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.


15: Floors aboard ship are __________.


19: The vessel's "quarter" is located __________.


38: A cargo that has a stowage factor over 40 is known as a __________.


68: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.

    N a. are susceptible to damage by tainting
    N b. are exceptionally dusty and leave a residue
    N c. are liquid, but in containers
    Y d. give off fumes that may damage other cargoes

144: The lookout sights a vessel dead ahead. This should be reported on the bell with __________.

    N a. one bell
    N b. two bells
    Y c. three bells
    N d. four bells

144: The lookout sights a vessel dead ahead. This should be reported on the bell with __________.

    N a. one bell
    N b. two bells
    Y c. three bells
    N d. four bells

238: A shore is a piece of securing dunnage that __________.

    Y a. runs from a low supporting level up to the cargo at an angle
    N b. is also known as a "distance piece"
    N c. is placed on the deck under the cargo to distribute its weight evenly
    N d. is run horizontally from a support to the cargo

270: The disadvantage of using a heaving line to pass a towline is that __________.

    N a. it increases the likelihood of collision between the towing vessel and the disabled vessel
    Y b. recreational boaters tend to make the heaving line fast to the towed vessel as if it were the towline
    N c. the monkey fist may injure someone
    N d. it may reduce the catenary and increase yawing

291: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel making coastwise runs. Whenever a crew member is discharged from your vessel you must __________.

    N a. issue a Certificate of Discharge and make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    Y b. issue a Certificate of Discharge or make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    N c. retain the crew member's Continuous Discharge Book onboard
    N d. retain the crew member's Certificate of Discharge onboard

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

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

476: You are backing on twin engines with rudders amidships, when your port engine stalls. To continue backing on course, you should __________.

    N a. apply left rudder
    Y b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

576: In twin-screw engine installations while going ahead, maneuvering qualities are most effective when the tops of the propeller blades both turn __________.

    N a. to starboard
    Y b. outboard from the center
    N c. to port
    N d. inboard toward the center

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

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

700: A tug is approaching a broken down steamer in moderately heavy weather preparing to take it in tow. In most cases the __________.

    N a. steamer will drift stern downwind
    N b. tug will drift faster than the steamer
    N c. tug should approach stern to
    Y d. tug should approach from downwind

754: Which method is used to detect rot in manila lines?

    N a. Feeling the surface of the line for broken fibers
    N b. Measuring the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. Observing for the appearance of mildew on the outer surface
    Y d. Opening the strands and examining the inner fibers

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

804: Line is called "small stuff" if its circumference is less than __________.

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

825: Who is responsible for establishing watches aboard a U.S. vessel?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The company that operates the vessel
    N c. The company that charters the vessel
    Y d. The Master of the vessel

905: When should you conduct a visual inspection of your towline?

    N a. Whenever its serviceability is in doubt.
    N b. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
    N c. At least once a month.
    Y d. All of the above

974: The "Port-Off-Stbd" selector switch on an autopilot steering stand is used to __________.

    N a. change from hand electric steering to automatic gyro
    Y b. change over one steering system to the other
    N c. change over hand electric steering to non-followup
    N d. change over the port to the starboard bow thruster

994: Manila lines in which the strands are right-hand laid __________.

    Y a. should be coiled in a clockwise direction
    N b. should be coiled in a counterclockwise direction
    N c. may be coiled either clockwise or counterclockwise
    N d. should never be coiled

1059: You are cleaning the tanks after carrying a cargo of crude oil. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Washing water should be recirculated if possible because it has the same electric potential as the cargo tank being cleaned.
    N b. The hoses to portable cleaning machines should be disconnected before the machines are removed from the tank.
    N c. The principal hazard with steaming cargo tanks is raising the ambient temperature above the flame point of the cargo residue.
    Y d. Steam cleaning and water washing are both capable of generating electrostatic charges within a tank.

1090: A chock __________.

    N a. is a deck fitting used to shackle gear to the deck
    N b. permits easy jettisoning of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. prevents stress concentration in the bulwark
    Y d. provides openings through the bulwark for mooring lines

1262: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $25,000
    N b. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in a loss of life
    N c. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel
    Y d. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible

1384: The wire rope used for cargo handling on board your vessel has a safe working load of eight tons. It shall be able to withstand a breaking test load of __________.

    N a. 32 tons
    Y b. 40 tons
    N c. 48 tons
    N d. 64 tons

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

1664: A method used to make an eye in a bight of line where it cannot be spliced is known as __________.

    N a. braiding
    N b. plaiting
    Y c. seizing
    N d. serving

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

1786: You are anchoring in a river where the current is from one direction only. The best way to lay out two anchors is to have them __________.

    N a. directly in line with the bow
    N b. side by side, with their lines on the port and starboard side
    Y c. so that their lines form an angle
    N d. on top of one another

1856: When passing a hawser to the dock you would first use what line?

