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.


75: Frames to which the tank top and bottom shell are fastened are called __________.


148: Overcarriage is best prevented by __________.


167: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot on board and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?


195: You are transporting dangerous cargo on your vessel. The Dangerous Cargo Manifest must be signed by the __________.

    N a. shipper
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector
    Y c. Master or his authorized representative
    N d. Master only

225: For safety reasons, when assistance towing __________.

    N a. the disabled vessel should be towed to the nearest port
    N b. the disabled vessel should be inspected for flammable gases
    N c. passengers should always be removed from the disabled vessel
    Y d. personnel on the disabled vessel should don PFD's

300: On which form do you provide a written report of Marine Casualty to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. DD 214
    Y b. CG 2692
    N c. DOT 211
    N d. CG 5511

309: When planning the loading or discharging of a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) what is the most important consideration?

    N a. Draft and trim
    Y b. Limits of the bending moments
    N c. Rate of discharging
    N d. Rate of loading

340: Argon is classified as a __________.

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

351: Which certificate is issued by the American Bureau of Shipping?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Load Line Certificate
    N c. Safety Equipment Certificate
    N d. Permit to Proceed for repairs

428: Your vessel is going from a warm climate to a cold climate with a hygroscopic cargo. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must ventilate constantly and vigorously to combat ship sweat.
    N b. You should ventilate; there is little danger of ship sweat, but a possibility of cargo sweat.
    N c. There is danger of heavy cargo sweat if you ventilate.
    N d. There is little danger of any sweat problem.

487: One method of removing kinks from fiber rope is to __________.

    N a. coil the line against the lay
    Y b. tow the line astern until it straightens
    N c. stretch the line until it reaches its elastic limit
    N d. cut out each kink and splice

637: A tow bridle is attached to the main tow hawser at the __________.

    N a. bight ring
    N b. tow hook
    Y c. fishplate
    N d. swivel

659: You are planning to use the crude oil washing system on your tankship. What is required to prevent electrostatic buildup in the tanks?

    N a. The portable machines must be set at the proper drop for the first wash before the fixed machines are used.
    Y b. The source tank for the tank cleaning machines must have least one meter decanted from it.
    N c. The inert gas system must reduce the oxygen content in the tanks to a maximum of 18%.
    N d. The fixed machines must be operated simultaneously with the portable machines to equalize the electrostatic potential.

667: While towing in shallow water you should consider __________.

    N a. using a short towing hawser
    Y b. using a floating hawser
    N c. the catenary and the effect it may have on the tow
    N d. All of the above

833: The Master may require part of the crew to work when needed for ___________ .

    N a. maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring and unmooring
    N b. performing work necessary for the safety of the vessel, its passengers, crew or cargo
    N c. performing fire, lifeboat or other drills in port or at sea
    Y d. All of the above

1037: After an IOPP Certificate is issued to an inspected vessel, how many other surveys of the vessel's pollution prevention equipment are conducted during the period of validity of the certificate?

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

1092: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

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

1102: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. after breast line
    N b. after spring line
    Y c. inshore stern line
    N d. offshore stern line

1146: While your vessel is docked port side to a wharf, a sudden gale force wind causes the vessel's bow lines to part. The bow begins to fall away from the dock, and no tugs are immediately available. Which measure(s) should you take FIRST?

    N a. Call the Master and the deck gang.
    N b. Slip the stern lines, let the vessel drift into the river, and then anchor.
    Y c. Let go the starboard anchor.
    N d. Obtain assistance and attempt to put some new bow lines out.

1166: You are 15 feet off a pier and docking a vessel using only a bow and stern breast line. Once the slack is out of both lines you begin to haul in on the bow breast line. What is the effect on the vessel?

    N a. The bow will come in and the stern will go out.
    N b. The whole ship moves toward the pier.
    Y c. The bow will come in and the stern will remain the same distance off the pier.
    N d. The stern will come in and the bow will remain the same distance off the pier.

1168: A vessel has completed loading cargo in the port of San Francisco. What document is signed by the Master stating the terms that goods were delivered and received by the ship?

    N a. Bill of Goods
    Y b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Cargo Manifest
    N d. Cargo Receipt

1211: When clearing a vessel for a foreign voyage, the original crew list is duly certified by proper authority. In a U.S. port, this authority is the U.S. __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. Customs
    N c. Immigration Service
    N d. Public Health Service

1214: Which statement is TRUE about nylon line?

    N a. Manila line will usually last longer than nylon line.
    N b. Nylon line is excellent for use in alongside towing.
    N c. A normal safe working load will stretch nylon line 50%.
    Y d. Nylon stoppers should be used with nylon line.

1228: A cargo exception would appear on __________.

    Y a. a Bill of Lading
    N b. the cargo manifest
    N c. the Export Declaration
    N d. a Letter of Indemnity

1276: When moored with a Mediterranean moor, the ship should be secured to the pier by having __________.

    Y a. a stern line and two quarter lines crossing under the stern
    N b. a stern line, 2 bow lines, and 2 quarter lines leading aft to the pier
    N c. all regular lines leading to the pier in opposition to the anchor
    N d. two bow lines and two midship lines leading aft to the pier

1357: The area indicated by the letter G is known as the __________. (D033DG )

    N a. entrance
    N b. stringer plate
    Y c. turn of the bilge
    N d. garboard

1464: When talking about wire rope, the lay of the wire is the __________.

    Y a. direction wires and strands are twisted together
    N b. number of strands in the wire
    N c. direction the core is twisted
    N d. material used in the core

1524: A mooring line is described as being 6x24, 1-3/4 inch wire rope. What do the above numbers refer to?

