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.


29: In order to discharge a CO2 portable fire extinguisher, the operator must FIRST __________.


67: The explosive range of petroleum vapors mixed with air is __________.


79: A squeeze-grip type carbon dioxide portable fire extinguisher has been partially discharged. It should be __________.


202: The lifeline which is part of a fireman's outfit must be __________.

    N a. made of steel or bronze wire rope
    N b. corrosion resistant
    N c. not less than 50 feet in length
    Y d. All of the above

256: What is the minimum number of fire pumps required on a cargo vessel of 2,000 GT?

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

437: On small passenger vessels bunks installed in overnight passenger accommodation spaces __________.

    N a. must be no less than 74" long and 24" wide with 24" of clear space above
    N b. must not be located more than 3 high, fitted with a suitable aid to access bunks more than 5' above deck with suitable aids to access bunks more than 5' above deck
    N c. must be immediately adjacent to an aisle leading to a means of escape
    Y d. All of the above

558: A small passenger vessel operating on exposed or partially protected waters may not have a port light below the weather deck unless __________.

    Y a. its sill is at least 30 inches above the deepest load waterline
    N b. it opens and has a solid, inside, hinged cover
    N c. it is made of thick transparent plastic
    N d. it is sealed shut

559: The maximum draft of the SS AMERICAN MARINER cannot exceed 28'-08" in order to cross a bar. The present drafts are: FWD 28'-00", AFT 29'-00". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum amount of sea water to ballast the forepeak to achieve this condition.

    N a. 44.4 tons
    N b. 58.0 tons
    Y c. 76.7 tons
    N d. 116.0 tons

618: You are on watch at night in port and discover a fire in #1 hatch. Which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Advise the Chief Mate and Master.
    N b. Release carbon dioxide into the hatch.
    Y c. Sound the general alarm.
    N d. Lead a fire hose to the hatch.

636: What is required by regulations concerning the stowage of lifeboats on cargo vessels?

    Y a. Each lifeboat must have a launching appliance.
    N b. Launching appliances must be of the gravity type.
    N c. There may not be more than two launching appliances on the same deck.
    N d. All of the above

747: Which statement about the use of portable electric lights in petroleum product tanks is TRUE?

    N a. The fixture must be explosion-proof and the line must have a ground wire.
    N b. They can be used only when the compartment is gas free.
    Y c. They must be explosion-proof, self-contained, battery-fed lamps.
    N d. No portable electric equipment of any type is allowed.

749: Small passenger vessels on rivers routes in cold water must be provided with life floats of an aggregate capacity to accommodate __________.

    Y a. at least 50% of all persons on board or meet certain construction standards
    N b. 100% of the crew and 50% of all passengers allowed to be carried
    N c. not less than 50% of all passengers on board at the time
    N d. All persons on board (100% of all passengers and crew)

985: What should be used to send the group "Bearing 074° True"?

    N a. A074T
    N b. B074
    N c. B074T
    Y d. A074

1061: What are the symptoms of sun stroke?

    N a. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid and feeble, skin is cold and clammy.
    Y b. Temperature is high, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry.
    N c. Temperature is high, pulse is slow and feeble, skin is clammy.
    N d. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid, skin is clammy.

1382: Ventilation systems connected to a compartment in which a fire is burning are normally closed to prevent the rapid spread of the fire by __________.

    Y a. convection
    N b. conduction
    N c. radiation
    N d. spontaneous combustion

1511: Which step should normally be taken FIRST by those who have boarded a liferaft in an emergency?

    N a. Ration food and water supplies.
    Y b. Take anti-seasickness pills, if available.
    N c. Determine position and closest point of land.
    N d. Check pyrotechnic supplies.

1546: What are the most important reasons for using water fog to fight fires?

    N a. Smothers burning surfaces, organically destroys fuel
    Y b. Cools fire and adjacent surfaces, provides protective barrier
    N c. Reaches areas not protected by steam or CO2 smothering systems
    N d. Allows fire to be attacked from leeward, saturates liquid surfaces

1562: Drinking salt water will __________.

    N a. protect against heat camps
    N b. prevent seasickness
    N c. be safe if mixed with fresh water
    Y d. dehydrate you

1572: Your fishing vessel operates more than 25 miles from the coastline on the Great Lakes. Which distress signal is NOT required to be on board?

    N a. 3 red parachute flares
    N b. 6 red hand flares
    Y c. 1 electric distress light
    N d. 3 orange smoke signals

1607: A bilge suction line, in a fishing vessel with more than 16 individuals aboard, must have a strainer with an open area not less than how many times the open area of the suction line?

