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.


18: To determine the weight capacity of a deck in a cargo hold, you would refer to the __________.


36: The distance that a vessel travels from the time that the order to put engines full astern until the vessel is dead in the water is known as __________.


74: The best information on the location of the blocks when dry docking a vessel is contained in the __________.


106: In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term "kick" means the distance __________.

    N a. around the circumference of the turning circle
    N b. gained at right angles to the original course
    N c. gained in the direction of the original course
    Y d. or throw of a vessel's stern from her line of advance upon putting the helm hard over

107: When may a seaman on a vessel engaged in foreign trade be paid before earning the wages?

    Y a. The seaman may only draw an advance on earned wages.
    N b. Wages up to fifty percent of the seaman's base wage maybe advanced upon proof of serious family illness.
    N c. Wages equivalent to three days base wage may be advanced upon arrival in a foreign port.
    N d. The advance of wages is at the discretion of the master; however, a seaman cannot be in an overpaid status at signoff.

219: What refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

    Y a. Innage
    N b. Outage
    N c. Thievage
    N d. Ullage

248: Dunnage may be used to protect a cargo from loss or damage by _______________________ .

    Y a. ship's sweat
    N b. inherent vice
    N c. tainting
    N d. hygroscopic absorption

323: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. The regulations require you to __________.

    Y a. periodically inspect it and make an entry in a log
    N b. keep a warning sign posted nearby
    N c. keep a fire hose run out and ready for use if needed
    N d. allow no chipping or painting in the vicinity of the cargo

331: Shipping articles are a contract of agreement between the members of the crew and the __________.

    N a. charterers
    N b. Coast Guard
    Y c. Master
    N d. vessel's owner

420: In handling break bulk hazardous materials, it is forbidden to use __________.

    N a. cargo nets
    Y b. metal bale hooks
    N c. pallets
    N d. slings

519: What is NOT a precaution to be taken when topping off?

    N a. Reduce the loading rate.
    Y b. Notify the engine room of the procedure.
    N c. Maintain communications with the dock man.
    N d. Give the operation your undivided attention.

621: Which document shows details of a tank vessel, cargoes it may carry, manning and safety equipment required?

    N a. Safety Construction Certificate
    N b. Cargo Gear Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Declaration of Inspection

635: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    Y a. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    N d. the estimated cost of damage

745: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    Y a. water in the tanks or pipelines
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    N d. inadequate ullage space

759: The equipment used to control, protect and connect a towline is called ___________ .

    N a. cat head
    Y b. terminal gear
    N c. level wind
    N d. poured socket

796: When you enter shallow water, you would expect your rudder response to __________.

    Y a. be sluggish and your speed to decrease
    N b. be sluggish and your speed to increase
    N c. improve and your speed to decrease
    N d. improve and your speed to increase

877: On which vessels may licensed individuals be required to stand watch under the two-watch system, on voyages of more than 600 miles in length?

    Y a. Uninspected towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Cargo ships
    N d. Tank vessels

884: When towing astern, each towline must meet all of these requirements, EXCEPT ___________ .

    Y a. being suitable for use as soon as it is removed from its normal stowage location
    N b. having wire clips for other than a temporary repair
    N c. having the end either spliced with a thimble or fitted with a poured socket
    N d. being free of knots

917: What is the period of validity of a Safety Management Certificate?

    Y a. 60 months
    N b. 48 months
    N c. 42 months
    N d. 36 months

921: Which item must be entered in the official log?

    N a. All engine orders
    Y b. Drafts upon leaving port
    N c. Names of night mates and engineers
    N d. Number of cargo gangs on board

954: In order to correctly open a new coil of manila line, you should __________.

    N a. pull the tagged end from the top of the coil
    Y b. pull the tagged end through the eye of the coil
    N c. secure the outside end and unroll the coil
    N d. unreel the coil from a spool

1099: To allow for the rise or fall in tide and for change in draft of a tankship during cargo transfer, cargo hoses must be suspended with __________.

