line marks.
    N b. The tonnages referred to are the displacement tonnage and gross tonnage.
    Y c. A single-deck vessel may not be assigned dual tonnages.
    N d. The dual-tonnage mark must never be submerged beyond the freshwater allowance.

2148: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N b. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N c. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N d. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.

2218: If reefer spaces are not properly cleaned prior to loading cargo, it will most likely cause __________.

    Y a. mold to develop on commodities
    N b. malfunction of the refrigeration equipment
    N c. contamination of the insulation in the space
    N d. All of the above

2237: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 76° and the wet bulb temperature is 59°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 34%
    N b. 47%
    N c. 76%
    N d. 79%

2278: You will load and carry a bulk cargo of sulfur at ambient temperature. Which statement is true?

    N a. Wooden covers must be laid over the bilge wells to prevent the sulfur from entering the bilges.
    Y b. Bulk sulfur may be carried without a special permit providing the vessel complies with all applicable regulations.
    N c. The major characteristic of this cargo is that it forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water.
    N d. Other hazardous material may not be stowed in the same hold as the sulfur but may be carried on deck above the hold.

2289: A seaman you have just discharged has a Continuous Discharge Book. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The record of entry in the continuous discharge book shall agree with the entry made in the Ship's Articles.
    N b. If the vessel was on coastwise articles, the record of discharge will be made in the Official Logbook.
    N c. An entry should be made in the book and a Certificate of Discharge issued to the seaman.
    N d. A Certificate of Discharge form should be attached to the book.

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

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)

2559: A vessel in Great Lakes service shall carry anchors in accordance with standards established by the __________.

    Y a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Canadian Coast Guard
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. underwriter of the vessel

2888: The Coordinator Surface Search in a SAR situation should display by day __________.

    Y a. the code flags FR
    N b. a black ball over a black diamond shape
    N c. code flag Quebec over a black ball
    N d. two black diamond shapes in a vertical line

2892: What is LEAST likely to be used to strip a cargo tank?

    Y a. Centrifugal pump
    N b. Eductor
    N c. Rotary pump
    N d. Reciprocating pump

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.

2933: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

3026: Which type of fog is the most dense and widely spread of those that occur on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Steam fog
    Y b. Advection fog
    N c. Radiation fog
    N d. Lake effect fog

3069: Atmospheres laden with coal dust or grain dust caused by loading these cargoes __________.

    N a. require loading operations to be shut down until the atmosphere clears
    N b. are toxic to human life
    N c. are subject to spontaneous combustion
    Y d. may be explosive in some concentrations

3132: What may prevent a tug from tripping or capsizing when towing a large vessel?

    N a. Surge lines
    Y b. Norman Pins
    N c. Under riders
    N d. Safety shackles

3250: You are operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N b. Wait one week and submit form GG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    Y c. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

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

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    Y b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. roll

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

3501: What must be accurately determined to assess the potential for progressive flooding after a vessel has been damaged?

    Y a. The integrity of the water tight boundaries
    N b. The capacity of the water sprinkler systems
    N c. The operation of the machinery space bilge level alarms
    N d. All of the above

4112: What is(are) standard operating procedure(s) used on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. One engineer officer assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N b. Cargo lashings may be removed at sea for maintenance
    Y c. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings during the voyage
    N d. All of the above

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

4212: What is another name for the boom of a crane?

    N a. Lift
    N b. Rider
    Y c. Jib
    N d. All of the above

4214: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Slewing control

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

4263: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment must be safely checked prior to commencing a lift.
    N b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting needs to be properly secured so as to prevent shifting during transport.
    N c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    Y d. All the above

4267: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    Y a. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    N b. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor.
    N d. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance.