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.


40: You are on a cargo vessel carrying toluol in bulk in portable tanks. Which is a requirement for pumping the toluol?


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


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


90: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker. The loading plan includes cargoes of diethylenetriamine and formamide. Which statement concerning the stowage of these cargoes is TRUE?

    N a. They must be separated by a void space or empty tank.
    N b. The cargoes must have individual venting systems.
    N c. The valves in common piping systems must be chained closed and locked.
    Y d. The minimum segregation required is a single bulkhead.

123: When patching holes in the hull, pillows, bedding, and other soft materials can be used as __________.

    N a. shores
    Y b. gaskets
    N c. strongbacks
    N d. wedges

169: The lowest temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to form a flammable mixture with air is known as the __________.

    N a. fire point
    Y b. flash point
    N c. lower explosive limit
    N d. threshold limit value

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

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

236: As the propeller turns, voids are formed on the trailing and leading edges of the propeller blades causing a loss of propulsive efficiency, pitting of the blades, and vibration. These voids are known as __________.

    N a. advance
    Y b. cavitation
    N c. edging
    N d. slip

263: Which type of hull damage should be repaired FIRST?

    N a. Damage below the waterline
    N b. Damage to interior watertight boundaries
    N c. Damage in way of machinery rooms
    Y d. Damage at or just above the waterline

271: Total responsibility for shipping and discharging the seamen is that of the __________.

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. steamship company
    N c. U.S. Custom Service
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard

354: A "stopper" is __________.

    Y a. a short length of line used for temporarily holding another line
    N b. a snatch block for handling a topping lift
    N c. an engine order telegraph
    N d. the brake on a cargo winch

451: What is official proof of a vessel's ownership?

    Y a. Certificate of Documentation
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Transfer Certificate
    N d. Logbook

571: You are in port A in the United States, and your Certificate of Inspection has expired. You wish to go to port B in the United States for repairs and to complete the inspection. If the Officer-in-Charge Marine Inspection deems it safe, he may issue a __________.

    N a. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N b. Limited Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Temporary Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. Permit to Proceed

598: What is NOT an advantage of containership operations over conventional break-bulk operations?

    Y a. Flexibility of operation
    N b. Greater operational safety
    N c. Lower stevedoring costs
    N d. Reduction of cargo damage

666: You are proceeding at a slow speed with your starboard side near the right bank of a channel. If your vessel suddenly sheers toward the opposite bank, the best maneuver would be __________.

    N a. full ahead, hard left rudder
    Y b. full ahead, hard right rudder
    N c. full astern, hard left rudder
    N d. full astern, hard right rudder

726: A common occurrence when a vessel is running into shallow water is that __________.

    N a. the wake is less pronounced
    N b. the vessel is more responsive to the rudder
    Y c. "squat" will cause a decrease in bottom clearance and an increase in draft
    N d. All of the above

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

755: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    Y a. Accidental stranding or grounding
    N b. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    N c. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N d. Damage to property amounting to $12,500

847: When towing astern what equipment should be stowed ready for use near the towline?

    N a. First aid kit
    Y b. Axe or cutting torch
    N c. Fire extinguisher
    N d. Chafing gear

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

861: Every entry required to be made in the Official Logbook shall be signed by the __________.

    N a. Mate on watch
    Y b. Master and Chief Mate or other member of the crew
    N c. Master only
    N d. Purser, one of the Mates, and some other member of the crew

922: You are on watch at sea at night, and a fire breaks out in #3 hold. What would you NOT do immediately?

    N a. Shut down the cargo hold ventilation.
    N b. Sound the fire alarm signal to rouse out all hands.
    N c. Call the Master.
    Y d. Proceed to the space and inspect the extent of the fire.

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

    N a. 29.49 numeral
    Y b. 31.97 numeral
    N c. 33.61 numeral
    N d. 35.12 numeral

1048: You are the person in charge of a vessel involved in a marine casualty. You must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office if the property damage is over __________.

    N a. $1,500
    N b. $10,000
    Y c. $25,000
    N d. $50,000

1260: The function of the bilge keel is to __________.

    Y a. reduce the rolling of the vessel
    N b. serve as the vessel's main strength member
    N c. add strength to the bilge
    N d. protect the vessel's hull when alongside a dock

1291: "Free pratique" means that __________.

    N a. clearance requirements for all regulatory bodies have been met
    Y b. health requirements have been met and no further quarantine formalities are required
    N c. shipment will be made at no cost
    N d. tonnage taxes are not required to be paid

1322: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to take the seaman if the ship will not stop at a U.S. port within 30 days.
    N b. He is required to accept the seaman only if the seaman is medically unfit.
    Y c. He may refuse to take the seaman if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N d. He is required to take the seaman under any circumstance.

1351: Your vessel is chartered under a time charter party. Under this type of charter party, your responsibility is __________.

