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.


52: Which statement is TRUE concerning inert gas systems on tank vessels?


80: What represents the metacentric height? (D001SA )


111: In the event of a fire, the doors to a stair tower must be closed to prevent the spread of fire by __________.


242: You are in a tank wearing the self-contained breathing apparatus and you desire to return topside. How many tugs of the lifeline mean to take up the slack?

    N a. One
    N b. Two
    Y c. Three
    N d. Four

292: High-velocity fog __________.

    N a. is a finer, more diffuse water spray than low-velocity fog
    N b. requires that the water pressure be no greater than 60 psi
    N c. produces an effective fog pattern no more than 6 feet beyond the nozzle
    Y d. extinguishes a fire by absorbing heat and reducing the supply of oxygen

317: Your vessel will be entering the navigable waters of the United States. You are required by regulations to __________.

    N a. test the primary and secondary steering systems no more than 8 hours before entering
    Y b. correct the charts of the area to be transited using the Notice(s) to Mariners or foreign equivalent reasonably available
    N c. have a copy of Radio Navigational Aids
    N d. check the magnetic compass for the correct deviation

339: If a firefighting situation calls for low-velocity fog you would __________.

    N a. order the engine room to reduce pressure on the fire pump
    N b. put the lever on an all-purpose fire nozzle all the way forward
    Y c. attach a low-velocity fog applicator with the nozzle shut down
    N d. put the lever on an all-purpose fire nozzle all the way back

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

621: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine about to surface because of an emergency on board is __________.

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

884: The single letter G, sent by an icebreaker to an assisted vessel, means __________.

    N a. "I require a pilot"
    N b. "Longitude follows"
    Y c. "I am going ahead; follow me"
    N d. "Do not follow me"

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

1011: Which vessel(s) is(are) required to comply with the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone regulations while navigating?

    N a. All towing vessels 25 feet or less in length
    N b. All passenger vessels of 50 gross tons or less, carrying one or more passengers
    Y c. Power-driven vessels 20 meters in length or longer
    N d. An intermittently manned floating plant under the control of a dredge

1111: On small passenger vessels, outlets in fuel lines are permitted __________.

    N a. to tap fuel for cleaning parts and engine wash down
    N b. for inspection purposes only
    N c. to bleed fuel lines
    Y d. under no circumstances in gasoline installations

1161: You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag "A" hoisted. What should you do?

    N a. Give the vessel a wide berth as she is carrying dangerous goods.
    N b. Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because she is disabled.
    N c. Stop your vessel instantly.
    Y d. Slow your vessel and keep well clear because she has a diver down.

1231: A "T-Boat" accident resulting in loss of life, serious injury or more than $25,000 property damage must be reported to __________.

    N a. the Maritime Administration (MARAD)
    Y b. the Coast Guard
    N c. the owner or his insurance agent
    N d. All of the above

1240: On open lifeboats, the purpose of the wire stretched between the davit heads is to __________.

    N a. keep the movement of the davits at the same speed
    N b. keep the davits from slipping when they are in the stowed position
    N c. prevent vibration during lowering of the boat
    Y d. support the manropes

1243: What is TRUE about hoisting operations?

    N a. Personnel may work beneath suspended loads, as long as they are alert and wear hard hats.
    N b. If a suspended load with no tag begins to spin, personnel should attempt to stop the spinning if the load is within reach.
    N c. If tag lines are used to control a suspended load, they should be secured to the deck.
    Y d. Personnel not involved in the hoisting operation should be kept clear of the transfer area.

1253: If there are no alternatives for escape, what is the maximum height that the survival craft could be dropped into the water?

    N a. 2 ft.
    N b. 6 ft.
    Y c. 10 ft.
    N d. 14 ft.

1320: Fire extinguishers on inspected vessels are numbered by size I through V, with I being __________.

    N a. used for electrical fires only
    Y b. the smallest
    N c. the most accessible
    N d. the most effective

1397: To reduce mild fever the MOST useful drug is __________.

    N a. bicarbonate of soda
    N b. paregoric
    Y c. aspirin
    N d. aromatic spirits of ammonia

1500: 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-0040

    N a. Available GM 6.9 ft
    N b. Available GM 5.3 ft
    Y c. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

1500: 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-0040

    N a. Available GM 6.9 ft
    N b. Available GM 5.3 ft
    Y c. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

1522: The pollution prevention regulations in MARPOL apply to U. S. flag vessels __________.

