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.


75: Frames to which the tank top and bottom shell are fastened are called __________.


90: You are on a multiple-product chemical tanker. The loading plan includes cargoes of diethylenetriamine and formamide. Which statement concerning the stowage of these cargoes is TRUE?


117: If two mooring lines are to be placed on the same bollard, which method is BEST?


332: The helm command "Meet her" means __________.

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

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

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

356: It is possible, and sometimes necessary, to strengthen the deck of a vessel for carriage of deck cargo by __________.

    N a. placing bunker on the deck
    N b. building a stage on which to place the cargo
    N c. welding steel "feet" to the deck, on which the cargo is placed
    Y d. erecting vertical pillars under the deck to support the cargo

404: A vessel's "quarter" is that section which is __________.

    N a. abeam
    N b. dead astern
    N c. just aft of the bow
    Y d. on either side of the stern

455: A vessel having continuous closely spaced transverse strength members is __________.

    N a. longitudinally framed
    Y b. transversely framed
    N c. cellular framed
    N d. web framed

494: What best describes an anchor buoy?

    N a. A black ball that is hoisted when the ship anchors
    Y b. A buoy attached to the anchor
    N c. A buoy attached to the scope of an anchor chain
    N d. A mark of the number of fathoms in an anchor chain

506: With rudders amidships and negligible wind, a twin-screw vessel moving astern with both engines backing will back __________.

    N a. to port
    N b. to starboard
    Y c. in a fairly straight line
    N d. in a circular motion

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

780: Bilge keels are more effective at dampening rolls as the __________.

    N a. pitching increases
    N b. list increases
    Y c. rolling increases
    N d. draft decreases

792: When the vessel is on coastwise articles, the original certificate of the seaman's certificate of discharge is __________.

    Y a. given to the seaman
    N b. retained on board
    N c. sent to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. sent to the shipping company

1058: The damage to a vessel is over $25,000. Who must notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office as soon as possible?

    N a. The owner of the vessel
    N b. The Master of the vessel
    N c. The person in charge of the vessel at the time of casualty
    Y d. Any one of the above

1125: The pivoting point of a vessel going ahead is __________.

    Y a. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N b. about two-thirds of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. at the hawsepipe
    N d. near the stern

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

1194: What type of line melts easiest?

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

1231: What is NOT a condition for a salvage claim?

    N a. The property saved must be "maritime property."
    Y b. The salvors must save or attempt to save any life in peril.
    N c. The salvage service must be voluntary.
    N d. The property must be in peril.

1313: Where should a vessel being towed alongside be positioned for increased maneuverability?

    N a. Stern of the towed vessel aft of the stern of the towing vessel
    N b. Stern of the towed vessel even with the stern of the towing vessel
    Y c. Stern of the towed vessel forward of the stern of the towing vessel
    N d. Bow of the towed vessel even with the bow of the towing vessel

1616: In moderate wind and current what should be the length of chain with a single anchor?

    Y a. 5 times the depth of the water in good holding ground
    N b. 10 times the depth of the water in shallow water
    N c. 2 times the depth of the water in poor holding ground
    N d. 8 times the depth of the water in deep water

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

1688: Grade E combustible liquids have a flash point of __________.

    N a. 80°F to 150°F
    Y b. 150°F or above
    N c. 60°F to 100°F
    N d. 90°F to 120°F

1718: A combustible liquid with a flash point of 90°F would be grade __________.

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

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

1783: Which mooring line is likely to undergo the most strain when docking a ship under normal conditions?

    N a. Bow line
    N b. Breast line
    Y c. Spring line
    N d. Stern line

1804: Instead of whipping an end of a line, a temporary means of preventing the line from unraveling is to tie a __________.

    N a. becket bend
    N b. blackwall hitch
    Y c. figure-eight knot
    N d. square knot

1810: Using the graph shown, if the dry bulb temperature is 98°, and the wet bulb temperature is 87°, what is the relative humidity in a cargo hold? (D008DG )

    N a. 87%
    N b. 84%
    N c. 79%
    Y d. 65%

1839: When relieving the helm, the new helmsman should find it handy to know the __________.

    N a. leeway
    N b. variation in the area
    Y c. amount of helm carried for a steady course
    N d. deviation on that heading

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

1913: An example of a messenger is a __________.

    N a. fairlead
    Y b. heaving line
    N c. stay
    N d. warp

1962: The maximum draft to which a vessel can legally be submerged is indicated by the __________.

    Y a. load line mark
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. tonnage mark

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

1966: The turning circle of a vessel making a turn of over 360 degrees is the path followed by the __________.

    N a. bow
    N b. bridge
    Y c. center of gravity
    N d. centerline

2027: Your vessel is issued a load line certificate dated 27 May 1992. What is NOT an acceptable date for one of the surveys for endorsements?

    N a. 28-Feb-93
    Y b. 27-Nov-93
    N c. 26-Aug-94
    N d. 27-May-95

2100: The primary purpose of a load line is to establish required __________.

    Y a. minimum freeboard
    N b. GM
    N c. transverse stability
    N d. fresh water allowances

2124: You are on watch aboard a vessel heading NW, with the wind from dead ahead, in heavy seas. You notice a man fall overboard from the starboard bow. Which action would NOT be appropriate?

    N a. Hard right rudder
    N b. Throw a lifebuoy to the man, if possible
    N c. Send a man aloft
    Y d. Get the port boat ready

2131: If you carry packaged hazardous cargoes on a break bulk vessel bound foreign, you must __________.

