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.


63: Which space(s) is(are) deducted from gross tonnage to derive net tonnage?


64: Which statement about damage control is TRUE?


71: You are the licensed Master of a 199 GT uninspected towing vessel making a 500 mile coastwise trip. You carry a deck crew of six (6). Which statement is TRUE?


235: Which ending is NOT acceptable in a wire rope that is free to rotate when hoisting?

    N a. Poured socket
    Y b. Liverpool eye splice
    N c. Eye formed with a pressure clamped sleeve
    N d. Eye formed by clips

405: At the establishment of Naval Control of Shipping (NCS), ships at sea will __________.

    N a. stop and await further orders
    N b. attempt to make their way to the nearest port of a friendly nation and await further instructions
    Y c. continue voyages unless in danger areas defined in the advisory or supplemental message
    N d. keep radio silence

437: Prior to getting underway in fresh or brackish water, the Master must __________.

    Y a. log the density of the water
    N b. secure all overboard discharges
    N c. take on fresh water ballast
    N d. clean the sides with fresh water

460: When stowing hazardous materials on deck, lashing of such cargo is permitted if __________.

    N a. a wooden bin is constructed of at least 2-inch dunnage and bolted together
    N b. the cargo is lashed to the adjacent guard rails
    Y c. the lashings are secured to deck pad eyes
    N d. there is at least 3 inches of dunnage on deck

507: You are signing on your crew. Which is NOT authorized?

    Y a. A man presenting his Chief Mate's license to sign on as able seaman
    N b. An engineer presenting an MMD endorsed "QMED - any rating" to sign on as an Electrician
    N c. A man presenting an MMD endorsed as "Able Seaman" to sign on as Bosun
    N d. A man presenting an MMD endorsed "Steward's Department (F.H.)" to sign on as Chief Cook

616: "Ice blink" is __________.

    N a. the dark appearance of the underside of a cloud layer due to reflection of a surface of open water
    N b. the soft light appearance on the underside of a cloud layer due to reflection from a surface of open water
    Y c. the yellowish-white glare on the underside of a cloud layer
    N d. "water sky"

630: You are doing a Williamson turn. Your vessel has swung about 60° from the original course heading. You should __________.

    N a. put the rudder amidships and check the swing
    N b. stop the engines and prepare to maneuver to pick up the man in the water
    Y c. shift your rudder
    N d. increase to maximum speed

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

676: Conditions for crossing a rough bar are usually best at __________.

    N a. low water slack
    Y b. high water slack
    N c. high water ebb
    N d. high water flood

726: A common occurrence when a vessel is running into shallow water is that __________.

    N a. the wake is less pronounced
    N b. the vessel is more responsive to the rudder
    Y c. "squat" will cause a decrease in bottom clearance and an increase in draft
    N d. All of the above

893: Considering the manning requirements for U.S. vessels, your three watch cargo vessel has a deck crew of 20 people, exclusive of the officers. How many of these people do the manning regulations require to be Able Seamen?

    Y a. 13
    N b. 10
    N c. 7
    N d. 5

934: Which method is used to detect rot in manila lines?

    Y a. Opening the strands and examining the inner fibers
    N b. Measuring the reduction in circumference of the line
    N c. Observing for the appearance of mildew on the outer surface
    N d. Feeling the surface of the line for broken fibers

985: You have the "conn" at the time the helmsman who is steering by hand reports that the rudder is not responding to the wheel. Your FIRST action should be to __________.

    N a. call the engineroom and report that you have lost steering
    N b. signal the engineroom to stop the engines
    Y c. shift the selector switch to the other steering system
    N d. call the Master

1071: In some cases, the 50% duty on all foreign repairs made to American flag merchant vessels may be remitted. Which work does NOT come under the remitting policy of U.S. Customs?

    Y a. Chipping, painting, and scaling by foreign labor
    N b. Repairs to hull structural damage
    N c. Repairs due to damage done by heavy weather
    N d. Repairs to the main propulsion machinery

1077: A seaman dies during a voyage. What is NOT required to be entered into the Official Log?

    Y a. Statement that the Master has taken custody of the deceased's MMD and passport
    N b. An inventory of the money and property
    N c. Statement of the wages due
    N d. Statement as to the total deductions to be made from the wages

1182: Your vessel must moor port side to a berth limited by vessels ahead and astern using a single tug. You are stemming a slight current and there is a light breeze of the dock. Your tug should be made up to the vessel's __________.

