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.


8: You are alone and administering CPR to an adult victim. How many chest compressions and how many inflations should you administer in each sequence?


179: A vessel is floating at a mean draft of 14 feet. At this draft, the displacement is 6780 tons. The length of the vessel is 450 feet, beam is 50 feet, and TPI is 45.5. What is the KM? (See the P-K table in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book)


202: The lifeline which is part of a fireman's outfit must be __________.


223: The steering oar in a lifeboat is __________.

    N a. shorter than the others
    N b. used for the stroke oar
    N c. used by the forward man in the boat to direct the bow
    Y d. longer than the others and should be lashed to the stern

304: What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist F 2 1 3 second substitute?

    Y a. F2131
    N b. F2132
    N c. F213213
    N d. F213F213

380: You are fighting a fire in a cargo hold on your vessel. Which action is most important concerning the stability of the vessel?

    N a. Shutting off electricity to damaged cables
    Y b. Draining fire-fighting water and pumping it overboard
    N c. Maneuvering the vessel so the fire is on the lee side
    N d. Removing burned debris from the cargo hold

474: You are making ship-to-shore telephone calls on VHF. You should use the __________.

    Y a. VHF-FM service
    N b. coastal harbor service
    N c. high seas service
    N d. emergency broadcast service

501: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0010

    N a. 1292 tons
    Y b. 1248 tons
    N c. 1211 tons
    N d. 1172 tons

506: The capacity of any liferaft on board a vessel can be determined by __________.

    N a. examining the Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. examining the plate on the outside of the raft container
    N c. referring to the Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N d. referring to the shipping articles

689: After a person has been revived by artificial respiration, he should be __________.

    N a. walked around until he is back to normal
    N b. given several shots of whiskey
    Y c. kept lying down and warm
    N d. allowed to do as he wishes

715: Your vessel is taking on fuel when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. Before you resume pumping, you should __________.

    N a. notify the terminal superintendent
    N b. place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers
    N c. repair the hose with a patch
    Y d. replace the hose

880: A ship's forward draft is 22'-04" and its after draft is 23'-00". The draft amidships is 23'-04". This indicates a concentration of weight __________.

    N a. at the bow
    N b. in the lower holds
    Y c. amidships
    N d. at the ends

895: Air-cooled gasoline auxiliary engines are allowed on vessels not more than 65 feet in length, carrying not more than 12 passengers if __________.

    N a. it is not practicable to supply water to the engine
    Y b. they have a self-contained fuel system and are installed on an open deck
    N c. they are rated at not more than 4.5 horsepower
    N d. All of the above

1115: When launching a lifeboat, the tricing pennants should be released __________.

    N a. before the boat is lowered from the stowed position
    N b. as the boat-fall blocks break clear of the davit head
    Y c. before the boat is lowered from the embarkation level
    N d. after the boat is released into the water

1414: What should be used to steer an open lifeboat if the rudder becomes lost or damaged?

    N a. Sea anchor
    Y b. Steering oar
    N c. Spare rudder
    N d. Daggerboard

1430: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 6422 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 26.6 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-0038

    Y a. KG 24.9 feet
    N b. KG 25.5 feet
    N c. KG 26.1 feet
    N d. KG 28.9 feet

1712: The gross weight of a fully charged CO2 cylinder is 80 lbs. When the bottle is empty it weighs 60 lbs. What is the minimum acceptable gross weight of the CO2 bottle before it should be recharged by the manufacturer?

    N a. 55 lbs
    N b. 68 lbs
    Y c. 78 lbs
    N d. 82 lbs

1826: Your vessel displaces 747 tons and measures 136'L by 34'B. You ship a large wave on the after deck. What is the reduction to GM due to free surface before the water drains overboard, if the after deck measures 56'L x 34'B and the weight of the water is 58.6 tons?

    N a. 6.04 feet
    N b. 6.23 feet
    Y c. 6.51 feet
    N d. 6.76 feet

1967: Define the acronym MSI.

    Y a. Maritime Safety Information
    N b. Maritime Shipping Index
    N c. Maritime Satellite Indicator
    N d. Mariner Safety Intelligence

2061: Where would you find the "call sign" or "call letters" of the radio station on your rig?

    N a. In the rig safety manual
    N b. On the Certificate of Inspection
    Y c. On the Ship Station License
    N d. On the rig Watch Bill

2421: How many degrees are there on a compass card?

    Y a. 360°
    N b. 380°
    N c. 390°
    N d. 420°

2512: Which of the following product(s) would be classified as grade E?

