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.


154: The standard rate of signaling by flashing light is __________.


209: The number 2 lifeboat on a tanker would be found __________.


481: How should the letter "D" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?


564: If you receive the signal over radiotelephone of "Romeo Papa Tango" while using the International Code of Signals, you should __________.

    N a. report to the caller
    Y b. repeat your last transmission
    N c. continue since he received your last transmission
    N d. end the transmission

573: The sea painter of a lifeboat should be led __________.

    Y a. forward and outside of all obstructions
    N b. forward and inside of all obstructions
    N c. up and down from the main deck
    N d. to the foremost point on the ship

694: What is the international distress frequency for radiotelephones?

    N a. 500 kHz
    N b. 1347 kHz
    Y c. 2182 kHz
    N d. 2738 kHz

781: How is the external flotation bladder of an immersion suit inflated?

    N a. It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is automatically tripped when the front zipper is at the top of the zipper track.
    N b. It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is manually tripped.
    Y c. It is inflated by blowing through an inflation tube.
    N d. It inflates by sea water bleeding into the flotation bladder and reacting with a chemical therein.

840: If a vessel is sagging, what kind of stress is placed on the sheer strake?

    Y a. Compression
    N b. Tension
    N c. Thrust
    N d. Racking

855: The term, "cargo tank length", as used in part 157 of the Pollution Regulations, means the __________.

    N a. length of any individual cargo space, from bulkhead to bulkhead
    N b. greatest distance between two opposite cargo tank bulkheads
    N c. diagonal measurement of a cargo tank
    Y d. length from the forward bulkhead of the forwardmost cargo tanks to the after bulkhead of the aftermost cargo tanks

862: Dry chemical extinguishers extinguish class B fires to the greatest extent by __________.

    N a. cooling
    N b. smothering
    N c. oxygen dilution
    Y d. breaking the chain reaction

889: Small quantities of flammable liquids needed at a work site should be __________.

    N a. used only under the supervision and direction of a ship's officer
    N b. tightly capped and stowed with other tools near the job site when securing at the end of the day
    N c. used only when a pressurized fire hose is laid out ready for immediate use
    Y d. in a metal container with a tight cap

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

1290: Which davit type may be operated by one man?

    N a. Quadrantal
    Y b. Gravity
    N c. Sheath-screw
    N d. Radial

1366: The air spaces in the floor of an inflatable liferaft will provide protection against __________.

    N a. asphyxiation from CO2
    N b. loss of air in the sides of the raft
    N c. rough seas
    Y d. cold water temperatures

1521: You are in a lifeboat when you sight the stars shown. You will be heading almost due north when you head for Polaris which is marked by what letter? (D006SA )

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

1653: Before operating a non-oceangoing ship greater than 100 gross tons it must have a fixed piping system to discharge oily mixtures ashore. This system must include __________.

    N a. approved oil-water separating equipment
    N b. a fixed or portable containment system at the shore connection
    N c. a spare pump in case the main pump is inoperative
    Y d. at least one outlet accessible from the weather deck

1672: Which of the following would be considered downflooding on a fishing vessel as defined in regulation?

    Y a. Vessel heels until water enters a hatch.
    N b. Vessel in collision floods through a damaged area above the waterline.
    N c. Vessel takes on water due to the hatches being left open in heavy rain.
    N d. Vessel takes on water by the propeller shaft due to failure of the stern gland.

1730: Each inert gas system must be designed to supply the cargo tanks with a gas, or mixture of gasses, that has an oxygen content by volume of __________.

    Y a. 5% or less
    N b. 10% or less
    N c. 15% or less
    N d. 20% or less

2007: The bottom of the mast rests on the __________.

    N a. foot plate
    N b. sole plate
    N c. hounds
    Y d. mast step

2055: What agency issues the Ship Station license for the VHF marine radio on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Department of Transportation
    N c. Federal Broadcast Authority
    Y d. Federal Communications Commission

2200: To check stability, a weight of 35 tons is lifted with the jumbo boom, whose head is 35 feet from the ship's centerline. The clinometer shows a list of 7.0° with the weight suspended. Displacement including the weight is 14,000 tons. The GM in this condition is __________.

    Y a. 0.71 foot
    N b. 0.95 foot
    N c. 1.26 feet
    N d. 2.01 feet

2251: What will NOT decrease the stability of a vessel?