    N a. stern on a hawser
    N b. quarter
    N c. waist
    Y d. bow

1194: What type of line melts easiest?

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

1200: Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to __________.

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

1209: When cargo is being worked using a Burton or married fall system, which part of the cargo gear is most likely to fail?

    N a. Boom
    N b. Gooseneck
    Y c. Guy tackle
    N d. Topping lift

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")

1356: If your vessel is dragging her anchor in a strong wind, you should __________.

    N a. shorten the scope of anchor cable
    Y b. increase the scope of anchor cable
    N c. put over the sea anchor
    N d. put over a stern anchor

1501: Particular average is __________.

    N a. the average distance steamed per day over the duration of the voyage
    N b. charges against all parties in a marine venture to pay for damages
    Y c. loss sustained by only one party
    N d. claimed after all liens against the vessel are settled

1553: The correct way to make an eye in a wire rope with clips is to place the clips with the __________.

    N a. first and third U-bolts on the bitter end and the second U-bolt on the standing part
    N b. first and third U-bolts on the standing part and the second U-bolt on the bitter end
    Y c. U-bolts of all clips on the bitter end
    N d. U-bolts of all clips on the standing part

1561: The Master of any vessel bound on a voyage must apply to a district court when an allegation of unseaworthiness has been made to the Master by __________.

    N a. any member of the crew of the vessel
    N b. any two officers of the vessel and a majority of the crew
    Y c. the First and Second Officers of the vessel or a majority of the crew
    N d. the First Officer of the vessel

1566: In bad weather, what length of chain should be used with a single anchor?

    N a. 3 times the depth of water
    N b. 6 times the depth of water
    Y c. 10 times the depth of water
    N d. 15 times the depth of water

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)

1625: All inspected vessels on unrestricted ocean routes must have equipment on board for testing an individual's __________.

    N a. blood
    Y b. breath
    N c. urine
    N d. All of the above

1627: A claim for cargo damages may be held against the shipowner if such damage is the result of failure of the ship's officers to __________.

    Y a. ensure the fitness and safety of cargo spaces
    N b. ensure adequate packaging of the cargo
    N c. prevent delays due to quarantine restrictions
    N d. correct all defects in the ship's construction

1632: In which casualty case is it UNNECESSARY to notify the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office?

    Y a. Your vessel strikes a pier and does $1,500 damage to the pier but none to the vessel.
    N b. A nylon mooring line parts while the vessel is tied up and kills a harbor worker who was on the pier.
    N c. A seaman is injured and in the hospital for four days.
    N d. Your vessel is backing from a dock and runs aground, but is pulled off by tugs in 30 minutes.

1773: What size block shell should be used with a 4-inch manila line?

    N a. 8"
    Y b. 12"
    N c. 16"
    N d. 24"

1841: If a tow sinks in shallow water, you should __________.

    N a. release it immediately
    N b. attempt to beach it before it goes under
    Y c. pay out cable until it's on the bottom and place a buoy on the upper end
    N d. shorten cable to keep it off the bottom

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

1889: The helm command "Nothing to the left" means do NOT __________.

    N a. use left rudder
    Y b. steer left of the ordered course
    N c. steer right of the ordered course
    N d. leave any buoys on the port side

1967: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 92°, and the wet bulb temperature is 85°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    Y a. 75%
    N b. 81%
    N c. 84%
    N d. 88%

2078: While towing, bridle legs of unequal lengths may cause __________.

    N a. the bridle to foul
    Y b. the shorter leg to fail
    N c. chafing on the fairlead or bitts
    N d. a bent swivel

2185: You are using tackle number 7 to lift a weight of 100 lbs. If you include 10 percent of the weight for each sheave for friction, what is the pull on the hauling part required to lift the weight? (DO29DG )

    N a. 200 lbs.
    N b. 150 lbs.
    N c. 110 lbs.
    Y d. 55 lbs.

2247: The knot lettered M in illustration DO30DG is a __________. (DO30DG )

    N a. stopper
    N b. lashing
    N c. becket bend
    Y d. carrick bend

2251: The letter I indicates the keel. Which of the following plates is NOT part of the keel? (D033DG )

    N a. Center vertical keel
    N b. Rider plate
    Y c. Longitudinal girder
    N d. Flat plate keel

2265: You are conducting trials to determine the maneuvering characteristics of your vessel. While making a turn, you take ranges and bearings of an isolated light with the results shown. Based on this information, what is the transfer for a turn of 45°? (D034DG )

    Y a. 130 yards
    N b. 165 yards
    N c. 195 yards
    N d. 230 yards

2274: In a national emergency, when communicating via the Navy, messages are sent by precedence. A message designated PRIORITY will be delivered within __________.