    N a. slings or saddles placed at 25-foot (8 meter) intervals
    Y b. enough slack in their bight
    N c. topping lifts and runners tied off to winches
    N d. All of the above

1106: A vessel is underway with a work stage rigged over the side. A seaman may work on the stage, but only when __________.

    N a. wearing a life jacket
    N b. wearing a safety harness secured to the stage
    N c. wearing both a life jacket and a safety harness secured to the stage
    Y d. the vessel is not making way

1126: You are approaching a pier and intend to use the port anchor to assist in docking port side to. You would NOT use the anchor if __________.

    N a. the current was setting you on the pier
    N b. another vessel is berthed ahead of your position
    N c. the wind was blowing from the starboard side
    Y d. there is shallow water enroute to the berth

1195: Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936, a vessel will be liable for damage to a cargo when the damage arises from __________.

    Y a. unseaworthiness when sailing
    N b. insufficient packing
    N c. quarantine delays
    N d. mismanagement of the vessel

1243: You are on watch at sea and find it prudent to call the Master to the bridge due to traffic congestion. The moment that the Master officially relieves you of the conn is whenever __________.

    N a. a watchstander announces "Captain's on the bridge"
    N b. you call the Captain to the bridge in a traffic situation
    Y c. the Master specifically informs you that he has the conn
    N d. the Captain states the course being steered

1421: The charterer has completed loading the vessel in 3 days instead of the 5 days agreed to in the charter party. As a result of this, the __________.

    N a. shipowner may charge for two lay days
    Y b. charterer may receive dispatch money
    N c. stevedore may collect demurrage
    N d. consignee may be required to pay a ceaser fee

1461: While a vessel is at sea, the mate on watch discovers a fire in one of the hatches. Fire hoses are used to put the fire out and some of the cargo is damaged by water. In marine insurance terms, this partial loss by water is called __________.

    N a. an Act of God
    N b. fire and water damage
    Y c. general average
    N d. particular average

1488: What does the term "end-for-end" refer to in regard to a wire towing hawser?

    N a. Cutting off the bitter and towing ends of the wire rope
    N b. Splicing two wire ropes together
    Y c. Removing the wire rope from the drum and reversing it so that the towing end becomes the bitter end
    N d. Removing the wire rope from the drum and turning it over so that the wire bends in the opposite direction when rolled on a drum

1491: While underway, part of your cargo is damaged by fire. In marine insurance terms this partial loss is called __________.

    N a. absolute total loss
    N b. constructive total loss
    N c. general average
    Y d. particular average

1526: One shot of anchor chain is equal to how many feet (meters)?

    N a. 6 (1.8 meters)
    N b. 15 (4.6 meters)
    N c. 45 (13.7 meters)
    Y d. 90 (27.4 meters)

1567: The mooring line shown as "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1661: Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

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

1703: What is the stress on the hauling part when lifting a 4,200 lbs. weight using a threefold purchase rove to advantage? (Allow 10 percent of the weight per sheave for friction.)

    N a. 571.4
    N b. 715.2
    Y c. 960
    N d. 1066.7

1740: The group of markings shown is called a __________. (D003DG )

    N a. loft mark
    Y b. load line mark
    N c. test mark
    N d. water mark

1809: The greatest horizontal stress between the heads of the booms in the yard and stay rig occurs when the load is in such a position that the __________.

    Y a. falls are at an equal angle to the horizontal
    N b. stay fall is vertical
    N c. stay fall is at a greater angle to the horizontal than the yard fall
    N d. yard fall is at a greater angle to the horizontal than the stay fall

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

2108: You are the Master signing on a crew. In completing the articles, who should sign in the various places indicated for the Shipping Commissioner's signature?

    N a. After sign on, the articles are presented at the nearest Marine Inspection/Safety Office for signature.
    N b. The space is left blank.
    N c. A marine notary public must sign after sign on is complete.
    Y d. The Master.

