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.


20: You are carrying triethylamine, methyl methacrylate and isoprene in your multiple-product tankship. Which of the following statements is true?


199: What is a cofferdam?


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


297: Commercial ships or other persons or agencies requiring the assistance of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers should first contact __________.

    N a. the Canadian Coast Guard
    Y b. Ice Sarnia
    N c. the Ice Navigation Center
    N d. the icebreaker assigned to the area

347: You are the person in charge of a 199 GRT uninspected towing vessel engaged in coastwise towing from the Gulf of Mexico to the New York area, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    Y a. Certificates of Discharge are not required to be issued.
    N b. All crew members shall have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N d. The sailors shall be divided into 3 watches.

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.

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

    N a. 86.72 numeral
    N b. 89.98 numeral
    Y c. 91.40 numeral
    N d. 93.18 numeral

498: When the dew point of the outside air is higher than the dew point of the air in the cargo hold, you should __________.

    N a. energize the exhaust blowers
    N b. energize the intake blowers
    Y c. not ventilate the cargo holds
    N d. ventilate the cargo holds

541: The official number of a documented vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    Y b. required to be permanently marked on the vessel's structure
    N c. required to be painted on the vessel's stern
    N d. required to be painted on the vessel's bow

605: You would properly secure a gantline to a bosun's chair with a __________.

    N a. fisherman's bend
    N b. bowline
    Y c. double sheet bend
    N d. double blackwall hitch

625: Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. Your stern is sucked down and your draft increases when going from deep to shallow water.
    N b. Excessive speed while passing moored vessels may cause them to surge and break their moorings.
    N c. Excessive speed while passing a tow being pushed ahead or pushing a tow into an eddy too fast may break up the tow.
    Y d. None of the above

636: The use of an anchor to assist in turning in restricted waters is __________.

    N a. a last resort
    Y b. good seamanship
    N c. the sign of a novice shiphandler
    N d. to be used only with a single-screw vessel

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

658: When carrying a full or nearly full load of bulk ore in a general cargo type vessel which has engine spaces amidships, the cargo in each hold should be trimmed so that the bulk of the cargo lies __________.

    N a. along the centerline
    N b. toward the forward bulkhead of the forward holds and toward the after bulkhead of the after holds
    Y c. toward the after bulkhead of the forward holds and the forward bulkhead of the after holds
    N d. toward the after bulkhead of all holds

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

914: When natural fiber rope gets wet, the __________.

    N a. overall strength of the line will decrease
    Y b. line shrinks in length
    N c. line will become more elastic
    N d. line will be easier to handle

1081: You are Master of a U.S. flag vessel which was dry docked for bottom cleaning in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Upon return to a U.S. port, you must __________.

    Y a. file a customs' form for duty on this repair
    N b. file no extra reports
    N c. file a report of the dry docking with the U.S.C.G. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N d. obtain a U.S. Coast Guard diver to certify the work

1106: A vessel is underway with a work stage rigged over the side. A seaman may work on the stage, but only when __________.

    N a. wearing a life jacket
    N b. wearing a safety harness secured to the stage
    N c. wearing both a life jacket and a safety harness secured to the stage
    Y d. the vessel is not making way

1150: In ship construction, frame spacing is __________.

    N a. greater at the bow and stern
    Y b. reduced at the bow and stern
    N c. uniform over the length of the vessel
    N d. uniform over the length of the vessel, with the exception of the machinery spaces, where it is reduced due to increased stresses

1186: Which term describes a rope in which three right-handed strands are laid up left-handed?

    N a. Soft-laid
    N b. Hard-laid
    N c. Shroud laid
    Y d. Hawser-laid

1194: What type of line melts easiest?

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

1213: What minimum size manila line is required to hold a weight of 932 pounds, if you use a safety factor of six?

    N a. 2.0"
    Y b. 2.5"
    N c. 3.0"
    N d. 3.5"

1220: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1308: The S.S. Sheet Bend arrives in New York after encountering heavy weather on a voyage from Cape Town. Who will note the protest for the Master?

    N a. Collector of Customs
    Y b. Notary Public
    N c. Officer in Charge Marine Inspection
    N d. U.S. Shipping Commissioner

1560: Which arrangement of shell plating is used most in modern shipbuilding?

    N a. Clinker
    Y b. Flush
    N c. In-and-Out
    N d. Joggled

1660: The strake on each side of the keel is called a __________.

    N a. sheer strake
    N b. gatewood strake
    N c. insulation strake
    Y d. garboard strake

1819: The stringer plate is represented by which letter? (D033DG )

    Y a. A
    N b. C
    N c. I
    N d. N

1845: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

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.

1916: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 68°, and the wet bulb temperature is 65°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? ( D008DG )

    N a. 66%
    N b. 74%
    Y c. 82%
    N d. 90%

1950: You are proceeding to a distress site and expect large numbers of people in the water. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You should stop to windward of the survivors in the water and only use the ship's boats to recover the survivors.
    N b. If the survivors are in inflatable rafts you should approach from windward to create a lee for the survivors.
    Y c. An inflatable liferaft secured alongside can be an effective boarding station for transfer of survivors from the boats.
    N d. Survivors in the water should never be permitted alongside due to the possibility of injury from the vessel.

