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.


2: An airplane wants a vessel to change course and proceed towards a vessel in distress. The actions of the aircraft to convey this message will NOT include __________.


30: Transverse stability calculations require the use of __________.


153: If you reach shore in a liferaft, the first thing to do is __________.


222: On surface type offshore drilling units, each survival craft must be capable of being launched to the water at the minimum operating draft, under unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than __________.

    N a. 14°
    Y b. 20°
    N c. 26°
    N d. 32°

390: A tank which carries liquid is dangerous to the stability of a vessel when it is __________.

    N a. low in the vessel
    N b. completely empty
    N c. completely full
    Y d. slack

503: Your vessel has lifeboats on both sides. Lifeboat No. 2 is located __________.

    N a. forward of lifeboat No. 4 on the starboard side
    Y b. forward of lifeboat No. 4 on the port side
    N c. aft of lifeboat No. 1 on the starboard side
    N d. All of the above

512: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 28'-08", AFT 29'-05". Cargo was loaded and discharged as shown. Use sheet 2 in the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts. ST-0012

    N a. FWD 28'-10", AFT 29'-04"
    Y b. FWD 29'-02", AFT 29'-07"
    N c. FWD 29'-04", AFT 29'-04"
    N d. FWD 29'-05", AFT 29'-08"

671: When signaling a course using the International Code of Signals, the signal __________.

    N a. must be followed by "T", "M" or "C" to indicate if it is true, magnetic or compass
    N b. should be preceded by the letters CSE
    N c. should include the compass deviation if a compass course is signaled
    Y d. always indicates a true course unless indicated otherwise in the message

681: Size III, IV, and V extinguishers are considered __________.

    N a. hand portable
    N b. all purpose
    N c. fixed extinguishers
    Y d. semi-portable

827: A small passenger vessel's Official Number must be marked___________.

    N a. in block type Arabic numerals not less than 3 inches high
    N b. or mounted so that any alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious
    N c. on some clearly visible interior structural hull part
    Y d. All of the above

1097: Foam extinguishes a fire by __________.

    Y a. shutting off the air supply
    N b. cooling the fuel to below ignition temperature
    N c. dispersing the fuel
    N d. removing the source of ignition

1105: In launching a lifeboat, when should the tricing pendants be released?

    N a. Before the boat is lowered from the stowage position
    N b. As soon as the boat-fall blocks clear the davit head
    N c. After the limit switch is activated
    Y d. After all people have been embarked

1147: In addition to a portable hand-operated bilge pump, a 55 foot long ferry must have a fixed power operated bilge pump capable of pumping at least __________.

    N a. 5 GPM
    N b. 10 GPM
    Y c. 25 GPM
    N d. 50 GPM

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

1519: All oil spills must be reported to the __________.

    N a. U.S. Corps of Engineers
    Y b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. local police
    N d. local fire department

1835: On surface type offshore drilling units, each survival craft must be capable of being launched to the water at the minimum operating draft, under unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than __________.

    N a. 16°
    Y b. 20°
    N c. 24°
    N d. 30°

2028: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-01", AFT 6'-10". 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 11 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

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

2072: By regulation, cargo tank atmosphere must be inert before and during which operation?

    N a. stripping
    N b. topping off
    N c. gravitating
    Y d. All of the above

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

2150: You have approximately 6 tons of fish on deck. What will be the shift in the center of gravity after you shift the fish to the fish hold, a vertical distance of 7 feet? (total displacement is 422 tons)

    Y a. 0.1 foot
    N b. 0.3 foot
    N c. 0.5 foot
    N d. 0.9 foot

2168: When a vessel is stationary and in a hogging condition, the main deck is under which type of stress?

    N a. compression
    Y b. tension
    N c. shear
    N d. racking

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

2273: During an abandonment or drill, the first person to arrive at the survival craft should __________.

