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.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


208: Your vessel has been damaged and you must shore a bulkhead. You should cut the shore __________.


307: Which type of chemical testing is NOT required of merchant marine personnel?


405: At the establishment of Naval Control of Shipping (NCS), ships at sea will __________.

    N a. stop and await further orders
    N b. attempt to make their way to the nearest port of a friendly nation and await further instructions
    Y c. continue voyages unless in danger areas defined in the advisory or supplemental message
    N d. keep radio silence

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

423: When securing a synthetic line to a bitt what is the minimum number of round turns you should take before figure-eighting the line?

    N a. None
    N b. 1
    Y c. 2
    N d. 3

456: You are conning a twin-screw vessel going ahead with rudders amidships. If the port screw stops turning the bow will __________.

    Y a. go to port
    N b. go to starboard
    N c. not veer to either side
    N d. go first to port and then to starboard

466: A twin screw vessel, making headway with both engines turning ahead, will turn more readily to starboard if you __________.

    N a. reverse port engine, apply right rudder
    N b. reverse port engine, rudder amidships
    Y c. reverse starboard engine, apply right rudder
    N d. reverse starboard engine, rudder amidships

485: To clean a dirty fiber towing hawser used in ocean towing, you should __________.

    N a. use lye or other mild detergent
    Y b. wash it with fresh water, dry and store it
    N c. wash it with salt water
    N d. use cleaning fluid on nylon, dacron and other synthetic lines

569: In order to reduce the accumulation of static electricity while loading petroleum products, you should __________.

    N a. start to load at maximum pressure
    Y b. start to load slowly
    N c. increase the air flow into the tank
    N d. use the overall method of loading only

A dark appearance of the sky: A yellowish glare in the sky

    Y a. The presence of seals or certain type birds
    N b.
    N c.
    N d.

658: When carrying a full or nearly full load of bulk ore in a general cargo type vessel which has engine spaces amidships, the cargo in each hold should be trimmed so that the bulk of the cargo lies __________.

    N a. along the centerline
    N b. toward the forward bulkhead of the forward holds and toward the after bulkhead of the after holds
    Y c. toward the after bulkhead of the forward holds and the forward bulkhead of the after holds
    N d. toward the after bulkhead of all holds

720: You suspect that a crewmember has fallen overboard during the night and immediately execute a Williamson turn. What is the primary advantage of this maneuver under these circumstances?

    Y a. You will be on a reciprocal course and nearly on the track-line run during the night.
    N b. The turn provides the maximum coverage of the area to be searched.
    N c. The turn enables you to reverse course in the shortest possible time.
    N d. You have extra time to maneuver in attempting to close in on the man for rescue.

779: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tankers?

    Y a. They are gravity-fed.
    N b. They are more expensive than reciprocating pumps.
    N c. They are positive displacement pumps.
    N d. They are used for stripping pumps.

794: "White Line" is made from __________.

    Y a. cotton
    N b. hemp
    N c. manila
    N d. sisal

867: Who may perform as a lookout?

    N a. A member of the engineering watch
    Y b. A member of the navigational watch
    N c. A member of the Stewards Department
    N d. All of the above

897: Which factor(s) might indicate that a towline should be removed from service?

    N a. Visible damage to the towline, including fishhooks.
    N b. Measurements showing a decrease in diameter.
    N c. A surface condition of corrosion and discoloration.
    Y d. All of the above

950: The upward slope of a ships bottom from the keel to the bilge is known as __________.

    N a. camber
    N b. slope
    Y c. deadrise
    N d. keel height

962: You are the person in charge of a 199-GT uninspected towing vessel engaged in towing from New York to Mexico and then returning, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    Y a. The crew members are required to sign articles.
    N b. All deck crew members are to have a Merchant Mariner's Document.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N d. The sailors shall be divided into three watches.

984: To coil a right-laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.

    Y a. a clockwise direction
    N b. a counterclockwise direction
    N c. alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions
    N d. either a clockwise or counterclockwise directions

1034: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand the language commonly used onboard the vessel?

