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.


22: A wildcat is a __________.


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


130: You are on a vessel carrying liquefied butadiene in bulk. Which document is NOT required to be either in the wheelhouse or easily accessible to the person on watch while underway?


164: A look-out should report objects sighted using __________.

    N a. true bearings
    N b. magnetic bearings
    N c. gyro bearings
    Y d. relative bearings

274: What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

    Y a. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductible spaces.
    N b. Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
    N c. Net tonnage is gross tonnage minus engine and bunker spaces.
    N d. Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.

303: What requires a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death?

    N a. Collision with a bridge
    N b. Injury beyond first aid
    N c. loss of life
    Y d. All of the above

439: When loading bulk liquid cargo, what is the FIRST action you should take if a cargo valve jammed open?

    N a. Trip the pump relief valve.
    Y b. Order the dock man to shut down.
    N c. Call the owner, operator, or terminal supervisor.
    N d. Run out the vessel's or terminal's fire hose.

509: Which factor must be considered when determining the order of loading of dissimilar products through the same piping system aboard a tanker?

    Y a. Contamination of the cargo
    N b. Flash points
    N c. Reid vapor pressures
    N d. Specific gravities

557: A report of casualty to a vessel must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    Y d. the name of the owner or agent of the vessel

559: A vessel loads edible oil in a deep tank through a manhole at the mid-length of the tank. In order to fill the tank to maximum capacity, what trim should the vessel have?

    N a. Down by the bow
    N b. Down by the stern
    N c. Down by either the bow or stern
    Y d. In level trim

589: The terminal indicates to you that they are going to use a booster pump to assist the discharging operation. You start the discharge and in a few minutes the pressure drops sharply. This could be a result of the __________.

    Y a. booster pump coming on the line and discharging properly
    N b. booster pump failing to start
    N c. ship's pump speeding up
    N d. booster pump being lined up in the wrong direction

654: A rope made of a combination of wire and fiber is known as __________.

    N a. independent
    N b. lang lay
    N c. preformed
    Y d. spring lay

655: Good seamanship while towing in heavy weather requires all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. reducing speed to reduce surging on the towline
    N b. lashing down or stowing all loose gear
    N c. dogging all hatches and watertight doors
    Y d. streaming all of your towing hawser

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

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 1 year
    N c. 2 years
    Y d. 5 years

764: Roundline is a __________.

    N a. four-stranded, left- or right-handed line
    Y b. three-stranded, right-handed line
    N c. three-stranded, left-handed line
    N d. small tarred hempline of three strands laid left-handed

774: The strongest of the natural fibers is __________.

    N a. cotton
    N b. hemp
    Y c. manila
    N d. sisal

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

    N a. forward spring line
    N b. forward breast line
    Y c. inshore bow line
    N d. offshore bow line

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

    N a. forward spring line
    N b. forward breast line
    Y c. inshore bow line
    N d. offshore bow line

822: You are on watch at sea at night and a fire breaks out in #3 hold. What should be done IMMEDIATELY?

    Y a. Shut down the cargo hold ventilation.
    N b. Proceed to the space and determine the extent of the fire.
    N c. Flood the space with C02 from the fixed fire fighting system.
    N d. Cool the deck to contain the fire.

967: While steering by autopilot you notice that the vessel is deviating from the given course and there is no follow up with corrective rudder action to return to the proper heading. The emergency operating procedure should require you to immediately change operation from __________.

    Y a. "gyro" to "hand"
    N b. "hand" to "gyro"
    N c. "gyro" to "control"
    N d. "control" to "hand"

1029: When cleaning a tank by the Butterworth process, you should begin to pump out the slops __________.

    N a. at the end of the drop schedule
    Y b. when the process is started
    N c. when the process is finished
    N d. when the tank is clean

1041: The document on a vessel, annually endorsed by an American Bureau of Shipping surveyor, is called the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Classification Certificate
    Y c. Load Line Certificate
    N d. Seaworthy Certificate

1048: You are the person in charge of a vessel involved in a marine casualty. You must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office if the property damage is over __________.

    N a. $1,500
    N b. $10,000
    Y c. $25,000
    N d. $50,000

1120: A stage should only be rigged __________.

    N a. over the bow or stern of a vessel
    N b. over the flat sides of a vessel
    Y c. over the open water
    N d. over the dockside

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

1252: Control of flooding should be addressed __________.

    N a. first
    Y b. following control of fire
    N c. following restoration of vital services
    N d. only if a threat exists

1404: Galvanizing would not be suitable for protecting wire rope which is used for __________.

    Y a. cargo runners
    N b. mooring wires
    N c. shrouds
    N d. stays

1426: Forty-five fathoms is marked on the anchor chain by __________.

    N a. one turn of wire on the first stud from each side of the detachable link
    N b. two turns of wire on the second stud from each side of the detachable link
    Y c. three turns of wire on the third stud from each side of the detachable link
    N d. four turns of wire on the fourth stud from each side of the detachable link

1503: Which knot should be used to send a man over the side when he may have to use both hands?

    N a. Bowline
    Y b. French bowline
    N c. Bowline on a bight
    N d. Running bowline

1562: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    N a. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    N b. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N c. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.
    Y d. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.

1668: Your ship is steaming at night with the gyro-pilot engaged. You notice that the vessel's course is slowly changing to the right. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Notify the engine room of the steering malfunction.
    Y b. Change to hand steering.
    N c. Call the Master.
    N d. Send the Quartermaster to the emergency steering station.

1714: A "sheepshank" is used to __________.

    N a. keep a line from fraying
    N b. join lines of unequal size
    N c. stop off a line
    Y d. shorten a line

1717: With a large tow astern, there is immediate danger to the tug in the event of the __________.

