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.


46: The required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers to be carried in the vicinity of the radio room exit for a tank vessel on an international voyage is one __________.


50: What is not usually a concern when loading a single-hulled tanker?


64: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0001


699: What is the minimum length of a life floats paddle on a small passenger vessel?

    N a. Three feet
    Y b. Four feet
    N c. Five feet
    N d. Six feet

738: There is a fire aft aboard your vessel. To help fight the fire, you should __________.

    N a. put the wind off either beam
    Y b. head the bow into the wind and decrease speed
    N c. put the stern into the wind and increase speed
    N d. put the stern into the wind and decrease speed

893: On a vessel of 12,000 tons displacement, a tank 60 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 20 feet deep is half filled with fresh water (SG 1.000) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (SG 1.026) What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface?

    N a. 0.97 ft.
    N b. 1.01 ft.
    N c. 1.35 ft.
    Y d. 1.44 ft.

1047: The main advantage of a steady stream of water on a class "A" fire is that it __________.

    Y a. breaks up and cools the fire
    N b. protects the firefighting crew
    N c. removes the oxygen
    N d. washes the fire away

1051: The fresh air intake of the inert gas system _____,

    N a. prevents the flue gas from falling below an oxygen content of 3%
    Y b. allows the inert gas piping to be used for gas freeing the tanks
    N c. opens when there is excessive vacuum on the deck water seal
    N d. enables outside air to mix with and to cool the hot flue gasses

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

1375: To launch a liferaft by hand you should __________.

    N a. cut the casing bands, throw the liferaft over the side, and it will then inflate
    N b. detach the operating cord, throw the raft over the side, and it will then inflate
    N c. cut the casing bands, throw the raft over the side, and pull the operating cord
    Y d. throw the liferaft over the side and pull the operating cord

1422: Mechanical gearing of deck machinery such as the windlass or boat hoists should __________.

    N a. be open to view so, if a foreign object gets in the gearing, the operator can immediately stop the machinery
    Y b. have a guard over the gearing
    N c. be painted a contrasting color from the base color in order to call attention to the gearing
    N d. not be operated if there is any crew within 10 feet of the machinery

1544: While operating your oceangoing vessel you must keep a record of any discharge or disposal of garbage. These entries shall be made __________.

    N a. before the end of the voyage
    N b. before arriving at your next port
    N c. no later than 24 hours after disposal of the garbage
    Y d. at the time the garbage was disposed

1807: Which is standing rigging?

    N a. Halyards
    Y b. Stays
    N c. Sheets
    N d. Downhauls

1911: A ketch is a sailing vessel with __________.

    N a. one mast
    N b. two masts: with the mizzen stepped abaft the rudder post
    Y c. two masts: with the mizzen stepped forward of the rudder post
    N d. two masts: a foremast and a mainmast

2003: Who is responsible for maintaining the logbook on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    Y a. The person in charge
    N b. The safety man
    N c. The rig superintendent
    N d. The driller

2031: Which condition is NOT necessary for a combustible liquid to burn?

    N a. The temperature of the substance must be equal to or above its fire point.
    N b. The air must contain oxygen in sufficient quantity.
    N c. The mixture of vapors with air must be within the "explosive range."
    Y d. All of the above are necessary for a combustible liquid to burn.

2042: Which line would be used to hoist a sail?

    N a. Forestay
    Y b. Halyard
    N c. Mainsheet
    N d. Foreguy

2258: According to the Chemical Data Guide, to what chemical family does 1,3 - pentadiene belong?

    N a. Unsaturated hydrocarbons
    N b. Esters
    N c. Phosphorus
    Y d. Olefins

2314: Cargo tanks on barges fitted with goose neck vents and flame screens are limited to carrying which grade of cargo?

    N a. A and below
    N b. B and below
    N c. C and below
    Y d. D and E only

2348: Regulations require that venting for cargo tanks in which only grades D or E liquids are to be transported shall, as a MINIMUM, be of which type? (tank barge constructed on or after July 1, 1951)

    N a. Straight vents open to atmosphere
    N b. Individual pressure vacuum relief valves
    N c. Branch vent lines connected to a vent header system
    Y d. Gooseneck vents and flame screens

2457: What is a grooved pulley?

    Y a. Sheave
    N b. Slip
    N c. Block
    N d. Reeve

2562: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 175-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 4000 brake horsepower?

