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.


27: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.


48: Which term describes goods having a stowage factor below 40?


54: Your vessel has grounded on a bar. What should you do?


122: You may be able to avoid loss of suction in a pump by __________.

    N a. using a full tank to keep the pump primed
    N b. opening the vent cock on the pump
    N c. closing down on the tank valve
    Y d. All of the above

234: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

    N a. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N b. bring your rudder amidships
    Y c. change from right rudder to left rudder, or vice versa, an equal number of degrees
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

234: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

    N a. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N b. bring your rudder amidships
    Y c. change from right rudder to left rudder, or vice versa, an equal number of degrees
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

280: Your ship is in a neutral port when full Naval Control of Shipping is established. You may expect to be boarded and instructed by a(n) __________.

    N a. U.S. Naval Control of Shipping Officer
    N b. allied Naval Control of Shipping Officer
    N c. Consular Shipping Advisors (CONSA)
    Y d. Any of the above

407: You are carrying cargoes of crotonaldehyde, phosphoric acid, and morpholine on your multiple-product tankship. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    Y a. Each of the cargoes must be segregated from the other by at least two barriers.
    N b. The minimum protective clothing required for taking samples of phosphoric acid is goggles or a face shield.
    N c. Aluminum, copper, and zinc are prohibited in all valve parts in contact with these cargoes.
    N d. The required warning sign must have the legend "cancer hazard" added to it.

444: A metal object on the pier resembling a tree stump and made to receive mooring lines is a __________.

    N a. bight
    Y b. bollard
    N c. chock
    N d. camel

479: Your tank vessel is loaded down to her marks, and you find that she has too much trim by the stern. To adjust the trim you may __________.

    N a. add ballast forward
    N b. load more cargo forward
    Y c. shift bunkers forward
    N d. All of the above

491: A change of a documented vessel's name can only be made by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Commissioner of Customs
    N c. Treasury Department
    Y d. Coast Guard

578: When loading a container vessel, the operation is basically that of vertical loading. The important factors to be considered when loading containers are port of discharge, __________.

    N a. available dunnage, and chocking
    N b. crushability, and inherent vice
    N c. sweat, and weight
    Y d. weight, and refrigeration

580: Which statement is FALSE about using a wire bridle on an ocean tow?

    N a. The inboard end of each bridle leg should have a large eye splice to fit over the bitts.
    Y b. The strength of each leg should be at least one-half that of the main towing hawser.
    N c. Each leg should be at least 60 to 90 feet long.
    N d. None of the above

840: The terms "cant frame" and "counter" are associated with the vessel's __________.

    N a. cargo hatch
    N b. forecastle
    N c. steering engine
    Y d. stern

912: You are aboard vessel "A" in a narrow channel and the pilot is approaching vessel "B" as shown. The reason he has not previously changed course to the starboard side of the channel is __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. to avoid vessel squat in the shallower water near the bank
    Y b. to avoid the effects of bank cushion and bank suction
    N c. because there is less chance of striking submerged objects in mid-channel
    N d. because the current has less eddies in mid-channel

985: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    N a. call the engineroom and report that you have lost steering
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    Y c. shift the selector switch to the other steering system
    N d. call the Master

1009: You are loading 475,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0800 on 8 July, you find that you have loaded 174,000 barrels. At 1000, you find that you have loaded 192,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 1752, 8 July
    N b. 1940, 8 July
    N c. 0143, 9 July
    Y d. 1727, 9 July

1054: Which mooring line has the least elasticity?

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

1056: In which situation could a vessel most easily capsize?

    N a. Running into head seas
    Y b. Running in the trough
    N c. Running with following seas
    N d. Anchored with your bow into the seas

1064: Which factor is most likely to impair the strength and durability of synthetic line?

    N a. Dry rot
    N b. Mildew
    Y c. Sunlight
    N d. Washing with mild soap

1105: You are rigging a stage over the ship's side to serve as a working platform. For stability of the stage, the downhaul to one end of the stage and the downhaul to the other end, which are used for lowering the stage, should be led __________.

    N a. both to the inboard side of the stage
    N b. both to the outboard side of the stage
    Y c. one to the inboard and the other to the outboard
    N d. either both to the inboard or both to the outboard side of the stage

1122: Freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks __________.

    N a. prevent stress concentration in the bulwark
    N b. permit easy jettison of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. provide openings through the bulwarks for mooring lines
    Y d. allow water shipped on deck to flow off rapidly

1123: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    N b. the Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    Y d. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)

1203: Under defense plans, operation of electronic aids may be temporarily suspended with __________.

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

1265: You are picking up an unconscious person that has fallen overboard in a fresh breeze. For safety reasons a small craft should approach with the __________.

    N a. victim to leeward
    Y b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

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.

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

1563: Which statement about two lines spliced together is TRUE?

    N a. Splicing is used to increase the circumference of each line.
    Y b. Splicing two lines together is stronger than knotting two lines together.
    N c. Splicing is used to increase the overall strength of the line.
    N d. Splicing is used to prevent rotting of the lines bitter end.

1616: In moderate wind and current what should be the length of chain with a single anchor?

    Y a. 5 times the depth of the water in good holding ground
    N b. 10 times the depth of the water in shallow water
    N c. 2 times the depth of the water in poor holding ground
    N d. 8 times the depth of the water in deep water

1654: Which knot should be used to bend two hawsers together for towing?

    Y a. Double carrick bend
    N b. Fisherman's bend
    N c. Heaving line bend
    N d. Rolling hitch

1683: "Herringbone" is a term associated with __________.

