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.


30: You are planning the stowage of two incompatible products on your multiple-product tankship. What will NOT provide the minimum required segregation?


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


76: Leeway is the __________.


97: Chafing gear should be placed __________.

    Y a. at all wearing points of mooring lines
    N b. at the bitter ends of all standing rigging
    N c. around running rigging
    N d. on wire rope only

127: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "C" is called a __________. (DO44DG )

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

132: What is a characteristic of all centrifugal cargo pumps?

    N a. They are self-priming.
    Y b. Decreasing the speed of rotation will decrease the discharge pressure.
    N c. Opening the discharge valve wider will increase the discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

200: 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.
    N b. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    N c. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.
    Y d. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.

311: The Shipping Articles shall be signed by each seaman and the __________.

    Y a. Master of the vessel
    N b. Shipping Commissioner
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Customs Service

312: If you are bunkering and you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. remain constant

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

337: On a coastwise tugboat of 199 GT, on a voyage over 600 miles, what percentage of the deck crew (excluding licensed officers) must hold a document of able seaman?

    Y a. 65%
    N b. 50%
    N c. 25%
    N d. 0%

340: Argon is classified as a __________.

    N a. corrosive
    N b. flammable gas
    N c. flammable liquid
    Y d. nonflammable gas

410: You are loading a cargo tank on your container ship. The tank displays the red label shown. Which statement is TRUE? (D023DG )

    Y a. The tank contains propylene.
    N b. The tank's volume is 1077 cubic feet.
    N c. There are three tanks in the shipment.
    N d. The tank contains an oxidizing material.

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

450: Once a vessel has loaded packaged hazardous cargo, the cargo spaces shall be inspected. The spaces shall also be inspected at least once in every 24 hours. The only exception to daily inspection is when __________.

    Y a. a vessel is equipped with an automatic smoke or fire detecting system
    N b. the cargo hatches are of steel construction
    N c. the cargo is of a nonflammable type
    N d. there is sufficient fire protection located on the main deck adjacent to the cargo hatch

577: You are signing on a crew. A man presents a Merchant Mariner's Document that you suspect has been tampered with. Which action should you take?

    N a. Confiscate the document and deliver it to the Coast Guard.
    N b. Sign the man on and notify the Coast Guard at the first U.S. port of call.
    Y c. Refuse to sign the man on articles until authorized by the Coast Guard.
    N d. Refuse to sign the man on and notify the FBI of unauthorized use of a federal document.

609: While discharging a tanker, list can be controlled by __________.

    N a. shoreside personnel
    N b. using a center tank near the bow, discharging as necessary
    Y c. using wing tanks near the longitudinal center, discharging as necessary
    N d. using the after peak tank, loading as necessary

652: When plugging holes below the waterline you should __________.

    N a. eliminate all water entering the hole
    N b. only plug holes in machinery or other vital spaces
    Y c. reduce the entry of water as much as possible
    N d. plug the largest holes first

690: A rescue helicopter's hoist area should have a radius of at least __________.

    N a. 6 feet of clear deck
    N b. 10 feet of clear deck
    N c. 25 feet of clear deck
    Y d. 50 feet of clear deck

756: A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may NOT serve as the Captain of which towing vessel?

    N a. 99 GRT towing vessel operating on Chesapeake Bay
    N b. 199 GRT towing vessel operating in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. 400 GRT towboat operating on the Western Rivers
    Y d. 375 GRT towing vessel operating between Texas and Puerto Rico

1191: Which statement is TRUE about the use of a "gob rope"?

    N a. The gob rope is a mooring line for tyhing up lighters for working cargo alongside a vessel anchored in an open roadstead.
    Y b. The gob rope is used to secure the towline aft over the centerline of a tug..
    N c. The gob rope is a line hung over a vessel's side to assist in boarding.
    N d. The gob rope is a rope used in mooring a vessel to a buoy.

1234: Which type of line will stretch the most when under strain?

    N a. Polypropylene
    N b. Dacron
    Y c. Nylon
    N d. Manila

1331: The S.S. Microwave has been chartered to the Longline Steamship Company. The Longline Steamship Company agrees to pay all expenses and employ and pay the crew. Which type of contract is involved?

    Y a. Bareboat Charter Party
    N b. Lease Charter Party
    N c. Time Charter Party
    N d. Voyage Charter Party

1465: The maneuver which will return your vessel in the shortest time to a person who has fallen overboard is __________.

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

1582: Which is an example of failure to exercise due diligence?

    Y a. Overloading
    N b. Sailing short of union manning requirements
    N c. Sailing with less than 30% reserve fuel oil supply
    N d. Sailing short of being full and down

1606: To safely anchor a vessel there must be sufficient "scope" in the anchor cable. Scope is the ratio of __________.

    N a. weight of cable to weight of vessel
    N b. weight of cable to weight of anchor
    N c. length of anchor to depth of water
    Y d. length of cable to depth of water

1612: Which of the pictures in illustration DO30DG represents a stopper? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    Y b. N
    N c. R
    N d. S

1671: The number of certificated able seamen and lifeboatmen required on a vessel is determined by the __________.

