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.


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


16: When underway and proceeding ahead, as the speed increases, the pivot point tends to __________.


29: You are in charge of a U.S. documented vessel. Under title 46 of the United States Code, if you fail to report a complaint of a sexual offense, you may be __________.


62: You are in the process of loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 1030, on 5 November, you gauge the vessel and find that you have loaded 203,000 barrels. At 1200, you find that you have loaded 219,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.

    N a. 1510, 5 November
    N b. 0140, 6 November
    Y c. 1104, 6 November
    N d. 0735, 7 November

95: You should keep clear of __________.

    Y a. any line under a strain
    N b. lines that are paying out
    N c. lines that are coiled down only
    N d. None of the above are correct

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

250: The damage to a vessel is over $25,000. Who must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible?

    N a. The crew members
    Y b. The Master of the vessel
    N c. The port authorities
    N d. All of the above

267: Which statement is NOT true concerning the stowage of class 1 explosives?

    N a. Class 1.1 explosives may be stowed with class 9 dangerous substances
    N b. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 5.1 oxidizing materials.
    Y c. Class 1.4 explosives may not be stowed in the same hold with class 6.1 poisons.
    N d. Class 1.4 explosives must be "separated from" a stow of class 8 corrosive materials.

273: You will load class 1.2 commercial explosives and need to construct a portable magazine. The magazine MUST __________.

    N a. be made of metal
    Y b. be elevated with skids 10cm (3.9 inches) above the deck
    N c. have a hinged cover
    N d. be fastened with nails or screws

304: To warp a vessel means to __________.

    N a. anchor the vessel
    N b. bring the head into the wind
    N c. clean the decks
    Y d. move the vessel by hauling on lines

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

    Y a. combustible liquid
    N b. flammable liquid
    N c. flammable solid
    N d. poison B

376: You are aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel with headway on. The engine is put full astern and the rudder hard left. What will the bow do?

    N a. It will swing to the left, and will swing left faster as the vessel loses way.
    Y b. It will swing to the left, straighten out and then swing to the right as the vessel loses way.
    N c. It will swing to the left without increasing or decreasing its swing.
    N d. The bow will swing to the right.

392: Which statement is TRUE concerning insulating flanges?

    Y a. They should be inspected and tested periodically to ensure that the insulation is clean and in good condition.
    N b. Switching off a cathodic protection system may be substituted for using an insulating flange
    N c. The measured resistance value after installation should be less than 1,000 ohms.
    N d. After the insulating flange is installed, hot work may be performed on deck.

494: What best describes an anchor buoy?

    N a. A black ball that is hoisted when the ship anchors
    Y b. A buoy attached to the anchor
    N c. A buoy attached to the scope of an anchor chain
    N d. A mark of the number of fathoms in an anchor chain

494: What best describes an anchor buoy?

    N a. A black ball that is hoisted when the ship anchors
    Y b. A buoy attached to the anchor
    N c. A buoy attached to the scope of an anchor chain
    N d. A mark of the number of fathoms in an anchor chain

698: Which agency issues a certificate of loading that is evidence that the rules and regulations concerning bulk grain cargoes have been observed?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Department of Agriculture
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Public Health Service

826: In order to reduce your wake in a narrow channel you should __________.

    N a. apply enough rudder to counter the effect of the current
    N b. change your course to a zigzag course
    Y c. reduce your speed
    N d. shift the weight to the stern

890: A term applied to the bottom shell plating in a double-bottom ship is __________.

    N a. bottom floor
    Y b. outer bottom
    N c. shear plating
    N d. tank top

1052: A term used to describe the dip in a towline that acts as a shock absorber is __________.

    Y a. catenary
    N b. step
    N c. shock dip
    N d. bight

1123: 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 Coast Pilot
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    Y d. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)

1223: The organization that certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel is the __________.

    Y a. classification society
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. none of the above

1311: Before arriving at the first U.S. port from foreign, you must fill out a Crewman's Landing Permit for each __________.

    N a. alien crewmember
    N b. crew member
    Y c. nonresident alien crewmember
    N d. unlicensed crew member

1381: The Master of a vessel may tender a Notice of Readiness to the charterer when the vessel __________.

    N a. has completed the terms of the charter party
    Y b. is in all respects ready to load
    N c. is in all respects ready to sail
    N d. is safely moored or at a suitable anchorage

1396: Lifting the anchor from the bottom is called __________.

    N a. broaching the anchor
    N b. shifting the anchor
    N c. walking the anchor
    Y d. weighing the anchor

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

1527: A 30,000 DWT tankship is required to have an IOPP certificate when __________.

    N a. engaged in the coastwise trade
    N b. going foreign
    Y c. calling at ports in another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78
    N d. carrying cargoes listed in the MARPOL regulations

1532: To determine the number of portable fire extinguishers required on an inspected vessel, you should check the __________.

    N a. hot work permit
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1686: When weighing anchor in a rough sea, how would you avoid risk of damaging the bow plating?

    N a. Heave it home as fast as you can.
    N b. Heave it home intermittently, between swells.
    Y c. Leave the anchor under foot, until the vessel may be brought before the sea.
    N d. Wait for a calm spot between seas, then house it.

1886: The knot lettered R is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. double becket bend
    N b. bowline
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. round turn and two half hitches

1923: Disregarding friction, a twofold purchase when rove to disadvantage has a mechanical advantage of __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 3
    Y c. 4
    N d. 5

1973: Which statement is TRUE about placing the eyes of two mooring lines on the same bollard?

