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.


214: In a message sent by flashing light, what group of letters will direct the receiver of a message to repeat the transmission back to the sender?


360: The greatest effect on stability occurs from loose liquids flowing __________.


392: What should be used to remove corrosion from the swivel on the female coupling of a fire hose?


409: What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface when a tank 60 feet long and 30 feet wide is partially filled with salt water, and is fitted with a centerline bulkhead? (The vessel has a displacement of 10,000 tons.)

    Y a. 0.1 foot
    N b. 0.8 foot
    N c. 1.0 foot
    N d. 1.2 feet

435: If an emergency pump control is used as the emergency shutdown on a tank vessel, it must __________.

    N a. stop the flow of oil at the main deck manifold
    N b. prevent the oil from leaving the shore facility
    Y c. prevent the oil from siphoning through the pump
    N d. None of the above

456: On a vessel of 900 GT, the minimum number of fire axes required is __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 6
    N d. 8

470: A squeeze-grip type carbon-dioxide portable fire- extinguisher has been partially discharged. It should be __________.

    N a. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 15%
    Y b. labeled empty and recharged as soon as possible
    N c. replaced in its proper location regardless of weight
    N d. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 25%

566: Which statement is TRUE concerning a motor lifeboat?

    N a. It is propelled by engine or hand-propelling gear.
    N b. It has a sufficient fuel capacity, if motorized, for 48 hours of operation.
    Y c. It must be able to maintain a loaded speed of 6 knots.
    N d. All of the above

598: A fire must be ventilated __________.

    N a. when using an indirect attack on the fire such as flooding with water
    Y b. to prevent the gases of combustion from surrounding the firefighters
    N c. to minimize heat buildup in adjacent compartments
    N d. if compressed gas cylinders are stowed in the compartment on fire

790: Which would NOT provide extra buoyancy for a vessel with no sheer?

    N a. Lighter draft
    N b. Raised fo'c'sle head
    N c. Raised poop
    Y d. Higher bulwark

803: The abandon ship signal on the ship's whistle is __________.

    N a. 6 short blasts and 1 long blast
    N b. more than 6 short blasts
    Y c. more than 6 short blasts and 1 long blast
    N d. 1 long blast of at least 10 seconds

1215: According to the regulations for small passenger vessels, fuses and circuit breakers are used in electrical circuits to __________.

    N a. keep equipment from shutting off unexpectedly
    N b. prevent voltage fluctuations
    Y c. keep the circuit from becoming overloaded or overheated
    N d. make the operator inspect his wiring periodically after the fuses blow

1630: A deck-stowed 40-foot container is giving off smoke, and one end is discolored from heat. The cargo is valuable and easily damaged by water. You want to extinguish the fire without further damage if possible. What action should you take?

    N a. Connect a portable line from the ship's fixed system and discharge CO2 into the container.
    N b. Flood the container with water and disregard any cargo damage as the fire threatens the entire vessel.
    Y c. Pierce the container and discharge 6 or more portable CO2's then add more CO2 hourly.
    N d. Cool the exterior of the container with water and close all vents; then keep it cooled until it can be off-loaded.

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%

1678: Your vessel is 79 feet long with 20 people aboard. The coaming of a deck above the lowest weather deck (except an exposed forecastle deck) must be at least __________.

    N a. 6" high
    N b. 12" high
    N c. 24" high
    Y d. Not required

1896: The edge of the sail labeled "A" is called the __________. (D001SL )

    N a. leech
    N b. clew
    Y c. luff
    N d. headboard

1931: The SS NORTHLAND is loaded to drafts: FWD 17'-03", AFT 19'-03". The KG is 23.6 feet. Use the salmon pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if #6 starboard tank is fully loaded with 1624 tons of salt water ballast (VCG is 36.5 feet off the centerline).

    N a. 3.0°
    Y b. 4.4°
    N c. 6.0°
    N d. 7.5°

2224: Your vessel is drifting with the wind broad on the port beam. The marconi sail is set and flapping free. As you sheet in the maximum drive is attained when the sail __________.

    N a. is at right angles to the true wind
    Y b. first takes the shape of an airfoil
    N c. is filled with a slight flap at the leech
    N d. is 45° from the apparent wind

2234: As a vessel falls off the wind from close-hauled to a beam reach, the tendency for the vessel to move sideways through the water will __________.

