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.


7: You have been carrying a liquid with flammable limits of 1% to 7% mixture with air. If your instructions say that no one shall enter the tank if the vapor concentration is over 15% of the LEL, what is the maximum allowable percentage of vapors for men to enter?


239: Which statement about the free surface correction is TRUE?


401: On a vessel of 12,000 tons displacement, what is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface when a tank 60 feet long and 60 feet wide is partially filled with water?


473: Each small passenger vessel that operates on the high seas, or beyond 3 miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes must have a Category 1 406 MHz EPIRB that __________.

    N a. is in good operating condition and is stowed near its charger
    Y b. will float free and clear of a sinking vessel and automatically activate
    N c. is protected against all physical hazards
    N d. All of the above

537: What frequency has the FCC designated for the use of bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone communications?

    N a. 156.275 MHz channel 65
    Y b. 156.650 MHz channel 13
    N c. 157.000 MHz channel 28
    N d. 157.000 MHz channel 20

579: The letter R followed by one or more numbers indicates __________.

    N a. a vessel's identity
    N b. bearing
    N c. visibility
    Y d. distance

592: A foam-type portable fire extinguisher would be most useful in combating a fire in __________.

    N a. solid materials such as wood or bales of fiber
    Y b. flammable liquids
    N c. a piece of electrical equipment
    N d. combustible metallic solids

663: Stretchers are fitted in lifeboats to provide a __________.

    N a. place for people to lie down
    N b. means for rigging the sail
    Y c. place for rowers to brace their feet
    N d. suitable means for water to drain below the footings

727: Under the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act", failure of a vessel's radiotelephone equipment __________.

    N a. constitutes a violation of the Act
    N b. obligates the operator to moor or anchor the vessel immediately
    N c. requires immediate, emergency repairs
    Y d. does not, in itself, constitute a violation of the Act

857: Who must ensure that the emergency lighting and power systems on cargo vessels are operated at least weekly?

    Y a. Master
    N b. Chief Engineer
    N c. Deck officer assigned
    N d. Engineering officer assigned

874: If you were being assisted by an icebreaker and he sent you the single letter "Q", he would be telling you __________.

    N a. that he has his engines in reverse
    N b. that he is shortening the distance between vessels
    Y c. to shorten the distance between vessels
    N d. that his vessel is healthy

931: The major cause of shock in burn victims is the __________.

    N a. high level of pain
    N b. emotional stress
    N c. increase in body temperature and pulse rate
    Y d. massive loss of fluid through the burned area

953: You are at sea on a vessel that has a beam of 50 feet, and you calculate the period of roll to be 22 seconds. What is the vessel's metacentric height?

    N a. 0.8 ft
    Y b. 1.0 ft
    N c. 1.2 ft
    N d. 1.4 ft

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

1056: U.S.C.G. approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety equipment and may be worn by members of the crew __________.

    N a. in lieu of life preservers during fire drills
    N b. in lieu of life preservers during boat drills
    N c. in lieu of life preservers during an actual emergency
    Y d. when carrying out duties near a weather deck's edge

1069: After the initial AMVER Position Report, sent by a vessel sailing foreign, subsequent Position Reports must be sent no less frequently than every __________.

    N a. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
    Y b. 48 hours
    N c. 36 hours
    N d. 24 hours

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

1302: A class B fire is most successfully fought by __________.

    Y a. preventing oxygen from reaching the burning material
    N b. cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature
    N c. using the extinguishing agent to make the burning material fire-resistant
    N d. using the extinguishing agent to absorb the heat

1302: A class B fire is most successfully fought by __________.

    Y a. preventing oxygen from reaching the burning material
    N b. cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature
    N c. using the extinguishing agent to make the burning material fire-resistant
    N d. using the extinguishing agent to absorb the heat

1332: An important step in fighting any electrical fire is to __________.

    N a. stop ventilation
    N b. stop the vessel
    Y c. de-energize the circuit
    N d. apply water to extinguish the fire

1599: All self-propelled vessels on an international voyage must be equipped with how many Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacons (EPIRB)?

    Y a. One approved Category 1 EPIRB
    N b. Three approved Category 1 EPIRBs
    N c. One approved Class B EPIRB
    N d. Two approved Class B EPIRBs

1612: Which action is routinely performed at the annual servicing and inspection of a dry-chemical cartridge-operated portable fire extinguisher?

    N a. Test the pressure gauge for correct reading.
    Y b. Weigh the cartridge.
    N c. Replace the dry chemical.
    N d. Pressure test the discharge hose.

1643: On a MODU with lifeboats stowed in two different locations, if all the lifeboats are lost in one location then the remaining lifeboats must accommodate what percentage of the persons permitted on board?

