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.


3: A stopper used in securing the ground tackle for sea that consists of a grab attached to a turnbuckle is a __________.


7: The mooring line labeled "F" is called a __________. (D044DG )


68: Odorous cargoes are those that __________.


70: You are on a tankship designed to carry molten sulfur. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. There must be two portable toxic vapor detectors on board.
    N b. The cargo tank ventilation system must maintain the H2S vapor concentration at 1.85% or more by volume.
    Y c. Cargo temperature may be taken by portable thermometers.
    N d. The pressure in the heating coils in the tanks must be less than that of the cargo exerted on them.

81: Your 199 GT tugboat is on a 675 mile coastwise voyage. What percentage of the deck crew must be Able Bodied Seamen?

    N a. 0%
    N b. 25%
    N c. 50%
    Y d. 65%

119: Sour crude oil __________.

    Y a. contains high quantities of hydrogen sulfide
    N b. is diluted with other products for carriage
    N c. is lighter than other crudes
    N d. is less hazardous to load than other crudes

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

418: On a vessel proceeding from a very cold to a warm climate with a cargo of a nonhygroscopic nature in the holds, which is TRUE?

    N a. Danger of heavy ship sweat exists; constant and vigorous ventilation is required.
    Y b. There is danger of heavy cargo sweat if outside air is introduced by ventilation.
    N c. There is little danger of ship's sweat, slight possibility of cargo sweat; moderate ventilation is needed.
    N d. The possibility of any sweat problem, either cargo or ship, is remote.

430: On a manned vessel carrying packaged hazardous cargo, the hazardous materials shall be inspected __________.

    N a. every 24 hours unless equipped with a fire detecting system
    N b. prior to entry into a U.S. port
    N c. after stowage is complete
    Y d. All of the above

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

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

542: Which best describes a "fishplate" used in towing?

    Y a. A triangular-shaped heavy steel plate with a round hole inset from each corner
    N b. A steel plate in the shape of a flat fish
    N c. A rectangular-shaped piece of heavy steel plate with four holes
    N d. A circular piece of heavy steel with three holes forming an equilateral triangle

547: Where is an intermediate spring or surge line placed in the towing hookup?

    Y a. Connected between the main towing hawser and the towing bridle
    N b. Connected between the "H" towing bitts and the main towing hawser
    N c. End of line fastened directly to the drum of the towing winch
    N d. As both legs of the towing bridle

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%

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

594: A bollard is found on the __________.

    N a. beach
    N b. deck
    Y c. pier
    N d. towed vessel

651: Fire fighting equipment requirements for a particular vessel may be found on the __________.

    Y a. 4Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Certificate of Seaworthiness
    N c. Classification Certificate
    N d. Certificate of Registry

700: A tug is approaching a broken down steamer in moderately heavy weather preparing to take it in tow. In most cases the __________.

    N a. steamer will drift stern downwind
    N b. tug will drift faster than the steamer
    N c. tug should approach stern to
    Y d. tug should approach from downwind

717: It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that __________.

    N a. the muster list is posted in each compartment
    Y b. temporary personnel and visitors are advised of emergency stations
    N c. names of crew members are listed on the muster list
    N d. no changes are made to the muster list

808: You are loading a cargo of cases into a hold which has a bale cubic of 44,000. The cargo consists of cases measuring 4 ft by 2 ft by 1.5 ft. Estimated broken stowage is 15%. What is the maximum number of cases which can be stowed in the hold?

    N a. 3096
    Y b. 3116
    N c. 3136
    N d. 3156

877: On which vessels may licensed individuals be required to stand watch under the two-watch system, on voyages of more than 600 miles in length?

    Y a. Uninspected towing vessels
    N b. Offshore supply vessels
    N c. Cargo ships
    N d. Tank vessels

948: Twenty-five hundred (2500) tons of iron ore with a stowage factor of 17 is stowed in a cargo hold. The dimensions of the hold are 55 feet long and 45 feet wide and 35 feet high. What is the height of the center of gravity of the ore above the bottom of the hold?

    N a. 7.8 feet
    Y b. 8.6 feet
    N c. 17.1 feet
    N d. 34.6 feet

951: The responsibility for maintaining the Official Logbook on voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States rests with the __________.

    N a. Chief Mate of the vessel
    Y b. Master of the vessel
    N c. Deck Officer of the watch at the time of the occurrence
    N d. Purser of the vessel

993: Your vessel is docking, but not yet alongside. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?

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

1033: Each crewmember has an assigned firefighting station. This assignment is shown on the __________.

    N a. fire fighting plan
    N b. shipping articles
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. muster list

1063: You have been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair rigged to a mast that you intend to paint. You are now supporting your weight by seizing the hauling part and the standing part of the gantline in one hand. Your next procedure in securing the bosun's chair is to __________.

    N a. secure the tail of the standing part leading from the becket bend to the mast
    Y b. dip the bight of the hauling part around your back and up in front of you to form the hitch
    N c. take a strain on the hauling part by having it led to the gypsy head on a winch
    N d. secure the standing part of the gantline to the hauling part by taking turns of marlin and tying off

1111: A vessel sailing from Liverpool to New York puts into Boston, Mass. for emergency repairs. If no inward foreign cargo is to be discharged at that port, which of the following documents is required?

    N a. Custom Manifest
    N b. Inward Foreign Manifest
    Y c. Pro Forma Manifest
    N d. Traveling Manifest

1121: What should be readily available on deck while seamen are working over the side on a stage?

