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.


88: You are attempting to administer CPR to a victim. When you blow into his mouth it is apparent that no air is getting into the lungs. What should you do?


135: Which statement concerning an accidental oil spill in the navigable waters of the U.S. is FALSE?


182: Which abbreviation refers to the horizontal distance between perpendiculars taken at the forward-most and the after-most points on a small passenger vessel's waterline at her deepest operating draft?


213: Most lifeboats are equipped with __________.

    Y a. unbalanced rudders
    N b. balanced rudders
    N c. contraguide rudders
    N d. straight rudders

277: The vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon (EPIRB) must be tested __________.

    N a. weekly
    Y b. monthly
    N c. every 2 months
    N d. every 3 months

355: The center of flotation of a vessel is the point in the waterplane __________.

    Y a. about which the vessel lists and trims
    N b. which coincides with the center of buoyancy
    N c. which, in the absence of external forces, is always vertically aligned with the center of gravity
    N d. which is shown in the hydrostatic tables as VCB

395: You are operating a 1,000 GT non-ocean going tankship. It must be equipped with __________.

    N a. two pumps for discharging oily bilge slops
    N b. a fixed piping system for bilge slops with one outlet on each side of the weather deck
    N c. a means on the weather deck to stop each pump used to discharge oily waste
    Y d. None of the above

541: The signal "AS" when used in signaling by the International Code of Signals means "________________".

    N a. Over
    N b. Finished with transmission
    Y c. Wait
    N d. Repeat this signal

569: A shaft alley divides a vessel's cargo hold into two tanks, each 25 ft. wide by 50 ft. long. Each tank is filled with salt water below the level of the shaft alley. The vessel's displacement is 6,000 tons. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface effect?

    N a. .56 foot
    N b. .58 foot
    Y c. .62 foot
    N d. .66 foot

653: A tank vessel transferring non-flammable hazardous cargo in bulk must display warning signs. These signs must __________.

    N a. be visible from both sides and from forward and aft
    N b. indicate "NO SMOKING"
    N c. be displayed only while transferring cargo and fast to a dock
    Y d. use black lettering on a white background

676: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The middle boat on the starboard side is designated as boat number __________.

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

796: When discharging a portable CO2 fire extinguisher, you should NOT hold the horn of the extinguisher because the horn __________.

    N a. becomes extremely hot
    Y b. becomes extremely cold
    N c. could come off in your hands
    N d. is placed directly in the flames

1093: On small passenger vessels, which device(s) must be fitted to a fuel line's tank connection?

    N a. A fuel strainer
    Y b. A shut-off valve
    N c. A tubular glass gauge to indicate the fuel level
    N d. All of the above

1129: Which function is NOT provided by the scrubber of an inert gas system?

    N a. Cools the inert gas.
    N b. Removes particulate matter like soot.
    Y c. Maintains gas pressure in the tanks.
    N d. Removes chemical impurities from the gas.

1204: Generally, when lifting an inflatable liferaft back aboard ship you would use the __________.

    Y a. towing bridle
    N b. main weather cover
    N c. external lifelines
    N d. righting strap

1256: The water pockets located on the underside of inflatable liferafts __________.

    N a. stow rainwater; these 4 spaces do not take up valuable space
    Y b. act as stabilizers by filling with sea water as soon as the raft is inflated and upright
    N c. hold the freshwater required by regulation to be provided in the raft when packed
    N d. None of the above

1284: The operating cord on an inflatable liferaft also serves as a __________.

    N a. lifeline
    Y b. painter
    N c. drogue
    N d. marker

1295: If you must land on a beach with an oar-propelled lifeboat through a heavy surf, the recommended method is to __________.

    N a. keep the bow directly in toward the beach, and tow the sea anchor off the stern
    N b. ride in on the back of a large breaker
    Y c. keep the bow into the seas with the sea anchor out over the bow, and row to meet the breaking waves
    N d. head directly into the beach by staying between the crests of the waves

1344: What is the purpose of the hydrostatic release on an inflatable liferaft?

    Y a. To release the raft from the cradle automatically as the ship sinks
    N b. To inflate the raft automatically
    N c. To test the rafts hydrostatically
    N d. None of the above

1416: You will extinguish a fire when you remove __________.

    N a. nitrogen
    Y b. oxygen
    N c. sodium
    N d. carbon dioxide

1529: Under the Pollution Regulations, garbage disposal records must be kept __________.

