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.


188: The preferred method of controlling external bleeding is by __________.


256: What is the minimum number of fire pumps required on a cargo vessel of 2,000 GT?


284: What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist G, 4, 2, 1, first substitute.


331: One of the limitations of foam as an extinguishing agent is that foam __________.

    N a. cannot be made with salt water
    N b. is heavier than oil and sinks below its surface
    N c. is corrosive and a hazard to fire fighters
    Y d. conducts electricity

343: An emergency sea anchor may be constructed by using __________.

    N a. a boat bucket
    N b. an air tank filled with water
    N c. an oar and canvas weighted down
    Y d. All of the above

383: The purpose of the tripping line on a sea anchor is to __________.

    N a. aid in casting off
    N b. direct the drift of the vessel
    Y c. aid in its recovery
    N d. maintain maximum resistance to broaching

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

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.

804: You have an AB who has become violently ill, and you are requesting urgent medical advice. Your message should contain which code?

    N a. MAB
    N b. MAD
    Y c. MAA
    N d. MAF

1143: For pumping the bilges, a 54 foot long "T-Boat", which is not a ferry, but is certificated to carry 30 passengers, must be fitted with at least __________.

    N a. one fixed power pump and one portable hand pump
    N b. one fixed hand pump and one portable hand pump
    N c. two portable hand pumps
    Y d. either "A" or "B"

1356: What is placed on the under side of an inflatable liferaft to help prevent it from being skidded by the wind or overturned?

    Y a. Water pockets
    N b. A keel
    N c. Strikes
    N d. Sea anchor

1428: A Halon 1301 cylinder contains 100 pounds of liquid at 360 psi. It must be recharged when the pressure drops below how many psi?

    N a. 360
    N b. 352
    N c. 336
    Y d. 324

1494: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The aftermost boat on the port side is designated as boat number __________.

    Y a. 6
    N b. 5
    N c. 3
    N d. 3 PORT

1551: On inspected cargo vessels, each fire station is required to be fitted with a hose which has a nominal diameter of __________.

    Y a. 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 inches
    N b. 2 or 3 inches
    N c. 2-1/2 or 3-1/2 inches
    N d. 3 or 4 inches

1654: You are operating a ship greater than 400 gross tons. You are NOT permitted to carry oil or hazardous materials in a(n) __________.

    Y a. forepeak tank
    N b. after peak tank
    N c. deep tank
    N d. on-deck portable tank

1811: What should be your FIRST action if you discover a fire aboard ship?

    Y a. Sound the alarm.
    N b. Attempt to put out the fire.
    N c. Confine it by closing doors, ports, vents, etc.
    N d. Call the Master.

1828: A gas-free certificate would usually be issued by a(n) __________.

    N a. ABS marine surveyor
    Y b. certified marine chemist
    N c. port engineer
    N d. Coast Guard marine inspector

1906: Your vessel displaces 930 tons and measures 156'L by 38'B. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface if the fish hold (46'L by 28'B by 8'D) is filled with 1.5 feet of water? (Each foot of water weighs 36.8 tons)

    N a. 2.16 feet
    Y b. 2.44 feet
    N c. 2.75 feet
    N d. 2.99 feet

1979: A documented oceangoing fishing vessel is required to have emergency instructions posted if it __________.

    N a. exceeds 49 feet in length
    N b. is over 25 gross tons
    Y c. carries more than 16 persons
    N d. has sleeping accommodations

2168: When a vessel is stationary and in a hogging condition, the main deck is under which type of stress?

    N a. compression
    Y b. tension
    N c. shear
    N d. racking

2171: The approval period for a shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan expires after __________.

    N a. two years
    N b. three years
    N c. four years
    Y d. five years

2172: Your vessel displaces 560 tons. The existing deck cargo has a center of gravity of 4.5 feet above the deck and weighs 34 tons. If you load 10 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 2.8 feet above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    Y a. 4.11 feet
    N b. 4.36 feet
    N c. 4.57 feet
    N d. 4.78 feet

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.

2276: What is the Reid vapor pressure of allyl chloride?