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

2455: The boom indicator on a crane will indicate the __________.

    N a. length of the boom
    Y b. angle of the boom
    N c. lifting capacity of the boom
    N d. direction of the boom

2566: The welds used to join shell plates in flush construction are known as __________.

    Y a. butt welds
    N b. seam welds
    N c. fillet welds
    N d. continuous welds

2612: When using the anchor to steady the bow while approaching a dock you must be aware of the fact that __________.

    N a. the vessel will tend to take a large sheer towards the side where the anchor is down
    N b. steering control is ineffective in trying to turn to the side opposite to that of the anchor being used
    N c. the anchor cable must never lead under the hull
    Y d. using an offshore anchor decreases the chances of the anchor holding

2617: The operator of an uninspected vessel MUST assist people affected by an accident if he or she can do so without __________.

    N a. undue delay
    Y b. serious danger to his or her own vessel
    N c. creating a panic on either vessel
    N d. further damaging the other vessel

2652: You are using the anchor to steady the bow while maneuvering. You have the proper scope of anchor cable when the __________.

    Y a. bow is held in position with the engines coming slowly ahead
    N b. anchor is just touching the bottom
    N c. scope is not more than 5 times the depth of the water
    N d. cable enters the water at an angle between 60° and 85° from the horizontal

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

2926: Many sheath-screw davits have markings to indicate the maximum angle to which they should be cranked out. If the angle is exceeded, the davit __________.

    N a. may jam against the stops
    N b. will not automatically position the boat at the embarkation station
    Y c. screw may come out of the sheath
    N d. will chafe against the falls and may cause their failure

3004: What is NOT a basic shiphandling rule for navigating in ice concentrations on the Great Lakes?

    N a. Keep moving - even very slowly, but keep moving.
    N b. Work with the ice movement, not against.
    Y c. Transit ice along pressure ridges when possible.
    N d. Excessive speed means ice damage.

3010: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold directly to a cargo tank and serves only one tank is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    N b. filler line
    Y c. tank drop
    N d. branch line

3030: The piping that routes an oil cargo from the manifold to underdeck pipelines is known as a __________.

    N a. cargo fill
    Y b. line drop
    N c. transfer
    N d. branch line

3064: What is the meaning of a flag hoist consisting of the code letters "WM" (Whiskey Mike) when displayed by an icebreaker?

    N a. "I am going ahead; follow me."
    N b. "You should stop your vessel instantly."
    Y c. "Icebreaker support is now commencing."
    N d. "Icebreaker support is finished."

3504: Metal plates that cover the top of the hawsepipe are called __________.

    N a. footings
    N b. plugs
    Y c. buckler plates
    N d. stop waters

3589: A vessel has been surveyed in a foreign port and found unseaworthy as a result of neglect. A seaman on this vessel is entitled to discharge and __________.

    N a. transportation to the port of engagement
    N b. one month's pay only
    N c. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the least amount
    Y d. one month's pay or transportation to the nearest U.S. port, whichever is the greater amount

3614: While you are on watch, you learn that a crewman has not been seen on board for the past three hours. Which type of turn is best in this man-overboard situation?

    N a. Round
    Y b. Scharnow
    N c. Racetrack
    N d. Single turn of 180°

4030: While discharging a cargo, the stripping of the tanks falls behind schedule. This would indicate the __________.

    N a. main pumps are working at a high discharge pressure
    Y b. main pumps are leaving too much oil in the tanks
    N c. stripping pump is not primed
    N d. stripping line is cross-connected to the main line

4101: Which of the following is a characteristic of a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Passenger tours available upon docking
    N b. Long port stays necessary to secure vehicles
    Y c. Short in port turnaround times
    N d. Heavy vehicles only require lightweight securing equipment

4179: Which of the following actions are stated in the correct order prior to loading or discharging cargo on a Ro-Ro vessel?

    N a. Raise/open stern door, lower the stern ramp, turn on ventilation for cargo holds
    N b. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, raise/open the stern door, lower the stern ramp
    N c. Turn on ventilation for cargo holds, lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door
    Y d. Lower the stern ramp, raise/open the stern door, turn on ventilation for cargo holds