    N a. increase
    Y b. decrease
    N c. change only if the vessel comes about on the opposite tack
    N d. not change

2396: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-05", AFT 20'-01"; and the KG is 25.6 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 45°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 17,222 foot-tons
    Y b. 19,709 foot-tons
    N c. 21,137 foot-tons
    N d. 22,002 foot-tons

2418: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 24'-07", AFT 25'-09"; and the KG is 23.2 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 45°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 27,008 foot-tons
    N b. 29,778 foot-tons
    N c. 32,428 foot-tons
    Y d. 34,663 foot-tons

2791: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

    Y a. under no conditions
    N b. at a maximum rate of two ounces per day
    N c. if gathered during or immediately after a hard rain
    N d. after mixing with an equal quantity of fresh water

3016: Hand held red flares expire 42 months from the date of manufacture. Floating orange smoke distress signals expire after how many months?

    N a. 18 months
    N b. 24 months
    Y c. 42 months
    N d. 60 months

3021: A semisubmersible which flops between port and starboard angles of list is likely to have __________.

    N a. KMT greater than KML
    Y b. KMT less than KGT
    N c. an off-center LCG
    N d. TCG greater than level-vessel TCB

3118: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 4850 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 275.72 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0107

    Y a. LCG-FP 268.3 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 265.4 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 261.2 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 256.9 feet

3197: The best information on the nature and extent of damage on a MODU is obtained from __________.

    N a. alarms and monitoring devices
    N b. the toolpusher
    Y c. personnel at the scene of the damage
    N d. person in charge of the affected spaces

3265: A semisubmersible with a displacement of 20,000 tons and KG of 52 feet discharges 300 long tons of barite from P-tanks located 120 feet above the keel. Ballast added to maintain draft has a VCG of 20 feet. What is the change in KG?

    N a. 0.49 foot increase
    N b. 0.50 foot decrease
    Y c. 1.50 feet decrease
    N d. 1.80 feet decrease

3302: What is the minimum number of Type B-II hand portable fire extinguishers required to be aboard a 3,000 BHP, 99 GT harbor tug? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

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

3390: Non-required lifesaving equipment carried as additional equipment aboard small passenger vessels __________.

    N a. must be removed when carrying passengers
    Y b. must be approved by the Commandant
    N c. may be substituted for not more than 5% of the required lifejackets
    N d. may be carried regardless of approval or condition, if in excess of required lifesaving equipment

3555: What are the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft if the winds are greater than 70 knots?

    N a. 912,120 foot-tons
    N b. 942,120 foot-tons
    Y c. 996,522 foot-tons
    N d. 998,927 foot-tons

3580: How should the letter "V" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    Y a. VIK TAH
    N b. VIC TO RE
    N c. VIX TOO RE
    N d. VEE

3660: How should the letter "W" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. DUB A U
    Y b. WISS KEY
    N c. WI NE
    N d. WOO LF

3688: You are administering chest compressions during CPR. Where on the victim's body should the pressure be applied?

    Y a. Lower half of the sternum
    N b. Tip of the sternum
    N c. Top half of the sternum
    N d. Left chest over the heart

3916: If an inflatable liferaft inflates upside down, you can right it by __________.

    N a. pushing up on one side
    Y b. standing on the CO2 bottle, holding the bottom straps, and throwing your weight backwards
    N c. getting at least three or four men to push down on the side containing the CO2 cylinder
    N d. doing nothing; it will right itself after the canopy supports inflate

3918: If your liferaft is to leeward of a fire on the water, you should FIRST __________.

    Y a. cut the line to the sea anchor
    N b. paddle away from the fire
    N c. splash water over the liferaft to cool it
    N d. get out of the raft and swim to safety

4060: After an item of required safety equipment on a towing vessel fails, the owner or Master must consider all of these factors before continuing the voyage, EXCEPT the ___________ .

    N a. weather conditions, including visibility
    Y b. estimated time of arrival promised to the customer
    N c. safety of the vessel, considering the other traffic in the area
    N d. dictates of good seamanship

4404: The letter and number symbols, such as B-II, used to classify portable fire extinguishers indicate the __________.

    Y a. class of fire and size of the extinguisher
    N b. class of fire and location aboard vessel
    N c. extinguishing agent and relative size of the extinguisher
    N d. extinguishing agent and location aboard vessel

4511: The height of the transverse metacenter of the Coastal Driller at a displacement of 13,050 kips is __________.

