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.


107: When may a seaman on a vessel engaged in foreign trade be paid before earning the wages?


107: When may a seaman on a vessel engaged in foreign trade be paid before earning the wages?


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?


131: You are onboard a 120 GT uninspected sea going tug which carries one Master and one mate of towing vessels, and four seamen when underway. How many of the four seamen must have a rating as able seamen if the voyage is under 600 miles?

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

332: The helm command "Meet her" means __________.

    N a. steer more carefully
    Y b. use rudder to check the swing
    N c. decrease the existing rudder angle
    N d. note the course and steady on that heading

447: One reason a tug's towing bitts are located forward of the rudders is because __________.

    N a. it makes it easier to hook up the towing hawser
    N b. this is where the towhook is located
    Y c. this allows more responsive steering
    N d. it is traditional

500: What would NOT require that a detailed report of the release of hazardous cargo be made to the Department of Transportation?

    N a. The valve on an empty portable tank that contained acetone is accidentally opened and some of the residue escapes to the open sea.
    N b. A carboy of nitric acid is broken on deck while loading and is flushed overboard with no injury or damage.
    Y c. Part of your deck cargo of five gallon cans of paint is damaged and leaking so you jettison them to eliminate the fire hazard.
    N d. Heavy weather causes damage to packages of a hazardous liquid that is subsequently pumped out at sea through the bilge pumping system.

502: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message warning of a hurricane. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

767: On the cargo manifest, the total weight of an empty cargo box is the __________.

    Y a. tare weight
    N b. net weight
    N c. gross weight
    N d. cargo weight

829: In terms of vessel manning, a watch is the ____________ .

    Y a. direct performance of deck or engine operations in a scheduled and fixed rotation
    N b. performance of maintenance work necessary for the vessel's safe operation, on a daily basis
    N c. performance of lookout duties
    N d. direct performance of cargo loading and discharge operations only

836: River currents tend to __________.

    N a. pick up speed where the channel widens
    N b. run slower in the center of the channel
    N c. hug the inside of a bend
    Y d. cause the greatest depth of water to be along the outside of a bend

872: In a foreign port with a consulate, the U.S. Consul may excuse the Master from personally appearing before him to consent to the mutual release of an injured seaman, when the __________.

    Y a. injury requires immediate inpatient hospitalization of the seaman
    N b. Master authorizes the agent to act in his place
    N c. ship is still in port and the seaman can appear before the Consul after medical treatment
    N d. seaman also consents to the absence, and there is no dispute as to the wages due

896: A V-shaped ripple with the point of the V pointing upstream in a river may indicate a __________.

    N a. submerged rock, not dangerous to navigation
    N b. sunken wreck, not dangerous to navigation
    Y c. towed-under buoy
    N d. All of the above

946: Which measure should NOT be taken to reduce the pounding of a vessel in a head sea?

    Y a. Add ballast in the after peak.
    N b. Add ballast forward.
    N c. Alter course.
    N d. Reduce speed.

958: You are in a tropical port. The refrigeration machinery on a container loaded with air-cooled fruit fails. It cannot be repaired for 18 to 24 hours. Which step should you take to reduce the temperature rise and spoilage of the fruit?

    N a. Discharge a cylinder of nitrogen into the container
    Y b. Shade the container and periodically hose it down
    N c. Seal any ventilation openings and add dry ice
    N d. Spread ice over the top layer and in any voids within the container

1019: A tank holds 400 tons of sea water when filled. How many tons of liquid of specific gravity 0.9300 will it hold when filled to 90% capacity?

    Y a. 326.6
    N b. 343.2
    N c. 377.6
    N d. 390.2

1044: Using a safety factor of 6, determine the safe working load of a line with a breaking strain of 30,000 pounds.

    N a. 4,000 lbs.
    Y b. 5,000 lbs.
    N c. 20,000 lbs.
    N d. 100,000 lbs.

1133: To properly rig the downhaul to your stage for lowering, you must __________.