    N a. 2
    N b. 3
    Y c. 4
    N d. 5

2609: Which action should the GMDSS radio operator take in a distress situation when embarking in survival craft?

    Y a. Switch on EPIRB and SART immediately and leave on.
    N b. Switch on EPIRB and SART manually prior to launching and remain aboard vessel in distress.
    N c. Notify RCC (Rescue Coordination Center) through VHF DSC with portable equipment.
    N d. Communicate via Inmarsat-C from the survival craft.

2618: What would NOT be a good extinguishing agent for a grade B product of 1,3-Pentadiene?

    N a. Dry chemical
    N b. CO2
    N c. Foam
    Y d. Water

2698: Using a sea anchor will __________.

    Y a. reduce your drift rate
    N b. keep the liferaft from turning over
    N c. aid in recovering the liferaft
    N d. increase your visibility

2730: According to the regulations, normally, manholes in LFG tanks are located __________.

    N a. in the ends of each tank
    N b. in the expansion trunk of each tank
    Y c. above the weather deck
    N d. there are no requirements in the regulation

2754: Which lifesaving equipment must be tested monthly?

    N a. Inflatable PFD's
    Y b. EPIRB
    N c. Hydrostatic releases
    N d. Dated batteries

2789: As appropriate for the voyage, all vessels must carry adequate and up-to-date __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. charts
    N b. Coast Pilots
    N c. Light Lists
    Y d. All of the above

2826: To prevent the spread of fire by convection you should __________.

    N a. cool the bulkhead around the fire
    N b. remove combustibles from direct exposure
    Y c. close all openings to the area
    N d. shut off all electrical power

3018: Each life float on an inspected vessel shall be fitted and equipped with __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. a lifeline, a painter, and one paddle
    N b. a lifeline, a painter, and a water light
    N c. two paddles, a light, and a lifeline
    Y d. two paddles, a light, a lifeline, a painter and pendants

3270: Which portable fire extinguisher is required just outside the exit of the propulsion machinery space of a 75-ton passenger vessel?

    N a. 2-1/2 gallon foam extinguisher
    Y b. 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher
    N c. 2 lb. dry chemical extinguisher
    N d. None of the above

3334: Inflatable liferafts are provided with __________.

    N a. a portable radio
    N b. an oil lantern
    N c. canned milk
    Y d. a towing bridle

3402: A vessel is signaling to you by flag hoist, and the answer pennant is hoisted close-up. You should __________.

    N a. hoist flag "C"
    N b. wait for further signals after a short delay
    N c. hoist flag "R"
    Y d. expect no further flag hoists

3452: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 29'-05", AFT 30'-07". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 540 long tons are loaded in No. 18 hatch.

    Y a. FWD 29'-05", AFT 31'-03"
    N b. FWD 29'-09", AFT 30'-11"
    N c. FWD 30'-01", AFT 31'-03"
    N d. FWD 30'-04", AFT 29'-06"

3478: Puncture leaks in the lower tubes or bottom of an inflatable liferaft should FIRST be stopped by using __________.

    Y a. sealing clamps
    N b. repair tape
    N c. a tube patch
    N d. sail twine and vulcanizing kit

3491: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the starboard forward column below the waterline. Pumping from tank 2S and 3S is not sufficient to prevent increasing starboard list and bow down trim. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. 9P
    N c. C2BP
    Y d. 10P

3626: When personnel are lifted by a helicopter from an inflatable liferaft, the personnel on the raft should __________.

    Y a. deflate the floor of the raft to reduce the danger of capsizing
    N b. inflate the floor of the raft to provide for additional stability
    N c. remove their lifejackets to prepare for the transfer
    N d. take in the sea anchor to prevent fouling of the rescue sling

3650: If your passenger vessel is fitted with a loudspeaker system, it must be tested at least once __________.

    Y a. every week
    N b. a day
    N c. every trip
    N d. a watch or once a trip, whichever is shorter

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

3792: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 08'-11.5", AFT 15'-11.5". Upon completion of loading and bunkering the items listed will be on board. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum GM required to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0147

    N a. 3.10 feet
    Y b. 2.45 feet
    N c. 2.00 feet
    N d. 1.50 feet

3935: To pump bilge water out of the port pump room on the DEEP DRILLER, using the #2 bilge pump, open port-side valve __________.

