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.


401: On a vessel of 12,000 tons displacement, what is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface when a tank 60 feet long and 60 feet wide is partially filled with water?


474: You are making ship-to-shore telephone calls on VHF. You should use the __________.


593: The sea painter is secured in the lifeboat by __________.


652: How does foam extinguish an oil fire?

    N a. By cooling the oil below the ignition temperature
    N b. By removing the fuel source from the fire
    Y c. By excluding the oxygen from the fire
    N d. By increasing the weight of the oil

686: You should be most concerned about a possible explosion or fire in fuel tanks __________.

    Y a. during fueling when the fuel first strikes the tank bottom
    N b. during fueling when the fuel strikes fuel already in the tank
    N c. when underway as the fuel is moved by wave action
    N d. shortly after fueling when fuel vapors gather

736: How many liters of water per person must be carried in lifeboats on a tankship sailing a coastwise route?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

851: The preferred agent used in fighting a helicopter crash fire is __________.

    N a. CO2
    N b. dry chemical
    N c. water
    Y d. foam

918: Fires which occur in energized electrical equipment, such as switchboard insulation, are class __________.

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

1317: The most effective way of applying carbon dioxide from a portable extinguisher to a fire is by __________.

    N a. forming a cloud cover over the flames
    Y b. directing the gas at the base of the flames in a slow sweeping motion
    N c. discharging the carbon dioxide into the heart of the flames
    N d. bouncing the discharge off an adjacent bulkhead just above the burning surface

1324: A hydrostatic release mechanism for a liferaft __________.

    N a. must be wet before it will release
    N b. should be kept in a watertight cover except in an emergency
    N c. will inflate the raft in its cradle if operated manually
    Y d. must be submerged to a certain depth to release automatically

1428: A Halon 1301 cylinder contains 100 pounds of liquid at 360 psi. It must be recharged when the pressure drops below how many psi?

    N a. 360
    N b. 352
    N c. 336
    Y d. 324

1472: You are reading the draft marks in illustration D032DG. The water level forward is 4 inches below the 11, and the water level aft is 2 inches below the top of the 11. What is the mean draft? (D032DG )

    N a. 11'-08"
    N b. 11'-06"
    N c. 11'-04"
    Y d. 11'-00"

1524: A U.S. merchant vessel in ocean service is NOT subject to the requirements of Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 __________.

    N a. outside of 25 nautical miles from nearest land
    N b. outside of the navigable waters of the United States
    N c. in the waters of those countries not signatory to MARPOL
    Y d. A U.S. vessel in ocean service is ALWAYS subject to MARPOL.

1611: How should longitude 116°54.9'E be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    N a. Q1169
    N b. 116.9E
    Y c. 11655E
    N d. 117E

1620: One disadvantage of using regular dry chemical (sodium bicarbonate) in firefighting is that __________.

    N a. it can break down under high heat and emit noxious fumes
    N b. it will decompose under prolonged storage and lose its effectiveness
    Y c. fire has been known to flash back over the surface of an oil fire
    N d. it is ineffective in fighting fires in high-voltage electrical equipment

1822: Which hazard probably would NOT be encountered when entering an empty but uncleaned fish hold?

    N a. Lack of oxygen
    N b. Methane gas
    N c. Hydrogen sulfide gas
    Y d. Carbon monoxide

1955: How often must the emergency generator be tested on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. Once each day
    N b. Once each week
    Y c. Once each month
    N d. Once each year

2091: To inflate a davit launched liferaft you __________.

    N a. initially connect the compressed air nozzle to the inflation tube
    Y b. pull the inflation lanyard
    N c. connect the hand pump to the inflation tube and pump it up
    N d. connect the helium nozzle to the inflation tube

2119: Your vessel displaces 475 tons. The existing deck cargo has a center of gravity of 2.6 feet above the deck and weighs 22 tons. If you load 16 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 8 inches above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 1.64 feet
    Y b. 1.79 feet
    N c. 1.96 feet
    N d. 2.14 feet

2137: Where would you find the FCC authorization for transmitting on your rig's EPIRB?

    Y a. On the Ship Station License
    N b. On the side of the EPIRB transmitter
    N c. In the radio log
    N d. On the Certificate of Inspection

2162: Which tank barges require draft marks?

