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.


6: Which statement about a tunnel bow thruster is TRUE?


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


114: You are on watch at sea on course 090°T. A man falls overboard on your starboard side. You immediately start a Williamson Turn. Which step is NOT a part of a Williamson Turn?


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

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

162: Oil may NOT be transferred unless __________.

    N a. there are two certificated tankermen on each vessel
    N b. the vessel is equipped with constant-tension winches
    Y c. discharge containment equipment (i.e. drip pans) are in place
    N d. All of the above

198: Battens are fitted in cargo holds across the frames of the vessel from the turn of the bilge upward. The purpose of these cargo battens is __________.

    N a. for securing a snatch block when snaking cargo into the wings of the hold
    Y b. to prevent cargo from coming in contact with the vessel's frames or shell plating
    N c. to provide fittings to which cargo lashings may be secured
    N d. to support the dunnage floors which are laid down between tiers of cargo

221: A vessel arrives in a foreign port and the Master is informed that the vessel is being sold to foreign interests. The new owners request that the crew remain on board to complete the voyage. Under these circumstances, the crew __________.

    Y a. has the right to an immediate discharge and transportation to original port of engagement
    N b. must remain on board
    N c. must comply with the decision made by the Master
    N d. must remain aboard until the vessel is delivered to the new owners at a mutually agreed upon port

254: "Ease the rudder" means to __________.

    N a. move the rudder slowly in the direction of the most recent rudder command
    N b. bring the rudder amidships
    Y c. decrease the rudder angle
    N d. steer the course which is your present heading

291: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel making coastwise runs. Whenever a crew member is discharged from your vessel you must __________.

    N a. issue a Certificate of Discharge and make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    Y b. issue a Certificate of Discharge or make an entry in his Continuous Discharge Book
    N c. retain the crew member's Continuous Discharge Book onboard
    N d. retain the crew member's Certificate of Discharge onboard

385: In controlling pollution, which action should be taken after all dirty ballast has been transferred to the slop tank and prior to discharge through the oily water separator?

    N a. The clean tanks should be ballasted.
    Y b. The slops should be allowed time to settle.
    N c. Chemicals should be added to emulsify the oil.
    N d. The dirty ballast tank is crude oil washed.

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.

596: Before entering an ice area, the ship should be __________.

    N a. either trimmed by the head or the stern
    N b. on an even keel
    N c. trimmed down by the head
    Y d. trimmed down by the stern

621: Which document shows details of a tank vessel, cargoes it may carry, manning and safety equipment required?

    N a. Safety Construction Certificate
    N b. Cargo Gear Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Declaration of Inspection

711: If an alien stowaway is discovered aboard your vessel, his name must be placed on the __________.

    N a. Alien Crew List
    N b. Crew List
    N c. Passenger List
    Y d. separate Passenger List marked stowaways

745: When carrying a cargo of asphalt or molten sulfur, which are carried at temperatures of over 300°F, one of the biggest dangers is __________.

    Y a. water in the tanks or pipelines
    N b. having the cargo too cool
    N c. explosion of vapors after discharge
    N d. inadequate ullage space

779: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tankers?

    Y a. They are gravity-fed.
    N b. They are more expensive than reciprocating pumps.
    N c. They are positive displacement pumps.
    N d. They are used for stripping pumps.

899: When must the owner or Master of a towing vessel retest a towline or remove it from service?

    Y a. When the record of its material condition lapses for 3 months or more.
    N b. After it jams on the towing winch.
    N c. After it drags on the bottom.
    N d. When it has not been used for over 60 days.

915: What is the period of validity of a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 60 months

1012: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "A" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

1052: A term used to describe the dip in a towline that acts as a shock absorber is __________.

    Y a. catenary
    N b. step
    N c. shock dip
    N d. bight

1057: The Certificate of Inspection of a damaged tank barge has expired. What certificate authorizes the barge to move to a repair facility for repair and inspection?

    N a. Application for Inspection
    N b. Change of Employment
    Y c. Permit to Proceed
    N d. Temporary Certificate of Inspection

1073: You are preparing to slush a stay on your vessel by lowering yourself down the stay in a bosun's chair. The proper way to do this is to ride down the stay on a riding shackle __________.

    N a. with the pin of the shackle riding on the stay
    Y b. with the pin of the shackle through the chair's bridle eye
    N c. with a hook attaching the chair to the riding shackle
    N d. connected to a second shackle on the chair

1135: What equipment is customarily used when seamen are working on a stage rigged over the side of a vessel?

    N a. Jacob's ladder
    N b. Manropes
    N c. Heaving lines
    Y d. All of the above

1201: When clearing customs for a foreign voyage, which of the following is processed at the custom's house and returned to the vessel?

    Y a. Shipping Articles
    N b. Traveling Curio Manifest
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. Cargo Gear Register

1256: You are docking an oceangoing single-screw vessel under normal circumstances with a single tug. The tug is usually used to __________.

    Y a. control the bow and is tied to the offshore bow
    N b. control the stern and is tied to the stern on the offshore side
    N c. pull the vessel into the slip and is tied to the bow
    N d. push the ship bodily alongside and is tied to the offshore side amidships

1411: The time allowed for loading and discharging cargo in a charter party is referred to as __________.

    N a. charter hire
    N b. demurrage
    N c. dispatch
    Y d. lay days

1434: In the manufacture of wire rope, if the wires are shaped to conform to the curvature of the finished rope before they are laid up, the rope is called __________.