    N a. 50%
    N b. 75%
    N c. 90%
    Y d. 100%

1661: What is the maximum number of crew members that may be berthed in one room aboard your cargo vessel?

    N a. Two
    Y b. Four
    N c. Six
    N d. Eight

1672: Which of the following would be considered downflooding on a fishing vessel as defined in regulation?

    Y a. Vessel heels until water enters a hatch.
    N b. Vessel in collision floods through a damaged area above the waterline.
    N c. Vessel takes on water due to the hatches being left open in heavy rain.
    N d. Vessel takes on water by the propeller shaft due to failure of the stern gland.

1701: Movement of liquid in a tank when a vessel inclines causes an increase in __________.

    N a. righting arm
    N b. metacentric height
    N c. height of the uncorrected KG
    Y d. natural rolling period

1703: With regard to aerodynamic lift, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. If the thrust on a sail becomes excessive when close-hauled, it is likely to capsize the vessel rather than drive it.
    N b. When a sail is trimmed too tight, turbulence will break out on the windward side of the sail and cause a telltale there to flutter.
    N c. A properly trimmed sail should have laminar flow on the windward side and turbulent flow on the leeward side.
    N d. Adjusting the angle of attack on a mainsail is accomplished by adjusting the outhaul or the vang, if fitted.

2121: A life float on a fishing vessel must be equipped with __________.

    N a. smoke flares
    Y b. a life line
    N c. a hydrostatic release
    N d. a signal mirror

2149: On a barge carrying grade A cargo, who determines where smoking may be permitted during a loading operation?

    N a. The OCMI who issued the Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. The certificated tankerman on duty
    N c. The vessel owner
    N d. Smoking is not permitted during a loading operation.

2180: You have approximately 16 tons of fish on deck. What will be the shift in the center of gravity after you shift the fish to the fish hold, a vertical distance of 8 feet? (total displacement is 640 tons)

    N a. 0.1 foot
    Y b. 0.2 foot
    N c. 0.3 foot
    N d. 0.4 foot

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

2424: Which statement pertaining to log keeping is TRUE?

    N a. Entries relating to pre-voyage, pre-departure and daily tests are required
    Y b. Both A and C
    N c. All Distress, Urgent and Safety communications that affect the station's own ship must be logged
    N d. Routine daily MF-HF and INMARSAT-C transmissions do not have to be logged

2434: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-11", AFT 16'-01"; and the KG is 24.4 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 30°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 24,960 foot-tons
    N b. 22,870 foot-tons
    N c. 20,360 foot-tons
    Y d. 18,240 foot-tons

2437: A heavy steel device that is set on the sea floor and used as a drilling template in offshore drilling operations is called a __________.

    Y a. temporary guide base
    N b. permanent guide base
    N c. guide frame
    N d. foundation template

2633: A load line for a MODU is assigned by the __________.

    N a. Minerals Management Service
    N b. Department of Energy
    N c. Corps of Engineers
    Y d. A recognized classification society approved by the Coast Guard

2695: A certificated lifeboatman assigned to command the lifeboat must __________.

    N a. be the first individual to board the craft
    N b. drain the hydraulic pressure before lowering the craft
    Y c. have a list of the persons assigned to the lifeboat
    N d. All of the above

2828: On board small passenger vessels, how often shall the Master test the steering gear?

    N a. Once a week
    N b. Once a month
    N c. Every 72 operating hours while underway
    Y d. Before getting underway for the day's operations

2872: A tank barge equipped with an internal-combustion engine-driven cargo pump on the weather deck shall be provided with a minimum of one remote manual shutdown station. What is the correct location of the shutdown station?

    Y a. Midpoint of the vessel or 100 feet from the engine
    N b. Stern of the vessel or 100 feet from the engine
    N c. Midpoint of the vessel or 75 feet from the bow
    N d. Bow of the vessel or 75 feet from the engine

3058: Life floats and buoyant apparatus shall be marked __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. with the vessel's name in 3" letters
    N b. conspicuously in 1-1/2" letters with the number of persons allowed
    N c. with the vessel's name on all paddles
    Y d. All of the above

3129: If water is rising in the bilge of a survival craft, you should first __________.

    N a. abandon the survival craft
    N b. check for cracks in the hull
    N c. shift all personnel to the stern
    Y d. check the bilge drain plug

3136: Where should the tops of vents from gasoline tanks terminate?

    Y a. In open air
    N b. Inside cabins near the overhead
    N c. In the machinery space near the engine air intake
    N d. Underwater

3142: In the machinery space of all uninspected motor vessels, there must be one type B-II hand portable fire extinguisher for every __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 500 S.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    N b. 1000 S.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    N c. 500 B.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    Y d. 1000 B.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof

3216: Gasoline fuel tank vents should terminate __________.

