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.


128: Which is characteristic of a "special cargo"?


158: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the ship owner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.


261: A seaman about to be discharged has a Continuous Discharge Book. Which statement is TRUE?


264: The total weight of cargo, fuel, water, stores, passengers and crew, and their effects, that a ship can carry, is the __________.

    N a. bale cubic
    Y b. deadweight
    N c. gross tonnage
    N d. loaded displacement

282: The owner, agent, Master or person-in-charge of a "T-Boat" involved in a marine casualty causing injury that requires professional medical treatment must __________.

    N a. immediately notify the nearest USCG MSO, MIO, or Group Office
    N b. keep all voyage records and make them available to Coast Guard investigators
    N c. file a written report (CG2692) of the casualty within five days
    Y d. All of the above

329: Litmus paste is used in order to determine __________.

    N a. innage
    Y b. thievage
    N c. ullage
    N d. the tank's datum point

539: Which type of shackle is used for most towing connections?

    Y a. Safety shackles
    N b. Round pin anchor shackles
    N c. Screw pin shackles
    N d. Heart shaped shackles

554: Which part of the patent anchor performs the same function as the stock of an old fashioned anchor; that is, forces the flukes to dig in?

    N a. Bill or pea
    N b. Arm
    N c. Shank
    Y d. Tripping Palm

560: You are loading a cargo that includes cylinders of acetylene aboard your break bulk vessel. Which statement is true?

    Y a. The cylinders must be stowed at least 10 horizontal feet from corrosive materials in the same space.
    N b. Stowage in the upper deck-deck is considered to be the equivalent of "on deck" stowage for this cargo.
    N c. The cylinders must have a red label for flammability and a green label for compressed gas.
    N d. The cylinders may be protected from the radiant heat of the Sun by laying a tarp on them.

620: You are on a container vessel. What concerning the handling and stowage of containerized hazardous materials is TRUE?

    Y a. Open-bed containers may be used to transport hazardous materials if the cargo is properly secured.
    N b. A portable cargo tank of a flammable, cryogenic liquid may not be in transit for a period exceeding its marked rated holding time unless the liquid is inhibited.
    N c. A portable cargo tank containing a cryogenic liquid must be shipped on deck unless forced ventilation is provided to the decks-decks.
    N d. A container loaded with packages of tear gas would display a placard reading "Irritant."

623: When hugging a bank in a narrow channel, you should take precautions against_______________.

    N a. bank suction, squat and the effects of vessels passing close aboard
    N b. clogged sea chests, plugged sea strainers and overheated machinery
    N c. striking underwater obstructions close to the bank
    Y d. All of the above

628: Before loading bulk grain, bilge wells must be covered to __________.

    N a. add strength to the bilge well strainer
    N b. permit rapid flow of water to the bilge wells
    Y c. prevent cargo sifting into the bilge wells
    N d. prevent oil, water, or other liquid from reaching the cargo

648: Bulk cargo refers to __________.

    N a. cargo which occupies a large volume of space
    N b. cargo which requires refrigeration
    N c. cargo which is very dense
    Y d. homogeneous cargo not enclosed in a container

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It forces the bow away from the bank.
    N b. It forces the stern away from the bank.
    N c. It forces the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

690: A rescue helicopter's hoist area should have a radius of at least __________.

    N a. 6 feet of clear deck
    N b. 10 feet of clear deck
    N c. 25 feet of clear deck
    Y d. 50 feet of clear deck

783: The owner or Master of a towing vessel shall ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel can accomplish all of the following EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. evaluate the danger of each closing visual or radar contact
    N b. adjust speed with due regard for the weather and visibility
    Y c. reduce speed only where local speed limits are posted
    N d. enter all required test and inspection results in the vessel's log or other record carried on board

791: The oil record book is required to be carried aboard __________.

    N a. tankers
    N b. passenger vessels
    N c. cargo vessels
    Y d. All of the above

820: A partial deck in a hold is called a(n) __________.

    N a. weather deck
    Y b. orlop deck
    N c. shelter deck
    N d. main deck

846: A vessel proceeding along the bank of a river or channel has the tendency to __________.

    N a. continue in line with the bank
    N b. hug the bank
    Y c. sheer away from the bank
    N d. increase speed

897: Which factor(s) might indicate that a towline should be removed from service?

    N a. Visible damage to the towline, including fishhooks.
    N b. Measurements showing a decrease in diameter.
    N c. A surface condition of corrosion and discoloration.
    Y d. All of the above

992: 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. 29.49 numeral
    Y b. 31.97 numeral
    N c. 33.61 numeral
    N d. 35.12 numeral

1046: In a following sea, a wave has overtaken your vessel and thrown the stern to starboard. To continue along your original course, you should __________.

    Y a. use more right rudder
    N b. use more left rudder
    N c. increase speed
    N d. decrease speed

1071: In some cases, the 50% duty on all foreign repairs made to American flag merchant vessels may be remitted. Which work does NOT come under the remitting policy of U.S. Customs?

