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.


66: The galley on your cargo vessel has an area of 2,900 square feet. What will fulfill the requirements for fire protection?


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)


259: What does NOT affect the value of the free surface correction?


283: Spreading oil on the open sea has the effect of __________.

    N a. diminishing the height of the seas
    N b. lengthening the distance between successive crests
    N c. increasing the height of the seas
    Y d. preventing the wave crests from breaking

548: A shipmate chokes suddenly, cannot speak, and starts to turn blue. You should __________.

    Y a. perform the Heimlich maneuver
    N b. make the victim lie down with the feet elevated to get blood to the brain
    N c. immediately administer CPR
    N d. do nothing until the victim becomes unconscious

621: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine about to surface because of an emergency on board is __________.

    N a. white
    N b. green
    N c. yellow
    Y d. red

818: A fire in a transformer terminal would be classified as class __________.

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

825: ABYC equipment standards are published by the __________.

    N a. Association of Boat and Yacht Classifiers
    Y b. American Boat and Yacht Council
    N c. American Boat and Yacht Convention 1991
    N d. American Boat and Yacht Club

1023: Providing you are not in a special area, such as the Mediterranean or Red Sea, how many nautical miles from land must you be to throw packing materials that will float into the sea?

    N a. 3 nm
    N b. 6 nm
    N c. 12 nm
    Y d. 25 nm

1137: One gallon of low expansion foam solution will produce about __________.

    Y a. 10 gallons of foam
    N b. 25 gallons of foam
    N c. 100 gallons of foam
    N d. 500 gallons of foam

1257: Providing you are not sailing in the Red Sea or another special area as listed in ANNEX V of MARPOL, how many miles from land must you be to throw garbage including bottles, rags, and glass that has not been ground up into the sea?

    N a. 3 nm
    N b. 6 nm
    Y c. 12 nm
    N d. 25 nm

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

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

1488: When compared to a high-expansion foam, a low-expansion foam will __________.

    N a. be dryer
    N b. be lighter
    Y c. be more heat resistant
    N d. cling to vertical surfaces

1564: Which action is routinely performed at the annual servicing and inspection of a dry-chemical cartridge-operated portable fire extinguisher?

    Y a. Insure the chemical is powdery.
    N b. Replace the cartridge.
    N c. Pressure test the discharge hose.
    N d. Test the pressure gauge for proper operation.

1571: A Halon 1301 cylinder is periodically tested for weight loss and pressure loss. It must be recharged if it has lost more than what minimum percentage of its weight?

    N a. 3%
    Y b. 5%
    N c. 10%
    N d. 15%

1633: The SS NORTHLAND is loaded to drafts: FWD 18'-07", AFT 19'-05". The KG is 33.6 feet. Use the salmon pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if #6 starboard tank is fully loaded with 1624 tons of salt water ballast (VCG is 36.5 feet off the centerline).

    N a. 4.0°
    Y b. 7.1°
    N c. 8.0°
    N d. 9.5°

1699: On small sailing vessels, the PRIMARY reason for using nylon in a combination chain-nylon anchor line is to __________.

    Y a. provide elasticity
    N b. increase the strength
    N c. reduce the cost
    N d. reduce the weight

1867: Under the Pollution Regulations, when you dump garbage in to the sea you must __________.

    N a. notify the U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. make an entry in the Official Logbook
    Y c. keep a record for two years
    N d. No action is required if you are more than 25 miles from land and no plastic materials are dumped.

1929: Which statement concerning homing signals in the GMDSS is FALSE?

    N a. A homing signal provides a bearing for rescue personnel to follow to the signal's SOURCE.
    Y b. A homing signal is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.
    N c. A homing signal cannot be detected by a GPS receiver.
    N d. A homing signal may be transmitted by equipment attached to the survival craft.

1937: On offshore drilling units, a fire drill must be conducted at least once a __________.

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

1997: Vessels to which Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 applies may discharge garbage containing plastics __________.

