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.


51: You are the licensed Master of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand any order spoken by the officers?


82: Floors aboard ship are __________.


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


179: The minimum temperature required to ignite gas or vapor without a spark or flame being present is called __________.

    N a. flash point
    N b. fire point
    Y c. autoignition temperature
    N d. lower explosive limit

189: Reid vapor pressure is __________.

    N a. exerted by liquid cargo on the sides of a tank
    N b. exerted by liquid cargo on a cargo hose body
    N c. the lowest temperature and pressure that will cause a flammable liquid to give off vapors
    Y d. a measurement of the amount of flammable vapors given off by a liquid at a certain temperature

218: What is the main purpose of dunnage?

    N a. To act as ballast for light vessels
    Y b. To provide ventilation and drainage for cargo
    N c. To secure the tarpaulins in place
    N d. To support weakened bulkheads

246: The force exerted by a propeller which tends to throw the stern right or left is called __________.

    N a. slip
    Y b. sidewise force
    N c. rotational force
    N d. thrust

256: When fruit is carried as refrigerated cargo, the most frequent cause of its being infected at the discharge port is __________.

    N a. leaks in the ship's refrigeration system
    Y b. improper cleaning of the cargo spaces
    N c. carriage at the wrong temperature
    N d. improper precooling of the cargo spaces

291: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel making coastwise runs. Whenever a crew member is discharged from your vessel you must __________.

    N a. issue a Certificate of Discharge and make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    Y b. issue a Certificate of Discharge or make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    N c. retain the crew member's Continuous Discharge Book onboard
    N d. retain the crew member's Certificate of Discharge onboard

319: Static electricity may be built up by the __________.

    N a. flow of petroleum through pipes
    N b. spraying or splashing of petroleum
    N c. settling of solids or water in petroleum
    Y d. All of the above

330: You have completed a Dangerous Cargo Manifest for dangerous cargoes loaded on board. It should be kept in a conspicuous location __________.

    N a. in the radio room
    N b. in the ship's office
    Y c. on or near the bridge
    N d. outside the Captain's stateroom

346: A vessel is equipped with a single right-handed screw. With rudder amidships and calm wind, the vessel will most likely back __________.

    N a. straight astern
    Y b. to port
    N c. to starboard
    N d. in no particular direction

378: In preparation for receiving chilled reefer cargo, the reefer space has been precooled for over twenty-four hours. Loading may begin when the space has been cooled to a temperature between __________.

    N a. -10°F (-23°C) and +10°F (-12°C)
    N b. 12°F (-11°C) and 20°F (-7°C)
    Y c. 28°F (-2°C) and 40°F ( 4°C)
    N d. 42°F (6°C) and 55°F (13°C)

416: While moving ahead, a twin-screw ship has an advantage over a single-screw ship because __________.

    N a. correct trim will be obtained more easily
    N b. drag effect will be cancelled out
    Y c. side forces will be eliminated
    N d. speed will be increased

427: What is the greatest danger of an overriding tow?

    N a. Fouling of the towing hawser
    N b. Loss of steering
    N c. Tripping
    Y d. Collision between the tow and the stern of the towing vessel

497: Which type of fiber towing hawser is preferred for towing astern?

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

515: When compared to a fiber towing hawser, what is NOT an advantage of a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Wire is easy to handle when properly spooled on the drum of a towing winch.
    Y b. Wire has more spring and shock resistance than fiber.
    N c. Wire can be used to tow heavier loads because of its smaller diameter and more manageable size.
    N d. Wire is subject to less deterioration if properly maintained.

558: A heated bulkhead has the effect on a hygroscopic commodity of __________.

    N a. causing moisture to accumulate against the bulkhead
    N b. lowering the vapor pressure of the commodity
    N c. lowering the dew point of the air
    Y d. raising the vapor pressure of the commodity

649: Before a tank is to be crude oil washed, the oxygen content in the tank must be measured at a position __________.

    N a. immediately above the level of the oil
    N b. at the top of the tank
    N c. in the vent riser
    Y d. one meter from the deck

672: When towing alongside (breasted tow), more forward movement will be imparted to the tow by __________.

    N a. increasing the angle of line pull to the keel axis of the tow
    Y b. reducing the angle of line pull to the keel axis of the tow
    N c. positioning the towing vessel on the forward end of the tow
    N d. shortening the length of the tow line

683: Barges and vessels are ballasted before departure to __________.

    Y a. improve their stability
    N b. avoid polluting waters where liquid ballast may not be discharged
    N c. prevent free surface effects
    N d. allow movement of liquids within the barge for tank cleaning

684: Right-laid line should be coiled __________.

    Y a. clockwise
    N b. counterclockwise
    N c. either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. on a reel

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

    N a. Galley fitted with range or oven
    N b. Open structures
    N c. Passenger spaces
    Y d. Boatswain's stores

732: Which action should be taken FIRST if your tow is sinking in shallow water?

    Y a. Pay out the towline until the sunken tow reaches bottom.
    N b. Sever the towline.
    N c. Immediately head for the nearest shoreline.
    N d. Contact the Coast Guard.

736: You notice that your speed has decreased, the stern of your vessel has settled into the water, and your rudder is sluggish in responding. The MOST likely cause is __________.

