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.


65: The most serious effect of trapped air in a diesel engine jacket water cooling system is that it __________.


80: What represents the metacentric height? (D001SA )


148: First aid treatment for small cuts and open wounds is to __________.


300: In the small passenger vessel regulations a coastwise route is defined as one that is __________.

    N a. not more than 50 statute miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico
    N b. on ocean waters more than 200 nautical miles from shore in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. not more than 20 statute miles from the nearest safe harbor in the Pacific Ocean
    Y d. not more than 20 nautical miles offshore in the ocean

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?

    N a. 2.30 feet
    N b. 2.43 feet
    N c. 2.48 feet
    Y d. 2.57 feet

565: Small oil spills on deck can be kept from going overboard by __________.

    N a. driving wooden plugs into the vents
    N b. closing the lids on the vents
    Y c. plugging the scuppers
    N d. plugging the sounding pipes

663: Stretchers are fitted in lifeboats to provide a __________.

    N a. place for people to lie down
    N b. means for rigging the sail
    Y c. place for rowers to brace their feet
    N d. suitable means for water to drain below the footings

714: A Coast Guard radiotelephone message about an aid to navigation that is off station is preceded by the word __________.

    N a. "PAN-PAN"
    N b. "MAYDAY"
    N c. "SOS"
    Y d. "SECURITY"

735: You are fueling your vessel when you notice oil in the water around your vessel. You should immediately stop fueling and __________.

    N a. begin cleanup operations
    Y b. notify the U. S. Coast Guard
    N c. leave the area
    N d. notify the Corps of Engineers

780: The change in trim of a vessel may be found by __________.

    Y a. dividing the trim moments by MT1
    N b. subtracting the LCF from the LCB
    N c. looking at the Hydrostatic Properties Table for the draft of the vessel
    N d. dividing longitudinal moments by the displacement

830: Your vessel has a midships engine room and the cargo is concentrated in the end holds. The vessel is __________.

    N a. sagging with tensile stress on main deck
    N b. sagging with compressive stress on main deck
    Y c. hogging with tensile stress on main deck
    N d. hogging with compressive stress on main deck

836: What size bilge pump is required for a lifeboat which has a capacity of 675 cubic feet?

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

927: The extinguishing agent most effective for combating wood fires is __________.

    Y a. water
    N b. carbon dioxide
    N c. foam
    N d. dry chemical

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

1130: What is the purpose of the limit switch on gravity davits?

    N a. To cut off the power when the davits hit the track safety stops
    N b. To stop the davits from going too fast
    Y c. To cut off the power when the davits are about 12 inches or more from the track safety stops
    N d. None of the above

1302: A class B fire is most successfully fought by __________.

    Y a. preventing oxygen from reaching the burning material
    N b. cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature
    N c. using the extinguishing agent to make the burning material fire-resistant
    N d. using the extinguishing agent to absorb the heat

1313: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 3224 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 29.8 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-0035

    N a. KG 27.2 feet
    N b. KG 27.8 feet
    N c. KG 28.4 feet
    Y d. KG 29.0 feet

1329: The sprinkler system of an enclosed lifeboat is used to __________.

    Y a. cool the craft in a fire
    N b. cool the engine
    N c. spray oil on the sea to calm it
    N d. spray personnel during a fire

1336: A feature of an inflatable raft which helps keep people stationary in rough weather is __________.

    N a. lashings on the floor of the raft for the passenger's feet
    N b. straps from the overhead
    Y c. lifelines on the inside of the raft
    N d. ridges in the floor of the raft

1357: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is partially loaded with a GM of 2.9 feet and drafts of: FWD 17'-10", AFT 19'-04". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine what tanks you should ballast to increase the GM to 3.9 feet.

    Y a. Tanks: DB4, DT6
    N b. Tanks: DB3, DB5, DT8
    N c. Tanks: DB6, DT7
    N d. Tanks: DB2, DT1, DT6

1377: On a vessel of 34,000 tons displacement, a tank 80 ft. long, 60 ft. wide and 30 ft. deep is half filled with fresh water (SG 1.000) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (SG 1.026). What is the free surface constant for this tank?