    N a. only on the Great Lakes and international waters
    N b. only on the western rivers and international waters
    N c. only on international voyages outside U.S. territorial waters
    Y d. on all international and inland waters

1629: Which statement is TRUE about fire fighting foam?

    N a. The air bubbles in foam act as an insulator in fighting a class C fire.
    N b. The effectiveness of foam in forming a blanket over a burning liquid increases as the temperature of the liquid increases.
    N c. Foam can be used to control gases escaping from compressed gas cylinders.
    Y d. Foam sets up a vapor barrier over a flammable liquid preventing flammable gases from rising.

1653: Before operating a non-oceangoing ship greater than 100 gross tons it must have a fixed piping system to discharge oily mixtures ashore. This system must include __________.

    N a. approved oil-water separating equipment
    N b. a fixed or portable containment system at the shore connection
    N c. a spare pump in case the main pump is inoperative
    Y d. at least one outlet accessible from the weather deck

1700: How often must the impulse-projected line throwing appliance be test fired?

    N a. Monthly
    Y b. At the Master's discretion
    N c. Semiannually
    N d. Annually

1970: What product is considered a noxious liquid substance for regulatory purposes?

    Y a. Octanol
    N b. Acetonitrile
    N c. Hog grease
    N d. Carbon black hose

2002: You have 420 tons of below deck tonnage and 150 tons of above deck cargo on board. You must load 135 tons of liquid mud below deck. How much more deck cargo can you load? (See the trim and stability letter for M.V. Hudson, illustration D036DG.) (D036DG )

    Y a. 90 tons
    N b. 140 tons
    N c. 155 tons
    N d. 240 tons

2170: You have approximately 60 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 960 tons)

    N a. 0.6 foot
    Y b. 0.5 foot
    N c. 0.4 foot
    N d. 0.3 foot

2258: According to the Chemical Data Guide, to what chemical family does 1,3 - pentadiene belong?

    N a. Unsaturated hydrocarbons
    N b. Esters
    N c. Phosphorus
    Y d. Olefins

2481: Which action should be taken on receipt of a GMDSS Distress alert?

    N a. Read the display screen and/or printout.
    N b. Silence the alarm.
    N c. Listen for any follow up voice/TELEX transmission on the appropriate frequency.
    Y d. All of the above

2529: What is a grade B flammable liquid?

    N a. Ethylene oxide
    N b. Paraldehyde
    Y c. Chlorallylene
    N d. Allyl alcohol

2537: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE regarding heaving-to?

    N a. A sloop will heave to with her jib and mainsail aback.
    N b. A ketch will heave to with her jib and mizzen aback.
    Y c. A yawl will heave to with her jib aback, main sheet eased, and her mizzen sheeted in.
    N d. All of the above are correct.

2659: 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-0074

    Y a. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N b. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.6 ft

2774: 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-0080

    N a. Available GM 3.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.5 ft
    Y c. Available GM 3.2 ft
    N d. Available GM 2.9 ft

2846: A small passenger vessel engaging in international voyages must be dry docked at least once every __________.

    N a. 6 months
    Y b. 12 months
    N c. 36 months
    N d. 60 months

2871: As shown, the symbol 3 represents __________. (D041DG )

    N a. displacement
    Y b. amidships
    N c. forward perpendicular
    N d. baseline

3073: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 28'-04", AFT 29'-10". 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-0102

    N a. FWD 27'-01", AFT 29'-11"
    Y b. FWD 27'-03", AFT 29'-09"
    N c. FWD 27'-05", AFT 29'-07"
    N d. FWD 27'-07", AFT 29'-05"

3242: A vessel carrying passengers for hire shall have on board an approved life jacket __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. for every passenger on board
    Y b. for every person on board, plus 10% childrens' life jackets
    N c. for every person on board, plus 10% additional on upper deck in box
    N d. or buoyant cushion for every person on board plus 10% for children

3569: If help has not arrived in 10-12 hours after abandoning a vessel in a rescue boat, you should __________.

