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.


19: The vessel's "quarter" is located __________.


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


65: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.


83: The mooring line labeled "A" as shown is called a(n) __________. (D044DG )

    Y a. offshore stern line
    N b. onshore stern line
    N c. after spring line
    N d. after breast line

89: Ullage measurements are taken from the top of the liquid to __________.

    N a. the base of the expansion trunk
    N b. the base of the ullage port
    N c. a line scribed within the ullage port
    Y d. an above-deck datum, usually the top of the ullage hole

118: Damage to cargo caused by fumes or vapors from liquids, gases, or solids is known as __________.

    N a. contamination
    N b. oxidation
    Y c. tainting
    N d. vaporization

151: The forecastle card is a copy of the __________.

    N a. quarters allocation
    Y b. shipping agreement
    N c. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. unlicensed shipping card from the union

192: The mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    Y a. offshore bow line
    N b. onshore bow line
    N c. offshore spring line
    N d. forward breast line

227: An ocean towing bridle should __________.

    Y a. have equal legs of sufficient length
    N b. have a large angle between the legs
    N c. be formed on a bight of cable through a ring
    N d. never be made up of chain

446: A twin-screw vessel can clear the inboard propeller and maneuver off a pier best by holding a(n) __________.

    N a. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the inboard engine
    N b. after spring line and going slow astern on the outboard engine
    N c. forward spring line and going slow ahead on both engines
    Y d. forward spring line and going slow ahead on the outboard engine

464: The static bollard pull of a tug is measured in tons and consists of the brake horsepower of the tug's engine divided by 100 and multiplied by a factor of __________.

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1.3
    N c. 3
    N d. 10

528: Determine the dew point when the dry bulb temperature is 74°F (23°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 60°F (16°C). (D008DG )

    N a. 14°F
    N b. 20°F
    N c. 28°F
    Y d. 50°F

529: When loading a tanker, you should __________.

    N a. load only one tank at a time
    N b. keep the seamen on watch on standby in the mess room
    N c. keep a strain on the loading hoses
    Y d. close valves by closing them down, reopening one or two turns, and re-closing

799: Temporary Certificates of Inspection are effective until the __________.

    N a. Solas Certificate is issued
    N b. Load Line Certificate is renewed
    N c. classification society approval is issued
    Y d. permanent Certificate of Inspection is issued

872: In a foreign port with a consulate, the U.S. Consul may excuse the Master from personally appearing before him to consent to the mutual release of an injured seaman, when the __________.

    Y a. injury requires immediate inpatient hospitalization of the seaman
    N b. Master authorizes the agent to act in his place
    N c. ship is still in port and the seaman can appear before the Consul after medical treatment
    N d. seaman also consents to the absence, and there is no dispute as to the wages due

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

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

950: The upward slope of a ships bottom from the keel to the bilge is known as __________.

    N a. camber
    N b. slope
    Y c. deadrise
    N d. keel height

1001: Which is supplied to the vessel by the U.S. Coast Guard?

    N a. Bell book
    N b. Cargo gear register
    Y c. Official Logbook
    N d. Rough Logbook

1090: A chock __________.

    N a. is a deck fitting used to shackle gear to the deck
    N b. permits easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. prevents stress concentration in the bulwark
    Y d. provides openings through the bulwark for mooring lines

1103: What should you inspect to be sure that it is safe to go aloft in a bosun's chair?

    N a. The gantline
    N b. The tail block
    N c. The chair and bridle
    Y d. All of the above

1123: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    N b. the Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    Y d. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)

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

1145: You are on watch at night in clear visibility and the vessel has just been anchored. The first thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go is to __________.

    N a. stop the engines
    Y b. take bearings to obtain ship's position
    N c. turn off the running lights and turn on the anchor lights
    N d. lower the accommodation ladder and illuminate it

1160: In a longitudinally-framed ship, the longitudinal frames are held in place and supported by athwartship members called __________.

    N a. floors
    N b. margin plates
    N c. stringers
    Y d. web frames

1213: What minimum size manila line is required to hold a weight of 932 pounds, if you use a safety factor of six?

    N a. 2.0"
    Y b. 2.5"
    N c. 3.0"
    N d. 3.5"

1323: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    Y a. decrease the rudder angle
    N b. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    N d. steer the course which is your present heading

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

1369: What is meant by "spotting the boom"?

    N a. Lowering it into a cradle
    Y b. Placing it in a desired position
    N c. Spotting it with wash primer and red lead
    N d. Two-blocking it

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

1563: Which statement about two lines spliced together is TRUE?

    N a. Splicing is used to increase the circumference of each line.
    Y b. Splicing two lines together is stronger than knotting two lines together.
    N c. Splicing is used to increase the overall strength of the line.
    N d. Splicing is used to prevent rotting of the lines bitter end.

1579: What is the minimum standard for making an eye splice in a wire to be used as cargo gear?

    Y a. Make three tucks with full strands, remove half the wires from each strand, and make two more tucks.
    N b. Make four tucks in each strand, cut away every other strand, and make two more tucks with each remaining strand.
    N c. Make four tucks with each full strand.
    N d. Make six tucks with each strand, removing a few wires from each strand as each additional tuck is made.

1696: Mooring with two bow anchors has which major advantage over anchoring with one bow anchor?