    N a. take only figure eights around the horns
    Y b. take 2 or 3 round turns around the stage and then belay the downhaul around the horns
    N c. take 2 round turns around the stage and then dip the third turn to form a clove hitch
    N d. pass the downhaul through the bridle formed by the standing part and then take round turns

1162: How does a vessel's rate of turn change when entering shallow water?

    N a. It is faster.
    N b. It is slower.
    Y c. There is no change.
    N d. It remains constant for varying propeller revolutions.

1180: The regulations require that inspected vessels on an international voyage, other than small passenger vessels, must carry which of the following distress signals on or near the navigating bridge?

    N a. 12 hand red flares
    Y b. 12 rocket parachute flares
    N c. 12 hand combination flares and orange smoke signals
    N d. 6 hand red flares, and 6 hand orange smoke signals

1211: When clearing a vessel for a foreign voyage, the original crew list is duly certified by proper authority. In a U.S. port, this authority is the U.S. __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. Customs
    N c. Immigration Service
    N d. Public Health Service

1285: Which information MUST be entered on the muster list?

    N a. Names of all crew members
    N b. Use and application of special equipment
    N c. Listing of approved emergency equipment
    Y d. Duties and station of each person during emergencies

1376: Generally speaking, the most favorable bottom for anchoring is __________.

    N a. very soft mud
    N b. rocky
    Y c. a mixture of mud and clay
    N d. loose sand

1439: Which part provides for transverse control and positioning of a boom in a conventional yard and stay system?

    Y a. Guy
    N b. Shroud
    N c. Spider
    N d. Topping lift

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

1607: Using a scope of 6, how much cable would have to be used in order to anchor in 24 feet of water?

    N a. 4 feet
    N b. 18 feet
    N c. 30 feet
    Y d. 144 feet

1659: The safe working load for the assembled cargo gear and the minimum angle to the horizontal for which the gear is designed shall be marked on the __________.

    N a. deck
    N b. head of the boom
    Y c. heel of the boom
    N d. mast or king post

1715: Which statement concerning a 298 GRT inspected tug engaged in towing from Seattle, WA, to Alaska is TRUE?

    Y a. Each crew member must be issued a certificate of discharge at the time of discharge.
    N b. No able seamen are required.
    N c. Crew must be signed on before a Shipping Commissioner.
    N d. A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may serve as Master.

1730: A disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line, is called the __________.

    N a. deadrise mark
    N b. maximum allowable draft mark
    Y c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. tonnage mark

1749: A sling is rigged on a piece of pipe weighing 1000 lbs. The angle between the sling legs is 140° and the legs are of equal length. What stress is exerted on each sling leg when the pipe is lifted?

    N a. 1318 lbs.
    N b. 1366 lbs.
    N c. 1414 lbs.
    Y d. 1462 lbs.

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

1849: The knot lettered U is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. half hitch
    N b. round knot
    N c. becket bend
    N d. plain whipping

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

2162: A crew has signed on for a 3-month voyage. Fourteen days into the voyage a seaman is improperly discharged at the first port of call. How much pay is he entitled to receive?

    N a. 14 days
    N b. 1 month's
    Y c. 14 days and one month's extra
    N d. double wages (28 days)

2209: Certain cargoes must be segregated because of their __________.

    Y a. inherent characteristics
    N b. weight
    N c. destination
    N d. danger to humans

2218: If reefer spaces are not properly cleaned prior to loading cargo, it will most likely cause __________.

    Y a. mold to develop on commodities
    N b. malfunction of the refrigeration equipment
    N c. contamination of the insulation in the space
    N d. All of the above

2226: The knot lettered O is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. timber hitch
    Y b. barrel hitch
    N c. carrick bend
    N d. blackwall hitch

2236: Another name for the garboard strake is the __________.

    Y a. A strake
    N b. Z strake
    N c. side keel plate
    N d. stringer plate

2301: In towing, chocks are used to __________.

    Y a. protect the towline from chafing
    N b. secure the end of the towline on the tug
    N c. stop off the towline while retrieving it
    N d. absorb shock loading on the towline

2361: The BEST information on the nature and extent of damage to the vessel is obtained from __________.

