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.


28: The stowage factor for a cargo is based upon __________.


101: You can safely step in the bight of a line __________.


335: You are steaming in a heavy gale and find it necessary to heave to. Under most circumstances, this is best done by __________.


395: The vertical motion of a floating vessel in which the entire hull is lifted by the force of the sea is known as __________.

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

431: Official proof of an American vessel's nationality is contained in the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. Official Log
    Y c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. Shipping Articles

473: The American Consul has asked the Master of a vessel bound for a port in the U.S. to transport a destitute seaman back to the U.S. Which action may the Master take?

    N a. He may refuse to accept the seaman if the seaman is medically unfit.
    N b. He must take the seaman even if the seaman has a contagious disease.
    N c. He is always required to take the seaman.
    Y d. He may refuse to take the seaman if it will violate the Certificate of Inspection.

527: What equipment is NOT used to protect a towing hawser?

    N a. Hawser boards and chafing gear
    Y b. Halyards and snaphooks
    N c. Seizing wire, rope yarn and marline
    N d. Norman pins and tow spans

552: Which type of bridle is the most effective for a heavy ocean tow?

    N a. Nylon because of its strength
    N b. Polypropylene because it floats and is easier to handle
    Y c. Stud link anchor chain for chafe resistance and strength
    N d. Wire rope for flexibility and strength

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."

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

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

668: Which statement is correct concerning the carriage of coal in bulk?

    Y a. Coal should be vented with surface ventilation only.
    N b. Because of its inherent vice, coal should not be loaded wet.
    N c. Dunnage should be placed against ship's sides and around stanchions.
    N d. Through ventilation, as well as surface ventilation, should be provided whenever possible.

699: Under which condition is a tug likely to be tripped?

    N a. When the tow "jumps" on the line
    N b. While making up to tow a large oil rig
    Y c. When the towing hawser leads forward of the quarter
    N d. When the tug exerts maximum bollard pull with the tow close astern

790: Which statement is TRUE of centrifugal pumps aboard tank vessels?

    N a. They are positive displacement pumps.
    Y b. They are gravity-fed.
    N c. They produce a pulsating flow.
    N d. They require more maintenance than a reciprocating pump.

795: Who certifies the safe working load of cargo booms 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. The Ship's Master

820: A partial deck in a hold is called a(n) __________.

    N a. weather deck
    Y b. orlop deck
    N c. shelter deck
    N d. main deck

846: A vessel proceeding along the bank of a river or channel has the tendency to __________.

    N a. continue in line with the bank
    N b. hug the bank
    Y c. sheer away from the bank
    N d. increase speed

919: A deepwell pump is a type of __________.

    N a. screw pump
    Y b. centrifugal pump
    N c. eductor
    N d. gear pump

945: After having been pulled aloft in a bosun's chair on a mast, you must now make yourself fast in the chair prior to painting the mast. You should first __________.

    N a. have the sailor on deck make the hauling part fast to a cleat on the mast
    N b. make the tail of the line leading from the becket bend fast to a padeye on the mast
    Y c. seize the hauling part and the standing part firmly in one hand to support your weight
    N d. frap yourself to the mast to take the strain off the hauling part

953: When bunkering at anchorage which of the following signals must be displayed?

    N a. A red flag by day, red light by night
    Y b. A red flag by day ONLY
    N c. A red light by night ONLY
    N d. No signal required at anchorage

970: What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

    Y a. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
    N b. Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
    N c. Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
    N d. There is no difference.

971: A journal kept by the officer of the watch in which day to day happenings are recorded regarding the deck department is the __________.

    N a. cargo record book
    Y b. deck rough log
    N c. bell book
    N d. Official Logbook

1019: A tank holds 400 tons of sea water when filled. How many tons of liquid of specific gravity 0.9300 will it hold when filled to 90% capacity?

    Y a. 326.6
    N b. 343.2
    N c. 377.6
    N d. 390.2

1104: Nylon line can be dangerous because it __________.

    N a. breaks down when wet
    N b. kinks when wet
    N c. is not elastic
    Y d. stretches

1181: Uncleared crew curios remaining on board during a domestic coastwise voyage after returning from foreign should be __________.

    N a. listed in the Official Logbook
    N b. cleared prior to the next foreign voyage
    Y c. noted in the Traveling Curio Manifest
    N d. retained under locked security by the owner

1186: Which term describes a rope in which three right-handed strands are laid up left-handed?

    N a. Soft-laid
    N b. Hard-laid
    N c. Shroud laid
    Y d. Hawser-laid

1308: The S.S. Sheet Bend arrives in New York after encountering heavy weather on a voyage from Cape Town. Who will note the protest for the Master?

    N a. Collector of Customs
    Y b. Notary Public
    N c. Officer in Charge Marine Inspection
    N d. U.S. Shipping Commissioner

1451: The implied condition(s) with respect to the doctrine of deviation in a marine insurance policy is(are) __________.

    N a. that the cargo be discharged from the vessel with customary dispatch
    N b. that the voyage be commenced in a reasonable time
    N c. that the voyage be pursued over the usual and direct route
    Y d. All of the above

1593: A long splice in a line __________.

    Y a. is used in running rigging
    N b. doubles the size of the line
    N c. is only used on fiber rope
    N d. is very weak

1661: Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Official Crew List
    N c. Officer's licenses
    N d. Muster list

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.

1676: When preparing to hoist the anchor, you should FIRST __________.

