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.


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


345: A 100-GT vessel, constructed before July 1,1974, is loading diesel fuel. What is the minimum capacity of the drip pans required for placement under or around each fuel tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe?


391: Foam is a very effective smothering agent and __________.


486: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD28'-04", AFT 30'-11". 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-0009

    Y a. FWD 29'-01", AFT 30'-10"
    N b. FWD 29'-03", AFT 30'-08"
    N c. FWD 29'-07", AFT 30'-08"
    N d. FWD 29'-08", AFT 30'-06"

499: In setting the valves on a steam-smothering system on a tank vessel, the master control valve to cargo tanks should be __________.

    N a. open and individual tank valves open
    N b. open and the individual tank valves closed
    N c. closed and the individual tank valves closed
    Y d. closed and the individual tank valves open

806: On small passenger vessels electrical equipment in spaces that contain gasoline powered machinery must be __________.

    N a. explosion-proof
    N b. intrinsically safe
    N c. ignition protected for use in a gasoline atmosphere
    Y d. All of the above

958: Which substance might be subject to spontaneous combustion?

    N a. Coal
    N b. Scrap rubber
    N c. Leather
    Y d. All of the above

981: Oily rags stored in a pile that is open to the atmosphere are a hazard because they may __________.

    N a. deteriorate and give off noxious gasses
    Y b. spontaneously heat and catch fire
    N c. attract lice and other vermin and serve as a breeding ground
    N d. None of the above

1003: You are on a vessel that has a metacentric height of 4 feet, and a beam of 50 feet. What can you expect the rolling period of the vessel to be?

    N a. 10.0 seconds
    N b. 10.5 seconds
    Y c. 11.0 seconds
    N d. 11.5 seconds

1117: Production of mechanical foam by a portable in-line foam proportioner __________.

    N a. increases the size of foam bubbles formed
    N b. increases the rate of foam production
    N c. improves the extinguishing properties of foam
    Y d. gives the nozzleman more freedom of movement, since it can be placed anywhere in the hose line

1372: It is necessary to secure the forced ventilation to a compartment where there is a fire to __________.

    N a. allow the exhaust fans to remove smoke
    N b. extinguish the fire by carbon monoxide smothering
    Y c. prevent additional oxygen from reaching the fire
    N d. protect fire fighting personnel from smoke

1588: How should longitude 119°16.7'E be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    Y a. 11917E
    N b. Q193
    N c. 119.3°E
    N d. 119E

1640: A Halon 1301 cylinder contains 100 pounds of liquid at 360 psi. It must be recharged when the weight drops below how many pounds of liquid?

    N a. 90
    N b. 92
    Y c. 95
    N d. 98

1750: You are on an inerted tankship. A low pressure alarm must be set to cause an audible and visual alarm if the pressure in the tanks cannot be maintained at more than __________.

    Y a. 4" water gauge
    N b. 90% of the vacuum relief setting
    N c. 90% of the pressure drop through the scrubber
    N d. 90% of the vacuum assist fan

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°

1916: What is part of a vessel's standing rigging?

    N a. Sheet
    Y b. Backstay
    N c. Topping lift
    N d. Downhaul

2089: On a vessel carrying grades A, B, C or D cargoes, enclosed spaces where sources of vapor ignition are normally present shall NOT be segregated from cargo tanks by __________. (vessel constructed after 1970)

    N a. cofferdams
    Y b. galleys
    N c. pump rooms
    N d. tanks used to carry liquids having a flash point of 150°F or above

2284: The flammable limits for crude oil are __________.

    N a. 1% to 6% mixture in air
    N b. 20% to 40% mixture in air
    N c. 0% to 1% mixture in air
    Y d. unavailable

2414: The flash point of a product is 100°F. What can happen if it is heated above 110°F?

    N a. It will boil off to the atmosphere.
    Y b. It may burn and explode if an ignition source is present.
    N c. It will become less volatile and easier to handle.
    N d. None of the above

2478: Depending on its concentration, which product(s) can be classified as either grade D or E?

    N a. Sulfuric acid
    Y b. Formaldehyde solutions 37% to 50%
    N c. 1,1,1-trichloroethane
    N d. All of the above

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

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

2663: Lighter longitudinal stiffening frames on the MODU side plating are called __________.

