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.


25: You are on a 30,000 DWT tankship engaged in trade to another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?


27: The atmosphere in a tank is too lean if it is __________.


51: On cargo and miscellaneous vessels what is NOT a required part of the fireman's outfit?


59: Where on your vessel shall the recharge for each self-contained breathing apparatus be carried?

    N a. Emergency gear locker
    N b. Bridge or pilothouse area
    N c. Where they can be readily found
    Y d. The same location as the equipment it reactivates

242: You are in a tank wearing the self-contained breathing apparatus and you desire to return topside. How many tugs of the lifeline mean to take up the slack?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    Y c. Three
    N d. Four

321: A signal indicating Greenwich mean time would be preceded with __________.

    N a. a code hoist to indicate Greenwich mean time to follow
    N b. the letter G
    N c. the letters GT
    Y d. the letter Z

429: You are at sea and not in a special area as defined in ANNEX V of MARPOL. How many nautical miles from land must you be to discharge ground garbage that will pass through a one-inch (25 mm) screen into the sea?

    Y a. 3 nm
    N b. 6 nm
    N c. 12 nm
    N d. 25 nm

527: The VHF radiotelephone frequency designated to be used only to transmit or receive information pertaining to the safe navigation of a vessel is __________.

    N a. 156.8 MHz (channel 16)
    N b. 156.7 MHz (channel 14)
    Y c. 156.65 MHz (channel 13)
    N d. 156.6 MHz (channel 12)

923: You are at sea on a vessel whose beam is 60 feet and full period of roll is 20 seconds. What is the estimated metacentric height of the vessel?

    N a. 1.3 ft
    N b. 1.5 ft
    Y c. 1.7 ft
    N d. 1.9 ft

1016: What is the maximum length of time that distress flares are approved for?

    N a. 1 and 1/2 years
    N b. 2 years
    Y c. 3 and 1/2 years
    N d. 5 years

1164: A drill must be conducted in the use of the line throwing appliance at least once in every __________.

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

1170: When operating gravity davits, the __________.

    N a. gripes should be released after the boat is moving
    Y b. davits should always be hand cranked the last 12 inches into the final stowed position
    N c. boats are generally lowered by surging the falls around cruciform bitts
    N d. tricing pendant should be tripped prior to releasing the gripes

1248: In the event of fire in a machinery space, __________.

    Y a. the fixed carbon dioxide system should be used only when all other means of extinguishment have failed
    N b. the fixed carbon dioxide system should be used immediately, as it is the most efficient means of extinguishment
    N c. water in any form should not be used as it will spread the fire
    N d. the space should be opened 5 minutes after flooding CO2 to prevent injury to personnel

1464: What is NOT a function of the air supply of a covered lifeboat?

    N a. Provides air for engine combustion
    Y b. Pressurizes water spray system
    N c. Provides air for passenger respiration
    N d. Prevents smoke and other noxious fumes from entering craft

1555: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

    N a. at a maximum rate of two ounces per day
    N b. after mixing with an equal quantity of fresh water
    N c. if gathered during or immediately after a hard rain
    Y d. under no conditions

1600: You are berthed at a cargo facility where you have just completed discharging a dangerous cargo. You must complete topside repairs involving hot work before sailing. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You can make repairs with permission of the facility owner since you are empty and the cargo is on the facility.
    N b. The repair area must be inspected by a marine surveyor to ensure that it can be done safely.
    N c. Hot work repairs at such a facility are prohibited.
    Y d. The Captain of the Port may give specific approval to make hot work repairs.

1608: Cold water, in commercial fishing, means water where the monthly mean low water temperature is normally __________.

    N a. 39°Fahrenheit or less
    N b. 44°Fahrenheit or less
    N c. 49°Fahrenheit or less
    Y d. 59°Fahrenheit or less

1629: Which statement is TRUE about fire fighting foam?

    N a. The air bubbles in foam act as an insulator in fighting a class C fire.
    N b. The effectiveness of foam in forming a blanket over a burning liquid increases as the temperature of the liquid increases.
    N c. Foam can be used to control gases escaping from compressed gas cylinders.
    Y d. Foam sets up a vapor barrier over a flammable liquid preventing flammable gases from rising.