    Y a. engage the wildcat
    N b. put the brake in the off position
    N c. take off the chain stopper
    N d. take the riding pawl off the chain

1751: The load line certificate is issued by __________.

    Y a. the American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. the National Cargo Bureau
    N c. the United States Coast Guard
    N d. United States Customs

1814: In illustration D044DG, the mooring line labeled "D" is called a(n) __________. (DO44DG )

    N a. stern line
    N b. forward spring line
    N c. waist breast line
    Y d. after spring line

1874: The label required for magnesium scrap is __________.

    N a. oxidizer
    N b. yellow
    N c. corrosive
    Y d. None of the above

1917: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 14 feet?

    N a. 31.42
    N b. 15.71
    Y c. 7.85
    N d. 6.25

1926: How many tons of salt water can be loaded into a flat-ended cylindrical tank with a diameter of 5 feet and a length of 12 feet?

    Y a. 6.73 T
    N b. 7.85 T
    N c. 13.46 T
    N d. 26.93 T

1981: The boom stops on a pedestal crane prevent the boom from __________.

    Y a. being raised too high
    N b. swinging at sea
    N c. overloading when not in use
    N d. being lowered too low

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

2110: Your ship is carrying hazardous cargo. During a daily inspection, you notice that some of the cargo has shifted and several cases are broken. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. call out the deck gang to jettison the cargo
    N b. log the facts in the rough log and inform the Chief Mate later
    N c. make a determination of the seriousness of the breakage, and do what you think best
    Y d. report the facts immediately to the Master, who will make a decision

2135: A load line certificate is valid for how many years?

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    Y d. 5

2268: The helm command "shift your rudder" means __________.

    N a. check the swing of the vessel
    N b. double your rudder angle or go to full rudder
    N c. bring your rudder amidships
    Y d. change from right rudder to left rudder, or vice versa, an equal number of degrees

2288: What will cause wire rope to fail?

    N a. Operating the winch too fast
    N b. Using a sheave 9 times the wire's diameter
    N c. Kinking
    Y d. All of the above

2352: The recessed areas on a wildcat are called __________.

    N a. pawls
    N b. sockets
    Y c. pockets
    N d. devil's claws

2392: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 12.75 lbs. steel measuring 5 feet by 8 feet.

    Y a. 510.00 lbs.
    N b. 255.00 lbs.
    N c. 198.89 lbs.
    N d. 165.75 lbs.

2492: When a tug makes up to a large vessel, the spring line should lead from the forwardmost part of the tug so that __________.

    N a. friction on the spring line is minimized
    N b. the length of the spring line is minimized
    N c. the head line and spring line can be worked simultaneously
    Y d. the tug can pivot freely

2520: When a line is spirally coiled about its end and lying flat on deck, it is said to be __________.

    N a. coiled
    N b. faked
    Y c. flemished
    N d. seized

2719: Which publication would give detailed information on the commercial vessel traffic reporting system for connecting waters from Lake Erie to Lake Huron?

    N a. United States Coast Pilot - Great Lakes #6
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard Light List - Vol. VII
    Y c. Code of Federal Regulations - Title 33
    N d. The appropriate Great Lakes Navigation Chart

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

2889: What is the minimum size required before a vessel can be documented?

    Y a. 5 net tons
    N b. 100 gross tons
    N c. 26 feet length
    N d. 65 feet length

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.

3054: The phenomenon known as a "seiche" is most likely to occur on Lake Erie __________.

    N a. during the passage of a rapidly moving warm front
    Y b. when strong winds from the Northeast suddenly diminish
    N c. during the months of May through August
    N d. when the Moon and Sun are in alignment

3059: A vessel which is being assisted by an icebreaker would display a flag hoist consisting of the code numeral "4" when the vessel __________.

    N a. speed begins to drop
    N b. stops
    N c. receives ice damage
    Y d. becomes icebound

3234: Rolling is angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

    Y a. Longitudinal
    N b. Transverse
    N c. Vertical
    N d. Centerline

3269: What provides little or no indication that a vessel is dragging anchor?

    Y a. Changing range to an object abeam
    N b. Drift lead with the line tending forward
    N c. The cable alternates between slack and heavy tension
    N d. Changing bearing to a fixed distant object abeam

3382: The signal man assisting the crane operator first taps his elbow with one hand and then proceeds to use regular signals. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. use the main hoist
    N b. proceed slowly
    N c. increase speed
    Y d. use the whip line

3740: Instructions to the crew in the use of all the ship's lifesaving equipment shall be completed __________.

    N a. before sailing
    N b. within one week of sailing
    N c. in one month and repeated quarterly
    Y d. within any two month period

4006: No hot work shall be performed on board a vessel with hazardous materials as cargo unless the work is approved by the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y b. local U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port
    N c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. harbormaster

4020: You are on a tankship discharging oil. When all of the oil that the main cargo pumps can handle is pumped out of a tank, the remainder is __________.

    N a. stripped out and pumped directly ashore into the mainline as the remaining cargo tanks are pumped out with the main pumps
    Y b. stripped to one tank and then pumped out with the main pumps
    N c. stripped out and pumped directly ashore after all the tanks have been emptied by the main pumps
    N d. gravitated to the centers from the wings and pumped out with the main pumps

4026: One of the greatest hazards of pushing ahead is parting which item shown? (D024DG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. F
    Y d. I

4249: Which action(s) are included in crane operations?

    N a. Pre-operation of the anchor windlass
    N b. Preparing steam on deck
    Y c. Luff, slew, and hoist operations
    N d. All of the above