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.


51: You are the licensed Master of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand any order spoken by the officers?


167: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?


241: If there are any changes in the crew in a foreign port, the changes will be made by __________.


297: Commercial ships or other persons or agencies requiring the assistance of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers should first contact __________.

    N a. the Canadian Coast Guard
    Y b. Ice Sarnia
    N c. the Ice Navigation Center
    N d. the icebreaker assigned to the area

438: Your vessel is loaded with nonhygroscopic cargoes and is going from a cold to a warm climate. You should __________.

    N a. start the exhaust blowers
    N b. start the intake blowers
    Y c. not ventilate the cargo holds
    N d. ventilate the cargo holds

507: You are signing on your crew. Which is NOT authorized?

    Y a. A man presenting his Chief Mate's license to sign on as able seaman
    N b. An engineer presenting an MMD endorsed "QMED - any rating" to sign on as an Electrician
    N c. A man presenting an MMD endorsed as "Able Seaman" to sign on as Bosun
    N d. A man presenting an MMD endorsed "Steward's Department (F.H.)" to sign on as Chief Cook

602: Which emergency equipment should you keep near the towing bitts?

    N a. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
    N b. A boat hook and a spanner wrench
    Y c. A fire ax and/or cutting torch
    N d. A Stokes litter basket

626: What should NOT be used as an indicator that ice may be

    Y a.
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

666: You are proceeding at a slow speed with your starboard side near the right bank of a channel. If your vessel suddenly sheers toward the opposite bank, the best maneuver would be __________.

    N a. full ahead, hard left rudder
    Y b. full ahead, hard right rudder
    N c. full astern, hard left rudder
    N d. full astern, hard right rudder

709: The designations A,B,C,D, and E grades of cargo refer to the __________.

    N a. degrees of quality of petroleum products
    Y b. flash point range and Reid vapor pressure index of petroleum products
    N c. grades of crude oil
    N d. pour point, color, and viscosity index of petroleum products

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

755: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    Y a. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N b. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N c. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

767: On the cargo manifest, the total weight of an empty cargo box is the __________.

    Y a. tare weight
    N b. net weight
    N c. gross weight
    N d. cargo weight

888: You are going to load bales of wool having a stowage factor of 100 in #3 lower hold which has a bale cubic of 62,000. How many tons of the wool can be stowed in the compartment, assuming 10% broken stowage?

    N a. 520
    Y b. 558
    N c. 620
    N d. 654

1058: 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 owner of the vessel
    N b. The Master of the vessel
    N c. The person in charge of the vessel at the time of casualty
    Y d. Any one of the above

1087: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    Y a. center of gravity
    N b. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

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

1181: Uncleared crew curios remaining on board during a domestic coastwise voyage after returning from foreign should be __________.

    N a. listed in the Official Logbook
    N b. cleared prior to the next foreign voyage
    Y c. noted in the Traveling Curio Manifest
    N d. retained under locked security by the owner

1201: When clearing customs for a foreign voyage, which of the following is processed at the custom's house and returned to the vessel?

    Y a. Shipping Articles
    N b. Traveling Curio Manifest
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. Cargo Gear Register

1306: You are making mooring lines fast to bitts, stern to, as in some Mediterranean ports. A swell is liable to make the vessel surge. How should you tie up?

    Y a. Use manila or synthetic fiber hawsers only.
    N b. Use wires only from the stern and each quarter.
    N c. Use synthetic fiber and/or manila hawsers as required.
    N d. Use wires from each quarter and manila hawsers from the stern.

1401: A clause in the charter party requires a vessel's owner to pay dispatch money when the vessel __________.

    N a. changes berths to expedite loading or discharging
    N b. does not load and discharge its cargo in the time specified
    N c. is not ready to load or discharge cargo
    Y d. loads and discharges its cargo in less time than specified

1484: A metal eye spliced into a wire is called a __________.

    N a. cyclops
    N b. fish eye
    Y c. thimble
    N d. chip

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

1649: What is required to be stenciled at the heel of a cargo boom?

    N a. Maximum angle of elevation permitted
    N b. Date of the last quadrennial test
    Y c. Safe working load
    N d. Maximum load when doubled up

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    N a. use right or left rudder
    N b. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    Y c. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N d. put the rudder amidships

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

1820: If a drill required by regulations is not completed, the Master or person in charge must __________.

    N a. report this immediately to the Commandant of the Coast Guard
    Y b. log the reason for not completing the drill
    N c. conduct two of the required drills at the next opportunity
    N d. All of the above

1838: You are docking a vessel. If possible, you should __________.

    N a. go in with the current
    Y b. go in against the current
    N c. approach the dock at a 90° angle and swing to
    N d. pass a mooring line to the dock with a heaving line and let the crew pull the vessel in

1935: The knot lettered H in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. plain whipping
    N d. crown knot

1998: When towing in an open seaway, it is important to use a towing line __________.

    N a. made only of wire rope, due to possible weather conditions
    N b. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is in a trough
    Y c. that will have the tow on a crest while your vessel is on a crest
    N d. with little dip to gain maximum control of the tow

2010: On the cargo manifest, the total weight of a box containing cargo is the __________.

    N a. tare weight
    N b. net weight
    Y c. gross weight
    N d. cargo weight

2075: The knot lettered E is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper hitch
    N b. blackwall hitch
    Y c. timber and half hitch
    N d. bowline on a bight

2100: The primary purpose of a load line is to establish required __________.

