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.


92: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 24'L by 16'B by 8'D. The vessel's displacement in fresh water is 864 tons and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.47. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?


179: A vessel is floating at a mean draft of 14 feet. At this draft, the displacement is 6780 tons. The length of the vessel is 450 feet, beam is 50 feet, and TPI is 45.5. What is the KM? (See the P-K table in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book)


187: What represents poor sanitary procedures?


256: What is the minimum number of fire pumps required on a cargo vessel of 2,000 GT?

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

461: Which statement about transmitting distress messages by radiotelephone is INCORRECT?

    Y a. It is advisable to follow a distress message on 2182 kHz by two dashes of 10 to 15 seconds duration.
    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.
    N d. Distress messages should first be transmitted on 2182 kHz.

515: Which statement is TRUE concerning the placard entitled "Discharge of Oil Prohibited"?

    N a. It is required on all vessels.
    N b. It may be located in a conspicuous place in the wheelhouse.
    Y c. It may be located at the bilge and ballast pump control station.
    N d. All of the above

588: At night while the ship is tied up to the dock, a fire breaks out in a cargo hatch. After sounding the alarm, what should the person on watch do?

    N a. Begin fighting the fire immediately.
    N b. Await further orders from the Master.
    N c. Let go the lines to let the vessel drift to an anchorage.
    Y d. Send a person to summon the shore authorities.

662: Foam extinguishes a fire mainly by __________.

    N a. cooling
    N b. chemical action
    Y c. smothering
    N d. inerting the air

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.

753: How should signal flares be used after you have abandoned ship and are adrift in a liferaft?

    N a. Immediately use all the signals at once.
    N b. Use all the signals during the first night.
    N c. Employ a signal every hour after abandoning ship until they are gone.
    Y d. Use them only when you are aware of a ship or plane in the area.

756: A motor lifeboat shall carry sufficient fuel to operate continuously for a period of __________.

    N a. 12 hours
    N b. 18 hours
    Y c. 24 hours
    N d. 36 hours

798: A fire starts in a switchboard due to a short circuit. This is which class of fire?

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

892: While you are working in a space, the fixed CO2 system is accidentally activated. You should __________.

    N a. secure the applicators to preserve the charge in the cylinders
    N b. continue with your work as there is nothing you can do to stop the flow of CO2
    Y c. retreat to fresh air and ventilate the compartment before returning
    N d. make sure all doors and vents are secured

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

1093: On small passenger vessels, which device(s) must be fitted to a fuel line's tank connection?

    N a. A fuel strainer
    Y b. A shut-off valve
    N c. A tubular glass gauge to indicate the fuel level
    N d. All of the above

1242: The bosun has thrown the liferaft into the water before abandoning the vessel. The operating cord __________.

    Y a. serves as a sea painter
    N b. detaches from the liferaft automatically
    N c. is used to rig the boarding ladder
    N d. is cut immediately as it is of no further use

1264: The operating cord on an inflatable liferaft should be renewed by __________.

    N a. removing the top half of the shell, cutting the line at its source, and renewing completely
    N b. cutting the line where it enters the case and replacing that portion
    N c. leaving the original line and tying another one to it so the two lines will take the strain
    Y d. an approved servicing facility ashore

1270: The most common type of davit found on merchant vessels today is the __________.

    N a. radial
    N b. sheath-screw
    Y c. gravity
    N d. quadrantal

1323: How should latitude 51°48.7'S be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    Y a. 5149S
    N b. 51.8S
    N c. 0578S
    N d. 52S

1515: You see an iceberg that has not been reported. What kind of radio message do you transmit to warn others?

    Y a. Safety message
    N b. Urgency message
    N c. Distress message
    N d. Routine message

1880: The primary reason for placing covers over storage batteries is to __________.

    N a. prevent the accumulation of explosive gases
    N b. protect the hull from leaking electrolyte
    N c. prevent movement of the battery in rough waters
    Y d. protect against accidental shorting across terminals

1904: A sailing vessel with the wind coming over the port side is said to be on a __________.

