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.


24: A crack in the deck plating of a vessel may be temporarily prevented from increasing in length by __________.


73: Aboard ship, vertical flat plates running transversely and connecting the vertical keel to the margin plates are called __________.


110: What is NOT required as special safety equipment on a tankship carrying hazardous cargoes in bulk?


154: A look-out at the bow sights an object on your port side. How many bell strokes should he sound?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

159: What is the standard net barrel for petroleum products?

    Y a. 42 gallons at 60°Fahrenheit
    N b. 48 gallons at 70°Fahrenheit
    N c. 50 gallons at 50°Celsius
    N d. 60 gallons at 100°Saybolt

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

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

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

    N a. approximately 1/2 inch longer than the measured length to allow for trimming
    Y b. approximately 1/2 inch shorter than the measured length to allow for wedges
    N c. approximately 1/2 inch shorter per foot of shoring to allow for wet expansion
    N d. to the same length as the measured length

292: Stress on the topping lift of a swinging boom can be reduced by __________.

    N a. rigging a back stay
    Y b. raising the boom
    N c. increasing the mechanical advantage of the cargo purchase
    N d. taking all slack out of the preventer

345: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.
    Y b. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now.
    N c. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    N d. Stop the swing of the ship.

400: You are on a containership carrying a tank container that had been filled with sodium hydroxide solution. The container is empty but has not been cleaned. Which, if any, placard is required?

    N a. No placard is required; the tank openings must be sealed
    N b. Empty placard with corrosive placard
    N c. Residue label with the UN number
    Y d. Black and white corrosive placard

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

495: Which space(s) is (are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?

    Y a. Boatswain's stores
    N b. Companions and booby hatches
    N c. Passenger spaces
    N d. All of the above

565: When the pilot is embarked he or she __________.

    N a. relieves the officer of the watch
    N b. relieves the Master of his duties
    N c. is solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel
    Y d. is a specialist hired for his or her local navigational knowledge

566: The BEST way to steer a twin-screw vessel if you lose your rudder is by using __________.

    N a. one engine and a steering oar
    N b. both engines at the same speed
    N c. one engine at a time
    Y d. one engine running at reduced speed and controlling the vessel with the other

588: Because of the arrangement of the cell guides, the MOST important factor while loading containers is the __________.

    N a. contents of the container
    Y b. list of the vessel
    N c. size of the shoreside crane
    N d. weight of the container

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

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

655: Good seamanship while towing in heavy weather requires all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. reducing speed to reduce surging on the towline
    N b. lashing down or stowing all loose gear
    N c. dogging all hatches and watertight doors
    Y d. streaming all of your towing hawser

737: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. chafing bar
    Y b. Dutch tow bar
    N c. carling
    N d. None of the above

740: The extension of the after part of the keel in a single- screw vessel upon which the stern post rests is called the __________.

    N a. boss
    N b. knuckle
    Y c. skeg
    N d. strut

845: The terminology "able to understand any order spoken by the officers" refers to all of the following situations EXCEPT __________ .

    N a. in response to a fire
    N b. directing the use of lifesaving equipment
    Y c. for deck department crew members to understand the terminology used in the engine room
    N d. in response to a man overboard

911: Which entry is NOT required in the Official Logbook?

    N a. Steering gear tests
    N b. Position of the load line and freeboard upon sailing
    Y c. Commencement and termination of cargo operations
    N d. Closure of hatches and sideports upon sailing

913: When commencing cargo operations on a container ship, one cell at a hatch is generally discharged completely (to the bottom of the ship) before removing any containers from the adjoining cells to ____________.

    N a. remove an existing list that would slow down cargo operations
    Y b. initiate loading in conjunction with unloading at the hatch
    N c. improve stability during cargo operations
    N d. allow longshoremen easy access to the hatch

986: When running before a heavy sea, moving weights aft will affect the handling of a vessel by __________.

    N a. reducing rolling
    N b. increasing rolling
    Y c. reducing yawing
    N d. increasing yawing

1024: A natural fiber rope can be ruined by dampness because it may __________.

    Y a. rot
    N b. shrink
    N c. stretch
    N d. unlay

1041: The document on a vessel, annually endorsed by an American Bureau of Shipping surveyor, is called the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Classification Certificate
    Y c. Load Line Certificate
    N d. Seaworthy Certificate

1250: The floors in a vessel's hull structure are kept from tripping, or folding over, by __________.

    N a. face plates
    Y b. bottom longitudinals
    N c. longitudinal deck beams
    N d. transverse deck beams

1477: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises out of __________.

    N a. delays due to seizure of the vessel
    N b. fire caused by fault of the carrier
    N c. strikes or lockouts
    Y d. improper stowage

1487: You are approaching a disabled vessel in order to remove survivors from it. If your vessel drifts faster than the disabled vessel, how should you make your approach?

    Y a. To windward of the disabled vessel
    N b. To leeward of the disabled vessel
    N c. Directly astern of the disabled vessel
    N d. At three times the drifting speed of the disabled vessel

1520: A welded joint's effectiveness is considered __________.

