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.


8: What is NOT an advantage of filler cargo?


42: The vapor pressure of a substance __________.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


150: Protective clothing must be worn while sampling hazardous cargo on a tankship, and as a minimum includes __________.

    N a. a hood or hard hat
    Y b. a face mask or goggles
    N c. boots
    N d. chemical resistant gloves

193: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    N b. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    Y c. Radio Navigational Aids (PUB 117)
    N d. the Coast Pilot

260: You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.

    N a. have the U.S.C.G. Captain of the Port approve the shipment
    N b. note an exception on the Bill of Lading
    N c. repair or replace the packaging before stowage
    Y d. seek the shipper's advice with regard to withdrawal, repair, or replacement

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

391: A tonnage tax is levied according to the __________.

    N a. deadweight cargo tonnage aboard
    N b. displacement tonnage of vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of vessel
    Y d. net tonnage of vessel

484: On stud-link anchor chain the addition of the stud increases the strength of the link by about __________.

    N a. 10%
    Y b. 15%
    N c. 20%
    N d. 50%

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

524: The purpose of the stripping bar on an anchor windlass is to __________.

    N a. clean off any mud that may have accumulated on the chain
    N b. engage or disengage the wildcat
    N c. fairlead the chain from the hawsepipe to the wildcat
    Y d. prevent the chain from fouling the wildcat

531: Spring loaded towing hooks are used in towing to __________.

    N a. absorb and cushion the shock of towing
    N b. prevent whiplash
    Y c. trip and release when the pull of the towing hawser exceeds a predetermined limit
    N d. make it easier to attach and release the tow

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

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

596: Before entering an ice area, the ship should be __________.

    N a. either trimmed by the head or the stern
    N b. on an even keel
    N c. trimmed down by the head
    Y d. trimmed down by the stern

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

680: You must medevac a critically injured seaman by helicopter hoist. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The ship's relative wind should be from dead ahead at 10 to 30 knots.
    Y b. The deck crew at the hoist point should not wear baseball hats.
    N c. The helicopter's drop line should be secured to the ship not more than 15 feet from the hoist position.
    N d. When using a "horse collar", the bight of the loop should be around the chest of the injured seaman.

725: By law, a user of marijuana shall be subject to __________.

    N a. loss of pay during the period of such use
    N b. reprimand by the US Coast Guard
    Y c. revocation of license or certificate
    N d. termination of employment

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

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

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

995: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

    Y a. a single turn with hard rudder
    N b. engine(s) crash astern, no turn
    N c. a Williamson Turn
    N d. two 180° turns

1050: The "margin plate" is the __________.

    Y a. outboard strake of plating on each side of an inner bottom
    N b. outer strake of plating on each side of the main deck of a vessel
    N c. plate which sits atop the center vertical keel
    N d. uppermost continuous strake of plating on the shell of a vessel

1181: Uncleared crew curios remaining on board during a domestic coastwise voyage after returning from foreign should be __________.

    N a. listed in the Official Logbook
    N b. cleared prior to the next foreign voyage
    Y c. noted in the Traveling Curio Manifest
    N d. retained under locked security by the owner

1210: To rigidly fasten together the peak frames, the stem, and the outside framing, a horizontal plate is fitted across the forepeak of a vessel. This plate is known as a(n) __________.

    N a. apron plate
    Y b. breasthook
    N c. intercostal plate
    N d. joiner

1228: A cargo exception would appear on __________.

    Y a. a Bill of Lading
    N b. the cargo manifest
    N c. the Export Declaration
    N d. a Letter of Indemnity

1503: Which knot should be used to send a man over the side when he may have to use both hands?

    N a. Bowline
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Bowline on a bight
    N d. Running bowline

1568: A tackle is "two blocked" when the blocks are __________.

    N a. equally sharing the load
    Y b. jammed together
    N c. as far apart as possible
    N d. rove to the highest mechanical advantage

1570: What is NOT an advantage of ship construction methods using welded butt joints in the shell plating?

    N a. Keeps practically 100% of tensile strength at the joints
    N b. Reduces frictional resistance
    Y c. Reduces plate stress
    N d. Reduces weight

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

1854: The structural member indicated by the letter F is known as a(n) __________. (D033DG )

    N a. erection
    Y b. pillar
    N c. girder
    N d. deck support

1873: How much weight can you lift by applying 100 lbs. of force to a twofold purchase rigged to disadvantage (do not consider friction)?

    N a. 200 lbs.
    N b. 300 lbs.
    Y c. 400 lbs.
    N d. 500 lbs.

1925: Which material should NOT be used to secure cargo on deck for a voyage?

    N a. Steel chain
    N b. Wire rope
    N c. Steel strapping
    Y d. Fiber rope

1960: The knot lettered G in the illustration is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. round turn and two half hitches
    Y b. fisherman's bend
    N c. timber hitch
    N d. barrel hitch

2007: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

    N a. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    Y b. change from right rudder to left rudder an equal number of degrees
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

2023: A mooring line leading at nearly right angles to the keel is a __________.

