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.


19: The operator of the ship's radiotelephone, if the radiotelephone is carried voluntarily, must hold at least a __________.


119: What would be considered a vessel under the International Rules of the Road?


130: When making a turn (course change) on most merchant ships, the vessel will heel outwards if __________.


154: The standard rate of signaling by flashing light is __________.

    N a. twenty letters per minute
    N b. thirty letters per minute
    Y c. forty letters per minute
    N d. fifty letters per minute

326: CO2 cylinders, which protect the small space in which they are stored must __________.

    N a. NOT contain more than 200 pounds of CO2
    Y b. be automatically operated by a heat actuator
    N c. have an audible alarm
    N d. All of the above

341: The Master or other vessel representative must contact the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office within five days of a(n) __________.

    Y a. grounding
    N b. injury which requires first aid
    N c. accident which requires $(SA)2500 of repairs
    N d. All of the above are correct.

367: A ship's radiotelephone station license is issued by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. Federal Communications Commission
    N c. Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services
    N d. Maritime Mobile Service Commission

400: Whenever a "T-Boat" is hauled out for repairs or alterations affecting its safety you must __________.

    N a. provide a complete set of plans to the Commandant for review
    Y b. notify the cognizant OCMI
    N c. schedule a full safety equipment inspection
    N d. Both B and C

525: What would you consult to determine the number of persons required on duty while loading a cargo of leaded gasoline on your tanker?

    N a. 46 CFR Part 15 (Manning)
    N b. Certificate of Inspection
    Y c. Oil Transfer Procedures Manual
    N d. IOPP Certificate

533: What is the purpose of limber holes?

    N a. To allow for air circulation
    N b. To allow for stress and strain in rough waters
    N c. To allow water in the boat to drain overboard
    Y d. To allow water in the bilge to get to the boat drain

615: The operator of each vessel subject to the pollution regulations is NOT required to keep written records of __________.

    N a. the name of each person designated as a person in charge
    N b. the date and results of the most recent equipment inspection
    Y c. cargoes carried and dates delivered, including destinations
    N d. hose information not marked on the hose

753: How should signal flares be used after you have abandoned ship and are adrift in a liferaft?

    N a. Immediately use all the signals at once.
    N b. Use all the signals during the first night.
    N c. Employ a signal every hour after abandoning ship until they are gone.
    Y d. Use them only when you are aware of a ship or plane in the area.

792: What is an advantage of a dry chemical extinguisher as compared to a carbon dioxide extinguisher?

    N a. It has a greater duration.
    N b. It provides a heat shield for the operator.
    N c. It is nontoxic.
    Y d. It offers lasting, effective protection against burn-back.

969: That center around which a vessel trims is called the __________.

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

1063: Gasoline tank vent lines on board small passenger vessels must be fitted with removable flame screens __________.

    N a. and 30 square inches of louvers
    N b. three inches in diameter with a check valve to prevent water from entering in heavy weather
    N c. three inches in circumference inside the fill pipe
    Y d. consisting of a single screen of at least 30 X 30 mesh, corrosion resistant wire

1118: The volatility of a flammable liquid is indicated by its __________.

    N a. ignition temperature
    Y b. flash point
    N c. flammable range
    N d. conversion index

1120: You will find a limit switch on a __________.

    N a. liferaft cradle
    N b. radial davit
    N c. sheath-screw davit
    Y d. gravity davit

1139: You are at the helm of a sloop-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the port tack, on a beam reach, with all appropriate sails set and properly trimmed. You are instructed to "head up quickly". To utilize your sails to assist with the turn, you should __________.

    N a. slack the main sheet
    N b. slack the main outhaul
    N c. trim the foreguy
    Y d. slack the jib sheet

1286: The inside light in an inflatable liferaft is turned on __________.

    Y a. automatically as the liferaft inflates
    N b. with a switch near the boarding handle
    N c. at night because the light has a photosensitive switch
    N d. by screwing the bulb in after the raft is inflated

1365: The most important thing to remember when launching an inflatable liferaft by hand is to __________.

