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.


28: The stowage factor for a cargo is based upon __________.


64: Which statement about damage control is TRUE?


155: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. You must inspect this cargo __________.


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 __________.

    Y a. advance
    N b. head reach
    N c. tactical diameter
    N d. transfer

180: Your tank vessel is loading a hazardous cargo. The allowance for expansion is based on ambient temperatures of what maximum range?

    N a. 0°C to 100°C
    N b. -10°C to 90°C
    Y c. -18°C to 46°C
    N d. -40°C to 50°C

244: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    Y a. put the rudder over to the right all the way
    N b. jam the rudder against the stops
    N c. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    N d. put the rudder over quickly to 15° right rudder

271: Total responsibility for shipping and discharging the seamen is that of the __________.

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. steamship company
    N c. U.S. Custom Service
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard

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

324: A "chock" is a __________.

    N a. deck fitting used to secure mooring lines
    Y b. casting fitted at the side of a weather deck, used as a fairlead
    N c. sharp block of wood used to support hygroscopic cargo
    N d. smoke pipe for the galley stove

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

474: On an anchor windlass, the wheel over which the anchor chain passes is called a __________.

    N a. brake compressor wheel
    N b. devil's claw
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. winchhead

525: To lay out a towing hawser in a fore-and-aft direction so each bight is clear and can run out freely without snagging describes __________.

    N a. flemishing
    Y b. faking
    N c. spooling
    N d. worming, parceling and serving

572: A vessel is entering port "A" for the first time and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Nothing; The Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.
    N b. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    N c. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    Y d. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot.

602: Which emergency equipment should you keep near the towing bitts?

    N a. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
    N b. A boat hook and a spanner wrench
    Y c. A fire ax and/or cutting torch
    N d. A Stokes litter basket

629: You are planning to use a crude oil washing system. What precaution must be taken with the source tank for the washing machines?

    Y a. At least one meter must be decanted from the source tank.
    N b. The oil in the source tank must be sampled for compatibility.
    N c. The source tank must have been crude oil washed at least once in the past 150 days.
    N d. The inert gas system must lower the oxygen content in the source tank to a maximum of 12%.

671: A Permit to Proceed is issued by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Department of Labor

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

    N a. inadequate ullage space
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    Y d. having to breathe the fumes

790: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tank vessels?

    N a. They are positive displacement pumps.
    Y b. They are gravity-fed.
    N c. They produce a pulsating flow.
    N d. They require more maintenance than a reciprocating pump.

794: "White Line" is made from __________.

    Y a. cotton
    N b. hemp
    N c. manila
    N d. sisal

798: How many cubic feet of space is required to stow 775 tons of a cargo with a stowage factor of 25? (estimated broken stowage is 15%)

    N a. 12,916
    Y b. 22,794
    N c. 25,833
    N d. 29,397

1099: To allow for the rise or fall in tide and for change in draft of a tankship during cargo transfer, cargo hoses must be suspended with __________.

    N a. slings or saddles placed at 25-foot (8 meter) intervals
    Y b. enough slack in their bight
    N c. topping lifts and runners tied off to winches
    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

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.

1308: The S.S. Sheet Bend arrives in New York after encountering heavy weather on a voyage from Cape Town. Who will note the protest for the Master?

    N a. Collector of Customs
    Y b. Notary Public
    N c. Officer in Charge Marine Inspection
    N d. U.S. Shipping Commissioner

1316: The anchor chain should be kept moderately taut during a Mediterranean moor to __________.

    N a. facilitate speed of recovery during the weighing process
    N b. indicate the anchor's location to passing or mooring ships
    Y c. prevent damage to the stern in the event of a headwind
    N d. provide a steady platform for the gangway between the fantail and pier

1324: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

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

1328: The declaration made by the Master when he anticipates hull and/or cargo damage due to unusual weather conditions is a __________.

    Y a. Note of Protest
    N b. Notice of Casualty
    N c. Portage Bill
    N d. Bottomry Bond

1404: Galvanizing would not be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    Y a. cargo runners
    N b. mooring wires
    N c. shrouds
    N d. stays

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

1573: Which statement about splices is TRUE?

    N a. A back splice is used to permanently connect two lines together.
    Y b. A long splice is used to connect two lines that will pass through narrow openings.
    N c. A short splice is used to temporarily connect two lines.
    N d. In splicing fiber rope, you would splice with the lay of the line.

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.

1693: What is the stress on the hauling part when lifting a 4900 lbs. weight using a twofold purchase rove to least advantage? (Allow 10 percent of the weight per sheave for friction.)

    N a. 980 lbs.
    N b. 1225 lbs.
    Y c. 1715 lbs.
    N d. 1837 lbs.

1724: A "bowline" is used to __________.

    N a. join lines of equal size
    Y b. form a temporary eye (loop) at the end of a line
    N c. be a stopper
    N d. keep a line from fraying

1803: A snatch block is a __________.