    N a. spring line
    N b. bow line
    N c. stern line
    Y d. breast line

2130: In a racetrack turn, to recover a man overboard, the vessel is steadied for the SECOND time after a turn of how many degrees from the original heading?

    N a. 60°
    N b. 135°
    N c. 180°
    Y d. 360°

2143: Your vessel was damaged and initially assumed a significant list and trim; however, further increase has been slow. Based on this data, what should you expect?

    N a. The slowing is only temporary and the vessel will probably suddenly capsize or plunge from loss of stability due to change in the waterplane area.
    Y b. The vessel can probably be saved if further flooding can be stopped.
    N c. The vessel will continue to slowly list and/or trim due to the free surface effect and free communication effect.
    N d. The vessel will suddenly flop to the same or greater angle of list on the other side and may capsize.

2216: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 4? (DO29DG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 4

2223: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 3? (DO29DG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    Y c. 3
    N d. 4

2225: Which knot should be used to secure a line to a spar when the pull is perpendicular to the spar? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. F
    N c. N
    N d. P

2234: Keeping certain cargoes separated because of their inherent characteristics is known as __________.

    N a. overstowage
    Y b. segregation
    N c. spot loading
    N d. cargo typing

2240: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 1? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1
    N c. 1.5
    N d. 2

2386: A vessel has an amidships superstructure. Which location would be most suitable for main deck stowage of vehicles?

    N a. On top of #1 hatch
    N b. Beside the hatches, forward of the midships house
    N c. On top of the aftermost hatch on the vessel
    Y d. On top of the hatch immediately aft of the midships house

2452: Which is an advantage of using watertight longitudinal divisions in double bottom tanks?

    Y a. Cuts down free surface effect
    N b. Increases the rolling period
    N c. Decreases weight because extra stiffeners are unneeded
    N d. Lowers the center of buoyancy without decreasing GM

2539: The distance between rivets in a row is known as the __________.

    N a. arm
    Y b. pitch
    N c. gage
    N d. rivet distance

2593: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    Y b. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Coast Pilot

2596: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    N a. immediately jump into the water to assist the individual
    Y b. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

2735: Periodic surveys to renew the load line assignment must be made at intervals NOT exceeding __________.

    N a. 18 months
    N b. two years
    N c. three years
    Y d. five years

2862: What is used to prevent accidental flooding of a double bottom or peak tanks in the event of a pipe rupture due to collision?

    N a. Separate lines are provided for filling and pumping these tanks.
    N b. Pipe lines must run vertically from the tank to a point above the margin line before turning fore or aft towards the pump.
    N c. All tanks must be served by the fewest possible number of pipes to reduce the possibility of rupture.
    Y d. Suction lines are fitted with a non-return valve

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3124: You attach a line to a stationary barge lying off your starboard beam in order to maneuver it into position to make up tow. The line used to do this is a __________.

    N a. jockey line
    N b. fore and aft line
    N c. check line
    Y d. swing line

3288: The angular movement of a vessel about a horizontal line drawn from its bow to its stern is __________.

    N a. pitching
    Y b. rolling
    N c. heaving
    N d. swaying

3330: When towing astern, chafing gear should NOT be used on a hawser which is __________.

    N a. attached to an "H" bitt
    Y b. attached to an automatic towing engine
    N c. held amidships by a gob rope
    N d. connected to a swivel

3434: The Scharnow turn should be used in a man overboard situation only when __________.

    N a. the man can be kept in sight from the bridge while maneuvering
    N b. the turn is started immediately when the man goes over
    Y c. there has been sufficient time elapsed since the man went over to complete the maneuver
    N d. the vessel has twin screws to assist in making the turn

3446: The best way to determine if a load is within maximum lift limits is to use __________.

    N a. a boom angle indicator
    Y b. a load weight indicator
    N c. material invoices for shipping weights
    N d. prior experience with similar lifts

3492: The Master of a passenger vessel which is not required to maintain an Official Logbook must keep a record of the number of passengers received and delivered from day to day. This record must be available for a period of __________.

    N a. 6 months
    Y b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    N d. 36 months

3654: Horizontal transverse motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    N b. surge
    Y c. sway
    N d. heave

3840: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is true?

    N a. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    Y c. The stress on the heel block is less at 60°.
    N d. The change in angle of elevation has no effect on the stresses in the head block.

4038: Which cargo would require a dangerous cargo manifest?

    Y a. Cotton
    N b. Wheat
    N c. Sugar
    N d. Lumber

4107: Which of the following are considered to be "road vehicles" that can be carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Semi-trailer
    N b. Train
    N c. Articulated train
    N d. All of the above

4279: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    Y b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be can be fastened to the corners of the jib when lifting containers.
    N d. The taglines are wire rope purchease that raise and lower the topping lift.