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.


101: 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 the tank top. The hold is 40 feet long and 50 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.


198: A person suffering from possible broken bones and internal injuries should __________.


335: Your vessel is carrying 24,000 barrels of oil for discharge. The cargo hoses have an inside diameter of eight inches. The container around the loading manifold must hold __________.


342: Every injury aboard a commercial fishing industry vessel must be reported to the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. vessel owner or owner's agent
    N c. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    N d. National Fisheries Service

378: The FIRST treatment for a surface burn is to __________.

    N a. wash the burned area with a warm soap and water solution
    Y b. flood, bathe, or immerse the burned area in cold water
    N c. cover the burned area with talcum powder and bandage it tightly
    N d. leave the burned area exposed to the atmosphere

413: Paint and oil lockers on small passenger vessels must be constructed of or lined with __________.

    Y a. steel or equivalent material
    N b. fiberglass
    N c. sheetrock, asbestos, or other material that retards the spread of fire
    N d. marine plywood

453: You must shift a weight from the upper 'tween deck to the lower hold. This shift will __________.

    N a. make the vessel more tender
    Y b. make the vessel stiffer
    N c. increase the rolling period
    N d. decrease the metacentric height

574: You are calling another vessel by radiotelephone using the International Code of Signals. He responds with the words "Alpha Sierra". This indicates that __________.

    Y a. he cannot accept traffic immediately
    N b. you should proceed with your message
    N c. you should send your message in International Code
    N d. you should send your message in plain language

614: Your vessel is damaged and listing to port. There is a short rolling period around the angle of list. The port side freeboard is reduced to 1 foot. There is no trim and the weather is calm. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. press up a slack double bottom tank on the port side
    N b. fill an empty centerline double bottom tank
    Y c. pump out a slack marine portable tank located on the portside amidships
    N d. jettison the anchors and anchor cables

654: Which of the following statements about transmitting distress messages by radiotelephone is INCORRECT?

    N a. Distress messages should first be transmitted on 2182 kHz.
    N b. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) may be used for distress messages.
    N c. If no answer is received on the designated distress frequencies, repeat the distress call on any frequency available.
    Y d. It is advisable to follow a distress message on 2182 kHz by two dashes of 10 to 15 seconds duration.

682: How are lifelines attached to a life float?

    N a. By serving
    N b. By splicing one end of the line around the apparatus
    Y c. Securely attached around the outside in bights no longer than three feet
    N d. With an approved safety hook or shackle

705: Your vessel is at a dock taking bunkers. If oil begins to flow out of a tank vent, what should you do FIRST?

    N a. Open the intake valve to an adjacent tank.
    N b. Set out drip pans and sawdust and begin to mop up the spill.
    Y c. Signal the shore control point to shut down.
    N d. Close the valve on the tank vent line.

767: On every vessel, distress signals must be stowed __________.

    Y a. on or near the navigating bridge
    N b. on the flying bridge not closer than 15 feet to any bulkhead
    N c. above the freeboard deck away from heat
    N d. in an enclosed space below the freeboard deck away from heat

825: ABYC equipment standards are published by the __________.

    N a. Association of Boat and Yacht Classifiers
    Y b. American Boat and Yacht Council
    N c. American Boat and Yacht Convention 1991
    N d. American Boat and Yacht Club

959: You are on a supply run to an offshore drilling rig. On board is the cargo listed. What is the height above the main deck of the center of gravity of the cargo? ST-0020

    N a. 2.32 feet
    N b. 2.21 feet
    Y c. 1.97 feet
    N d. 1.76 feet

1020: Which vessels must comply with the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone regulations while navigating?

    N a. Towing vessels 25 feet in length or less
    Y b. Passenger vessels of 100 gross tons or greater, carrying one or more passengers for hire
    N c. Power-driven vessels 12 meters or less in length
    N d. All of the above

1082: Which statement is TRUE concerning combustible gas indicators?

    N a. One sample of air is adequate to test a tank.
    Y b. They do not work properly where there is a lack of oxygen.
    N c. They will detect a lack of oxygen.
    N d. They are calibrated to read the percentage chance of explosion.

1126: Aboard small passenger vessels which type(s) of ventilation must be provided for enclosed spaces containing gasoline engines or gasoline fuel tanks?

    Y a. Natural supply and mechanical exhaust
    N b. At least one opening to the exterior of the hull
    N c. Mechanical supply and natural exhaust
    N d. Any 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

1333: If you reef a marconi mainsail, the sail area __________.