    N a. one
    N b. two
    Y c. three
    N d. four

1611: How should longitude 116°54.9'E be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    N a. Q1169
    N b. 116.9E
    Y c. 11655E
    N d. 117E

1826: Your vessel displaces 747 tons and measures 136'L by 34'B. You ship a large wave on the after deck. What is the reduction to GM due to free surface before the water drains overboard, if the after deck measures 56'L x 34'B and the weight of the water is 58.6 tons?

    N a. 6.04 feet
    N b. 6.23 feet
    Y c. 6.51 feet
    N d. 6.76 feet

1839: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 020° relative would be __________.

    Y a. coming about
    N b. close hauled on the port tack
    N c. running before the wind
    N d. on a broad reach on the starboard tack

1850: Your voyage planning indicates you will arrive at a waypoint in longitude 49°16.3 W at 0947 ZT on 3 March 1988. How should this date be entered into an AMVER report?

    Y a. 031247Z
    N b. 030947P
    N c. 124733 MAR
    N d. 309473

2114: You have hand launched an inflatable liferaft. What should be one of your FIRST actions after all persons have boarded the liferaft?

    N a. Open the equipment pack.
    N b. Inflate the liferaft floor.
    N c. Decide on food and water rations.
    Y d. Cut the sea painter and clear the vessel.

2174: You are testing a tank that contained gasoline by using a combustible gas indicator. Under testing, the tank sample caused the needle to move rapidly to 100 on the dial then fall to zero. What is the concentration of flammable gas?

    N a. Less than the flammable range
    N b. Within the flammable range
    Y c. Over the flammable range
    N d. The explosimeter is defective and giving a false reading.

2235: You are aboard a vessel which is near a platform engaged in oil exploration. Under U.S. pollution regulations, you may NOT discharge garbage if you are within __________.

    Y a. 1650 feet (500 meters)
    N b. 1750 feet (533 meters)
    N c. 1970 feet (600 meters)
    N d. 2500 feet (762 meters)

2304: Regulations require that cargo pumprooms handling grades D and/or E liquid cargo only shall be fitted with at LEAST how many ducts extended to the weather deck?

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

2328: Which of the flash points would indicate a grade D combustible liquid?

    N a. 65°F
    Y b. 87°F
    N c. 155°F
    N d. 160°F

2400: You are transferring a cargo of ethyl chloride and a small amount spills into the water around your vessel. The Chemical Data Guide indicates that the solubility of ethyl chloride in water will be __________.

    N a. negligible
    Y b. slight
    N c. moderate
    N d. complete

2575: The "urgent" priority should be used for messages __________.

    N a. concerning the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
    N b. detailing important navigational warnings
    Y c. containing information concerning the safety of a mobile unit or person
    N d. concerning on-scene communications

2586: To which group of hydrocarbons do Benzene and Toluene belong?

    N a. Ketone
    N b. Caustic
    Y c. Aromatic
    N d. Alcohol

2628: What normally helps in detecting escaping gas?

    N a. Running hand along pipe
    N b. Red flame
    Y c. Odor
    N d. Increase the line pressure

2695: A certificated lifeboatman assigned to command the lifeboat must __________.

    N a. be the first individual to board the craft
    N b. drain the hydraulic pressure before lowering the craft
    Y c. have a list of the persons assigned to the lifeboat
    N d. All of the above

2900: You have loaded a deck cargo, and the vessel has assumed a 7° list due to negative GM. Your salt water drafts are: FWD 17'-00", AFT 17'-04". If you then load 825 tons of cargo in the lower holds (VCG 11 feet) and take on 500 tons of bunkers (VCG 2.5 feet), what is the final GM? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 0.8 foot
    N b. 1.0 foot
    Y c. 1.7 feet
    N d. 2.3 feet

3133: The stability which exists after the unintentional flooding of a compartment on a MODU is called __________.

    N a. intact stability
    N b. initial stability
    N c. immersion stability
    Y d. damage stability

3225: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 18'-05", AFT 20'-11". 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-0114

    Y a. FWD 18'-07", AFT 20'-11"
    N b. FWD 18'-09", AFT 20'-09"
    N c. FWD 18'-11", AFT 20'-07"
    N d. FWD 19'-01", AFT 20'-05"

3273: A semisubmersible with a displacement of 20,000 long tons and a KG of 52 feet discharges 300 long tons of barite from P-tanks located 120 feet above the keel. What is the change in KG?