    N a. port jibe
    N b. starboard jibe
    Y c. port tack
    N d. starboard tack

1982: Which system may be useful for messages, such as local storm warnings or a shore-to-ship distress alert, for which it is inappropriate to alert all ships in the satellite coverage area?

    N a. NAVTEX
    Y b. EGC
    N c. AMVER
    N d. DSC

2054: Your vessel measures 126 feet (38 meters) long by 21 feet (6 meters) in beam. If the natural rolling period at a draft of 8 feet (2 meters) is 6 seconds, what is the GM?

    Y a. 2.4 feet (0.70 meters)
    N b. 2.8 feet (0.85 meters)
    N c. 3.0 feet (0.90 meters)
    N d. 3.2 feet (0.98 meters)

2185: On offshore drilling units, all lifeboats are required to be marked with the __________.

    N a. name of the owner of the unit
    Y b. number of persons allowed in the boat
    N c. drilling location of the unit
    N d. All of the above

2216: Which statement is generally correct regarding the maintenance requirements for ships under GMDSS?

    N a. Redundancy of functions of certain equipment will partially meet this requirement.
    N b. On-board maintenance provided by a person holding a GMDSS maintainer's license will partially meet the requirements.
    N c. Shoreside maintenance and scheduled tests and inspections will partially meet this requirement.
    Y d. All of the above

2260: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 18,000 T. The 50-ton weight is on the pier, and its center is 75 feet to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 112 feet above the base line, and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 56 feet above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain, the ship lists 3.5°. What is the GM when the cargo is stowed?

    N a. 3.19 feet
    N b. 3.24 feet
    N c. 3.40 feet
    Y d. 3.56 feet

2442: The international shore connection __________.

    Y a. allows hook up of fire fighting water from shore facilities
    N b. satisfies pollution prevention requirements
    N c. allows emergency use of the fire main for deballasting
    N d. permits discharge of waste oil to shore facilities

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

2526: 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-0069

    N a. Available GM 4.2 ft
    Y b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.7 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.5 ft

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

2724: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-03", AFT 18'-09"; and the KG is 22.6 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if the center of gravity is shifted 1.4 feet off the centerline.

    N a. 18°
    Y b. 22°
    N c. 26°
    N d. 30°

2739: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 19'-03", AFT 21'-03". The LCG of the forepeak is 200 feet forward of amidships. How many tons of ballast must be pumped into the forepeak in order to have a drag of 18 inches? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 27 tons
    Y b. 31 tons
    N c. 34 tons
    N d. 37 tons

2746: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-07", AFT 16'-09"; and the KG is 21.5 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 30° inclination.

    N a. 0.8 foot
    N b. 1.5 feet
    N c. 2.7 feet
    Y d. 3.6 feet

2779: Error may be introduced into a magnetic compass by __________.

    N a. making a structural change to the vessel
    N b. a short circuit near the compass
    N c. belt buckles
    Y d. All of the above

2950: You have loaded a deck cargo, and the vessel has assumed a 7° list due to negative GM. Your salt water drafts are: FWD 16'-00", AFT 16'-02". If you then load 1050 tons of cargo in the lower holds (VCG 11.0 feet) and take on 600 tons of bunkers (VCG 2.5 feet), what is the final GM? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 2.8 feet
    N b. 2.5 feet
    Y c. 1.9 feet
    N d. 1.5 feet

3048: What is required for a dry exhaust pipe? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. Noncombustible hangers and supports
    N b. Insulation from combustible material
    N c. An automatic damper
    N d. A rain spray and spray cap

3375: The DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 58.0 feet discharges 1,792.44 long tons of ballast. What is the new draft?

    N a. 40 feet
    Y b. 45 feet
    N c. 50 feet
    N d. 55 feet

3485: In the event the motion of the DEEP DRILLER is such that critical motion limits are exceeded, you should __________.

    N a. place the unit at 65 foot draft
    Y b. place the unit at 45 foot draft
    N c. shift loads to increase KG
    N d. place the unit in standby

3521: Among the equipment included in the DEEP DRILLER lightweight are the derrick, traveling block in the lowest position, anchors, mooring chain, all machinery with liquids to normal operating level, and __________.