    N a. Topside icing
    N b. Running with a following sea
    N c. Using 35% of the fuel in a full tank
    Y d. Lowering a weight suspended by a boom onto the deck

2269: To what chemical family does ethylene oxide belong?

    N a. Glycol ethers
    Y b. Alkylene oxides
    N c. Esters
    N d. Alcohols

2286: What is the boiling point of carbon disulfide?

    N a. 167°F
    Y b. 115°F
    N c. 111°F
    N d. 46°F

2440: According to the Chemical Data Guide, what does ethyl chloride produce when ignited?

    N a. Toxic fumes of oxides of nitrogen
    N b. Toxic fumes of lead
    Y c. Poisonous phosgene gas
    N d. Poisonous chlorine gas

2510: Camphor oil is classified as a __________.

    N a. Grade A flammable liquid
    N b. Grade C flammable liquid
    Y c. Grade D combustible liquid
    N d. Grade E combustible liquid

2569: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 22'-03", AFT 22'-09"; and the KG is 24.4 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. 4,176 foot-tons
    Y b. 5,196 foot-tons
    N c. 7,076 foot-tons
    N d. 9,003 foot-tons

2604: Use the floodable length curve in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the curve represents 45 percent permeability, and holds 2 and 3 flood, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    Y a. 37
    N b. 31
    N c. 26
    N d. 23

2630: According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is NOT a recommended extinguishing agent for an ethylene cyanohydrin fire?

    N a. Alcohol foam
    N b. CO2
    N c. Dry chemical
    Y d. Water fog

2743: Compliance with the terms of the load line certificate on a MODU is the responsibility of the __________.

    N a. Ballast Control Operator
    N b. Barge Supervisor
    Y c. Master or Offshore Installation Manager
    N d. operators representative

2887: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

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

2966: Each vessel shall be dry-docked or hauled out at intervals not to exceed 2 years if operated in salt water for a total of more than __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. 3 months in any 12 month period since it was last hauled out
    N b. 6 months in the 3 year period since it was last hauled out
    N c. 12 months in the 5 year period since it was last hauled out
    N d. whenever ownership or management changes

3118: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 4850 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 275.72 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0107

    Y a. LCG-FP 268.3 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 265.4 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 261.2 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 256.9 feet

3169: Which license or document enable a person to serve as person in charge of a tank barge which is transferring cargo?

    N a. Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels
    Y b. Certified Tankerman
    N c. Able Seaman
    N d. Ordinary Seaman/Wiper

3214: What does the "B" on a "B-II" fire extinguisher refer to? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. Size of the applicator
    N b. Size of the nozzle
    N c. Size of the extinguisher
    Y d. Class of fire that the extinguisher should be used on

3216: Gasoline fuel tank vents should terminate __________.

    N a. in the engine compartment
    N b. in the fuel tank space
    Y c. above or outside the hull
    N d. at the most convenient location

3356: The tank barge on which you are preparing to load petroleum is required to have on board one B-II fire extinguisher. What does NOT meet this requirement?

    N a. 2-1/2 gallon foam
    Y b. 5 gallon water (stored pressure)
    N c. 10 pound dry chemical
    N d. 15 pound CO2

3403: The COASTAL DRILLER has a trim of 2.13 feet by the stern. The draft at the forward draft marks is observed to be 8.0 feet. The draft at the center of flotation is __________.

    N a. 7.00 feet
    N b. 8.58 feet
    N c. 9.00 feet
    Y d. 9.42 feet

3412: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 24'-08", AFT 25'-04". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 180 long tons are loaded in No. 23 hatch.

    N a. FWD 24'-04 2/3", AFT 25'-10 3/4"
    Y b. FWD 24'-06 1/2", AFT 25'-08 2/3"
    N c. FWD 24'-08 1/4", AFT 25'-00 2/3"
    N d. FWD 24'-10 1/4", AFT 25'-00 1/4"

3462: A rigid lifesaving device only designed for survivors to hold on to while in the water is known as a __________.

    N a. liferaft
    N b. life float
    N c. life preserver
    Y d. buoyant apparatus

3493: The longitudinal distance between draft marks for the DEEP DRILLER is __________.

    N a. 122'-09"
    Y b. 164'-00"
    N c. 260'-00"
    N d. 260'-05"

3880: The Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon on an OSV vessel must be stowed __________.