    Y a. minimum freeboard
    N b. GM
    N c. transverse stability
    N d. fresh water allowances

2180: The weight of the container and its contents is supported on deck by what part(s)?

    Y a. Four lower corner castings
    N b. Bottom, side, and end rails
    N c. Bottom flooring, side, and end rails
    N d. Bottom flooring only

2276: 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 60°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 665 yards
    N b. 710 yards
    N c. 745 yards
    N d. 780 yards

2322: Fittings used for towing must be __________.

    N a. Coast Guard approved
    N b. stamped with maximum working loads
    Y c. securely fastened
    N d. positioned exactly at the bow of the towed vessel

2360: Splices made in nylon should __________.

    N a. be long splices only
    Y b. have extra tucks taken
    N c. be short splices only
    N d. be around a thimble

2496: Which statement about the dangerous cargo manifest is FALSE?

    N a. The manifest must be made up by the carrier, agents, and any person designated for this purpose.
    Y b. Shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous cargoes may be listed on the manifest if they are destined for the same consignee.
    N c. The manifest must be kept in a designated holder on or near the bridge.
    N d. The hazard class of each cargo must be indicated.

2542: When loading containers into the cell guides in the hold of a container ship, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. No further securing is usually required.
    N b. Containers must have vertical lashings if they do not have twist lock securing.
    N c. All containers must have vertical and horizontal lashings.
    N d. The container must be locked into the cell guide.

2590: Which method of adjusting mooring lines is MOST useful for leaving a boat free to rise and fall with the tide?

    Y a. Crossing the spring lines
    N b. Slacking all forward running lines while keeping all after running lines taut
    N c. Doubling up on spring or breast lines
    N d. Slacking bow and stern lines

2598: Where, due to the arrangement of the vessel, lifejackets may become inaccessible, additional lifejackets shall be carried __________.

    N a. for the people on bridge watch
    N b. for the forward lifeboats
    Y c. as determined by the OCMI
    N d. for 50% of the crew of the vessel, not including those assigned to engineering duties

2612: When using the anchor to steady the bow while approaching a dock you must be aware of the fact that __________.

    N a. the vessel will tend to take a large sheer towards the side where the anchor is down
    N b. steering control is ineffective in trying to turn to the side opposite to that of the anchor being used
    N c. the anchor cable must never lead under the hull
    Y d. using an offshore anchor decreases the chances of the anchor holding

2662: What will NOT increase friction of a liquid flowing in a pipe and cause a loss of suction head?

    N a. Bends in the piping
    Y b. Slowing the pumping rate
    N c. Pipeline valves
    N d. Backing rings for pipe welds

2813: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters"
    N b. ATP-1, Volume II "Allied Tactical Signals"
    N c. NWP-14, "Amphibious Operations"
    N d. PUB 102, "International Code of Signals"

2970: What material may be substituted for zinc when making a poured metal socket ending to a wire rope?

    N a. Lead
    N b. Babbitt
    N c. Solder
    Y d. Nothing

3085: Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) publications should be __________.

    N a. in the Master's custody
    N b. safely stowed
    N c. turned over to the relieving Master
    Y d. All of the above

3122: When a tug is "in irons", she __________.

    N a. is made fast to the dock with engines secured
    N b. is in dry dock
    Y c. may be in danger of being overrun by her tow
    N d. should pay out more towline

3392: What term indicates the midships portion of a vessel that has a constant cross section?

    N a. Half length
    N b. Amidships
    Y c. Middle body
    N d. Molded length

3431: A high cube container is designed specifically to __________.

    Y a. carry low density cargoes
    N b. protect fragile cargoes
    N c. stow cargoes with concentrated weights such as machinery
    N d. carry cargoes of very low stowage factors

3600: A helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder." The helmsman's IMMEDIATE reply should be __________.

    N a. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y b. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N c. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order

3600: A helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder." The helmsman's IMMEDIATE reply should be __________.

    N a. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y b. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N c. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order

3608: The horizontal port or starboard movement of a vessel is called __________.

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

4067: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman does NOT __________.

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

4118: Which factor(s) affect lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Ship’s characteristics and motion in a seaway
    N b. Trim of the vessel
    N c. Wide variations of air temperature
    N d. All of the above

4123: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. any force of gravity acting on the lashes
    N b. rolling
    N c. pitching
    Y d. All of the above

4210: Pedestal cranes have limit switches to restrict the movement of which function?

    N a. Luff rate limits
    Y b. Slew travel limits
    N c. Swivel power limits
    N d. Slew rate limits

4225: What does item "G" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Mast
    N b. Pillar
    Y c. Turntable
    N d. Pedestal

4264: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning crane cargo operations?

    N a. Lifting points on all equipment need not be checked prior to commencing a lift.
    N b. Cargo loaded into vehicles and/or containers prior to lifting need not be secured.
    Y c. Never exceed crane manufacturer’s limits concerning the safe working loads of cargo jibs.
    N d. All the above

4275: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Lightning
    N b. High winds
    N c. Fire aboard
    Y d. All of the above

4379: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. maximum rudder angle previously used
    N b. gyro error
    N c. variation
    Y d. course per magnetic steering compass