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.


14: A yellow signal floating in the air from a small parachute, about 300 feet above the water, would indicate that a submarine __________.


45: Which statement is TRUE concerning small oil spills?


63: You have abandoned ship and are in an inflatable raft that has just inflated. You hear a continuous hissing coming from a fitting in a buoyancy tube. What is the cause of this?


325: For the purposes of cargo oil containment, the fixed container under the manifold of an eight-inch loading line must hold a minimum of __________.

    Y a. three barrels
    N b. four barrels
    N c. six barrels
    N d. eight barrels

486: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD28'-04", AFT 30'-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-0009

    Y a. FWD 29'-01", AFT 30'-10"
    N b. FWD 29'-03", AFT 30'-08"
    N c. FWD 29'-07", AFT 30'-08"
    N d. FWD 29'-08", AFT 30'-06"

490: Which statement relating to AMVER (Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue) is TRUE?

    Y a. There is no cost to the ship or owner for messages sent within the AMVER system.
    N b. An AMVER participant is under greater obligation to render assistance to a vessel in distress than a non-participant.
    N c. An AMVER participant is not relieved of the obligation to give 24 hour advance notice to the U.S. Coast Guard before entering a U.S. port from offshore.
    N d. The AMVER system does not reduce the time lost for vessels responding to calls for assistance.

563: Which item is of the most use in getting a lifeboat away from a moving ship?

    N a. The falls
    Y b. Boat hook
    N c. Boat painter
    N d. Sea painter

697: A violation of the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" may result in a __________.

    Y a. civil penalty of $650 against the Master or person in charge of a vessel
    N b. civil penalty of $1,000 against the vessel itself
    N c. suspension and/or revocation of an operator's FCC license
    N d. All of the above

741: You are ordering ship's stores. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Stores such as line, rags, mattresses, linens, etc. must be treated to be fire retardant.
    N b. Stores certified for use on uninspected vessels may be identified by the certification number used by Underwriter's Laboratories.
    Y c. A portable container of a flammable liquid used as fuel for portable auxiliary equipment must be stowed in a paint locker or at a designated open location.
    N d. Acetylene may be in a ship's storeroom in quantities not exceeding 6000 cubic feet.

894: Signals between an icebreaker and an assisted vessel may NOT be given by __________.

    N a. whistle
    N b. flag hoist
    N c. radiotelephone
    Y d. radiotelegraph

937: On a class "B" fire, which portable fire extinguisher would be the LEAST desirable?

    N a. Carbon dioxide
    Y b. Water (stored pressure)
    N c. Dry chemical
    N d. Foam

1301: A vessel to which Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 applies is 24 nautical miles from the nearest land. Which type of garbage is prohibited from being discharged?

    N a. Glass
    N b. Crockery
    N c. Metal
    Y d. Dunnage

1361: What is the minimum diameter allowed for bilge piping on small passenger vessels which are more than 65 feet in length?

    N a. 1"
    Y b. 1-1/2"
    N c. 2"
    N d. 2-1/2"

1810: Halon extinguishes a fire by __________.

    Y a. breaking the chain reaction
    N b. smothering the fire
    N c. cooling the fire
    N d. coating the fuel with a nonflammable surface

1942: Which EPIRB transmits a distress alert that is received and relayed by an INMARSAT satellite?

    N a. Class A EPIRBs
    N b. Class B EPIRBs
    Y c. L-Band EPIRBs
    N d. Category I EPIRBs

2069: The metal horseshoe-shaped pieces used to bend a sail onto a stay are called_________.

    Y a. hanks
    N b. shackles
    N c. warps
    N d. gudgeons

2148: Your vessel's drafts are FWD 19'-03", AFT 21'-07". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 142 tons of fuel are pumped 86 feet aft.

    Y a. FWD 18'-09", AFT 22'-01"
    N b. FWD 19'-00", AFT 21'-01"
    N c. FWD 19'-00", AFT 21'-08"
    N d. FWD 19'-01", AFT 21'-04"

2514: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-11", AFT 16'-01"; and the KG is 23.2 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 15°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 5,800 foot-tons
    N b. 7,600 foot-tons
    Y c. 9,272 foot-tons
    N d. 11,200 foot-tons

2515: Before personnel are lifted from a vessel in a personnel basket, the vessel should be ________________________

    Y a. directly under the boom
    N b. moving away from the boom
    N c. stopped dead in the water
    N d. tied to the boom

2597: Reinforcing frames attached to a bulkhead on a MODU are called __________.