    N a. in an inside passageway
    N b. in an approved bracket
    N c. so that it is accessible from the pilothouse of the vessel
    Y d. so that it will float free if the vessel sinks

3925: Among the valves that must be opened on the DEEP DRILLER to pump bilge water out of the port pump room using both bilge pumps is valve __________.

    N a. 26
    N b. 28
    N c. 36
    Y d. 41

3934: 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-0150

    Y a. 228.8 ft
    N b. 238.3 ft
    N c. 252.4 ft
    N d. 266.5 ft

4065: In the DEEP DRILLER, the transverse free surface correction (FSCT) is obtained from the total of transverse free surface moments (FSMT) by __________.

    N a. adding the TCG
    N b. subtracting the TCG
    N c. multiplying by displacement
    Y d. dividing by displacement

4095: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballast to Survival). What is the new longitudinal location of the center of buoyancy if all the bulk materials are discharged?

    N a. 2.34 feet
    N b. 2.48 feet
    N c. 2.50 feet
    Y d. 2.53 feet

4333: The COASTAL DRILLER is experiencing a single amplitude roll angle of 2 degrees and a roll period of 10 seconds. What is the maximum recommended water depth for elevating?

    N a. 50 feet
    N b. 100 feet
    Y c. 150 feet
    N d. 200 feet

4553: What longitudinal moments are created when 379.97 kips of fresh water is placed in the COASTAL DRILLER's #1 drill water tank?

    N a. 1,729 ft-kips
    N b. 1,739 ft-kips
    N c. 1,749 ft-kips
    Y d. 1,759 ft-kips

5075: What lighting characteristic is required of an obstruction light on a mobile offshore drilling unit on the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf?

    N a. Fixed
    N b. Flashing
    Y c. Quick-flashing
    N d. Occulting

5302: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 17'-05", AFT 19'-07". 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-0175

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

5441: The COASTAL DRILLER has suffered a casualty which requires an orderly evacuation of the unit using the lifeboats and liferafts. Among the items to accomplish in preparing to evacuate the unit is __________.

    Y a. securing the unit as in preparation for a severe storm
    N b. distributing self-contained breathing devices
    N c. taking a soil sample of the bottom
    N d. All of the above

6015: On a MODU, size I and II extinguishers are considered __________.

    N a. fixed systems
    N b. steam generated
    Y c. hand portable
    N d. semi-portable

6047: On offshore drilling units, each fire station is required to be fitted with a hose which has a nominal length of __________.

    N a. 25 feet
    Y b. 50 feet
    N c. 75 feet
    N d. 100 feet

6533: When loading or discharging dry mud or cement, crew members should use facial respirator masks and __________.

    Y a. goggles
    N b. ear plugs
    N c. soft-soled boots
    N d. fireman's outfit

6657: The design specifications for cranes and crane foundations on MODU's are set and published by the __________.

    N a. American Society of Mechanical Engineers
    Y b. American Petroleum Institute
    N c. Society of Petroleum Engineers
    N d. American Society of Civil Engineers

6681: On a MODU, a door that is required to be marked "KEEP CLOSED" is designed to __________.

    N a. prevent the passage of flammable gases
    N b. prevent the passage of poisonous vapors
    N c. delay the spread of heat and flames
    Y d. maintain watertight integrity

7427: What is the expected range of a VHF radio transmission from a vessel to a shore station?

    Y a. About 20 miles
    N b. 50 - 100 miles
    N c. 100 - 150 miles
    N d. 150 - 200 miles

7595: For a vessel inclined by the wind, multiplying the buoyant force by the horizontal distance between the lines of action of the buoyant and gravity forces gives the __________.

    Y a. righting moment
    N b. vertical moment
    N c. longitudinal moment
    N d. transverse moment

8545: It is proposed to moor the DEEP DRILLER in 600 feet of water in a region in which the effective wind velocity could reach 80 knots, significant wave height could reach 30 feet, and the current could be 1.5 knots. If these conditions occurred at the same time from the bow, the total environmental force would be __________.

    N a. 620 kips
    Y b. 595 kips
    N c. 475 kips
    N d. 425 kips

9557: Longitudinal moments are obtained by multiplying a vessel's weight and its __________.

    N a. VCG or KG
    N b. LCB
    Y c. LCG
    N d. TCG