    N a. open the CO2 inflation valve
    N b. open the raft container
    Y c. ensure that the operating cord is secured to the vessel
    N d. inflate the raft on the vessel, then lower it over the side

1547: If you must swim through an oil fire, you should NOT __________.

    N a. wear as much clothing as possible
    N b. enter the water feet first
    Y c. swim with the wind
    N d. cover eyes with one hand when entering the water

1573: The searchlight on a survival craft must be capable of operating 3 hours continuously or 6 hours intermittently if operated in cycles of __________.

    N a. 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off
    N b. 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off
    Y c. 15 minutes on and 5 minutes off
    N d. 15 minutes on and 10 minutes off

1688: Each commercial fishing vessel must have at least one immersion suit, exposure suit, or life preserver for each __________.

    Y a. person aboard
    N b. person working on deck
    N c. crew member
    N d. None of the above are correct.

1759: You are operating a liftboat. When beginning to jack down you should __________.

    N a. jack down one leg at a time
    Y b. jack up first, then down
    N c. undog doors to the engine room
    N d. assemble all personnel on the main deck

1853: On offshore drilling units each fire station is identified by letters and numbers at least __________.

    Y a. 2 inches high
    N b. 3 inches high
    N c. 5 inches high
    N d. 8 inches high

1885: In the case of an injury causing a person to be incapacitated, the Master or person in charge of a mobile offshore drilling unit must submit a report to the __________.

    Y a. nearest Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office
    N b. nearest hospital
    N c. Department of Energy
    N d. American Bureau of Shipping

1922: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel following a traffic lane
    N b. pilot vessel enroute to a pilot station
    N c. law enforcement vessel
    N d. All of the above

1930: You must ensure that lifesaving equipment is __________.

    N a. locked up
    Y b. readily accessible for use
    N c. inaccessible to passengers
    N d. on the topmost deck of the vessel at all times

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°

1940: Life jackets should be stowed in __________.

    N a. survival craft
    N b. messrooms
    Y c. readily accessible locations
    N d. locked watertight containers

2055: What agency issues the Ship Station license for the VHF marine radio on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Department of Transportation
    N c. Federal Broadcast Authority
    Y d. Federal Communications Commission

2324: How many fire extinguishers, and what type, are required on an unmanned oil barge during transfer operations, if the barge has no cargo pumps aboard?

    Y a. One B-II
    N b. Two B-II
    N c. One B-V
    N d. Two A-II

2329: 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-0059

    N a. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.8 ft
    N d. Available GM 5.3 ft

2409: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-04", AFT 15'-02"; and the KG is 23.2 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 1.0 foot off the centerline.

    N a. 9°
    Y b. 12°
    N c. 15°
    N d. 17°

2483: You are keeping the required garbage disposal records. The amount of garbage disposed must be stated in __________.

    Y a. cubic meters
    N b. both cubic meters and cubic feet
    N c. both kilos and pounds
    N d. barrels of 55 gallon capacity

2532: The appearance of Bunker C and fuel oils are dark colored liquids, and __________ .

    N a. soluble oils
    N b. slop oils
    N c. cutting oils
    Y d. viscous oils

2941: The existence of liquids in partially full tanks or compartments of a MODU causes a virtual rise in the height of the __________.

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

3177: The SS AMERICAN MARINER will sail with the load shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts. ST-0112

    N a. FWD 25'-07", AFT 27'-01"
    N b. FWD 25'-02", AFT 27'-06"
    Y c. FWD 24'-10", AFT 27'-10"
    N d. FWD 24'-08", AFT 28'-00"

3260: A length of fire hose shall be __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. attached to each fire hydrant at all times
    N b. equipped with a rotary sprinkler head
    N c. marked with the lot number and wholesale price
    N d. not more than 10 feet in length

3689: Changing rescuers while carrying out artificial respiration should be done __________.

