USCG Safety: 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.


54: On surface type offshore drilling units, each survival craft must be capable of being launched to the water at the minimum operating draft, under unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than __________.


149: A signal indicating zone time is preceded with the letter __________.


281: The gross weight of a fully charged CO2 bottle in a fixed CO2 system is 220 lbs. When the bottle is empty it weighs 120 lbs. What is the minimum acceptable gross weight of the CO2 bottle before it should be recharged by the manufacturer?


539: On a vessel of 10,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water on tank tops. The hold is 50 feet long and 50 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    N a. 1.2 feet
    N b. 1.1 feet
    N c. 1.3 feet
    Y d. 1.5 feet

802: A portable dry chemical fire extinguisher discharges by __________.

    N a. gravity when the extinguisher is turned upside down
    Y b. pressure from a small CO2 cartridge on the extinguisher
    N c. air pressure from the hand pump attached to the extinguisher
    N d. pressure from the reaction when water is mixed with the chemical

855: The term, "cargo tank length", as used in part 157 of the Pollution Regulations, means the __________.

    N a. length of any individual cargo space, from bulkhead to bulkhead
    N b. greatest distance between two opposite cargo tank bulkheads
    N c. diagonal measurement of a cargo tank
    Y d. length from the forward bulkhead of the forwardmost cargo tanks to the after bulkhead of the aftermost cargo tanks

856: Which statement about immersion suits is TRUE?

    N a. Immersion suits should be worn during routine work on deck to provide maximum protection.
    N b. After purchasing, the suit should be removed from its storage bag and hung on a hanger where readily accessible.
    Y c. Immersion suits must have a PFD light attached to the front shoulder area.
    N d. Small leaks or tears may be repaired using the repair kit packed with the suit.

913: On a vessel of 8,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water in the tank tops. The hold is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    Y a. 0.1 ft
    N b. 0.3 ft
    N c. 0.5 ft
    N d. 0.9 ft

964: Which signal is used by a rescue unit to indicate, "Avast hauling"?

    N a. Firing of a green star signal
    Y b. Firing of a red star signal
    N c. An orange smoke signal
    N d. Three white star rockets fired at one-minute intervals

1007: What is the BEST conductor of electricity?

    N a. Carbon dioxide
    N b. Distilled water
    N c. Fresh water
    Y d. Salt water

1069: After the initial AMVER Position Report, sent by a vessel sailing foreign, subsequent Position Reports must be sent no less frequently than every __________.

    N a. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
    Y b. 48 hours
    N c. 36 hours
    N d. 24 hours

1071: Aboard small passenger vessels, which material may be used for diesel fuel line installations but not for gasoline fuel lines?

    N a. Annealed copper tubing
    N b. Nickel-copper tubing
    N c. Copper-nickel tubing
    Y d. Seamless steel pipe or tubing

1176: Your vessel is required to have an impulse-projected line throwing appliance. The auxiliary line must __________.

    N a. be of a light color
    N b. be 250 meters in length
    Y c. have a breaking strength of 9000 lbs
    N d. be made of synthetic material

1327: If you are forced to abandon ship in a liferaft, your course of action should be to __________.

    Y a. remain in the immediate vicinity
    N b. head for the nearest land
    N c. head for the closest sea-lanes
    N d. let the persons in the boat vote on what to do

1437: You are in a lifeboat when you sight the stars. You will be heading due north when you head for Polaris which is indicated by which letter? (D007SA )

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

1452: First aid means __________.

    N a. medical treatment of accident
    N b. setting of broken bones
    Y c. emergency treatment at the scene of the injury
    N d. dosage of medications

1524: A U.S. merchant vessel in ocean service is NOT subject to the requirements of Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 __________.

    N a. outside of 25 nautical miles from nearest land
    N b. outside of the navigable waters of the United States
    N c. in the waters of those countries not signatory to MARPOL
    Y d. A U.S. vessel in ocean service is ALWAYS subject to MARPOL.

2070: You have 360 tons of below deck tonnage and 210 tons of above deck cargo on board. You must load 100 tons of liquid mud below deck. How much more deck cargo can you load? (See illustration D036DG, stability letter for M.V. Hudson.) (D036DG )

    N a. 25 tons
    Y b. 65 tons
    N c. 95 tons
    N d. 175 tons

2129: Which of the following statements relating to AMVER (Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue) is TRUE?

    N a. The AMVER system does not reduce the time lost for vessels responding to calls for assistance.
    N b. An AMVER participant is not relieved of the obligation to give 24 hour advance notice to the U.S. Coast Guard before entering a U.S. port from offshore.
    Y c. There is no cost to the ship or owner for messages sent within the AMVER system.
    N d. An AMVER participant is under greater obligation to render assistance to a vessel in distress than a non-participant.

2180: You have approximately 16 tons of fish on deck. What will be the shift in the center of gravity after you shift the fish to the fish hold, a vertical distance of 8 feet? (total displacement is 640 tons)

    N a. 0.1 foot
    Y b. 0.2 foot
    N c. 0.3 foot
    N d. 0.4 foot

2186: Which statement is TRUE concerning cargo hose on tank barges?