    N a. 5 nautical miles from nearest land
    N b. 12 nautical miles from nearest land
    N c. 25 nautical miles from nearest land
    Y d. None of the above

2141: How often is a drill on the use of the line throwing appliance required to be held on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. Once a month
    N b. Once a year
    N c. Once a week
    Y d. Once every three months

2256: 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-0054

    N a. Available GM 6.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 5.4 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.1 ft
    Y d. Available GM 3.6 ft

2281: When retrieving the survival craft, the winch operator should stop the winch and check __________.

    N a. that all personnel are seated in the craft
    Y b. that the cable has not jumped any grooves on the drum
    N c. which way the wind is blowing
    N d. the hydraulic fluid level before lifting

2307: Why does a centrifugal bilge pump require priming?

    N a. To lubricate shaft seals
    Y b. Lack of ability to lift water level to impellers
    N c. Head pressure must equal discharge pressure
    N d. To overcome resistance of water in the discharge line

2373: An uncontrolled flow of gas, oil, or other well fluids into the atmosphere is called a __________.

    N a. flow
    N b. breakout
    N c. kick
    Y d. blowout

2616: According to the Chemical Data Guide, the flash point for motor gasoline is __________.

    Y a. -40°F
    N b. 100°C
    N c. 199°C
    N d. 495°F

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

2661: When the longitudinal strength members of a MODU are continuous and closely spaced, the vessel is __________.

    N a. transversely framed
    Y b. longitudinally framed
    N c. intermittently framed
    N d. web framed

2875: The symbol 5 as shown represents __________. (D041DG )

    N a. displacement
    N b. leverage center
    Y c. centerline
    N d. counterflood limits

2968: Air-cooled radiators for gasoline propulsion engine cooling __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. must be approved for marine use
    N b. must have a double fan installation
    N c. must be filled with fresh water
    Y d. are permitted on vessels less than 65 feet carrying not more than 12 passengers

2982: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 11'-01", AFT 15'-01". 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-0091

    N a. 1.20 feet
    N b. 0.92 foot
    Y c. 0.73 foot
    N d. 0.61 foot

3124: On a life float or buoyant apparatus, the life line is __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. secured around the sides and ends in bights of not longer than three feet
    N b. woven into a net and secured in the center of the float
    N c. used for securing unconscious persons to the sides
    N d. the lanyard for securing provisions

3147: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers severe damage to the starboard forward column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1S
    N b. 8S
    N c. 2P
    Y d. 1S

3164: When discharging cargo from a tank barge, in which case may the cargo pass through or over the towing vessel?

    N a. With permission from the person in charge of the towing vessel
    N b. With permission from the person in charge of the shore facility
    N c. When off-loading grade C cargo
    Y d. In no case

3182: What is the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers required on board a 45-foot motorboat having a fixed fire system on board? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 1 B-I
    Y b. 2 B-I
    N c. 3 B-I
    N d. 4 B-I

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

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

3280: Which type of fire extinguishers are permitted on inspected vessels? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. Foam
    N b. Carbon dioxide
    N c. Dry chemical
    Y d. All of the above

3694: When administering artificial respiration, it is MOST important to __________.

    N a. monitor blood pressure
    Y b. clear airways
    N c. use the rhythmic pressure method
    N d. know all approved methods

3696: The equipment required to remove an on-deck oil spill on a barge transferring oil must either be carried on board or __________.

    N a. on a tug standing by
    Y b. available by contract with the shore facility
    N c. kept at the shoreside hose connection during transfer
    N d. kept in a protected shoreside location readily accessible

3735: Which procedure should be followed when individuals are rescued in cold climates and suffer from hypothermia?

    N a. Give them brandy or other alcoholic stimulation to promote a return to normal body temperature.
    Y b. Move them to a warm room to gradually raise their body temperature.
    N c. Keep them moving to stimulate circulation to raise their body temperature.
    N d. Immerse them in a hot bath to rapidly raise their body temperature.

3759: Seasickness is caused by rolling or rocking motions which affect fluids in the __________.