    N a. anchoring
    N b. mooring
    Y c. sewing
    N d. splicing

1706: Your vessel is anchored in an open roadstead with three shots of chain out on the port anchor. The wind freshens considerably and the anchor begins to drag. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Drop the starboard anchor short with about one shot of chain.
    N b. Sheer out to starboard using the rudder, then drop the starboard anchor with about four shots of chain.
    N c. Put the engines slow ahead to help the anchor.
    Y d. Veer out more chain on the port anchor.

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°"

1729: The greatest strain, when lifting a load with the jumbo purchase, is on __________.

    N a. all of the parts, dividing the load equally
    Y b. the hauling part because it must absorb the frictional losses of all the sheaves
    N c. the parts in the movable block
    N d. the standing part because it is directly connected to the weight

1743: A mooring line leading at nearly right angles to the keel is a __________.

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. spring line
    N d. stern line

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

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.

2121: Which statement concerning the lashings of containers with solid bar or wire rope lashings is TRUE?

    Y a. Stack weights should be less when using a solid bar lashing as compared to a wire lashing.
    N b. Stack heights may be increased when using a solid bar lashing.
    N c. Stack heights should be reduced when using a solid bar lashing.
    N d. Solid bars should be used for lashing the first tier only, with wire lashings on the higher tier(s).

2130: In a racetrack turn, to recover a man overboard, the vessel is steadied for the SECOND time after a turn of how many degrees from the original heading?

    N a. 60°
    N b. 135°
    N c. 180°
    Y d. 360°

2188: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

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

2198: 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 90°? (D034DG )

    N a. 355 yards
    Y b. 380 yards
    N c. 410 yards
    N d. 455 yards

2246: Cargoes that might leak from containers are known as __________.

    N a. dirty cargoes
    N b. caustic cargoes
    Y c. wet cargoes
    N d. bulk cargoes

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

2352: The recessed areas on a wildcat are called __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. sockets
    Y c. pockets
    N d. devil's claws

2398: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 4.5 feet and a length of 8 feet?

    N a. 1.82
    Y b. 3.64
    N c. 7.27
    N d. 14.54

2810: Which document lists all the lifesaving equipment required for a vessel?

    Y a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping Classification Certificate
    N c. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

2869: When more than one vessel is being assisted by an icebreaker, distances between vessels should be constant. Which signal should be given by a vessel which is ahead of another and whose speed suddenly begins to drop?

    N a. Four short blast on the whistle
    N b. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "4"
    Y c. A flag hoist consisting of the code figure "5"
    N d. A flag hoist consisting of the code letters "FE" (Foxtrot-Echo)

2900: Which statement about Naval Control of Shipping in wartime is TRUE?

    Y a. It is mandatory in wartime.
    N b. It is mandatory in hazardous areas and voluntary in other areas.
    N c. It is mandatory only for vessels sailing in convoy.
    N d. It is mandatory for vessels bound foreign and voluntary for vessels in the coastwise trade.

2924: You are on a large vessel fitted with a right-handed controllable-pitch propeller set at maximum forward pitch. Which statement about reversing is TRUE?

    N a. When the pitch is reversed, the stern will slew to port even with headway.
    N b. The vessel will respond to the rudder until sternway is developed, then the stern will slew to starboard.
    Y c. There will probably be a loss of steering control.
    N d. The vessel will have full rudder control throughout the speed change from ahead to astern.

2968: On the Great Lakes, winter storms compound the ice threat by bringing a variety of wind, wave, and weather problems on an average of every __________.

    N a. two days
    N b. three days
    Y c. four days
    N d. five days

3018: When turning a vessel in shallow water, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The rate of turn is increased.
    N b. The rate of turn is decreased.
    Y c. The turning diameter increases.
    N d. The turning diameter remains the same.

3219: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

3370: In astern towing, a tow span, also called the "tow bar" or "towing arch", is used to __________.

    N a. insure that the hawser leads directly aft as it passes over the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. increase the stability of the towing vessel by raising the hawser off the deck
    N c. reduce chafing of the towing hawser
    Y d. prevent fouling of the hawser on deck gear located on the stern of the towing vessel

3724: What part of the ground tackle is the most likely to develop fractures due to extensive anchor use?

    N a. Anchor shank
    N b. Swivel
    Y c. Jews' harp
    N d. Fluke

3820: When making a Scharnow turn, the __________.

    N a. rudder must be put over towards the side the man went over
    N b. initial turn direction is away from the side the man went over
    Y c. rudder is put hard over and the initial turn is maintained until about 240° from the original course
    N d. man overboard must be not more than 300 feet astern when starting the turn

3840: 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 thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    Y c. The stress on the heel block is less at 60°.
    N d. The change in angle of elevation has no effect on the stresses in the head block.

4155: Which factor(s) should be considered when loading vehicles or trailers aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Layout of decks
    N b. Vertical clearances
    N c. Tie-down and lashing
    Y d. All of the above

4202: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE concerning cranes being installed on the centerline of vessels?

    N a. One crane is able to work both sides of the ship.
    N b. One crane is able to work one end of two adjacent hatches.
    N c. They are more economical and weigh less.
    Y d. All of the above

4278: Which wire rope purchase(s) is/are optional with a 30-Ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Hoist
    N b. Luff
    Y c. Rider block
    N d. All of the above

4443: You are signing on a deck officer, who will be designated as one of the GMDSS operators, before sailing foreign. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. He/she must have an STCW certificate endorsed as "Valid for Service on Vessels Operating in the GMDSS System".
    N b. He/she must present either an FCC-issued license or a Coast Guard-issued license.
    N c. You must consult the "List of Qualifications" on the reverse of his/her FCC-issued license.
    N d. His/her Merchant Mariners Document must have an added endorsement as "Radio Electronics Officer".