    N a. go in one direction until the fuel runs out
    N b. steer a course for the nearest land
    N c. steer a course for the nearest sea lane
    Y d. shut down the engines if installed and put out the sea anchor

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

3742: A rescuer can most easily determine whether or not an adult victim has a pulse by checking the pulse at the __________.

    Y a. carotid artery in the neck
    N b. femoral artery in the groin
    N c. brachial artery in the arm
    N d. radial artery in the wrist

3757: What are the symptoms of sun stroke?

    N a. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid and feeble, skin is cold and clammy.
    Y b. Temperature is high, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry.
    N c. Temperature is high, pulse is slow and feeble, skin is clammy.
    N d. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid, skin is clammy.

3858: Lifesaving equipment shall be stowed so that it will be __________.

    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

4481: The COASTAL DRILLER, with a draft of 10 feet 3 inches in seawater, has a displacement of __________.

    N a. 13,011 kips
    Y b. 13,336 kips
    N c. 13,445 kips
    N d. 14,637 kips

4711: While loaded as shown in the COASTAL DRILLER sample load form #3 (drilling), 50 kips of tubulars are discharged from the cantilever starboard pipe racks. What is the change in the vessel's TCG?

    Y a. 0.048 foot port
    N b. 0.048 foot starboard
    N c. 1.020 feet port
    N d. 1.020 feet starboard

4775: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the entire contents of bulk tanks #2 and #3 are back-loaded to an offshore supply vessel, what transverse moment would have to be created to level the unit in list at the new draft?

    N a. -3,604 ft-kips
    N b. -4 ft-kips
    Y c. 3,470 ft-kips
    N d. 7,088 ft-kips

5203: Among the possible causes of unexpected rapid increasing inclination of the floating COASTAL DRILLER is __________.

    N a. consumption of on board liquids
    N b. miscalculation of loads
    N c. external environmental forces
    Y d. flooding due to hull damage

5431: The COASTAL DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Storm), discharges all the bulk in the four bulk tanks. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -1.11 feet
    N b. -0.47 foot
    N c. 1.07 feet
    Y d. 1.11 feet

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

5857: In towing it is desirable for the tug and the MODU to ride wave crests simultaneously because __________.

    Y a. shock loading on the tow line is reduced
    N b. towing speed is improved
    N c. the MODU is more visible from the tug
    N d. the catenary of the tow line is reduced

5905: The signal for fire alarm on a MODU must be indicated __________.

    N a. at each alarm bell
    N b. at each alarm actuator
    N c. near all exits
    Y d. on the Muster List ("Station Bill")

6575: To determine the number of inflatable liferafts required on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. load line certificate
    N b. Operations Manual
    N c. stability letter
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

6607: To determine the number of Able Seamen required on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. load line certificate
    N b. Operations Manual
    N c. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

6861: Prior to getting underway in fresh or brackish water, the Master or person in charge of a MODU must __________.

    Y a. log the density of the water
    N b. secure all overboard discharges
    N c. take on fresh water ballast
    N d. clean the sides with fresh water

6871: Lifeboat winches on mobile offshore drilling units are required to be inspected and an entry made in the logbook. How often should this entry be made?

    Y a. Every 3 months
    N b. Every 6 months
    N c. Every year
    N d. Only after conducting a boat drill

8131: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of longitudinal moments for the liquid variables if the entire contents of drill water tank #17 are transferred to drill water tank #18?

    N a. 181,648 ft-kips
    Y b. 181,718 ft-kips
    N c. 187,345 ft-kips
    N d. 195,462 ft-kips

8557: Each fire pump on a MODU must have a pressure gauge located at __________.

    Y a. the pump discharge
    N b. the manifold connection
    N c. each fire station discharge
    N d. the pump station

9001: The difference between the starboard and port drafts caused by shifting a weight transversely is __________.

    Y a. list
    N b. heel
    N c. trim
    N d. flotation

9241: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #5, discharges 137.88 long tons. The resulting trim by the stern is 3 feet and list to port is 2 feet. What is the draft at the starboard forward draft mark?

    Y a. 41 feet 6 inches
    N b. 42 feet 6 inches
    N c. 43 feet 6 inches
    N d. 44 feet 0 inches