    Y a. Chipping, painting, and scaling by foreign labor
    N b. Repairs to hull structural damage
    N c. Repairs due to damage done by heavy weather
    N d. Repairs to the main propulsion machinery

1082: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. backing wire
    Y b. scissor wire
    N c. face wire
    N d. breast wire

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

1157: What is a correct reply to a pilot's request, "How's your head"?

    N a. "Steady"
    Y b. "Passing 150°"
    N c. "Checked"
    N d. "Eased to 5° rudder"

1178: A shipper of cargo aboard your vessel offers a letter of indemnity for the cargo. This is done in order to obtain a(n) __________.

    Y a. Clean Bill of Lading
    N b. Order Bill of Lading
    N c. Straight Bill of Lading
    N d. Through Bill of Lading

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

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

1379: The heel block is located __________.

    Y a. at the base of the boom
    N b. at the cargo hook
    N c. near the midships guy
    N d. near the spider band

1379: The heel block is located __________.

    Y a. at the base of the boom
    N b. at the cargo hook
    N c. near the midships guy
    N d. near the spider band

1468: What will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    N b. Trimming the tow by the stern
    Y c. Stowing deck loads forward
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

1516: The length of a standard "shot" of chain is __________.

    N a. 12 fathoms
    Y b. 15 fathoms
    N c. 18 fathoms
    N d. 20 fathoms

1544: The main function of the core of a wire rope is to __________.

    N a. give flexibility
    Y b. support the strands laid around it
    N c. allow some circulation around the strands
    N d. allow lubrication inside the rope

1630: The fore and aft run of deck plating which strengthens the connection between the beams and the frames and keeps the beams square to the shell is called the __________.

    N a. garboard strake
    N b. limber strake
    N c. sheer strake
    Y d. stringer strake

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

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

1719: What is a CORRECT reply to a pilot's request, "How's your head"?

    N a. "Steady"
    N b. "Eased to 10° rudder"
    N c. "Checked"
    Y d. "Passing 50°"

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

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

1836: While towing, what is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    Y b. The barge may pass under the hawser and capsize the tug.
    N c. Free surface affect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads when turning too quickly.
    N d. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.

1848: You are docking a vessel. Wind and current are most favorable when they are __________.

    N a. crossing your course in the same direction
    N b. crossing your course in opposite directions
    Y c. parallel to the pier from ahead
    N d. setting you on the pier

1868: When being towed by one tug, the towing bridle should be connected to towing __________.

    Y a. bitts with figure eights
    N b. pad eyes with pelican hooks
    N c. pad eyes with safety hooks
    N d. All of the above

1920: Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?

    Y a. electronic
    N b. celestial
    N c. piloting
    N d. None of the above

2019: A man was sighted as he fell overboard. After completing a Williamson turn, the man is not sighted. What type of search should be conducted?

    N a. Expanding circle
    Y b. Sector search
    N c. Parallel track pattern
    N d. Datum-drift search

2325: Which line cannot be spliced?

    N a. Braided line with a hollow core
    N b. Double-braided line
    Y c. Braided line with a solid core
    N d. Any line can be spliced

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

2597: On a small boat, if someone fell overboard and you did not know over which side the person fell, you should __________.

    N a. immediately reverse the engines
    Y b. stop the propellers from turning and throw a ring buoy over the side
    N c. increase speed to full to get the vessel away from the person
    N d. first put the rudder hard over in either direction

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

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

2745: While standing look-out at night, a dim light on the horizon will be seen quickest by looking __________.

    Y a. a little above the horizon
    N b. directly towards the light
    N c. a little below the horizon
    N d. quickly above then quickly below the horizon

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

2958: The bow thruster generally is ineffective at __________.

    Y a. over 3 knots headway
    N b. at any speed astern
    N c. at any speed ahead
    N d. over 1 knot sternway

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

3166: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He must always take the seaman.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He may refuse to take the seaman if he is being held by shore authorities.

3460: You would NOT secure a line to a __________.

    N a. kevel
    Y b. stand pipe
    N c. button
    N d. timber head

3504: Metal plates that cover the top of the hawsepipe are called __________.

    N a. footings
    N b. plugs
    Y c. buckler plates
    N d. stop waters

4011: Under defense plans, operation of electronic aids may be temporarily suspended with __________.

    N a. thirty (30) day's notice
    N b. a week's notice
    N c. one day's notice
    Y d. no notice

4230: Which of the following is/are the optional component(s) of a twin crane set as shown? (D047DG )

    N a. Boom assembly
    N b. Hook block assembly
    N c. Crane house assembly
    Y d. Rider block tagline system

4254: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. Each single boom is of the partial-level luffing type and is capable of limited rotation.
    N b. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N c. Maintenance logs and records are to be kept for each crane.
    Y d. All of the above

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

4379: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

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