    Y a. Rng buoy
    N b. Fire extinguisher
    N c. First aid kit
    N d. Stokes basket

1144: Which rope has the greatest breaking strength?

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

1183: Which towing equipment can be used to prevent the tripping of a tug?

    N a. Bridles
    N b. Chafing boards
    Y c. Gob ropes
    N d. Drogues

1468: What will NOT reduce yawing of a tow?

    N a. Increasing the length of the towing hawser
    N b. Trimming the tow by the stern
    Y c. Stowing deck loads forward
    N d. Drogues put over the stern

1472: Which knot represents a single becket bend? (DO30DG )

    N a. E
    N b. F
    N c. G
    Y d. H

1495: A common class of wire rope is the 6X37 class. What does the 37 represent?

    N a. Number of wires in the inner core
    N b. Number of strands per wire rope
    N c. Tensile strength of the wire
    Y d. Number of wires per strand

1526: One shot of anchor chain is equal to how many feet (meters)?

    N a. 6 (1.8 meters)
    N b. 15 (4.6 meters)
    N c. 45 (13.7 meters)
    Y d. 90 (27.4 meters)

1548: What could be used as fairleads on a towed vessel?

    N a. Chocks
    N b. Double bitts
    N c. Roller chocks
    Y d. All of the above

1619: A periodic thorough examination of the cargo gear proves satisfactory. What percentage of the total gear must be dismantled to determine actual internal condition?

    Y a. None
    N b. 10%
    N c. 25%
    N d. 100%

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

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

1728: You are trying to rescue survivors from a wrecked vessel on fire. You should approach __________.

    N a. to leeward of the wrecked vessel
    N b. at a speed of at most one-half that of the wrecked vessel
    N c. at a speed of at least that of the wrecked vessel
    Y d. to windward of the wrecked vessel

1780: The term that indicates how many tons of cargo a vessel can carry is __________.

    N a. bale cubic
    Y b. deadweight
    N c. gross tonnage
    N d. loaded displacement

1895: The knot lettered Q as shown is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. square knot
    N b. clove hitch
    Y c. bowline
    N d. round knot

1928: Which towing method maintains the most control over the tow?

    N a. Tandem towing
    N b. Honolulu towing
    N c. Tandem tug towing
    Y d. Breasted tug towing

2018: When towing astern, one way to reduce yawing of the tow is to __________.

    Y a. trim the tow by the stern
    N b. trim the tow by the head
    N c. have the tow on an even keel
    N d. list the tow on the side it is yawing

2095: You are using a racetrack turn to recover a man overboard. The vessel is first steadied when how many degrees away from the original heading?

    N a. 60° to 70°
    N b. 90°
    N c. 135°
    Y d. 180°

2128: Several merchant ships are arriving at the scene of a distress incident. One of the them must assume the duties of the Coordinator Surface Search (CSS). Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. CSS duties are always assumed by passenger vessels, dry cargo vessels, or tankers in that order of precedence.
    Y b. The CSS must be established by mutual agreement between the ships concerned.
    N c. A tank vessel should never be assigned CSS duties unless only tank vessels are present.
    N d. The first vessel to arrive at the distress incident is designated as the CSS.

2188: The forecastle card is a(n) __________.

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

2229: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook of tackle number 9. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    Y a. 20
    N b. 9
    N c. 5
    N d. 4

2360: Splices made in nylon should __________.

    N a. be long splices only
    Y b. have extra tucks taken
    N c. be short splices only
    N d. be around a thimble

2593: On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. Further information is contained in __________.

    N a. the Light List
    Y b. Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)
    N c. the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
    N d. the Coast Pilot

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

2744: An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "I" (India) to signify that "___________________".

    N a. I am altering my course to starboard
    Y b. I am altering my course to port
    N c. I am operating astern propulsion
    N d. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water

2772: The Coordinator Surface Search (CSS) in a SAR situation should display by night __________.

    N a. deck lights forward and aft
    N b. a white light over two red lights
    N c. a red light, white light, and blue light in a vertical line
    Y d. a distinctive signal promulgated by the CSS

2951: The helm command "meet her" means __________.

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

2979: Which statement about shipping coal is TRUE?

    N a. Anthracite will generate more methane than bituminous coal.
    N b. Coal should not be shipped while wet.
    Y c. Coal should be surface ventilated to remove methane gas.
    N d. The methane gas generated by coal will react with moisture on the ship's structure and accelerate corrosion.

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.

3114: Which item is rigged to transmit the thrust from one barge to another barge when going ahead? (D024DG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    Y c. E
    N d. B

3293: You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence. Which precedence would you assign this message?

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

4042: You are on a 120,000 DWT loaded bulk carrier. What is the maximum safe docking speed when coming alongside?

    N a. 0.1 foot per second (0.06 knot)
    Y b. 0.2 foot per second (0.12 knot)
    N c. 0.5 foot per second (0.30 knot)
    N d. 0.75 foot per second (0.44 knot)

4120: Which of the following is considered auxiliary securing equipment that provides extra reliability to lashing in Ro-Ro transport operations?

    N a. Trailer trestles
    N b. Pedestals
    N c. Wheel chocks
    Y d. All of the above

4143: Which tensioning device is used with wire rope lashing to secure vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Chain lever
    N b. Buckle tensioner
    Y c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    N d. Ratchet tensioner

4148: Which tensioning device is used with chain to secure heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Ratchet tensioner
    N b. Buckle tensioner
    N c. Adjust-a-matic tensioner
    Y d. Turnbuckle

4250: Which action(s) is/are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation checks and start-up
    N b. Removing booms from stowage
    N c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    Y d. All of the above