    N a. pass out food and water to personnel
    N b. open the doors and start the sprinkler system
    N c. activate the emergency release handle
    Y d. open the doors and prepare the craft for boarding

2323: Why is electrical power preferred over mechanical power for driving heavy machinery on drilling rigs?

    N a. More fuel efficient
    Y b. More flexible
    N c. Lighter
    N d. Less maintenance

2520: According to the Chemical Data Guide, which material is not compatible with vinylidene chloride (inhibited)?

    N a. Aluminum
    N b. Nickel
    Y c. Copper or copper alloys
    N d. Stainless steel

2527: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0070

    N a. 1171.5 tons
    N b. 1311.0 tons
    Y c. 1503.0 tons
    N d. 1710.5 tons

2658: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    N a. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N b. also turns to starboard
    N c. turns counterclockwise to port
    Y d. remains aligned with compass north

2737: During jacking operations and transit, empty void spaces in the hull of a jack up MODU provide __________.

    Y a. buoyancy
    N b. extra storage space
    N c. additional tank capacity
    N d. reduced stability

2849: A vessel would be referred to as "stiff" when the weight of the cargo is __________.

    N a. evenly distributed vertically and the double bottoms are full
    N b. concentrated low and the double bottoms are empty
    Y c. concentrated low and the double bottoms are full
    N d. concentrated high and the double bottoms are empty

3082: On vessels subject to the provisions of 46 CFR Subchapter T, life jackets shall be __________.

    N a. kept locked up at all times when underway
    Y b. stored in convenient places throughout the accommodation spaces
    N c. inaccessible to passengers
    N d. on the topmost deck of the vessel at all times

3333: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 18'-06", AFT 21'-10". Cargo was loaded and discharged as indicated. Use sheet 2 in the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts. ST-0123

    N a. FWD 18'-06", AFT 21'-06"
    Y b. FWD 18'-08", AFT 21'-04"
    N c. FWD 18'-10", AFT 21'-02"
    N d. FWD 19'-00", AFT 21'-00"

3351: In good weather, you should deploy the sea anchor from the liferaft to __________.

    N a. keep the liferaft from capsizing
    N b. navigate against the current
    N c. keep personnel from getting seasick
    Y d. stay in the general location

3361: The moment created by a force of 12,000 tons and a moment arm of 0.25 foot is __________.

    N a. 48,000 ft-tons
    N b. 6,000 ft-tons
    Y c. 3,000 ft-tons
    N d. 0 ft-tons

3526: A message by flashing light consists of the call, the text, the ending, and the __________.

    Y a. identity
    N b. time of origin
    N c. reply
    N d. procedure code

3536: There are two disadvantages to CO2 as a firefighting agent. One of these is the limited quantity available, and the other is __________.

    Y a. the lack of cooling effect on heated materials
    N b. that it cannot be used in a dead ship situation with no electrical power to the CO2 pump
    N c. that it breaks down under extreme heat to form poisonous gases
    N d. there is no effect on a class A fire even in an enclosed space

3598: If you have to abandon ship, the EPIRB can be used to __________.

    N a. hold the survival craft's head up into the seas
    N b. generate orange smoke
    N c. seal leaks in rubber rafts
    Y d. send radio homing signals to searching aircraft

3760: Symptoms of sea sickness include __________.

    N a. fever and thirst
    Y b. nausea and dizziness
    N c. stomach cramps and diarrhea
    N d. reddening of skin and hives

4013: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 40,301 foot-long tons, TM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the KG corrected for longitudinal free surface effects?

    N a. 53.78 feet
    N b. 54.82 feet
    Y c. 55.47 feet
    N d. 56.01 feet

4043: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new GML?

    N a. 5.98 feet
    N b. 6.48 feet
    Y c. 6.84 feet
    N d. 7.11 feet

4247: The maximum combined drilling load for the COASTAL DRILLER consisting of the combined hook, rotary, setback, and conductor tension, shall not exceed __________.

    N a. 450 kips
    N b. 500 kips
    N c. 750 kips
    Y d. 1000 kips

4337: The COASTAL DRILLER, following discharge of preload, should __________.

