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.


104: In the International Code of Signals, the code signal meaning "I require immediate assistance" is __________.


166: On cargo vessels, which fire extinguisher is considered semi-portable?


197: Normally, potable water systems are connected directly to the __________.


272: Fire alarm system thermostats are actuated by __________.

    N a. smoke sensors
    Y b. the difference in thermal expansion of two dissimilar metals
    N c. pressure loss due to air being heated
    N d. an electric eye which actuates when smoke interferes with the beam

354: The distress message of a ship should include considerable information which might facilitate the rescue. This information should __________.

    N a. ALWAYS be included in the initial distress message
    N b. be sent to a Coast Guard station FIRST
    Y c. be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows
    N d. include the vessel's draft

361: What can be used to measure the percentage of oxygen inside a chain locker?

    N a. Flame safety lamp
    N b. Combustible gas indicator
    Y c. Oxygen indicator
    N d. H2S meter

403: Due to the shape of the sea anchor, the best way to haul it back aboard is by __________.

    N a. hauling in on the anchor line as you would any anchor
    N b. getting all hands to assist
    Y c. its trip line
    N d. cutting the line, as you cannot haul it back in

424: What would be used to call all stations in your vicinity by radiotelephone?

    N a. Calling all stations
    Y b. Charlie Quebec
    N c. Alpha Alpha
    N d. Kilo

562: One gallon of high expansion foam solution will produce __________.

    N a. 8 to 10 gallons of foam
    N b. 25 to 50 gallons of foam
    N c. 100 to 200 gallons of foam
    Y d. 500 to 1000 gallons of foam

942: A fifteen-pound CO2 extinguisher __________.

    Y a. contains 15 pounds of CO2
    N b. weighs 15 pounds when full of CO2
    N c. has 15 pounds of pressure at the nozzle
    N d. weighs 15 pounds when empty

972: Which statement concerning carbon dioxide is FALSE?

    N a. It displaces the oxygen in the air.
    N b. It cannot be seen.
    N c. It cannot be smelled.
    Y d. It is safe to use near personnel in a confined space.

1020: Which vessels must comply with the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone regulations while navigating?

    N a. Towing vessels 25 feet in length or less
    Y b. Passenger vessels of 100 gross tons or greater, carrying one or more passengers for hire
    N c. Power-driven vessels 12 meters or less in length
    N d. All of the above

1028: Symptoms of heat stroke are __________.

    N a. cold and moist skin, high body temperature
    N b. cold and dry skin, low body temperature
    N c. hot and moist skin, high body temperature
    Y d. hot and dry skin, high body temperature

1142: While testing a cargo tank, your oxygen indicator reads 25% oxygen in the tank. You would then __________.

    N a. enter the tank safely
    Y b. suspect the accuracy of the reading
    N c. ventilate the tank
    N d. test for nitrogen

1231: A "T-Boat" accident resulting in loss of life, serious injury or more than $25,000 property damage must be reported to __________.

    N a. the Maritime Administration (MARAD)
    Y b. the Coast Guard
    N c. the owner or his insurance agent
    N d. All of the above

1298: If a powdered aluminum fire is being fought, the correct extinguishing agent would be __________.

    Y a. dry powder
    N b. water fog
    N c. CO2
    N d. steam

1398: The size of fire hydrant hose connections on a cargo vessel 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

1569: Which list is NOT required to be provided as part of the appendices of the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan?

    N a. A list of agencies or officials of Coastal State Administrators responsible for receiving and processing incident reports.
    N b. A list of agencies or officials in regularly visited ports.
    N c. A list specifying who will be responsible for informing the parties listed and the priority in which they must be notified.
    Y d. A list of personnel duty assignments.

1577: What is the minimum number of bolts required in a temporary bolted flange oil hose coupling?

    N a. 3
    Y b. 4
    N c. 6
    N d. A bolt must be used in every hole.

1650: When compared to low-expansion foam, a high-expansion foam will __________.

    Y a. be drier
    N b. be heavier
    N c. be more heat resistant
    N d. not cling to vertical surfaces

1667: A shipmate suffers a heart attack and stops breathing. You must __________.