    N a. International Maritime Organization
    N b. Corps of Engineers
    Y c. Coast Guard
    N d. American Bureau of Shipping

1725: The term "shift the rudder" means __________.

    N a. use right or left rudder
    N b. check, but do not stop the vessel from swinging
    Y c. change from right (left) to left (right) rudder an equal amount
    N d. put the rudder amidships

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

1764: The "square knot" is used for __________.

    N a. forming temporary eyes in lines
    Y b. joining two lines of equal size
    N c. keeping line from unlaying or fraying
    N d. joining two lines of different size

1814: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "D" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. forward spring line
    N c. waist breast line
    Y d. after spring line

1815: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    N a. steer the course which is your present heading
    N b. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    N c. bring the rudder amidships
    Y d. decrease the rudder angle

1832: The run of plating labeled A is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. sheer strake
    Y b. stringer plate
    N c. deck strake
    N d. deck longitudinal

1872: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Y d. less than 10 minutes

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

1935: The knot lettered H in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. plain whipping
    N d. crown knot

2076: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

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

2136: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required pilot is TRUE?

    Y a. The pilot need only be licensed by the Coast Guard.
    N b. The Pilot must be licensed by either Virginia or Maryland.
    N c. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia and Maryland.
    N d. The Pilot must be licensed by Virginia, Maryland and the Coast Guard.

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

2243: You are using tackle number 4, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 11. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 10
    Y d. 24

2688: What would have the greatest affect on a vessel's longitudinal strength?

    N a. Collision damage to the bow, forward of the collision bulkhead
    Y b. Grounding damage to the bilge strake, just aft of midships
    N c. Extensive corrosion to the centerline deck plating
    N d. Damage to the side shell, midway between the bilge and the stringer plate

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

2738: Assume that your vessel has just entered Lake Michigan via the Straits of Mackinac and is proceeding south to Chicago. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the aids to navigation you will encounter along this route?

    N a. Aids to navigation are serviced jointly by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard.
    Y b. Red buoys should be passed down your starboard side.
    N c. Green buoys mark the location of wrecks or obstructions which must be passed by keeping the buoy on the right hand.
    N d. All solid colored buoys are numbered, the red buoys bearing odd numbers and green buoys bearing even numbers.

2826: An icebreaker may use the code letter "K" to remind ships of their obligation to listen continuously on their radio. This signal may be made by any of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. sound signal
    N b. light signal
    N c. visual signal
    Y d. radiotelephone

2959: A metal ring on the bottom of a block, to which the standing part of a tackle is spliced, is known as a(n) __________.

    Y a. becket
    N b. loop
    N c. swivel
    N d. eye

2964: "Seiche" is defined as a(n) __________.

    N a. unusually strong storm system which approaches the Great Lakes System generally from the Northeast
    N b. lake current which is predominant during the spring and fall navigation season on the Great Lakes
    Y c. oscillation caused by the diminishing of forces which cause lake level fluctuations
    N d. higher than normal high water or lower than normal low water

3050: Which characteristic is an advantage of a butterfly valve as compared to a gate valve?

    N a. Precise control over cargo flow
    Y b. Quick operation
    N c. No resistance to cargo flow when open
    N d. Less maintenance required

3062: How should you signal the crane operator to swing?

    N a. With both arms extended out and palms down, move arms back and forth.
    N b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    Y c. Extend arm and point finger in the direction to move the boom.
    N d. Place both fists in front of the body with the thumbs pointing outward.

3069: Atmospheres laden with coal dust or grain dust caused by loading these cargoes __________.

    N a. require loading operations to be shut down until the atmosphere clears
    N b. are toxic to human life
    N c. are subject to spontaneous combustion
    Y d. may be explosive in some concentrations

3072: A Great Lakes bulk ore vessel would use an "Iron Deckhand" to assist in __________.

    N a. unloading bulk cargo
    N b. steering the vessel
    N c. making the vessel fast to a dock
    Y d. removing hatch covers

3079: What is a solid at ambient temperature?

    N a. Aniline
    N b. Formic acid
    N c. Methyl chloride
    Y d. Napthalene

3400: In a tow made up astern, the fishplate __________.

    Y a. connects the hawser to the bridle
    N b. connects the bridle to the tow
    N c. keeps the hawser amidships on the tug
    N d. is the capping piece on the "H" bitt

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

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

3450: Kort nozzles are installed around the propellers of some vessels to __________.

    Y a. increase the thrust of the propeller
    N b. protect the propeller from striking sawyers
    N c. prevent the propeller from striking barges towed on the hip
    N d. prevent the propeller from touching bottom in low water

3728: The main reason a long towline is used during an ocean tow is that __________.

    N a. a margin of safety is provided should the line part
    N b. the towline will wear more evenly
    Y c. there will be less stress on the towline
    N d. a slight increase in speed will be realized

4047: Your vessel is to dock bow in at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Inshore head line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Stern breast line
    N d. Bow breast line

4110: Which standard operating procedure(s) should be adhered to on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N b. Battery cables must be disconnected to prevent fire hazard
    N c. One deck engine mechanic assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N d. All of the above

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

4875: The crane manufacturer's operating tables are posted near the __________.

    N a. crane pedestal
    N b. wire-rope locker
    N c. main deck
    Y d. crane controls