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

3938: You have abandoned ship in rough weather. After picking up other survivors in your liferaft, what should you do next?

    Y a. Close up the entrances.
    N b. Top up the buoyancy tubes.
    N c. Prepare for the arrival of rescue units.
    N d. Decide on food and water rations.

4205: While in 150 feet water depth when the single amplitude roll angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2 degrees, the safe platform roll period for going on location should be longer than __________.

    Y a. 0.5 second
    N b. 5.0 seconds
    N c. 10.0 seconds
    N d. 13.5 seconds

4237: The Cantilever Beam Load Chart for the COASTAL DRILLER shows the limits in the hook setback conductor tension, and __________.

    N a. wind loads
    N b. wave loads
    N c. current loads
    Y d. rotary loads

4547: What are the vertical moments for 14.0 feet of drill water in the COASTAL DRILLER's #1 drill water tank?

    Y a. 2.455 ft-kips
    N b. 2.543 ft-kips
    N c. 2.725 ft-kips
    N d. 2.997 ft-kips

5081: What color are obstruction lights on mobile offshore drilling units that are located on the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf seaward of the line of demarcation?

    Y a. White
    N b. Red
    N c. Yellow
    N d. Blue

5153: A semisubmersible floating in sea water displaces 20,000 long tons. She has vertical moments of 1,000,000 foot-long tons. What is the change in KG if 500 long tons are placed aboard at a KG of 120 feet?

    N a. 1.22 feet upward
    Y b. 1.71 feet upward
    N c. 1.75 feet upward
    N d. 2.93 feet upward

6697: For use as protection from gas leaking from a refrigeration unit, each MODU must be equipped with a __________.

    N a. portable ventilation system
    N b. flame safety lamp
    Y c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. gas mask

6811: A mobile offshore drilling unit crane certificate is required to be maintained __________.

    Y a. on the unit
    N b. in the company office
    N c. on file with the OCMI
    N d. on file with the American Bureau of Shipping

6867: When must the Master or person in charge of a MODU log the position of load line marks in relation to the surface of the water in the logbook?

    N a. Once a day
    N b. At the change of every watch
    N c. Only when in fresh or brackish water
    Y d. Prior to getting underway

7415: What is the spoken emergency signal for a "man overboard" on the VHF radio?

    N a. Man Overboard
    N b. Security
    N c. Mayday
    Y d. Pan-Pan

7575: The upward pressure of displaced water is called __________.

    Y a. buoyancy
    N b. deadweight
    N c. draft
    N d. freeboard

8131: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of longitudinal moments for the liquid variables if the entire contents of drill water tank #17 are transferred to drill water tank #18?

    N a. 181,648 ft-kips
    Y b. 181,718 ft-kips
    N c. 187,345 ft-kips
    N d. 195,462 ft-kips

8605: On offshore drilling units, the lifeboat motors shall be operated in the ahead and astern position at least once each __________.

    N a. day
    Y b. week
    N c. month
    N d. year

8625: What is the new location of the transverse center of gravity if 200 short tons are discharged from 10 feet to port of the centerline on a MODU with TCG 0.7 foot starboard of the centerline, and the displacement is 9,000 short tons?

    Y a. 0.94 foot starboard of centerline
    N b. 0.90 foot starboard of centerline
    N c. 0.47 foot port of centerline
    N d. 0.23 foot port of centerline

8733: 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 LCG?

    N a. 0.59 foot
    Y b. 1.64 feet
    N c. 2.23 feet
    N d. 2.82 feet

9191: After abandoning a vessel, water that is consumed within the first 24 hours will __________.

    Y a. pass through the body with little absorbed by the system
    N b. help to prevent fatigue
    N c. quench thirst for only 2 hours
    N d. help to prevent seasickness

9255: A low pressure annular preventer which is used to direct flow of kick fluids away from the rig floor is called a __________.

    N a. dump valve
    N b. deflector
    N c. separator
    Y d. diverter

9562: The most likely location for a liquid cargo fire to occur on a tanker would be __________.

    N a. the midships house
    Y b. in the pumproom
    N c. at the vent header
    N d. at the main deck manifold

9700: The regulations governing the sleeping accommodations of a cargo vessel are found in __________.

    N a. 46 CFR subchapter S
    N b. 46 CFR subchapter T
    N c. 46 CFR subchapter B
    Y d. 46 CFR subchapter I