    N a. moves forward and up
    N b. moves aft and down
    N c. becomes larger
    Y d. becomes smaller

1381: Large volumes of carbon dioxide are safe and effective for fighting fires in enclosed spaces, such as in a pumproom, provided that the __________.

    N a. persons in the space wear gas masks
    N b. persons in the space wear damp cloths over their mouths and nostrils
    Y c. ventilation system is secured and all persons leave the space
    N d. ventilation system is kept operating

1434: Halon fire extinguishers are NOT effective when used on which types of fires?

    N a. Fires in electrical equipment
    N b. Flammable oils and greases
    N c. Class "A" fires in ordinary combustibles
    Y d. Materials containing their own oxygen

1557: When a sea anchor for a lifeboat is properly rigged, it will __________.

    N a. completely stop the lifeboat from drifting
    Y b. help to prevent broaching
    N c. prevent the lifeboat from pitching
    N d. None of the above

1654: You are operating a ship greater than 400 gross tons. You are NOT permitted to carry oil or hazardous materials in a(n) __________.

    Y a. forepeak tank
    N b. after peak tank
    N c. deep tank
    N d. on-deck portable tank

1725: The most effective treatment for warming a crew member suffering from hypothermia is __________.

    N a. running or jumping to increase circulation
    N b. raising body temperature rapidly by placing hands and feet in hot water
    Y c. bundling the body in blankets to rewarm gradually
    N d. laying prone under heat lamps to rewarm rapidly

1756: Under federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?

    N a. .18%BAC
    N b. .10%BAC
    N c. .06%BAC
    Y d. .04%BAC

1893: Which equipment is the primary source of generating a locating signal?

    N a. DSC only
    N b. DSC and EPIRB
    N c. SART and DSC
    Y d. EPIRB and SART

1897: Which is a part of a vessel's standing rigging?

    N a. Sheet
    Y b. Backstay
    N c. Topping lift
    N d. Downhaul

2108: Air compressors are NOT permitted in which space(s) on a tank barge carrying grade A cargo?

    N a. A cargo handling room
    N b. A space in which cargo hose is stored
    N c. An enclosed space containing cargo piping
    Y d. All of the above

2227: When the survival craft is supplied with bottles of compressed air they are used for __________.

    Y a. an air supply for personnel
    N b. additional flotation
    N c. priming the sprinkler system
    N d. filling the self righting bags

2248: A product is classified at grade B when it has a Reid vapor pressure of __________.

    N a. 7 psia and a flash point of 80°F
    Y b. more than 8 1/2 psia but less than 14 psia and a flash point of 72°F
    N c. 9 1/2 psia and a flash point of 95°F
    N d. above 14 psia

2394: Your vessel's drafts are FWD 24'-09", AFT 27'-01". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 122 tons are discharged 76 feet aft of amidships, 128 tons are discharged 54 feet forward of amidships, and 68 tons of fuel is pumped 48 feet aft.

    N a. FWD 24'-01", AFT 26'-08"
    N b. FWD 24'-02", AFT 26'-11"
    Y c. FWD 24'-04", AFT 26'-08"
    N d. FWD 24'-05", AFT 26'-02"

2478: Depending on its concentration, which product(s) can be classified as either grade D or E?

    N a. Sulfuric acid
    Y b. Formaldehyde solutions 37% to 50%
    N c. 1,1,1-trichloroethane
    N d. All of the above

2481: Which action should be taken on receipt of a GMDSS Distress alert?

    N a. Read the display screen and/or printout.
    N b. Silence the alarm.
    N c. Listen for any follow up voice/TELEX transmission on the appropriate frequency.
    Y d. All of the above

2502: The international shore connection __________.

    N a. permits discharge of waste oil
    Y b. allows hook up of fire hoses from a dock or another vessel
    N c. satisfies pollution prevention requirements
    N d. allows emergency use of the fire main for deballasting

2560: Regulations require that cargo tanks in which grades B or C liquids are carried must be vented with which of the following?

    N a. Gooseneck vents
    N b. Flame screens
    Y c. Pressure vacuum relief valves
    N d. Forced draft blowers

2731: The document that certifies the correctness of the load line marks on a MODU is called the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Load line certificate
    N c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. SOLAS Certificate

2732: According to the regulations, to prevent excessive pressure buildup in cargo tanks containing LFG, they are fitted with __________.