    N a. Cargo hose must be able to withstand the shut-off head plus the static head of the cargo pump.
    N b. Cargo hose must be able to withstand the static head of the cargo pump but no less than 100 psi.
    N c. Cargo hose must be able to withstand the shut-off head less the static head of the cargo pump but no less than 100 psi.
    Y d. Cargo hose must be able to withstand at least 150 psi.

2347: Which references should the GMDSS radio operator consult for information on the proper operation of the equipment?

    N a. ITU list of Equipment Operations
    Y b. The manufacturer's operating manuals
    N c. 47 CFR Part 80
    N d. Information available through SafetyNET channels

2367: The person or company, either proprietor or lessee, actually operating an oil well or lease is the __________.

    N a. production company
    N b. company representative
    N c. drilling contractor
    Y d. operator

2492: At sea, you are approaching a small vessel and see that it has the signal flag "P" hoisted. What should you do?

    N a. Proceed on present course and speed since the vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
    N b. Keep clear of the vessel because it has a diver down.
    N c. Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because someone on board requires medical assistance.
    Y d. Approach with caution because the vessel is a fishing vessel and its nets are fouled on an obstruction.

2568: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 27'-06", AFT 28'-02"; and the KG is 21.3 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 15° inclination.

    N a. 0.3 foot
    N b. 1.3 feet
    Y c. 1.5 feet
    N d. 1.8 feet

2769: Starting motors, generators, and any other spark producing devices shall be __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. of the alternating current type
    Y b. mounted as high as practicable above the bilges
    N c. rated for at least 12 volts
    N d. All of the above

2773: The required portable radio apparatus on an international voyage must be stowed in __________.

    N a. the Master's quarters
    N b. the ship's office
    Y c. the radio room, bridge, or protected location
    N d. an unlocked cabinet next to the Muster List ("Station Bill")

2993: Convection spreads a fire by __________.

    N a. the transfer of heat across an unobstructed space
    N b. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N c. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
    Y d. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems

3000: A rigid lifesaving device ONLY designed for survivors to hold on to while in the water is known as a __________.

    N a. liferaft
    N b. life float
    N c. life preserver
    Y d. buoyant apparatus

3208: Water pockets on the underside of an inflatable liferaft are for __________.

    N a. catching rain water
    Y b. stability
    N c. easy drainage
    N d. maneuverability

3244: A person may operate an air compressor in which of the following areas on board a tank barge?

    N a. Pumproom
    Y b. Generator room
    N c. A space adjacent to a cargo tank
    N d. A space two meters from a cargo valve

3250: Which statement is TRUE concerning fire hose on a small passenger vessel?

    N a. Fire hose shall be at least 3/4" outside diameter.
    N b. One length of fire hose shall be provided for every two fire hydrants.
    N c. All fittings on hoses shall be of steel or other ferrous metal.
    Y d. A length of hose with nozzle attached shall be attached to each fire hydrant at all times.

3477: What is the increase in the transverse free surface correction for the DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60 feet if 103.48 long-tons of ballast are transferred from a full ballast tank 1P to an empty ballast tank 10S?

    N a. 0.47 foot
    Y b. 0.32 foot
    N c. 0.27 foot
    N d. 0.13 foot

3525: Among the equipment included in the DEEP DRILLER lightweight are the loading hoses, derrick, traveling block in the lowest position, mooring chain, all machinery with liquids to normal operating level, and __________.

    N a. normal food supplies for 79 persons
    N b. eight anchor buoys
    Y c. anchors
    N d. lower hull fuel

3535: The marine riser on the DEEP DRILLER should be disconnected if it appears the ball joint angle will exceed 10° or the mooring line tensions will exceed __________.

    N a. 348 kips
    N b. 500 kips
    Y c. 522 kips
    N d. 600 kips

3549: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 18'-10", AFT 18'-06". Cargo was loaded and discharged as indicated. Use sheet 2 in the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts. ST-0140

    N a. FWD 18'-00", AFT 19'-06"
    N b. FWD 18'-02", AFT 19'-04"
    Y c. FWD 18'-04", AFT 19'-02"
    N d. FWD 18'-06", AFT 19'-00"

3571: The DEEP DRILLER is anchoring in 600 feet of water. In the absence of environmental forces, the mooring lines should be adjusted to __________.

    N a. 245 kips
    Y b. 222 kips
    N c. 237 kips
    N d. 194 kips

3819: If there are a number of survivors in the water after abandoning an OSV and no rescue craft are in sight, they should __________.

    N a. tie themselves to the unit to avoid drifting with the current
    Y b. group to form a small circle of survivors to create a warmer pocket of water in the center of the circle
    N c. send the strongest swimmer to shore for assistance
    N d. from a raft by lashing their life jackets together

3826: You have abandoned ship and are in charge of a liferaft or survival craft. How much water per day should you permit each person to have after the first 24 hours?