    N a. Strands, yarns, circumference
    Y b. Strands, wires, diameter
    N c. Wires, yarns, diameter
    N d. Strands, circumference, wires

1551: A majority of the crew requests a survey from the American Consul to determine a vessel's seaworthiness. The vessel is found unfit to continue her intended voyage. The Consul allows the vessel to sail to another port where deficiencies can be corrected. The crew must __________.

    N a. be discharged and given first class passage back to the original port of signing on in lieu of one month's wages
    N b. be discharged by the American Consul with additional one month's wages until repairs are made
    N c. be furnished employment on another vessel returning to the United States which is satisfactory to that crew
    Y d. comply with the judgment

1730: A disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line, is called the __________.

    N a. deadrise mark
    N b. maximum allowable draft mark
    Y c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. tonnage mark

1782: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel should be stopped with the wind dead ahead during the hoisting operation.
    Y b. Flags should be flown to provide a visual reference as to the direction of the apparent wind.
    N c. The drop line should be grounded first then secured as close to the hoist point as possible.
    N d. The hoist area should be located as far aft as possible so the pilot will have a visual reference while approaching.

1804: Instead of whipping an end of a line, a temporary means of preventing the line from unraveling is to tie a __________.

    N a. becket bend
    N b. blackwall hitch
    Y c. figure-eight knot
    N d. square knot

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

1976: Which letter indicates a longitudinal? (D033DG )

    N a. C
    N b. E
    Y c. L
    N d. M

2020: To facilitate passing the end of a large rope through a block, you could use a __________.

    N a. gantline
    N b. head line
    Y c. reeving line
    N d. sail line

2063: A "spring line" is __________.

    N a. any wire rope used for mooring
    N b. a fire-warp
    Y c. a mooring line running diagonally to the keel
    N d. a mooring line perpendicular to the keel

2112: What is NOT surveyed at an annual load line survey?

    N a. The overall structure and layout of the vessel for alterations to the superstructure
    Y b. The bilge pumping system
    N c. Main deck hatch covers
    N d. Portholes and deadlights in the side plating

2175: Which is a negotiated charter?

    Y a. Fixture
    N b. Bill of Lading
    N c. Conference agreement
    N d. All of the above

2258: The knot lettered L in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    Y b. double blackwall hitch
    N c. fisherman's bend
    N d. timber hitch

2259: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are as shown. Based on this data what is the advance for a turn of 90°? (D035DG )

    N a. 490 yards
    N b. 350 yards
    Y c. 800 yards
    N d. 885 yards

2284: In determining the scope of anchor line to pay out when anchoring a small boat, one must consider the __________.

    N a. charted depth of water only
    Y b. depth of water, including tidal differences
    N c. type of line being used for the anchor rope
    N d. type of anchor being used

2344: An example of an anchor which has a stock is a __________.

    N a. Bruce anchor
    N b. Dunn anchor
    N c. Hook anchor
    Y d. Danforth anchor

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.

2588: Rivets are usually made of __________.

    N a. wrought-iron
    N b. aluminum
    N c. high-tensile steel
    Y d. mild steel

2624: The certificate of loading required by each vessel carrying grain in bulk is issued by the __________.

    N a. owner or charterer of the vessel
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. shipper of the cargo
    Y d. National Cargo Bureau

2882: What does the line labeled "MS" denote on the Great Lakes load line model shown? (D031DG )

    N a. Mean sea level
    N b. Midseason
    N c. Maximum submergence
    Y d. Midsummer

2921: The process of lowering a boom to a horizontal position and onto its deck support is called __________.

    N a. spotting a boom
    N b. collaring a boom
    Y c. cradling a boom
    N d. toppling a boom

3013: Which will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    Y b. Trimming the tow by the bow
    N c. Trimming the tow by the stern
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

3031: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. vessel must be in extremis
    N b. Master must request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N c. Master should release the Pilot from all liability
    Y d. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course

3042: A Great Lakes vessel bound for Anticosti Island is exempt from the IMO Grain Regulations if the vessel meets all of the following standards EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the metacentric height corrected for free surface must meet regulatory minimums throughout the voyage
    Y b. slack surfaces should be in a mound
    N c. the longitudinal strength of the vessel must not be imperiled
    N d. the Master must ascertain the expected weather conditions enroute

3052: How should you signal the crane operator to lower the boom?

    Y a. With arm extended and fingers closed, point thumb downward.
    N b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm with the palm down, and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. With hands clasped in front of your body.

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

3086: Which statement concerning the navigation of a vessel in ice is FALSE?

    N a. Anchoring in the presence of ice is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N b. Towing a vessel through an ice field is not recommended except in an emergency.
    N c. The "Free and Proceed" system of escorting a beset vessel cuts down on the number of freeing operations.
    Y d. When anchoring in ice, it is advisable to increase the scope of the chain over what is normally used for non-icing conditions.

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

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

3432: A vessel is wind rode when it is __________.

    Y a. at anchor and heading into the wind
    N b. backing into the wind
    N c. carrying lee rudder
    N d. necessary to apply a leeway correction to the course

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.

4155: Which factor(s) should be considered when loading vehicles or trailers aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Layout of decks
    N b. Vertical clearances
    N c. Tie-down and lashing
    Y d. All of the above

4280: Which statement is FALSE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    Y a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes for horizontal positioning of the rider block.
    N c. Taglines can be fastened to corners of vehicles or containers.
    N d. The crane might not have taglines installed in its rigging system.

4390: When a helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder," the helmsman's immediate reply should be __________.

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