    Y a. stringers
    N b. side frames
    N c. side stiffeners
    N d. intercostals

2688: The vapor pressure of a gas is the pressure necessary to keep it in a(n) __________.

    N a. soluble state
    N b. solid state
    Y c. liquefied state
    N d. inert state

2747: Periodic surveys to renew the load line assignment for a MODU must be made at intervals not exceeding __________.

    N a. 18 months
    N b. 2 years
    N c. 3 years
    Y d. 5 years

2749: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 19'-03", AFT 21'-03". The LCG of the forepeak is 200 feet forward of amidships. How many tons of ballast must be pumped into the forepeak in order to have a drag of 1 foot? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    Y a. 62 tons
    N b. 68 tons
    N c. 74 tons
    N d. 78 tons

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

3130: What is the minimum height of rails on passenger decks of ferryboats, excursion vessels, and vessels of a similar type? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 18 inches (.5 m) high
    N b. 24 inches (.6 m) high
    Y c. 39-1/2 inches (1 m) high
    N d. 42 inches (1.1 m) high

3404: Convection spreads a fire by __________.

    N a. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
    Y b. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems
    N c. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N d. the transfer of heat across an unobstructed space

3525: Among the equipment included in the DEEP DRILLER lightweight are the loading hoses, derrick, traveling block in the lowest position, mooring chain, all machinery with liquids to normal operating level, and __________.

    N a. normal food supplies for 79 persons
    N b. eight anchor buoys
    Y c. anchors
    N d. lower hull fuel

3633: The KG of the DEEP DRILLER increases from 57 feet to 59 feet while drilling at a 60 foot draft during an ice storm. What action should be taken?

    N a. Continue drilling operations while waiting for the ice to melt
    Y b. Reduce the deck load until you reach the allowable KG for draft
    N c. Notify the USCG that the rig is temporarily above the allowable KG
    N d. Deballast to reach the allowable KG

3863: On an OSV, how many ring buoys are required to have a buoyant line attached?

    N a. One ring life buoy
    Y b. One ring life buoy on each side of the OSV
    N c. Three ring life buoys
    N d. Two ring life buoys on each side of the OSV

3865: What is the minimum required number of ring life buoys on an OSV certified for ocean service?

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

3950: You are picking up a conscious person that has fallen overboard. Recovery is easier if you approach with the __________.

    Y a. victim to leeward
    N b. victim to windward
    N c. wind on your port side
    N d. wind on your starboard side

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

4145: 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. Back-up hosemen should be placed wherever the hose makes a significant turn.
    Y c. Use of a spanner wrench when attaching nozzles or additional lengths of hose is always critical.
    N d. The nozzleman should always hold the nozzle with one hand on top, to prevent kickback.

4447: When a helicopter is lifting personnel from a survival craft, the other individuals in the craft should __________.

    N a. enter the water in case the person being lifted slips from the sling
    N b. stand on the outside of the craft to assist the person being lifted
    N c. remove their life preservers to prepare for their transfer to the helicopter
    Y d. remain seated inside the craft to provide body weight for stability

4627: On the COASTAL DRILLER, except when pumping from a tank, the bilge system valves should be __________.

    N a. cracked open
    N b. in the check-stop position
    N c. opened for draining
    Y d. closed

5357: During preloading or elevating the COASTAL DRILLER, jacking-up may continue if the total weight is less than __________.

    N a. 21,497 kips
    N b. 21,297 kips
    N c. 17,700 kips
    Y d. 14,400 kips

5357: During preloading or elevating the COASTAL DRILLER, jacking-up may continue if the total weight is less than __________.

    N a. 21,497 kips
    N b. 21,297 kips
    N c. 17,700 kips
    Y d. 14,400 kips

5381: While preparing for a storm when elevated, the total weight of the COASTAL DRILLER is 14,150 kips, LM are 1,712,150 ft-kips, and TM are -9,905 ft-kips. The bow leg reaction is __________.

    Y a. 4,536 kips
    N b. 4,716 kips
    N c. 4,748 kips
    N d. 4,866 kips

5421: The COASTAL DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling), discharges the bulk in Bulk Tanks 1 and 2. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -1.61 feet
    N b. -1.58 feet
    N c. 0.43 feet
    Y d. 0.99 feet

5501: What is a major disadvantage of Di-Lok chain compared with Oil Rig Quality (stud link) chain in floating drilling rig operations?

