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.


31: An embarked Pilot __________.


68: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


244: "Hard right rudder" means __________.


294: Displacement refers to the __________.

    N a. cubic capacity of a vessel
    N b. deadweight carrying capacity of a vessel
    N c. gross tonnage of a vessel
    Y d. number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat

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

408: What is the meaning of the term tare weight?

    N a. Pounds of force necessary to damage a container
    N b. Total weight of a container and contents
    Y c. Weight of a container
    N d. Weight of the contents of a container

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

    N a. bow line
    Y b. breast line
    N c. forward spring line
    N d. None of the above

516: You are going ahead on twin engines with rudder amidships. Your starboard engine stalls. To continue on course, you should __________.

    Y a. apply left rudder
    N b. apply right rudder
    N c. increase engine speed
    N d. keep your rudder amidships

564: The anchors on the bow are known as __________.

    Y a. bower anchors
    N b. kedge anchors
    N c. spare anchors
    N d. stream anchors

694: An advantage of nylon rope over manila rope is that nylon rope __________.

    N a. can be used in conjunction with wire or spring-lay rope
    N b. can be stored on decks exposed to sunlight
    Y c. can hold a load even when a considerable amount of the yarns have been abraded
    N d. gives audible warning of overstress whereas manila does not

780: Bilge keels are more effective at dampening rolls as the __________.

    N a. pitching increases
    N b. list increases
    Y c. rolling increases
    N d. draft decreases

935: The scuppers had been plugged as required at the time an oil spill occurs on deck. After shutting down the transfer, the engineroom should first be informed and then __________.

    N a. rig a fire hose and call for water on deck
    Y b. spread an absorbent material, such as sawdust
    N c. remove the plugs from the scuppers
    N d. sound the general alarm

1014: In order to detect rot in manila lines, you should __________.

    N a. feel the surface of the line for broken fibers
    N b. measure the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. observe any mildew on the outer surface
    Y d. open the strands and examine the inner fibers

1062: An IOPP Certificate on an inspected vessel is valid for what period of time?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 18 months
    Y d. 5 years

1066: If your propeller is racing in rough weather, you should __________.

    Y a. decrease your engine speed
    N b. ignore it
    N c. increase your engine speed
    N d. stop your engine until the rough weather passes

1127: All entries in the Official Logbook must be signed by the Master and __________.

    N a. the Chief Engineer
    N b. the person about whom the entry concerns
    Y c. one other crew member
    N d. No other signature is required.

1130: The fittings used to secure a watertight door are known as __________.

    N a. clamps
    N b. clasps
    Y c. dogs
    N d. latches

1132: A lookout can leave his station __________.

    N a. at the end of the watch
    N b. at any time
    Y c. ONLY when properly relieved
    N d. 15 minutes before the end of the watch

1136: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier without the assistance of tugboats. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

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.

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

1358: Seeing that all hands are familiar with their duties, as specified in the muster list, is the responsibility of the __________.

    Y a. Master
    N b. Chief Mate
    N c. safety officer
    N d. department heads

1444: If kinking results while wire rope is being coiled clockwise, you should __________.

    N a. coil it counterclockwise
    N b. not coil it
    Y c. take a turn under
    N d. twist out the kinks under a strain

1473: The "carrick bend" is used to __________.

    N a. add strength to a weak spot in a line
    Y b. join two hawsers
    N c. be a stopper to transfer a line under strain
    N d. join lines of different sizes

1486: Which is NOT a part of an anchor?

    N a. Bill
    Y b. Devil's claw
    N c. Palm
    N d. Crown

1718: A combustible liquid with a flash point of 90°F would be grade __________.

    N a. B
    N b. C
    Y c. D
    N d. E

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

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

1823: Chafing gear __________.

    N a. reduces and prevents corrosion of standing rigging
    N b. prevents corrosion of running rigging
    Y c. reduces and prevents wear caused by the rubbing of one object against another
    N d. protects the body against extreme cold

1824: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 4.5 feet and a height of 3 feet?

    N a. 4.50 cubic ft.
    N b. 7.12 cubic ft.
    N c. 9.81 cubic ft.
    Y d. 15.90 cubic ft.

1829: The term "shift your rudder" means __________.

    Y a. change from right rudder to left rudder an equal number of degrees
    N b. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    N d. check the swing of the vessel

2045: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman will find it helpful to know the __________.

    N a. deviation on that heading
    N b. variation in the area
    N c. leeway
    Y d. amount of helm carried for a steady course

2070: Which statement about the Williamson turn is FALSE?

    Y a. It requires the highest degree of shiphandling skills to accomplish.
    N b. It is the slowest of the methods used in turning the vessel.
    N c. It is the best turn to use when the victim is not in sight due to reduced visibility.
    N d. It returns the vessel to the original track-line on a reciprocal course.

2130: In a racetrack turn, to recover a man overboard, the vessel is steadied for the SECOND time after a turn of how many degrees from the original heading?

