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.


156: When heading on a course, you put your rudder hard over. The distance traveled parallel to the direction of the original course from where you put your rudder over to any point on the turning circle is known as __________.


205: A vessel is to make a voyage between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and return. The crew should be signed on_____________.


260: You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.


267: Which statement is NOT true concerning the stowage of class 1 explosives?

    N a. Class 1.1 explosives may be stowed with class 9 dangerous substances
    N b. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 5.1 oxidizing materials.
    Y c. Class 1.4 explosives may not be stowed in the same hold with class 6.1 poisons.
    N d. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 8 corrosive materials.

493: What does "end for end" mean in regard to a towing hawser?

    N a. To take the kinks out of the hawser
    N b. To fake it down in figure eights
    N c. To increase the catenary
    Y d. To swap ends of the hawser to minimize wear

516: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudder amidships. Your starboard engine stalls. To continue on course, you should __________.

    Y a. apply left rudder
    N b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

533: A towing hook may be released from the __________.

    N a. tug's engineroom or the bow
    Y b. pilot house or aft steering station
    N c. forecastle
    N d. towing bitts by reaching over and releasing a lever

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

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

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

721: The mooring line labeled "F" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. bow line
    N b. forward spring line
    Y c. breast line
    N d. None of the above

737: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. chafing bar
    Y b. Dutch tow bar
    N c. carling
    N d. None of the above

745: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    Y a. water in the tanks or pipelines
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    N d. inadequate ullage space

838: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 110 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 72,000. If broken stowage is figured at 15%, how many tons of the wool can be stowed?

    Y a. 556
    N b. 654
    N c. 752
    N d. 770

842: When can the US citizenship requirement for the Master of a US-flag uninspected towing vessel be waived?

    N a. When US-licensed Masters are not readily available
    N b. When it costs too much to hire a US-licensed Master
    N c. When the towing vessel operates shoreward of the boundary line
    Y d. Never, under any circumstances

878: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 96 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 84,000. How many tons of wool can be stowed in the compartment?

    N a. 577
    N b. 602
    N c. 654
    Y d. 875

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

1034: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand the language commonly used onboard the vessel?

    N a. 100%
    Y b. 75%
    N c. 65%
    N d. 50%

1088: As Master or person in charge, you must notify the U.S. Coast Guard if an injury leaves a crewman unfit to perform routine duties for more than __________.

    N a. 24 hours
    N b. 48 hours
    N c. 72 hours
    Y d. Any amount of time

1109: Pinching of the cargo hose between the vessel and the dock should be prevented by __________.

    Y a. adjusting the hose supports
    N b. laying out an excess length of hose on deck
    N c. tying off the topping lifts and runners to winch heads
    N d. All of the above

1131: U.S. Customs, upon boarding a vessel desiring entry into a U.S. port, would inspect which document?

    N a. Cargo Manifest
    N b. Certified Crew List
    N c. Stores List
    Y d. All of the above

1183: Which towing equipment can be used to prevent the tripping of a tug?

    N a. Bridles
    N b. Chafing boards
    Y c. Gob ropes
    N d. Drogues

1266: You are docking a vessel in a slip which has its entrance athwart the tide. You land the ship across the end of the pier, stemming the tide, preparatory to breaking the ship around the corner. You have one tug to assist. Where would you generally tie up the tug?

    N a. Have her on a hawser from the stern.
    N b. Tie her up on the inshore bow to hold the ship off the end.
    Y c. Tie her up on the offshore bow.
    N d. Tie her up on the inshore quarter to lift the stern.

1276: When moored with a Mediterranean moor, the ship should be secured to the pier by having __________.

    Y a. a stern line and two quarter lines crossing under the stern
    N b. a stern line, 2 bow lines, and 2 quarter lines leading aft to the pier
    N c. all regular lines leading to the pier in opposition to the anchor
    N d. two bow lines and two midship lines leading aft to the pier

1287: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    Y a. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N b. use right or left rudder
    N c. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    N d. put the rudder amidships

1301: If, after examination by the Quarantine Officer, your vessel is found to have a specific deficiency, you may be issued __________.

    N a. Bill of health
    N b. Free Pratique
    N c. Notice to Comply
    Y d. Controlled Free Pratique

1301: If, after examination by the Quarantine Officer, your vessel is found to have a specific deficiency, you may be issued __________.

    N a. Bill of health
    N b. Free Pratique
    N c. Notice to Comply
    Y d. Controlled Free Pratique

1329: A pelican hook __________.

    Y a. can be released while under strain
    N b. is used for boat falls
    N c. is used for extra heavy loads
    N d. is used for light loads only

1330: Beams are cambered to __________.

    N a. increase their strength
    Y b. provide drainage from the decks
    N c. relieve deck stress
    N d. All of the above

1336: When picking up your mooring at the buoy, the correct method is to __________.