    N a. mechanical problems with the steering gear
    Y b. shallow water
    N c. loss of lubricating oil in the engine
    N d. current

908: You must load as much of a large shipment of case goods as possible into a hold which has 24,400 cubic feet of space. Each case measures 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet and weighs 448 pounds. If you allow for broken stowage of 15%, how many long tons can be loaded?

    N a. 54
    N b. 207
    Y c. 259
    N d. 351

953: When bunkering at anchorage which of the following signals must be displayed?

    N a. A red flag by day, red light by night
    Y b. A red flag by day ONLY
    N c. A red light by night ONLY
    N d. No signal required at anchorage

984: To coil a right-laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.

    Y a. a clockwise direction
    N b. a counterclockwise direction
    N c. alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions
    N d. either a clockwise or counterclockwise directions

1033: Each crewmember has an assigned firefighting station. This assignment is shown on the __________.

    N a. fire fighting plan
    N b. shipping articles
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. muster list

1087: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    Y a. center of gravity
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

1164: Which type of line floats?

    N a. Dacron
    N b. Nylon
    N c. Old manila
    Y d. Polypropylene

1280: Vertical structural members attached to the floors that add strength to the floors are called __________.

    N a. boss plates
    N b. buckler plates
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. breast hooks

1389: A band or collar on the top end of a boom to which the topping lift, midships guy, and outboard guys are secured, is called the __________.

    N a. collar band
    N b. guy band
    N c. pad eye collar
    Y d. spider band

1465: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

    N a. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    Y b. a single turn with hard rudder
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    N d. two 180° turns

1552: Which picture represents a stopper hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. M
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. L

1622: What is NOT an indication that pack ice may be nearby?

    Y a. The presence of icebergs
    N b. Ice blink
    N c. Absence of wave motion
    N d. Sighting a walrus in the Arctic

1650: To reduce the number of strakes at the bow, two strakes are tapered and joined at their ends by a single plate. This plate is known as a __________.

    N a. cover plate
    N b. joiner
    N c. lap strake
    Y d. stealer plate

1856: When passing a hawser to the dock you would first use what line?

    N a. Gantline
    Y b. Heaving line
    N c. Preventer
    N d. Warp

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

2052: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    Y a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. Z (FLASH)

2085: What purpose does a bridge fitting serve when lashing containers?

    N a. Ties a container stack to the deck
    N b. Ties a container to the container below it
    N c. Restrains racking loads
    Y d. Restrains the container against horizontal motion

2122: What is the name of tackle number 9? (DO29DG )

    N a. Single purchase
    N b. One-two tackle
    N c. Double whip
    Y d. Luff tackle

2186: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0
    N b. 0.5
    N c. 1
    Y d. 2

2253: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 17 feet after a sector of 57° has been removed?

    Y a. 764.17 sq. ft
    N b. 190.66 sq. ft
    N c. 145.27 sq. ft
    N d. 36.85 sq. ft

2256: 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 as shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D034DG )

    N a. 875 yards
    Y b. 910 yards
    N c. 975 yards
    N d. 1015 yards

2484: The type of joint formed when an edge of one plate is laid over the edge of the plate to which it is riveted is a __________.

    N a. grip joint
    N b. strap joint
    N c. thread joint
    Y d. lap joint

2603: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    Y a. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N b. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N c. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    N d. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.

2699: The thickness of a 30.6 pound plate is __________.

    N a. 3/8"
    N b. 1/2"
    Y c. 3/4"
    N d. 1"

2844: Naval authorities would NOT give orders about which of the following, when the vessel is under control of the Naval Control of Shipping Organization?

    N a. Visual communication at sea
    N b. Rescue operations
    N c. Diversions
    Y d. Schedules for loading cargo

3048: The proximity of pack ice may be indicated by __________.

    N a. changes in seawater salinity
    Y b. glare on clouds on the horizon
    N c. changes in air temperature
    N d. icebergs

3148: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter H is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    N c. tripping palm
    Y d. crown

3442: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter J is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. crown
    N b. shank
    Y c. bill
    N d. tip

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. J
    N b. H
    N c. G
    N d. F

3462: Under U.S. law, what is the penalty for assaulting the Master?

    N a. Fine of not more than $1000
    N b. Fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than 1 year
    Y c. Imprisonment for not more than 2 years
    N d. Revocation of the Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable)

3472: You are the Master of a 500 gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    Y a. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    N b. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $(SA)25,000
    N c. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N d. Coast Guard only if the grounding results in injury to personnel

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

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

4211: Pedestal cranes have limit switches to restrict movement of which function(s)?

    N a. Hoist upper & lower limits
    N b. Luff travel limits
    N c. Rider block hoist upper & lower limits
    Y d. All of the above

4244: What is meant by the term "luffing the boom" of a crane?

    N a. Stopping the boom
    Y b. Topping or lowering the boom
    N c. Moving the boom left or right
    N d. All of the above

4378: Which statement concerning an automatic towing engine is FALSE?

    N a. It automatically maintains tow line tension.
    N b. It prolongs the life of the hawser by distributing chafing as the hawser is paid out and taken in.
    Y c. As tension on the hawser increases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine.
    N d. As tension on the hawser decreases, more line is taken in by the automatic towing engine.