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.


37: Your enrolled vessel is bound from Baltimore, MD, to Norfolk, VA, via Chesapeake Bay. Which statement about the required Pilot is TRUE?


74: The best information on the location of the blocks when dry docking a vessel is contained in the __________.


108: Damage to cargo caused by dust is known as __________.


125: Chafing gear is normally used __________.

    N a. for portable fenders
    N b. for ground tackle
    N c. on the inside of the hawsepipe
    Y d. on mooring lines

161: A seaman leaves a vessel before it sails from a foreign port. He informs the Chief Officer that he won't return. After the vessel sails, the Chief Officer finds the seaman's work clothes in his locker. How should the Master handle this matter?

    Y a. Log the seaman as a deserter.
    N b. Log the seaman as a fail to join.
    N c. Log the seaman for misconduct.
    N d. Take no action.

198: Battens are fitted in cargo holds across the frames of the vessel from the turn of the bilge upward. The purpose of these cargo battens is __________.

    N a. for securing a snatch block when snaking cargo into the wings of the hold
    Y b. to prevent cargo from coming in contact with the vessel's frames or shell plating
    N c. to provide fittings to which cargo lashings may be secured
    N d. to support the dunnage floors which are laid down between tiers of cargo

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

312: If you are bunkering and you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. remain constant

354: A "stopper" is __________.

    Y a. a short length of line used for temporarily holding another line
    N b. a snatch block for handling a topping lift
    N c. an engine order telegraph
    N d. the brake on a cargo winch

355: Generally, you can best keep a vessel under steering control when the vessel has __________.

    Y a. headway
    N b. sternway
    N c. no way on, with engines stopped
    N d. no way on, with engines full ahead

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

421: An International Tonnage Certificate will be issued to a vessel when it meets several requirements, one of which is that the vessel must __________.

    N a. admeasure over 100 GT
    Y b. be 79 or more feet in length
    N c. engage in intercoastal or international trade
    N d. be issued a Certificate of Inspection

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

605: You would properly secure a gantline to a bosun's chair with a __________.

    N a. fisherman's bend
    N b. bowline
    Y c. double sheet bend
    N d. double blackwall hitch

612: When backing down with sternway, the pivot point of a vessel is __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. about one-third of the vessel's length from the bow
    N c. aft of the propellers
    Y d. about one-quarter of the vessel's length from the stern

659: You are planning to use the crude oil washing system on your tankship. What is required to prevent electrostatic buildup in the tanks?

    N a. The portable machines must be set at the proper drop for the first wash before the fixed machines are used.
    Y b. The source tank for the tank cleaning machines must have least one meter decanted from it.
    N c. The inert gas system must reduce the oxygen content in the tanks to a maximum of 18%.
    N d. The fixed machines must be operated simultaneously with the portable machines to equalize the electrostatic potential.

665: The catenary __________.

    N a. acts as a reserve length of towing hawser when the tug applies more power, and it dampens the surge effect of the tow
    N b. gives an approximation of the amount of strain on the towing hawser
    N c. is the dip in the towing hawser between the tug and the tow
    Y d. All of the above

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

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

698: Which agency issues a certificate of loading that is evidence that the rules and regulations concerning bulk grain cargoes have been observed?

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping
    N b. Department of Agriculture
    Y c. National Cargo Bureau
    N d. Public Health Service

743: A heavy steel curved arch constructed athwartships and above the after deck on a towing vessel is sometimes called a __________.

    N a. towing arch
    N b. jockey bar
    N c. chafing bar
    Y d. Dutch tow bar

889: The owner or Master of a towing vessel must evaluate whether the entire towline, or a part of it, is no longer serviceable. The towline should be removed from service in all cases EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. when recommended by the manufacturer or an authorized classification society
    N b. in accordance with a replacement schedule
    Y c. when the vessel is underway
    N d. depending on the mileage or time that the towline has been in service

899: When must the owner or Master of a towing vessel retest a towline or remove it from service?