1759: You are operating a liftboat. When beginning to jack down you should __________.

    N a. jack down one leg at a time
    Y b. jack up first, then down
    N c. undog doors to the engine room
    N d. assemble all personnel on the main deck

1853: On offshore drilling units each fire station is identified by letters and numbers at least __________.

    Y a. 2 inches high
    N b. 3 inches high
    N c. 5 inches high
    N d. 8 inches high

2000: What product is considered a noxious liquid substance for regulatory purposes?

    N a. Phosphoric acid
    Y b. Nonane
    N c. Methyl ethyl ketone
    N d. Sulfur (molten)

2577: The radiotelephone safety signal is __________.

    Y a. "Securite" repeated 3 times
    N b. "Safety" repeated 3 times
    N c. "Pan Pan" repeated 3 times
    N d. "Securite Securite" repeated 3 times

2727: For optimum stability during jacking operations, mat ballast tanks or spud cans should be __________.

    N a. empty
    Y b. fully ballasted
    N c. partially ballasted
    N d. sealed

2822: Survival craft required on a steel small passenger vessel operating in cold water must __________.

    Y a. have sufficient capacity for all persons on board the vessel in ocean service.
    N b. have sufficient capacity for at least 50% of all persons on board for vessels in ocean service
    N c. be only inflatable liferafts
    N d. international orange in color only for vessels in lakes, bays and sounds service

2838: How many B-II hand portable fire extinguishers are required in the machinery space of a 260 GT tow vessel with 2400 B.H.P.? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 6
    N b. 5
    Y c. 3
    N d. 2

2994: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 21'-08", AFT 22'-04" and the GM is 3.2 feet. What will be the angle of list if the #6 port deep tank (capacity 201 tons, VCG 11.4 feet, and 25.5 feet off the centerline) is filled? (Use the data in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

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

3143: The instructions for rescue boats and liferafts on an OSV must be approved by the __________.

    N a. lease operator
    N b. Minerals Management Service
    Y c. Coast Guard
    N d. person-in-charge of the unit

3249: 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-0116

    Y a. 231.0 ft
    N b. 234.3 ft
    N c. 244.6 ft
    N d. 251.5 ft

3651: Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

3783: What is the weight of bulk in P-tank #1 of the DEEP DRILLER if the ullage is 2.3 feet?

    N a. 34.3 long tons
    Y b. 58.0 long tons
    N c. 83.6 long tons
    N d. 121.9 long tons

3885: On the DEEP DRILLER, among the starboard-side valves to open when flooding through the overboard discharge into ballast tank 1S is valve __________.

    Y a. 2
    N b. 3
    N c. 7
    N d. 37

3904: The light on a life jacket must be replaced __________.

    N a. when the power source is replaced
    N b. each year after installation
    N c. every six months
    Y d. when it is no longer serviceable

3953: To turn over a liferaft that is floating upside down, you should pull on the __________.

    N a. canopy
    N b. manropes
    N c. sea painter
    Y d. righting lines

4031: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    N a. 5.66 feet
    N b. 7.37 feet
    Y c. 8.02 feet
    N d. 54.82 feet

4134: Dual electro-hydraulic steering units usually operate __________.

    N a. with both pumps on line at the same time
    Y b. with one pump on standby
    N c. with the follow-up gear disconnected
    N d. only when the rudder is moved amidships

4138: Multiple fire pumps may be used for other purposes provided that one pump is __________.

    N a. on line to the fire main
    Y b. kept available for use on the fire main at all times
    N c. capable of being connected to the fire main
    N d. rated at or above 125 psi

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

4305: The COASTAL DRILLER is experiencing a single amplitude roll angle of 3 degrees and a roll period of 10 seconds. What is the maximum water depth that can be used for going on location?