    N a. until the end of the voyage
    N b. until the next Coast Guard inspection
    N c. one year
    Y d. two years

1810: Halon extinguishes a fire by __________.

    Y a. breaking the chain reaction
    N b. smothering the fire
    N c. cooling the fire
    N d. coating the fuel with a nonflammable surface

1852: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 32'L by 15'B by 8'D. The vessel's displacement is 640 tons and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.8. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?

    N a. 0.74 foot
    N b. 1.24 feet
    Y c. 1.41 feet
    N d. 1.66 feet

1888: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 18'L by 10'B by 6'D. The vessel's displacement is 944 T and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.9. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of the tanks being slack?

    N a. .08 foot
    Y b. .16 foot
    N c. .45 foot
    N d. .90 foot

1894: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 24'L by 16'B by 8'D. The vessel's displacement in salt water (specific gravity 1.025) is 864 T and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.47. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?

    N a. 0.32 foot
    Y b. 0.78 foot
    N c. 0.96 foot
    N d. 1.12 feet

1915: The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close hauled the __________.

    N a. apparent wind moves aft
    Y b. heeling moment increases
    N c. side slip decreases
    N d. mainsheet must be eased

2065: By regulation, cargo tank atmosphere must be inert before and during which operation?

    N a. crude oil washing
    N b. topping off
    N c. stripping
    Y d. All of the above

2197: A self-righting survival craft will return to an upright position provided that all personnel __________.

    Y a. are seated with seat belts on and doors shut
    N b. are seated with seat belts on and doors open
    N c. are to shift to one side to right it
    N d. escape from the craft

2225: Which system is least likely to be affected by atmospheric disturbances?

    N a. NAVTEX
    Y b. INMARSAT
    N c. MF NBDP
    N d. HF NBDP

2354: Which documents are required by Part 80 of the FCC Rules for vessels on international voyages (other than the Great Lakes)?

    N a. Appropriate Safety Convention Certificate
    N b. International list of ship call signs (ITU List VI)
    N c. List of Radiodetermination and Special Service Stations (ITU List VI)
    Y d. All of the above

2634: Use the floodable length curve in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the curve represents 45 percent permeability and number 4 hold floods, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 40
    N b. 48
    N c. 53
    Y d. 60

2705: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the KG of the liquid load. ST-0077

    Y a. 4.0 feet
    N b. 5.6 feet
    N c. 6.0 feet
    N d. 6.8 feet

2741: A record of the types and strengths of steels used on a MODU must be included in the __________.

    N a. general plans
    N b. builder's documentation
    N c. Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. construction portfolio

2788: Which is NOT a safety precaution to be observed during the loading of LFG?

    N a. Report any leakage of cargo.
    Y b. Make sure the rake ends of the barge are completely dry and mopped.
    N c. Ascertain that the hoses to be used are in good order.
    N d. Be on the lookout for work being accomplished ashore in the vicinity of the barges.

2865: Which statement about the free surface correction is TRUE?

    N a. It is added to GM at light drafts and subtracted at deep drafts.
    N b. It is increased if the slack tank is not on the centerline.
    N c. It is decreased if the slack tank is below the KG of the vessel.
    Y d. The correction decreases as the draft increases

3038: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 18'-06", AFT 20'-06". After all bunkers are on board, soundings indicate the tonnages shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the free surface correction. ST-0099

    N a. 1.10 feet
    Y b. 0.91 foot
    N c. 0.72 foot
    N d. 0.68 foot

3201: The stamped full weight of a 100-lb. CO2 bottle is 314 lbs. What is the minimum weight of the bottle before it has to be recharged?

    N a. 282 lbs.
    N b. 294 lbs.
    N c. 300 lbs.
    Y d. 304 lbs.

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

3211: What is placed on the underside of an inflatable liferaft to help prevent it from being skidded by the wind or overturned?

    Y a. Ballast bags
    N b. A keel
    N c. Strikes
    N d. Sea anchor

3349: Which device is required in the fuel supply line at the engine?

    N a. Flow meter
    Y b. Shut-off valve
    N c. Pressure gauge
    N d. Filter

3410: How should the letter "I" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. IN DEE GO
    Y b. IN DEE AH
    N c. I EE
    N d. I VAN HO

4033: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling) discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new KG?

