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.


7: The mooring line labeled "F" is called a __________. (D044DG )


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


19: The vessel's "quarter" is located __________.


82: Floors aboard ship are __________.

    N a. also called decks
    Y b. vertical transverse plates connecting the vertical keel with the margin plates
    N c. large beams fitted in various parts of the vessel for additional strength
    N d. found in passenger and berthing spaces only

136: Under the federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?

    N a. .18% BAC
    N b. .10% BAC
    N c. .06% BAC
    Y d. .04% BAC

192: The mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    Y a. offshore bow line
    N b. onshore bow line
    N c. offshore spring line
    N d. forward breast line

199: What is a cofferdam?

    N a. Tube fitted to an ullage hole
    N b. Area the product is loaded into
    Y c. Void or empty space separating two tanks
    N d. Opening in the deck used for cleaning a tank

305: What is considered a Serious Marine Incident?

    N a. an allision that results in $500 damage to a boat dock
    Y b. an injury to a crewmember, passenger, or other person which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid
    N c. grounding of a vessel on a sandbar that does not result in injuries and/or any damage to the vessel
    N d. None of the above

386: You are maneuvering a vessel with a right-hand propeller. The rudder is amidships. The vessel will generally back __________.

    Y a. to port
    N b. to starboard
    N c. in a straight line directly astern
    N d. downstream, the stern going in the direction of the current

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

522: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one Mate of Towing Vessels and four (4) seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

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

541: The official number of a documented vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    Y b. required to be permanently marked on the vessel's structure
    N c. required to be painted on the vessel's stern
    N d. required to be painted on the vessel's bow

591: What will NOT be found on the Certificate of Inspection of an ocean going tankship?

    N a. Manning requirements
    Y b. Minimum freeboard permitted
    N c. Grade(s) of cargoes that the vessel may carry
    N d. Waters upon which the vessel may be operated

611: The Certificate of Inspection for a containership __________.

    Y a. is issued by the Coast Guard and is usually valid for 2 years
    N b. must be posted under transparent material near the officers' licenses
    N c. lists all of the stability limitations and conditions imposed on the vessel
    N d. shows the due date of the quadrennial test of the cargo gear

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

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"

833: The Master may require part of the crew to work when needed for ___________ .

    N a. maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring and unmooring
    N b. performing work necessary for the safety of the vessel, its passengers, crew or cargo
    N c. performing fire, lifeboat or other drills in port or at sea
    Y d. All of the above

851: Your vessel (185 GT) is on a voyage between New York and San Francisco. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The maintenance of an Official Logbook is optional.
    N b. The vessel must be on foreign articles.
    N c. This is considered a coastwise voyage.
    Y d. An Official Logbook must be maintained.

868: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 72,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 493
    N b. 577
    N c. 602
    Y d. 648

898: You must load as much of a large shipment of case goods as possible into a hold which has 24,000 cubic feet of space. Each case measures 2 feet by 2-1/2 feet by 4 feet and weights 448 pounds. If you allow for broken stowage of 15%, how many long tons can be loaded?

    N a. 280
    N b. 233
    Y c. 204
    N d. 190

940: When selecting the fuel oil tanks for the "burn-out" of bunkers during a voyage consideration of all of the following must be taken with the EXCEPTION of __________.

    Y a. flashpoint
    N b. stability
    N c. trim
    N d. list

1073: You are preparing to slush a stay on your vessel by lowering yourself down the stay in a bosun's chair. The proper way to do this is to ride down the stay on a riding shackle __________.

    N a. with the pin of the shackle riding on the stay
    Y b. with the pin of the shackle through the chair's bridle eye
    N c. with a hook attaching the chair to the riding shackle
    N d. connected to a second shackle on the chair

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.

1101: A vessel puts into the port of Kobe, Japan, to discharge cargo. The vessel contracts a local shipyard to have the hull chipped and scaled. If the vessel provides the primer and paint, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You need NOT declare the cost of labor, since no duty is involved.
    N b. You need NOT declare the cost of labor, since this is considered ship's personnel work.
    Y c. You MUST declare the cost of labor and pay duty.
    N d. You MUST declare the cost of labor, but no duty is charged since labor is involved.

1264: Which type of line is best able to withstand sudden shock loads?

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

1442: You are on an ice-reinforced vessel about to enter pack ice. You should __________.

    N a. enter the pack on the windward side where there is a well defined ice edge
    N b. trim to an even keel or slightly down by the bow to take maximum benefit of the ice reinforcement
    N c. take maximum advantage of coastal leads caused by offshore winds
    Y d. look for areas of rotten ice and enter perpendicular to the ice edge

1444: If kinking results while wire rope is being coiled clockwise, you should __________.

    N a. coil it counterclockwise
    N b. not coil it
    Y c. take a turn under
    N d. twist out the kinks under a strain

1470: Signs of racking stresses generally appear at the __________.

    N a. bow and stern shell frames and plating
    Y b. junction of the frames with the beams and floors
    N c. garboard strake, at each side of the keel
    N d. thrust bearing of the main shaft

1493: The knot used to join two lines of different diameter is a __________.

    N a. square knot
    N b. carrick bend
    Y c. becket bend
    N d. sheepshank

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline in a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Fisherman's loop
    N d. Spider hitch

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.

