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.


20: If the vertical center of gravity (VCG) of a ship rises, the righting arm (GZ) for the various angles of inclination will __________.


27: The atmosphere in a tank is too lean if it is __________.


86: On an inspection of your tankship you notice that there are no portable fire extinguishers in the pumproom. To comply with regulations, you __________.


362: Water fog from an all-purpose nozzle may be used to __________.

    N a. fight an electrical fire
    N b. fight a magnesium fire
    Y c. eliminate smoke from a compartment
    N d. All of the above

464: You are making a telephone call ship-to-shore using the VHF-FM service. You can tell that the working channel is busy if you hear __________.

    N a. speech
    N b. signaling tones
    N c. a busy signal
    Y d. All of the above

612: The service life of distress signals must be not more than __________.

    Y a. forty two months from the date of manufacture
    N b. thirty six months from the date of the last inspection
    N c. twenty four months from the date of approval
    N d. twelve months from the date of purchase

701: Which statement about free surface is TRUE?

    N a. A partially filled space with 40% surface permeability will have greater free surface effect than one with 60% surface permeability.
    N b. Pocketing increases the loss of GM due to free surface effect.
    N c. Cargo with a specific gravity of 1.05 has less free surface effect than a cargo with a specific gravity of 0.98.
    Y d. Pocketing occurs at small angles of inclination when a tank is 98% full.

720: The center of volume of the immersed portion of the hull is called the __________.

    Y a. center of buoyancy
    N b. center of flotation
    N c. center of gravity
    N d. tipping center

772: What do the small passenger vessel regulations require when installing a hydraulic accumulator or other unfired pressure vessel?

    N a. It be operated at one and one half times normal operating pressure for ten minutes.
    N b. Safety and/or relief valves settings be checked at two and one half times normal operating pressures.
    Y c. It be installed to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI
    N d. All of the above

811: Your vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. You can reduce the possibility of capsizing by __________.

    N a. constantly shifting the rudder
    Y b. rigging a sea anchor
    N c. moving all personnel aft
    N d. moving all personnel forward and low

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

1048: The angle of maximum righting arm corresponds approximately to the angle of __________.

    Y a. deck edge immersion
    N b. the load line
    N c. downflooding
    N d. loll

1197: A squeeze-grip type carbon-dioxide portable fire- extinguisher has been partially discharged. It should be __________.

    N a. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 15%
    N b. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 25%
    N c. replaced in its proper location regardless of weight
    Y d. labeled empty and recharged as soon as possible

1239: With the air supply on, the air pressure in an enclosed lifeboat will be __________.

    N a. changing in relation to the speed of the craft
    N b. less than outside air pressure
    Y c. greater than outside air pressure
    N d. equal to outside air pressure

1279: On a documented small passenger vessel, what information must be permanently affixed in block-type letters and/or numerals to the main beam or other clearly visible interior structural part of the hull?

    N a. The vessel's name and gross tonnage
    Y b. The vessel's official number
    N c. Draft markings
    N d. The vessel's name and home port

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

1412: By regulation, cargo tank atmosphere must be inert before and during which operation?

    N a. Stripping
    N b. Loading
    N c. Cleaning
    Y d. All of the above

1452: First aid means __________.

    N a. medical treatment of accident
    N b. setting of broken bones
    Y c. emergency treatment at the scene of the injury
    N d. dosage of medications

1466: You used a carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher but did not empty the extinguisher. You must have it recharged if the weight loss exceeds __________.

    N a. one percent of the weight of the charge
    N b. five percent of the weight of the charge
    N c. seven percent of the weight of the charge
    Y d. ten percent of the weight of the charge

1533: Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You need not keep a record of ground garbage dumped into the sea more than 25 miles offshore.
    N b. You need not keep a record of garbage incinerated on the ship.
    N c. You must keep a record of the approximate weight of the garbage dumped.
    Y d. You must keep a record of garbage discharged in port to a shore facility.