    N a. solely to the charterer for all matters pertaining to cargo and ship administration
    N b. solely to the cargo shippers and consignees
    N c. solely to the owner, as under normal conditions
    Y d. to the owner for vessel administration and to the charterer for cargo operations and schedule

1403: A vessel is involved in a casualty. The cost of property damage includes the __________.

    N a. loss of revenue while the vessel is being repaired, up to a maximum of $50,000
    Y b. cost of labor and material to restore the vessel to the service condition which existed before the casualty
    N c. damage claims awarded to individuals or companies involved in the casualty, up to a maximum of $50,000
    N d. All of the above

1481: A fire has damaged 20 bales of cotton on a freighter loaded with general cargo. This claim would come under __________.

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

1533: What is the best splice for repairing a parted synthetic fiber mooring line?

    N a. Liverpool splice
    N b. Locking long splice
    N c. Long splice
    Y d. Short splice

1659: The safe working load for the assembled cargo gear and the minimum angle to the horizontal for which the gear is designed shall be marked on the __________.

    N a. deck
    N b. head of the boom
    Y c. heel of the boom
    N d. mast or king post

1715: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

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

1728: You are trying to rescue survivors from a wrecked vessel on fire. You should approach __________.

    N a. to leeward of the wrecked vessel
    N b. at a speed of at most one-half that of the wrecked vessel
    N c. at a speed of at least that of the wrecked vessel
    Y d. to windward of the wrecked vessel

1743: A mooring line leading at nearly right angles to the keel is a __________.

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

1751: The load line certificate is issued by __________.

    Y a. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. the National Cargo Bureau
    N c. the United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1761: Load lines for U.S. vessels are assigned by __________.

    N a. the U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Lloyd's Register of Shipping
    N d. the National Cargo Bureau

1805: In towing it is desirable for the tug and the tow to ride wave crests simultaneously because __________.

    Y a. shock loading on the tow line is reduced
    N b. towing speed is improved
    N c. the tow is more visible from the tug
    N d. the catenary of the towline is reduced

1833: The standing part of a tackle is __________.

    N a. all the fall except the hauling part
    N b. the hook that engages the weight to be moved
    N c. that part to which power is applied
    Y d. that part of the falls made fast to one of the blocks

1855: Which problem is virtually impossible to detect during an in-service inspection of used anchor chain?

    N a. Cracks
    N b. Elongation
    N c. Loose studs
    Y d. Fatigue

1862: How much force would be required to lift a weight of 200 lbs. using a gun tackle rigged to disadvantage (do not consider friction)?

    N a. 50 lbs.
    Y b. 100 lbs.
    N c. 150 lbs.
    N d. 200 lbs.

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

2003: Chafing gear is used to __________.

    N a. anchor the boat
    N b. pick up heavy loads
    Y c. protect fiber rope from abrasion
    N d. strengthen mooring lines

2008: When towing another vessel, the length of the towing line should be __________.

    N a. as long as possible
    N b. as short as possible under the circumstances and not over two wave lengths
    N c. such that one vessel will be on a crest while the other is in a trough
    Y d. such that the vessels will be in step

2031: Multi-year ice is the hardest sea ice and should be avoided if possible. It is recognizable because of what tone to its surface color?

    N a. Greenish
    Y b. Bluish
    N c. Grey
    N d. Grey-white

2166: A ballasted vessel sinks enroute to a dry dock. Under these circumstances, the vessel's owner can claim __________.

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

2195: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as listed. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D035DG )

    N a. 745 yards
    N b. 770 yards
    Y c. 840 yards
    N d. 890 yards

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

2246: Cargoes that might leak from containers are known as __________.

    N a. dirty cargoes
    N b. caustic cargoes
    Y c. wet cargoes
    N d. bulk cargoes

2265: 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 shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 45°? (D034DG )

    Y a. 130 yards
    N b. 165 yards
    N c. 195 yards
    N d. 230 yards

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

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

3148: The part of the anchor indicated by the letter H is the __________. (D038DG )

    N a. fluke
    N b. shank
    N c. tripping palm
    Y d. crown

3172: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his hands clasped in front of his body. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. dog everything
    N b. stop
    N c. stand-by
    N d. prepare for signal

3464: The ultimate or maximum strength of a wire rope is referred to as the __________.

    N a. operating strength
    N b. working load
    Y c. breaking strength
    N d. lifting load

3600: A helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder." The helmsman's IMMEDIATE reply should be __________.

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

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

    N a. deadeyes
    N b. bollards
    N c. bitts
    Y d. chocks

4124: Which variable factor affects the initial lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    Y b. Center of gravity of vehicle or cargo unit
    N c. Changes in humidity
    N d. Age of vehicle or cargo unit

4249: Which action(s) are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation of the anchor windlass
    N b. Preparing steam on deck
    Y c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    N d. All of the above

4381: What does item "D" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Heel block
    N b. Gin block
    N c. Rider block
    Y d. Hook block