    N a. 2661
    N b. 2819
    Y c. 40100
    N d. 42213

1391: Halon extinguishes fire primarily by __________.

    N a. cooling
    N b. smothering
    N c. shielding of radiant heat
    Y d. breaking the chain reaction

1479: If your vessel is aground at the bow, it would be preferable that any weight removals be made from the __________.

    Y a. bow
    N b. mid-section
    N c. stern
    N d. All of the above

1497: While operating off Panama a seaman is injured. What indicator should be included in the preamble of a radio telegram requesting medical advice from a Panamanian station?

    N a. RADIO MEDICAL
    Y b. DH MEDICO
    N c. XXX
    N d. MEDRAD

1882: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 260° relative would be __________.

    N a. on a close reach
    Y b. on a broad reach
    N c. on a starboard tack
    N d. running before the wind

2065: By regulation, cargo tank atmosphere must be inert before and during which operation?

    N a. crude oil washing
    N b. topping off
    N c. stripping
    Y d. All of the above

2204: Which communications functions must all vessels be capable of performing under GMDSS as defined by the International Maritime Organization?

    N a. Radio direction finding
    Y b. Distress alerting to and from vessels, search and rescue coordination, on-scene communications, signals for locating, Maritime Safety Information, general and bridge-to-bridge communications.
    N c. Communications in each of the operational ocean areas
    N d. All communications possible within the International Safety-NET service

2280: A vessel displaces 140,000 cubic feet of saltwater in a light condition. After loading 7500 tons of cargo and 200 tons of fuel, water and stores, she is "full and down". The vessel's light displacement is __________.

    N a. 3000 tons
    N b. 3500 tons
    Y c. 4000 tons
    N d. 4500 tons

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

2468: What is NOT classified as a flammable liquid?

    N a. Methyl alcohol
    N b. Heptane
    Y c. Mineral spirits
    N d. iso-Hexane

2651: Load line regulations are designed to insure that a MODU has adequate structural strength and sufficient __________.

    N a. lifesaving equipment
    Y b. stability
    N c. mooring tension
    N d. riser tension

2734: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-07", AFT 16'-09"; and the KG is 24.8 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 15° inclination.

    Y a. 0.7 foot
    N b. 1.2 feet
    N c. 1.9 feet
    N d. 4.8 feet

2815: A vessel heading WNW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 270.0°
    Y b. 292.5°
    N c. 315.0°
    N d. 337.5°

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

2970: An immersion suit must be equipped with a/an __________.

    N a. air bottle for breathing
    N b. orange smoke canister
    Y c. whistle, light and retroreflective material
    N d. sea dye marker

3154: How many escape routes must normally exist from all general areas accessible to the passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. Two
    N b. Three
    N c. Four
    N d. Five

3163: A continual worsening of the list or trim of any floating MODU indicates __________.

    N a. negative GM
    Y b. progressive flooding
    N c. structural failure
    N d. an immediate need to counterflood

3170: What would be an example of a B-I extinguisher? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 2.5 gallon foam
    N b. 10 pound carbon dioxide
    Y c. 2 pound dry chemical
    N d. 5 pound foam

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

3309: The exhaust pipe must be gas tight throughout its entire length otherwise __________.

    N a. bilge water may enter the exhaust pipe
    N b. entry of air may cause vapor lock
    Y c. carbon monoxide may enter the interior of the vessel
    N d. the joint gaskets may be blown

3406: After having thrown the liferaft and stowage container into the water, the liferaft is inflated by __________.

    Y a. pulling on the painter line
    N b. forcing open the container which operates the CO2
    N c. hitting the hydrostatic release
    N d. using the hand pump provided

3513: The lightweight transverse free surface moments for the DEEP DRILLER are __________.

