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.


120: The point to which your vessel's center of gravity (G) may rise and still permit the vessel to have positive stability is called the __________.


361: What can be used to measure the percentage of oxygen inside a chain locker?


483: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 4184 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 27.8 feet. Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final KG of all the cargo after loading is completed. ST-0008


496: The lifeboat releasing gear lever should be marked with the words __________.

    N a. "DANGER, DO NOT TOUCH"
    N b. "DANGER, BOAT MAY DROP"
    N c. "DANGER, LEVER RELEASES BOAT"
    Y d. "DANGER, LEVER DROPS BOAT"

524: The radiotelephone safety message urgently concerned with safety of a person would be prefixed by the word __________.

    N a. Mayday
    Y b. Pan
    N c. Safety
    N d. Interco

549: If a vessel takes a sudden, severe list or trim from an unknown cause, you should FIRST __________.

    Y a. determine the cause before taking countermeasures
    N b. assume the shift is due to off-center loading
    N c. counterflood
    N d. assume the cause is environmental forces

611: The maximum mean draft to which a vessel may be safely loaded is called __________.

    N a. mean draft
    N b. calculated draft
    N c. deep draft
    Y d. load line draft

614: Your vessel is damaged and listing to port. There is a short rolling period around the angle of list. The port side freeboard is reduced to 1 foot. There is no trim and the weather is calm. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. press up a slack double bottom tank on the port side
    N b. fill an empty centerline double bottom tank
    Y c. pump out a slack marine portable tank located on the portside amidships
    N d. jettison the anchors and anchor cables

831: The spread of fire is prevented by __________.

    N a. heating surfaces adjacent to the fire
    N b. leaving combustibles in the endangered area
    Y c. shutting off the oxygen supply
    N d. All of the above

945: The color of rockets, shells, or rocket parachute flares used to indicate that the vessel is in distress and requires immediate assistance is __________.

    N a. white
    N b. green
    Y c. red
    N d. yellow

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

974: On board small passenger vessels the minimum fill pipe size for a gasoline or diesel tank is __________.

    N a. 2 1/2 inches nominal pipe size
    Y b. 1 1/2 inches nominal pipe size
    N c. Not specified by the Regulations
    N d. Large enough so it does not cause backpressure and fuel spillage

1170: When operating gravity davits, the __________.

    N a. gripes should be released after the boat is moving
    Y b. davits should always be hand cranked the last 12 inches into the final stowed position
    N c. boats are generally lowered by surging the falls around cruciform bitts
    N d. tricing pendant should be tripped prior to releasing the gripes

1523: The term "oil" as used in the Oil Pollution Regulations means __________.

    N a. fuel oil
    N b. sludge
    N c. oil refuse
    Y d. All of the above

1727: Which method is used to supply inert gas from a flue gas system to the cargo tanks?

    N a. Exhaust gas pressure from the stack
    Y b. High capacity fan
    N c. Inert gas compressor
    N d. Natural aspiration

1760: After jacking down your liftboat you have an unexpected list. You find that the only cause of this list must be a flooded leg. Your next course of action should be to __________.

    Y a. jack the vessel back up to a safe height
    N b. proceed on to your next destination since the list is unimportant
    N c. pump out all ballast to gain reserve buoyancy
    N d. notify the U. S. Coast Guard

1840: Your voyage planning indicates you will arrive at a waypoint in longitude 149°16.3'W at 0947 ZT on 3 March 1988. How should this date be entered into an AMVER report?

    N a. 030947W
    Y b. 031947Z
    N c. 031947 88
    N d. 03MAR1947Z

1880: The primary reason for placing covers over storage batteries is to __________.

    N a. prevent the accumulation of explosive gases
    N b. protect the hull from leaking electrolyte
    N c. prevent movement of the battery in rough waters
    Y d. protect against accidental shorting across terminals

1956: You have 400 tons of below deck tonnage. There is no liquid mud aboard. If you have 225 tons of cargo above deck with a VCG above the deck of 3.4 feet, what is the maximum allowed VCG of the remainder of the deck cargo that is permitted? (D036DG )

    N a. 1.96 feet
    Y b. 2.28 feet
    N c. 2.65 feet
    N d. 2.93 feet

2046: Your drafts are: FWD 5'-11", AFT 6'-11". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 7 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 16 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    N a. 8 tons
    N b. 12 tons
    N c. 10 tons
    Y d. 14 tons

2093: The davit launched liferaft can be boarded __________.