1963: What should you do to a line to prevent fraying where it passes over the side of the vessel?

    N a. Worm that part of the line.
    N b. Splice that part of the line.
    Y c. Cover it with chafing gear.
    N d. Install a cleat.

1981: The boom stops on a pedestal crane prevent the boom from __________.

    Y a. being raised too high
    N b. swinging at sea
    N c. overloading when not in use
    N d. being lowered too low

1988: When towing, what is the main reason for using a chain bridle on a wire hawser?

    N a. It makes for an easy connection.
    Y b. It gives a spring effect to cushion the shock.
    N c. It eliminates the necessity of a swivel.
    N d. It does not chafe.

2068: You intend to tow a barge with one tug and expect continuous high winds from the north. To reduce the yaw of your tow, you should __________.

    N a. reduce the draft of the barge
    Y b. shorten one leg of the bridle
    N c. place bulky deck loads as far aft as possible
    N d. trim the barge down by the bow

2156: You are standing watch on entering port and the Master gives a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. You should ensure the helmsman __________.

    Y a. obeys the Master
    N b. obeys the Pilot
    N c. brings the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting positions
    N d. asks the Pilot if he has relinquished control

2168: What is the name of tackle number 6? (DO29DG )

    N a. Triple purchase
    N b. Clew garnet tackle
    N c. Boat falls
    Y d. Threefold purchase

2173: What is the name of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 3-2 purchase
    Y b. Double luff tackle
    N c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. Four-fold whip

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

2221: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20
    Y b. 15
    N c. 10
    N d. 5

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

2254: You are using tackle number 4 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 10. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 5
    N c. 9
    Y d. 20

2342: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 3 feet and a length of 8 feet?

    Y a. 1.62
    N b. 1.98
    N c. 3.23
    N d. 6.46

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.

2474: Generally speaking, the more destructive storms occurring on the Great Lakes usually come from the __________.

    N a. northeast or east
    Y b. southwest or west
    N c. northwest or north
    N d. southeast or south

2597: On a small boat, if someone fell overboard and you did not know over which side the person fell, you should __________.

    N a. immediately reverse the engines
    Y b. stop the propellers from turning and throw a ring buoy over the side
    N c. increase speed to full to get the vessel away from the person
    N d. first put the rudder hard over in either direction

2606: You are approaching the pilot station with the wind fine on the starboard bow and making about 3 knots. You can help to calm the seas by taking what action just before the pilot boat comes along on the port side?

    N a. Backing full
    N b. Stopping the engines
    N c. Giving right full rudder
    Y d. A short burst of ahead full with left full rudder

2639: A wooden plug fitted tightly in the vent of a damaged tank may prevent the tank from __________.

    Y a. filling completely
    N b. developing free surface
    N c. developing free surface moment
    N d. collapsing

2709: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker should indicate that she is ready to cast off the towline by __________.

    Y a. displaying code letter "Y" (Yankee)
    N b. sounding five short blasts on his whistle
    N c. displaying code numeral "5"
    N d. sounding one prolonged blast on his whistle

2769: You will be advised of any hazardous areas due to the fallout of a nuclear explosive by a message with the code word __________.

    Y a. MERWARN
    N b. NUCLEAR
    N c. FALLOUT
    N d. FALLWARN

2952: Spontaneous heating of coal rapidly accelerates at the approximate minimum temperature of __________.

    N a. 88°F
    Y b. 100°F
    N c. 111°F
    N d. 119°F

3061: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

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

3340: It is NOT advisable to use nylon for alongside towing because it __________.

    Y a. stretches too much
    N b. is too difficult to make fast
    N c. parts too readily
    N d. is too susceptible to mildew

3448: When inspecting ground tackle, fractures are most frequently found in the __________.

    N a. anchor shank
    Y b. end links
    N c. swivel
    N d. fluke

3550: When can a look-out leave his duty station?

    N a. 15 minutes before the end of the watch
    N b. At the end of the watch
    Y c. When properly relieved
    N d. At any time

4223: What does item "A" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Boom luffing falls
    Y b. Cargo hoist falls
    N c. Remote block tagline system
    N d. Slewing cable

4240: It is the responsibility of the crane operator to, at all times, be aware of the location of the __________.

    N a. load
    N b. hook
    N c. boom
    Y d. All of the above

4253: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. Each single boom is of the partial-level luffing type and is capable of limited rotation.
    N b. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N c. An independent slew drive system rotates the turntable.
    Y d. All of the above

4442: Insulating flanges minimize the dangers arising from __________.

    N a. smoking on deck
    N b. loading asphalt
    Y c. accumulations of electrostatic charges
    N d. tank over-pressurization