    N a. side longitudinals
    N b. intercostals
    Y c. stiffeners
    N d. brackets

2677: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the KG of the liquid load. ST-0075

    N a. 4.0 feet
    Y b. 5.6 feet
    N c. 6.0 feet
    N d. 6.8 feet

2694: The heading of a vessel is indicated by what part of the compass?

    N a. Card
    N b. Needle
    Y c. Lubber's line
    N d. Gimbals

2805: A vessel heading NNW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 274.5°
    N b. 292.0°
    N c. 315.5°
    Y d. 337.5°

2817: A vessel heading SSE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 112.5°
    N b. 135.0°
    Y c. 157.5°
    N d. 180.0°

2854: The sailing drafts are: FWD 14'-08", AFT 15'-06" and the GM is 4.8 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 40° inclination.

    N a. 3.3 feet
    N b. 3.7 feet
    Y c. 4.3 feet
    N d. 5.4 feet

2890: You have loaded a deck cargo, and the vessel has assumed an 8° list due to negative GM. Your salt water drafts are: FWD 16'-10", AFT 17'-02". If you then load 1050 tons of cargo in the lower holds (VCG 12.5 feet) and 475 tons in the lower 'tween decks (VCG 24.5 feet), what is the final GM? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 2.1 feet
    N b. 1.6 feet
    N c. 1.4 feet
    Y d. 0.6 foot

2927: If the metacentric height is small, a floating MODU will __________.

    Y a. be tender
    N b. have a quick and rapid motion
    N c. be stiff
    N d. yaw

3082: On vessels subject to the provisions of 46 CFR Subchapter T, life jackets shall be __________.

    N a. kept locked up at all times when underway
    Y b. stored in convenient places throughout the accommodation spaces
    N c. inaccessible to passengers
    N d. on the topmost deck of the vessel at all times

3125: The center of flotation for the COASTAL DRILLER is located at the geometric center of the __________.

    N a. underwater volume
    N b. above water volume
    N c. amidships section
    Y d. waterplane area

3207: The lights on the outside of the canopy of an inflatable liferaft operate __________.

    N a. by turning the globe clockwise
    N b. by a switch at the light
    N c. by a light sensor
    Y d. automatically when the raft is inflated

3231: A lifeline must be connected to the liferaft __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. at the stern
    N c. in the middle
    Y d. all around

3292: Upon completion of fueling a gasoline driven vessel it is necessary to __________.

    N a. keep ports, doors, windows, and hatches closed
    N b. start engines immediately
    Y c. ventilate before starting engine
    N d. None of the above

3389: The draft of the SS AMERICAN MARINER cannot exceed 23'-06" in order to cross a bar. The present drafts are: FWD 22'-03", AFT 24'-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. 77 tons
    Y b. 96 tons
    N c. 120 tons
    N d. 124 tons

3417: Which statement is TRUE concerning an inflatable liferaft?

    N a. The floor may be inflated for insulation from cold water.
    N b. Crew members may jump into the raft without damaging it.
    N c. The raft may be boarded before it is fully inflated.
    Y d. All of the above

3567: What are the maximum vertical moments including free surface moments permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60 feet if the winds are greater than 70 knots?

    Y a. 942,120 foot-tons
    N b. 946,271 foot-tons
    N c. 974,441 foot-tons
    N d. 1,059,885 foot-tons

3652: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 17'-04", AFT 18'-08". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 765 long tons are discharged from No. 7 hatch.

    N a. FWD 15'-04 3/4", AFT 18'-04"
    Y b. FWD 15'-11 3/5", AFT 18'-11"
    N c. FWD 18'-08 2/5", AFT 18'-05"
    N d. FWD 18'-05 3/4", AFT 18'-10"

3675: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the port forward column below the waterline. Pumping from tank 2P and 3P is not sufficient to prevent increasing port list and bow down trim. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 2S
    N b. 9S
    N c. C2BS
    Y d. 10S

3827: What is the change in transverse moments for the DEEP DRILLER if 103.48 long-tons of ballast is transferred from a full ballast tank 1P to an empty ballast tank 10S?

    N a. 15,522 foot-tons increase
    Y b. 15,181 foot-tons increase
    N c. 3,594 foot-tons increase
    N d. 1,797 foot-tons increase

3865: What is the minimum required number of ring life buoys on an OSV certified for ocean service?