    N a. 143.81 feet
    N b. 144.61 feet
    Y c. 144.93 feet
    N d. 145.73 feet

4744: You operate the lever shown when the lifeboat is __________. (D013SA )

    N a. in the secured position
    N b. at the embarkation deck
    N c. being lowered to sea level
    Y d. waterborne

5153: A semisubmersible floating in sea water displaces 20,000 long tons. She has vertical moments of 1,000,000 foot-long tons. What is the change in KG if 500 long tons are placed aboard at a KG of 120 feet?

    N a. 1.22 feet upward
    Y b. 1.71 feet upward
    N c. 1.75 feet upward
    N d. 2.93 feet upward

5353: When preloading the COASTAL DRILLER, the maximum total weight shall not exceed __________.

    Y a. 21,497 kips
    N b. 21,297 kips
    N c. 17,700 kips
    N d. 14,400 kips

5353: When preloading the COASTAL DRILLER, the maximum total weight shall not exceed __________.

    Y a. 21,497 kips
    N b. 21,297 kips
    N c. 17,700 kips
    N d. 14,400 kips

5503: What are the two main types of stud link chain?

    N a. Oil Rig chain and Oil Field Stud Link chain
    Y b. Flash-butt welded chain and Di-Lok chain
    N c. Flash-butt welded chain and Oil Rig chain
    N d. Oil Field Stud Link chain and Flash-butt welded chain

5513: A link on an anchor chain should be replaced when wear or grinding of surface cracks has reduced the cross section area by __________.

    N a. 4%
    N b. 6%
    N c. 8%
    Y d. 10%

5604: 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-0182

    Y a. Available GM 2.4 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

6093: On offshore drilling units where foam systems are installed on the heliport, the system must be able to discharge continuously for at least __________.

    Y a. 5 minutes
    N b. 6 minutes
    N c. 8 minutes
    N d. 10 minutes

6507: Especially in adverse weather, risk of collision with an offshore supply vessel increases when the vessel is moored to what side of the unit?

    Y a. Upwind
    N b. Downwind
    N c. Crosswind
    N d. Downcurrent

6545: Flammable liquids should have what kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. Yellow
    Y c. Red
    N d. White

6637: Of the required ring life buoys for a MODU, how many must be equipped with a water light?

    N a. 1
    N b. 2
    Y c. 4
    N d. 8

6683: How must each storage tank for helicopter fuel on a MODU be marked?

    N a. DANGER - KEEP AWAY
    N b. DANGER - EXPLOSIVE VAPORS
    N c. DANGER - NO SMOKING
    Y d. DANGER - FLAMMABLE LIQUID

6755: Each fireman's outfit and its spare equipment on a MODU must be stowed __________.

    N a. in a locked cabinet in the machinery space
    N b. in an unlocked cabinet in the machinery space
    Y c. in a separate and accessible location
    N d. at a fire hydrant location

6765: A qualified person must be assigned as the second in command of a lifeboat on a MODU if the lifeboat has a capacity of more than __________.

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

7027: To treat a person suffering from heat exhaustion, you should __________.

    N a. administer artificial respiration
    N b. put him in a tub of ice water
    Y c. give him sips of cool water
    N d. cover him with a light cloth

7058: Blocking open or removing fire dampers can cause __________.

    N a. fixed foam systems to be ineffective
    N b. faster cooling of the fire
    N c. the accumulation of explosive gases
    Y d. the fire to spread through the ventilation system

7687: When displacement increases, the free surface moments of slack tanks __________.

    N a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. are inversely proportional
    Y d. remain unchanged

7725: Reserve buoyancy is the __________.

    N a. unoccupied space below the waterline
    Y b. volume of intact space above the waterline
    N c. excess of the buoyant force over the gravity force
    N d. difference in the buoyant force in salt and fresh waters

8385: What condition will result in the automatic shutdown of a diesel engine?

    N a. High jacket water pressure
    N b. High lube oil pressure
    Y c. Low lube oil pressure
    N d. Excessive turbo charger speed

8991: The enclosed area defined as the intersection of the surface of the water and the hull of a vessel is the __________.

    N a. amidships plane
    N b. longitudinal reference plane
    N c. baseline
    Y d. waterplane

9098: When a rescue vessel approaches a lifeboat in heavy seas, the person in charge of the lifeboat should __________.

    N a. tie up to the rescue vessel
    N b. transfer only those personnel who are not seasick
    Y c. wait for calmer weather before transferring personnel
    N d. transfer all personnel immediately

9387: When should you use distress flares and rockets?

    Y a. Only when there is a chance of their being seen by rescue vessels
    N b. At half-hour intervals
    N c. At one-hour intervals
    N d. Immediately upon abandoning the vessel