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.


46: Which statement concerning the handling characteristics of a fully loaded vessel as compared with those of a light vessel is FALSE?


79: Ullages on tankers are measured from __________.


94: All of the following records are usually maintained by the watch-standing officers aboard a vessel EXCEPT the __________.


146: When turning a ship in restricted space with a strong wind, it is normally best to __________.

    N a. go ahead on both engines with the rudder hard to one side, if on a twin-screw vessel
    N b. back down with the rudder hard to one side, if on a single-screw vessel
    N c. take advantage of the tendency to back to port, if on a twin-screw vessel
    Y d. turn so that the tendency to back into the wind can be used, if on a single-screw vessel

149: A standard net barrel of petroleum products is __________.

    Y a. 42 gallons at 60°F
    N b. 48 gallons at 70°F
    N c. 50 gallons at 50°F
    N d. 60 gallons at 100°F

172: While a vessel is in a foreign port where there is no American Consul, a seaman becomes violent prior to sailing. The Master should __________.

    N a. call local police, put the seaman in prison ashore, and sail the vessel
    N b. pay off the seaman and make arrangements with the agent to return him to the original port of signing on in the U.S.
    Y c. put the seaman in irons and sail to the next port where there is an American Consul
    N d. send the seaman ashore and arrange with the agent to repatriate him by armed guard

237: The latch of a safety hook __________.

    N a. increases the strength of the hook
    Y b. prevents the sling ring from coming out of the hook if the strain is abruptly eased
    N c. prevents the sling ring from coming out of the hook if there is a strain on the sling ring
    N d. All of the above

307: Which type of chemical testing is NOT required of merchant marine personnel?

    N a. Pre-employment
    N b. Periodic
    N c. Random
    Y d. Annual

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

499: Your tank vessel is loaded down to her marks, and you find that she has too much trim by the stern. To adjust the trim, you may __________.

    N a. add ballast forward
    N b. load more cargo forward
    Y c. shift bunkers forward
    N d. All of the above

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%

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

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

671: A Permit to Proceed is issued by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. National Cargo Bureau
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Department of Labor

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

    N a. forward spring line
    Y b. after spring line
    N c. waist breast line
    N d. stern line

714: Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of manila line with a breaking stress of 8 tons.

    N a. 0.75 tons
    N b. 1.25 tons
    Y c. 1.33 tons
    N d. 8.00 tons

801: When oil is discharged overboard, an entry is required in the __________.

    N a. engine rough log
    Y b. Oil Record Book
    N c. Official Logbook
    N d. deck rough log

855: Which party must ensure that legal work hour limitations (for both officers and crew members), rest periods and regulations governing work on Sundays and holidays are followed when the vessel is in a safe harbor?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The company operating the vessel
    Y c. The Master of the vessel
    N d. The company chartering the vessel

945: After having been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair on a mast, you must now make yourself fast in the chair prior to painting the mast. You should first __________.

    N a. have the sailor on deck make the hauling part fast to a cleat on the mast
    N b. make the tail of the line leading from the becket bend fast to a padeye on the mast
    Y c. seize the hauling part and the standing part firmly in one hand to support your weight
    N d. frap yourself to the mast to take the strain off the hauling part

963: You are the person in charge of a 199-GT uninspected towing vessel engaged in towing from Galveston to Savannah and then returning, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The sailors shall be divided into three watches.
    N b. All deck crew members are to have a Merchant Mariner's Document.
    N c. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    Y d. The crew members are NOT required to sign articles.

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

1116: On a single-screw vessel, when coming port side to a pier and being set off the pier, you should __________.

    N a. swing wide and approach the pier so as to land starboard side to
    N b. approach the pier on a parallel course at reduced speed
    Y c. make your approach at a greater angle than in calm weather
    N d. point the vessel's head well up into the slip and decrease your speed

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

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

1231: What is NOT a condition for a salvage claim?

    N a. The property saved must be "maritime property."
    Y b. The salvors must save or attempt to save any life in peril.
    N c. The salvage service must be voluntary.
    N d. The property must be in peril.

1258: While your vessel is docked port side to a wharf, a sudden gale force wind causes the vessel's stern lines to part. The stern begins to fall away from the dock, and no tugs are immediately available. Which measure(s) should you take FIRST?

    N a. Notify the engineroom of the need for propulsion.
    Y b. Shut down any cargo transfer that's in progress.
    N c. Let go the port anchor and veer to a short scope of chain.
    N d. Obtain assistance from the terminal to put new stern lines out.

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

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

1491: While underway, part of your cargo is damaged by fire. In marine insurance terms this partial loss is called __________.

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

1601: What would be prima facie evidence of unseaworthiness?

    Y a. Overloading
    N b. Overstowage
    N c. Overbooking
    N d. Overcarriage

1678: Grade D combustible liquids have a maximum flash point of __________.

    N a. 109°F
    N b. 100°F
    Y c. 149°F
    N d. 80°F

1684: Temporary seizings on wire rope are made with __________.

    N a. marline
    N b. sail twine
    N c. tape
    Y d. wire

1716: Which is the correct procedure for anchoring a small to medium size vessel in deep water?

    N a. Let the anchor fall free from the hawsepipe, but apply the brake at intervals to check the rate of fall.
    N b. Back the anchor slowly out of the hawsepipe a few feet, and then let it fall in the normal fashion.
    N c. Let the anchor fall off the brake right from the hawsepipe, but keep a slight strain on the brake.
    Y d. Under power, back the anchor out until it is near, but clear, of the bottom before letting it fall.

