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.


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


73: Aboard ship, vertical flat plates running transversely and connecting the vertical keel to the margin plates are called __________.


126: The distance a vessel moves parallel to the original course from the point where the rudder is put over to any point on the turning circle is called the __________.


135: Corrosive liquids and acids should have which kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow and white
    N c. Red and white
    Y d. White and black

146: When turning a ship in restricted space with a strong wind, it is normally best to __________.

    N a. go ahead on both engines with the rudder hard to one side, if on a twin-screw vessel
    N b. back down with the rudder hard to one side, if on a single-screw vessel
    N c. take advantage of the tendency to back to port, if on a twin-screw vessel
    Y d. turn so that the tendency to back into the wind can be used, if on a single-screw vessel

162: Oil may NOT be transferred unless __________.

    N a. there are two certificated tankermen on each vessel
    N b. the vessel is equipped with constant-tension winches
    Y c. discharge containment equipment (i.e. drip pans) are in place
    N d. All of the above

398: Peck and Hale gear is used most commonly for securing __________.

    Y a. automobiles
    N b. baled cargo
    N c. large wooden crates
    N d. palletized cargo

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

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

670: You must evacuate a seaman by helicopter lift. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The ship should be stopped with the wind off the beam while the helicopter is hovering overhead.
    N b. The basket or stretcher must not be allowed to touch the deck.
    N c. The tending line of the litter basket should be secured to the ship beyond the radius of the helicopter blades.
    Y d. The hoist line should be slack before the basket or stretcher is hooked on.

716: Your vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel. The effect called bank cushion has which effect on the vessel?

    Y a. Forces the bow away from the bank
    N b. Forces the stern away from the bank
    N c. Forces the entire vessel bodily away from the bank
    N d. Decreases the draft at the bow

718: How many board feet of dunnage would you estimate to be in a pile 5 feet wide, 1 foot high and 14 feet long?

    N a. 70
    Y b. 840
    N c. 960
    N d. 1080

733: Before leaving port on an ocean tow, a tug captain should assure himself of all the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the towing hawser can be released quickly in an emergency
    N b. the correct navigation lights are rigged and operable on the tug and tow
    Y c. an insurance underwriter has prepared a pre-sailing survey
    N d. a pick-up wire has been rigged on the tow in case of a breakaway.

742: Lighter longitudinal stiffening frames on the vessel's side plating are called __________.

    Y a. stringers
    N b. side frames
    N c. side stiffeners
    N d. intercostals

804: Line is called "small stuff" if its circumference is less than __________.

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

849: The valve on the discharge side of a cargo pump on a tank vessel will usually be a __________.

    N a. gate valve
    N b. butterfly valve
    N c. globe valve
    Y d. check valve

855: Which party must ensure that legal work hour limitations (for both officers and crew members), rest periods and regulations governing work on Sundays and holidays are followed when the vessel is in a safe harbor?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The company operating the vessel
    Y c. The Master of the vessel
    N d. The company chartering the vessel

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

885: How many wire clips must be used to make a temporary repair to a tow wire?

    N a. 3
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. Wire clips are never, under any circumstances, permitted

960: Gross tonnage indicates the vessel's __________.

    N a. displacement in metric tons
    N b. total weight including cargo
    Y c. volume in cubic feet
    N d. draft in feet

967: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel is deviating from the given course and there is no follow up with corrective rudder action to return to the proper heading. The emergency operating procedure should require you to immediately change operation from __________.

    Y a. "gyro" to "hand"
    N b. "hand" to "gyro"
    N c. "gyro" to "control"
    N d. "control" to "hand"

1100: What is the purpose of the freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks?

    Y a. Allow water which may be shipped on deck to flow off rapidly
    N b. Permit easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. Prevent the formation of any unusual stress concentration points
    N d. Lighten the above deck weight caused by a solid bulwark

1355: Ice concentration is measured in OKTAs. What percentage of the sea surface is ice-covered with 6 OKTAs concentration?

    N a. 6%
    N b. 50%
    N c. 60%
    Y d. 75%

1501: Particular average is __________.

    N a. the average distance steamed per day over the duration of the voyage
    N b. charges against all parties in a marine venture to pay for damages
    Y c. loss sustained by only one party
    N d. claimed after all liens against the vessel are settled

1518: Your vessel is being towed and back-up wires have been installed. Back-up wires carry the towing load in the event that the __________.

    N a. bridle legs part
    Y b. towing bitt or pad eye fails
    N c. bight ring fails
    N d. main towing hawser parts

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

1589: Why is 6X19 class wire rope more commonly used for cargo runners than the more flexible 6X37 wire rope?

    Y a. It resists abrasion better.
    N b. It is longer.
    N c. It hugs the winch drum better.
    N d. It is less expensive.

1613: Which splice should you use in order to make a permanent loop in a line?

    N a. Back splice
    Y b. Eye splice
    N c. Long splice
    N d. Short splice

1702: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2282 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    N a. Isoheptene
    N b. Phosphine
    N c. Furan
    Y d. Hexanols

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.

1957: The strake of shell plating indicated by letter H is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    N b. outboard keel plate
    Y c. garboard strake
    N d. bilge strake

1988: When towing, what is the main reason for using a chain bridle on a wire hawser?

    N a. It makes for an easy connection.
    Y b. It gives a spring effect to cushion the shock.
    N c. It eliminates the necessity of a swivel.
    N d. It does not chafe.

