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.


20: You are carrying triethylamine, methyl methacrylate and isoprene in your multiple-product tankship. Which of the following statements is true?


187: You are standing the wheel watch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?


227: An ocean towing bridle should __________.


238: A shore is a piece of securing dunnage that __________.

    Y a. runs from a low supporting level up to the cargo at an angle
    N b. is also known as a "distance piece"
    N c. is placed on the deck under the cargo to distribute its weight evenly
    N d. is run horizontally from a support to the cargo

264: The total weight of cargo, fuel, water, stores, passengers and crew, and their effects, that a ship can carry, is the __________.

    N a. bale cubic
    Y b. deadweight
    N c. gross tonnage
    N d. loaded displacement

324: A "chock" is a __________.

    N a. deck fitting used to secure mooring lines
    Y b. casting fitted at the side of a weather deck, used as a fairlead
    N c. sharp block of wood used to support hygroscopic cargo
    N d. smoke pipe for the galley stove

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

571: You are in port A in the United States, and your Certificate of Inspection has expired. You wish to go to port B in the United States for repairs and to complete the inspection. If the Officer-in-Charge Marine Inspection deems it safe, he may issue a __________.

    N a. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N b. Limited Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Temporary Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. Permit to Proceed

601: Your vessel has completed an inspection for certification and is issued a temporary certificate. This __________.

    N a. expires six months after it is issued
    N b. must be exchanged for a regular Certificate of Inspection before going foreign or out of state
    Y c. has the full force of a regular Certificate of Inspection
    N d. must be posted in the vicinity of the officers' licenses

661: The number of certificated lifeboatmen required for a vessel is found on the __________.

    Y a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. lifeboats
    N d. Register or Enrollment

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It forces the bow away from the bank.
    N b. It forces the stern away from the bank.
    N c. It forces the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

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.

765: The owner or Master of a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside must ensure that each of the following is appropriate for the vessel's horsepower and tow arrangement EXCEPT _________ .

    Y a. hydraulic couplings
    N b. face wires
    N c. push gear
    N d. spring lines

808: You are loading a cargo of cases into a hold which has a bale cubic of 44,000. The cargo consists of cases measuring 4 ft by 2 ft by 1.5 ft. Estimated broken stowage is 15%. What is the maximum number of cases which can be stowed in the hold?

    N a. 3096
    Y b. 3116
    N c. 3136
    N d. 3156

830: On which vessels are the officers and deck crew allowed to operate under a two-watch system on voyages of less than 600 miles?

    N a. Towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Barges, when manned
    Y d. All of the above

926: Usually the most gentle way of riding out a severe storm on a larger vessel is __________.

    N a. head on at slow speeds
    N b. hove to
    Y c. running before the seas
    N d. to rig a sea anchor

991: When an azimuth of the Sun has been taken and the deviation of the standard magnetic compass computed, the watch officer should record the results __________.

    N a. in the vessel's Official Logbook
    N b. on the compass deviation card
    Y c. in the compass deviation log
    N d. on a Napier diagram

1015: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference to determine the sagging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 71.07 numeral
    N b. 74.95 numeral
    N c. 77.56 numeral
    Y d. 78.29 numeral

1082: A lashing used to secure two barges side by side, lashed in an "X" fashion, is called a __________.

    N a. backing wire
    Y b. scissor wire
    N c. face wire
    N d. breast wire

1085: Which of the following statements concerning the rigging of bosuns' chairs and their use is TRUE?

    N a. Always secure the gantline to the chair with a bowline.
    N b. Always have the chair hoisted with at least three turns on a winch drum.
    Y c. Any tools, paint pots etc. should be secured by lanyards.
    N d. When riding a stay, make sure that the bow of the shackle passes through the becket of the bridle.

1114: What type of stopper would you use on a nylon mooring line?

    N a. Chain
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Manila
    N d. Wire

1164: Which type of line floats?

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

1241: A Notice of Marine Casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    Y b. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N c. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N d. the amount of ballast on board

1242: You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.

    N a. during an engine speed change
    Y b. during a navigational course change
    N c. unless the helm is in the "hand" mode
    N d. All of the above

1246: When a tug is pulling on a hawser at right angles to the ship, and the pilot wants to come ahead or astern on the ship's engine, care must be taken that the pilot __________.

    N a. does not break the towline
    Y b. does not get too much way on the vessel
    N c. keeps a steady course so the towline will remain tight
    N d. turns the ship toward the direction of pull

1402: What form of ice is of land origin?

    N a. Shuga
    N b. Floe
    N c. Spicule
    Y d. Bergy bit

1426: Forty-five fathoms is marked on the anchor chain by __________.

    N a. one turn of wire on the first stud from each side of the detachable link
    N b. two turns of wire on the second stud from each side of the detachable link
    Y c. three turns of wire on the third stud from each side of the detachable link
    N d. four turns of wire on the fourth stud from each side of the detachable link

1474: To find the distance the strands should be unlaid for an eye splice, multiply the diameter of the wire in inches by __________.

    N a. 12
    N b. 24
    Y c. 36
    N d. 48

1502: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 49.73 numeral
    N b. 52.76 numeral
    N c. 55.29 numeral
    N d. 57.93 numeral

1543: Which is normally used to hold wire rope for splicing?

