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.


14: Damaged bulkheads often take a permanent set which is independent of the panting or bulge caused by water pressure. To control this, you should __________.


42: The vapor pressure of a substance __________.


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


78: Which is an example of cargo damage caused by inherent vice?

    N a. Sublimation of chemicals
    Y b. Heating of grain
    N c. Stevedore damage
    N d. Wear and tear

91: You are the person in charge of a 199 GRT uninspected towing vessel engaged in coastwise towing from the Gulf of Mexico to New York, a distance in excess of 600 miles. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The deckhands shall be divided into 3 watches.
    N b. Able seamen are required in the deck crew.
    N c. All crew members shall have Merchant Mariner's Documents.
    Y d. Certificates of Discharge are not required to be issued.

92: You start a centrifugal cargo pump to discharge cargo. The pump works for a while and then loses suction. This could be caused by __________.

    N a. the pump running backwards
    Y b. incomplete priming
    N c. the discharge head being too high
    N d. All of the above

166: The distance gained in the direction of the original course when you are making a turn is known as __________.

    Y a. advance
    N b. drift
    N c. tactical diameter
    N d. transfer

215: How does the effect known as "bank suction" act on a single-screw vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?

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

219: What refers to the depth of a petroleum product in a tank?

    Y a. Innage
    N b. Outage
    N c. Thievage
    N d. Ullage

355: Generally, you can best keep a vessel under steering control when the vessel has __________.

    Y a. headway
    N b. sternway
    N c. no way on, with engines stopped
    N d. no way on, with engines full ahead

429: A tank is loaded with 9,000 barrels of gasoline. The temperature of the product is 90°F (32°C), and it has a coefficient of expansion of .0008. What is the net amount of cargo loaded?

    N a. 8856 bbls
    Y b. 8784 bbls
    N c. 8820 bbls
    N d. 9216 bbls

566: The BEST way to steer a twin-screw vessel if you lose your rudder is by using __________.

    N a. one engine and a steering oar
    N b. both engines at the same speed
    N c. one engine at a time
    Y d. one engine running at reduced speed and controlling the vessel with the other

613: A lookout can leave his station __________.

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

620: You are on a container vessel. What concerning the handling and stowage of containerized hazardous materials is TRUE?

    Y a. Open-bed containers may be used to transport hazardous materials if the cargo is properly secured.
    N b. A portable cargo tank of a flammable, cryogenic liquid may not be in transit for a period exceeding its marked rated holding time unless the liquid is inhibited.
    N c. A portable cargo tank containing a cryogenic liquid must be shipped on deck unless forced ventilation is provided to the decks-decks.
    N d. A container loaded with packages of tear gas would display a placard reading "Irritant."

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

728: How many board feet of dunnage are in a draft 4 feet wide, 1-1/2 feet high and 13 feet long?

    N a. 84
    N b. 756
    Y c. 936
    N d. 1021

982: The muster list must be posted in conspicuous locations and signed by the __________.

    N a. safety officer
    N b. Coast Guard Officer approving the bill
    N c. owner
    Y d. Master

1034: You are the licensed operator of a 100 GT towing vessel sailing coastwise. What percentage of the deck crew must be able to understand the language commonly used onboard the vessel?

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

1042: Your vessel has the symbol shown inscribed on the sides amidships. Which statement is TRUE? (D022DG )

    N a. This line represents the load line mark for a Great Lakes voyage.
    Y b. The gross and net tonnage of the ship will change if this mark is submerged and the load line is visible.
    N c. The line directly under the triangle is at the same level as the summer load line.
    N d. This is the equivalent of a load line marking for government (CofE, NOAA, MSC) vessels.

1093: When rigging a bosun's chair, a tail block or lizard is used to __________.

    N a. guide the bosun's chair down a stay when applying a protective coating
    N b. run paint or tools up to a sailor in a chair with a heaving line
    N c. keep a bosun's chair from swinging with the ship's motion
    Y d. reeve the gantline through

1102: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "B" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. after breast line
    N b. after spring line
    Y c. inshore stern line
    N d. offshore stern line

1163: When piloting a vessel, how are visual references used to establish a constant rate of turn?

    Y a. Fixed objects that stay on the same relative bearing when the ship is turning indicate a constant rate of turn.
    N b. Visual references cannot be used to maintain a constant rate of turn.
    N c. Begin the turn when the fixed object is on the beam.
    N d. Keep the fixed object's relative relative bearing opening, for a constant rate of turn.

1241: A Notice of Marine Casualty to a vessel must include __________.

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

1275: The tension on an anchor cable increases so that the angle of the catenary to the seabed at the anchor reaches 10°. How will this affect the anchor in sandy soil?

    N a. It will have no effect.
    N b. It will increase the holding power.
    Y c. It will reduce the holding power.
    N d. It will cause the anchor to snag.

1389: A band or collar on the top end of a boom to which the topping lift, midships guy, and outboard guys are secured, is called the __________.

    N a. collar band
    N b. guy band
    N c. pad eye collar
    Y d. spider band

1527: A 30,000 DWT tankship is required to have an IOPP certificate when __________.

    N a. engaged in the coastwise trade
    N b. going foreign
    Y c. calling at ports in another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78
    N d. carrying cargoes listed in the MARPOL regulations

1527: A 30,000 DWT tankship is required to have an IOPP certificate when __________.

    N a. engaged in the coastwise trade
    N b. going foreign
    Y c. calling at ports in another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78
    N d. carrying cargoes listed in the MARPOL regulations

1596: Using a scope of five, determine how many feet of chain you should put out to anchor in 12 fathoms of water.

    N a. 60 feet (18 meters)
    N b. 72 feet (22 meters)
    Y c. 360 feet (110 meters)
    N d. 450 feet (137 meters)

1634: A monkey fist is found on a __________.