    N a. 1 can
    Y b. 1 pint
    N c. 1 quart
    N d. 1 gallon

3838: Fire dampers prevent the spread of fire by __________.

    Y a. convection
    N b. conduction
    N c. radiation
    N d. direct contact

3923: Among the valves that must be opened on the DEEP DRILLER to pump bilge water out of the port pump room using the #1 bilge pump is valve __________.

    N a. 28
    N b. 36
    Y c. 41
    N d. 42

4110: As Master of an inspected small passenger vessel, you have a question regarding a proposed modification to a watertight bulkhead. In which subchapter of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations would you find the answer?

    N a. Subchapter W
    Y b. Subchapter T
    N c. Subchapter I
    N d. Subchapter E

4113: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballasting to Survival). What is the metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects if 100.76 long tons of ballast are added to Ballast Tank #8S to replace the discharge of all bulk materials?

    N a. 10.42 feet
    N b. 10.87 feet
    N c. 11.50 feet
    Y d. 12.13 feet

4116: As Master of an inspected small passenger vessel, you have a question regarding a proposed modification to a watertight bulkhead. In which subchapter of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations will you find the answer?

    N a. Subchapter D
    N b. Subchapter G
    Y c. Subchapter T
    N d. Subchapter U

4206: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the summer load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming two days. You will consume 28 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.020, and the average TPI is 55. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 62 inches
    N b. 66 inches
    N c. 70 inches
    Y d. 74 inches

4212: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the summer load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming ten days. You will consume 33 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.021, and the average TPI is 51. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 76 inches
    N b. 74 inches
    N c. 73 inches
    Y d. 72 inches

4266: Which statement about immersion suits is TRUE?

    Y a. The suit must, without assistance, turn an unconscious person's mouth clear of the water within 5 seconds.
    N b. The immersion suit seals in body heat and provides protection against hypothermia for weeks.
    N c. The suit will still be serviceable after a brief (2-6 minutes) exposure to flame and burning.
    N d. The collar must be inflated before abandoning ship.

4815: What is the maximum amount of variables that may be taken aboard the COASTAL DRILLER while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (drilling)?

    N a. 1000 kips
    N b. 681 kips
    N c. 89 kips
    Y d. 0 kips

5041: When must a MODU display navigation lights while underway?

    N a. Only between sunrise and sunset
    N b. At all times while being towed
    N c. Only when other vessels are in sight
    Y d. Whenever visibility is restricted

5105: The edge of a hurricane has overtaken your MODU in the Gulf of Mexico and the northwest wind of a few hours ago has shifted to the west. This is an indication that you are located in the __________.

    Y a. navigable semicircle
    N b. dangerous semicircle
    N c. low pressure area
    N d. eye of the storm

5477: Standards for fabrication and testing of chain on mobile offshore drilling units are provided by the __________.

    N a. Department of the Interior
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. Minerals Management Service
    Y d. American Petroleum Institute

5725: Given the same water depth and line tension, the catenary length of a 90 pound/foot mooring chain in comparison to the catenary length of a 19 pound/foot wire rope mooring line will be __________.

    N a. longer
    N b. identical
    Y c. shorter
    N d. indeterminable

5901: With a rig in tow, there is immediate danger to the tug in the event of the __________.

    Y a. tug losing power
    N b. tow line parting
    N c. bridle twisting
    N d. rig broaching

6291: When dragging of an anchor occurs, you must either reposition it at greater range or __________.

    N a. adjust the tensiometer
    N b. reduce the conductor tension
    Y c. use a piggyback (backing) anchor
    N d. increase the riser tension

6711: Immersion suits must be stowed __________.

    N a. in the pilothouse
    N b. on top of lockers
    Y c. where readily accessible
    N d. on open deck areas

8337: What is the percentage of oxygen in a typical sample of uncontaminated air?

    N a. 12 percent
    N b. 15 percent
    N c. 18 percent
    Y d. 21 percent

8403: What is the most probable cause of reduced capacity in a reciprocating air compressor?

    N a. Carbon on cylinder heads
    N b. Faulty unloader
    Y c. Leaking air valves
    N d. Plugged air cooler

9351: Halon from extinguishers used on a class B fire, should be directed __________.

    N a. at the top of the flames
    Y b. at the base of the fire near the edge
    N c. in short quick bursts
    N d. toward the upwind side of the fire

9427: In the absence of external forces, adding weight on one side of a floating vessel causes the vessel to __________.

    N a. heel until the angle of loll is reached
    Y b. list until the center of buoyancy is aligned vertically with the center of gravity
    N c. trim to the side opposite TCG until all moments are equal
    N d. decrease draft at the center of flotation

9513: In the presence of external forces, the center of buoyancy of an inclined vessel is vertically aligned with the __________.

    N a. center of gravity
    Y b. metacenter
    N c. center of flotation
    N d. keel