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.


77: When steering a vessel, a good helmsman will __________.


115: 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 __________.


229: Which refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?


262: Mousing a cargo hook with marline or small line __________.

    N a. increases the lifting capacity of the hook
    N b. protects the hook from the sling ring
    Y c. prevents the sling ring from coming out of the hook
    N d. All of the above

309: When planning the loading or discharging of a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) what is the most important consideration?

    N a. Draft and trim
    Y b. Limits of the bending moments
    N c. Rate of discharging
    N d. Rate of loading

416: While moving ahead, a twin-screw ship has an advantage over a single-screw ship because __________.

    N a. correct trim will be obtained more easily
    N b. drag effect will be cancelled out
    Y c. side forces will be eliminated
    N d. speed will be increased

475: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "F" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. forward spring line
    N d. None of the above

498: When the dew point of the outside air is higher than the dew point of the air in the cargo hold, you should __________.

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

528: Determine the dew point when the dry bulb temperature is 74°F (23°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 60°F (16°C). (D008DG )

    N a. 14°F
    N b. 20°F
    N c. 28°F
    Y d. 50°F

542: Which best describes a "fishplate" used in towing?

    Y a. A triangular-shaped heavy steel plate with a round hole inset from each corner
    N b. A steel plate in the shape of a flat fish
    N c. A rectangular-shaped piece of heavy steel plate with four holes
    N d. A circular piece of heavy steel with three holes forming an equilateral triangle

544: If the winch should fail while you are hauling in the anchor, what prevents the anchor cable from running out?

    N a. Chain stopper
    N b. Devil's claw
    N c. Hawse ratchet
    Y d. Riding pawl

615: When a wedge of water builds up between the head of the barge and the bank it is referred to as __________.

    Y a. bank cushion
    N b. bank suction
    N c. bow wave
    N d. veering cushion

640: Which factor(s) can affect the performance of a river towboat?

    N a. The draft of the towboat and the draft of the barges under tow
    N b. The placement of the barges within the tow
    N c. The presence of flanking rudders and Kort nozzles
    Y d. All of the above

689: When your tug reduces speed to shorten tow, the __________.

    N a. length of the tow gets shorter as the strain is reduced
    N b. tow may continue its momentum and overtake the tug
    N c. towing hawser may drag the bottom and put the tug in irons
    Y d. All of the above

698: Which agency issues a certificate of loading that is evidence that the rules and regulations concerning bulk grain cargoes have been observed?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Department of Agriculture
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Public Health Service

772: To reduce stress on the towing hawser when towing astern (ocean tow), the hawser should be __________.

    N a. secured to the aftermost fitting on the towing vessel
    N b. just touching the water
    Y c. underwater
    N d. as short as possible

876: You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel. As you approach the other vessel's stern __________.

    N a. you will gain speed
    N b. both vessels will gain speed
    Y c. the vessels will drift together
    N d. the vessels will drift apart

882: The owner or Master of a towing vessel that tows astern must keep records of the towline(s) that include all of the following information EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. the towline's initial minimum breaking strength as determined by the manufacturer
    Y b. an invoice showing the cost of the towline
    N c. the towline's nautical miles of use or time in service
    N d. the history of loading of the towline

966: When a boat turns broadside to heavy seas and winds, thus exposing the boat to the danger of capsizing, the boat has __________.

    Y a. broached
    N b. pitchpoled
    N c. trimmed
    N d. yawed

1100: What is the purpose of the freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks?

    Y a. Allow water which may be shipped on deck to flow off rapidly
    N b. Permit easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. Prevent the formation of any unusual stress concentration points
    N d. Lighten the above deck weight caused by a solid bulwark

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.

1117: The knot used to form the bridle at the standing part of a gantline rigged to a stage is a __________.

    N a. sheet bend
    N b. carrick bend
    N c. fisherman's bend
    Y d. bowline

1143: When rigging a stage, the standing part should be fastened to the horns of a stage with which of the following hitches?

    N a. Clove hitch
    N b. Timber hitch
    Y c. Marlinespike hitch
    N d. Double blackwall hitch

1202: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    N a. an act of war
    Y b. lack of ventilation in transit
    N c. perils of the sea
    N d. an error in navigation

1227: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    Y a. shift the selector switch to the other steering pump
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    N c. call the engineroom
    N d. call the Master

1256: You are docking an oceangoing single-screw vessel under normal circumstances with a single tug. The tug is usually used to __________.

    Y a. control the bow and is tied to the offshore bow
    N b. control the stern and is tied to the stern on the offshore side
    N c. pull the vessel into the slip and is tied to the bow
    N d. push the ship bodily alongside and is tied to the offshore side amidships

1494: After splicing an eye in a piece of wire rope, the splice should be parceled and served to __________.

    N a. strengthen the line
    N b. increase its efficiency
    Y c. prevent hand injury by covering loose ends
    N d. make the line more flexible

1515: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated ROUTINE will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

1552: Which picture represents a stopper hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. M
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. L

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

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

1887: A small light tackle with blocks of steel or wood that is used for miscellaneous small jobs is called a __________.