2110: Your ship is carrying hazardous cargo. During a daily inspection, you notice that some of the cargo has shifted and several cases are broken. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. call out the deck gang to jettison the cargo
    N b. log the facts in the rough log and inform the Chief Mate later
    N c. make a determination of the seriousness of the breakage, and do what you think best
    Y d. report the facts immediately to the Master, who will make a decision

2128: Several merchant ships are arriving at the scene of a distress incident. One of the them must assume the duties of the Coordinator Surface Search (CSS). Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. CSS duties are always assumed by passenger vessels, dry cargo vessels, or tankers in that order of precedence.
    Y b. The CSS must be established by mutual agreement between the ships concerned.
    N c. A tank vessel should never be assigned CSS duties unless only tank vessels are present.
    N d. The first vessel to arrive at the distress incident is designated as the CSS.

2157: You are in a fresh water port loading logs with gear rated at 5 tons, and suspect the weight of the logs exceeds the SWL of the gear. The logs are floating in the water alongside the vessel and have 95% of their volume submerged. The average length of the logs is 15 feet and the average diameter is 4.4 feet. What is the nearest average weight of the logs, based on these average measurements?

    N a. 5.5 tons
    Y b. 6.0 tons
    N c. 7.7 tons
    N d. 24.1 tons

2343: When securing a hook to the end of a wire rope you should use __________.

    N a. a bowline knot
    N b. a long splice
    N c. an overhand knot with a wire rope clip
    Y d. wire rope clips with a thimble eye

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

2557: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2 Vol. II - Allied Control of Shipping Manual
    N b. NWP-II - Underway Replenishment Guide
    N c. Warship Recognition Cards
    N d. ATP-1 - Allied Tactical Signals

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

2636: When riveted joints occur at the ends of plating they are called __________.

    N a. trailers
    N b. terminals
    N c. seams
    Y d. butts

2707: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    N b. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    Y c. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but no damage to the vessel.
    N d. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.

2794: The Great Lakes Edition of the Notice to Mariners is published __________.

    Y a. weekly by the 9th Coast Guard District
    N b. monthly by the Army Corps of Engineers
    N c. monthly by the Naval Oceanographic office
    N d. biweekly by the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

2794: The Great Lakes Edition of the Notice to Mariners is published __________.

    Y a. weekly by the 9th Coast Guard District
    N b. monthly by the Army Corps of Engineers
    N c. monthly by the Naval Oceanographic office
    N d. biweekly by the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

2816: Which statement is TRUE concerning lighting requirements for Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. The showing of a forward masthead light is optional for vessels under 150 meters.
    Y b. An all-round white light may be carried in lieu of the second masthead light and stern light.
    N c. Sidelights for vessels over 50 meters are required to have only a two-mile range of visibility.
    N d. Great Lakes vessels are exempted from the requirement to show yellow towing lights.

3143: You are the person in charge of a 199 GRT uninspected towing vessel engaged in coastwise towing from the Gulf of Mexico to the New York area, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The deckhands shall be divided into 3 watches.
    Y b. Certificates of Discharge are not required to be issued.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N d. All crew members shall have Merchant Mariner's Documents.

3167: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    N a. No able seamen are required.
    Y b. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    N d. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.

3308: What term indicates a curvature of the decks in a longitudinal direction?

    N a. Deadrise
    N b. Camber
    Y c. Sheer
    N d. Flare

3326: The signal man assisting the crane operator uses one hand to give any motion signal and places the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving the motion signal. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. move slowly
    N b. increase speed
    N c. proceed with caution
    N d. stop

3394: The crown of the anchor shown is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3508: A situation has occurred in which your vessel must be towed. When the towing vessel passes the towing line to you, you should secure the line __________.

    N a. to the base of the foremast
    Y b. to the forward-most bitts
    N c. to the forward part of the deckhouse
    N d. at the stern

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.

4127: Which lashing device(s) would be used in securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N b. Webbing
    Y c. Chain
    N d. All of the above

4255: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding a twin pedestal crane set?

    N a. The cranes may be operated independently.
    N b. The cranes may be interconnected for twin operation.
    N c. When twinned, the crane rotation on the foundation assembly is unlimited.
    Y d. All of the above

4277: Which wire rope purchases may be used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Hoist
    N b. Luff
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. All of the above