    N a. stomach
    N b. lower intestines
    Y c. inner ear
    N d. bladder

3867: Each OSV must carry __________.

    N a. one category I 406 Mhz satellite EPIRB
    N b. at least one life buoy on each side of the vessel fitted with a buoyant life line
    N c. at least 12 rocket parachute flares
    Y d. All of the above

3995: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of vertical moments for the Stores & Supplies if paint weighing 3.48 tons is added to the paint locker?

    Y a. 13,346 foot-tons
    N b. 5,054 foot-tons
    N c. 964 foot-tons
    N d. 292 foot-tons

4000: On a rigid liferaft (SOLAS B pack) which is equipped with all of the required equipment you may NOT find a __________.

    N a. bailer
    N b. sponge
    N c. whistle
    Y d. fishing kit

4052: The test of a towing vessel's steering gear control system includes each item EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. a test from the alternative power supply, if installed
    Y b. timing the movement of the rudder from hard over to hard over
    N c. verification that the rudder angle indicator shows the actual position of the rudder(s)
    N d. visual inspection of the steering linkage

4202: Your vessel is floating in water of density 1010. The fresh water allowance is 8 inches. How far below her marks may she be loaded so as to float at her mark in saltwater of density 1025?

    N a. 3.2 inches
    Y b. 4.8 inches
    N c. 6.4 inches
    N d. 8.0 inches

5035: When would a jack-up drilling rig be considered "underway" under the International Rules of the Road?

    Y a. When it is being towed to a new location
    N b. When it is elevated and taking on preload
    N c. When it is elevated and engaged in drilling
    N d. When it is moored to a dock in the shipyard

5447: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected inclination to starboard and forward. Strong winds and high waves are from the port quarter. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 3 or 4
    Y b. failure of mooring lines 7 or 8
    N c. leak in ballast tank #2S
    N d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 1S

5483: The idler sheave which directs and turns the anchor cable from a semisubmersible is known as the __________.

    Y a. swivel fairlead
    N b. windlass wildcat
    N c. chain stopper
    N d. chain director

5493: The American Petroleum Institute recommends that connecting links and anchor shackles be inspected using __________.

    N a. visual examinations
    Y b. magnetic particle inspection
    N c. dye penetrant inspection
    N d. x-ray inspection

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

7097: What is a convenient and effective system of examining the body of an injury victim?

    Y a. Check the corresponding (left versus right) parts of the body.
    N b. Watch the patient's eyes as you probe parts of the body.
    N c. Look for discoloration of the patient's skin.
    N d. Look for uncontrolled vibration or twitching of parts of the body.

7341: If you know that the vessel you are about to call on the VHF radio maintains a radio watch on both the working and the calling frequencies, which frequency should you call on?

    N a. Calling frequency
    N b. Distress frequency
    N c. Urgency frequency
    Y d. Working frequency

7393: When a davit-launched raft is lowered from a MODU, upon becoming waterborne, the raft is released by __________.

    N a. activating the release lock of the hook
    N b. pulling smartly on the knobbed cocking lanyard
    Y c. the effects of buoyancy removing the weight of the raft from the hook
    N d. releasing the boarding flap and the bowsing lines

8053: At a speed of 6 knots the fuel aboard a survival craft should last __________.

    N a. 8 hours
    N b. 12 hours
    Y c. 24 hours
    N d. 48 hours

8093: What is the displacement of the DEEP DRILLER with a draft of 19.5 feet in fresh water?

    Y a. 11,932.8 long tons
    N b. 12,232.8 long tons
    N c. 12,602.9 long tons
    N d. 18,919.8 long tons

8187: The maximum variable load for the COASTAL DRILLER while elevated in a severe storm is __________.

    Y a. 2,381 kips
    N b. 3,381 kips
    N c. 7,099 kips
    N d. 21,297 kips

9553: When the height of the metacenter is greater than the height of the center of gravity, a vessel is in __________.

    Y a. stable equilibrium
    N b. neutral equilibrium
    N c. unstable equilibrium
    N d. negative equilibrium