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.


39: Combustible liquids are divided into how many grades?


198: Battens are fitted in cargo holds across the frames of the vessel from the turn of the bilge upward. The purpose of these cargo battens is __________.


344: The purpose of a bilge well is to __________.


380: The (auto)ignition temperature is that temperature at which_______.

    Y a. no spark or flame is required to ignite gas or vapor
    N b. a fuel begins to give off explosive vapors
    N c. a fuel if ignited will continue to burn
    N d. a 1% mixture of the fuel with air will explode

462: The safe working load (SWL) of wire rope with a safety factor of 6 is what percent of its strength?

    N a. 10%
    Y b. 17%
    N c. 50%
    N d. 80%

522: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one Mate of Towing Vessels and four (4) seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

    N a. 4
    N b. 3
    Y c. 2
    N d. 1

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.

612: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. aft of the propellers
    Y d. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern

657: Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?

    N a. Companions and booby hatches
    N b. Open structures
    Y c. Spaces for the exclusive use of the officers or crew
    N d. Water ballast spaces

678: Prior to being able to sail, each vessel that carries grain in bulk must have a certificate of loading issued by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Lloyds of London
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. U.S. Salvage

704: Laying out a line in successive circles flat on deck with the bitter end in the center is known as __________.

    N a. coiling
    N b. faking
    Y c. flemishing
    N d. lining

709: The designations A,B,C,D, and E grades of cargo refer to the __________.

    N a. degrees of quality of petroleum products
    Y b. flash point range and Reid vapor pressure index of petroleum products
    N c. grades of crude oil
    N d. pour point, color, and viscosity index of petroleum products

751: A document which has a list of names, birthplaces, and residences of persons employed on a merchant vessel bound from a U.S. port on a foreign voyage and is required at every port is called the __________.

    Y a. Certified Crew List
    N b. Crew Manifest
    N c. Shipping Articles
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

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

789: Which statement about a centrifugal cargo pump is TRUE?

    N a. It is a positive displacement pump.
    Y b. It must have a positive suction.
    N c. Increasing rotation speed will decrease discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

856: A wedge of water building up between the bow and nearer bank which forces the bow out and away describes __________.

    Y a. bank cushion
    N b. bank suction
    N c. combined effect
    N d. bend effect

874: Which type of line would have the LEAST resistance to mildew and rot?

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

895: Which factor would NOT lead to removing a towline from service?

    N a. An excessive number of miles of towing service.
    N b. Failing a tensile strength test that proved the towline was no longer appropriate for expected sea conditions.
    Y c. When heavy grease on the towline saturates the core of the wire rope.
    N d. Its surface condition is noted, including its corrosion and discoloration.

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

1010: When the longitudinal strength members of a vessel are continuous and closely spaced, the vessel is __________.

    N a. transversely framed
    Y b. longitudinally framed
    N c. intermittently framed
    N d. web framed

1189: When bunkering is complete, the hoses should be __________.

    N a. cleaned internally with a degreaser
    N b. washed out with hot soapy water
    Y c. drained, blanked off, and stored securely
    N d. stowed vertically and allowed to drain

1214: Which statement is TRUE about nylon line?

    N a. Manila line will usually last longer than nylon line.
    N b. Nylon line is excellent for use in alongside towing.
    N c. A normal safe working load will stretch nylon line 50%.
    Y d. Nylon stoppers should be used with nylon line.

1260: The function of the bilge keel is to __________.

    Y a. reduce the rolling of the vessel
    N b. serve as the vessel's main strength member
    N c. add strength to the bilge
    N d. protect the vessel's hull when alongside a dock

1346: The best method of determining if a vessel is dragging anchor is to note __________.

    N a. the amount of line paid out
    N b. how much the vessel sheers while at anchor
    N c. any change in the tautness of the anchor chain
    Y d. changes in bearings of fixed objects onshore

1460: Weight concentration in which area will cause a vessel's bottom to be subjected to tension stresses?

    N a. Aft
    Y b. Amidships
    N c. At both ends
    N d. Forward

1463: On a small boat, which knot is best suited for attaching a line to the ring of an anchor?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Figure-eight knot
    Y c. Fisherman's bend
    N d. Overhand knot

1496: The purpose of a devil's claw is to __________.

    Y a. act as a chain stopper
    N b. prevent the windlass from engaging
    N c. prevent the chain from fouling on deck
    N d. control the wildcat

1506: The sprocket wheel in a windlass, used for heaving in the anchor, is called a __________.

    N a. capstan
    N b. dog wheel
    N c. fairlead
    Y d. wildcat

1619: A periodic thorough examination of the cargo gear proves satisfactory. What percentage of the total gear must be dismantled to determine actual internal condition?

    Y a. None
    N b. 10%
    N c. 25%
    N d. 100%

1778: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller port side to a dock. As you approach the dock, you back down on your engine with rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. drift away from the dock
    N b. lose headway without swinging
    Y c. swing its stern towards the dock
    N d. swing its stern away from the dock

1852: What is normally used to pass a mooring line to a dock?