    N a. block used only with manila rope
    N b. chock roller
    Y c. hinged block
    N d. strong block used for short, sharp pulls

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

1905: You have a large, broken-down vessel in tow with a wire rope and anchor cable towline. Both vessels have made provision for slipping the tow in an emergency; however, unless there are special circumstances __________.

    Y a. the towing vessel should slip first
    N b. the vessel towed should slip first
    N c. they should slip simultaneously
    N d. either vessel may slip first

1950: You are proceeding to a distress site and expect large numbers of people in the water. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the survivors in the water and only use the ship's boats to recover the survivors.
    N b. If the survivors are in inflatable rafts you should approach from windward to create a lee for the survivors.
    Y c. An inflatable liferaft secured alongside can be an effective boarding station for transfer of survivors from the boats.
    N d. Survivors in the water should never be permitted alongside due to the possibility of injury from the vessel.

1951: A case received for shipment is marked as shown. The portion of the symbol indicated by the letter A is _______ . (D043DG )

    Y a. a stowage sequence marking
    N b. the consignee's marking
    N c. a stowage mark, showing the top of the case
    N d. the symbol for toxic contents

1974: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

2063: A "spring line" is __________.

    N a. any wire rope used for mooring
    N b. a fire-warp
    Y c. a mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N d. a mooring line perpendicular to the keel

2180: The weight of the container and its contents is supported on deck by what part(s)?

    Y a. Four lower corner castings
    N b. Bottom, side, and end rails
    N c. Bottom flooring, side, and end rails
    N d. Bottom flooring only

2219: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 50 lbs.
    N b. 75 lbs.
    Y c. 90 lbs.
    N d. 112 lbs.

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.

2506: A tow of 9 barges is made up three abreast and three long. The towboat is faced up to the center string which is known as the __________.

    N a. main string
    Y b. push string
    N c. power string
    N d. face string

2510: Mooring lines should be turned end-for-end occasionally. This is because __________.

    N a. a line is weakened by constantly pulling on it in one direction
    Y b. normal wear on the line is thus distributed to different areas
    N c. it prevents the line from kinking or unlaying
    N d. it prevents permanent misalignment of the line's internal strands

2542: When loading containers into the cell guides in the hold of a container ship, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. No further securing is usually required.
    N b. Containers must have vertical lashings if they do not have twist lock securing.
    N c. All containers must have vertical and horizontal lashings.
    N d. The container must be locked into the cell guide.

2560: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 101.02 numeral
    N b. 91.36 numeral
    N c. 72.43 numeral
    Y d. 52.79 numeral

2589: The angle at which the anchor flukes penetrate the soil is the __________.

    N a. burial angle
    N b. penetration angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. holding angle

2616: You are in charge of a towing vessel that operates exclusively on inland waters. You regularly tow barges that provide services (cargo lighters, fuel barges, etc.) to foreign flag vessels in port. What will be accepted as proper credentials for you and your crew?

    N a. No credentials are required since you operate on inland waters only
    N b. Social Security card
    N c. State driver's license with photo ID
    Y d. Merchant Mariner's Document

2774: There are basically three categories of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes. What is NOT included as one of these?

    N a. Long range fluctuations
    Y b. Controlled outflow fluctuations
    N c. Seasonal fluctuations
    N d. Short period fluctuations

2816: Which statement is TRUE concerning lighting requirements for Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. The showing of a forward masthead light is optional for vessels under 150 meters.
    Y b. An all-round white light may be carried in lieu of the second masthead light and stern light.
    N c. Sidelights for vessels over 50 meters are required to have only a two-mile range of visibility.
    N d. Great Lakes vessels are exempted from the requirement to show yellow towing lights.

3124: You attach a line to a stationary barge lying off your starboard beam in order to maneuver it into position to make up tow. The line used to do this is a __________.

    N a. jockey line
    N b. fore and aft line
    N c. check line
    Y d. swing line

3390: When towing, a tow hook is used to __________.

    Y a. provide quick release of the hawser
    N b. pull a tow alongside
    N c. attach a hawser to a tow which has no bitts or pad eyes
    N d. join two hawsers for lengthening a tow

3404: The signal man assisting the crane operator first taps the top of his head with his fist and then proceeds to use regular signals. This is the signal to __________.

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

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

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

3726: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The angle of elevation does not change the stresses in the masthead fairlead for the topping lift.
    Y b. The stress on the head block is greater at 60°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is greater at 60°.
    N d. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.

4118: Which factor(s) affect lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Ship’s characteristics and motion in a seaway
    N b. Trim of the vessel
    N c. Wide variations of air temperature
    N d. All of the above

4127: Which lashing device(s) would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N b. Webbing
    Y c. Chain
    N d. All of the above

4134: What may NOT be used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Turnbuckle
    Y c. Webbing
    N d. Chain

4148: Which tensioning device is used with chain to secure heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Ratchet tensioner
    N b. Buckle tensioner
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    Y d. Turnbuckle