    N a. composite
    N b. left-lay
    N c. improved
    Y d. preformed

1460: Weight concentration in which area will cause a vessel's bottom to be subjected to tension stresses?

    N a. Aft
    Y b. Amidships
    N c. At both ends
    N d. Forward

1481: A fire has damaged 20 bales of cotton on a freighter loaded with general cargo. This claim would come under __________.

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

1483: The knot used to join two lines or two large hawsers for towing is called a __________.

    N a. square knot
    Y b. carrick bend
    N c. sheet bend
    N d. bowline

1734: Which knot reduces the strength of a line by the LEAST amount?

    N a. Bowline
    N b. Clove hitch
    N c. Sheet bend
    Y d. Two half hitches

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.

1880: You are using tackle number 11 in illustration DO29DG to lift a weight of 300 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 75 lbs.
    N b. 90 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    N d. 117 lbs.

1883: The most common method of securing a line to a cleat is a __________.

    N a. half hitch, then round turns
    Y b. round turn, then figure eights
    N c. figure eight, then round turns
    N d. figure eight, then half hitches

1924: The knot lettered I as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. round knot
    Y c. bowline on a bight
    N d. timber hitch

2048: The MINIMUM acceptable size for a towing bridle would be that size in which the safe working load (SWL) of each leg of the bridle is equal to __________.

    N a. one-half the SWL of the main towing hawser
    N b. three-fourths the SWL of the main towing hawser
    Y c. that of the main towing hawser
    N d. twice that of the main towing hawser

2062: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is on her starboard beam. She is making more leeway than you. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

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

2065: A continual worsening of the list or trim indicates __________.

    N a. negative GM
    Y b. progressive flooding
    N c. structural failure
    N d. an immediate need to ballast

2110: Your ship is carrying hazardous cargo. During a daily inspection, you notice that some of the cargo has shifted and several cases are broken. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. call out the deck gang to jettison the cargo
    N b. log the facts in the rough log and inform the Chief Mate later
    N c. make a determination of the seriousness of the breakage, and do what you think best
    Y d. report the facts immediately to the Master, who will make a decision

2251: The letter I indicates the keel. Which of the following plates is NOT part of the keel? (D033DG )

    N a. Center vertical keel
    N b. Rider plate
    Y c. Longitudinal girder
    N d. Flat plate keel

2384: What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 3 feet?

    Y a. 113.08 cubic ft.
    N b. 96.57 cubic ft.
    N c. 37.69 cubic ft.
    N d. 28.23 cubic ft.

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

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

2598: Where, due to the arrangement of the vessel, lifejackets may become inaccessible, additional lifejackets shall be carried __________.

    N a. for the people on bridge watch
    N b. for the forward lifeboats
    Y c. as determined by the OCMI
    N d. for 50% of the crew of the vessel, not including those assigned to engineering duties

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.

2694: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should know the __________.

    N a. gyro error
    Y b. course per magnetic steering compass
    N c. variation
    N d. maximum rudder angle previously used

3022: You are in the process of adding a barge to your tow. A line run from your power capstan and around timber heads on your tow is made fast on the new barge so that it can be pulled into position. This line is called a __________.

    N a. scissors wire
    Y b. capstan line
    N c. spring line
    N d. fore and aft line

3046: What is an explosion hazard when exposed to flame?

    N a. Formic acid
    N b. Nitrous oxide
    N c. Tallow
    Y d. Toluene

3092: Item A is the __________. (D024DG )

    Y a. lashing
    N b. drag wire
    N c. scissor wire
    N d. tandem wire

3120: You are operating a 150 GT towing vessel. What is NOT required on the vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    N b. FCC station license
    N c. Your Coast Guard license
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

3130: What is NOT required on an uninspected towing vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Operators Merchant Marine license
    N d. FCC Station License

3130: What is NOT required on an uninspected towing vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Operators Merchant Marine license
    N d. FCC Station License

3145: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    N a. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N b. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N c. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.
    Y d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.

3206: The signal man assisting a crane operator has his arm extended, thumb pointing downwards, flexing fingers in and out. This is the signal to __________.

    Y a. lower the boom and raise the load
    N b. lower the load and raise the boom
    N c. raise the boom and lower the load
    N d. raise the load and lower the boom

3491: You are the licensed Master of a towing vessel operating between New York and Tampa, Florida. If you carry four (4) deckhands onboard, how many must be able seamen?

    N a. 4
    Y b. 3
    N c. 2
    N d. 1

3511: The wheel on the windlass with indentations for the anchor chain is the __________.

    N a. grabber
    Y b. wildcat
    N c. locking ring
    N d. pawl

3982: Fairleads perform the same function as __________.

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

4063: The knot at the end of the heaving line used to pass the towing hawser is called a __________.

    Y a. monkey's fist
    N b. ball or baseball knot
    N c. heaving knot
    N d. three strand Turk's head

4184: Which of the following lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be stowed when not in use?

    N a. Chain
    N b. Wire rope
    N c. Webbing
    Y d. All of the above

4239: Which safety precaution(s) should be observed during crane operations?

    N a. Checking for proper lifting from beneath the load during cargo operations
    Y b. Using the proper slings or other lifting devices during cargo operations
    N c. Relaying communications to port agents on the pier during cargo hoists
    N 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