    N a. immediately give a stimulant, by force if necessary
    N b. make the victim comfortable in a bunk
    Y c. immediately start CPR
    N d. administer oxygen

1711: Which precaution should be taken when testing a line throwing gun?

    Y a. Never remove the line from the rocket.
    N b. Fire it at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the horizon.
    N c. Wear asbestos gloves.
    N d. All of the above

1957: The first AMVER position report must be sent within how many hours of departure?

    N a. 12
    Y b. 24
    N c. 36
    N d. 48

2048: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-02", AFT 6'-08". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 6 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 23 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    Y a. 6 tons
    N b. 12 tons
    N c. 18 tons
    N d. 24 tons

2139: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 24.0 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 28'-01", AFT 28'-06"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 64°
    Y b. 71°
    N c. 77°
    N d. 82°

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"

2301: If water is rising in the bilge of a survival craft, you should first __________.

    N a. abandon the survival craft
    N b. check for cracks in the hull
    N c. shift all personnel to the stern
    Y d. check the bilge drain plug

2374: You are offloading garbage to another ship. Your records must identify that ship by name and show her __________.

    N a. home port
    N b. next port-of-call
    N c. Master
    Y d. official number

2377: The operation of hoisting the drill stem out of and returning it to the wellbore is called a __________.

    N a. fish
    N b. thribble
    Y c. trip
    N d. tour

2434: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-11", AFT 16'-01"; and the KG is 24.4 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 30°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 24,960 foot-tons
    N b. 22,870 foot-tons
    N c. 20,360 foot-tons
    Y d. 18,240 foot-tons

2461: A special device that, when fitted into the rotary table, transmits torque to the kelly and simultaneously permits vertical movement of the kelly to make the hole is called a __________.

    N a. master bushing
    N b. kelly slips
    Y c. kelly bushing
    N d. rotary bushing

2672: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 16'-08", AFT 17'-06"; and the KG is 23.8 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the remaining righting arm at 60° inclination if the center of gravity is 1.7 feet off the centerline.

    N a. 1.8 feet
    Y b. 2.1 feet
    N c. 3.0 feet
    N d. 3.8 feet

2722: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 21'-08", AFT 24'-02". 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. 53 tons
    N b. 57 tons
    N c. 61 tons
    Y d. 65 tons

2865: Which statement about the free surface correction is TRUE?

    N a. It is added to GM at light drafts and subtracted at deep drafts.
    N b. It is increased if the slack tank is not on the centerline.
    N c. It is decreased if the slack tank is below the KG of the vessel.
    Y d. The correction decreases as the draft increases

2908: How many months after its expiration date may a Coast Guard license be renewed without retaking the complete exam?

    N a. 1 month
    N b. 6 months
    Y c. 12 months
    N d. 24 months

3055: Which statement is TRUE concerning life jackets?

    N a. Buoyant vests may be substituted for life jackets.
    Y b. Life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person's face clear of the water.
    N c. Life jackets must always be worn with the same side facing outwards to float properly.
    N d. Lightly stained or faded life jackets will fail in the water and should not be used.

3208: Water pockets on the underside of an inflatable liferaft are for __________.

    N a. catching rain water
    Y b. stability
    N c. easy drainage
    N d. maneuverability

3348: Generally speaking, the fuel injected into a marine diesel engine combustion chamber is ignited by __________.

    N a. spark plugs
    N b. glow plugs
    Y c. heat of compression
    N d. a magneto

3752: A shipmate suffers a heart attack and stops breathing. You must __________.

    N a. administer oxygen
    Y b. immediately check his pulse and start CPR
    N c. make the victim comfortable in a bunk
    N d. immediately give a stimulant, by force if necessary

3776: If you continue to wear extra clothing when entering the water after abandoning your vessel, it will __________.

    N a. weigh you down
    Y b. preserve body heat
    N c. reduce your body heat
    N d. make it more difficult to breathe

3977: While loaded as shown in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), all of the liquid mud is dumped. What is the new longitudinal free surface correction?

    N a. 1.63 feet
    N b. 1.65 feet
    Y c. 1.67 feet
    N d. 1.69 feet

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

4098: Which publication(s) must a towing vessel of 12 meters or more in length carry when operating on US waters other than the Western Rivers?