    N a. from the water only
    Y b. at the deck
    N c. by jumping down onto it
    N d. through the escape tube

2251: What will NOT decrease the stability of a vessel?

    N a. Topside icing
    N b. Running with a following sea
    N c. Using 35% of the fuel in a full tank
    Y d. Lowering a weight suspended by a boom onto the deck

2292: Grade D liquids are those having flash points of __________.

    N a. 80°F or less
    Y b. greater than 80°F and less than 150°F
    N c. 150°F or greater but less than 212°F
    N d. 212°F or greater

2599: Oil fires are best extinguished by __________.

    Y a. cutting off the supply of oxygen
    N b. removing the fuel
    N c. cooling below the ignition temperature
    N d. spraying with water

2602: In order to determine the health hazard data for carbolic acid, you would use that information contained in the Chemical Data Guide for which chemical?

    N a. Acetic oxide
    N b. Carbinol
    N c. Carbon bisulfide
    Y d. Phenol

2769: Starting motors, generators, and any other spark producing devices shall be __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. of the alternating current type
    Y b. mounted as high as practicable above the bilges
    N c. rated for at least 12 volts
    N d. All of the above

3022: Vessels operating in warm water whose routes are restricted to 20 miles from a harbor of safe refuge shall carry life floats or buoyant apparatus for not less than __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 25% of all persons on board
    Y b. 50% of all persons on board
    N c. 75% of all persons on board
    N d. 100% of all persons on board

3117: For a MODU with longitudinal inclination, an increase in GML causes __________.

    N a. list to stabilize at an angle of loll
    N b. trim to stabilize at an angle of loll
    N c. trim to increase
    Y d. trim to decrease

3350: Which statement is TRUE concerning the number of portable fire extinguishers required at the operating station of a small passenger vessel? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. None are required.
    Y b. One B-I extinguisher is required.
    N c. One B-II extinguisher is required.
    N d. Two B-I extinguishers are required.

3368: Your tow includes a barge carrying chlorine. Which special requirements must be observed?

    N a. The wing voids shall not be opened when underway.
    N b. You must post a deckhand to keep a special watch on this barge.
    Y c. A cargo information card for chlorine must be in the pilothouse.
    N d. All of the above

3518: The groups "AA" and "AB" are used in conjunction with what other group in signaling by flashing light?

    N a. WA
    N b. RQ
    N c. CS
    Y d. RPT

3642: When communicating on the radiotelephone using plain English, what procedure word indicates the end of my transmission and that a response is necessary?

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

3680: When administering artificial respiration to an adult, the breathing cycle should be repeated about __________.

    Y a. 12 to 15 times per minute
    N b. 18 to 20 times per minute
    N c. 20 to 25 times per minute
    N d. as fast as possible

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

3741: Because of the presence of 75 knot winds, the DEEP DRILLER is at survival draft. KGT is 3.24 feet less than the maximum allowed. What is the value of GMT?

    Y a. 5.32 feet
    N b. 5.17 feet
    N c. 3.39 feet
    N d. 3.24 feet

3791: What is the VCG of the additional load if P-tank #4 in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #1 (Transit) is completely filled ?

    N a. 113.90 feet
    N b. 117.01 feet
    N c. 121.03 feet
    Y d. 123.06 feet

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

4092: On which route is a towing vessel over 39.4 feet in length NOT required to carry an echo-sounding device?

    N a. Great Lakes
    N b. Inland Waters, other than the Western Rivers
    Y c. Western Rivers
    N d. Coastwise Routes

4121: The DEEP DRILLER is observed to be level at a draft of 60.0 feet. At the same time, the calculated load form shows the displacement to be 17,845 long tons, total longitudinal moments 51,466 foot-tons, and total transverse moments -10,000 foot-tons. What is the weight of the missing load?