    N a. Gasoline
    Y b. Bunker C
    N c. Kerosene
    N d. All of the above

2606: Which device provides the main means in the GMDSS for locating ships in distress or their survival craft?

    N a. Radio direction finder
    Y b. Satellite EPIRBs
    N c. MF/HF DSC
    N d. VHF homing device

2690: Heavy fuel oils when spilled are __________.

    N a. more harmful to sea life than lighter oils
    N b. easier to clean up than lighter refined oils
    Y c. less harmful to sea life than lighter oils
    N d. not a real threat to marine life

2838: How many B-II hand portable fire extinguishers are required in the machinery space of a 260 GT tow vessel with 2400 B.H.P.? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 6
    N b. 5
    Y c. 3
    N d. 2

3203: 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 inflates

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

3309: The exhaust pipe must be gas tight throughout its entire length otherwise __________.

    N a. bilge water may enter the exhaust pipe
    N b. entry of air may cause vapor lock
    Y c. carbon monoxide may enter the interior of the vessel
    N d. the joint gaskets may be blown

3321: A semisubmersible displacing 18,000 long tons has an LCG 2 feet forward of amidships. Bulk, weighing 400 long tons, is discharged from P-tanks located 50.8 feet aft of amidships. What is the new LCG?

    N a. 0.8 foot forward of amidships
    N b. 1.20 feet forward of amidships
    N c. 3.11 feet forward of amidships
    Y d. 3.20 feet forward of amidships

3335: Inflatable liferafts are provided with a __________.

    N a. jackknife
    N b. towing connection
    N c. lifeline
    Y d. All of the above

3664: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has drafts of: FWD 29'-04", AFT 30'-06". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts if you ballast the forepeak with 101.6 tons of seawater.

    N a. FWD 29'-04.5", AFT 30'-07.5"
    N b. FWD 29'-07.6", AFT 30'-05.0"
    N c. FWD 29'-04.5", AFT 30'-10.0"
    Y d. FWD 30'-00.8", AFT 30'-01.0"

3724: Physical exertion on the part of a person who has fallen into cold water would __________.

    N a. be the best thing to try if there was no rescue in sight
    N b. increase survival time in the water
    Y c. increase the rate of heat loss from the body
    N d. not affect the heat loss from the body

3819: If there are a number of survivors in the water after abandoning an OSV and no rescue craft are in sight, they should __________.

    N a. tie themselves to the unit to avoid drifting with the current
    Y b. group to form a small circle of survivors to create a warmer pocket of water in the center of the circle
    N c. send the strongest swimmer to shore for assistance
    N d. from a raft by lashing their life jackets together

3941: Aboard the DEEP DRILLER, the drill water pump may be used to provide drill water to the deck and __________.

    Y a. supplement the bilge pumps
    N b. provide saltwater service to the deck
    N c. emergency fuel-oil recovery
    N d. supplement the ballast pumps

3965: In the DEEP DRILLER, the transverse and longitudinal free surface moments for entry into the daily load form are obtained __________.

    Y a. from tank tables
    N b. by multiplying displacement by the free surface correction
    N c. by dividing by displacement
    N d. by dividing by the free surface correction

4006: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 18'-06", AFT 20'-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-0152

    N a. FWD 18'-11", AFT 20'-02"
    N b. FWD 19'-01", AFT 20'-00"
    N c. FWD 19'-03", AFT 19'-10"
    Y d. FWD 19'-05", AFT 19'-08"

4039: The fire protection regulations for towing vessels require the crew to be trained for fire fighting with drills and safety orientations __________.

    N a. only if the vessel is greater than 100 gross tons
    Y b. always, as stated in the regulations
    N c. but, only applies to towing vessels constructed after August 27, 2003
    N d. however, drills are not required for those holding a fire fighting certificate

4169: The color of the signal flares sent up by a submarine about to surface from periscope depth is __________.

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

4174: Each EPIRB shall be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator every __________.

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

4212: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the summer load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming ten days. You will consume 33 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.021, and the average TPI is 51. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 76 inches
    N b. 74 inches
    N c. 73 inches
    Y d. 72 inches

4541: What is the weight in drill water tank #1 for the COASTAL DRILLER, if the sounding in the tank is 8 feet 2 inches?

    N a. 202.16 kips
    Y b. 204.60 kips
    N c. 206.87 kips
    N d. 209.34 kips

4571: The COASTAL DRILLER, while elevated in 200 feet of water, has 2 knots of current, 50 knots of wind, and 30 foot seas. What is the maximum leg reaction for drilling?