    N a. Tank barges over 50 GT
    N b. Tank barges over 100 GT
    N c. Notch barges over 1000 GT
    Y d. All tank barges

2392: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 13'-11", AFT 16'-05". How much more cargo can be loaded to have the vessel down to the freeboard draft? (Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 7109 tons
    N b. 7316 tons
    N c. 7432 tons
    Y d. 7779 tons

2472: Which cargo grade(s) are permitted by regulations to be carried on a barge in tanks fitted only with gooseneck vents and flame screens?

    N a. B only
    N b. B or C
    N c. C or D
    Y d. D or E

2624: The primary concern(s) for safely transporting and handling LFG is(are) __________.

    N a. a system of cargo tanks and piping free from leaks
    N b. cargo tanks and piping strong enough to withstand the pressure
    N c. cargo tanks and piping located or protected to minimize physical damage
    Y d. All of the above

2768: Small passenger vessels of less than 100 gross registered tons must be inspected by the Coast Guard when they carry more than __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 12 passengers
    N b. 50 passengers
    Y c. 6 passengers
    N d. 1 passenger

2787: You are on a commercial fishing vessel 78 feet long. At least one of your ring buoys or throwable flotation devices must have a line of what minimum length attached?

    N a. 60 feet
    N b. 70 feet
    N c. 80 feet
    Y d. 90 feet

2790: The weight of liquefied petroleum gas vapors as compared to air is __________.

    N a. variable
    N b. the same
    N c. lighter
    Y d. heavier

2840: If a vessel loads 400 tons of deck cargo resulting in a GM of -0.2 feet on 9000 tons of displacement, what will be the angle of loll? (Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 16°
    N b. 15°
    N c. 12°
    Y d. 9°

2882: Whenever an inspected vessel is dry-docked for major repairs, the person in charge of the vessel, the owner or the agent should report this to the __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N b. National Cargo Bureau, Inc.
    N c. American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc.
    N d. All of the above

2899: All small passenger vessels operating on lakes, bays, sounds, or river routes on runs of more than 30 minutes are required to carry __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. 3 red hand flare distress signals and 3 orange smoke hand distress signals
    N b. 8 red hand flare distress signals and 8 orange smoke hand distress signals
    N c. 6 red hand flare distress signals and 6 orange smoke hand distress signals
    N d. None of the above

2920: 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'-02", AFT 16'-06". If you then load 1200 tons of cargo in the lower holds (VCG 12 feet) and take on 624 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)

    Y a. 2.0 feet
    N b. 2.6 feet
    N c. 3.0 feet
    N d. 3.4 feet

3209: In the illustration shown, the floating sheath knife is indicated as item number __________. (D014SA )

    Y a. 2
    N b. 8
    N c. 13
    N d. 16

3285: 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-0118

    N a. 271.2 ft
    N b. 288.8 ft
    N c. 292.3 ft
    Y d. 307.2 ft

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

3384: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 4236 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 27.2 feet. Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final KG of all the cargo after loading is completed. ST-0125

    Y a. KG 26.9 feet
    N b. KG 27.3 feet
    N c. KG 27.8 feet
    N d. KG 28.1 feet

3559: The rescue boat on an OSV is not required to carry a __________.

    Y a. fishing kit
    N b. searchlight
    N c. sea anchor
    N d. radar reflector

3605: While anchored in 700 feet of water, 3,150 feet of chain is deployed for line #4. Tension on that line is 200 kips. According to the DEEP DRILLER Operating Manual, how much of that chain lies along the bottom?

    N a. 1,218 feet
    Y b. 1,398 feet
    N c. 1,752 feet
    N d. 1,844 feet

3745: In reviving a person who has been overcome by gas fumes, what would you AVOID doing?

    Y a. Giving stimulants
    N b. Prompt removal of the patient from the suffocating atmosphere
    N c. Applying artificial respiration and massage
    N d. Keeping the patient warm and comfortable

3757: What are the symptoms of sun stroke?

    N a. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid and feeble, skin is cold and clammy.
    Y b. Temperature is high, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry.
    N c. Temperature is high, pulse is slow and feeble, skin is clammy.
    N d. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid, skin is clammy.