1555: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

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

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

1886: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 30'L by 15'B by 6'D. The vessel's displacement is 968 T and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.8. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?

    N a. .19 foot
    N b. .42 foot
    N c. .64 foot
    Y d. .87 foot

1949: What is meant by "CES"?

    N a. Coast Earth Satellite
    Y b. Coast Earth Station
    N c. Central Equatorial Station
    N d. Coastal Equivalent Station

2033: How is "radio silence" imposed?

    Y a. By the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) controlling the distress communications on that frequency or channel
    N b. By the Coast Earth Station (CES) controlling the distress communications on that frequency or channel
    N c. By the Public Correspondence Station (PCS), controlling the distress communications on that frequency or channel
    N d. By the High Seas Service (HSS) controlling the distress communications on that frequency or channel.

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

2243: Aboard a survival craft, ether can be used to __________.

    Y a. start the engine in cold weather
    N b. aid in helping personnel breathe
    N c. prime the sprinkler system
    N d. prime the air supply

2278: A cargo of 75 tons is to be lifted with a boom located 50 feet from the ship's centerline. The ship's displacement including the suspended cargo is 6,000 tons and GM is 6 feet. The list of the ship with the cargo suspended from the boom will be __________.

    N a. 5.00°
    N b. 5.40°
    Y c. 5.94°
    N d. 6.50°

2386: What are the vessel equipment and personnel requirements for GMDSS?

    N a. Two licensed GMDSS radio operators
    N b. Equipment carriage requirements
    N c. Distress alerting and response
    Y d. All of the above

2564: 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 1 and 2 flood, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 19
    N b. 24
    Y c. 32
    N d. 39

2609: Which action should the GMDSS radio operator take in a distress situation when embarking in survival craft?

    Y a. Switch on EPIRB and SART immediately and leave on.
    N b. Switch on EPIRB and SART manually prior to launching and remain aboard vessel in distress.
    N c. Notify RCC (Rescue Coordination Center) through VHF DSC with portable equipment.
    N d. Communicate via Inmarsat-C from the survival craft.

2646: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 175-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 3200 brake horsepower?

    N a. 2
    N b. 3
    Y c. 4
    N d. 5

2655: Support of MODU side plating is provided primarily by transverse __________.

    N a. beams
    N b. girders
    Y c. frames
    N d. bulkheads

2954: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 19'-06", AFT 20'-10" and the GM is 3.3 feet. What will be the angle of list if the #2 starboard deep tank (capacity 100 tons, VCG 19.1 feet, and 24 feet off the centerline) is filled? (Use the data in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. Less than 1°
    N b. 2°
    Y c. 4°
    N d. 6°

3465: The free surface effects of a partially full liquid tank decrease with increased __________.

    N a. density of the liquid
    N b. placement of the tank above the keel
    Y c. displacement volume of the vessel
    N d. size of the surface area in the tank

3492: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 17'-03", AFT 18'-09". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. Grand Haven, determine the new draft if 450 long tons are loaded in No. 16 hatch.

    N a. FWD 16'-11", AFT 19'-04 2/3"
    N b. FWD 17'-01", AFT 18'-11 1/4"
    Y c. FWD 17'-04", AFT 19'-03 3/4"
    N d. FWD 17'-07", AFT 18'-11 1/4"

3710: Which statement is CORRECT with respect to inserting an airway tube?

    Y a. Only a trained person should attempt to insert an airway tube.
    N b. A size 2 airway tube is the correct size for an adult.
    N c. The airway tube will not damage the victim's throat.
    N d. Inserting the airway tube will prevent vomiting.

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

3963: Salt water ballast tank 2P on the DEEP DRILLER contains 5.0 feet of ballast. It is decided to fill the tank. What is the VCG of the added liquid?

    N a. 7.5 feet
    N b. 10.0 feet
    Y c. 12.5 feet
    N d. 15.0 feet

3997: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of vertical moments for Fuel Oil if the entire contents of Tank 4P are transferred to Tank 4S?