    N a. normal food supplies for 79 persons
    N b. eight anchor buoys
    N c. lower-hull fuel
    Y d. loading hoses

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

3950: You are picking up a conscious person that has fallen overboard. Recovery is easier if you approach with the __________.

    Y a. victim to leeward
    N b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

3966: In the illustration shown, the righting strap is shown as item number __________. (D014SA )

    N a. 8
    N b. 9
    N c. 12
    Y d. 16

4081: Visual inspections of survival craft on offshore drilling units, to ensure operational readiness, must be conducted at least once a __________.

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

4127: While loaded as shown in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill), all of the casing is discharged. What is the change in LCG?

    N a. 0.45 foot
    Y b. -0.45 foot
    N c. -1.78 feet
    N d. -2.68 feet

4142: You are underway at sea when a fire is reported in the forward part of the vessel. The wind is from dead ahead at 20 knots. You should __________.

    Y a. change course and put the stern to the wind
    N b. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed
    N c. remain on course and hold speed
    N d. remain on course but decrease speed

4290: If you use obscene, indecent, or profane language over the radiotelephone, you can be __________.

    N a. assessed a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both
    Y b. assessed a fine not to exceed $11,000, imprisonment of not more than two years, or both
    N c. assessed a fine not to exceed $20,000
    N d. imprisoned up to five years

4546: Fire dampers prevent the spread of fire by __________.

    N a. direct contact
    N b. radiation
    N c. conduction
    Y d. convection

5505: Which problem is virtually impossible to detect during an in-service inspection of used mooring chain?

    N a. Cracks
    N b. Elongation
    N c. Loose studs
    Y d. Fatigue

5551: Anchor shackles should have a breaking strength that is __________.

    Y a. equal to the chains they are connecting
    N b. 25% more than the chains they are connecting
    N c. 50% more than the chains they are connecting
    N d. 100% more than the chains they are connecting

5575: Increasing the area of the anchor flukes will __________.

    Y a. increase holding power
    N b. decrease holding power
    N c. make penetration more complete
    N d. not effect holding power

5731: Given the same water depth and line tension, the catenary length of a 19 pound/foot wire rope mooring line in comparison to the catenary length of a 90 pound/foot mooring chain will be __________.

    N a. shorter
    Y b. longer
    N c. identical
    N d. indeterminable

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.

5935: The size of fire hydrant hose connections must be either 1-1/2 inches or __________.

    N a. 1 inch
    Y b. 2-1/2 inches
    N c. 3 inches
    N d. 3-1/2 inches

5951: Control valves of a CO2 system may be located within the protected space when __________.

    N a. it is impractical to locate them outside
    N b. there is also a control valve outside
    Y c. the CO2 cylinders are also in the space
    N d. an automatic heat-sensing trip is installed

6308: You are underway at sea when a fire is reported in the forward part of the vessel. The wind is from dead ahead at 20 knots. You should __________.

    N a. remain on course and hold speed
    N b. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed
    N c. remain on course but decrease speed
    Y d. change course and put the stern to the wind

7035: If a diabetic suffers an insulin reaction and is conscious, he should be given __________.

    N a. soda crackers and water
    Y b. orange juice
    N c. an ounce of whiskey
    N d. a glass of milk

8407: If you are unable to stop a diesel engine by any other means, you should __________.

    Y a. discharge a CO2 extinguisher in the air inlet
    N b. pull off the distributor cap
    N c. secure the jacket water
    N d. secure the starting air supply valve

9313: When a patient has an electrical burn, it is important to __________.

    Y a. look for a second burn, which may have been caused by the current passing through the body
    N b. locate the nearest water source and flood the burn with water for five minutes
    N c. remove any dirt or charred skin from the area of the burn
    N d. apply ointment to the burn area and wrap with clean cloth

9673: When fighting a large fire on your vessel and attacking it from ABOVE the space on fire, it is important to __________.

    N a. rotate personnel, due to heat stress
    N b. stand erect, to avoid the heat of the deck
    N c. cool the deck directly above the space on fire
    Y d. All of the above