3897: 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

4222: 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-0157

    Y a. 273.5 ft
    N b. 288.8 ft
    N c. 292.3 ft
    N d. 305.3 ft

4250: A bulk freighter 580 ft. in length, 60 ft. beam, with a waterplane coefficient of .84 is floating in salt water at a draft of 21 ft. How many long tons would it take to increase the mean draft 1"?

    N a. 65.1
    Y b. 69.6
    N c. 74.3
    N d. 76.8

4635: How much drill water is required for transfer between drill water tanks #25 and #26 in order to correct the list of the COASTAL DRILLER with total transverse moments of -6,800 ft-kips?

    N a. 200 kips from tank #26 to tank #25
    N b. 200 kips from tank #25 to tank #26
    N c. 100 kips from tank #26 to tank #25
    Y d. 100 kips from tank #25 to tank #26

4693: The COASTAL DRILLER, with no trim, is at a true mean draft of 10 feet and 10 inches. TM is -6,800 ft-kips. Using only tanks #1, #25, and #26, how many kips of drill water must be transferred to level the jack-up?

    N a. Transfer 53.1 kips each from #25 and #26 forward to #1
    N b. Transfer 100 kips from #26 to #25
    N c. Transfer 200 kips from #25 to #26
    Y d. Transfer 100 kips from #25 to #26

4807: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the new transverse free surface correction (FSCT) if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 2.24 feet
    N b. 2.14 feet
    N c. 2.10 feet
    Y d. 1.67 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

5681: The DEEP DRILLER may remain at operating draft instead of deballasting to survival draft when __________.

    N a. critical motion limits have been exceeded
    N b. waves approach within two feet of the spider deck
    N c. the maximum wave height is greater than 64 feet
    Y d. winds are less than 70 knots

5783: In storm conditions in 600 feet of water, completely slacking the leeward mooring line of the DEEP DRILLER reduces the tension in that line to about __________.

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

5911: What information must be entered on the MODU's muster list?

    N a. Names of all crew members
    N b. Use and application of special equipment
    N c. Listing of approved emergency equipment
    Y d. Duties and station of each person during emergencies

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

6643: How many adult life jackets are required on board a MODU?

    N a. Enough for 100 percent of the persons allowed on board
    N b. One for each work station and industrial work site
    N c. Enough for 150 percent of the persons allowed on board
    Y d. Both A & B above

7623: The weight of the liquid displaced by a vessel floating in sea water is equal to the __________.

    N a. weight required to sink the vessel
    Y b. total weight of the vessel
    N c. displaced volume
    N d. reserve buoyancy

8171: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #2 (Ballast to Survival), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C3S. Pumping from tanks in the vicinity of the damage have proven ineffective. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

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

8421: If an engine shuts down due to high jacket water temperature, what action should be taken?

    N a. Open crankcase explosion covers
    Y b. Allow engine to cool gradually
    N c. Slowly add cool water to the expansion tank
    N d. Back flush the cooling water system

8695: The DEEP DRILLER, at 58.0 feet draft in sea water, discharges 200 long tons. What is the new displacement?

    N a. 16,263 long tons
    Y b. 17,642 long tons
    N c. 17,842 long tons
    N d. 18,118 long tons

8712: Jettisoning weight from topside __________.

    N a. returns the vessel to an even keel
    N b. reduces free surface effect
    Y c. lowers the center of gravity
    N d. raises the center of buoyancy

8881: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). How much additional deck load can be placed aboard without exceeding the deck load limit?

    N a. 1,335.6 long tons
    N b. 1,086.6 long tons
    N c. 585.4 long tons
    Y d. 435.6 long tons

9245: The object of plugging holes below the waterline on a MODU should be to __________.

    N a. eliminate all water entering the hole
    N b. only plug holes in machinery or other vital spaces
    Y c. reduce the entry of water as much as possible
    N d. plug the largest holes first

9535: When stability of a vessel is neutral, the value of GM __________.

    N a. only depends on the height of the center of gravity
    N b. only depends on the height of the metacenter
    N c. is greater when G is low
    Y d. is zero

9634: A fixed carbon dioxide extinguishing system for a machinery space, designed WITHOUT a stop valve in the line leading to the protected space, is actuated by __________.

    Y a. one control
    N b. two controls
    N c. three controls
    N d. none of the above