1598: On a vessel with a single propeller, transverse force has the most effect on the vessel when the engine is put __________.

    N a. full ahead
    Y b. full astern
    N c. half ahead
    N d. slow astern

1653: Which tool is used to open the strands of fiber lines when making an eye splice?

    N a. Belaying spike
    Y b. Fid
    N c. Heaver
    N d. Pricker

1762: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 2.5 feet?

    N a. 7.86 ft
    Y b. 15.71 ft
    N c. 19.63 ft
    N d. 22.71 ft

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

1895: The knot lettered Q as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. clove hitch
    Y c. bowline
    N d. round knot

1945: One of your crew members falls overboard from the starboard side. You should IMMEDIATELY __________.

    N a. apply left rudder
    Y b. throw the crew member a life preserver
    N c. begin backing your engines
    N d. position your vessel to windward and begin recovery

1977: On a crane, the boom indicator tells the operator what angle the boom angle is compared to the __________.

    N a. vertical position
    Y b. horizontal position
    N c. boom stop angle
    N d. minimum radius angle

2207: After an explosion, repair of emergency machinery and services should be accomplished __________.

    Y a. after control of fire, flooding, and structural repairs
    N b. immediately, before the emergency is under control
    N c. after control of fire, but before control of flooding
    N d. after stability is restored

2238: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 12 feet after a sector of 60° has been removed?

    N a. 18.85 square feet
    N b. 75.40 square feet
    N c. 94.25 square feet
    Y d. 376.99 square feet

2244: If you are loading fruit in reefer spaces and you notice that the fruit is beginning to mold, you should __________.

    N a. carry the cargo at a cooler temperature than originally planned
    Y b. write up exceptions on the cargo
    N c. refuse to carry the cargo
    N d. discharge CO2 into the compartment after loading

2254: You are using tackle number 4 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 10. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 5
    N c. 9
    Y d. 20

2259: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    N a. 490 yards
    N b. 350 yards
    Y c. 800 yards
    N d. 885 yards

2375: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of ethanolamine, methyl acrylate, and glycerine. Which statement is true?

    N a. All of these cargoes are mutually incompatible.
    N b. Glycerine may be stowed adjacent to methyl acrylate but must be segregated from ethanolamine.
    N c. Methyl acrylate and ethanolamine are compatible but both must be segregated from glycerine.
    Y d. Glycerine is compatible with both of the other cargoes.

2454: You are going astern (single-screw, right-handed propeller) with the anchor down at a scope of twice the depth of the water. As the anchor dredges, you should expect the __________.

    N a. stern to walk to the same side as the anchor being used
    N b. vessel to back in a straight line
    Y c. stern to walk to port but at a reduced rate
    N d. stern to walk to port at a faster rate than normal

2652: You are using the anchor to steady the bow while maneuvering. You have the proper scope of anchor cable when the __________.

    Y a. bow is held in position with the engines coming slowly ahead
    N b. anchor is just touching the bottom
    N c. scope is not more than 5 times the depth of the water
    N d. cable enters the water at an angle between 60° and 85° from the horizontal

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

2838: A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker, while escorting ships in ice, may sound four short and one long blasts on the whistle to indicate that the icebreaker __________.

    Y a. has become beset in fast ice
    N b. is increasing speed; watch for broken ice
    N c. has its engines full astern
    N d. is increasing the distance between vessels

2859: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "M" (Mike) to signify that "________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    N b. I am altering my course to port
    N c. I am operating astern propulsion
    Y d. my vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2883: While you are on watch entering port, 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. brings the rudder to a point midway between the two conflicting positions
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. asks you for instructions
    Y d. obeys the Master

2986: Sulfuric acid is a __________.

    N a. clear syrupy liquid with no odor
    Y b. colorless-to-brown liquid with a choking odor when hot
    N c. colorless liquid with a pleasant fruity odor
    N d. whitish liquid with a faint, pleasant odor

3044: When you have a tow alongside, your stern should extend aft of the tow in order to __________.

    N a. avoid obscuring your stern light
    N b. provide a better lead for your lines
    Y c. obtain better steering control
    N d. let the barge deflect floating objects from your propeller

3068: While loading a cargo of grain, your vessel develops a list to starboard. This will be corrected by __________.

    N a. the compensating tanks on the high side
    Y b. the list man changing the discharge location of the chutes
    N c. allowing the grain to level itself as the hold fills to the spar deck level
    N d. trimming the final loading cone by hand

3460: You would NOT secure a line to a __________.

    N a. kevel
    Y b. stand pipe
    N c. button
    N d. timber head

3654: Horizontal transverse motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    N b. surge
    Y c. sway
    N d. heave

3770: SOLAS requires a lifesaving training manual be provided in each crew cabin or in the __________.

    N a. bridge
    N b. engineering control station
    Y c. recreation and messrooms
    N d. fire control room

4129: Which lashing materials would be used in securing light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    Y b. Webbing
    N c. Chain
    N d. None of the above

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

4150: Which of the following is/are TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. The securing of cargo on flats and trailers and in containers must be adequate to withstand both road and sea motions
    N b. The generally recommended lash angle cannot be greater than 45 degrees relative to the deck in any direction.
    N c. It is necessary for an adequate number of securing points on the vehicles themselves in order that lashings may be properly and safely utilized.
    Y d. All 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