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.


27: Under title 46 of the United States Code, the person in charge of a documented vessel who fails to report a complaint of a sexual offense may be __________.


47: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?


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


149: A standard net barrel of petroleum products is __________.

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

174: A proper look-out must be kept __________.

    N a. only in fog
    N b. only between the hours of sunset and sunrise
    N c. only when entering and leaving port
    Y d. at all times

178: Which can be prevented only by segregating two lots of cargo into separate holds?

    N a. Contamination of dry cargo by a wet cargo
    N b. Contamination of a clean cargo by a dirty cargo
    Y c. Contamination of a food cargo by an odorous cargo
    N d. Overcarriage, overstowage, and short landing

190: You are on a vessel that carries liquefied gasses in bulk. The person on watch is required to have what information about the cargo easily accessible?

    N a. Port of loading
    N b. Exact quantity on board
    N c. Name and address of consignee
    Y d. Firefighting procedures

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

    N a. intoxicated
    Y b. the vessel is overloaded
    N c. there is a change of home port
    N d. there is a change of Master

228: Securing cargo by running timbers from an upper support down to the cargo, either vertically or at an angle, is called __________.

    N a. braces
    N b. dunnage
    N c. shores
    Y d. toms

233: A vessel brought alongside should be fended off the towing vessel by __________.

    N a. crew members using their arms
    N b. a boat hook
    Y c. fenders
    N d. No fending is necessary due to the rugged construction of most towing vessels.

272: When measuring the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, check it __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top to the bottom

344: The purpose of a bilge well is to __________.

    N a. afford access to the shell through the double bottoms
    Y b. collect water to be pumped out
    N c. provide access for the pneumercator
    N d. provide a base line for sounding measurements

357: What does the proof test load of an anchor chain demonstrate?

    N a. Breaking strength of the chain
    Y b. Strength of the chain to a specified limit
    N c. Adequate holding power for new bottom conditions
    N d. Safe working load of the chain

444: A metal object on the pier resembling a tree stump and made to receive mooring lines is a __________.

    N a. bight
    Y b. bollard
    N c. chock
    N d. camel

449: When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the first action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open?

    N a. Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor.
    N b. Unplug the deck scuppers.
    Y c. Order the dock man to shut down.
    N d. Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose.

455: A vessel having continuous closely spaced transverse strength members is __________.

    N a. longitudinally framed
    Y b. transversely framed
    N c. cellular framed
    N d. web framed

514: The part of an anchor which takes hold on the bottom is the __________.

    N a. arm
    N b. base
    Y c. fluke
    N d. stock

627: Your ship is steaming at night with the gyro-pilot engaged when you notice that the vessel's course is slowly changing to the right. What action should you take FIRST?

    Y a. switch to hand steering
    N b. shift steering to the emergency steering station
    N c. call the Master
    N d. notify the engineroom

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

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

702: When paying off seamen in a foreign port, where a United States consul is not available, the release must be executed by the seamen and the __________.

    N a. representative of the foreign country
    N b. local port authority representative
    Y c. Master of the vessel
    N d. ship's union delegate

724: Using a safety factor of five, determine what is the safe working load for 3-1/2 inch manila line with a breaking stress of 4.9 tons.

    N a. 0.82 ton
    Y b. 0.98 ton
    N c. 2.45 tons
    N d. 12.25 tons

766: Insufficient space between the hull and bottom in shallow water will prevent normal screw currents resulting in __________.

    N a. waste of power
    N b. sudden sheering to either side
    N c. sluggish rudder response
    Y d. All of the above

875: Which statement, concerning offshore supply vessel operations, correctly defines the length of a voyage?

    N a. The distance from the point of departure to the vessel's first stop
    N b. The distance from the point of departure to the most distant point offshore
    Y c. The total distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival, not including stops at offshore points
    N d. The shortest measurable distance from the port of departure to the port of arrival

1014: In order to detect rot in manila lines, you should __________.

    N a. feel the surface of the line for broken fibers
    N b. measure the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. observe any mildew on the outer surface
    Y d. open the strands and examine the inner fibers

1044: Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of a line with a breaking strain of 30,000 pounds.

    N a. 4,000 lbs.
    Y b. 5,000 lbs.
    N c. 20,000 lbs.
    N d. 100,000 lbs.

1170: Transverse frames are more widely spaced on a ship that is designed with the __________.

    N a. centerline system of framing
    N b. isometric system of framing
    Y c. longitudinal system of framing
    N d. transverse system of framing

1241: A Notice of Marine Casualty to a vessel must include __________.

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

1281: The agency most concerned with a stowaway is __________.

    N a. Customs
    Y b. Immigration
    N c. Public Health
    N d. U.S.D.A.

1282: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, the vessel should be __________.

    N a. stopped with the wind dead ahead
    N b. stopped with the wind on the beam
    Y c. underway with the wind 30° on the bow
    N d. underway on a course to provide no apparent wind

1302: Reinforcing frames attached to a bulkhead on a vessel are called __________.

