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?


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


101: You can safely step in the bight of a line __________.


133: The standard unit of liquid volume used in the petroleum industry, as well as the tanker industry, is a __________.

    Y a. barrel
    N b. drum
    N c. gallon
    N d. liter

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.

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

324: A "chock" is a __________.

    N a. deck fitting used to secure mooring lines
    Y b. casting fitted at the side of a weather deck, used as a fairlead
    N c. sharp block of wood used to support hygroscopic cargo
    N d. smoke pipe for the galley stove

345: What does the helm command "shift the rudder" mean?

    N a. Put the rudder amidships and hold the heading steady as she goes.
    Y b. Put the rudder over to the opposite side, the same number of degrees it is now.
    N c. Shift the rudder control to the alternate steering method.
    N d. Stop the swing of the ship.

370: Cottonseed oil is classed as a __________.

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

372: Keeping the draft at or below the load line mark will insure that the vessel has adequate __________.

    N a. ballast
    Y b. reserve buoyancy
    N c. displacement
    N d. rolling periods

457: You are the operator of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N b. Able seamen are not required in the deck crew.
    Y c. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N d. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.

508: When the dew point of the outside air is lower than or equal to the dew point of the air in the cargo hold, you should __________.

    N a. secure all ventilation
    N b. shut down the exhaust blowers
    N c. shut down the intake blowers
    Y d. ventilate the cargo holds

510: You have loaded dangerous cargo on your vessel and must fill out a Dangerous Cargo Manifest. In which publication would you find the requirements to complete this form?

    N a. 33 CFR - Navigation and Navigable Waters
    Y b. 46 CFR - Shipping
    N c. IMCO - Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization
    N d. IMDG - International Maritime Dangerous Goods

514: The part of an anchor which takes hold on the bottom is the __________.

    N a. arm
    N b. base
    Y c. fluke
    N d. stock

648: Bulk cargo refers to __________.

    N a. cargo which occupies a large volume of space
    N b. cargo which requires refrigeration
    N c. cargo which is very dense
    Y d. homogeneous cargo not enclosed in a container

735: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. main brace
    Y b. tow span
    N c. jockey bar
    N d. None of the above

834: A whipping on a fiber line __________.

    Y a. keeps the ends from fraying
    N b. strengthens it
    N c. protects your hands
    N d. becomes part of a splice

860: Which category of able seaman is not authorized to be counted as an able seaman on a seagoing tug of over 100 gross tons?

    N a. Unlimited
    N b. Limited
    N c. Special
    Y d. Special (OSV)

876: You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel. As you approach the other vessel's stern __________.

    N a. you will gain speed
    N b. both vessels will gain speed
    Y c. the vessels will drift together
    N d. the vessels will drift apart

959: A relief valve for a cargo pump is generally installed __________.

    N a. after the discharge valve
    Y b. between the pump and discharge valve
    N c. after the suction valve
    N d. between the pump and suction valve

990: Freeboard is measured from the upper edge of the __________.

    N a. bulwark
    Y b. deck line
    N c. gunwale bar
    N d. sheer strake

1045: If a hydraulic pump on a winch accidentally stops while hoisting, the load will stay suspended because __________.

    Y a. a check valve will close and prevent reverse circulation
    N b. a centrifugal counterweight counteracts the force of gravity.
    N c. the electric pump motor will cut out
    N d. the control lever will move to the stop position

1049: You have water washed your cargo tanks using the fixed machines. What should you do before using portable machines to clean areas screened from the wash of the fixed machine by structural members?

    Y a. Ventilate the tank to eliminate any electrostatically charged mist.
    N b. Attach the water supply hose to the portable machine after the cleaning head is positioned inside the tank.
    N c. Insure that the tanks are not stripped until the final wash is started.
    N d. Ground the fixed machines to eliminate any electrostatic buildup on the cleaning head.

1118: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N b. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    Y c. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N d. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requiring repairs costing $19,000.

1149: You are on anchor watch. As an aid to preventing thievery on the vessel you should __________.

    N a. show running lights, anchor lights and deck lights
    N b. only show the required anchor lights and keep the rest of the vessel darkened
    N c. maintain water on deck with firehoses led out and all-purpose nozzles attached
    Y d. show anchor lights, deck lights and cargo lights hung over the vessel's side

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

1209: When cargo is being worked using a Burton or married fall system, which part of the cargo gear is most likely to fail?

    N a. Boom
    N b. Gooseneck
    Y c. Guy tackle
    N d. Topping lift

1226: You are docking a vessel starboard side to with the assistance of two tugs. You are attempting to hold the vessel off by operating both tugs at right angles to the vessel and at full power. You must ensure that __________.

    N a. steerageway is not taken off
    N b. the bow doesn't close the dock first
    N c. the bow closes the dock first
    Y d. the ship has no headway at the time

1251: What is NOT a primary function of the freight forwarder?

    N a. To book cargo space in advance
    N b. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment
    Y c. To provide financial assistance to the shipper when required
    N d. Clear the goods through customs

1252: Control of flooding should be addressed __________.

    N a. first
    Y b. following control of fire
    N c. following restoration of vital services
    N d. only if a threat exists

1368: Fire and abandon ship stations and duties may be found on the __________.

    N a. crewman's duty list
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. shipping articles
    Y d. muster list

1505: The supplement to the IOPP Certificate contains what type of data?