    N a. snatch block
    N b. threefold purchase
    Y c. handy-billy
    N d. chockablock

1997: What is the name of tackle number 12? (DO29DG )

    Y a. Threefold purchase
    N b. Davit tackle
    N c. Deck tackle
    N d. Gin tackle

2203: A Chinese stopper (two lines) will hold best when you __________.

    N a. fasten the bitter ends to the mooring line with half hitches
    Y b. twist the ends together and hold them in the direction of the pull
    N c. twist the ends together and hold them in the direction opposite to the pull
    N d. twist the ends together and hold them at right angles to the mooring line

2217: The knot lettered P is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. rolling hitch
    N b. clove hitch
    N c. round turn and two half hitches
    N d. marline hitch

2250: 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 transfer for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 380 yards
    N b. 430 yards
    N c. 485 yards
    N d. 525 yards

2256: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results as shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D034DG )

    N a. 875 yards
    Y b. 910 yards
    N c. 975 yards
    N d. 1015 yards

2258: The knot lettered L in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    Y b. double blackwall hitch
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. timber hitch

2463: The crane manufacturer's load chart should be posted at or near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane control console

2601: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. SOLAS Certificate
    N c. Stability Letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2601: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    N b. SOLAS Certificate
    N c. Stability Letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2692: Your vessel is on a voyage from Ogdensburg, NY, to Chicago, IL, via the Great Lakes. The date is October 3 of the current year. If your vessel is subject to the load line requirements, to which of her marks should she be loaded? (D031DG )

    N a. Fresh water - Winter
    N b. Salt water - Intermediate
    Y c. Fresh water - Intermediate
    N d. Salt water - Winter

2763: When a merchant vessel is under the Naval Control of Shipping Organization in wartime, naval authorities may give orders pertaining to __________.

    N a. minimum manning standards
    Y b. regulations about darkening ship
    N c. the stowage of explosives
    N d. the types of cargoes permitted on board

2795: The York-Antwerp Rules relate to the __________.

    N a. minimum required number of officers and crew
    Y b. settlement of general average claims
    N c. ship owner's responsibilities to provide a well-found vessel in a charter party
    N d. navigation regulations that apply in the English Channel

2852: On a small passenger vessel the collision bulkhead is __________.

    N a. amidships forward of the engine room
    N b. just forward of the steering compartment
    N c. in the engine room
    Y d. A distance of 5% to 15% of the waterline length abaft the stem measured at the load waterline

2892: What is LEAST likely to be used to strip a cargo tank?

    Y a. Centrifugal pump
    N b. Eductor
    N c. Rotary pump
    N d. Reciprocating pump

2930: A large vessel is equipped with a controllable pitch propeller. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When dead in the water, it is often difficult to find the neutral position and slight headway or sternway may result.
    N b. When going directly from full ahead to full astern, there is complete steering control.
    N c. When the vessel has headway and the propeller is in neutral, there is no effect on rudder control.
    N d. When maneuvering in port, full ahead or astern power can usually be obtained without changing shaft RPM.

2942: How should you signal the crane operator to move slowly?

    Y a. Use one hand to give any motion signal, and place the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal.
    N b. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out for as long as the load movement is desired.
    N c. First tap your elbow with one hand and then proceed to use regular signals.
    N d. First tap the top of your head with your fist and then proceed to use regular signals.

3081: A seaman is entitled by law to a release from Foreign Articles when __________.

    N a. intoxicated
    N b. deductions are made from wages
    N c. injured
    Y d. the vessel is overloaded

3091: Towlines should be inspected for chafing where the towline __________.

    N a. passes over the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. passes through chocks
    N c. is attached to the disabled vessel
    Y d. All of the above

3320: Which type of bottom is best suited for holding an anchor of a small boat?

    Y a. Mud and clay
    N b. Rocky
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Gravel

3350: It is not advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too expensive for everyday towing usage
    N c. binds on the cleats
    N d. parts too readily

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

3476: The strongest method of forming an eye in wire rope is using __________.

    N a. three wire rope clamps
    N b. an eye splice with four or five tucks
    N c. a thimble fastened with four or five tucks
    Y d. a wire rope socket attached with zinc

4016: Which statement is TRUE concerning weather conditions on the Great Lakes?

    N a. When a vessel is south of an eastward-moving storm center, the approach of the low is evidenced by winds from the north to northeast.
    Y b. When a vessel is north of an eastward-moving storm center, changes in the weather are less distinctive than when sailing south of the center.
    N c. The most destructive storms usually come from the northwest or north.
    N d. Thunderstorms are most likely to develop from November through April.

4096: Yawing is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

    N a. Longitudinal
    N b. Transverse
    Y c. Vertical
    N d. Centerline

4115: Entries should be made in a Ro-Ro vessel’s cargo-securing device record book for __________.

    N a. procedures for accepting cargo securing devices
    N b. procedures for maintaining and repairing cargo-securing devices
    N c. record of cargo securing device inspections
    Y d. All of the above

4260: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding the operation of a crane?

    Y a. The load is handled by the hoisting winch and cargo block.
    N b. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the hoisting winch.
    N c. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N d. All the above

4270: Which immediate action should the operator of a pedestal crane take if crane control is lost?

    Y a. Let go of both control levers and return to neutral position.
    N b. Call the engine room.
    N c. Disconnect the power to the pedestal.
    N d. Call the electrician.

4390: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

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