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.


118: Damage to cargo caused by fumes or vapors from liquids, gases, or solids is known as __________.


224: The term "Shift the Rudder" means __________.


225: For safety reasons, when assistance towing __________.


248: Dunnage may be used to protect a cargo from loss or damage by _______________________ .

    Y a. ship's sweat
    N b. inherent vice
    N c. tainting
    N d. hygroscopic absorption

262: Mousing a cargo hook with marline or small line __________.

    N a. increases the lifting capacity of the hook
    N b. protects the hook from the sling ring
    Y c. prevents the sling ring from coming out of the hook
    N d. All of the above

275: You have taken another vessel in tow. You can tell that the towing speed is too fast when the __________.

    N a. vessels are not in step
    N b. tow line feels like it is "jumping" when touched
    Y c. catenary comes clear of the water
    N d. towed vessel goes "in irons"

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

360: The label required on containers carrying barium oxide in an international shipment must read __________.

    Y a. "Poison"
    N b. "Spontaneously Combustible"
    N c. "Radioactive"
    N d. "Infectious Substance"

538: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 80°F (27°C) and the wet bulb temperature is 70°F (21°C), what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 45%
    N b. 52%
    Y c. 58%
    N d. 65%

554: Which part of the patent anchor performs the same function as the stock of an old fashioned anchor; that is, forces the flukes to dig in?

    N a. Bill or pea
    N b. Arm
    N c. Shank
    Y d. Tripping Palm

661: The number of certificated lifeboatmen required for a vessel is found on the __________.

    Y a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. lifeboats
    N d. Register or Enrollment

873: At the required fire drill, all persons must report to their stations and demonstrate their ability to perform the duties assigned to them __________.

    N a. by the Coast Guard regulations
    Y b. in the Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. by the person conducting the drill
    N d. at the previous safety meeting

883: The size and material used for towline(s) must meet all of the following requirements, EXCEPT ____________ .

    N a. be appropriate to the vessel's horsepower or bollard pull
    N b. be strong enough to handle any static or dynamic loads expected during its service life
    Y c. fit any spare wire clips carried on board the vessel for repair purposes
    N d. be suitable for exposure to the marine environment

1108: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N b. Nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    Y d. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.

1122: Freeing ports on a vessel with solid bulwarks __________.

    N a. prevent stress concentration in the bulwark
    N b. permit easy jettison of deck cargo in an emergency
    N c. provide openings through the bulwarks for mooring lines
    Y d. allow water shipped on deck to flow off rapidly

1206: You are landing a single-screw vessel with a left-handed propeller, starboard side to the dock. As you approach the dock you back your engine with your rudder amidships. You would expect the vessel to __________.

    N a. lose headway without swinging
    N b. turn its bow towards the dock
    Y c. turn its stern towards the dock
    N d. drift away from the dock

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

1445: What is an example of a fundamental objective of cargo stowage?

    N a. Load so the trim does not exceed 3 feet by the stern.
    N b. Make maximum use of existing dunnage.
    N c. Separate wet and dry cargoes into separate holds.
    Y d. Prevent overcarriage by block stowage.

1509: If an electric cargo winch is being used to lift a draft of cargo and the engine room loses all power, which will occur?

    N a. A pawl, forced by a spring mechanism, will engage the teeth of the bull gear and hold the load.
    Y b. An electromagnetic brake will hold the load where it is suspended.
    N c. The load will fall rapidly to the deck unless the foot brake is engaged.
    N d. The load will slowly lower to the deck under control of the drag of the winch motor.

1513: Which knot is suitable for hoisting an unconscious person?

    N a. Bowline in a bight
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Fisherman's loop
    N d. Spider hitch

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

1534: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE concerning wire rope?

    Y a. Wire rope should be condemned if the outside wires are worn to one-half their original diameter.
    N b. Wire rope should be condemned if the fiber core appears moist.
    N c. Wire rope which is right-hand laid should be coiled counterclockwise to prevent kinking.
    N d. All of the above

1553: The correct way to make an eye in a wire rope with clips is to place the clips with the __________.

    N a. first and third U-bolts on the bitter end and the second U-bolt on the standing part
    N b. first and third U-bolts on the standing part and the second U-bolt on the bitter end
    Y c. U-bolts of all clips on the bitter end
    N d. U-bolts of all clips on the standing part

1555: When carrying out a parallel track search pattern, the course of the search units should normally be which of the following?

    Y a. In the same direction as the anticipated drift
    N b. In the opposite direction of the anticipated drift
    N c. Perpendicular to the line of anticipated drift
    N d. Downwind

1576: Using a scope of five, determine how many shots of chain you should put out to anchor in 5 fathoms of water?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 5

1600: A person who sees someone fall overboard should __________.

    Y a. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N b. immediately jump in the water to assist the individual
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the bridge for the distress flares

1628: You are going ahead on twin engines when you want to make a quick turn to port. Which actions will turn your boat the fastest?

    Y a. Reverse port engine; apply left rudder
    N b. Reverse port engine; rudder amidships
    N c. Reverse starboard engine; apply left rudder
    N d. Reverse starboard engine; rudder amidships

1635: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1708: For the purpose of regulating tank vessels, flammable liquids are liquids which will __________.