    N a. 16.5 (psia)
    N b. 14.0 (psia)
    N c. 12.9 (psia)
    Y d. 10.3 (psia)

2298: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 3684 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 28.4 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-0055

    N a. KG 27.0 feet
    Y b. KG 27.6 feet
    N c. KG 28.2 feet
    N d. KG 28.8 feet

2422: What is the threshold limit value (TLV) for a product of PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE?

    Y a. 1 ppm
    N b. 2 ppm
    N c. 3 ppm
    N d. 4 ppm

2489: According to the Chemical Data Guide, which extinguishing agent should be used on a petrolatum fire in an open area?

    N a. CO2
    N b. Dry chemical
    N c. Monoxide powders
    Y d. Foam

2603: Where is the keel generally located on a MODU?

    N a. Along the midships axis
    Y b. Along the centerline of the lower hulls
    N c. Along the roll axis of the hull
    N d. Along the axis of rotation of the hull

2724: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-03", AFT 18'-09"; and the KG is 22.6 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 1.4 feet off the centerline.

    N a. 18°
    Y b. 22°
    N c. 26°
    N d. 30°

3001: Which statement concerning immersion suits is TRUE?

    N a. Immersion suits should be worn during routine work on deck to provide maximum protection.
    N b. After purchasing, the suit should be removed from its storage bag and hung on a hanger where readily accessible.
    Y c. Immersion suits must have a PFD light attached to the front shoulder area.
    N d. Small leaks or tears may be repaired using the repair kit packed with the suit.

3102: Which type of fixed fire-extinguishing system is approved for use on board uninspected vessels? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    Y a. Carbon dioxide
    N b. Steam smothering
    N c. Chemical foam
    N d. All of the above

3105: Subtracting the height of the center of gravity corrected for transverse free surface effects from the height of the transverse metacenter of a MODU yields __________.

    N a. GM
    Y b. GMT
    N c. KGT
    N d. KMT

3134: Which is a B-II fire extinguisher? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. A 2-1/2 gallon water (stored pressure) extinguisher
    Y b. A 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher
    N c. A 2 lb. dry chemical extinguisher
    N d. A 1-1/4 gallon foam extinguisher

3326: The nozzle of a gasoline hose or can should be kept __________.

    Y a. in contact with the fill opening to guard against static spark
    N b. from making contact with the fill opening to guard against static spark
    N c. in contact with the fill opening to allow proper venting
    N d. None of the above

3419: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 5 (P & S) to maintain drafts of 17'-00" forward and 22'-06" aft for a vessel loaded with grain which has a test weight of 35 lbs.

    N a. 785 tons each
    N b. 820 tons each
    Y c. 880 tons each
    N d. 900 tons each

3571: The DEEP DRILLER is anchoring in 600 feet of water. In the absence of environmental forces, the mooring lines should be adjusted to __________.

    N a. 245 kips
    Y b. 222 kips
    N c. 237 kips
    N d. 194 kips

3736: The most effective treatment for warming a crew member suffering from hypothermia is __________.

    N a. running or jumping to increase circulation
    N b. raising body temperature rapidly by placing hands and feet in hot water
    Y c. bundling the body in blankets to rewarm gradually
    N d. laying prone under heat lamps to rewarm rapidly

3806: A liferaft which has inflated bottom-up on the water __________.

    Y a. should be righted by standing on the carbon dioxide cylinder, holding the righting straps and leaning backwards
    N b. should be righted by standing on the life line, holding the righting straps leaning backwards
    N c. will right itself when the canopy tube inflates
    N d. must be cleared of the buoyant equipment before it will right itself

3871: On the DEEP DRILLER, among the port-side valves to open when deballasting from ballast tank 2P is valve __________.

    N a. 3
    Y b. 5
    N c. 6
    N d. 7

4041: 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 keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -0.26 foot
    N b. -0.46 foot
    Y c. 0.46 foot
    N d. 0.61 foot

4041: 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 keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -0.26 foot
    N b. -0.46 foot
    Y c. 0.46 foot
    N d. 0.61 foot

4081: Visual inspections of survival craft on offshore drilling units, to ensure operational readiness, must be conducted at least once a __________.

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

4132: When the helm is turned on the navigation bridge, which of the listed actions will be the FIRST response in the steering room on a ship equipped with an electro-hydraulic steering gear?