    Y a. When the record of its material condition lapses for 3 months or more.
    N b. After it jams on the towing winch.
    N c. After it drags on the bottom.
    N d. When it has not been used for over 60 days.

979: A cargo of oil has a coefficient of expansion of .0005 per degree F. If this cargo is loaded at 70°F, and a cargo temperature of 90°F is expected at the discharge port, how many barrels would you expect to unload if you loaded 10,000 barrels?

    N a. 9,900
    N b. 9,990
    N c. 10,010
    Y d. 10,100

982: The muster list must be posted in conspicuous locations and signed by the __________.

    N a. safety officer
    N b. Coast Guard Officer approving the bill
    N c. owner
    Y d. Master

1148: The document which acknowledges that the cargo has been received and is in the carrier's custody is called the __________.

    Y a. Dock Receipt
    N b. Hatch Report and Recapitulation
    N c. Cargo Manifest
    N d. Stowage Plan

1266: You are docking a vessel in a slip which has its entrance athwart the tide. You land the ship across the end of the pier, stemming the tide, preparatory to breaking the ship around the corner. You have one tug to assist. Where would you generally tie up the tug?

    N a. Have her on a hawser from the stern.
    N b. Tie her up on the inshore bow to hold the ship off the end.
    Y c. Tie her up on the offshore bow.
    N d. Tie her up on the inshore quarter to lift the stern.

1307: Which type of ice is a hazard to navigation?

    N a. Ice rind
    N b. Pancake ice
    N c. Frazil ice
    Y d. Growlers

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

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

1713: The cheek length of a block in inches should be about __________.

    Y a. three times the circumference of a manila line
    N b. five times the diameter of a manila line
    N c. twice the diameter of its sheaves for manila line
    N d. twenty times the diameter of a manila line

1868: When being towed by one tug, the towing bridle should be connected to towing __________.

    Y a. bitts with figure eights
    N b. pad eyes with pelican hooks
    N c. pad eyes with safety hooks
    N d. All of the above

1939: You are on a vessel that has broken down and are preparing to be taken in tow. You will use your anchor cable as part of the towline. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be just forward of your bow.
    N b. The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be immediately astern of the towing vessel.
    Y c. The strain of the tow is taken by the riding pawl, chain stopper, and anchor windlass brake.
    N d. The anchor cable should be led out through a chock, if possible, to avoid a sharp nip at the hawsepipe lip.

1956: Which lien against a vessel would be settled FIRST?

    N a. Maintenance and cure
    N b. Vessel mortgage
    Y c. Salvage lien
    N d. Ship repairer's lien

1995: The single turn method of returning to a man overboard should be used ONLY if __________.

    N a. the man is reported missing rather than immediately seen as he falls overboard
    Y b. the vessel is very maneuverable
    N c. the conning officer is inexperienced
    N d. a boat will be used to recover the man

2104: You are proceeding to a distress site where the survivors are in liferafts. Which action will assist in making your vessel more visible to the survivors?

    N a. Steering a zigzag course with 5 to 10 minutes on each leg
    N b. Steering a sinuous course
    N c. Dumping debris over the side to make a trail to your vessel
    Y d. Making smoke in daylight

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.

2161: A vessel loads 5000 tons of manganese ore. The railroad cars that brought the ore to the vessel were previously loaded with iron ore so the ore is contaminated. The agent requests the Master to sign a Clean Bill of Lading and in return the shipper will give him a Letter of Indemnity. What is the best procedure to follow?

    N a. Sign a Clean Bill of Lading and accept the Letter of Indemnity.
    Y b. Refuse to sign a Clean Bill of Lading.
    N c. Sign the Clean Bill of Lading and have the agent countersign it.
    N d. Sign a Clean Bill of lading under protest.

