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.


26: The galley on your cargo vessel has an area of 2,500 square feet. What would fulfill the minimum requirements for fire protection?


125: Addition of weight to a vessel will ALWAYS __________.


178: Bleeding from a vein may be ordinarily controlled by __________.


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

    N a. Width of the tank
    N b. Length of the tank
    Y c. Registered tonnage
    N d. Specific gravity of the liquid in the tank

447: According to the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act", what is NOT required in the radiotelephone log?

    N a. Distress and alarm signals transmitted or intercepted
    N b. Times of beginning and end of watch period
    Y c. Routine navigational traffic
    N d. Daily statement about the condition of the required radiotelephone equipment

516: Which toxic gas is a product of incomplete combustion, and is often present when a fire burns in a closed compartment?

    N a. Carbon dioxide
    N b. Hydrogen sulfide
    Y c. Carbon monoxide
    N d. Nitric oxide

527: The VHF radiotelephone frequency designated to be used only to transmit or receive information pertaining to the safe navigation of a vessel is __________.

    N a. 156.8 MHz (channel 16)
    N b. 156.7 MHz (channel 14)
    Y c. 156.65 MHz (channel 13)
    N d. 156.6 MHz (channel 12)

528: If a person gets something in his or her eye and you see that it is not embedded, you can __________.

    N a. get them to rub their eye until the object is gone
    N b. remove it with a match or toothpick
    N c. remove it with a piece of dry sterile cotton
    Y d. remove it with a moist, cotton-tipped applicator

560: On small passenger vessels each inlet or discharge pipe penetrating the hull less than six inches above the deepest load waterline __________.

    N a. must have a check valve to prevent water from entering
    Y b. except for engine exhausts must have a means to prevent water from entering the vessel if the pipe fails
    N c. must be fitted with a gate valve
    N d. must be sealed

713: Preventer bars are fitted on lifeboat releasing gear to prevent __________.

    N a. the falls from unhooking if the releasing gear is operated accidentally
    N b. operation of the release lever until the boat is waterborne
    N c. the falls from rehooking after they have been released
    Y d. accidental unhooking when the falls become slack

755: While your vessel is taking on fuel you notice oil on the water around the vessel. What should you do FIRST?

    Y a. Stop the fueling.
    N b. Notify the Coast Guard.
    N c. Notify the terminal superintendent.
    N d. Determine the source of the oil.

786: Which statement is TRUE concerning distress signals in a lifeboat?

    Y a. Hand held flares and orange smoke signals are required.
    N b. If hand-held rocket-propelled parachute flares are provided, they are the only distress signals required.
    N c. Two hand-held smoke signals shall be provided.
    N d. A Very pistol with twelve flares is required.

844: If a crew member that was ill has died, which code should your message contain?

    N a. MPO
    Y b. MPR
    N c. MPK
    N d. MPJ

959: You are on a supply run to an offshore drilling rig. On board is the cargo listed. What is the height above the main deck of the center of gravity of the cargo? ST-0020

    N a. 2.32 feet
    N b. 2.21 feet
    Y c. 1.97 feet
    N d. 1.76 feet

1042: Which danger exists to people when CO2 is discharged into a small enclosed space?

    N a. Damaged eardrums
    N b. Electric shock
    N c. Frostbite
    Y d. Respiratory arrest

1144: Aboard a 60 foot long small passenger vessel (other than a ferry) which is certificated to carry 33 persons, the minimum capacity required per bilge pump is __________.

    Y a. 10 gallons per minute
    N b. 19 gallons per minute
    N c. 38 gallons per minute
    N d. 50 gallons per minute

1178: The lowest temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion of a substance independent of any outside source of ignition is called __________.

    N a. explosive range
    N b. flash point
    Y c. ignition temperature
    N d. combustion temperature

1182: An oxygen indicator can be used to determine if there is __________.

    Y a. sufficient oxygen in a compartment to support life
    N b. combustible gases present
    N c. hydrogen gas present
    N d. All of the above

1224: In order to retrieve an inflatable liferaft and place it on deck, you should heave on the __________.

    N a. lifelines
    N b. righting strap
    N c. sea anchor
    Y d. towing bridle

1562: Drinking salt water will __________.