    N a. in the engine compartment
    N b. in the fuel tank space
    Y c. above or outside the hull
    N d. at the most convenient location

4047: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the centerline. What is the improvement in KGT?

    N a. 0.68 foot
    N b. 0.99 foot
    Y c. 1.16 feet
    N d. 2.07 feet

4077: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). What is the new longitudinal free surface correction (FSCL) if the entire contents of Salt Water Ballast Tanks 1P and 1S are discharged?

    N a. 1.06 feet
    Y b. 1.09 feet
    N c. 3.30 feet
    N d. 3.38 feet

4119: A large fire, involving class "A" material, has developed in the ship's galley. In combating this fire, you should __________.

    N a. keep the galley door closed until all the class "A" material has been consumed by the fire
    N b. have a hose team cool the galley door, then open the door and extinguish the fire using a type B-II extinguisher
    Y c. cool adjoining horizontal and vertical surfaces before opening the galley door
    N d. advance the hose team into the galley without any preparatory action

4159: A yellow signal, floating in the air from a parachute, about 300 feet above the water, indicates that a submarine __________.

    Y a. will be coming to periscope depth
    N b. will be coming to the surface
    N c. is on the bottom in distress
    N d. is in distress and will try to surface

4189: You are loading in the winter in Albany, N.Y., for a voyage to a port governed by the tropical load line mark. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Hydrometer reading in Albany is 1.000)

    N a. You may not exceed the winter load line mark when you finish loading except for the burnout to sea.
    Y b. The freshwater allowance and burnout to sea may be subtracted from the required freeboard in Albany.
    N c. You may calculate the burnout necessary to reach the tropical zone and load extra cargo to compensate.
    N d. You may load to the winter mark less the fresh water allowance if you will be at the tropical mark upon arrival in the tropical zone.

4465: The COASTAL DRILLER's ability to meet the damage stability criteria depends on maintaining watertight integrity, displacement less than 14,158 kips, level attitude, and KGT and KGL less than __________.

    N a. the height of the righting arm
    Y b. the maximum allowed
    N c. GMT and GML
    N d. BMT and BML

4471: A severe storm threatens the COASTAL DRILLER, and a decision is made to evacuate the unit. If practical, all non-essential personnel should be off the unit in advance of the storm's predicted arrival by __________.

    N a. 12 hours
    N b. 24 hours
    N c. 36 hours
    Y d. 48 hours

4681: The COASTAL DRILLER is in transit loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What would be the new KGT if, during the move, 170.9 kips of fuel oil is consumed from Diesel Oil Tanks #13 and #14?

    N a. 48.98 feet
    N b. 50.08 feet
    Y c. 50.70 feet
    N d. 51.21 feet

4715: Sea water remaining in the preload tanks of the COASTAL DRILLER after the preload has been dumped shall be entered in the load form as __________.

    N a. basic load
    N b. fixed load
    N c. preload
    Y d. liquid variable load

5247: In case of major damage to column C1P while the DEEP DRILLER is on location, you should pump from port-forward lower-hull tanks using __________.

    N a. all four ballast pumps
    Y b. both port-side ballast pumps
    N c. saltwater service pump to supplement port-side ballast pumps
    N d. drill water pump to supplement port-side ballast pumps

5763: What is the purpose of a chain stopper?

    N a. Stops the chain during pay out
    Y b. Secures the chain after is has been stopped
    N c. Stops off a 6 foot section for inspection
    N d. Hydraulically cuts anchor chain

5763: What is the purpose of a chain stopper?

    N a. Stops the chain during pay out
    Y b. Secures the chain after is has been stopped
    N c. Stops off a 6 foot section for inspection
    N d. Hydraulically cuts anchor chain

5924: 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-0187

    N a. 1.30 feet
    N b. 1.07 foot
    N c. 0.96 foot
    Y d. 0.73 foot

8737: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the weight of the mud in pit #4 if the mud weight was changed from 16 to 14 pounds per gallon?

    N a. No change
    Y b. 93.34 long tons
    N c. 121.91 long tons
    N d. 135.13 long tons

8913: In a semisubmersible MODU, the columns contain void spaces above the waterline that used principally for __________.

    N a. equipment storage
    N b. machinery
    N c. elevators
    Y d. reserve buoyancy

8925: A vessel behaves as if all of its weight is acting downward through the center of gravity, and all its support is acting upward through the __________.

    N a. keel
    Y b. center of buoyancy
    N c. tipping center
    N d. amidships section

9581: The C02 flooding system is actuated by a sequence of steps which are __________.

    Y a. break glass, pull valve, break glass, pull cylinder control
    N b. sound evacuation alarm, pull handle
    N c. open bypass valve, break glass, pull handle
    N d. open stop valve, open control valve, trip alarm