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.


15: In reference to accidental oil pollution, the most critical time during bunkering is when __________.


114: If you are in urgent need of a helicopter, which signal code should you send?


153: If you reach shore in a liferaft, the first thing to do is __________.


302: If you are fighting a fire below the main deck of your vessel, which action is most important concerning the stability of the vessel?

    N a. Shutting off electricity to damaged cables
    Y b. Pumping fire-fighting water overboard
    N c. Maneuvering the vessel so the fire is on the lee side
    N d. Removing burned debris from the cargo hold

336: Carbon dioxide cylinders which protect machinery spaces, paint lockers and tanks may be located within those spaces when the amount of carbon dioxide does not exceed __________.

    N a. 150 lbs
    Y b. 300 lbs
    N c. 450 lbs
    N d. 600 lbs

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

343: An emergency sea anchor may be constructed by using __________.

    N a. a boat bucket
    N b. an air tank filled with water
    N c. an oar and canvas weighted down
    Y d. All of the above

438: A crew member has suffered frostbite to the toes of both feet. You should __________.

    Y a. immerse the feet in warm water
    N b. warm the feet with a heat lamp
    N c. warm the feet at room temperature
    N d. rub the feet

472: When the handle of an all-purpose nozzle is pulled all the way back, it will __________.

    N a. produce high-velocity fog
    N b. produce low-velocity fog
    Y c. produce a straight stream
    N d. shut off the water

610: The amount of freeboard which a ship possesses has a tremendous effect on its __________.

    N a. initial stability
    N b. free surface
    N c. permeability
    Y d. stability at large angles of inclination

710: Buoyancy is a measure of the ship's __________.

    Y a. ability to float
    N b. deadweight
    N c. freeboard
    N d. midships strength

727: Under the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act", failure of a vessel's radiotelephone equipment __________.

    N a. constitutes a violation of the Act
    N b. obligates the operator to moor or anchor the vessel immediately
    N c. requires immediate, emergency repairs
    Y d. does not, in itself, constitute a violation of the Act

743: In order for the automatic lifeboat drain to operate properly __________.

    N a. the cap should be removed to drain the boat when it is waterborne
    Y b. the cage must be free of rubbish or the ball may not seat properly
    N c. there is an automatic ball check located in a siphon tube
    N d. the small lever to release the rubber ball float must be turned counterclockwise

771: You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag "F" hoisted. What should you do?

    N a. Continue on your present course since the vessel is signaling for a pilot.
    Y b. Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because she is disabled.
    N c. Stop your vessel instantly.
    N d. Change course to keep clear of the vessel because she is maneuvering with difficulty.

842: As compared to carbon dioxide, dry chemical has which advantage?

    N a. Cleaner
    N b. Effective on metal fires
    Y c. Greater range
    N d. More cooling effect

869: As a last resort, a tourniquet can be used to __________.

    N a. hold a victim in a stretcher
    Y b. stop uncontrolled bleeding
    N c. hold a large bandage in place
    N d. restrain a delirious victim

983: Your vessel has a metacentric height of 1.12 feet and a beam of 60 feet. Your average rolling period will be __________.

    N a. 20 seconds
    N b. 23 seconds
    Y c. 25 seconds
    N d. 35 seconds

1150: After the boat is at the top of the davit heads, the davit arms begin moving up the tracks and are stopped by the __________.

    N a. hoist man
    Y b. limit switch
    N c. brake handle
    N d. preventer bar

1199: To prevent damage by and to storage batteries aboard small passenger vessels they should be located __________.

    N a. in trays constructed of material that is resistant to the electrolyte
    N b. so as to prevent movement when the vessel pitches and rolls
    N c. in a well ventilated area
    Y d. All of the above

1436: Your vessel's draft is 16'-00" fwd. and 18'-00" aft. The MT1 is 500 ft-tons. How many tons of water must be shifted from the after peak to the forepeak, a distance of 250 feet, to bring her to an even draft forward and aft?

