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.


54: Your vessel has grounded on a bar. What should you do?


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


98: A hygroscopic cargo is defined as a cargo __________.


109: What is meant by "thieving" a petroleum cargo?

    N a. Adjusting the cargo figures to coincide with the draft
    Y b. Determining the amount of water (if any) in each cargo tank
    N c. Reducing the gross cargo calculations to net amounts
    N d. Siphoning off a few barrels of petroleum for shipboard use

132: What is a characteristic of all centrifugal cargo pumps?

    N a. They are self-priming.
    Y b. Decreasing the speed of rotation will decrease the discharge pressure.
    N c. Opening the discharge valve wider will increase the discharge pressure.
    N d. All of the above

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

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

220: The best method to secure a towline to bitts is to __________.

    N a. take a round turn on the bitt farthest from the pull and use figure-eights
    Y b. take a round turn on the bitt closest to the pull and use figure-eights
    N c. use figure-eights and take a round turn at the top of the bitts
    N d. use only figure-eights

277: Allied Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) has been established. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Naval Control of Shipping Organization of each nation will serve their own ships only.
    N b. Allied ships, which are at sea when an emergency is declared, will all be controlled by a central authority.
    N c. The conduct of US-flag ships in an allied port will be controlled by US NCS authorities.
    Y d. After Naval Control of Shipping has been established, permission to sail must come from local naval authorities or consular officers.

342: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker with orders to load diethylamine. What is NOT a requirement for transporting this cargo?

    N a. You must have two toxic vapor detectors or the pumproom must meet special requirements.
    N b. Each crew member must be provided with an emergency escape breathing apparatus.
    Y c. A person taking cargo samples must wear protective clothing.
    N d. If you are also carrying allyl alcohol, the venting systems must be segregated.

529: When loading a tanker, you should __________.

    N a. load only one tank at a time
    N b. keep the seamen on watch on standby in the mess room
    N c. keep a strain on the loading hoses
    Y d. close valves by closing them down, reopening one or two turns, and re-closing

548: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 55°F (13°C) and the wet bulb is 50°F (10°C), what is the relative humidity? (D008DG )

    N a. 55%
    Y b. 70%
    N c. 75%
    N d. 82%

739: Camphor oil is classified as a grade __________.

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

742: Lighter longitudinal stiffening frames on the vessel's side plating are called __________.

    Y a. stringers
    N b. side frames
    N c. side stiffeners
    N d. intercostals

886: Two vessels are abreast of each other and passing port to port in a confined waterway. What should you expect as your bow approaches the screws of the other vessel?

    N a. Your speed will significantly increase.
    N b. Your draft will significantly decrease.
    Y c. Your bow will sheer towards the other vessel.
    N d. Your bow will sheer away from the other vessel.

1006: Which action reduces the yawing of a vessel in a following sea?

    N a. Increasing GM
    N b. Pumping out tanks aft
    N c. Shifting weights to the bow
    Y d. Shifting weights to the stern

1072: The normal and safest way for a sailor in a bosun's chair to be raised aloft is __________.

    N a. for the sailor to pull himself aloft and then make fast with a bosun's chair hitch
    Y b. manually by two or three sailors heaving away on deck
    N c. by taking the gantline to a winch drum and heaving away with the winch
    N d. by fairleading the gantline with a snatch block and pulling with a cargo runner

1089: The system of valves and cargo lines in the bottom piping network of a tank vessel that connects one section of cargo tanks to another section is called a __________.

    Y a. crossover
    N b. runaround
    N c. come-along
    N d. manifold

1132: A lookout can leave his station __________.

    N a. at the end of the watch
    N b. at any time
    Y c. ONLY when properly relieved
    N d. 15 minutes before the end of the watch

1134: The critical point in nylon line elongation is about __________.

    N a. 20%
    N b. 30%
    Y c. 40%
    N d. 50%

1178: A shipper of cargo aboard your vessel offers a letter of indemnity for the cargo. This is done in order to obtain a(n) __________.

    Y a. Clean Bill of Lading
    N b. Order Bill of Lading
    N c. Straight Bill of Lading
    N d. Through Bill of Lading

1191: Which statement is TRUE about the use of a "gob rope"?

