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.


40: You are on a cargo vessel carrying toluol in bulk in portable tanks. Which is a requirement for pumping the toluol?


150: Protective clothing must be worn while sampling hazardous cargo on a tankship, and as a minimum includes __________.


261: A seaman about to be discharged has a Continuous Discharge Book. Which statement is TRUE?


302: 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 carrying propionic acid also, the venting systems must be segregated.

414: To "ease" a line means to __________.

    N a. cast off
    N b. double up so that one line does not take all the strain
    Y c. pay out line to remove most of the tension
    N d. slack it off quickly

424: Faking a line means to __________.

    Y a. arrange it on deck in long bights
    N b. coil it down on deck
    N c. put a whipping on it
    N d. stow it below

483: A fiber towing hawser is readied for service by __________.

    N a. spooling it on a winch cathead
    N b. coiling it in a counterclockwise direction on the fantail
    Y c. faking it on deck in a fore and aft direction
    N d. spooling it on a reel lying on its side to prevent rolling

525: To lay out a towing hawser in a fore-and-aft direction so each bight is clear and can run out freely without snagging describes __________.

    N a. flemishing
    Y b. faking
    N c. spooling
    N d. worming, parceling and serving

554: Which part of the patent anchor performs the same function as the stock of an old fashioned anchor; that is, forces the flukes to dig in?

    N a. Bill or pea
    N b. Arm
    N c. Shank
    Y d. Tripping Palm

645: A vessel's Certificate of Documentation __________.

    N a. may be retained by the owner at the home port OR kept on the vessel
    N b. must be posted under transparent material in the pilothouse
    Y c. must be carried on board
    N d. must be kept on file at the corporate offices of the owner or operator

683: Barges and vessels are ballasted before departure to __________.

    Y a. improve their stability
    N b. avoid polluting waters where liquid ballast may not be discharged
    N c. prevent free surface effects
    N d. allow movement of liquids within the barge for tank cleaning

686: The effect known as "bank cushion" acts in which of the following ways on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

    Y a. It forces the bow away from the bank.
    N b. It forces the stern away from the bank.
    N c. It forces the entire vessel away from the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel toward the bank.

771: What does a Visaed Alien Crew List which is made and submitted to the U.S. Consul for visa show?

    N a. All aliens aboard
    N b. All crew members
    Y c. Nonresident aliens aboard
    N d. Registered aliens aboard

799: Temporary Certificates of Inspection are effective until the __________.

    N a. Solas Certificate is issued
    N b. Load Line Certificate is renewed
    N c. classification society approval is issued
    Y d. permanent Certificate of Inspection is issued

814: In the manufacture of line, plant fibers are twisted together to form __________.

    N a. cable
    N b. line
    N c. strands
    Y d. yarns

835: For towing vessels over 100 gross tons that are permitted to maintain a two-watch system, what percentage of the deck crew must be able seamen?

    Y a. 50%
    N b. 65%
    N c. 75%
    N d. 100%

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.

936: A precaution you should take before bunkering is to __________

    N a. plug the vents
    N b. plug the sounding pipes
    Y c. plug the scuppers
    N d. close the lids on the vents

968: The Master may have his/her license suspended or revoked for __________.

    N a. carrying stowaways
    N b. sailing shorthanded
    Y c. being negligent
    N d. All of the above

974: The "Port-Off-Stbd" selector switch on an autopilot steering stand is used to __________.

    N a. change from hand electric steering to automatic gyro
    Y b. change over one steering system to the other
    N c. change over hand electric steering to non-followup
    N d. change over the port to the starboard bow thruster

997: When steering by hand, which of the following may be a functional input to the steering gear as a result of turning the wheel?

    Y a. Non-followup
    N b. Rudder adjustment
    N c. Weather adjustment
    N d. All the above may be activated

1064: Which factor is most likely to impair the strength and durability of synthetic line?

    N a. Dry rot
    N b. Mildew
    Y c. Sunlight
    N d. Washing with mild soap

1098: During the course of a voyage, a seaman falls on the main deck and injures his ankle. The Master should submit a Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death if the __________.

    Y a. injured is unfit for duty
    N b. injured is able to return to work
    N c. injury results in loss of life only
    N d. injury is the result of misconduct

1151: The term used in levying customs duties when such are fixed at rates proportioned to estimated value of goods concerned is __________.

    Y a. ad valorem
    N b. infinite
    N c. secure
    N d. specific

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

1350: A deck beam does NOT __________.

    N a. act as a beam to support vertical deck loads
    Y b. lessen the longitudinal stiffness of the vessel
    N c. act as a tie to keep the sides of the ship in place
    N d. act as a web to prevent plate wrinkling due to twisting action on the vessel

1390: The body plan of a vessel is a(n) __________.

    Y a. endwise view of the ship's molded form
    N b. longitudinal side elevation view
    N c. plan made looking down on the ship, showing it's hull cut horizontally by the first set of planes
    N d. vertical view made looking up in the ship, with the keel at the center

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

1512: 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. R (ROUTINE)
    N b. Z (FLASH)
    Y c. O (IMMEDIATE)
    N d. P (PRIORITY)

1675: What is the name of the mark indicated by the letter D? (D003DG )

    Y a. Tropical load line
    N b. Summer load line
    N c. Fresh load line
    N d. Winter load line

1679: Manila slings should not be used to load __________.

    N a. cotton
    N b. lumber
    Y c. steel
    N d. tires

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

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

1696: Mooring with two bow anchors has which major advantage over anchoring with one bow anchor?