    N a. 48%
    N b. 90%
    Y c. 100%
    N d. 121%

1565: While in dry dock your vessel will be belt-gauged. This process involves __________.

    N a. measuring the thickness of the tail shaft liner
    N b. taking the vessel's offsets to check for hull deformation
    N c. testing and examining the anchor cables for defective links
    Y d. drilling or sonic-testing the hull to determine the plate thickness

1603: Which weakens a line the LEAST?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Long splice
    Y c. Short splice
    N d. Square knot

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.

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

1917: 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 14 feet?

    N a. 31.42
    N b. 15.71
    Y c. 7.85
    N d. 6.25

2073: You are preparing to lubricate standing rigging on your vessel. When rigging a bosun's chair on a stay with a shackle, __________.

    N a. connect the shackle to the bosun's chair with a hook
    Y b. never allow the shackle pin to ride on the stay
    N c. run the gantline through the shackle and then make fast to the bosun's chair
    N d. tie the bitter end of the gantline to the shackle before shackling it to the bosun's chair

2098: Snow has obliterated surface features and the sky is covered with uniform, altostratus clouds. There are no shadows and the horizon has disappeared. What is this condition called?

    N a. Ice blink
    Y b. Whiteout
    N c. Water sky
    N d. Aurora reflection

2174: A vessel puts into the port of Kobe, Japan to discharge cargo. While awaiting completion of the cargo operation, the vessel contracts with a local shipyard to have the hull chipped, scaled, and painted. How is the cost of this maintenance handled with the Collector of Customs?

    Y a. A declaration is required and duty is involved on the total cost.
    N b. No declaration is required since this is considered routine maintenance.
    N c. A declaration is made and duty is charged on the materials only.
    N d. A declaration is made, but duty is charged on the labor only.

2213: You are using tackle number 6 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. Disregarding friction, what is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 11
    N b. 16
    Y c. 18
    N d. 24

2346: What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 11 feet?

    N a. 506.75 cubic ft.
    N b. 696.78 cubic ft.
    Y c. 5,575.28 cubic ft.
    N d. 44,593.82 cubic ft.

2346: What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 11 feet?

    N a. 506.75 cubic ft.
    N b. 696.78 cubic ft.
    Y c. 5,575.28 cubic ft.
    N d. 44,593.82 cubic ft.

2462: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    N a. Twines
    Y b. Fibers
    N c. Lays
    N d. Lacings

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.

2551: What welding pattern is NOT used to permanently attach a stiffener to a plate?

    N a. Chain intermittent
    Y b. Tack
    N c. Continuous
    N d. Staggered intermittent

2581: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

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

2718: On Great Lakes vessels, midsummer load lines apply __________.

    N a. April 16 through April 30 and September 16 through September 30
    Y b. May 1 through September 15
    N c. July 16 through August 30
    N d. June 16 through September 16

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

2889: What is the minimum size required before a vessel can be documented?

    Y a. 5 net tons
    N b. 100 gross tons
    N c. 26 feet length
    N d. 65 feet length

2933: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

3014: You are lifting a 3 ton weight with a single whip rove on a swinging boom set at an angle of 60° to the horizontal. Use the formula for the size of a shackle with a safe working load and determine the minimum size shackle that should be used to secure the head block to the boom.

    N a. 1 1/8 inch
    Y b. 1 1/2 inch
    N c. 1 3/4 inch
    N d. 2 inch

3056: Advection fog holds longest over which portions of the lakes?

    Y a. Northwest
    N b. Southeast
    N c. Northeast
    N d. Southwest

3294: Your vessel is to dock bow in 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
    N b. Stern breast line
    Y c. Bow spring line
    N d. Inshore head line

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. J
    N b. H
    N c. G
    N d. F

3564: The angle at which the fluke penetrates the soil is called the __________.

    Y a. fluke angle
    N b. tripping angle
    N c. penetration angle
    N d. holding angle

3710: A new crewman reports on board. He must be trained in the use of the ship's lifesaving appliances within what time period?

    N a. 2 months
    N b. 1 month
    Y c. 2 weeks
    N d. Before sailing

4103: Which of the following is not a loading or transfer feature aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Stern ramp and/or side ramp
    N b. Cargo lift
    N c. Hatch opening designed as a lift
    Y d. Stuelcken boom

4111: What is(are) standard operating procedure(s) used on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Two deck officers assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N b. Lashings may be completed after leaving port
    Y c. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N d. All of the above

4122: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

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

4136: A disadvantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    N a. can wrap around cargo
    N b. is easily damaged
    N c. is affected by temperature
    Y d. does not absorb shock

4206: Which piece(s) of equipment is/are required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    Y a. Equalizing beam
    N b. Portable power swivel
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. All of the above

4443: You are signing on a deck officer, who will be designated as one of the GMDSS operators, before sailing foreign. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. He/she must have an STCW certificate endorsed as "Valid for Service on Vessels Operating in the GMDSS System".
    N b. He/she must present either an FCC-issued license or a Coast Guard-issued license.
    N c. You must consult the "List of Qualifications" on the reverse of his/her FCC-issued license.
    N d. His/her Merchant Mariners Document must have an added endorsement as "Radio Electronics Officer".