    N a. 52 tons
    N b. 50 tons
    Y c. 48 tons
    N d. 24 tons

1537: How should longitude 119°56.3'W be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    N a. V19.9
    N b. 120°W
    N c. 119.9W
    Y d. 11956W

1545: Preventer bars are fitted on lifeboat releasing hooks to prevent __________.

    N a. the falls from unhooking if the releasing gear is operated accidentally while the boat is being lowered
    N b. operation of the release lever until the boat is waterborne
    N c. the falls from rehooking after they have been released
    Y d. accidental unhooking when the falls become slack

1558: A Halon 1301 cylinder is periodically tested for weight loss and pressure loss. What minimum percentage of the full pressure can be lost before the cylinder must be recharged?

    N a. 3%
    N b. 5%
    Y c. 10%
    N d. 15%

1647: Electrical wiring on all "T-Boats" must be __________.

    N a. concealed to prevent mechanical damage
    N b. concealed so the boat can be maintained more easily
    Y c. protected from the weather
    N d. in an accessible place behind the ceiling

1698: To prevent a wooden hull from leaking you caulk it __________.

    N a. after dry docking, while the hull is moist
    Y b. after dry docking, and the hull has dried
    N c. afloat, where it is leaking
    N d. afloat, in all accessible areas

1858: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 180° relative would be __________.

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

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

1983: What is required in addition to the heat, fuel, and oxygen of the fire triangle to have a fire?

    N a. Electricity
    Y b. Chain reaction
    N c. Pressure
    N d. Smoke

1999: Which channel and mode should be used when initiating a Distress alert transmission?

    N a. Channel 6 DSC
    N b. Channel 6 Radiotelephony
    N c. Channel 13 Radiotelephony and Channel 16 DSC
    Y d. Channel 70 DSC

2153: On offshore drilling units each ring life buoy must be marked, in a contrasting color, with the unit's __________.

    Y a. name and port of registry
    N b. owner and port of registry
    N c. port of registry and identification number
    N d. name and owner

2280: A vessel displaces 140,000 cubic feet of saltwater in a light condition. After loading 7500 tons of cargo and 200 tons of fuel, water and stores, she is "full and down". The vessel's light displacement is __________.

    N a. 3000 tons
    N b. 3500 tons
    Y c. 4000 tons
    N d. 4500 tons

2320: You are attempting to recover a mooring buoy. If you approach the object on the port tack, how would you slow the vessel as you draw near?

    N a. Quickly change to a starboard tack as you reach the object.
    N b. Shift the rudder from port to starboard several times as you reach the object.
    N c. Bring the wind so that it comes over the stern and ease all the sheets.
    Y d. Bring the wind directly over the bow and allow the sails to luff.

2329: 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-0059

    N a. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.8 ft
    N d. Available GM 5.3 ft

2607: The tendency of a grade "B" product to vaporize is indicated by its __________.

    Y a. flash point
    N b. convection index
    N c. flammable range
    N d. ignition temperature

2643: Stanchions prevent the entire deck load on a MODU from being carried by the __________.

    N a. bulkheads
    N b. stringers
    Y c. frames and beam brackets
    N d. deck longitudinals

2720: To determine the pressure and temperature limitations under which LFG is required to be transported on a barge, you should look at the __________.

    Y a. Certificate of Inspection
    N b. loading order
    N c. rules and regulations for tank vessels
    N d. tankerman's document

2792: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-06", AFT 19'-01"; and the KG is 18.2 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 35° inclination.

    N a. 1.8 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 4.7 feet
    Y d. 5.8 feet

2913: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 21'-09.5", AFT 22'-09.5". Cargo was loaded and discharged as shown. Use sheet 2 in the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts. ST-0087

    N a. FWD 21'-06.3", AFT 22'-06.6"
    Y b. FWD 21'-11.3", AFT 23'-01.8"
    N c. FWD 22'-06.6", AFT 21'-06.9"
    N d. FWD 23'-00.2", AFT 22'-00.4"

2955: For a floating MODU, the center of buoyancy and the metacenter are in the line of action of the buoyant force __________.