    N a. 1.18 feet
    N b. 51.80 feet
    Y c. 52.61 feet
    N d. 55.79 feet

4230: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming six days. You will enter the winter zone after an additional three 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 46. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 61.4 inches
    Y b. 64.5 inches
    N c. 70.6 inches
    N d. 77.5 inches

4250: A bulk freighter 580 ft. in length, 60 ft. beam, with a waterplane coefficient of .84 is floating in salt water at a draft of 21 ft. How many long tons would it take to increase the mean draft 1"?

    N a. 65.1
    Y b. 69.6
    N c. 74.3
    N d. 76.8

4277: Drilling loads on the COASTAL DRILLER are the combined loads arising from conductor tension, rotary, hook, and __________.

    N a. fixed loads
    Y b. setback loads
    N c. basic loads
    N d. variable loads

4461: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning a MODU, your legs should be __________.

    N a. spread apart as far as possible
    N b. held as tightly against your chest as possible
    N c. in a kneeling position
    Y d. extended straight down and crossed at the ankles

4461: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning a MODU, your legs should be __________.

    N a. spread apart as far as possible
    N b. held as tightly against your chest as possible
    N c. in a kneeling position
    Y d. extended straight down and crossed at the ankles

5195: The DEEP DRILLER is under tow at a 20 foot draft. The rig motions are close to exceeding the limits for critical pitch and roll. The rig is also experiencing occasional pounding on the horizontal braces. In this situation you should __________.

    Y a. ballast down to a 45 foot draft and check vessel motions
    N b. wait until pitch and roll exceed the limits before ballasting down
    N c. ballast up to a 15 foot draft and check vessel motions
    N d. shorten the tow wire for a smoother tow

5603: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while in transit is 7 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 4 degrees. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. unsatisfactory, change course and speed
    Y b. satisfactory, continue transit
    N c. unsatisfactory, ballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

6265: During severe storms when survival becomes a major concern, it may become necessary to relieve high anchor tensions on the windward side of the unit by __________.

    N a. deballasting the rig
    N b. ballasting the rig
    N c. paying out cable on the windward side
    Y d. paying out cable on the leeward side

6271: During storm conditions on a MODU, the mooring tensions should be adjusted so that __________.

    N a. all mooring lines have a different tension
    N b. the leeward lines have higher tension than the windward lines
    Y c. the maximum tension of the most heavily loaded line does not exceed the safe working load
    N d. all horizontal tension forces on the windward lines are no greater than the vertical tension forces

6467: The series of valves used to control the return flow in well control operations is called the __________.

    N a. valve assembly
    N b. standpipe manifold
    N c. accumulator manifold
    Y d. choke manifold

6753: If not attached to the nozzle, each low-velocity spray applicator on a MODU must be stowed __________.

    N a. in a protected area on the main deck
    N b. inside a machinery space near the entrance
    Y c. next to the fire hydrant to which the fire hose is attached
    N d. on a rack inside the quarters near the entrance

6765: A qualified person must be assigned as the second in command of a lifeboat on a MODU if the lifeboat has a capacity of more than __________.

    N a. 20 persons
    N b. 30 persons
    Y c. 40 persons
    N d. 50 persons

6801: Where must the 0mster or person in charge of a MODU record the date of each test of emergency lighting and power systems and the condition and performance of the equipment?

    N a. On the Certificate of Inspection
    N b. On the Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N c. In the Operations Manual
    Y d. In either the official or unofficial log

7061: The primary concern in aiding a back injury patient is __________.

    N a. relieving the patient's pain by giving aspirin or stronger medication
    Y b. avoiding possible injury to the spinal cord by incorrect handling
    N c. preventing convulsions and muscle spasms caused by the pain
    N d. providing enough fluids to prevent dehydration

7785: The result of multiplying a weight by a distance is a __________.

    Y a. moment
    N b. force
    N c. couple
    N d. center of gravity location

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

8584: When transferring survivors from an enclosed lifeboat to a rescue vessel, personnel on board the boat should __________.

    N a. remove their life preservers to make it easier to climb on board the rescue vessel
    N b. climb on top of the boat while waiting for their turn to transfer to the rescue vessel
    Y c. remain seated inside and make the transfer one person at a time
    N d. enter the water and swim over to the rescue vessel

9642: The carbon dioxide cylinders of a fixed fire extinguishing system may be located inside the protected space, if the quantity of CO2 required to protect that space is not more than __________.

    Y a. 300 pounds
    N b. 400 pounds
    N c. 500 pounds
    N d. 600 pounds