    N a. stow the hazardous cargoes on deck available for jettisoning if necessary
    N b. remove the hazardous cargo labels from a portable tank after the tank is emptied
    Y c. have the shipping papers indicate the proper shipping name and the technical name of n.o.s. cargoes
    N d. log the receipt of hazardous cargoes in the Official Logbook

2182: What is the name of tackle number 4? (DO29DG )

    N a. Double whip
    N b. Luff tackle
    Y c. Two-fold purchase
    N d. 2-2 tackle

2254: You are using tackle number 4 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 10. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (D029DG )

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

2350: A temporary wire eye splice made with three wire rope clamps will hold approximately what percentage of the total rope strength?

    N a. 20%
    N b. 50%
    Y c. 80%
    N d. 99%

2521: The period of roll is the time difference between __________.

    N a. zero inclination to full inclination on one side
    N b. full inclination on one side to full inclination on the other side
    Y c. full inclination on one side to the next full inclination on the same side
    N d. zero inclination to the next zero inclination

2552: When using a Mediterranean Moor, the vessel is moored with her __________.

    N a. bow to the pier
    N b. anchors crossed
    N c. anchor chains forward, side to the pier
    Y d. stern to the pier

2603: Which situation requires you to furnish a notice of marine casualty to the Coast Guard?

    Y a. Your vessel is at anchor and grounds at low tide with no apparent damage.
    N b. You collide with a buoy and drag it off station with no apparent damage to the vessel or the buoy.
    N c. A seaman slips on ice on deck and sprains his ankle, requiring an ace bandage.
    N d. Storm damage to the cargo winch motors requires repairs costing $19,000.

2684: Which statement about bilge keels is CORRECT?

    N a. They are critical strength members and require careful design consideration.
    Y b. They increase resistance to rolling.
    N c. They attach to a low stress area.
    N d. They provide support when the vessel is dry docked.

2712: Which two Great Lakes are considered hydraulically as one?

    N a. Lakes Superior - Huron
    Y b. Lakes Michigan - Huron
    N c. Lakes Erie - St. Clair
    N d. Lakes Erie - Ontario

2729: The load line markings shown are inscribed on the vessel's __________. (D031DG )

    N a. port side
    N b. starboard side
    Y c. port and starboard sides
    N d. stern

2736: Distances on the Great Lakes System are generally expressed in __________.

    N a. miles above the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway (MASLW)
    N b. miles above the head of the passes (AHP)
    N c. nautical miles
    Y d. statute miles

2776: How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?

    N a. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake St. Clair
    N b. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on Lake Erie
    Y c. In a westerly and northerly direction, except on Lake Michigan
    N d. In an easterly and southerly direction, except on the New York State Barge Canal

3028: The term "inland waters", as defined in the Rules of the Road, includes __________.

    N a. the Great Lakes in their entirety
    Y b. the Mississippi River System
    N c. U.S. waters out to three miles offshore
    N d. the St. Lawrence River to Anticosti Island

3052: How should you signal the crane operator to lower the boom?

    Y a. With arm extended and fingers closed, point thumb downward.
    N b. With arm extended downwards and forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
    N c. Extend arm with the palm down, and hold this position rigidly.
    N d. With hands clasped in front of your body.

3105: On a sea going towing vessel of 150 GT, there are six (6) seamen in the deck crew. How many certificated able seamen are required if the voyage is over 600 miles?

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

3130: What is NOT required on an uninspected towing vessel?

    N a. Certificate of Documentation
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Operators Merchant Marine license
    N d. FCC Station License

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

3459: The pea is indicated by which letter? (D038DG )

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

3644: You are drifting in a locale where there is no current. As a rule, your vessel will lie __________.

    N a. bow to the wind
    Y b. beam to the wind
    N c. stern to the wind
    N d. with the wind on the quarter

3726: You are lifting a one-ton weight with a swinging boom. When comparing the stresses on the rig with the boom at 20° to the horizontal to the stresses when the boom is at 60° to the horizontal, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The angle of elevation does not change the stresses in the masthead fairlead for the topping lift.
    Y b. The stress on the head block is greater at 60°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is greater at 60°.
    N d. The thrust on the boom is greater at 20°.

4054: "Hanging a barge off" means to __________.

    Y a. moor a damaged barge to the bank and leave
    N b. remove and deliver a loaded barge from a multiple tow
    N c. remove a barge while locking through
    N d. tow an empty barge astern

4062: The signal man assisting the crane operator has his forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, and moves his hand in a small horizontal circle. This is the signal to __________.

    N a. swing
    N b. lower
    Y c. hoist
    N d. extend

4174: What should be done immediately after putting down the stern ramp on a Ro-Ro vessel, prior to loading or discharging cargo?

    N a. Turn on the red cargo light.
    N b. Turn on pumproom ventilation.
    N c. Call out the deck department for all hands.
    Y d. Raise/open the stern door.

4268: Which statement is TRUE concerning the tandem working arrangement of pedestal cranes when completing a quad lift?

    N a. The cargo discharge can be accomplished with controlled pendulation.
    Y b. The discharge is slow due to the size of the cargo and all the cranes working together.
    N c. The cargo discharge can be performed in port or at anchor.
    N d. The cranes enable the handling of heavy cargos without shoreside assistance.