2001: You are using tackle number 9 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 120 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 52 lbs.
    Y b. 39 lbs.
    N c. 30 lbs.
    N d. 27 lbs.

2070: Which statement about the Williamson turn is FALSE?

    Y a. It requires the highest degree of shiphandling skills to accomplish.
    N b. It is the slowest of the methods used in turning the vessel.
    N c. It is the best turn to use when the victim is not in sight due to reduced visibility.
    N d. It returns the vessel to the original track-line on a reciprocal course.

2086: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 11? (DO29DG )

    N a. 7
    Y b. 6
    N c. 5.5
    N d. 5

2120: Wale shores would be used when dry docking a vessel with __________.

    N a. tumble home
    Y b. excessive deadrise
    N c. excessive trim
    N d. a list

2178: Segregation of cargoes refers to __________.

    Y a. separating cargoes so that the inherent characteristics of one cannot damage the other
    N b. separating cargoes by destination
    N c. classifying cargoes according to their toxicity
    N d. listing the cargoes in order of their flammability

2224: When improperly tied, which knot shown is called a granny or thief's knot? (D030DG )

    N a. F
    N b. M
    N c. R
    Y d. W

2231: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 2? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    N b. 1
    Y c. 2
    N d. 3

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

2272: Which knot is secure only when there is a strain on the line? (D030DG )

    N a. H
    N b. I
    Y c. L
    N d. P

2302: What is NOT required to be approved or certified by the U.S. Coast Guard before being used on inspected vessels?

    N a. Lifesaving equipment that is in excess of the regulatory minimum
    N b. Ship's stores that are Class A poisons or Class A explosives
    Y c. Steel plate used in hull construction
    N d. EPIRBs

2453: On a ship's crane, the load chart relates the allowable load to the combination of the boom length and __________.

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

2460: You are operating a twin-screw vessel and lose your port engine. You continue to operate on your starboard engine only. Which action would you take to move your vessel ahead in a straight line?

    Y a. Compensate with right rudder.
    N b. Compensate with left rudder.
    N c. Surge the starboard engine.
    N d. Rudder amidships - no compensation is necessary on a twin-screw vessel.

2594: Which is NOT an advantage of the flush method of welded shell plating?

    N a. Reduces weight
    N b. Reduces frictional resistance
    N c. Keeps practically 100% of tensile strength at the joints
    Y d. Reduces plate stress

2708: Which statement is TRUE with respect to the load line markings shown. (D031DG )

    Y a. A vessel displaying these marks may load in the salt waters of the St. Lawrence River.
    N b. Vessels engaged solely on Great Lakes voyages are not required to show these marks.
    N c. U.S. flag vessels less than 100 feet in length and less than 200 gross tons are not required to show these marks.
    N d. U.S. flag vessels of 100 gross tons and upward must show these marks.

2870: A single-screw vessel going ahead tends to turn more rapidly to port because of propeller __________.

    N a. discharge current
    N b. suction current
    Y c. sidewise force
    N d. thrust

3080: Which method should be used to warm up the pump turbines prior to discharge?

    N a. Lock the turbine rotor and slowly bleed in steam until operating temperature is reached
    N b. Run the pump at high speed with the discharge valves closed
    N c. Run the turbine at slow speed with the pump disconnected
    Y d. Shut the discharge valve and run the pump at slow speed

3082: Which statement is FALSE with regards to the Great Lakes Light List?

    Y a. The Light List does not contain information on any of the navigational aids maintained by Canada.
    N b. Volume VII does not include information on Class III private aids to navigation.
    N c. The Light List does not include Coast Guard mooring buoys, special purpose buoys, or buoys marking fish net areas.
    N d. The Light List should be corrected each week from the appropriate Notice to Mariners.

3260: When underway with a tow, you must notify the Coast Guard of which casualty?

    N a. Damage to property amounting to $1,500
    N b. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N c. An injury requiring first aid
    Y d. Loss of main propulsion

3308: What term indicates a curvature of the decks in a longitudinal direction?

    N a. Deadrise
    N b. Camber
    Y c. Sheer
    N d. Flare

3350: It is not advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too expensive for everyday towing usage
    N c. binds on the cleats
    N d. parts too readily

3447: The best method to secure a tow line to a cleat is to __________.

    Y a. take a turn around the cleat, then figure-eights, and a half-hitch
    N b. make figure-eights, followed by a half-hitch, then a figure-eight knot
    N c. take a turn, a half turn, and a figure-eight
    N d. take several turns around the cleat only

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

3728: The main reason a long towline is used during an ocean tow is that __________.

    N a. a margin of safety is provided should the line part
    N b. the towline will wear more evenly
    Y c. there will be less stress on the towline
    N d. a slight increase in speed will be realized

3728: The main reason a long towline is used during an ocean tow is that __________.

    N a. a margin of safety is provided should the line part
    N b. the towline will wear more evenly
    Y c. there will be less stress on the towline
    N d. a slight increase in speed will be realized

4157: Which of the following element(s) should be taken into account in the preparation of the "Cargo Securing Manual"?

    N a. Duration of the voyage
    N b. Types of cargo units and vehicles to be carried
    N c. Weight of cargo units and vehicles
    Y d. All of the above

4222: What does item "C" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Equalizing beam
    N b. Hoist fall spreader
    Y c. Rider block
    N d. Block/hook assembly

4237: What is used to power modern pedestal cranes?

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

4383: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable