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.


29: You are in charge of a U.S. documented vessel. Under title 46 of the United States Code, if you fail to report a complaint of a sexual offense, you may be __________.


58: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


104: You are on watch at sea at night when a fire breaks out in #3 hold just forward of the bridge. You would NOT __________.


113: During the course of a voyage, a seaman falls on the main deck and injures his ankle. The Master should submit a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death if the __________.

    N a. injury results in loss of life only
    N b. injury is the result of misconduct
    Y c. injured is incapacitated
    N d. injured needs first aid

142: What is NOT an advantage of centrifugal pumps over reciprocating pumps?

    N a. They pump more cargo in less time.
    N b. They are smaller for equivalent pumping ability.
    N c. They are less expensive.
    Y d. They require priming for stripping.

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

390: A package contains nitric acid solution and is radioactive. The radiation level at the package surface is .36 millirems per hour. How should this package be labeled?

    N a. Radioactive II and oxidizer
    N b. Radioactive II and poison
    Y c. Radioactive I and corrosive
    N d. Fissile class I

551: The name and hailing port of a documented commercial vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    N b. required to be marked on both bows and on the keel
    Y c. required to be marked on the stern with the name of the vessel marked on both bows
    N d. required to be marked on the keel, stern, and both bows

665: The catenary __________.

    N a. acts as a reserve length of towing hawser when the tug applies more power, and it dampens the surge effect of the tow
    N b. gives an approximation of the amount of strain on the towing hawser
    N c. is the dip in the towing hawser between the tug and the tow
    Y d. All of the above

687: The damage to a vessel is over $25,000. Who must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible?

    N a. The vessel's agent
    N b. The owner of the vessel
    N c. The Master of the vessel
    Y d. Any one of the above

707: Is tripping limited to harbor and coastal towing?

    Y a. No! Forces tending to capsize a tug are as dangerous on the high seas as they are in harbor and coastal work.
    N b. Yes! The long towing hawser used in ocean towing eliminates the danger of tripping.
    N c. No! Tripping is common in ocean towing because of more frequent maneuvering
    N d. Yes! Because of increased water depths, forces required to capsize a tug are not usually found in ocean towing

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"

1002: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel has deviated 15 degrees from course and there is no corrective rudder being applied. As a standard operating procedure you may need to __________.

    N a. check the setting of the rudder adjustment
    N b. check the setting of the weather adjustment
    N c. immediately engage the trick wheel
    Y d. switch to the other steering system

1012: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1033: Each crewmember has an assigned firefighting station. This assignment is shown on the __________.

    N a. fire fighting plan
    N b. shipping articles
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. muster list

1137: When lowering manropes alongside a stage rigged over the side of a vessel, they should be allowed to trail in the water __________.

    N a. to easily remove the kinks that form in the lines
    N b. to allow the seamen on the stage to know the direction and strength of the current
    Y c. to provide the seaman something to hold onto if he or she falls from the stage into the water
    N d. only for short periods of time since they will become waterlogged and be very heavy to pull up

1218: Which is a negotiable document?

    Y a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Cargo Manifest
    N c. Export Declaration
    N d. Receiving Report

1322: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to take the seaman if the ship will not stop at a U.S. port within 30 days.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse to take the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He is required to take the seaman under any circumstance.

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

1376: Generally speaking, the most favorable bottom for anchoring is __________.

    N a. very soft mud
    N b. rocky
    Y c. a mixture of mud and clay
    N d. loose sand

1448: Nylon line is better suited than manila for __________.

    N a. towing alongside
    Y b. towing astern
    N c. holding knots and splices
    N d. resisting damage from chemicals

1459: When handling cargo, the majority of cargo gear breakdowns is due to __________.

    N a. compression bending of the boom
    N b. extension failure of the boom
    Y c. guy failures
    N d. topping lift failures

1512: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. R (ROUTINE)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    Y c. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N d. P (PRIORITY)

1528: You are being towed by one tug. As you lengthen the bridle legs you __________.

    N a. increase your chances of breaking the towing hawser
    Y b. reduce the yawing of your vessel
    N c. reduce the spring effect of the tow connection
    N d. increase your chances of breaking the bridle legs

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.

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

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

1670: The term "strake" is used in reference to __________.

    N a. rudder mountings
    N b. anchor gear
    Y c. hull plating
    N d. vessel framing

1692: Your containership has a container displaying a hazardous cargo placard. The placard has the number 2206 on it. This indicates that it is carrying what cargo?