    N a. Distance line
    N b. Gantline
    Y c. Heaving line
    N d. Tag line

1864: Progressive flooding may be indicated by __________.

    N a. ballast control alarms
    N b. excessive draft
    N c. excessive list or trim
    Y d. a continual worsening of list or trim

1919: The disadvantage of using three strand nylon line for towing is its __________.

    N a. inherent weakness
    N b. tendency to rot if left damp
    Y c. danger to crew if it parts
    N d. strength and shock absorbing abilities

1941: The helm command "Left twenty" means __________.

    N a. change course twenty degrees to the left
    Y b. put the rudder left twenty degrees
    N c. put the rudder hard left for the first twenty degrees of swing
    N d. put the rudder left twenty degrees and then ease back as the vessel starts swinging

1973: Which statement is TRUE about placing the eyes of two mooring lines on the same bollard?

    N a. Put one line at the low point and one at the high point of the bollard so they don't touch.
    Y b. Take the eye of the second line up through the eye of the first line before putting the second line on the bollard.
    N c. Never put two mooring lines on the same bollard.
    N d. The mooring line forward should be put on the bollard first.

1975: The knot lettered F in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. becket bend
    N b. square knot
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. round turn and two half hitches

2050: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

2059: You are handling a mooring line and are instructed to "Check the line". What should you do?

    N a. Ensure the bight is not fouled by taking up slack.
    N b. Pay out the line smartly and keep it free for running.
    N c. Secure the line by adding more turns.
    Y d. Surge the line so it maintains a strain without parting.

2162: A crew has signed on for a 3-month voyage. Fourteen days into the voyage a seaman is improperly discharged at the first port of call. How much pay is he entitled to receive?

    N a. 14 days
    N b. 1 month's
    Y c. 14 days and one month's extra
    N d. double wages (28 days)

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

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 20
    N b. 9
    N c. 5
    N d. 4

2233: The knot lettered N as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    N b. rolling bowline
    Y c. stopper
    N d. heaving line hitch

2261: The machinery associated with heaving in and running out anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. winch
    Y b. windlass
    N c. draw works
    N d. dynamic pay out system

2480: A Danforth lightweight anchor does NOT hold well in which type of bottom?

    N a. Mud
    Y b. Grass
    N c. Sand
    N d. Clay

2598: Where, due to the arrangement of the vessel, lifejackets may become inaccessible, additional lifejackets shall be carried __________.

    N a. for the people on bridge watch
    N b. for the forward lifeboats
    Y c. as determined by the OCMI
    N d. for 50% of the crew of the vessel, not including those assigned to engineering duties

2604: The joint formed when two steel plates are placed end-to-end is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. seam
    Y c. butt
    N d. bond

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

2612: When using the anchor to steady the bow while approaching a dock you must be aware of the fact that __________.

    N a. the vessel will tend to take a large sheer towards the side where the anchor is down
    N b. steering control is ineffective in trying to turn to the side opposite to that of the anchor being used
    N c. the anchor cable must never lead under the hull
    Y d. using an offshore anchor decreases the chances of the anchor holding

2754: Which statement is TRUE concerning vessels over 1600 gross tons certificated for service solely on the Great Lakes?

    N a. They must have magnetic compasses.
    N b. They must have gyro compasses.
    Y c. They must carry a deep-sea hand lead.
    N d. All of the above statements are TRUE.

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3230: After a collision or accident involving an uninspected vessel, regulations require that the operator assist persons affected, but only if the operator can do so without __________.

    N a. further damaging the other vessel
    N b. undue delay
    Y c. serious danger to his or her own vessel
    N d. creating a panic on either vessel

3252: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended and is pointing his finger in the direction to move the boom. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend
    N b. lower
    N c. hoist
    Y d. swing

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

3560: What should look-outs report?

    N a. Discolored water
    N b. Shoals
    N c. Floating objects
    Y d. All of the above

3562: The signal man assisting a crane operator has his arm extended with his fingers closed and thumb pointing upward. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. raise the boom
    N b. raise the hook
    N c. raise the boom and hook
    N d. check the boom stop

3602: What is the penalty for desertion?

    N a. Fine of not more than 2000 dollars and forfeiture of wages
    N b. Imprisonment for not more than 2 years and/or a fine of not more than 2000 dollars
    N c. Revocation of Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable) and forfeiture of wages due
    Y d. Forfeiture of money and property left on the vessel, and wages due

4010: You have completed a crude oil wash. What action should be taken with the oil in the lines running to the washing machines?

    Y a. Open a COW nozzle forward and one aft and drain the line into the after tank by gravity
    N b. Blow the line out using compressed air
    N c. Pull a suction using the supply line pump
    N d. Close off all valves in the system and leave the oil in the line primed for the next crude oil wash

4036: When a cargo boom or crane is rated at varying capacities, there will be a table at the controls which relates safe working load to __________.

    N a. winch speed
    N b. boom strength
    Y c. load radius
    N d. cable strength

4060: You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 550 yards and your vessel's LOA is 449 feet. If you anchor in 9 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle?

    N a. 6 shots
    N b. 5 shots
    Y c. 4 shots
    N d. 3 shots

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