    Y a. 3,493 foot-tons
    N b. 1,797 foot-tons
    N c. 1,748 foot-tons
    N d. 100 foot-tons

4011: If you fail to notify the Coast Guard of an oil spill, you may be imprisoned up to __________.

    N a. 1 year
    N b. 2 years
    N c. 3 years
    Y d. 5 years

4020: The control panel of a fire detection system must have all of the following EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. a power-available light
    N b. an audible alarm to notify the crew and identify the origin of the fire
    N c. a means to silence audible alarms while maintaining visible alarm lights
    Y d. a way to bypass the entire panel if it malfunctions

4030: Fire protection regulations for towing vessels require any fuel line subject to internal head pressure from fuel in the tank to ___________ .

    Y a. be fitted with a positive fuel shut-off valve located at the tank
    N b. have a shut-off valve at the top of the tank
    N c. have a gate valve easily accessible in the space where the tank is located
    N d. have a drain cock at the lowest point in the fuel line

4042: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 75-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 1200 brake horsepower?

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

4161: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). If the liquid mud in mud pit #4 (see table 8) is dumped, what would be the new height of the center of gravity corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    N a. 51.50 feet
    N b. 52.54 feet
    Y c. 52.88 feet
    N d. 53.54 feet

4193: While going on location in 250 feet water depth when the pitch angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2 degrees, the single amplitude pitch period should be longer than __________.

    N a. 0.2 second
    N b. 0.4 second
    N c. 4.9 seconds
    Y d. 13.9 seconds

4234: Which type of fixed fire protection system is approved for use on board uninspected vessels? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. Dry chemical
    Y b. Water mist
    N c. Chemical foam
    N d. Steam smothering

4246: Radiation spreads a fire by __________.

    Y a. transferring heat across an unobstructed space
    N b. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems
    N c. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N d. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal

4411: While the COASTAL DRILLER is in a normal transit, the roll period is 9 seconds. What is the limiting angle of roll which does not exceed the design limits of the legs?

    N a. 11°
    N b. 9°
    Y c. 7°
    N d. 5°

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.

5653: On a semisubmersible drilling unit, decreasing riser tension increases __________.

    N a. free surface moments
    N b. KM
    Y c. GM
    N d. KG

5765: Air gap is the vertical distance between the bottom of the hull and the __________.

    Y a. still water level
    N b. wave crest
    N c. wave crest plus the charted water depth and tidal corrections
    N d. wave crest plus the charted water depth and tidal correction and storm surge

5897: The type of shackle used in making up tow lines to a MODU should be __________.

    N a. screw pin
    N b. chain
    N c. anchor
    Y d. safety

6838: What is an advantage of a steam turbine over a diesel for the main propulsion?

    N a. Faster response from ahead to astern
    N b. Less fuel consumption
    N c. Cheaper initial installation cost
    Y d. Less weight per unit of horsepower

6913: According to regulations, a Master or person in charge of a MODU is required to submit a report of a loss of life __________.

    N a. only when it happens while underway
    N b. to the next of kin
    Y c. to the nearest Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office
    N d. to the nearest coroner

7703: The average of the forward and after drafts is the __________.

    Y a. mean draft
    N b. true mean draft
    N c. mean of the calculated drafts
    N d. draft at the center of flotation

7787: A moment is obtained by multiplying a force by its __________.

    N a. couple
    Y b. lever arm
    N c. moment of inertia
    N d. point of application

9129: Automatic fire dampers in ventilation systems are operated by use of a __________.

    N a. heat or smoke detector
    Y b. fusible link
    N c. remote operated valve
    N d. C02 system pressure switch

9331: Paints and solvents on a vessel should be __________.

    N a. stored safely at the work site until work is completed
    Y b. returned to the paint locker after each use
    N c. covered at all times to protect from ignition sources
    N d. stored in a suitable gear locker

9551: When the height of the metacenter is less than the height of the center of gravity, a vessel has which type of stability?

    N a. Stable
    N b. Neutral
    Y c. Unstable
    N d. Positive