    Y a. tug losing power
    N b. tow line parting
    N c. bridle twisting
    N d. tow broaching

1738: Which vessel is required by regulations to have an Official Logbook?

    Y a. A 100-gross ton tug on a trip between Baltimore, Maryland, and San Pedro, California.
    N b. A 199-gross ton tug on a coastwise trip of 610 miles.
    N c. A 66-gross ton tug operating between states.
    N d. All of the above

1776: When anchoring in calm water, it is best to __________.

    N a. maintain slight headway when letting go the anchor
    N b. wait until the vessel is dead in the water before letting go the anchor
    Y c. have slight sternway on the vessel while letting go the anchor
    N d. let the anchor go from the stern with the anchor cable leading from the bow

2056: A seaman may not make an allotment to his __________.

    N a. minor children
    N b. grandparents
    N c. brother
    Y d. mother-in-law

2064: While underway in thick fog you are on watch and hear the cry "man overboard". Which type of maneuver should you make?

    N a. figure eight turn
    N b. Round turn
    N c. Racetrack turn
    Y d. Williamson turn

2077: While assigned to a 150 GRT vessel, you are required to sign "foreign" articles on a voyage from New Orleans to which port?

    N a. Houston, Texas
    N b. Veracruz, Mexico
    N c. Kingston, Jamaica
    Y d. Cristobal Colon, Panama

2147: What is the name of tackle number 8? (DO29DG )

    N a. Parbuckle
    Y b. Gun tackle
    N c. Single purchase
    N d. Single luff tackle

2205: On the fully containerized ship, approximately one-third or more of the cargo is on deck above the rolling center. Top stowed containers are subject to __________.

    Y a. accelerations greater than on conventional vessels
    N b. accelerations less than on conventional vessels
    N c. accelerations the same as on conventional vessels
    N d. no accelerations

2211: What is the mechanical advantage, neglecting friction, of tackle number 5? (DO29DG )

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 5
    N d. 5.5

2243: You are using tackle number 4, as shown, to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 11. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 10
    Y d. 24

2273: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 4 feet after a sector of 111° has been removed?

    N a. 3.90 sq. ft
    N b. 8.67 sq. ft
    Y c. 34.77 sq. ft
    N d. 50.27 sq. ft

2347: What is an advantage of having wire rope with a fiber core over that of a wire rope of the same size with a wire core?

    N a. Fiber core rope offers greater strength.
    Y b. Fiber core rope offers greater flexibility.
    N c. Fiber core rope can be used at higher operating temperatures.
    N d. Fiber core rope is the only type authorized for cargo runners.

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

2783: The effect of ocean current is usually more evident on a tug and tow than on a tug navigating independently because the __________.

    Y a. speed of the tug and tow is less
    N b. towline catches the current
    N c. current causes yawing
    N d. current will offset the tow

2970: What material may be substituted for zinc when making a poured metal socket ending to a wire rope?

    N a. Lead
    N b. Babbitt
    N c. Solder
    Y d. Nothing

3024: How should you signal the crane operator to dog everything?

    N a. Place both fists in front of your body with thumbs pointing toward each other.
    Y b. Clasp hands in front of your body.
    N c. Extend arm with the palm down and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. Extend arm with the thumb pointing up, and flex the fingers in and out.

3031: Before a Master relieves a Pilot of the conn, the __________.

    N a. vessel must be in extremis
    N b. Master must request the Pilot to take corrective action
    N c. Master should release the Pilot from all liability
    Y d. Master should foresee any danger to the vessel on the present course

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

3260: When underway with a tow, you must notify the Coast Guard of which casualty?

    N a. Damage to property amounting to $1,500
    N b. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N c. An injury requiring first aid
    Y d. Loss of main propulsion

3275: When underway with a tow, you are required to notify the Coast Guard in which casualty situation?

    N a. Damage to property amounting to $12,500
    N b. Loss of bridge-to-bridge radio capability
    N c. An injury requiring first aid treatment
    Y d. Accidental stranding or grounding

3434: The Scharnow turn should be used in a man overboard situation only when __________.

    N a. the man can be kept in sight from the bridge while maneuvering
    N b. the turn is started immediately when the man goes over
    Y c. there has been sufficient time elapsed since the man went over to complete the maneuver
    N d. the vessel has twin screws to assist in making the turn

4020: You are on a tankship discharging oil. When all of the oil that the main cargo pumps can handle is pumped out of a tank, the remainder is __________.

    N a. stripped out and pumped directly ashore into the mainline as the remaining cargo tanks are pumped out with the main pumps
    Y b. stripped to one tank and then pumped out with the main pumps
    N c. stripped out and pumped directly ashore after all the tanks have been emptied by the main pumps
    N d. gravitated to the centers from the wings and pumped out with the main pumps

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

4224: What does item "K" refer to in this illustration of a 30-ton pedestal crane? (D045DG )

    N a. Manual slewing cables
    Y b. Rider block taglines
    N c. Jib luffing cables
    N d. Cargo snaking cables

4249: Which action(s) are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation of the anchor windlass
    N b. Preparing steam on deck
    Y c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    N d. All of the above

4251: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Single-mode set-up & operation
    N b. Twin-mode set-up & operation
    N c. Normal boom stowage and shutdown operation
    Y d. All of the above

4443: You are signing on a deck officer, who will be designated as one of the GMDSS operators, before sailing foreign. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. He/she must have an STCW certificate endorsed as "Valid for Service on Vessels Operating in the GMDSS System".
    N b. He/she must present either an FCC-issued license or a Coast Guard-issued license.
    N c. You must consult the "List of Qualifications" on the reverse of his/her FCC-issued license.
    N d. His/her Merchant Mariners Document must have an added endorsement as "Radio Electronics Officer".