    N a. 60°
    N b. 135°
    N c. 180°
    Y d. 360°

2182: What is the name of tackle number 4? (DO29DG )

    N a. Double whip
    N b. Luff tackle
    Y c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. 2-2 tackle

2191: A wooden deck installed on top of the plating lettered N is known as __________. (D033DG )

    N a. spar decking
    N b. furring
    Y c. ceiling
    N d. flooring

2240: What is the mechanical advantage of tackle number 1? (DO29DG )

    N a. 0.5
    Y b. 1
    N c. 1.5
    N d. 2

2256: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results as shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 180°? (D034DG )

    N a. 875 yards
    Y b. 910 yards
    N c. 975 yards
    N d. 1015 yards

2534: Great Lakes vessels, using liferafts, must have sufficient liferaft capacity on each side of the vessel to accommodate at least __________.

    N a. 50% of the persons on board
    Y b. 100% of the persons on board
    N c. 100% of the persons normally assigned to those spaces
    N d. 150% of the crew

2539: The distance between rivets in a row is known as the __________.

    N a. arm
    Y b. pitch
    N c. gage
    N d. rivet distance

2549: An example of a modern anchor which has a stock is a(n) __________.

    N a. articulated anchor
    N b. Flipper Delta anchor
    N c. Baldt anchor
    Y d. Danforth anchor

2560: 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. 101.02 numeral
    N b. 91.36 numeral
    N c. 72.43 numeral
    Y d. 52.79 numeral

2572: A tug would NOT assist a ship to steer if the tug is made up to the large vessel __________.

    N a. by a tow line ahead of the vessel
    N b. forward on either bow of the vessel
    Y c. approximately amidships of the vessel
    N d. on the vessel's quarter

2708: Which statement is TRUE with respect to the load line markings shown. (D031DG )

    Y a. A vessel displaying these marks may load in the salt waters of the St. Lawrence River.
    N b. Vessels engaged solely on Great Lakes voyages are not required to show these marks.
    N c. U.S. flag vessels less than 100 feet in length and less than 200 gross tons are not required to show these marks.
    N d. U.S. flag vessels of 100 gross tons and upward must show these marks.

2752: Which is a correct reply to a Pilot's request, "How's your head"?

    Y a. "Passing 040°"
    N b. "Steady"
    N c. "Checked"
    N d. "Eased to 15° rudder"

2940: A vessel reduces speed without backing. The rate that her speed through the water decreases depends primarily on the __________.

    N a. vessel's horsepower
    N b. sea state
    N c. number of propellers
    Y d. vessel's displacement

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

2976: Which statement is TRUE with respect to shiphandling procedures in ice?

    N a. Never go "full astern" at any time while in ice.
    Y b. Go astern in ice with extreme care - always with rudder amidships.
    N c. Enter ice at medium speeds to reduce impact.
    N d. The presence of a snow cover on the ice assists a vessel's progress through an ice field.

3094: Your vessel is underway and approaching an overhead obstruction on Lake Superior. Given the following information, determine the clearance between your vessel and the obstruction. Highest point on vessel: 74 ft. Lowest point of obstruction: 126 (LWD) Monthly lake level: +2 (LWD) International Great Lakes Datum: 600.0 (182.88 meters)

    N a. 474 feet
    N b. 400 feet
    N c. 175 feet
    Y d. 50 feet

3440: The circular steel structure installed around the propeller of a towboat is the __________.

    Y a. nozzle
    N b. shroud
    N c. strut
    N d. hood

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

3584: The tripping palm is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3689: The wildcat is linked to the central drive shaft on most windlasses by __________.

    N a. an electromagnetic brake
    N b. a hydraulic coupling
    N c. aligning the keyways on both and inserting a key
    Y d. a mechanical coupling where lugs engage detents

4032: The pivot pin at the base of a sheath-screw boom davit must be __________.

    N a. inserted each time before the booms are cranked out
    Y b. periodically removed for inspection and lubricated
    N c. replaced at each inspection for certification
    N d. in the locked position after the boat is cradled and griped down

4051: You are the operator of an uninspected vessel which is involved in an accident. You are not required to assist people affected by the accident if __________.

    N a. the other vessel did not appear to be sinking
    N b. it would unduly delay your voyage
    N c. the other vessel was at fault
    Y d. it would cause serious danger to your vessel

4091: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    Y b. center of gravity
    N c. centerline
    N d. bridge

4143: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Buckle tensioner
    Y c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Ratchet tensioner

4162: 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 3.5 tons and 20 tons, when carried on Ro-Ro vessels?

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

4188: The most important safety consideration during loading or discharge aboard a Ro-Ro vessel is __________.

    N a. having all crewmembers and longshoremen wear hard hats
    Y b. the thorough ventilation of all cargo spaces
    N c. ensuring that visitors cannot come aboard
    N d. having the outboard anchor down

4440: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard, starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. throw a life ring to mark the spot
    N c. put the rudder amidships
    Y d. give full right rudder