    N a. Gantline
    Y b. Heaving line
    N c. Preventer
    N d. Warp

1893: A block and tackle is "rove to advantage". This means that the __________.

    N a. blocks have been overhauled
    N b. hauling parts of two tackles are attached
    Y c. hauling part leads through the movable block
    N d. hauling part leads through the standing block

1930: The holding capabilities of an anchor are determined PRIMARILY by the __________.

    N a. design of the anchor
    N b. weight of the anchor
    Y c. scope of the anchor chain
    N d. size of the vessel

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

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

2013: A mooring line that checks forward motion of a vessel at a pier is a __________.

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

2153: The shipping papers for the products being carried in your tankship are NOT required to contain the __________.

    Y a. exact quantity of the cargoes
    N b. grades of the cargoes
    N c. location of the delivery point(s)
    N d. name of the consignee(s)

2153: The shipping papers for the products being carried in your tankship are NOT required to contain the __________.

    Y a. exact quantity of the cargoes
    N b. grades of the cargoes
    N c. location of the delivery point(s)
    N d. name of the consignee(s)

2186: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 7? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0
    N b. 0.5
    N c. 1
    Y d. 2

2260: Cargo that gives off fumes that may contaminate other cargo is known as a(n) __________.

    N a. delicate cargo
    N b. dirty cargo
    N c. toxic cargo
    Y d. odorous cargo

2390: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 20.4 lb. steel measuring 4 feet by 6 feet.

    N a. 204.0 lbs.
    Y b. 489.6 lbs.
    N c. 734.4 lbs.
    N d. 979.2 lbs.

2394: Determine the area of a triangle with a base of 3.5 feet and a height of 4.0 feet.

    Y a. 7.0 square ft.
    N b. 7.5 square ft.
    N c. 11.5 square ft.
    N d. 14.0 square ft.

2395: Determine the area of a triangle with a base of 4.7 feet and a height of 6.3 feet.

    N a. 29.6 square ft.
    N b. 26.2 square ft.
    N c. 18.5 square ft.
    Y d. 14.8 square ft.

2508: What is required to launch a boat stowed in a crescent davit?

    N a. Hoist the boat clear of the cradle.
    N b. Release the outboard part of the cradle.
    N c. Rig the tricing lines.
    Y d. Crank the crescent out.

2549: An example of a modern anchor which has a stock is a(n) __________.

    N a. articulated anchor
    N b. Flipper Delta anchor
    N c. Baldt anchor
    Y d. Danforth anchor

2659: The shearing stresses on a ship's structure are usually greatest at __________.

    N a. the bow
    N b. the stern
    N c. midships
    Y d. the ship's quarter-length points

2792: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    N a. variation in the area
    Y b. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N c. leeway
    N d. deviation on that heading

2936: Storms that enter the Great Lakes Basin from the west and northwest at a peak in October are the products of pressure systems known as __________.

    N a. Northwesters
    Y b. Alberta lows
    N c. Fata morgana
    N d. Polar highs

3098: A weight of 1,000 short tons is equivalent to __________.

    N a. 1,500 foot-pounds
    N b. 2,240 long tons
    N c. 2,000 pounds
    Y d. 2,000 kips

3134: When using two tugs to assist in mooring a large, deeply laden ship, the most powerful tug is usually placed __________.

    Y a. forward to control the bow
    N b. amidships to move the entire vessel evenly
    N c. aft to assist the ship's rudder and propeller
    N d. anywhere, since the maneuverability of the tug governs the placement not the power

3449: What term indicates an inward curvature of the ship's hull above the waterline?

    N a. Camber
    Y b. Tumble home
    N c. Deadrise
    N d. Flare

3504: Metal plates that cover the top of the hawsepipe are called __________.

    N a. footings
    N b. plugs
    Y c. buckler plates
    N d. stop waters

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

3520: A situation has occurred where it becomes necessary for you to be towed. What action should be taken to prevent your vessel from yawing?

    N a. Shift weight to the bow
    N b. Shift weight to the center of the boat
    Y c. Shift weight to the stern
    N d. Throw excess weight overboard

4012: The purpose of item G is to __________. (D024DG )

    N a. distribute the vessel's thrust over a wider area
    N b. prevent the towboat from capsizing if item I should part
    Y c. prevent the knee from shifting when the rudder is put hard over
    N d. keep the barges from shifting fore and aft

4118: Which factor(s) affect lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Ship’s characteristics and motion in a seaway
    N b. Trim of the vessel
    N c. Wide variations of air temperature
    N d. All of the above

4139: A disadvantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that __________.

    N a. it is easily damaged
    N b. it is affected by temperature
    Y c. the links lose strength if placed over corners
    N d. it has high initial cost

4178: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp
    N c. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door
    N d. Raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds

4268: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    Y b. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor.
    N d. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance.