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.


127: Before welding in a tank that has carried petroleum products, the tank must be certified by __________.


163: You are at sea in an inflatable liferaft. In high latitudes, the greatest danger is __________.


203: The number 2 lifeboat on a tanker would be __________.


221: Which statement about the free surface effect is TRUE?

    N a. It increases in direct proportion to the length of the tank times the breadth squared.
    Y b. It decreases at increased angles of heel due to pocketing when a tank is 90% full.
    N c. It decreases in direct proportion to increasing specific gravity of the liquid in the tank.
    N d. In practice, the correction is considered to be a virtual reduction of KG.

281: The gross weight of a fully charged CO2 bottle in a fixed CO2 system is 220 lbs. When the bottle is empty it weighs 120 lbs. What is the minimum acceptable gross weight of the CO2 bottle before it should be recharged by the manufacturer?

    N a. 200 lbs
    N b. 205 lbs
    Y c. 210 lbs
    N d. 220 lbs

296: In weighing CO2 cylinders, they must be recharged if weight loss exceeds __________.

    N a. 10% of weight of full bottle
    N b. 15% of weight of full bottle
    N c. 20% of weight of charge
    Y d. 10% of weight of charge

297: Which information is NOT required to be posted in or near the wheelhouse?

    N a. Stopping time and distance from full speed while maintaining course with minimum rudder
    Y b. A diagram of advance and transfer for turns of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° at full speed with maximum rudder and constant power
    N c. For vessels with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft RPMs for a representative range of speeds
    N d. Operating instructions for change-over procedures for remote steering gear systems

303: Plastic material may be thrown overboard from a vessel which is __________.

    N a. 25 miles from shore
    N b. 12 miles from shore
    N c. 3 miles from shore
    Y d. None of the above are correct.

409: What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface when a tank 60 feet long and 30 feet wide is partially filled with salt water, and is fitted with a centerline bulkhead? (The vessel has a displacement of 10,000 tons.)

    Y a. 0.1 foot
    N b. 0.8 foot
    N c. 1.0 foot
    N d. 1.2 feet

607: The "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" applies to which towboat?

    N a. A 100 GT towboat, 24 feet in length
    N b. A 90-foot towboat tied to the pier
    Y c. A 60-foot towboat pushing ahead
    N d. A 400 GT towboat anchored

1031: What is the major function of the deck water seal in an inert gas system?

    N a. Relieves excessive pressures from the system.
    Y b. Isolates hazardous areas from nonhazardous areas.
    N c. Prevents the flow of inert gas into closed or isolated tanks.
    N d. Removes any leftover water or soot after the gas has been scrubbed.

1084: On small passenger vessels, what type of devices are required at both the tank and engine connections of all internal combustion engine fuel lines?

    N a. Clean out plates
    N b. Fuel gauges
    N c. Drain valves
    Y d. Shut-off valves

1095: When launching a lifeboat, frapping lines should be rigged __________.

    N a. before the gripes are released
    N b. before the boat is moved from the davits
    Y c. at the embarkation deck
    N d. after the boat is in the water

1114: The National Weather Service differentiates between small craft, gale, whole gale, and hurricane warnings by the __________.

    N a. amount of rain forecasted
    N b. wave heights forecasted
    N c. amount of cloud cover forecasted
    Y d. wind speed forecasted

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

1398: The size of fire hydrant hose connections on a cargo vessel must be either 1-1/2 inches or __________.

    N a. 1 inch
    Y b. 2-1/2 inches
    N c. 3 inches
    N d. 3-1/2 inches

1415: You are reading the draft marks in illustration D032DG. The water level forward is at the top of the 8, and the mean water level aft is at the top of the 8. What is the mean draft?

    Y a. 8'06"
    N b. 8'03"
    N c. 8'00"
    N d. 7'06"

1490: You are reading the draft marks as shown. The water level forward leaves about 4 inches of the 11 visible, and the water level aft is at the top of the 10. What is the mean draft? (D032DG )

    N a. 10'-06"
    N b. 10'-08"
    Y c. 10'-10"
    N d. 11'-02"

1528: 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
    Y c. official number
    N d. Master

1546: What are the most important reasons for using water fog to fight fires?

    N a. Smothers burning surfaces, organically destroys fuel
    Y b. Cools fire and adjacent surfaces, provides protective barrier
    N c. Reaches areas not protected by steam or CO2 smothering systems
    N d. Allows fire to be attacked from leeward, saturates liquid surfaces

2026: Which statement is TRUE concerning the gooseneck?

    N a. It is a sailing maneuver which brings the vessel's head through the wind.
    Y b. It connects the boom to the mast and allows the boom to swing freely.
    N c. It is a sailing condition where there is a loss of air flow over the sails.
    N d. None of the above

2174: You are testing a tank that contained gasoline by using a combustible gas indicator. Under testing, the tank sample caused the needle to move rapidly to 100 on the dial then fall to zero. What is the concentration of flammable gas?

    N a. Less than the flammable range
    N b. Within the flammable range
    Y c. Over the flammable range
    N d. The explosimeter is defective and giving a false reading.

2362: A tankerman who permits or causes oil to go into a navigable waterway may be punished federally by __________.

    N a. fine
    N b. imprisonment
    N c. suspension or revocation of tankerman's document
    Y d. All of the above

2413: Signaling by flag hoist is completed by the vessel hoisting the __________.

    N a. signal AR
    N b. code flag N
    N c. code flag R
    Y d. answering pennant

2438: Your vessel's drafts are FWD 20'-08", AFT 23'-00". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 95 tons of cargo are loaded 76 feet forward of amidships.

    Y a. FWD 21'-01", AFT 22'-11"
    N b. FWD 20'-09", AFT 22'-09"
    N c. FWD 20'-09", AFT 23'-01"
    N d. FWD 20'-08", AFT 23'-00"

2457: What is a grooved pulley?

    Y a. Sheave
    N b. Slip
    N c. Block
    N d. Reeve

2731: The document that certifies the correctness of the load line marks on a MODU is called the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Load line certificate
    N c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. SOLAS Certificate

3215: The jackknife stored on an inflatable liferaft will always be located __________.

    N a. in one of the equipment bags
    Y b. in a special pocket near the forward entrance
    N c. on a cord hanging from the canopy
    N d. in a pocket on the first aid kit

3268: Diesel engines are considered safer than gasoline engines because __________.

    N a. they are more heavily built
    Y b. the fuel used is less volatile
    N c. they can be easily reversed
    N d. they operate at a lower speed

3500: How should the letter "Z" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. ZEE BR AH
    N b. ZEE ZE
    N c. ZE HE
    Y d. ZOO LOO

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

3649: A man aboard a vessel, signaling by raising and lowering his outstretched arms to each side, is indicating __________.

    N a. danger, stay away
    N b. all is clear, it is safe to pass
    N c. all is clear, it is safe to approach
    Y d. a distress signal

3654: You are communicating on the radiotelephone using plain English. Which procedural word (proword) indicates that you have received another vessel's transmission?

    N a. Out
    N b. Over
    Y c. Roger
    N d. Wilco

3683: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected starboard and aft inclination. The wind and waves are light. What might have caused the inclination?

    N a. Mooring lines 6 and 7 have failed.
    Y b. The drilling crew has dumped the mud.
    N c. The drill string has broken.
    N d. Ballast tanks have equalized into tank 10S.

3726: Treatment of frostbite includes __________.

    N a. rubbing affected area with ice or snow
    N b. rubbing affected area briskly to restore circulation
    N c. wrapping area tightly in warm cloths
    Y d. warming exposed parts rapidly

4165: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). If all the liquid mud (see table 8) is dumped, what would be the new height of the transverse metacenter?

    N a. 61.19 feet
    N b. 62.80 feet
    N c. 62.99 feet
    Y d. 62.94 feet

4215: A mat-type jack-up drilling unit is the best selection for __________.

    Y a. soft mud bottoms
    N b. uneven bottoms
    N c. deep water
    N d. hard bottoms

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

4240: Both an approved B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system and a fixed fire-extinguishing system are required to protect the engine room on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for on or after __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. February 1, 2002
    Y b. August 27, 2003
    N c. April 29, 2004
    N d. April 29, 2005

4402: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 6584 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 277.84 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-0161

    N a. LCG-FP 271.2 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 272.1 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 273.6 feet
    Y d. LCG-FP 274.6 feet

4486: The international body responsible for drafting the convention prohibiting marine pollution (MARPOL) is the __________.