    N a. 100%
    Y b. 75%
    N c. 65%
    N d. 50%

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

1072: The normal and safest way for a sailor in a bosun's chair to be raised aloft is __________.

    N a. for the sailor to pull himself aloft and then make fast with a bosun's chair hitch
    Y b. manually by two or three sailors heaving away on deck
    N c. by taking the gantline to a winch drum and heaving away with the winch
    N d. by fairleading the gantline with a snatch block and pulling with a cargo runner

1074: A new coil of nylon line should be opened by __________.

    N a. pulling the end up through the eye of the coil
    N b. taking a strain on both ends
    N c. uncoiling from the outside with the coil standing on end
    Y d. unreeling from a spool

1115: The proper way to correct a mistake in the logbook is to __________.

    N a. draw several lines through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    Y b. draw a line through the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N c. completely black out the entry, rewrite, and initial the correction
    N d. erase the entry and rewrite

1133: To properly rig the downhaul to your stage for lowering, you must __________.

    N a. take only figure eights around the horns
    Y b. take 2 or 3 round turns around the stage and then belay the downhaul around the horns
    N c. take 2 round turns around the stage and then dip the third turn to form a clove hitch
    N d. pass the downhaul through the bridle formed by the standing part and then take round turns

1136: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier without the assistance of tugboats. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Bow breast line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Inshore head line
    N d. Stern breast line

1215: What is an advantage in the use of a towing hook?

    N a. To prevent the tug from becoming tripped
    N b. To quickly connect or release a tow, especially a sinking tow
    N c. To facilitate berthing maneuvers
    Y d. All of the above

1381: The Master of a vessel may tender a Notice of Readiness to the charterer when the vessel __________.

    N a. has completed the terms of the charter party
    Y b. is in all respects ready to load
    N c. is in all respects ready to sail
    N d. is safely moored or at a suitable anchorage

1394: Galvanizing would be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    N a. cargo runners
    Y b. stays
    N c. topping lifts
    N d. All of the above

1424: A wire rope for a 10-ton boom on a vessel shows signs of excessive wear and must be replaced. What safety factor should be used when ordering a new wire?

    N a. 4
    Y b. 5
    N c. 6
    N d. 7

1496: The purpose of a devil's claw is to __________.

    Y a. act as a chain stopper
    N b. prevent the windlass from engaging
    N c. prevent the chain from fouling on deck
    N d. control the wildcat

1541: Which act would be considered barratry?

    N a. A criminal act committed by a crew member ashore in a foreign port
    Y b. A criminal act committed by the ship Master in violation of his duty to the shipowner
    N c. Theft of cargo by longshoremen
    N d. Smuggling with the connivance of the shipowner

1578: A stream of water immediately surrounding a moving vessel's hull, flowing in the same direction as the vessel is known as __________.

    N a. directional current
    N b. forward current
    N c. propeller current
    Y d. wake current

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

1615: A towing vessel should be on the crest of a wave at the same time as its tow and in the trough at the same time. The term used to describe this is __________.

    N a. tow strain
    N b. catenary length
    Y c. being in step
    N d. Williamson's Tow

1618: A twin-screw vessel is easier to maneuver than a single-screw vessel because the twin-screw vessel __________.

    N a. permits the rudder to move faster
    N b. generates more power
    Y c. can turn without using her rudder
    N d. can suck the water away from the rudder

1651: Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

    Y a. Official Crew List
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Officer's licenses
    N d. Muster List

1783: Which mooring line is likely to undergo the most strain when docking a ship under normal conditions?

    N a. Bow line
    N b. Breast line
    Y c. Spring line
    N d. Stern line

1869: You are using tackle number 10 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. 57 lbs.
    N b. 42 lbs.
    N c. 39 lbs.
    Y d. 34 lbs.

1940: Nonflammable gases should have what kind of label?

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

2033: A spring line leads __________.