    N a. alarms and monitoring devices
    N b. the engineroom watch
    Y c. personnel at the scene of the damage
    N d. the bridge watch

2455: The boom indicator on a crane will indicate the __________.

    N a. length of the boom
    Y b. angle of the boom
    N c. lifting capacity of the boom
    N d. direction of the boom

2707: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    N a. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.
    N b. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    Y c. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but no damage to the vessel.
    N d. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.

2902: Which basic category of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes is the most regular?

    Y a. Seasonal fluctuations
    N b. Outflow fluctuations
    N c. Short-term fluctuations
    N d. Long-term fluctuations

2980: What is a step in attaching a poured metal socket to a wire rope?

    Y a. Etch the wire with acid.
    N b. Install a wire seizing on the wire that will be inside the socket.
    N c. Ensure the fiber core is well lubricated.
    N d. Pour molten babbitt metal into the socket.

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3032: Ice is often strong enough to halt navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway by mid- __________.

    N a. October
    N b. November
    Y c. December
    N d. January

3100: A holder of a license as Master of towing vessels may work each 24 hours for a period not to exceed __________.

    N a. 6 hours
    Y b. 12 hours
    N c. 18 hours
    N d. 24 hours

3103: 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? (Ignore broken stowage.) (D043DG )

    Y a. 779 cubic feet (22 cubic meters)
    N b. 992 cubic feet (28 cubic meters)
    N c. 1,047 cubic feet (30 cubic meters)
    N d. 112,125 cubic feet (3173 cubic meters)

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

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

3162: When maneuvering from pull towing to breasted (alongside) towing, a twin-screw vessel is more likely than a single-screw vessel of equal horsepower to __________.

    N a. trip or capsize
    Y b. foul the towline
    N c. go into irons
    N d. part the towing strap

3234: Rolling is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

    Y a. Longitudinal
    N b. Transverse
    N c. Vertical
    N d. Centerline

3501: What must be accurately determined to assess the potential for progressive flooding after a vessel has been damaged?

    Y a. The integrity of the water tight boundaries
    N b. The capacity of the water sprinkler systems
    N c. The operation of the machinery space bilge level alarms
    N d. All of the above

3600: A helmsman receives the command "Right 15 degrees rudder." The helmsman's IMMEDIATE reply should be __________.

    N a. "Aye Aye Sir"
    Y b. "Right 15 degrees rudder"
    N c. "Rudder is right 15 degrees"
    N d. No reply is necessary, just carry out the order

4030: While discharging a cargo, the stripping of the tanks falls behind schedule. This would indicate the __________.

    N a. main pumps are working at a high discharge pressure
    Y b. main pumps are leaving too much oil in the tanks
    N c. stripping pump is not primed
    N d. stripping line is cross-connected to the main line

4046: Which statement about tunnel bow thrusters fitted to large vessels is TRUE?

    N a. They are effective on most vessels at speeds up to 10 knots.
    N b. Because of their location, most modern installations have as much power as a tug.
    N c. They are fully effective at all drafts.
    Y d. When going astern at slow speed, they provide effective steering control.

4177: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door
    N b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp
    Y c. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N d. Raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds

4215: The electrical components for each single crane are installed in its __________.

    N a. crane house
    N b. machinery base
    N c. turntable
    Y d. All of the above

4233: The 30 ton capacity pedestal cranes shown in the illustration can lift a maximum weight of how many tons when two cranes are married together in twin with the other pair of cranes at the opposite end of the hatch? (D051DG )

    N a. 30 tons
    N b. 60 tons
    N c. 90 tons
    Y d. 120 tons

4243: What is/are the advantage(s) of cranes over conventional cargo booms?

    N a. Cranes are able to pick up and drop loads over a greater spotting area
    N b. Increased safety because the deck is clear of running and standing rigging
    N c. Simplicity of operation of the crane by its operator
    Y d. All of the above