    N a. Maritime Advisory Council
    Y b. International Maritime Organization
    N c. International Association of Shipping
    N d. Association of Seafaring Nations

4593: The COASTAL DRILLER, while drilling, has a total weight of 15,400 kips. The LCG is 120.00 feet AF0, and the TCG is -0.5 feet to port of the centerline. What is the port leg reaction?

    N a. 5,063 kips
    N b. 5,104 kips
    Y c. 5,233 kips
    N d. 5,345 kips

5567: What is the most important difference between the bow type anchor shackle and the D-type anchor shackle?

    N a. The bow type shackle provides a superior connection.
    N b. The D-type shackle is weaker than the bow type.
    Y c. The bow type shackle is weaker than the D-type.
    N d. The D-type shackle provides an inferior connection.

5603: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while in transit is 7 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 4 degrees. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. unsatisfactory, change course and speed
    Y b. satisfactory, continue transit
    N c. unsatisfactory, ballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

5962: Your drafts are: FWD 25'-09", AFT 28'-03". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    N a. 2.6 feet forward
    N b. 2.1 feet forward
    Y c. at the center of flotation
    N d. 0.8 foot aft

6011: On a MODU, hand portable extinguishers are size(s) __________.

    N a. II only
    N b. II and III
    Y c. I and II
    N d. I only

6273: During a storm, the chance of fatigue failure of a mooring line will increase as __________.

    Y a. vessel motions increase
    N b. mooring tensions decrease
    N c. KG increases
    N d. KG decreases

6547: Nonflammable gases should have what kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. White
    Y c. Green
    N d. Red

6555: The chemicals in sacks aboard MODU's are palletized to reduce __________.

    Y a. labor in loading and handling
    N b. pilferage
    N c. marking and labeling
    N d. contamination

8147: The DEEP DRILLER has a KGL of 53.16 feet while at a draft of 58.0 feet. Although there are no environmental forces, trim is 2.0 feet by the stern. What is the value of LCG?

    Y a. 2.16 feet
    N b. 2.26 feet
    N c. 2.36 feet
    N d. 2.46 feet

8186: Your drafts are: FWD 16'-02", AFT 20'-08". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the MT1.

    N a. 920 foot-tons
    N b. 935 foot-tons
    N c. 960 foot-tons
    Y d. 980 foot-tons

8207: While on a normal tow, the COASTAL DRILLER is threatened with the approach of a severe storm. The legs should be lowered so that the TOC (tip-of-can) is lowered from 1.20 feet to __________.

    N a. 2.20 feet
    N b. 12.38 feet
    N c. 48.12 feet
    Y d. 60.50 feet

8371: Each cylinder in a two stroke cycle engine experiences combustion __________.

    Y a. once each crankshaft revolution
    N b. twice each crankshaft revolution
    N c. every other crankshaft revolution
    N d. every fourth stroke

8527: 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 port leg reaction?

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

8537: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while in transit is 7 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 7°. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. satisfactory, keep the unit at transit draft
    N b. satisfactory, put the unit in standby
    Y c. unsatisfactory, ballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

8605: On offshore drilling units, the lifeboat motors shall be operated in the ahead and astern position at least once each __________.

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

8863: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). Weather conditions require ballasting to survival draft. Assume that 4087 long tons of ballast are added at an average VCG of 8.32 feet, and upon arrival at 45 feet, port and starboard ballast tanks 1, 3, and 8 are slack. What is the new KGL?

    N a. 51.65 feet
    N b. 52.67 feet
    Y c. 55.16 feet
    N d. 62.24 feet

9247: What type of test determines the pressure at which the formation immediately below the last set casing will take fluid?

    N a. Production
    N b. Drill stem
    Y c. Leak-off
    N d. Conductor

9382: Fire in an engine compartment is best extinguished with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and by __________.

    Y a. completely closing the compartment
    N b. closing the compartment except for the ventilators
    N c. leaving the compartment open to the air
    N d. increasing the air flow to the compartment by blowers

9503: Stability is determined principally by the location of two points in a vessel: the center of buoyancy and the __________.

    N a. metacenter
    N b. geometric center of the waterplane area
    Y c. center of gravity
    N d. center of flotation