    Y a. Isocyanates, n.o.s.
    N b. Propadiene, inhibited
    N c. Xylenol
    N d. Hexanols

1733: Separating both blocks of a tackle to prepare it for reuse is called __________.

    N a. chockablocking
    N b. out-hauling
    Y c. over-hauling
    N d. two-blocking

1786: You are anchoring in a river where the current is from one direction only. The best way to lay out two anchors is to have them __________.

    N a. directly in line with the bow
    N b. side by side, with their lines on the port and starboard side
    Y c. so that their lines form an angle
    N d. on top of one another

1929: 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 10 feet?

    N a. 22.44 T
    N b. 11.22 T
    N c. 7.48 T
    Y d. 5.61 T

1943: In order to pay out or slack a mooring line which is under strain, you should __________.

    N a. sluice the line
    Y b. surge the line
    N c. stopper the line
    N d. slip the 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

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

2227: You are using tackle number 4 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. 20 lbs.
    N b. 30 lbs.
    Y c. 42 lbs.
    N d. 57 lbs.

2303: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. P (PRIORITY)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    Y d. O (IMMEDIATE)

2516: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest, carried on a ship, is TRUE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the Master or other designated ship's officer.
    N b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargo may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    Y c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The type of label(s) required for each cargo must be indicated.

2533: You should attach a towline to a trailer eye bolt using a(n)______________.

    N a. eye splice
    Y b. bowline
    N c. towing hitch
    N d. square knot

2596: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    N a. immediately jump into the water to assist the individual
    Y b. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

2674: You operate a harbor craft on inland waters exclusively. If you regularly service or contact foreign flag vessels in the course of business, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your vessel must be inspected.
    Y b. Your crew must have identification credentials.
    N c. A customs official must be on board when contacting a foreign flag vessel.
    N d. All contacts with a foreign flag vessel must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.

2738: Assume that your vessel has just entered Lake Michigan via the Straits of Mackinac and is proceeding south to Chicago. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the aids to navigation you will encounter along this route?

    N a. Aids to navigation are serviced jointly by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard.
    Y b. Red buoys should be passed down your starboard side.
    N c. Green buoys mark the location of wrecks or obstructions which must be passed by keeping the buoy on the right hand.
    N d. All solid colored buoys are numbered, the red buoys bearing odd numbers and green buoys bearing even numbers.

2774: There are basically three categories of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes. What is NOT included as one of these?

    N a. Long range fluctuations
    Y b. Controlled outflow fluctuations
    N c. Seasonal fluctuations
    N d. Short period fluctuations

2802: The single line located directly above the diamond is the __________. (D031DG )

    N a. load line
    N b. water line
    N c. freeboard line
    Y d. deck line

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

2844: Naval authorities would NOT give orders about which of the following, when the vessel is under control of the Naval Control of Shipping Organization?

    N a. Visual communication at sea
    N b. Rescue operations
    N c. Diversions
    Y d. Schedules for loading cargo

2935: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. R (ROUTINE)
    N b. P (PRIORITY)
    Y c. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N d. Z (FLASH)

3031: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. vessel must be in extremis
    N b. Master must request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N c. Master should release the Pilot from all liability
    Y d. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course

3047: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    Y a. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N b. at the bow
    N c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. aft of the propellers

3075: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    Y b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. Z (FLASH)

3083: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. fo'c'sle card
    N b. Crew list
    N c. Articles of Agreement
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

3142: Why are stern towing bitts placed well forward of the rudder when hawser towing?

    N a. To keep the hawser from fouling the rudder
    N b. To keep the towing bitts as far away as possible from the tugs pivoting point
    Y c. To allow the stern to swing more freely when using rudder
    N d. To have as much of the towing hawser in use as possible

3282: What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel aft of the parallel mid-body?

    Y a. Run
    N b. Stern
    N c. Counter
    N d. Flow

3325: Flammable liquids should have what kind of label?

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

4126: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Number, position and angle of lashings
    N b. Vessel's draft
    N c. Port of origin
    N d. ABS requirements

4141: What is/are the advantage(s) of using web lashing on light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Good working life
    N b. Light and easy to handle
    N c. Flexible
    Y d. All of the above

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

4215: The electrical components for each single crane are installed in its __________.

    N a. crane house
    N b. machinery base
    N c. turntable
    Y d. All of the above

4237: What is used to power modern pedestal cranes?

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

4245: What is meant by the term "level-luffing" a crane?

    Y a. Luffing while the load remains at a constant height
    N b. Maintaining the boom at a constant height
    N c. Slewing the boom left or right in a level planet
    N d. None of the above