    N a. leave dump valves open
    Y b. close all dump valves
    N c. remove dump valves
    N d. replace dump valves

4363: Scouring is the result of __________.

    Y a. interruption of the normal current flow by the footing
    N b. elevating in mud-slide zones
    N c. penetrating rapidly through a hard crust into weaker soils
    N d. extracting legs from soils with high cohesion

4513: When the COASTAL DRILLER is level at a draft of 10.5 feet, what is the value of the LCG?

    N a. 00.0 feet
    N b. 111.35 feet
    Y c. 119.44 feet
    N d. 120.59 feet

4572: You are underway at sea. A fire is reported in the forward part of the vessel. The wind is from dead ahead at 20 knots. You should __________.

    N a. remain on course and hold speed
    Y b. change course and put the stern to the wind
    N c. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed
    N d. remain on course but decrease speed

4574: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 4824 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 277.45 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0164

    N a. LCG-FP 267.7 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 268.4 feet
    Y c. LCG-FP 269.2 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 270.6 feet

4705: What is the weight of 100 barrels of 17 pound per gallon drilling mud?

    N a. 24.9 kips
    N b. 41.5 kips
    Y c. 71.4 kips
    N d. 93.0 kips

4764: You are scheduled to load 3700 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 427 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in salt water.

    N a. 17'-01"
    Y b. 17'-05"
    N c. 17'-10"
    N d. 18'-00"

5477: Standards for fabrication and testing of chain on mobile offshore drilling units are provided by the __________.

    N a. Department of the Interior
    N b. U.S. Coast Guard
    N c. Minerals Management Service
    Y d. American Petroleum Institute

5513: A link on an anchor chain should be replaced when wear or grinding of surface cracks has reduced the cross section area by __________.

    N a. 4%
    N b. 6%
    N c. 8%
    Y d. 10%

5715: What can cause a lack of oxygen in a chain locker?

    N a. Absorption
    N b. Osmosis
    N c. Evaporation
    Y d. Oxidation

6106: 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-0192

    N a. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N b. Available GM 4.7 ft
    N c. Available GM 5.1 ft
    Y d. Available GM 5.5 ft

6507: Especially in adverse weather, risk of collision with an offshore supply vessel increases when the vessel is moored to what side of the unit?

    Y a. Upwind
    N b. Downwind
    N c. Crosswind
    N d. Downcurrent

6623: Each hose in the fuel transfer system for helicopter refueling must have a __________.

    Y a. static grounding device
    N b. quick-disconnect nozzle
    N c. splash guard
    N d. vapor recovery system

6797: Where must you record the date of each emergency training drill conducted on a MODU?

    Y a. In the logbook
    N b. In the Operations Manual
    N c. On the Certificate of Inspection
    N d. On the muster list

7047: What are symptom(s) of a ruptured appendix?

    N a. Dilated pupils and shallow breathing
    N b. Diarrhea and frequent urination
    Y c. Muscle tenseness in almost the entire abdomen
    N d. Extreme sweating and reddening skin

7583: Stability is determined by the relationship of the center of gravity and the __________.

    N a. water depth
    N b. keel
    N c. center of flotation
    Y d. center of buoyancy

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

8357: What is the principle behind dynamic braking as used on an anchor windlass?

    Y a. Electrical loading
    N b. Mechanical distribution
    N c. Compressibility of air
    N d. Mechanical friction

8777: On a MODU, an obvious indicator of lost circulation of drilling fluid is __________.

    N a. fluid level in the mud pits increases rapidly
    Y b. fluid level in the mud pits decreases rapidly
    N c. increased cuttings on the shale shaker
    N d. decreased cuttings on the shale shaker

9391: Once you have established the daily ration of drinking water in a survival situation, how should you drink it?

    N a. Small sips at regular intervals during the day
    N b. The complete daily ration at one time during the day
    Y c. One-third the daily ration three times daily
    N d. Small sips only after sunset