    Y a. heaving line
    N b. lead line
    N c. manrope
    N d. mooring line

1655: Which knot represents a double blackwall hitch? (DO30DG )

    N a. F
    N b. G
    Y c. L
    N d. R

1666: While anchoring your vessel, the best time to let go the anchor is when the vessel is __________.

    N a. dead in the water
    Y b. moving slowly astern over the ground
    N c. moving fast ahead over the ground
    N d. moving fast astern over the ground

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

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

1836: While towing, what is the principal danger in attempting to swing a barge on a hawser in order to slow the barge's speed?

    N a. The barge may swing too quickly and run over the tug.
    Y b. The barge may pass under the hawser and capsize the tug.
    N c. Free surface affect of liquid inside the barge may rupture the barge bulkheads when turning too quickly.
    N d. Dangerous wakes may result from the swinging barge and capsize the tug.

1875: A seam is indicated by which letter in illustration D033DG? (D033DG )

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

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

1965: A maritime lien may be placed against __________.

    N a. any assets that a ship's owner may have
    Y b. a vessel, cargo, or freight
    N c. objects that are fixed and immovable, such as wharves
    N d. the vessel only

2015: During a period of "whiteout", you should expect which of the following?

    N a. Snowfall or blowing snow
    Y b. Lack of ability to estimate distance
    N c. Harsh contrast between sun-illuminated snow cover and the background
    N d. Hazy horizons with extensive mirage effects

2133: The S.S. Hollowpoint has a charter party in which the charterer assumes no responsibility for the operation of the vessel but pays stevedoring expenses. What is the name of the charter party?

    N a. Bareboat
    N b. Dispatch
    Y c. Voyage
    N d. Demise

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

2242: What is the area of a circle with a radius of 21 feet after a sector of 120° has been removed?

    N a. 115.45 sq. ft
    N b. 230.91 sq. ft
    N c. 461.81 sq. ft
    Y d. 923.63 sq. ft

2500: Which part of an anchor actually digs into the bottom?

    N a. Stock
    Y b. Fluke
    N c. Shank
    N d. Crown

2533: You should attach a towline to a trailer eye bolt using a(n)______________.

    N a. eye splice
    Y b. bowline
    N c. towing hitch
    N d. square knot

2759: Which of the Great Lakes is most affected by short-term Lake level fluctuations?

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

2782: What is a wet cargo?

    N a. A liquid cargo carried in the deep tanks
    Y b. A canned or bottled liquid such as beer
    N c. A cargo that contains hygroscopic moisture
    N d. A cargo particularly susceptible to damage by moisture

2842: By definition, a "spar deck" is the __________.

    N a. lower most continuous deck not broken by water tight bulkheads
    N b. after most weather deck above the main strength deck
    Y c. upper or weather deck above the main strength deck
    N d. deck of light construction below the main or strength deck

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

2912: When tank cleaning with a portable machine, the weight of the machine is suspended from __________.

    N a. solid iron bars clamped to the Butterworth opening
    Y b. the supply hose
    N c. the suspension line, usually manila or natural fiber line
    N d. a wire rope suspension line

2936: Storms that enter the Great Lakes Basin from the west and northwest at a peak in October are the products of pressure systems known as __________.

    N a. Northwesters
    Y b. Alberta lows
    N c. Fata morgana
    N d. Polar highs

3210: A licensed Master of Towing Vessels may NOT serve as the person in charge of which towing vessel?

    N a. 99 GRT towing vessel operating on Chesapeake Bay
    N b. 199 GRT towing vessel operating in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. 500 GRT towboat operating on the Western Rivers
    Y d. 349 GRT towing vessel operating between Florida and Puerto Rico

3286: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his arm extended, with the thumb pointing up, and is flexing his fingers in and out for as long as the load movement is desired. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. lower the boom and raise the load
    Y b. raise the boom and lower the load
    N c. lower the boom and lower the load
    N d. raise the boom and raise the load

3309: Catenary as applied to tow lines denotes the __________.

    Y a. dip of the line
    N b. stretch of the line
    N c. strain on the line
    N d. length of the line

3439: Horizontal fore or aft motion of a vessel is known as __________.

    N a. pitch
    Y b. surge
    N c. sway
    N d. roll

3502: The point that is halfway between the forward and after perpendicular and is a reference point for vessel construction is the __________.

    N a. half length
    N b. mid-body
    N c. center line
    Y d. amidships

3576: Heave is motion along the __________.

    N a. longitudinal axis
    N b. transverse axis
    Y c. vertical axis
    N d. centerline axis

3950: In general, an unreinforced vessel can safely navigate in ice provided the concentration does not exceed how many OKTAs?

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

4012: The purpose of item G is to __________. (D024DG )

    N a. distribute the vessel's thrust over a wider area
    N b. prevent the towboat from capsizing if item I should part
    Y c. prevent the knee from shifting when the rudder is put hard over
    N d. keep the barges from shifting fore and aft

4036: When a cargo boom or crane is rated at varying capacities, there will be a table at the controls which relates safe working load to __________.

    N a. winch speed
    N b. boom strength
    Y c. load radius
    N d. cable strength

4115: Entries should be made in a Ro-Ro vessel’s cargo-securing device record book for __________.

    N a. procedures for accepting cargo securing devices
    N b. procedures for maintaining and repairing cargo-securing devices
    N c. record of cargo securing device inspections
    Y d. All of the above

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

4246: What does "level-luffing" accomplish during crane operations?

    N a. It prevents the load from swinging when the boom level is adjusted.
    N b. Less power is needed when topping the boom with a load on the hook.
    N c. It maintains the height of the load above the deck.
    Y d. All of the above