    N a. only when there is positive stability
    N b. only when there is negative stability
    N c. only when there is neutral stability
    Y d. at all times

3221: A MODU with a displacement of 15,000 kips has a KG of 20 feet. A load of 300 kips is shifted from a VCG of 100 feet to a VCG of 10 feet. How far does the KG move?

    N a. 0.2 foot downward
    N b. 0.2 foot upward
    Y c. 1.8 feet downward
    N d. 1.8 feet upward

3351: In good weather, you should deploy the sea anchor from the liferaft to __________.

    N a. keep the liferaft from capsizing
    N b. navigate against the current
    N c. keep personnel from getting seasick
    Y d. stay in the general location

3624: What is the International Code signal for calling an unknown station using flashing light?

    Y a. AA AA
    N b. UNK
    N c. STA
    N d. CQ

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

3719: Symptoms of heat stroke are __________.

    N a. cold and moist skin, high body temperature
    N b. cold and dry skin, low body temperature
    N c. hot and moist skin, high body temperature
    Y d. hot and dry skin, high body temperature

3896: Life preservers must be marked with the __________.

    N a. stowage space assigned
    Y b. vessel's name
    N c. vessel's home port
    N d. maximum weight allowed

4078: When shifting to a course where the wind comes more from astern, easing the mainsheet will __________.

    N a. bring the boom more fore and aft
    N b. decrease the force needed to haul on the mainsheet
    N c. bring the head of the sail down from the top of the mast
    Y d. allow the sail to catch more wind

4087: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (transit). What is the new metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects if the entire contents of Salt Water Ballast Tanks 1P and 1S are discharged? (Use KMT = 375.38 feet)

    N a. 375.38 feet
    N b. 345.23 feet
    N c. 319.66 feet
    Y d. 306.79 feet

4102: The center of the underwater volume of a floating vessel is the __________.

    Y a. center of buoyancy
    N b. center of flotation
    N c. uncorrected height of the center of gravity of the vessel
    N d. center of gravity of the vessel corrected for free surface effects

4240: Both an approved B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system and a fixed fire-extinguishing system are required to protect the engine room on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for on or after __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. February 1, 2002
    Y b. August 27, 2003
    N c. April 29, 2004
    N d. April 29, 2005

5412: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 21'-04", AFT 26'-04". 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-0177

    Y a. 0.62 foot
    N b. 0.80 foot
    N c. 0.85 foot
    N d. 0.99 foot

6027: On a MODU, firefighting equipment must be inspected once every __________.

    N a. three months
    N b. six months
    Y c. twelve months
    N d. eighteen months

6041: On offshore drilling units, the fire main system must have enough fire hydrants so that each accessible space may be sprayed with at least __________.

    N a. one spray pattern
    Y b. two spray patterns
    N c. three spray patterns
    N d. four spray patterns

6101: What must be provided on a MODU helicopter deck that is equipped with fueling facilities?

    N a. Fuel testing station
    N b. Foam testing station
    Y c. Foam fire protection system
    N d. Fire alarm

6607: To determine the number of Able Seamen required on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. load line certificate
    N b. Operations Manual
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

6615: Where are self-closing doors required on a MODU?

    N a. In the galley
    Y b. In each stair tower
    N c. To each sleeping room
    N d. To the engine room

8721: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the transverse free surface correction to KG?

    N a. 0.00 feet
    Y b. 1.03 feet
    N c. 1.69 feet
    N d. 2.22 feet

9383: Immediately after abandoning a vessel, lookouts should be posted aboard liferafts to look for __________.

    Y a. survivors in the water
    N b. food and water
    N c. land
    N d. bad weather

9391: Once you have established the daily ration of drinking water in a survival situation, how should you drink it?

    N a. Small sips at regular intervals during the day
    N b. The complete daily ration at one time during the day
    Y c. One-third the daily ration three times daily
    N d. Small sips only after sunset

9463: The value of the righting arm at an angle of loll is __________.

    N a. negative
    Y b. zero
    N c. positive
    N d. equal to GM

9651: In a fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system where pressure from pilot cylinders is used to release the CO2 from the main bank of cylinders, the number of required pilot cylinders shall be at least __________.

    Y a. 2
    N b. 3
    N c. 4
    N d. 6