    N a. 680,914 ft-long tons
    Y b. 000 ft-long tons
    N c. -5,937 ft-long tons
    N d. -6,716 ft-long tons

3641: Signaling devices required on inflatable liferafts include a(n) __________.

    N a. Very pistol
    Y b. orange smoke signal
    N c. air horn
    N d. lantern

3684: The rescuer can best provide an airtight seal during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by pinching the victim's nostrils and __________.

    N a. cupping a hand around the patient's mouth
    N b. keeping the head elevated
    Y c. applying his mouth tightly over the victim's mouth
    N d. holding the jaw down firmly

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

4785: What should you do with your emergency position indicating radio beacon if you are in a liferaft in a storm?

    Y a. Bring it inside the liferaft and leave it on.
    N b. Bring it inside the liferaft and turn it off until the storm passes.
    N c. Leave it outside the liferaft and leave it on.
    N d. Leave it outside the liferaft but turn it off.

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

5097: To have the ultimate authority for a mobile offshore drilling unit while it is under tow, a rig mover must __________.

    N a. hold an Able Seaman certificate and be designated as the person in charge of the rig
    Y b. hold a license as Offshore Installation Manager and be held as the person in charge of the rig
    N c. be certified by an approved classification society and be designated as the person in charge of the rig
    N d. be certified by the Minerals Management Service and be designated as the person in charge of the rig

5691: In a storm, the windward lines of a MODU's mooring system provide __________.

    N a. a positive righting moment
    N b. an increase in KM
    N c. a negative restoring force
    Y d. a positive restoring force

5917: What must be located on the discharge side of the pump in a fire main system?

    Y a. Pressure gauge
    N b. Strainer
    N c. Reduction valve
    N d. International shore connection

6067: On offshore drilling units fitted with fixed CO2 systems, the system must discharge at least 85 percent of the required amount of CO2 within __________.

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

6305: When dragging of an anchor occurs, you must back it up with a piggyback (backing) anchor or __________.

    N a. reduce the riser tension
    Y b. reposition it at a greater range
    N c. change the winch
    N d. change the anchor heading

6492: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has drafts of: FWD 16'-10", AFT 19'-04". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts if you ballast the forepeak with 73 tons of seawater.

    Y a. FWD 17'-05.8", AFT 18'-10.9"
    N b. FWD 17'-06.2", AFT 18'-10.4"
    N c. FWD 17'-06.8", AFT 18'-09.8"
    N d. FWD 17'-07.4", AFT 18'-09.2"

6705: The immersion suit requirements for MODU's apply to units operating in the Atlantic Ocean above __________.

    N a. 20°North and below 20°South
    N b. 25°North and below 25°South
    N c. 30°North and below 30°South
    Y d. 32°North and below 32°South

6855: The Master or person in charge of a MODU shall ensure the crane record book shows the __________.

    Y a. date and description of each failure
    N b. average load in pounds for each usage
    N c. total number of lifts for each usage
    N d. All of the above

8151: Laying down drill pipe from the derrick of a semisubmersible on location reduces the __________.

    Y a. natural roll period
    N b. metacentric height
    N c. waterplane area
    N d. righting moment

8493: What is the value of KML for the DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60 feet?

    N a. 59.63 feet
    N b. 60.16 feet
    N c. 61.68 feet
    Y d. 61.13 feet

8521: The COASTAL DRILLER, while drilling, has a total weight of 15,435 kips. The LM are 1,975,680 ft-kips and the TM are -15,435 ft-kips. What is the bow leg reaction?

    Y a. 4,060 kips
    N b. 5,145 kips
    N c. 5,559 kips
    N d. 5,816 kips

8523: The COASTAL DRILLER, while drilling has a total weight of 15,435 kips. The LM are 1,975,680 ft-kips and the TM are -15,435 ft-kips. What is the starboard leg reaction?

    N a. 4,060 kips
    N b. 5,145 kips
    Y c. 5,559 kips
    N d. 5,816 kips

8781: To determine the number of certificated Lifeboatmen required on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. load line certificate
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Operations Manual