    Y a. without losing the rhythm of respiration
    N b. only with the help of two other people
    N c. by not stopping the respiration for more than 5 minutes
    N d. at ten-minute intervals

4052: The test of a towing vessel's steering gear control system includes each item EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. a test from the alternative power supply, if installed
    Y b. timing the movement of the rudder from hard over to hard over
    N c. verification that the rudder angle indicator shows the actual position of the rudder(s)
    N d. visual inspection of the steering linkage

4054: Which navigational equipment is required to be tested and logged before a towing vessel embarks on a voyage of more than 24 hours?

    N a. Compass and/or swing meter
    N b. Radar(s) and VHF radio(s)
    N c. LORAN-C and/or GPS receiver(s)
    Y d. All required navigational equipment, without exception

4067: The DEEP DRILLER is operating as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). Assume ballast added or discharged to remain at a constant draft is at a VCG of 10 feet. How much non-liquid load would have to be removed from an average height of 130 feet above the keel to meet the maximum allowable KG at a draft of 60 feet for winds greater than 70 knots?

    N a. 373 long tons
    N b. 457 long tons
    N c. 484 long tons
    Y d. 524 long tons

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.

4167: 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 metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    Y a. 11.26 feet
    N b. 10.07 feet
    N c. 9.67 feet
    N d. 8.30 feet

4325: Lowering the hull of the COASTAL DRILLER and refloating should be done in favorable weather conditions with wave heights not more than __________.

    N a. three feet
    N b. four feet
    Y c. five feet
    N d. six feet

4744: You operate the lever shown when the lifeboat is __________. (D013SA )

    N a. in the secured position
    N b. at the embarkation deck
    N c. being lowered to sea level
    Y d. waterborne

5193: The DEEP DRILLER is being towed at a 20 foot draft. Vessel motions are within acceptable limits, but the waves begin to hit the horizontal braces. You should __________.

    N a. continue on course at the same draft
    N b. ballast to a 60 foot draft and continue on course
    Y c. change course to reduce the wave impact
    N d. shorten the tow wire for a smoother ride

5645: On a semisubmersible drilling unit, increasing riser tension reduces __________.

    N a. list
    N b. KM
    N c. KG
    Y d. GM

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

6761: Each distress signal and self-activated smoke signal must be replaced not later than the marked date of expiration, or, from the date of manufacture, not later than __________.

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 42 months

6825: The Master or person in charge of a MODU is required to log __________.

    N a. the names of all persons on board
    N b. only the names of the crew members on board
    N c. only the names of passengers on board
    Y d. information on emergency training drills

7096: Convection spreads a fire by __________.

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

7331: Routine radio communications should be no more than __________.

    N a. one minute
    Y b. three minutes
    N c. five minutes
    N d. eight minutes

7645: What abbreviation represents the height of the center of buoyancy?

    N a. BK
    Y b. KB
    N c. CB
    N d. BM

8117: While in transit, the DEEP DRILLER suffers flooding in the port pump room. Both port bilge pumps are inadequate to dewater the pump room. You may supplement the bilge pumps by using the __________.

    N a. starboard ballast pump
    N b. port saltwater service pump
    Y c. port drill water pump
    N d. starboard ballast pump and crossover system

8263: When removing the cap from a sounding tube on a MODU, the sound of air escaping indicates the tank __________.

    N a. is full
    Y b. may be partially flooded
    N c. level has dropped
    N d. is completely flooded

8323: The Lethal Concentration of H2S that will cause death with short-term exposure is a minimum of __________.

    N a. 100 ppm
    N b. 200 ppm
    N c. 400 ppm
    Y d. 700 ppm

8441: The regulations regarding Oil Record Books do not apply to MODU's that __________.

    N a. are on an international voyage
    N b. are on a voyage of more than 24 hours
    N c. have a valid International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
    Y d. have a valid National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit

9235: The longitudinal free surface moments of a drilling mud pit aboard a MODU displacing 24,000 long tons in sea water is 1,200 ft-long tons. If the sounding level in the mud pit is reduced from 8 to 6 feet and the mud weight increases from 10 to 12 lbs/gallon, what is the new FSML for the mud pit?

    N a. 750 ft-long tons
    N b. 1,000 ft-long tons
    Y c. 1,440 ft-long tons
    N d. 1,920 ft-long tons