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.

1993: The usual method of arranging a line on deck so that it will run out easily without kinking or fouling is __________.

    N a. coiling the line
    Y b. faking down the line
    N c. flemishing the line
    N d. racking the line

2057: While assigned to a 106 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from San Francisco to which port?

    N a. Mazatlan, Mexico (west coast)
    N b. Vera Cruz, Mexico (east coast)
    Y c. New York, NY
    N d. Vancouver, Canada (west coast)

2095: You are using a racetrack turn to recover a man overboard. The vessel is first steadied when how many degrees away from the original heading?

    N a. 60° to 70°
    N b. 90°
    N c. 135°
    Y d. 180°

2153: The shipping papers for the products being carried in your tankship are NOT required to contain the __________.

    Y a. exact quantity of the cargoes
    N b. grades of the cargoes
    N c. location of the delivery point(s)
    N d. name of the consignee(s)

2192: The part of a windlass which physically engages the chain during hauling or paying out is the __________.

    N a. devil's claw
    N b. bull gear
    Y c. wildcat
    N d. cat head

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 20
    N b. 9
    N c. 5
    N d. 4

2275: When inspecting wire rope before a hoisting operation, one must look for __________.

    N a. fishhooks
    N b. kinks
    N c. worn spots
    Y d. All of the above

2519: If a passenger vessel navigating the Great Lakes is required to carry 8 ring life buoys, how many of these buoys must have water lights attached?

    N a. 8
    Y b. 6
    N c. 4
    N d. 2

2599: When several salvors are on-scene at the same time to assist a vessel that has not been abandoned, which principal governs the decision as to which one's services will be accepted?

    Y a. The Master of the ship needing assistance has the absolute right to decide.
    N b. The first salvor on-scene has the prior claim providing he has adequate facilities to assist the vessel needing assistance.
    N c. The salvors must agree to a division of any salvage among themselves with the major share allotted to those doing the most work.
    N d. The first salvor on-scene has the absolute right to provide assistance; however, he is liable if the ship is lost due to his lack of experience, equipment, etc.

2714: The major components which determine the length of catenary in a deployed anchor cable are cable tension, cable weight, and __________.

    N a. water density
    N b. bottom conditions
    N c. environmental forces
    Y d. water depth

2738: Assume that your vessel has just entered Lake Michigan via the Straits of Mackinac and is proceeding south to Chicago. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the aids to navigation you will encounter along this route?

    N a. Aids to navigation are serviced jointly by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard.
    Y b. Red buoys should be passed down your starboard side.
    N c. Green buoys mark the location of wrecks or obstructions which must be passed by keeping the buoy on the right hand.
    N d. All solid colored buoys are numbered, the red buoys bearing odd numbers and green buoys bearing even numbers.

2746: Which of the Great Lakes experiences the least amount of water level fluctuation between seasonal high and low water marks?

    N a. Lake Huron
    N b. Lake Erie
    Y c. Lake Superior
    N d. Lake Michigan

2935: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when it becomes necessary to send a distress message. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

3016: To obtain better steering control when you are towing alongside, your vessel should be positioned with its __________.

    N a. bow extending forward of the tow
    N b. stern amidships of the tow
    Y c. stern extending aft of the tow
    N d. bow even with the bow of the tow

3020: The main underdeck pipeline on a tankship is connected to individual tanks by __________.

    N a. tank drops
    N b. line drops
    N c. crossovers
    Y d. branch lines

3108: How should you signal the crane operator to raise the boom?

    N a. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up and flex the fingers in and out.
    N b. Place both fists in front of the body with the thumbs pointing upward.
    N c. With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    Y d. Extend arm with fingers closed and point thumb upward.

3280: What is NOT accepted as the required shipping papers on a manned and loaded tank barge?

    N a. Bill of Lading
    N b. Manifest
    N c. Shipping document
    Y d. Logbook entry

3466: What is a spill pipe?

    N a. A drainage pipe that carries rain or spray from an upper deck to a lower deck
    Y b. A pipe under the anchor windlass leading to the chain locker
    N c. A chute, usually over the stern, to lead dumped garbage clear of the hull
    N d. An opening in the deck leading outside the hull

3564: The angle at which the fluke penetrates the soil is called the __________.

    Y a. fluke angle
    N b. tripping angle
    N c. penetration angle
    N d. holding angle

3580: You are standing the wheelwatch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?

    Y a. Obey the Master.
    N b. Obey the Pilot.
    N c. Bring the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting orders.
    N d. Ask the Pilot if he relinquishes control.

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

4061: The two factors which make underwater hull repair difficult are accessibility and the __________.

    N a. availability of tools
    N b. shape of the hull
    Y c. pressure exerted by the water
    N d. threat of progressive flooding

4154: What should you be concerned with when loading and securing vehicles aboard a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. That all fuel is drained from the vehicles' tanks to prevent fire hazard
    Y b. The size, weight, and center of gravity of vehicle/cargo unit
    N c. The preferred stowage of vehicles is athwartships wherever possible
    N d. The vehicles' brakes should not be set to allow for adjusting the lashings

4244: What is meant by the term "luffing the boom" of a crane?

    N a. Stopping the boom
    Y b. Topping or lowering the boom
    N c. Moving the boom left or right
    N d. All of the above

4273: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering
    Y b. High winds
    N c. Potable water spill on deck
    N d. More than 3° list

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.