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.


34: Your vessel has been loaded in a sagging condition. Enroute you encounter heavy weather and notice buckling in the midships deck plating of your vessel. To relieve the strain you could __________.


130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?


203: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?


223: Who is responsible for providing urine specimen collection kits to be used following a serious marine incident?

    N a. Qualified medical personnel
    Y b. The marine employer
    N c. The U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. The local police department

272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

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

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)

422: Which method should be used to secure a synthetic fiber line to two bitts?

    Y a. Two round turns on the bitt closest to the strain and then figure eights
    N b. Two round turns on the bitt farthest from the strain and then figure eights
    N c. Figure eights and then a round turn at the top of both bitts
    N d. Only figure eights are necessary on both bitts

440: If a Master must jettison a container loaded with hazardous material, he must, as soon as possible, notify the __________.

    N a. National Cargo Bureau
    N b. Environmental Protection Agency
    N c. National Hazardous Chemical Response Center
    Y d. nearest Captain of the Port

485: To clean a dirty fiber towing hawser used in ocean towing, you should __________.

    N a. use lye or other mild detergent
    Y b. wash it with fresh water, dry and store it
    N c. wash it with salt water
    N d. use cleaning fluid on nylon, dacron and other synthetic lines

604: The term "lee side" refers to the __________.

    N a. side of the vessel exposed to the wind
    Y b. side of the vessel sheltered from the wind
    N c. port side
    N d. starboard side

694: An advantage of nylon rope over manila rope is that nylon rope __________.

    N a. can be used in conjunction with wire or spring-lay rope
    N b. can be stored on decks exposed to sunlight
    Y c. can hold a load even when a considerable amount of the yarns have been abraded
    N d. gives audible warning of overstress whereas manila does not

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

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")

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

871: In writing up the logbook at the end of your watch, you make an error in writing an entry. What is the proper means of correcting this error?

    Y a. Cross out the error with a single line, and write the correct entry, then initial it.
    N b. Carefully and neatly erase the entry and rewrite it correctly.
    N c. Remove this page of the log book, and rewrite all entries on a clean page.
    N d. Blot out the error completely and rewrite the entry correctly.

936: A precaution you should take before bunkering is to __________

    N a. plug the vents
    N b. plug the sounding pipes
    Y c. plug the scuppers
    N d. close the lids on the vents

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

955: In which case is the IOPP Certificate of an inspected vessel NOT invalidated?

    Y a. The required oily-water separator malfunctions.
    N b. The ship is transferred to Liberian registry.
    N c. An annual survey is conducted fifteen months after the date of certificate issuance.
    N d. A 15 ppm oily-water separator is replaced by a 100 ppm oily-water separator.

1138: A vessel arrives in the port of Los Angeles from a foreign port and discharges some of its inward foreign cargo. What additional manifest is required?

    N a. Discharge Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    N c. Pro Forma Manifest
    Y d. Traveling Manifest

1150: In ship construction, frame spacing is __________.

    N a. greater at the bow and stern
    Y b. reduced at the bow and stern
    N c. uniform over the length of the vessel
    N d. uniform over the length of the vessel, with the exception of the machinery spaces, where it is reduced due to increased stresses

1187: You are taking the bow line from the port bow of a large vessel that is underway when the stern of your tug comes in contact with the vessel. The forward motion of both vessels causes your tug to be turned toward the other vessel and contact the stem thereby being "stemmed". You should immediately __________.

    N a. stop engines and the vessel's wake will push you clear of the bow
    Y b. go full astern with rudder amidships
    N c. go full ahead with the rudder hard over to starboard
    N d. go full ahead with the rudder amidships

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

1390: The body plan of a vessel is a(n) __________.

    Y a. endwise view of the ship's molded form
    N b. longitudinal side elevation view
    N c. plan made looking down on the ship, showing it's hull cut horizontally by the first set of planes
    N d. vertical view made looking up in the ship, with the keel at the center

1427: Which letter in illustration D030DG represents a plain whipping? (D030DG )

    N a. E
    N b. F
    Y c. J
    N d. V

1537: Which is NOT a potential hazard of approaching close to an iceberg?

    Y a. The brash ice in the vicinity may clog sea intakes.
    N b. The berg may calve with the bergy bit hitting the vessel.
    N c. There may be underwater rams extending out from the berg.
    N d. The berg may suddenly tilt or capsize due to uneven melting and hit the vessel.

1635: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. after breast line
    N b. after spring line
    N c. offshore stern line
    Y d. inshore stern line

1641: The helm command "Steady as you go" means __________.

    Y a. steer the course you are on now
    N b. steer the course when the swing stops
    N c. maintain the rate of swing
    N d. don't allow the vessel to swing off course so much

1673: A sail hook is used for __________.

    N a. hoisting a windsail
    N b. parceling
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. testing canvas

1768: As a rule, ships of most configurations, when drifting in calm water with negligible current, will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

1817: Refrigeration machinery is often surveyed before loading reefer cargo. This survey is usually performed by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. local port authority

1832: The run of plating labeled A is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    Y b. stringer plate
    N c. deck strake
    N d. deck longitudinal

1872: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

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

1889: The helm command "Nothing to the left" means do NOT __________.