    N a. 0.79 foot downward
    N b. 1.00 foot downward
    Y c. 1.04 feet downward
    N d. 1.83 feet downward

3380: At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, all carbon dioxide fire extinguishers aboard a vessel are __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. checked for pressure loss
    N b. discharged and recharged
    N c. sent ashore to an approved service facility
    Y d. weighed

3451: As shown, number 1 operates the __________. (D011SA )

    Y a. Fleming gear
    N b. McCluny hook
    N c. sea painter
    N d. releasing gear

3510: When required, the steering gear, whistle, and the means of communication between the pilothouse and the engine room on a passenger vessel shall be tested by an officer of the vessel within a period of not more than how many hours prior to departure?

    N a. 4
    N b. 8
    Y c. 12
    N d. 24

3593: The DEEP DRILLER is level at a draft of 58 feet when there are no environmental forces. What is the value of LCG?

    N a. 0.00 (amidships)
    N b. 2.23 feet forward of amidships
    Y c. 2.26 feet forward of amidships
    N d. 2.31 feet forward of amidships

3639: Which condition represents the appropriate time for setting off distress flares and rockets?

    Y a. Only when there is a chance of their being seen by rescue vessels
    N b. At half hour intervals
    N c. At one hour intervals
    N d. Immediately upon abandoning the vessel

3800: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning ship, 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

4008: You are preparing to load fuel oil on a vessel of 300 gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974. Before loading, you must check that the fuel oil tank vents __________.

    N a. are not obstructed by on-deck cargo
    N b. have a fire extinguisher within the immediate area
    Y c. have containment capacity for at least one half barrel
    N d. are opened and the flame screen replaced

4416: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine indicating that a torpedo has been fired in a training exercise is __________.

    N a. white
    N b. yellow
    N c. red
    Y d. green

4655: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the drill water in drill water tanks #6 and #25 are discharged, what is the new draft?

    N a. 8.26 feet
    Y b. 10.66 feet
    N c. 10.88 feet
    N d. 11.10 feet

5531: With adaptor blocks/chocks removed from an LWT stock anchor, the trip angle will be __________.

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

5547: In a combination chain and wire rope mooring system, the chain is deployed at the anchor end of the line to __________.

    N a. increase fatigue life
    N b. eliminate the need for mooring buoys
    N c. prevent the anchor from fouling
    Y d. increase the catenary

5823: Your semisubmersible drilling unit is moored on station and is experiencing winds from the north. What will be the effect if you increase the length of the anchor chains you have deployed to the north?

    N a. It will increase your draft.
    N b. It will increase your operating tensions.
    Y c. It will increase the holding power of those chains.
    N d. It will significantly reduce your stability.

5925: When fire pumps are used for other than firefighting service, each pipe connecting the other service (except for branch lines used for deck washing) must have a __________.

    N a. check valve installed in the line
    Y b. shut off valve at a manifold near the pump
    N c. quick disconnect union within ten feet of the pump
    N d. regulator in the line set at 125 psi

6023: On a MODU, an extinguisher with 15 lbs. of CO2 or 10 lbs. of dry chemical is a size __________.

    N a. I
    Y b. II
    N c. III
    N d. IV

6624: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine indicating that a torpedo has been fired in a training exercise is ___________,

    N a. red
    N b. white
    Y c. green
    N d. red

6665: On a MODU, a cabinet or space containing the controls or valves for the fixed firefighting system must be __________.

    Y a. posted with instructions on the operation of the system
    N b. ventilated and equipped with explosion-proof switches
    N c. painted with red and black diagonal stripes
    N d. equipped with a battery powered source of emergency lighting

6965: In the case of a casualty involving a MODU, the Master, owner, agent or person in charge shall make the records required by regulation available upon request to __________.

    N a. anyone involved in the casualty
    Y b. any Coast Guard official authorized to investigate the casualty
    N c. the local Captain of the Port
    N d. All of the above

8177: When elevating the COASTAL DRILLER in 200 feet of water, the unit should be placed at an air gap of __________.

    N a. 35 feet
    N b. 32 feet
    Y c. 30 feet
    N d. 25 feet

8213: What fitting should you install in the rig piping to a pump to facilitate disconnecting the pump for servicing?

    N a. Coupling
    Y b. Union
    N c. Flange
    N d. Nipple

8287: Automatic mechanical ventilation shutdown is required for CO2 systems protecting the __________.

    Y a. machinery spaces
    N b. cargo compartments
    N c. living quarters
    N d. galley

8848: Enclosed lifeboats which have been afloat over a long period of time require __________.

    N a. frequent opening of hatches to permit entry of fresh air
    Y b. regular checks of bilge levels
    N c. use of ear plugs to dampen engine noise
    N d. frequent flushing of the water spray system with fresh water

9497: Stability is determined principally by the location of the point of application of two forces: the upward-acting buoyant force and the __________.

    N a. upward-acting weight force
    Y b. downward-acting weight force
    N c. downward-acting buoyant force
    N d. environmental force