2217: The knot lettered P is a __________. (DO30DG )

    Y a. rolling hitch
    N b. clove hitch
    N c. round turn and two half hitches
    N d. marline hitch

2221: You are using tackle number 5 to lift a weight. The hauling part of this tackle is bent to the weight hook (w) of tackle number 8. What is the mechanical advantage of this rig? (DO29DG )

    N a. 20
    Y b. 15
    N c. 10
    N d. 5

2224: When improperly tied, which knot shown is called a granny or thief's knot? (D030DG )

    N a. F
    N b. M
    N c. R
    Y d. W

2391: Determine the weight of a rectangular piece of 40.8 lbs. steel measuring 3 feet by 5 feet.

    N a. 326.4 lbs
    N b. 453.6 lbs
    Y c. 612.0 lbs
    N d. 1224.0 lbs

2486: Which weld fault can only be detected by a method that examines the internal structure of a weld?

    N a. Undercut
    N b. Lack of reinforcement
    N c. Overlap
    Y d. Lack of penetration

2616: You are in charge of a towing vessel that operates exclusively on inland waters. You regularly tow barges that provide services (cargo lighters, fuel barges, etc.) to foreign flag vessels in port. What will be accepted as proper credentials for you and your crew?

    N a. No credentials are required since you operate on inland waters only
    N b. Social Security card
    N c. State driver's license with photo ID
    Y d. Merchant Mariner's Document

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

2898: What is the period of validity of the SOLAS required Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate?

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 48 months
    Y d. 60 months

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.

2959: A metal ring on the bottom of a block, to which the standing part of a tackle is spliced, is known as a(n) __________.

    Y a. becket
    N b. loop
    N c. swivel
    N d. eye

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.

3095: You are standing the wheelwatch when you hear the cry, "Man overboard starboard side". You should instinctively __________.

    N a. give full left rudder
    N b. put the rudder amidships
    Y c. give full right rudder
    N d. throw a life ring to mark the spot

3122: When a tug is "in irons", she __________.

    N a. is made fast to the dock with engines secured
    N b. is in dry dock
    Y c. may be in danger of being overrun by her tow
    N d. should pay out more towline

3219: 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. 10 minutes if possible
    N c. 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Y d. 1 to 6 hours

3230: After a collision or accident involving an uninspected vessel, regulations require that the operator assist persons affected, but only if the operator can do so without __________.

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

3632: 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?

    Y a. The thrust on the boom is greater at 60°.
    N b. The stress on the topping lift is greater at 60°.
    N c. The stress on the heel block is less at 20°.
    N d. The stress on the head block is less at 60°.

3645: Conventional anchors are least likely to hold in a bottom consisting of __________.

    N a. soft clay
    N b. hard mud
    Y c. very soft mud
    N d. sand

4007: You are the operator of a towing vessel which collides with a buoy and drags it off station. What should you do if the damage to your vessel is not serious?

    Y a. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and no further action is necessary.
    N b. If the buoy is afloat, no action is necessary.
    N c. Wait one week and submit form CG-2692 to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office.
    N d. Immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety or Inspection Office and then submit form CG-2692.

4064: Which statement concerning castor oil is TRUE?

    N a. It has a Reid vapor pressure of 9.5.
    N b. It has a specific gravity of 1.3.
    N c. The boiling point is 215°F (102°C).
    Y d. It is a grade E combustible liquid.

4118: Which factor(s) affect lashing requirements aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    Y a. Ship’s characteristics and motion in a seaway
    N b. Trim of the vessel
    N c. Wide variations of air temperature
    N d. All of the above

4132: What is used when securing heavy vehicles aboard Ro-Ro vessels?

    N a. Buckle or ratchet tensioner
    N b. Webbing
    N c. Manila rope
    Y d. None of these

4234: What describes a tandem crane lift?

    N a. Single crane hoisting 30 tons
    N b. Two cranes on a single pedestal hoisting 60 tons
    Y c. Two sets of twin cranes hoisting 120 tons
    N d. All of the above

4273: During which condition should the operator of a pedestal crane shutdown operations?

    N a. Bunkering
    Y b. High winds
    N c. Potable water spill on deck
    N d. More than 3° list