    N a. US Coast Pilot(s)
    N b. Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    Y d. All of the above

4210: You are loading in a port subject to the summer load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the winter zone after steaming four days. You will consume 35 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.0083, and the average TPI is 65. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 74 inches
    N b. 78 inches
    N c. 80 inches
    N d. 86 inches

4323: Guide tolerances during elevation of the jack-up rig will __________.

    N a. reduce spud can bearing pressure
    Y b. keep the unit level and reduce overloading
    N c. reduce stresses on the hull
    N d. minimize the potential for punch-through

4387: The COASTAL DRILLER is elevated in 192 feet of water. Leg penetration is 83 feet. The maximum leg reaction is 5,940 kips. The waves are 30 feet and the current is 2 knots. What is the maximum wind for drilling?

    N a. 45 knots
    Y b. 50 knots
    N c. 57 knots
    N d. 62 knots

5092: You are scheduled to load 3200 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 259 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in fresh water:

    N a. 17'-00"
    Y b. 16'-09"
    N c. 16'-06"
    N d. 16'-04"

5121: What danger is presented if a waterspout passes over a MODU?

    N a. Heavy rains could cause downflooding.
    N b. Visibility could be restricted by low clouds.
    N c. Large waves could cause structural damage.
    Y d. Personnel may be injured by loose deck gear blown by the wind.

5536: On a vessel of 7000 tons displacement, a tank 35 ft. long, 30 ft. wide and 46 ft. deep is half filled with liquid cargo (S.G. 0.923) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (S.G. 1.026). What is the free surface constant for this tank?

    N a. 3240
    N b. 2731
    N c. 2390
    Y d. 2024

5585: Cable tension for catenary calculations is taken at the __________.

    N a. chain locker
    Y b. fairlead
    N c. anchor
    N d. contact point of chain with seabed

5637: While in transit during heavy weather, the crew aboard a semisubmersible should be alert to repeated pounding of waves on the lower bracing. If necessary, the unit should be __________.

    N a. deballasted to a shallower draft
    Y b. ballasted to survival draft
    N c. ballasted to a draft in which the KG exceeds the maximum allowed
    N d. towed in the trough of the waves

6241: The objective of shoring the damaged area of a MODU is to __________.

    N a. force the warped, bulged, or deformed sections back into place
    Y b. support and hold the area in the damaged position
    N c. withstand subsequent additional damage
    N d. make a watertight seal at the damaged area

7353: The height of a VHF radio antenna is more important than the power output wattage of the radio because __________.

    Y a. VHF communications are basically "line of sight"
    N b. the air is more dense the higher you go
    N c. salt water is a poor conductor of sound
    N d. sea water absorbs the radiated energy

7713: Your vessel is listing because of a negative GM. To lower G below M, you should __________.

    N a. deballast
    N b. transfer weight to the high side
    N c. ballast on the high side
    Y d. add weight symmetrically below G

8184: What is an advantage of diesel over steam turbine propulsion?

    Y a. Less fuel consumption per SHP
    N b. Diesel fuel costs less than bunker C or its equivalent
    N c. Less routine maintenance required
    N d. Less weight per SHP

8257: When taking soundings on a floating MODU, the tape should be lowered and brought back quickly to __________.

    N a. reduce the time the sounding tube is open
    N b. avoid creating a spark
    Y c. lessen the effect of roll or pitch on the reading
    N d. lessen the effect of heave on the reading

8541: The process of waiting a period of time before pretensioning an anchor is known as __________.

    Y a. soaking
    N b. settling
    N c. sinking
    N d. bedding in

8597: On offshore drilling units, the EPIRB on board is required to be tested __________.

    N a. daily
    N b. weekly
    Y c. monthly
    N d. yearly

8855: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). If weather conditions make it necessary to ballast down to survival, how much ballast would be required?

    N a. 3,998.3 long tons
    Y b. 4,086.5 long tons
    N c. 4,188.0 long tons
    N d. 5,087.0 long tons

9561: Vertical moments are obtained by multiplying a vessel's weight and its __________.

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