    N a. Come along
    N b. Jigger
    Y c. Rigger's screw
    N d. Sealing clamp

1558: When making up a tow connection, you should use __________.

    N a. safety hooks
    N b. plain eye hooks
    N c. round pin shackles
    Y d. screw pin shackles

1577: You are the Chief Mate of a 30,000-DWT tankship. The vessel is engaged in trade with another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Certificate of Inspection serves as prima facie evidence of complying with MARPOL 73/78.
    Y b. The IOPP Certificate for an inspected vessel is valid for 5 years.
    N c. An IOPP Certificate is invalidated if the ship carries cargoes outside the classes authorized thereon.
    N d. An IOPP Certificate is renewed at each inspection for certification.

1581: A vessel is found to be seaworthy after a complaint in writing to the American Consul by the Chief and Second Mates. The cost of the survey is to be paid by the __________.

    N a. American Consul
    Y b. Chief and Second Mates
    N c. Vessel's agent
    N d. vessel's owners

1671: The number of certificated able seamen and lifeboatmen required on a vessel is determined by the __________.

    N a. International Maritime Organization
    N b. Corps of Engineers
    Y c. Coast Guard
    N d. American Bureau of Shipping

1694: A "whipping" is __________.

    N a. a messenger
    N b. a stopper for nylon line
    N c. a U-bolt for securing a cargo whip to the winch drum
    Y d. turns of twine around a rope end

1696: Mooring with two bow anchors has which major advantage over anchoring with one bow anchor?

    N a. The vessel will not reverse direction in a tidal current.
    Y b. The radius of the vessel's swing will be shortened.
    N c. A mooring approach may be made from any direction.
    N d. The vessel will not swing with a change in wind.

1740: The group of markings shown is called a __________. (D003DG )

    N a. loft mark
    Y b. load line mark
    N c. test mark
    N d. water mark

1796: Which safety check(s) should be made before letting go the anchor?

    N a. See that the anchor is clear of obstructions.
    N b. See that the chain is all clear.
    N c. See that the wildcat is disengaged.
    Y d. All of the above

1802: Which picture represents a bowline? (DO30DG )

    N a. G
    N b. H
    N c. L
    Y d. Q

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

1944: The garboard strake is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. G
    Y d. H

1953: What is likely to occur when you are surging synthetic mooring lines on the gypsyhead during mooring operations?

    N a. The lines may jam and then jump off the gypsyhead.
    N b. If there is sudden strain on the line, the man tending the line may be pulled into the gypsyhead.
    N c. The lines' surging may cause the vessel to surge.
    Y d. The heat generated may cause the lines to temporarily fuse to the gypsyhead.

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.

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

2243: You are using tackle number 4, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 11. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 10
    Y d. 24

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

2486: Which weld fault can only be detected by a method that examines the internal structure of a weld?

    N a. Undercut
    N b. Lack of reinforcement
    N c. Overlap
    Y d. Lack of penetration

2506: A tow of 9 barges is made up three abreast and three long. The towboat is faced up to the center string which is known as the __________.

    N a. main string
    Y b. push string
    N c. power string
    N d. face string

2521: The period of roll is the time difference between __________.

    N a. zero inclination to full inclination on one side
    N b. full inclination on one side to full inclination on the other side
    Y c. full inclination on one side to the next full inclination on the same side
    N d. zero inclination to the next zero inclination

2536: Wages due a seaman may be attached by the court for the __________.

    N a. payment of any fines imposed by the court
    N b. payment of back taxes to the IRS
    Y c. support of a spouse
    N d. All of the above

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

2814: Your vessel is crossing a river on the Great Lakes System. A power-driven vessel is ascending the river, crossing your course from port to starboard. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The vessel ascending the river has the right of way.
    N b. Your vessel has the right of way, but you are directed not to impede the other vessel.
    N c. The other vessel must hold as necessary to allow you to pass.
    N d. You are required to propose the manner of passage.

3032: Ice is often strong enough to halt navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway by mid- __________.

    N a. October
    N b. November
    Y c. December
    N d. January

3140: If the Certificate of Inspection of a damaged tank barge has expired, which certificate may be issued to allow its movement to a repair facility?

    N a. Change of employment
    Y b. Permit to proceed
    N c. Application for inspection
    N d. Temporary Certificate of Inspection

3165: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

    N a. consider steering a vessel a highly responsible job
    Y b. use as much rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N c. use as little rudder as possible to keep the vessel on course
    N d. advise his relief of the course being steered

3201: You are on watch entering port, and the Master gives the helmsman a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should make sure the helmsman __________.

    N a. obeys the Pilot
    N b. asks you for instructions
    Y c. obeys the Master
    N d. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions

3269: What provides little or no indication that a vessel is dragging anchor?

    Y a. Changing range to an object abeam
    N b. Drift lead with the line tending forward
    N c. The cable alternates between slack and heavy tension
    N d. Changing bearing to a fixed distant object abeam

3449: What term indicates an inward curvature of the ship's hull above the waterline?

    N a. Camber
    Y b. Tumble home
    N c. Deadrise
    N d. Flare

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)

4274: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering barge alongside
    N b. Potable water spill on deck
    Y c. Crane hydraulic hose bursts
    N d. Trim greater than 4 feet