    N a. The vessel will not reverse direction in a tidal current.
    Y b. The radius of the vessel's swing will be shortened.
    N c. A mooring approach may be made from any direction.
    N d. The vessel will not swing with a change in wind.

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

1993: The usual method of arranging a line on deck so that it will run out easily without kinking or fouling is __________.

    N a. coiling the line
    Y b. faking down the line
    N c. flemishing the line
    N d. racking the line

2112: What is NOT surveyed at an annual load line survey?

    N a. The overall structure and layout of the vessel for alterations to the superstructure
    Y b. The bilge pumping system
    N c. Main deck hatch covers
    N d. Portholes and deadlights in the side plating

2146: You are on a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller. The vessel is going full speed astern with full right rudder. The bow will swing __________.

    N a. quickly to port, then more slowly to port
    Y b. probably to port
    N c. slowly to port, then quickly to starboard
    N d. probably to starboard

2262: Which statement about the carriage of solid hazardous materials in bulk is TRUE?

    N a. A special permit issued by the Coast Guard is required before the cargo is loaded.
    Y b. The loading of the cargo must be conducted under the direction and observation of a person employed or assigned for that purpose.
    N c. A certificate issued by ABS will be accepted as evidence that the vessel complies with all applicable loading regulations.
    N d. The shipping papers must indicate the primary hazardous characteristic or property of the material.

2265: 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 shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 45°? (D034DG )

    Y a. 130 yards
    N b. 165 yards
    N c. 195 yards
    N d. 230 yards

2279: In plugging submerged holes; rags, wedges, and other materials should be used in conjunction with plugs to __________.

    N a. reduce the water pressure on the hull
    N b. reduce the possibility of stress fractures
    N c. prevent progressive flooding
    Y d. reduce the water leaking around the plugs

2301: In towing, chocks are used to __________.

    Y a. protect the towline from chafing
    N b. secure the end of the towline on the tug
    N c. stop off the towline while retrieving it
    N d. absorb shock loading on the towline

2386: A vessel has an amidships superstructure. Which location would be most suitable for main deck stowage of vehicles?

    N a. On top of #1 hatch
    N b. Beside the hatches, forward of the midships house
    N c. On top of the aftermost hatch on the vessel
    Y d. On top of the hatch immediately aft of the midships house

2474: Generally speaking, the more destructive storms occurring on the Great Lakes usually come from the __________.

    N a. northeast or east
    Y b. southwest or west
    N c. northwest or north
    N d. southeast or south

2539: The distance between rivets in a row is known as the __________.

    N a. arm
    Y b. pitch
    N c. gage
    N d. rivet distance

2593: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    Y b. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Coast Pilot

2736: Distances on the Great Lakes System are generally expressed in __________.

    N a. miles above the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway (MASLW)
    N b. miles above the head of the passes (AHP)
    N c. nautical miles
    Y d. statute miles

2778: Assume that your vessel has just entered Lake Erie by way of the Welland Canal and is proceeding in a southwesterly direction. Which statement about the aids to navigation you can expect to encounter along the route is TRUE?

    Y a. The characteristics of buoys and other aids are as if "returning from seaward" when proceeding in this direction.
    N b. All aids are maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, 9th Coast Guard District, Cleveland, Ohio.
    N c. All red even-numbered buoys should be kept on your port side when proceeding in this direction.
    N d. Lighted aids, fog signals, and radio beacons maintained by Canada are not included in the Great Lakes Light List.

2981: When the anchor is brought to and holding, the horizontal component of anchor cable tensions should equal the __________.

    N a. displacement tonnage
    N b. weight forces
    N c. buoyancy forces
    Y d. environmental forces

3022: You are in the process of adding a barge to your tow. A line run from your power capstan and around timber heads on your tow is made fast on the new barge so that it can be pulled into position. This line is called a __________.

    N a. scissors wire
    Y b. capstan line
    N c. spring line
    N d. fore and aft line

3030: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold to underdeck pipelines is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    Y b. line drop
    N c. transfer
    N d. branch line

3058: Which type of ice is the most difficult to combat and presents the greatest hazard to shipping on the Great Lakes during the winter months?

    N a. Icebergs
    N b. Fast ice
    N c. Slow ice
    Y d. Pack slush ice

3168: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another when backing down? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. C
    N d. B

3180: A license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for Master of Towing Vessels is valid for __________.

    N a. 2 years and must be renewed
    N b. 3 years and must be renewed
    Y c. 5 years and must be renewed
    N d. life and need not be renewed

3350: It is not advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too expensive for everyday towing usage
    N c. binds on the cleats
    N d. parts too readily

4058: Your vessel is equipped with mechanical davits. When stowing the lifeboat after a drill while underway, you should __________.

    N a. leave the tricing pendants slack
    Y b. ensure the falls are taut
    N c. leave the outboard part of the cradle in the down position
    N d. secure the inboard gripes only

4122: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. pitching and heaving
    N b. rolling
    N c. any force of gravity acting on the lashes
    Y d. All of the above

4159: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 3.5 Tons and 20 Tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4228: Which of the following is/are the component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    N c. Operator's cab
    Y d. All of the above

4268: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    Y b. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    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.

4280: Which statement is FALSE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    Y a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be fastened to corners of vehicles or containers.
    N d. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.