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.


5: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard starboard side". You should instinctively __________.


24: A crack in the deck plating of a vessel may be temporarily prevented from increasing in length by __________.


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


83: The mooring line labeled "A" as shown is called a(n) __________. (D044DG )

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

203: 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 pushes the entire vessel away from the bank.
    Y c. It pulls the stern toward the bank.
    N d. It heels the vessel 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

327: You are on a multiple product tankship and carrying methyl acrylate, diethanolamine, and triethylamine. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Methyl acrylate may be loaded in a tank adjacent to diethanolamine but not triethylamine.
    Y b. The heating coils to the cargo tank loaded with methyl acrylate must be blanked off.
    N c. Valve components made of aluminum, copper, or zinc may not be in contact with the cargoes.
    N d. Each crew member working on deck must have an emergency escape breathing apparatus.

436: The rudders are amidships and both screws are going ahead. What will happen if the starboard screw is stopped?

    N a. The bow will go to port.
    Y b. The bow will go to starboard.
    N c. The bow will remain steady.
    N d. The stern will go to starboard.

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

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

492: You are the Master of a 500-gross ton passenger vessel operating on rivers. Your vessel accidentally runs aground. Under the regulations for passenger vessels, you must notify the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in injury to personnel
    N b. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in damage to property in excess of $(SA)25,000
    Y c. nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible
    N d. Coast Guard, only if the grounding results in loss of life

551: The name and hailing port of a documented commercial vessel is __________.

    N a. not required to be marked anywhere on the vessel
    N b. required to be marked on both bows and on the keel
    Y c. required to be marked on the stern with the name of the vessel marked on both bows
    N d. required to be marked on the keel, stern, and both bows

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

595: The turning circle of a vessel is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. outermost part of the ship while making the circle
    Y b. center of gravity
    N c. bow
    N d. tipping center

660: You receive word that a person has fallen overboard from the starboard side. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. notify the Master
    Y b. put the wheel hard right
    N c. put the engines full astern
    N d. sound the man overboard alarm

691: On U.S. flag vessels, which certificate is always issued by the Coast Guard?

    N a. Load Line Certificate
    Y b. Safety Equipment Certificate
    N c. Safety Construction Certificate
    N d. Register of cargo gear

716: Your vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel. The effect called bank cushion has which effect on the vessel?

    Y a. Forces the bow away from the bank
    N b. Forces the stern away from the bank
    N c. Forces the entire vessel bodily away from the bank
    N d. Decreases the draft at the bow

718: How many board feet of dunnage would you estimate to be in a pile 5 feet wide, 1 foot high and 14 feet long?

    N a. 70
    Y b. 840
    N c. 960
    N d. 1080

775: You are on a large merchant vessel entering a U.S. port. There is a Pilot onboard and he has the conn. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The Pilot becomes solely responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel only if the Master relinquishes the conn.
    N b. The Pilot is solely responsible for the internal working of the ship.
    N c. The Pilot is solely responsible for the safe maneuvering of the ship only if he is required to be on board by law.
    Y d. The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the Pilot is employed for his local knowledge.

855: Which party must ensure that legal work hour limitations (for both officers and crew members), rest periods and regulations governing work on Sundays and holidays are followed when the vessel is in a safe harbor?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The company operating the vessel
    Y c. The Master of the vessel
    N d. The company chartering the vessel

917: What is the period of validity of a Safety Management Certificate?

    Y a. 60 months
    N b. 48 months
    N c. 42 months
    N d. 36 months

918: Ten triangular piles of piping on the pier are to be loaded - each pile has a 20 foot base, is 15 feet high and 30 feet long. If the breadth of the hold is 60 feet and the piping is to be stowed fore and aft in a 30 foot space, how high will it stow?

    N a. 16.6 feet
    Y b. 25.0 feet
    N c. 50.0 feet
    N d. 75.0 feet

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

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

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

1220: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo cranes on a vessel?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. American Bureau of Shipping
    N c. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    N d. National Cargo Bureau

1293: What is required to be posted in the pilothouse of a vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Officer's licenses
    N c. Company Mission Statement
    Y d. Muster List ("Station Bill")

1442: You are on an ice-reinforced vessel about to enter pack ice. You should __________.

    N a. enter the pack on the windward side where there is a well defined ice edge
    N b. trim to an even keel or slightly down by the bow to take maximum benefit of the ice reinforcement
    N c. take maximum advantage of coastal leads caused by offshore winds
    Y d. look for areas of rotten ice and enter perpendicular to the ice edge

1464: When talking about wire rope, the lay of the wire is the __________.

    Y a. direction wires and strands are twisted together
    N b. number of strands in the wire
    N c. direction the core is twisted
    N d. material used in the core

1484: A metal eye spliced into a wire is called a __________.

    N a. cyclops
    N b. fish eye
    Y c. thimble
    N d. chip

1511: A vessel has been damaged by fire. The survey shows the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the repaired vessel. This is an example of a(n) __________.

    Y a. constructive total loss
    N b. salvage loss
    N c. actual loss
    N d. preferred loss

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

1539: Electric cargo winches have an overload safety device which normally cuts the current to the winch motor __________.