    Y a. give off flammable vapors at or below 80°F (27°C)
    N b. have a Reid vapor pressure of 18 pounds or more
    N c. give off flammable vapors only above 80°F (27°C)
    N d. sustain combustion at a temperature at or below 100°F (38°C)

1751: The load line certificate is issued by __________.

    Y a. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. the National Cargo Bureau
    N c. the United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1781: Which organization usually assigns load lines to U.S. vessels?

    N a. National Load-Line Agency
    N b. National Shipping Bureau
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. American Regulations Council

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.

1842: The knot shown lettered W is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. clove hitch
    Y b. square knot
    N c. barrel hitch
    N d. stopper knot

1863: If a mooring line should part while you are tying up at a dock, you should make a temporary eye by tying a __________.

    N a. becket bend
    N b. clove hitch
    Y c. bowline
    N d. square knot

1958: When tandem tug towing, the more powerful of the two tugs should be __________.

    N a. the lead tug
    Y b. behind the lead tug
    N c. towing at a right angle to the smaller tug
    N d. towing at a faster speed than the smaller tug

1979: What is a proper size block to use with a 3-inch circumference Manila line?

    N a. At least a 12-inch sheave
    Y b. 9-inch cheek, 6-inch sheave
    N c. 8-inch cheek, any size sheave
    N d. 6-inch cheek, 4-inch sheave

2155: A case received for shipment has the markings shown. Each carton measures 13" X 15" X 23". What is the total cubic capacity the entire consignment will occupy if you assume 10% broken stowage? (D043DG )

    N a. 779 cubic feet (22 cubic meters)
    Y b. 857 cubic feet (24 cubic meters)
    N c. 1047 cubic feet (30 cubic meters)
    N d. 112,125 cubic feet (3173 cubic meters)

2158: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2166: A ballasted vessel sinks enroute to a dry dock. Under these circumstances, the vessel's owner can claim __________.

    Y a. actual total loss
    N b. constructive total loss
    N c. general average
    N d. particular average

2197: You are signing on crew members. The minimum number of people required aboard, and the qualifications of each, is listed on the __________.

    N a. Crew list
    N b. fo'c'sle card
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Articles of Agreement

2478: A "contra-guide" is a type of __________.

    N a. bow thruster
    N b. cargo gear
    N c. steering engine
    Y d. rudder

2684: Which statement about bilge keels is CORRECT?

    N a. They are critical strength members and require careful design consideration.
    Y b. They increase resistance to rolling.
    N c. They attach to a low stress area.
    N d. They provide support when the vessel is dry docked.

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.

2798: The primary purpose of the stud is to prevent the anchor chain from __________.

    Y a. kinking
    N b. distorting
    N c. elongating
    N d. breaking

2799: Who publishes the "Canadian List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals"?

    N a. The U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. The Canadian Coast Guard
    N c. The U.S. Hydrographic Service
    N d. The Canadian Hydrographic Service

2808: Under the forces of its own weight, the suspended length of line will fall into a shape known as a __________.

    N a. polygon
    N b. holding arc
    Y c. catenary curve
    N d. parabolic curve

2964: "Seiche" is defined as a(n) __________.

    N a. unusually strong storm system which approaches the Great Lakes System generally from the Northeast
    N b. lake current which is predominant during the spring and fall navigation season on the Great Lakes
    Y c. oscillation caused by the diminishing of forces which cause lake level fluctuations
    N d. higher than normal high water or lower than normal low water

3010: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold directly to a cargo tank and serves only one tank is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    N b. filler line
    Y c. tank drop
    N d. branch line

3073: 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?

    N a. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.
    N b. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    Y c. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.
    N d. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.

3079: What is a solid at ambient temperature?

    N a. Aniline
    N b. Formic acid
    N c. Methyl chloride
    Y d. Napthalene

3085: Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) publications should be __________.

    N a. in the Master's custody
    N b. safely stowed
    N c. turned over to the relieving Master
    Y d. All of the above

3102: When hip towing, a line led from the stern of the towboat forward to the barge provides the towing pull when __________.

    N a. going ahead
    N b. dead in the water
    N c. in a following current
    Y d. backing

3132: What may prevent a tug from tripping or capsizing when towing a large vessel?

    N a. Surge lines
    Y b. Norman Pins
    N c. Under riders
    N d. Safety shackles

3220: If you are guilty of failure to properly perform your duties as Master of Uninspected Towing Vessels, which of the following actions may NOT be taken?

    N a. Issuance of a letter of warning
    N b. Suspension of your license
    N c. Revocation of your license
    Y d. A fine placed against your license

3292: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

    N a. unlicensed shipping card from the union
    N b. quarters allocation
    Y c. copy of the shipping agreement
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

3410: When "checking down" a barge using a check line you should use __________.

    N a. one round turn and at least two figure-eights around the timber heads
    N b. at least three figure-eights around the timber heads
    N c. a clove hitch around one timber head
    Y d. at least three round turns around one timber head

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

4206: Which piece(s) of equipment is/are required to "twin-up" 30-ton pedestal cranes aboard a crane vessel?

    Y a. Equalizing beam
    N b. Portable power swivel
    N c. 20-foot container spreader
    N d. All of the above

4214: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Slewing control

4257: Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE regarding twin pedestal cranes?

    N a. A slew drive system provides for rotation of each crane.
    N b. An independent slew drive system rotates the turntable.
    N c. Each crane is supplied with luff, hoist, and slew functions for crane load handling.
    Y d. All of the above