    N a. The gob rope is a mooring line for tyhing up lighters for working cargo alongside a vessel anchored in an open roadstead.
    Y b. The gob rope is used to secure the towline aft over the centerline of a tug..
    N c. The gob rope is a line hung over a vessel's side to assist in boarding.
    N d. The gob rope is a rope used in mooring a vessel to a buoy.

1226: You are docking a vessel starboard side to with the assistance of two tugs. You are attempting to hold the vessel off by operating both tugs at right angles to the vessel and at full power. You must ensure that __________.

    N a. steerageway is not taken off
    N b. the bow doesn't close the dock first
    N c. the bow closes the dock first
    Y d. the ship has no headway at the time

1248: A declaration made by the Master before a U.S. Consul, giving particulars regarding heavy weather or other incidents which may have caused damage to the vessel or cargo, through no fault of the vessel, her officers, or crew is a(n) __________.

    N a. cargo addendum
    N b. exception report
    N c. Master's declaration
    Y d. note of protest

1264: Which type of line is best able to withstand sudden shock loads?

    N a. Polypropylene
    Y b. Nylon
    N c. Dacron
    N d. Manila

1550: Keel scantlings of any vessel are greatest amidships because __________.

    N a. connections between forebody and afterbody are most crucial
    Y b. of maximum longitudinal bending moments
    N c. of severest racking stresses
    N d. resistance to grounding is at a maximum amidships

1644: A rolling hitch can be used to __________.

    N a. make a temporary eye
    N b. mouse a hook
    Y c. secure a line around a spar
    N d. shorten a line

1755: Which knot shown is a French bowline? (DO30DG )

    N a. L
    Y b. T
    N c. Q
    N d. W

1846: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated IMMEDIATE will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    N d. 10 minutes if possible

1887: A small light tackle with blocks of steel or wood that is used for miscellaneous small jobs is called a __________.

    N a. snatch block
    N b. threefold purchase
    Y c. handy-billy
    N d. chockablock

1893: A block and tackle is "rove to advantage". This means that the __________.

    N a. blocks have been overhauled
    N b. hauling parts of two tackles are attached
    Y c. hauling part leads through the movable block
    N d. hauling part leads through the standing block

1898: Back-up wires on a towed vessel provide __________.

    N a. a factor of safety
    N b. additional strength
    N c. a distribution of the towing load
    Y d. All of the above

1961: A sufficient amount of chain must be veered when anchoring a vessel to ensure __________.

    N a. the vessel has enough room to swing while at anchor
    Y b. the anchor flukes bite into the ocean bottom
    N c. there is a sufficient scope of chain to keep the anchor on the bottom
    N d. there is more chain out than there is in the chain locker

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2232: The MAIN use of the knot lettered M is to __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. marry two hawsers
    N b. form a temporary eye in the end of a line
    N c. secure a heaving line to a hawser
    N d. provide a seat for a man to work over the side

2234: Keeping certain cargoes separated because of their inherent characteristics is known as __________.

    N a. overstowage
    Y b. segregation
    N c. spot loading
    N d. cargo typing

2356: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

    N a. jam the rudder against the stops
    N b. meet a swing to the right, then return to amidships
    Y c. put the rudder over to the right all the way
    N d. put the rudder over quickly to 15 degrees right rudder

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.

2462: Which term describes a part of a natural fiber line?

    N a. Twines
    Y b. Fibers
    N c. Lays
    N d. Lacings

2481: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message concerning an initial enemy contact. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2607: Which statement is TRUE concerning lifeboat installations on Great Lakes vessels?

    N a. All davit installations shall have 3 lifelines fitted to a davit span.
    N b. All vessels over 3,000 gross tons must be fitted with gravity davits.
    Y c. All lifelines shall be able to reach the water at the vessel's lightest draft with a 20° list.
    N d. All of the above

2609: Which tanker discharge pattern would be the safest and most efficient?