    N a. protect against heat camps
    N b. prevent seasickness
    N c. be safe if mixed with fresh water
    Y d. dehydrate you

1713: Line throwing equipment should NOT be operated __________.

    N a. during a rain storm
    Y b. in an explosive atmosphere
    N c. near a liferaft canister
    N d. by other than licensed officers

1830: Your voyage planning indicates you will arrive at a waypoint in longitude 149°16.3'E at 0947 ZT on 3 March 1988. How should this date be entered into an AMVER report?

    N a. 030947K MAR
    N b. 094703K
    Y c. 022347Z
    N d. 234703Z

1845: What is the minimum number of hand held, rocket propelled, parachute, red flare, distress signals required on board offshore drilling units?

    N a. 4
    N b. 8
    Y c. 12
    N d. 16

1848: Your vessel displaces 477 tons and measures 116'L x 31'B. You ship a large wave on the after deck. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface before the water drains overboard, if the after deck measures 54'L x 31'B and the weight of the water is 51.5 tons?

    N a. 6.43 feet
    N b. 6.75 feet
    N c. 6.99 feet
    Y d. 7.25 feet

1870: When should a fire be ventilated?

    Y a. When attacking the fire directly
    N b. When using a steam smothering system
    N c. When using the fixed CO2 system
    N d. All of the above

1892: What is the required amount of time that a SART's battery must be able to operate the unit in the standby mode?

    N a. 8 hours
    N b. 2 days
    N c. 3 days
    Y d. 4 days

1931: The SS NORTHLAND is loaded to drafts: FWD 17'-03", AFT 19'-03". The KG is 23.6 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. 3.0°
    Y b. 4.4°
    N c. 6.0°
    N d. 7.5°

2063: If there are a number of survivors in the water after abandoning ship, they should __________.

    N a. tie themselves to the unit so they won't drift with the current
    Y b. form a small circular group to create a warmer pocket of water in the center of the circle
    N c. send the strongest swimmer to shore for assistance
    N d. form a raft by lashing their life preservers together

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

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

2159: Your vessel displaces 528 tons. The existing cargo has a center of gravity of 2.9 feet above the deck and weighs 28 tons. If you load 14 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 9 inches above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 1.76 feet
    N b. 1.93 feet
    Y c. 2.18 feet
    N d. 2.43 feet

2674: 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 number 2 hold floods, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 76
    Y b. 67
    N c. 60
    N d. 52

2696: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 27'-09", AFT 28'-03"; and the KG is 22.4 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if the center of gravity is shifted 1.6 feet off the centerline.

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

2779: Error may be introduced into a magnetic compass by __________.

    N a. making a structural change to the vessel
    N b. a short circuit near the compass
    N c. belt buckles
    Y d. All of the above

2830: Your vessel assumes an angle of loll of 14° after loading a deck cargo. The drafts are: FWD 13'-01", AFT 13'-11". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the negative GM.

    Y a. -0.7 foot
    N b. -0.4 foot
    N c. -0.3 foot
    N d. -0.1 foot

3454: A passenger vessel of 600 GT is required to have how many fire axes?

    Y a. 6
    N b. 4
    N c. 2
    N d. 1

3506: You are on a Mariner class cargo vessel. Your drafts are: FWD 17'-04", AFT 19'-04". You wish to increase the calculated GM of 3.0' to 4.2'. What tanks should you ballast? (Use the white pages in the Stability Data Reference Book.)

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

3565: What are the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60 feet if the winds are less than 70 knots?

    N a. 942,120 foot-tons
    N b. 946,271 foot-tons
    N c. 974,441 foot-tons
    Y d. 1,059,885 foot-tons

3691: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers an unexpected but slowly increasing port and forward inclination. The wind and waves are light. This inclination could have been caused by __________.

    N a. the failure of mooring lines 5 and 6
    N b. the drilling crew dumping the mud
    N c. the drill string breaking
    Y d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 1P

3813: The sounding in tank 1P of the DEEP DRILLER is 7.58 feet. What are the vertical moments for this quantity of ballast?

    N a. 729 ft-long tons
    Y b. 991 ft-long tons
    N c. 19,609 ft-long tons
    N d. 27,652 ft-long tons

3823: What is the change in vertical moments for the DEEP DRILLER if 103.48 long tons of ballast is discharged from a full ballast tank 1P?