    Y a. 6,090 kips
    N b. 5,980 kips
    N c. 5,540 kips
    N d. 5,320 kips

4594: As shown, a frapping line is indicated by number __________. (D016SA )

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

4658: You are scheduled to load 3900 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 259 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in fresh water.

    N a. 18'-06"
    N b. 18'-02"
    Y c. 17'-11"
    N d. 17'-08"

5177: The DEEP DRILLER departs a fresh water port at a draft of 20 feet. What will be the draft in sea water?

    N a. 19.0 feet
    N b. 19.3 feet
    Y c. 19.6 feet
    N d. 20.4 feet

5435: The COASTAL DRILLER is operating with a wave clearance of about 20 feet. The out-of-level alarm sounds and the unit is found to be inclined 0.5 degree bow down. The recommended course of action is to __________.

    N a. prepare to take action in case inclination increases
    N b. jack the hull up on the bow leg
    Y c. jack the hull down on the aft two legs
    N d. transfer weight, such as drill water, toward the stern

5586: Your drafts are: FWD 17'-09", AFT 21'-01". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    N a. 5.1 feet forward
    Y b. 4.7 feet forward
    N c. 2.6 feet aft
    N d. 0.8 foot forward

5755: Why are symmetric mooring patterns frequently used to keep MODU's on station?

    N a. All lines contribute to the holding power of the mooring system.
    Y b. Environmental forces will probably vary in direction during the time the MODU is on station.
    N c. Environmental forces will probably come from the same direction during the time the MODU is on station.
    N d. Governmental regulations require this mooring pattern unless an exemption is issued.

5871: The DEEP DRILLER is moored in 600 feet of water. The tension on anchor line #8 is 190 kips. What is the vertical component of chain tension for that line?

    N a. 53.6 long tons
    Y b. 55.3 long tons
    N c. 84.8 long tons
    N d. 442.4 long tons

5927: A fire main system must have enough fire hydrants so that each accessible space may be sprayed with __________.

    N a. a low velocity spray applicator
    N b. a water spray or solid stream
    Y c. at least two spray patterns of water
    N d. at least 25 psi delivered pressure

6521: When cargo aboard a jack-up in transit becomes adrift, the tow vessel should be asked to __________.

    Y a. turn into the seas
    N b. turn to be parallel to the seas
    N c. reduce speed
    N d. increase speed

6537: When pumping fuel between an offshore supply vessel (OSV) and a MODU, there must be direct VHF radio contact between the offshore supply vessel engineer and the __________.

    Y a. person in charge of the fuel transfer
    N b. crane operator
    N c. ballast control operator
    N d. barge superintendent

7046: A fire has broken out on the stern of your vessel. You should maneuver your vessel so the wind __________.

    N a. blows the fire back toward the vessel
    N b. comes over either beam
    N c. comes over the stern
    Y d. comes over the bow

7345: What is the average range of vessel-to-vessel VHF-FM radio communications?

    Y a. 15 to 20 miles
    N b. 60 to 90 miles
    N c. 90 to 120 miles
    N d. 120 to 150 miles

7977: Overspeed of the diesel engine driving an electric generator could cause __________.

    N a. low voltage trip
    N b. reverse power trip
    Y c. damage to windings
    N d. excessive exhaust temperatures

8051: The "off-load" release system on a survival craft is designed to be activated __________.

    Y a. when there is no load on the cable
    N b. when there is a load on the cable
    N c. only when the doors are closed
    N d. when the engine is started

8707: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). If port valves 24 and 2 are mistakenly opened, the change in inclination will be increasing trim by the __________.

    Y a. bow with port list
    N b. bow
    N c. stern
    N d. stern with starboard list

9397: CATEGORY I EPIRB's transmit on frequencies that are monitored by __________.

    Y a. orbiting satellites in space
    N b. commercial radio stations
    N c. private, commercial, and military aircraft
    N d. Both A & C

9593: A semisubmersible floating in sea water displaces 717,500 cubic feet. What is the displacement?

    N a. 11,211 long tons
    N b. 11,498 long tons
    N c. 19,977 long tons
    Y d. 20,500 long tons

69354: Which casualty involving a mobile offshore drilling unit would require a report to be filed?

    N a. Damage to property of $20,000
    N b. An injury treated by first aid
    Y c. An occurrence materially and adversely affecting the vessel's fitness for service
    N d. All of the above