    N a. 220.7 long tons
    N b. 235.3 long tons
    N c. 253.7 long tons
    Y d. 272.7 long tons

4187: The DEEP DRILLER is drilling at 60 feet draft at a corrected KG of 54.0 feet. 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. 1283 long tons
    N b. 817 long tons
    N c. 679 long tons
    Y d. 302 long tons

5075: What lighting characteristic is required of an obstruction light on a mobile offshore drilling unit on the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf?

    N a. Fixed
    N b. Flashing
    Y c. Quick-flashing
    N d. Occulting

5314: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 14'-04", AFT 18'-08". 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-0176

    N a. 1.05 feet
    N b. 1.15 feet
    Y c. 1.25 feet
    N d. 1.31 feet

5462: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 13'-10", AFT 16'-04". 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-0179

    N a. 1.30 feet
    N b. 1.17 foot
    Y c. 1.01 foot
    N d. 0.91 foot

5481: A common means of connecting shots of anchor chain in the field is to use a __________.

    N a. sprocket
    Y b. Kenter link
    N c. swivel
    N d. end shackle

5553: The angle between the flukes and the shank of an anchor is called the __________.

    N a. holding angle
    N b. fleet angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. shank angle

5668: Your drafts are: FWD 16'-02", AFT 18'-02". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the MT1.

    N a. 935 foot-tons
    Y b. 960 foot-tons
    N c. 985 foot-tons
    N d. 1000 foot-tons

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

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

5931: If the charted water depth is 200 feet, the limits of service for the COASTAL DRILLER require an air gap of __________.

    N a. 35 feet
    N b. 32 feet
    Y c. 30 feet
    N d. 25 feet

5936: 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-0188

    N a. Available GM 4.1 ft
    Y b. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.7 ft
    N d. Available GM 5.1 ft

6445: What is the function of wearing rings found on some centrifugal pumps?

    N a. Absorb erosion of high velocity discharge stream
    N b. Seal pump shaft against entry of air
    Y c. Isolate the outlet side from the inlet side
    N d. Dampen the turbulent discharge flow

6895: Who is responsible for reporting a casualty to a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. The pilot
    Y b. The owner
    N c. The surveyor
    N d. The engineer

7073: Where there are multiple accident victims, which condition should be the first to receive emergency treatment?

    N a. Back injuries
    N b. Major multiple fractures
    Y c. Suspension of breathing
    N d. Burns

7603: Initial stability refers to stability __________.

    Y a. at small angles of inclination
    N b. when loaded with minimum deck load
    N c. when at transit draft
    N d. when GZ is zero

8015: In case of damage to the DEEP DRILLER on location, the immediate objective is to reduce the unexpected inclination and return the unit to __________.

    N a. nearest sheltered port
    Y b. near its original draft
    N c. drilling
    N d. survival draft

8221: What is the purpose of a vent header?

    N a. Prevents entry of water into vent systems
    N b. Prevents passage of flame into fuel tanks
    N c. Catches overflow
    Y d. Combines individual vent lines into a main

9342: The ventilation system of your ship has fire dampers restrained by fusible links. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Fusible links must be replaced if a damper is activated.
    N b. Fusible links are tested by applying a source of heat to them.
    N c. Fusible links must be replaced at every inspection for certification.
    N d. A fusible link will automatically open after a fire is extinguished and reset the damper.

9371: Overhauling a fire in the living quarters on a vessel must include __________.

    Y a. opening dead spaces to check for heat or fire
    N b. evacuation of the vessel
    N c. sounding the "all clear" signal
    N d. operation of the emergency generator

9383: Immediately after abandoning a vessel, lookouts should be posted aboard liferafts to look for __________.

    Y a. survivors in the water
    N b. food and water
    N c. land
    N d. bad weather

9411: When anchoring in an area with a soft bottom, the fluke angle of an anchor should be set at __________.

    N a. 20°
    N b. 30°
    N c. 40°
    Y d. 50°

9595: A non-symmetrical tank aboard a MODU contains 390 tons of ballast at a VCG of 9.85 feet. Ballast weighing 250 tons and a VCG of 12.0 feet is discharged. The vertical moments for the remaining ballast is __________.

    Y a. 842 ft-long tons
    N b. 3,000 ft-long tons
    N c. 3,842 ft-long tons
    N d. 6,842 ft-long tons