    N a. 45 feet
    Y b. 95 feet
    N c. 145 feet
    N d. 245 feet

4645: What is the change in the vertical moments (excluding free surface effects) for the COASTAL DRILLER if 2.0 feet of drill water is transferred from a full drill water tank #23 to an empty drill water tank #6?

    N a. 253 foot-kips
    N b. 56 foot-kips
    Y c. -253 foot-kips
    N d. -411 foot-kips

4665: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the contents of #6 and #7 drill water tanks are discharged, what would be the new VCG?

    N a. 47.21 feet
    N b. 47.69 feet
    N c. 48.41 feet
    Y d. 49.16 feet

4734: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

    N a. if gathered during or immediately after a hard rain
    N b. at a maximum rate of two ounces per day
    Y c. under no conditions
    N d. after mixing with an equal quantity of fresh water

5445: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected inclination to port and forward. Strong wind and high waves are from the starboard quarter. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 1 or 2
    Y b. failure of mooring lines 5 or 6
    N c. leak in ballast tank #2P
    N d. ballast tanks are equalizing into tank 1P

5467: What is an advantage of the 6x19 class of wire rope over the 6x37 class of wire rope of the same diameter?

    N a. Greater holding power
    N b. Better fatigue life
    N c. Resistance to elongation
    Y d. Resistance to corrosion

5479: The purpose of the inclining experiment on a vessel is to determine the __________.

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

5522: Radiation spreads a fire by __________.

    N a. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
    Y b. transferring heat across an unobstructed space
    N c. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N d. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems

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°

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°

5752: 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-0184

    N a. Available GM 2.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

6191: Fighting a rig fire in a watertight compartment with hoses could reduce the stability of the rig by __________.

    N a. progressive downflooding
    N b. reducing the level of drill water from the storage tanks
    Y c. causing a list due to the water in the compartment
    N d. reducing the KG to minimum allowable

6197: Fighting a rig fire in the ballast pumproom with hoses would adversely affect the stability of the rig most by __________.

    N a. increasing the permeability of the pumproom
    N b. reduction of drill water from the storage tanks
    Y c. a list caused by water filling the compartment
    N d. a reduced KG caused by water filling the compartment

6201: The two courses of action if the underwater hull of a MODU is severely damaged are to plug the openings and to __________.

    N a. dewater the compartment
    Y b. establish and maintain flooding boundaries
    N c. secure power to the compartment
    N d. counter flood to maintain even keel

6257: If there are a number of survivors in the water after abandoning a MODU, they should __________.

    N a. tie themselves to the unit so they won't drift with the current
    Y b. form a small circular group to create a warmer pocket of water in the center of the circle
    N c. send the strongest swimmer to shore for assistance
    N d. form a raft by lashing their life preservers together

6817: How long must the records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment on board a MODU be retained on board?

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 1 year
    N c. 3 years
    Y d. Until the next inspection for certification

7343: What is maximum power allowed by the FCC for VHF-FM radio transmissions?

    N a. One watt
    N b. Five watts
    N c. 15 watts
    Y d. 25 watts

7613: GM cannot be used as an indicator of stability at all angles of inclination because __________.

    Y a. M is not fixed at large angles
    N b. there is no M at large angles
    N c. G is not fixed at large angles
    N d. there is no G at large angles

8036: Radiation spreads a fire by __________.

    N a. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
    N b. burning liquids flowing into another space
    Y c. transferring heat across an unobstructed space
    N d. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems

8163: The ship's drawings for use when the DEEP DRILLER is damaged are available in the __________.

    N a. wheelhouse under glass
    N b. toolpusher's quarters
    N c. OIM's office
    Y d. ballast control room

8447: Where is thicker plating usually found in the construction of integral tanks on a MODU?

    N a. On the outside of the tank
    Y b. At the bottom of the tank
    N c. At the top of the tank
    N d. At the center of the tank

9541: When the height of the metacenter is the same as the height of the center of gravity of a vessel, the upright equilibrium position is __________.

    N a. stable
    Y b. neutral
    N c. unstable
    N d. negative

9607: There is a fire aft aboard your vessel. To help fight the fire, you should __________.

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