    N a. The pumps go to full stroke.
    N b. The six-way valve aligns itself with the running pump.
    N c. Both port and starboard cables are energized.
    Y d. The synchronous receiver turns, duplicating the helm motion.

4267: For the COASTAL DRILLER, what is the maximum rotary load that can be used when the rotary has been extended 40 feet aft of the transom?

    N a. 750 kips
    N b. 630 kips
    Y c. 609 kips
    N d. 531 kips

4295: The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit with winds expected to exceed 70 knots, must lower the legs so that the can tips are __________.

    Y a. 60.5 feet below the hull
    N b. 48.5 feet below the hull
    N c. 11.6 feet below the hull
    N d. 1.2 feet below the hull

4764: You are scheduled to load 3700 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 427 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in salt water.

    N a. 17'-01"
    Y b. 17'-05"
    N c. 17'-10"
    N d. 18'-00"

5434: You are hoisting a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 5230 T. The 35-ton weight is on the pier and its center is 60' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 105' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 42' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    N a. 4.11
    N b. 4.54
    Y c. 4.98
    N d. 5.13

5751: When piggybacking anchors, the distance between the primary anchor and the secondary anchor is determined by __________.

    N a. bottom conditions
    N b. anchor types
    Y c. water depth
    N d. workboat winch capacity

5767: A shepherd's crook is used to __________.

    N a. lower spring buoys into the water
    Y b. find an anchor after the buoy has been lost
    N c. transfer a pennant wire to the anchor handling boat
    N d. clean chain as it is hauled into the rig

5793: In storm conditions, with the wind and waves from the starboard bow of the DEEP DRILLER in 400 feet water depth, the offset is 7%. Completely slacking mooring lines 7 and 8 reduces the offset to __________.

    N a. 6.5%
    N b. 5.0%
    Y c. 4.0%
    N d. 2.5%

5902: The most likely location for a liquid fire to occur on a tanker would be __________.

    N a. the midships house
    N b. at the vent header
    Y c. in the pumproom
    N d. at the main deck

5953: The stamped full weight of a 100 lb. CO2 bottle is 314 lbs. What is the minimum weight of the bottle before it has to be recharged?

    N a. 282 lbs.
    N b. 294 lbs.
    N c. 300 lbs.
    Y d. 304 lbs.

6571: To determine the number of portable fire extinguishers required on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. hot work permit
    Y b. Certificate of Inspection
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    N d. Operations Manual

6737: Each EPIRB required on a MODU shall be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator every __________.

    N a. week
    N b. two weeks
    Y c. month
    N d. two months

6858: A hydraulic accumulator is designed to __________.

    Y a. store fluid under pressure
    N b. act as a fluid reservoir
    N c. provide overpressure relief
    N d. replenish fluid to a system

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

8685: The DEEP DRILLER, at 58.0 feet draft in sea water, places 275.8 long tons on board. What is the new draft?

    N a. 56 feet
    N b. 58 feet
    Y c. 60 feet
    N d. 62 feet

8845: A semisubmersible at a draft of 19 feet 9 inches arrives on location planning to deploy eight mooring lines. Each anchor weighs 15 long tons and each mooring line consists of 3,000 feet of 3-inch chain (89.6 lbs/ft). If no ballast corrections are made, what is the expected draft if the average TPI is 60?

    N a. 17 feet 9 inches
    Y b. 18 feet 3 inches
    N c. 18 feet 9 inches
    N d. 21 feet 3 inches

9293: An elevated jack-up weighs 14,000 kips. The drill floor, weighing 700 kips, is skidded 10.0 feet to starboard. The change in TCG is __________.

    N a. 9.00 feet starboard
    Y b. 0.50 foot starboard
    N c. 1.50 foot starboard
    N d. 1.00 foot starboard

9577: When is the density of the water required to be logged in the logbook of a MODU?

    N a. Any time the vessel moves from water of one density into waters of a different density
    Y b. Prior to getting underway when the vessel is floating in fresh or brackish water
    N c. Only when the vessel moves from fresh water into salt water
    N d. The density of the water is not required to be logged in the unofficial logbook