    N a. Empty the forward tanks and start working aft, emptying each tank in sequence
    Y b. Start discharging with most of the discharge coming from forward, but include some from midships and after tanks
    N c. Start pumping from forward, midships, and aft with the discharge distributed equally among the tanks
    N d. Start pumping from midships and then work forward and aft simultaneously as the midships tank is emptied

2664: You must shore up a bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates a rectangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

    N a. evenly over the surface of the bulkhead
    N b. approximately one-third of the way up the bulkhead
    Y c. approximately halfway up the bulkhead
    N d. at the bottom of the bulkhead

2810: Which document lists all the lifesaving equipment required for a vessel?

    Y a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping Classification Certificate
    N c. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

2813: Which Naval Control of Shipping publication should be aboard your vessel?

    Y a. ATP-2, Volume II "Allied Control of Shipping Manual - Guide to Masters"
    N b. ATP-1, Volume II "Allied Tactical Signals"
    N c. NWP-14, "Amphibious Operations"
    N d. PUB 102, "International Code of Signals"

2898: What is the period of validity of the SOLAS required Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate?

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 48 months
    Y d. 60 months

2990: When cutting regular-lay wire rope, what is the minimum number of seizings to be placed on each side of the cut?

    N a. One
    N b. Two, and three on rope diameters over 1 inch
    Y c. Three, and more on larger diameter wire ropes
    N d. Four

3152: The danger of a towing vessel tripping is increased the closer the towline is secured to __________.

    N a. the stern
    Y b. amidships
    N c. the bow
    N d. the quarter

3173: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated FLASH will be delivered within __________.

    N a. 3 hours to start of business the following day
    N b. 1 to 6 hours
    Y c. 10 minutes if possible
    N d. 30 minutes to 1 hour

3270: A vessel is tide rode when it is __________.

    N a. carrying extra rudder to compensate for the current
    N b. necessary to adjust the course steered to allow for the current
    Y c. at anchor and stemming the current
    N d. being forced off of a pier by the hydraulic effect of the current

3288: The angular movement of a vessel about a horizontal line drawn from its bow to its stern is __________.

    N a. pitching
    Y b. rolling
    N c. heaving
    N d. swaying

3346: When connecting the tow bridle to a tug, the end of the bridle is passed with a __________.

    N a. heaving line
    N b. shot line
    N c. high line
    Y d. messenger line

3544: Wire rope should be renewed when the __________.

    N a. outer wires are rusted
    Y b. outer wires are worn to half their original diameter
    N c. inner core appears dry
    N d. certification period expires

3582: What term indicates the length measured along the summer load line from the intersection of that load line with the foreside of the stem and the intersection of that load line with the after side of the rudder post?

    N a. Length overall
    N b. Register length
    Y c. Length between perpendiculars
    N d. Length on the waterline

3686: If the towline parts, you should __________.

    N a. start pushing ahead
    N b. abandon the towing vessel
    Y c. retrieve the tow bridle
    N d. relieve strain on the retrieving line

4105: Cargo that is suitable for carriage on Ro-Ro vessels includes __________.

    N a. trailers
    N b. rolling vehicles
    N c. containers
    Y d. All of the above

4110: Which standard operating procedure(s) should be adhered to on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    Y a. Periodic inspection and retensioning of lashings as required during voyage
    N b. Battery cables must be disconnected to prevent fire hazard
    N c. One deck engine mechanic assigned to oversee the initial loading and lashing
    N d. All of the above

4137: A disadvantage of using chain lashing on heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels is that it is __________.

    Y a. heavy
    N b. easily damaged
    N c. affected by temperature
    N d. costly relative to the strength ratio

4181: Which lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels should be painted or soaked in oil when not in use?

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

4185: How could lashing gear used aboard Ro-Ro vessels be stowed when not in use?

    N a. Drape along brackets
    N b. Hang vertically in a sheltered area
    N c. Stow in bins at hatch coming side
    Y d. All of the above

4188: The most important safety consideration during loading or discharge aboard a Ro-Ro vessel is __________.

    N a. having all crewmembers and longshoremen wear hard hats
    Y b. the thorough ventilation of all cargo spaces
    N c. ensuring that visitors cannot come aboard
    N d. having the outboard anchor down