    N a. use left rudder
    Y b. steer left of the ordered course
    N c. steer right of the ordered course
    N d. leave any buoys on the port side

1898: Back-up wires on a towed vessel provide __________.

    N a. a factor of safety
    N b. additional strength
    N c. a distribution of the towing load
    Y d. All of the above

1917: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 14 feet?

    N a. 31.42
    N b. 15.71
    Y c. 7.85
    N d. 6.25

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2047: Progressive flooding is controlled by securing watertight boundaries and __________.

    N a. transferring water ballast
    N b. jettisoning cargo
    Y c. pumping out flooded compartments
    N d. abandoning ship

2053: A mooring line leading 45° to the keel, used to check forward or astern movement of a vessel, is called a __________.

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

2127: The maneuver which will return your vessel to a person who has fallen overboard in the shortest time is __________.

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

2165: The original Bill of Lading, once signed by the Master, is NOT __________.

    N a. a receipt and proof that goods have been received on board
    Y b. surrendered to the customs agency of the country where the cargo is discharged
    N c. used to transfer ownership of the cargo while the ship is enroute
    N d. proof of title or ownership of the cargo

2177: Under normal weather and sea conditions when securing a stack of containers with non-locking fittings, lashings are required when the tier exceeds what height?

    Y a. Lashings are always required
    N b. One container
    N c. Two containers
    N d. Three containers

2184: The lashings on a stack of containers with interlocking fittings restrain the forces that cause __________.

    N a. toppling
    Y b. racking
    N c. buckling
    N d. crushing

2267: The knot lettered K in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. sailmaker's whipping
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper

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

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

2385: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of butyric acid, propylene oxide, and octyl alcohol. Which statement is true?

    N a. Butyric acid is incompatible with octyl alcohol but not propylene oxide.
    Y b. Propylene oxide may not be stowed in a tank adjacent to butyric acid.
    N c. All of these cargoes are compatible.
    N d. Octyl alcohol is incompatible with both butyric acid and propylene oxide.

2393: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 25.5 lbs. steel measuring 4.5 feet by 6.7 feet.

    N a. 285.6 lbs.
    N b. 329.7 lbs.
    N c. 591.2 lbs.
    Y d. 768.8 lbs.

2464: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    Y a. Yarns
    N b. Twines
    N c. Lacings
    N d. Lays

2466: The pillar shape that gives the greatest strength for the least weight is the __________.

    N a. octagonal pillar
    N b. "H" Beam pillar
    N c. "I" Beam pillar
    Y d. circular type pillar

2472: A "liner" in riveted construction of a vessel is a(n) __________.

    Y a. small plate which fills the aperture between riveted strakes and the vessel framing
    N b. backing plate which is used to level the strakes while riveting, and then removed
    N c. internal frame to which the side shell is riveted
    N d. seam that is welded after riveting is completed

2824: While being assisted by an icebreaker on Lake Superior, you receive a single letter code instructing you to slow your vessel. Which signal could you use to signify that you are complying with the request?

    N a. Three blasts of the whistle
    N b. The code flag "A" (Alpha) displayed from a halyard
    Y c. Four blasts of the whistle, namely 1 short 2 long and 1 short
    N d. The code flag "L" (Lima) displayed from a halyard

2842: By definition, a "spar deck" is the __________.

    N a. lower most continuous deck not broken by water tight bulkheads
    N b. after most weather deck above the main strength deck
    Y c. upper or weather deck above the main strength deck
    N d. deck of light construction below the main or strength deck

3218: The term "bollard pull" refers to a towing vessel's __________.

    N a. propulsion horsepower available
    N b. pulling ability at cruise power
    N c. towing winch capability
    Y d. pulling ability under static conditions

3410: When "checking down" a barge using a check line you should use __________.

    N a. one round turn and at least two figure-eights around the timber heads
    N b. at least three figure-eights around the timber heads
    N c. a clove hitch around one timber head
    Y d. at least three round turns around one timber head

3436: The signal man assisting the crane operator has one hand occupied and one fist in front of his chest with the thumb pointing outward and is tapping his chest with the heel of his fist. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend the boom
    N b. lower the boom
    Y c. retract the boom
    N d. hoist the boom

3486: When a two-leg sling is used to lift a load, a sling 40 feet long is better than one of 30 feet because the __________.

    Y a. tension in the sling legs is less
    N b. load can be lifted higher
    N c. sling will be easier to attach
    N d. sling will be easier to remove

4146: Which of the following tensioning devices is used with webbing to secure light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4237: What is used to power modern pedestal cranes?

    N a. Steam
    N b. Water
    Y c. Hydraulics
    N d. All of the above

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above

4280: Which statement is FALSE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    Y a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be fastened to corners of vehicles or containers.
    N d. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.