    N a. 6,707 foot-tons decrease
    N b. 4,984 foot-tons decrease
    Y c. 1,914 foot-tons decrease
    N d. 155 foot-tons decrease

4026: When do the towing vessel fire protection regulations allow a towing vessel to carry portable fuel systems on board?

    N a. When used for outboard engines
    N b. When permanently attached to portable equipment such as bilge and fire pumps
    N c. If the portable tanks used for portable equipment meet published safety standards
    Y d. All of the above

4144: Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning the proper procedure in handling a fire hose?

    N a. A 1½ inch hose should be deployed with a minimum of a nozzleman and hoseman.
    N b. The nozzleman should always hold the nozzle with one hand on top, to prevent kickback.
    N c. Back-up hosemen should be positioned wherever the hose makes a significant turn.
    Y d. The fire hose should be partially charged before deploying it from the fire station.

4245: The maximum load line draft for the COASTAL DRILLER is __________.

    N a. 12 feet 8 inches
    N b. 11 feet 7.2 inches
    Y c. 10 feet 10.5 inches
    N d. 10 feet 8.8 inches

4415: While in ocean transit, the COASTAL DRILLER has a roll period of 9 seconds. What is the largest angle each side of vertical that does not exceed the design limits of the legs in good weather?

    N a. 14°
    N b. 11°
    N c. 9°
    Y d. 7°

4511: The height of the transverse metacenter of the Coastal Driller at a displacement of 13,050 kips is __________.

    N a. 143.81 feet
    N b. 144.61 feet
    Y c. 144.93 feet
    N d. 145.73 feet

4801: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the new VCG if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 38.00 feet
    N b. 48.38 feet
    Y c. 49.16 feet
    N d. 65.00 feet

4847: The rated operating time of a self-contained breathing device may be reduced in actual use because of __________.

    N a. pressure differences in the atmosphere
    N b. the length of the hose attached to the facepiece
    Y c. the physical exertion of the person wearing the device
    N d. spaces containing poisonous vapors

5786: 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-0185

    N a. Available GM 2.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    Y d. Available GM 3.8 ft

5925: When fire pumps are used for other than firefighting service, each pipe connecting the other service (except for branch lines used for deck washing) must have a __________.

    N a. check valve installed in the line
    Y b. shut off valve at a manifold near the pump
    N c. quick disconnect union within ten feet of the pump
    N d. regulator in the line set at 125 psi

6051: The connection facilities for the international shore connection required on board offshore drilling units in international service must be located to provide access __________.

    Y a. to each side of the drilling unit
    N b. as close as possible to the control house
    N c. on the drill floor
    N d. on each level of the accommodation space

7587: The geometric center of the underwater volume is known as the __________.

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

8197: If a severe storm threatens the COASTAL DRILLER while elevated as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling), the variable loads would have to be reduced by __________.

    N a. 3,282.5 kips
    N b. 2,381.0 kips
    Y c. 1,000.0 kips
    N d. 901.5 kips

8337: What is the percentage of oxygen in a typical sample of uncontaminated air?

    N a. 12 percent
    N b. 15 percent
    N c. 18 percent
    Y d. 21 percent

8391: What monitoring device best indicates the load being carried by a diesel engine?

    N a. Lube oil pressure gauge
    N b. Jacket water temperature gauge
    N c. Tachometer
    Y d. Exhaust pyrometer

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

8837: A jack-up with a calculated moment to change list one inch (MCL1") of 1,200 foot-kips intends to transfer 100 kips of weight in a transverse direction. How far should the weight be transferred to change the draft on the port side from 11.5 to 11.0 feet?

    N a. 12 feet
    N b. 48 feet
    N c. 120 feet
    Y d. 144 feet

9237: A MODU floating in sea water while displacing 20,000 long tons has transverse free surface moments of 7,500 ft-long tons and longitudinal free surface moments of 10,000 ft-long tons. The maximum virtual rise in the height of the center of gravity due to free surfaces is __________.

    N a. 0.35 foot
    Y b. 0.50 foot
    N c. 0.88 foot
    N d. 2.00 feet

9537: When the height of the metacenter is less than the height of the center of gravity of a vessel, the upright equilibrium position is __________.

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