    Y a. fore and aft from the ship's side
    N b. to the dock at a right angle to the vessel
    N c. through the bull nose or chock at the bow
    N d. through the chock at the stern

2133: The S.S. Hollowpoint has a charter party in which the charterer assumes no responsibility for the operation of the vessel but pays stevedoring expenses. What is the name of the charter party?

    N a. Bareboat
    N b. Dispatch
    Y c. Voyage
    N d. Demise

2245: To determine the number of certificated lifeboatmen required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. operations manual

2299: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker and will carry cargoes of isophorone, ethylenediamine, and creosote. Which of the following is TRUE?

    Y a. All of these cargoes are compatible.
    N b. Isophorone is incompatible with ethylenediamine but may be stowed adjacent to creosote.
    N c. All of these cargoes are incompatible.
    N d. Ethylenediamine is compatible with isophorone but both are incompatible with creosote.

2355: The metal, teardrop-shaped object sometimes used within an eyesplice is a __________.

    N a. grommet
    N b. reinforcement
    N c. splice form
    Y d. thimble

2400: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

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

2476: At the outbreak of war your ship is caught in an enemy port. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. You should attempt to contact U.S. Consular officials.
    N b. You should attempt to clear for sea before your ship is interned.
    Y c. You should resist boarding by local officials.
    N d. You should try to send a Ship Hostile Action Report to the NGA (formerly NIMA).

2939: A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is south of an approaching eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience __________.

    N a. a falling barometer
    N b. lowering clouds and drizzle
    Y c. a southwest to west wind
    N d. rain or snow

2951: The helm command "meet her" means __________.

    N a. decrease the rudder angle
    N b. note the course and steady on that heading
    N c. steer more carefully
    Y d. use rudder to check the swing

3039: What is NOT a problem when carrying coal?

    Y a. The requirement for through-ventilation
    N b. The corrosion some types of coal will cause to the ship
    N c. Spontaneous heating
    N d. Generation of methane gas

3094: Your vessel is underway and approaching an overhead obstruction on Lake Superior. Given the following information, determine the clearance between your vessel and the obstruction. Highest point on vessel: 74 ft. Lowest point of obstruction: 126 (LWD) Monthly lake level: +2 (LWD) International Great Lakes Datum: 600.0 (182.88 meters)

    N a. 474 feet
    N b. 400 feet
    N c. 175 feet
    Y d. 50 feet

3587: Following a serious marine incident, a device to test an individuals breath can be used by __________.

    Y a. any individual trained to conduct such tests
    N b. the marine employer
    N c. qualified medical personnel only
    N d. any USCG licensed deck officer

3680: What is the penalty for willfully damaging cargo?

    Y a. Forfeiture of wages equal to the value of the damage and, if ordered by the court, imprisonment for not more than 12 months
    N b. Fine equal to the value of the damage plus a 1000 dollar penalty and/or imprisonment not to exceed 2 years
    N c. Fine not to exceed the value of the damage and/or imprisonment not to exceed 18 months
    N d. Revocation of Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable), fine equal to the value of the damage or imprisonment for not more than 2 years

3690: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter I is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. tripping palm
    Y b. fluke
    N c. bill
    N d. stock

4046: Which statement about tunnel bow thrusters fitted to large vessels is TRUE?

    N a. They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots.
    N b. Because of their location, most modern installations have as much power as a tug.
    N c. They are fully effective at all drafts.
    Y d. When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control.

4133: What is used when securing light vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever or turnbuckle
    N b. Chain
    N c. Wire
    Y d. None of these

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

4241: What should be given, as a minimum, to personnel who are involved in crane cargo handling?

    Y a. Protective head gear, gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes
    N b. A survival suit for work on the stern or side port
    N c. A life preserver for going aloft to work on the crane
    N d. All of the above

4256: Which of the following statement(s) is/are FALSE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    Y c. The cranes are powered by independent internal combustion power units.
    N d. All of the above