    N a. side longitudinals
    N b. intercostals
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. brackets

1305: What is an advantage of the 6X19 class of wire rope over the 6X37 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

    N a. Greater holding power
    N b. Better for towing
    N c. More resistance to elongation
    Y d. More resistance to corrosion

1416: What is meant by veering the anchor chain?

    N a. Bringing the anchor to short stay
    N b. Heaving in all the chain
    N c. Locking the windlass to prevent more chain from running out
    Y d. Paying out more chain

1439: Which part provides for transverse control and positioning of a boom in a conventional yard and stay system?

    Y a. Guy
    N b. Shroud
    N c. Spider
    N d. Topping lift

1573: Which statement about splices is TRUE?

    N a. A back splice is used to permanently connect two lines together.
    Y b. A long splice is used to connect two lines that will pass through narrow openings.
    N c. A short splice is used to temporarily connect two lines.
    N d. In splicing fiber rope, you would splice with the lay of the line.

1635: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1646: What is the normal length of anchor cable used to anchor a vessel?

    N a. An amount equal to the depth of the water
    N b. Two times the depth of water
    N c. Three to four times the depth of water
    Y d. Five to seven times the depth of water

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

1663: A bench hook is used for __________.

    N a. handling of cargo cases
    N b. hanging oilskins
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. splicing small stuff

1673: A sail hook is used for __________.

    N a. hoisting a windsail
    N b. parceling
    Y c. sewing canvas
    N d. testing canvas

1708: For the purpose of regulating tank vessels, flammable liquids are liquids which will __________.

    Y a. give off flammable vapors at or below 80°F (27°C)
    N b. have a Reid vapor pressure of 18 pounds or more
    N c. give off flammable vapors only above 80°F (27°C)
    N d. sustain combustion at a temperature at or below 100°F (38°C)

1730: A disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line, is called the __________.

    N a. deadrise mark
    N b. maximum allowable draft mark
    Y c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. tonnage mark

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

1778: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a right-handed propeller port side to a dock. As you approach the dock, you back down on your engine with rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. drift away from the dock
    N b. lose headway without swinging
    Y c. swing its stern towards the dock
    N d. swing its stern away from the dock

1871: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    Y d. P (PRIORITY)

1938: Towing a structure using two tugs approximately side by side, each using one hawser, is referred to as a __________.

    N a. tandem tow
    N b. Honolulu tow
    Y c. breasted tug tow
    N d. tandem tug tow

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

2047: Progressive flooding is controlled by securing watertight boundaries and __________.

    N a. transferring water ballast
    N b. jettisoning cargo
    Y c. pumping out flooded compartments
    N d. abandoning ship

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

2393: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 25.5 lbs. steel measuring 4.5 feet by 6.7 feet.

    N a. 285.6 lbs.
    N b. 329.7 lbs.
    N c. 591.2 lbs.
    Y d. 768.8 lbs.

2560: The tankship Northland is loaded as shown. Use the salmon colored pages in the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the hogging numeral. (Get Table Data)

    N a. 101.02 numeral
    N b. 91.36 numeral
    N c. 72.43 numeral
    Y d. 52.79 numeral

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

2760: When the wave period and the apparent rolling period are the same __________.

    Y a. synchronous rolling occurs
    N b. roll period decreases
    N c. roll period increases
    N d. roll amplitude is dampened

2762: Which vessel is exempt from the load line and marking requirements for vessels operating on the Great Lakes System?

    N a. A 300 GT tank barge operating exclusively on Lake Michigan
    N b. A 200 GT passenger vessel operating between Duluth, MN and Munising, MI
    N c. A 79-foot, 150 GT pleasure craft operating on the St. Lawrence River
    Y d. A 500 GT dry cargo river barge operated continuously between Calumet Hbr Chicago, IL and Burns Hbr, IN

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

3075: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

    N a. O (IMMEDIATE)
    Y b. P (PRIORITY)
    N c. R (ROUTINE)
    N d. Z (FLASH)

3582: What term indicates the length measured along the summer load line from the intersection of that load line with the foreside of the stem and the intersection of that load line with the after side of the rudder post?

    N a. Length overall
    N b. Register length
    Y c. Length between perpendiculars
    N d. Length on the waterline

4060: You are arriving in port and are assigned to anchor in anchorage circle B-4. It has a diameter of 550 yards and your vessel's LOA is 449 feet. If you anchor in 9 fathoms at the center of the circle, what is the maximum number of shots of chain you can use and still remain in the circle?

    N a. 6 shots
    N b. 5 shots
    Y c. 4 shots
    N d. 3 shots

4172: What should be done after putting down the ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on red cargo light.
    Y b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    N d. None of the above

4188: The most important safety consideration during loading or discharge aboard a Ro-Ro vessel is __________.

    N a. having all crewmembers and longshoremen wear hard hats
    Y b. the thorough ventilation of all cargo spaces
    N c. ensuring that visitors cannot come aboard
    N d. having the outboard anchor down