    N a. 4
    Y b. 8
    N c. 12
    N d. 16

3868: The rescue boat on an OSV shall carry a tow line strong enough to tow the vessel's largest loaded liferaft at a speed of at least __________.

    N a. 1 knot
    Y b. 2 knot
    N c. 5 knot
    N d. 10 knot

3974: In the illustration, the sea anchor is shown as item number_____. (D014SA )

    N a. 7
    N b. 13
    N c. 15
    Y d. 14

4605: How many independent bilge systems is the COASTAL DRILLER equipped with?

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

4725: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Rig Move). What would be the new sum of vertical moments for the liquid variables if the entire contents of tank #20 are transferred to tank #13?

    N a. 2,365 ft-kips
    Y b. 2,244 ft-kips
    N c. 2,195 ft-kips
    N d. 170 ft-kips

4811: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the value of KMT if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 135.91 feet
    Y b. 136.38 feet
    N c. 136.62 feet
    N d. 136.89 feet

4813: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the value of KML if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 253.90 feet
    N b. 253.24 feet
    Y c. 252.92 feet
    N d. 252.24 feet

5037: Where will you find the requirements for the signals that must be sounded by a mobile offshore drilling unit that is being towed through an area of restricted visibility?

    Y a. COLREGS
    N b. MMS Rules
    N c. SOLAS Convention
    N d. Coast Pilot

5196: You are hoisting a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 8560 T. The 45-ton weight is on the pier and its center is 65' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 95' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 55' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 5.5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    Y a. 3.74 ft.
    N b. 3.96 ft.
    N c. 4.16 ft.
    N d. 4.35 ft.

5265: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C1P. Pumping from tanks in the vicinity of the damage has proven ineffective. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    N a. counterflood in 1P
    Y b. counterflood in 10S
    N c. pump from C1P
    N d. pump from C3S

5515: What should be done after repairing a surface crack on a link of anchor chain by grinding?

    Y a. Examine the area by magnetic particle inspection
    N b. Replace the chain in service
    N c. Galvanize the area
    N d. Post heat the area

5561: What line receives the hardest service in the mooring system?

    N a. Guy wire
    N b. Joining pendant
    N c. Wildcat leader
    Y d. Anchor pendant

5963: On a MODU, CO2 extinguishers must be weighed __________.

    N a. monthly
    N b. quarterly
    N c. semiannually
    Y d. annually

6088: What is the meaning of the signal DX RQ when sent by the International Code of Signals?

    Y a. Are you sinking?
    N b. The call sign of a vessel registered in the Philippines.
    N c. The damage can be repaired at sea.
    N d. There are no tugs available.

6580: The brickwork surrounding the firebox of a boiler is known as __________.

    Y a. refractory
    N b. the screen wall
    N c. the water wall
    N d. fire plate

6991: The FIRST treatment of a person suspected of having airway burns is to __________.

    N a. move him to a cool location
    Y b. maintain an open airway
    N c. apply a cool damp dressing to his neck
    N d. have him drink cool liquids

7147: What should you do if you have transmitted a distress call a number of times on channel 16 and have received no reply?

    Y a. Repeat the message using any other channel on which you might attract attention.
    N b. Key the microphone several times before transmitting again.
    N c. Turn up the volume on the receiver before transmitting again.
    N d. Report the problem to the head electrician.

7431: What time of day would an SSB radio have the longest transmitting range?

    N a. Daylight before noon
    N b. At noon
    N c. Daylight after noon
    Y d. During darkness

8393: Diesel engines obtain combustion air through turbo chargers, blowers, or __________.

    N a. air starters
    N b. carburetors
    Y c. natural aspiration
    N d. air receivers

8527: The COASTAL DRILLER, while drilling, has a total weight of 15,435 kips. The LM are 1,975,680 ft-kips and the TM are -15,435 ft-kips. What is the port leg reaction?

    N a. 4,060 kips
    N b. 5,145 kips
    N c. 5,559 kips
    Y d. 5,816 kips

8717: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 40,301 foot-long tons, TM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the uncorrected height of the center of gravity?

    N a. 52.14 feet
    Y b. 53.78 feet
    N c. 55.03 feet
    N d. 58.50 feet

9105: Each ventilation system for an enclosed classified location on a MODU must provide a complete change of air every __________.

    N a. 3 minutes
    Y b. 5 minutes
    N c. 7 minutes
    N d. 10 minutes