    N a. The vessel will not reverse direction in a tidal current.
    Y b. The radius of the vessel's swing will be shortened.
    N c. A mooring approach may be made from any direction.
    N d. The vessel will not swing with a change in wind.

1772: What is the volume in a cone with a base diameter of 32 feet and a height of 21 feet?

    N a. 8,444.60 cubic ft.
    N b. 7,732.81 cubic ft.
    Y c. 5,629.73 cubic ft.
    N d. 703.72 cubic ft.

1818: When comparing twin screw tug to single-screw tugs, which statement about a twin-screw tug is FALSE?

    N a. If one engine fails, you do not lose control of the tow.
    N b. It is more maneuverable.
    Y c. It develops more bollard pull for the same horsepower.
    N d. It is generally subject to more propeller damage from debris in the water.

1830: Using the graph, if the dry bulb temperature is 76°, and the wet bulb temperature is 58°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 35%
    N b. 47%
    N c. 61%
    N d. 76%

1833: The standing part of a tackle is __________.

    N a. all the fall except the hauling part
    N b. the hook that engages the weight to be moved
    N c. that part to which power is applied
    Y d. that part of the falls made fast to one of the blocks

1833: The standing part of a tackle is __________.

    N a. all the fall except the hauling part
    N b. the hook that engages the weight to be moved
    N c. that part to which power is applied
    Y d. that part of the falls made fast to one of the blocks

1976: Which letter indicates a longitudinal? (D033DG )

    N a. C
    N b. E
    Y c. L
    N d. M

2038: With a large ocean tow in heavy weather, you should NOT __________.

    N a. keep the stern of the tug well down in the water
    Y b. adjust the towline so the tug is on the crest when the tow is in the trough
    N c. keep the low point of the catenary in the water
    N d. use a long towing hawser

2042: Which statement about the deck line is TRUE?

    N a. The top of the deck line is marked at the highest point of the freeboard deck, including camber, at the midships point.
    Y b. A vessel with wooden planks on a steel deck will have the deck line marked at the intersection of the upper line of the wood sheathing with the side shell.
    N c. The deck edge is marked at the intersection of the freeboard deck with the side shell, at the lowest point of sheer, with the vessel at even trim.
    N d. On a vessel with a rounded stringer-sheer plate, the deck line is marked where the stringer plate turns down from the plane of the deck line.

2050: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "H" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

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

2158: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

2180: The weight of the container and its contents is supported on deck by what part(s)?

    Y a. Four lower corner castings
    N b. Bottom, side, and end rails
    N c. Bottom flooring, side, and end rails
    N d. Bottom flooring only

2624: The certificate of loading required by each vessel carrying grain in bulk is issued by the __________.

    N a. owner or charterer of the vessel
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. shipper of the cargo
    Y d. National Cargo Bureau

2704: The legs of a tow bridle are joined together with a __________.

    N a. bridle plate
    N b. shackle
    Y c. fishplate
    N d. tri-link

2735: Periodic surveys to renew the load line assignment must be made at intervals NOT exceeding __________.

    N a. 18 months
    N b. two years
    N c. three years
    Y d. five years

2745: While standing look-out at night, a dim light on the horizon will be seen quickest by looking __________.

    Y a. a little above the horizon
    N b. directly towards the light
    N c. a little below the horizon
    N d. quickly above then quickly below the horizon

2805: "Hard right rudder" means __________.

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

2824: While being assisted by an icebreaker on Lake Superior, you receive a single letter code instructing you to slow your vessel. Which signal could you use to signify that you are complying with the request?

    N a. Three blasts of the whistle
    N b. The code flag "A" (Alpha) displayed from a halyard
    Y c. Four blasts of the whistle, namely 1 short 2 long and 1 short
    N d. The code flag "L" (Lima) displayed from a halyard

2919: Which statement about general average is TRUE?

    N a. Damage to a ship must have been incurred while the ship and/or its machinery was being used for its intended purpose.
    Y b. Property must have been sacrificed or an expenditure of money incurred.
    N c. The loss or damage to deck cargo due to heavy weather constitutes general average.
    N d. Of the ship, the freight, and the cargo interests, only one need be involved.

2933: Your vessel is to dock bow first at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Stern breast line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Bow breast line
    N d. Inshore head line

3036: Which statement about ships operating in ice is FALSE?

    N a. Light and partly loaded ships should be ballasted as deeply as possible.
    Y b. In brash-filled channels, operating with a shallow draft forward is most effective.
    N c. Traditionally, operating ships light in the ice has been effective in the spring.
    N d. Good searchlights should be available in the event of night navigation with or without icebreaker escort.

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

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

3292: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

    N a. unlicensed shipping card from the union
    N b. quarters allocation
    Y c. copy of the shipping agreement
    N d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

3480: When barge headlogs do not meet or are not even with one another, the void or opening between them is called a __________.

    Y a. notch
    N b. hole
    N c. spacing
    N d. gap

4047: Your vessel is to dock bow in at a pier. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

    N a. Inshore head line
    Y b. Bow spring line
    N c. Stern breast line
    N d. Bow breast line

4068: What produces the MOST dangerous vapors?

    Y a. Anhydrous ammonia
    N b. Camphor oil
    N c. Methyl alcohol
    N d. Pentane

4119: The securing of passenger cars on a Ro-Ro vessel requires __________.

    N a. simple and lightweight equipment
    N b. low labor intensive equipment
    N c. specially designed equipment to avoid vehicle damage
    Y d. All of the above