    N a. Put one line at the low point and one at the high point of the bollard so they don't touch.
    Y b. Take the eye of the second line up through the eye of the first line before putting the second line on the bollard.
    N c. Never put two mooring lines on the same bollard.
    N d. The mooring line forward should be put on the bollard first.

2035: A seaman signed on articles on 16 January 1987 and signed off on 2 March 1987. How should you enter this under the Time of Service column in the articles?

    N a. 1 Month 18 Days
    N b. 1 Month 16 Days
    N c. 2 Months
    Y d. 46 Days

2052: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2184: The lashings on a stack of containers with interlocking fittings restrain the forces that cause __________.

    N a. toppling
    Y b. racking
    N c. buckling
    N d. crushing

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

2321: Your vessel has run aground and is touching bottom for the first one-quarter of its length. What is the LEAST desirable method from the standpoint of stability to decrease the bottom pressure?

    N a. Discharge forward deck cargo.
    Y b. Pump out the forepeak tank.
    N c. Shift deck cargo aft.
    N d. Flood an after double-bottom tank.

2400: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

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

2459: Tripping defects in anchors frequently occur in __________.

    N a. deep water
    N b. shallow water
    N c. stiff soils
    Y d. soft soils

2459: Tripping defects in anchors frequently occur in __________.

    N a. deep water
    N b. shallow water
    N c. stiff soils
    Y d. soft soils

2568: You are proceeding along the right bank of a narrow channel aboard a right-handed single-screw vessel. The vessel starts to sheer due to bank suction/cushion effect. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and put the rudder left full
    N b. back full with rudder amidships
    N c. decrease speed and put the rudder right full
    Y d. increase speed and put the rudder right full

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

2644: The boat is stowed on the davit rather than on a cradle with which type of davit?

    Y a. Crescent
    N b. Sheath-screw boom
    N c. Quadrantal
    N d. Radial

2652: You are using the anchor to steady the bow while maneuvering. You have the proper scope of anchor cable when the __________.

    Y a. bow is held in position with the engines coming slowly ahead
    N b. anchor is just touching the bottom
    N c. scope is not more than 5 times the depth of the water
    N d. cable enters the water at an angle between 60° and 85° from the horizontal

2785: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2861: A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

    N a. Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
    Y b. Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the pilot.
    N c. State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
    N d. Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.

2918: What is the period of validity of a De-Rat certificate?

    N a. Specific voyage
    Y b. 6 months
    N c. 1 year
    N d. 2 years

2978: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "E" (Echo) to signify that "________________".

    Y a. I am altering my course to starboard
    N b. I am altering my course to port
    N c. I am operating astern propulsion
    N d. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

3047: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    Y a. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern
    N b. at the bow
    N c. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N d. aft of the propellers

3064: What is the meaning of a flag hoist consisting of the code letters "WM" (Whiskey Mike) when displayed by an icebreaker?

    N a. "I am going ahead; follow me."
    N b. "You should stop your vessel instantly."
    Y c. "Icebreaker support is now commencing."
    N d. "Icebreaker support is finished."

3074: In securing a towing cable, consideration must be given to letting go in an emergency. The possible whip of towlines when released can be overcome by __________.

    N a. increasing the shaft RPM prior to release
    N b. using a pelican hook for quick release
    Y c. using preventers
    N d. using a short chain for the lead through the stern chock

3262: Fracture damage to the end links of the anchor cable, or to the Jews' harp may be eliminated by __________.

    N a. using a small diameter connecting shackle
    N b. ensuring the swivel is well lubricated and free to turn
    N c. installing the connecting shackle with the bow towards the anchor
    Y d. securing a piece of wood to the Jews' harp

3346: When connecting the tow bridle to a tug, the end of the bridle is passed with a __________.

    N a. heaving line
    N b. shot line
    N c. high line
    Y d. messenger line

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

3602: What is the penalty for desertion?

    N a. Fine of not more than 2000 dollars and forfeiture of wages
    N b. Imprisonment for not more than 2 years and/or a fine of not more than 2000 dollars
    N c. Revocation of Merchant Mariner's Document (and license if applicable) and forfeiture of wages due
    Y d. Forfeiture of money and property left on the vessel, and wages due

4121: The lashings used on Ro-Ro vessels should be capable of withstanding the forces of __________.

    N a. rolling
    N b. pitching
    N c. heaving
    Y d. All of the above

4149: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding lashing requirements to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. The securing of cargo on flats and trailers must be adequate to withstand road motions only.
    N b. The movements experienced by road borne cargo are the same as the movements of a ship at sea.
    Y c. The generally recommended lash angle is no greater than 45 degrees relative to the deck in any direction.
    N d. It is not necessary for an adequate number of securing points on the vehicles themselves since setting the brakes is sufficient.

4154: What should you be concerned with when loading and securing vehicles aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. That all fuel is drained from the vehicles' tanks to prevent fire hazard
    Y b. The size, weight, and center of gravity of vehicle/cargo unit
    N c. The preferred stowage of vehicles is athwartships wherever possible
    N d. The vehicles' brakes should not be set to allow for adjusting the lashings

4163: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 20 tons and 30 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    Y c. Three
    N d. None of the above

4164: According to the IMO Code, what are the minimum number of securing points that should be on each side of a "road vehicle", whose gross vehicle mass is between 30 tons and 40 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    N c. Three
    Y d. None 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