    Y a. Shorter fatigue life
    N b. Higher weight
    N c. Lower strength
    N d. Greater expense

5915: What is the most vulnerable part of the fire main system on board an offshore rig?

    N a. The fire pump
    N b. Exposed hard piping
    N c. The hydrant valve
    Y d. The fire hose

6475: The pneumatic containers which store bulk dry mud additives and cement on a MODU are called __________.

    N a. mud hoppers
    N b. bulk bins
    Y c. P-tanks
    N d. mud tanks

6703: The person-in-charge of a mobile offshore drilling unit must be designated by the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    N b. Minerals Management Service
    N c. operator or his agent
    Y d. owner or his agent

6742: With an approved combination nozzle, low-velocity fog is produced by __________.

    Y a. inserting an applicator in the nozzle
    N b. putting the handle of the nozzle in the forward position
    N c. directing a straight stream of water against the ship's structure
    N d. the combination nozzle only when the water pressure exceeds 125 psi

6813: The Master or person in charge of a mobile offshore drilling unit shall ensure the crane record book shows __________.

    N a. the name of the operator
    Y b. the American Petroleum Institute name plate data
    N c. the average load in pounds each usage
    N d. All of the above

6845: After conducting a boat drill on a mobile offshore drilling unit, what must the Master or person in charge enter in the in the logbook?

    Y a. Any inoperative equipment and the corrective action taken
    N b. The name of the lifeboatman in charge of each lifeboat
    N c. The location of the vessel at the time of the drill
    N d. The time it took to lower the boat

6901: In the event of a casualty to a MODU, who is responsible to make records available to the Coast Guard official authorized to investigate the casualty?

    N a. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N b. The person who caused the casualty
    N c. The company man
    Y d. The owner

7337: If you log a distress message, it must include the __________.

    N a. sea state
    N b. names of witnesses
    Y c. time of its occurrence
    N d. wind direction and velocity

8257: When taking soundings on a floating MODU, the tape should be lowered and brought back quickly to __________.

    N a. reduce the time the sounding tube is open
    N b. avoid creating a spark
    Y c. lessen the effect of roll or pitch on the reading
    N d. lessen the effect of heave on the reading

8327: When H2S has been encountered on a MODU, or is anticipated, monitoring devices must sound an alarm (which differs from the lower concentration alarm) or otherwise warn employees when concentration of H2S reaches or exceeds how many parts per million?

    N a. 20
    Y b. 50
    N c. 100
    N d. 200

8407: If you are unable to stop a diesel engine by any other means, you should __________.

    Y a. discharge a CO2 extinguisher in the air inlet
    N b. pull off the distributor cap
    N c. secure the jacket water
    N d. secure the starting air supply valve

8699: What are the transverse moments for the contents of P-tank #1 of the DEEP DRILLER if the ullage is 2.3 feet?

    Y a. 3,049 ft-tons
    N b. 3,977 ft-tons
    N c. 6,412 ft-tons
    N d. 8,362 ft-tons

8871: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). Weather conditions make it necessary to ballast down to survival draft. It is decided to check the stability at the intermediate draft of 32 feet. If the added ballast has an average VCG of 9.03 feet, what is the new KG?

    N a. 54.76 feet
    N b. 55.76 feet
    Y c. 57.22 feet
    N d. 57.76 feet

9187: The external flotation bladder on an immersion suit should be inflated __________.

    N a. before you enter the water
    Y b. after you enter the water
    N c. after one hour in the water
    N d. after you notice that your suit is losing buoyancy

9261: The retrievable subsea units that contain the pilot valves and regulators for operating the subsea blowout preventers are called __________.

    N a. accumulators
    Y b. control pods
    N c. consoles
    N d. shuttle controls

9363: The primary function(s) of an automatic sprinkler system is(are) to __________.

    N a. extinguish the fire which triggers it
    Y b. limit the spread of fire and control the amount of heat produced
    N c. protect people in the areas which have sprinkler heads
    N d. alert the crew to the fire

9521: Aboard a vessel, dividing the sum of the vertical moments by the total weight yields the vessel's __________.

    Y a. height of the center of gravity
    N b. vertical moments
    N c. righting moments
    N d. inclining moments