    N a. The grades of cargo that an oil tanker is permitted to carry.
    Y b. A checklist of the equipment installed for controlling the discharge of oil.
    N c. The trade routes upon which the vessel may operate.
    N d. A list of the underwriters who will assume financial responsibility in the event of an oil spill.

1578: A stream of water immediately surrounding a moving vessel's hull, flowing in the same direction as the vessel is known as __________.

    N a. directional current
    N b. forward current
    N c. propeller current
    Y d. wake current

1610: The joint formed when two steel shell plates are placed longitudinally side to side is called a __________.

    N a. bevel
    N b. bond
    N c. strake
    Y d. seam

1637: Which statement about a vessel's stability while dry-docking is TRUE?

    Y a. Every ton of weight bearing on the blocks acts as if a ton of weight was removed at keel level.
    N b. When the ship touches the blocks, the beam for stability purposes increases to the beam of the dry-dock.
    N c. The stability of the vessel increases as a dock is pumped out due to the support of the keel blocks.
    N d. As the dock begins to support the weight of the vessel, stability calculations are based on the ship and dock as a single unit.

1675: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter D? (D003DG )

    Y a. Tropical load line
    N b. Summer load line
    N c. Fresh load line
    N d. Winter load line

1687: What is the perimeter of a circle with a radius of 4.2 feet?

    Y a. 26.39 ft
    N b. 21.19 ft
    N c. 17.81 ft
    N d. 13.20 ft

1779: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 58°, and the wet bulb temperature is 53°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 56%
    N b. 61%
    N c. 66%
    Y d. 75%

1807: When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Evacuation should be from an area forward of the bridge.
    N b. The vessel should be slowed to bare steerageway.
    N c. If the hoist is at the stern, booms extending aft at the stern should be cradled with the topping lifts hove taut.
    Y d. The litter should not be touched until it has been grounded.

1822: What is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.
    N b. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    N c. Free surface effect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads if the turn is too quick.
    Y d. The barge may pass under the hawser and capsize the tug.

1975: The knot lettered F in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

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

2025: What is the chief hazard encountered when surging synthetic mooring lines on the gypsyhead during operations?

    N a. If there is sudden strain, the man tending the line may be pulled into the gypsyhead.
    N b. The lines may jam and then jump off the gypsyhead.
    N c. The lines' surging may cause the vessel to surge.
    Y d. The heat generated may cause the lines to temporarily fuse to the gypsyhead.

2123: Your vessel is required to have a slop chest. Which of the following articles is NOT required by law to be carried in the slop chest?

    N a. Foul weather clothing
    Y b. Candy
    N c. Tobacco products
    N d. Blankets

2148: You are the Master of an uninspected diesel towing vessel of 190 GT operating on a regular run from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. All crew members must have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    N b. A licensed Chief Engineer is required.
    N c. Deck watches may be 6 and 6.
    N d. Able Seamen are not required in the deck crew.

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

2855: A 150-meter vessel is proceeding down the course of a narrow channel in the Great Lakes System. A 60-meter vessel is starting to cross the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. If the smaller vessel is engaged in fishing, he shall not impede the passage of the other vessel.
    N b. The crossing vessel has the right of way.
    N c. The vessel in the channel must slow to her steerageway.
    N d. The larger vessel is considered to be a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

3017: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.
    Y b. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N c. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N d. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.

3204: What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel forward of the parallel mid-body?

    N a. Run
    N b. Flare
    Y c. Entrance
    N d. Sheer

3434: The Scharnow turn should be used in a man overboard situation only when __________.

    N a. the man can be kept in sight from the bridge while maneuvering
    N b. the turn is started immediately when the man goes over
    Y c. there has been sufficient time elapsed since the man went over to complete the maneuver
    N d. the vessel has twin screws to assist in making the turn

3436: The signal man assisting the crane operator has one hand occupied and one fist in front of his chest with the thumb pointing outward and is tapping his chest with the heel of his fist. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. extend the boom
    N b. lower the boom
    Y c. retract the boom
    N d. hoist the boom

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

3486: When a two-leg sling is used to lift a load, a sling 40 feet long is better than one of 30 feet because the __________.

    Y a. tension in the sling legs is less
    N b. load can be lifted higher
    N c. sling will be easier to attach
    N d. sling will be easier to remove

3604: The Jews' harp is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. K
    N b. J
    N c. H
    N d. F

3604: The Jews' harp is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

    Y a. K
    N b. J
    N c. H
    N d. F

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

    N a. deadeyes
    N b. bollards
    N c. bitts
    Y d. chocks

4101: Which of the following is a characteristic of a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Passenger tours available upon docking
    N b. Long port stays necessary to secure vehicles
    Y c. Short in port turnaround times
    N d. Heavy vehicles only require lightweight securing equipment

4135: An advantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it __________.

    Y a. has long life
    N b. is light weight
    N c. absorbs shock
    N d. has fine adjustment

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

4260: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding the operation of a crane?

    Y a. The load is handled by the hoisting winch and cargo block.
    N b. The crane jib is raised and lowered by the hoisting winch.
    N c. The cargo block is raised and lowered by the luffing winch.
    N d. All the above

4281: Which statement is TRUE concerning a tagline as used with a 30-ton pedestal crane?

    N a. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the jib.
    N b. Taglines are wire ropes payed-out or taken-in for positioning the crane pedestal.
    Y c. Taglines can be fastened to the corners of vehicles or containers during cargo operations.
    N d. Taglines are wire rope purchases that raise and lower the topping lift.