    N a. pressure vacuum relief valves
    N b. excess flow valves
    Y c. safety relief valves
    N d. flame screens

2996: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the LCG-FP of the liquid load. ST-0093

    N a. 286.1 ft
    Y b. 282.7 ft
    N c. 278.6 ft
    N d. 272.4 ft

3057: Each buoyant work vest on an OSV must be __________.

    Y a. Coast Guard Approved
    N b. marked with the name of the unit
    N c. equipped with a waterlight
    N d. All of the above

3077: The purpose of the inclining experiment on a MODU is to determine the __________.

    Y a. lightweight and lightweight center of gravity location
    N b. position of the center of buoyancy
    N c. position of the metacenter
    N d. maximum load line

3151: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers severe damage to the starboard aft column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1S
    Y b. 9S
    N c. 2P
    N d. 2S

3206: Your tow contains a barge carrying carbon tetrachloride. What is NOT required?

    N a. Cargo warning signs on barge
    N b. Cargo information card on barge
    N c. Cargo information card in pilothouse
    Y d. Certificated tankerman on towboat

3438: 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

3604: You are the first vessel to arrive at the scene of a distress. Due to the volume of traffic on the radio, you are unable to communicate with the vessel in distress. Which action should you take?

    N a. Switch to flag hoists.
    Y b. Broadcast "Seelonce Distress".
    N c. Broadcast "Charlie Quebec-Mayday-Quiet".
    N d. Key the microphone three times in quick succession.

3657: For planning purposes, the time required to place the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft from the drilling mode to counter heavy weather is __________.

    N a. 2 hours
    N b. 4 hours
    Y c. 6 hours
    N d. 8 hours

4191: The DEEP DRILLER is planning to operate while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 ( Preparing to Drill). What is the margin between KGT and maximum allowable KG?

    N a. 0.66 foot
    N b. 2.58 feet
    Y c. 5.24 feet
    N d. 7.87 feet

4204: You are loading in a port subject to the summer load line mark and bound for a port subject to the tropical load line mark. You will enter the tropical zone after steaming four days. You will consume 33 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.006, and the average TPI is 66. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 78 inches
    N b. 82 inches
    N c. 86 inches
    N d. 88 inches

4661: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the contents of the #1 drill water tank are discharged, what would be the new LCG?

    N a. 118.46 feet AF0
    N b. 119.44 feet AF0
    N c. 119.98 feet AF0
    Y d. 120.42 feet AF0

5062: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 8530 T. The 40-ton weight is on the pier and its center is 65' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 115' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 50' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    N a. 2.96 ft
    N b. 3.18 ft
    N c. 3.46 ft
    Y d. 3.77 ft

5756: Your drafts are: FWD 21'-03", AFT 21'-09". What is the KM based on the tables in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book?

    N a. 26.5 feet
    N b. 26.3 feet
    N c. 25.8 feet
    Y d. 25.5 feet

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.

6037: When testing fire hoses on offshore drilling units, each hose must be subjected to a test pressure of at least __________.

    Y a. 100 psi
    N b. 110 psi
    N c. 120 psi
    N d. 150 psi

6074: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to sail with the load shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the available GM. ST-0190

    N a. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N b. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.7 ft
    Y d. Available GM 5.1 ft

6157: Smoking in bed on a MODU is prohibited __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. during evening hours
    N c. unless another person is present
    N d. during drilling operations

7395: In evacuation from a MODU, an individual without the option of a survival craft or liferaft should enter the water on the leeward side, except when __________.

    Y a. there is burning oil on the water
    N b. there is a rescue craft in the area
    N c. water temperature is below 40°F
    N d. a rigid survival craft is in the area

7675: To calculate the free surface correction, it is necessary to divide the free-surface moments by the __________.

    N a. total weight of liquid loads
    Y b. total displacement
    N c. lightweight
    N d. deadweight

8093: What is the displacement of the DEEP DRILLER with a draft of 19.5 feet in fresh water?

    Y a. 11,932.8 long tons
    N b. 12,232.8 long tons
    N c. 12,602.9 long tons
    N d. 18,919.8 long tons

8331: When H2S is burned (flared) on a MODU, what can you expect to occur?

    N a. All of the H2S will be converted to SO2.
    N b. All of the H2S will be converted to hydrogen and free sulfur.
    Y c. Only 80% of the H2S will be converted to SO2 or free sulfur.
    N d. The H2S not converted will not be dangerous.

8697: The DEEP DRILLER, at 58.0 feet draft in sea water, loads 200 long tons. What is the new displacement?

    N a. 17,642 long tons
    N b. 17,842 long tons
    Y c. 18,042 long tons
    N d. 18,118 long tons