    N a. approach the buoy with the wind and current astern
    Y b. approach the buoy with the wind and current ahead
    N c. approach the buoy with wind and sea abeam
    N d. stop upwind and up current and drift down on the buoy

1338: A "dangerous cargo manifest" is needed for you to carry a combustible cargo. You should obtain the shipping papers to make this "manifest" from the __________.

    N a. manufacturer
    N b. ABS
    N c. Coast Guard
    Y d. shipper

1402: What form of ice is of land origin?

    N a. Shuga
    N b. Floe
    N c. Spicule
    Y d. Bergy bit

1435: Which letter shown represents a clove hitch? (DO30DG )

    Y a. X
    N b. U
    N c. T
    N d. R

1482: The two courses of action if the underwater hull is severely damaged are to plug the openings or to __________.

    Y a. establish and maintain flooding boundaries
    N b. dewater the compartment
    N c. secure power to the compartment
    N d. ballast to maintain even keel

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

1528: You are being towed by one tug. As you lengthen the bridle legs you __________.

    N a. increase your chances of breaking the towing hawser
    Y b. reduce the yawing of your vessel
    N c. reduce the spring effect of the tow connection
    N d. increase your chances of breaking the bridle legs

1550: Keel scantlings of any vessel are greatest amidships because __________.

    N a. connections between forebody and afterbody are most crucial
    Y b. of maximum longitudinal bending moments
    N c. of severest racking stresses
    N d. resistance to grounding is at a maximum amidships

1617: Using the graph in illustration D008DG, if the dry bulb temperature is 84°, and the wet bulb temperature is 81°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 71%
    N b. 79%
    N c. 81%
    Y d. 87%

1642: Which illustration represents a carrick bend? (DO30DG )

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

1644: A rolling hitch can be used to __________.

    N a. make a temporary eye
    N b. mouse a hook
    Y c. secure a line around a spar
    N d. shorten a line

1659: The safe working load for the assembled cargo gear and the minimum angle to the horizontal for which the gear is designed shall be marked on the __________.

    N a. deck
    N b. head of the boom
    Y c. heel of the boom
    N d. mast or king post

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1870: The knot lettered S is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. bowline
    Y b. blackwall hitch
    N c. half hitch
    N d. hook hitch

1878: When being towed, a fairlead is a __________.

    Y a. fabricated shape used to change the direction of a flexible member of the tow hookup
    N b. fabricated shape used to secure the tow hookup to the towed vessel
    N c. line connecting the fishplate to the bridle legs
    N d. line connecting the tow bridle to the towed vessel

1918: Which statement is TRUE concerning hawser towing?

    N a. The catenary in a hawser should be sufficient so that the hawser just touches the bottom.
    N b. The hawser is of sufficient length for towing when taut between tug and tow.
    N c. Increasing speed usually increases the catenary in the hawser.
    Y d. Shortening the tow hawser generally decreases the maneuverability of the tug.

1977: On a crane, the boom indicator tells the operator what angle the boom angle is compared to the __________.

    N a. vertical position
    Y b. horizontal position
    N c. boom stop angle
    N d. minimum radius angle

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

2046: The structural member indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. center pillar
    Y c. keel
    N d. girder

2181: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    Y a. course per magnetic steering compass
    N b. gyro error
    N c. variation
    N d. maximum rudder angle previously used

2648: The smallest size of flaw that can be detected on a radiograph examination of a weld will be indicated by the __________.

    N a. film speed
    Y b. penetrometer
    N c. exposure reading
    N d. time of exposure

2768: Which of the Great Lakes lies entirely within the United States?

    N a. Lake Ontario
    N b. Lake St. Clair
    Y c. Lake Michigan
    N d. Lake Superior

2919: Which statement about general average is TRUE?

    N a. Damage to a ship must have been incurred while the ship and/or its machinery was being used for its intended purpose.
    Y b. Property must have been sacrificed or an expenditure of money incurred.
    N c. The loss or damage to deck cargo due to heavy weather constitutes general average.
    N d. Of the ship, the freight, and the cargo interests, only one need be involved.

2986: Sulfuric acid is a __________.

    N a. clear syrupy liquid with no odor
    Y b. colorless-to-brown liquid with a choking odor when hot
    N c. colorless liquid with a pleasant fruity odor
    N d. whitish liquid with a faint, pleasant odor

3260: When underway with a tow, you must notify the Coast Guard of which casualty?

    N a. Damage to property amounting to $1,500
    N b. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N c. An injury requiring first aid
    Y d. Loss of main propulsion

3440: The circular steel structure installed around the propeller of a towboat is the __________.

    Y a. nozzle
    N b. shroud
    N c. strut
    N d. hood

3456: The vertical movement of a vessel in the water is called __________.

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

3465: Which type of anchor is illustrated? (D038DG )

    Y a. Stockless
    N b. Danforth
    N c. Old-fashioned
    N d. Kedge

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

4161: 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 30 tons and 40 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above

4271: Which immediate action should the operator of a pedestal crane take if crane control is lost?

    N a. Sound the general alarm.
    Y b. Return the control levers to the neutral positions.
    N c. Notify port security.
    N d. Hold the control levers all the way down.