    Y a. after torque causes line pull to exceed the rated capacity of the winch
    N b. before the line pull reaches the rated capacity of the winch
    N c. when the line pull reaches the breaking strength of the fall
    N d. before the safe working load of the fall is reached

1590: A thirty pound plate would be __________.

    N a. 3/8" thick
    N b. 1/2" thick
    Y c. 3/4" thick
    N d. 1" thick

1640: The garboard strake is the __________.

    N a. raised flange at the main deck edge
    N b. riveted crack arrester strap on all-welded ships
    N c. riveting pattern most commonly used in ship construction
    Y d. row of plating nearest the keel

1660: The strake on each side of the keel is called a __________.

    N a. sheer strake
    N b. gatewood strake
    N c. insulation strake
    Y d. garboard strake

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.

1709: The force acting on a single cargo runner which is vertically lifting or lowering a load is greatest when __________.

    Y a. decelerating when lowering the load
    N b. decelerating when raising the load
    N c. lowering the load at constant speed
    N d. raising the load at constant speed

1756: When anchoring a vessel, it is best to release the anchor when __________.

    N a. going full astern
    N b. going full ahead
    Y c. going slow astern
    N d. dead in the water

1849: The knot lettered U is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. half hitch
    N b. round knot
    N c. becket bend
    N d. plain whipping

1872: 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
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Y d. less than 10 minutes

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

1915: A butt is indicated by which letter? (D033DG )

    N a. J
    N b. F
    N c. E
    Y d. D

2016: The revolving drum of a winch used to haul lines is called a __________.

    N a. bull gear
    Y b. gypsyhead
    N c. spanner
    N d. wildcat

2149: When anchoring in a clay bottom, what is one hazard that may cause the anchor to drag?

    N a. The flukes may dig in unevenly and capsize the anchor when under stress.
    N b. The flukes may not dig in.
    Y c. The anchor may get shod with clay and not develop full holding power.
    N d. The anchor will tend to dig in and come to rest near the vertical.

2150: The vessel shown has broken down and you are going to take her in tow. The wind is coming from her starboard beam. You are making more leeway than she. Where should you position your vessel when you start running lines? (DO25DG )

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

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)

2228: You have determined the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel by taking the radar ranges and bearings of an isolated light while making a turn. The results are listed. Based on this data what is the transfer for a turn of 60°? (D035DG )

    Y a. 140 yards (126 meters)
    N b. 180 yards (162 meters)
    N c. 225 yards (203 meters)
    N d. 270 yards (243 meters)

2345: A splice that can be used in running rigging, where the line will pass through blocks, is a __________.

    N a. short splice
    Y b. long splice
    N c. back splice
    N d. spindle splice

2606: You are approaching the pilot station with the wind fine on the starboard bow and making about 3 knots. You can help to calm the seas by taking what action just before the pilot boat comes along on the port side?

    N a. Backing full
    N b. Stopping the engines
    N c. Giving right full rudder
    Y d. A short burst of ahead full with left full rudder

2622: You must shore up the collision bulkhead due to solid flooding forward. The bulkhead approximates an inverted triangle. The center of pressure of the shores on the bulkhead should be located __________.

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

2892: What is LEAST likely to be used to strip a cargo tank?

    Y a. Centrifugal pump
    N b. Eductor
    N c. Rotary pump
    N d. Reciprocating pump

2897: Form 2692 (Notice of Marine Casualty), when required, must be filed to the U.S. Coast Guard within how many days?

    N a. 1 day
    N b. 3 days
    Y c. 5 days
    N d. 7 days

2944: Your ship is navigating independently in heavy ice when it becomes beset. Which statement is FALSE?

    N a. The vessel will most likely require an icebreaker to free her.
    N b. The vessel may be able to free herself by pumping ballast from side to side.
    Y c. The propeller is more susceptible to ice damage when turning slowly than when stopped.
    N d. It is advisable to clear the rudder area of ice by using ahead turns before backing down.

2956: 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?

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

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

3242: What term indicates the line drawn at the top of the flat plate keel?

    Y a. Base line
    N b. Molded line
    N c. Designer's waterline
    N d. Keel line

3432: A vessel is wind rode when it is __________.

    Y a. at anchor and heading into the wind
    N b. backing into the wind
    N c. carrying lee rudder
    N d. necessary to apply a leeway correction to the course

3580: You are standing the wheelwatch on entering port and the Master gives you a rudder command which conflicts with a rudder command from the Pilot. What should you do?

    Y a. Obey the Master.
    N b. Obey the Pilot.
    N c. Bring the rudder to a position midway between the two conflicting orders.
    N d. Ask the Pilot if he relinquishes control.

4116: Onboard a Ro-Ro vessel many decks are used for the carriage of both rolling and container cargoes, as such it is most useful if a deck socket accepts both __________.

    Y a. twist-Locks and lashing hooks
    N b. container locks and bridge fittings
    N c. bridge fittings and lashing hooks
    N d. twist-locks and container locks

4213: What does a jib refer to on a crane?

    Y a. Boom
    N b. Topping lift
    N c. Control cab
    N d. Liftline