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.


430: The effects of free surface on a vessel's initial stability do NOT depend upon the __________.


564: If you receive the signal over radiotelephone of "Romeo Papa Tango" while using the International Code of Signals, you should __________.


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


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

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

641: You are on a supply run to an offshore drilling rig. On board is the cargo listed. What is the height above the main deck of the center of gravity of the cargo? ST-0015

    N a. 1.76 feet
    Y b. 1.97 feet
    N c. 2.21 feet
    N d. 2.32 feet

783: A person referring to the stern sheets of a lifeboat is speaking of __________.

    N a. the line attached to the tack of the lugsail
    N b. the emergency rudder
    N c. a canvas awning
    Y d. the aftermost seating

787: To determine which grades of cargo a tank vessel is permitted to carry you should __________.

    Y a. refer to the vessel's Certificate of Inspection
    N b. examine the cargo tanks and fittings
    N c. ask the terminal supervisor or his representative
    N d. check the loading order

887: Carbon dioxide as a fire fighting agent has which advantage over other agents?

    Y a. It causes minimal damage.
    N b. It is safer for personnel.
    N c. It is cheaper.
    N d. It is most effective on a per unit basis.

1090: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 09'-00", AFT 15'-11.5". Upon completion of loading and bunkering the items listed will be on board. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum GM required to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0025

    N a. 1.80 feet
    N b. 1.89 feet
    N c. 1.98 feet
    Y d. 2.05 feet

1097: Foam extinguishes a fire by __________.

    Y a. shutting off the air supply
    N b. cooling the fuel to below ignition temperature
    N c. dispersing the fuel
    N d. removing the source of ignition

1149: If the metacentric height is small, a vessel will __________.

    Y a. be tender
    N b. have a quick and rapid motion
    N c. be stiff
    N d. yaw

1309: On small passenger vessels which type of internal combustion engine carburetor does not require a drip collector?

    N a. Updraft
    N b. Two barrel
    N c. Four barrel
    Y d. Downdraft

1448: After making the required notification that a large oil spill into the water has occurred, the FIRST action should be to __________.

    N a. apply straw or sawdust on the oil
    Y b. contain the spread of the oil
    N c. throw grains of sand into the oil
    N d. have the vessel move out of the spill area

1459: Which data is NOT painted on the bow of a lifeboat?

    N a. Number of persons allowed
    N b. Name of the vessel
    Y c. Weight of the boat
    N d. Port of registry

1615: When administering artificial respiration, it is MOST important to __________.

    N a. monitor blood pressure
    Y b. clear airways
    N c. use the rhythmic pressure method
    N d. know all approved methods

1765: After jacking down your liftboat you have an unexpected list. You find that the only cause of this list must be a flooded leg. To keep adequate stability you should __________.

    N a. get underway with the flooded leg ONLY half raised to reduce KG
    N b. proceed with all legs half raised to lower KG
    N c. pump out all ballast to increase reserve buoyancy
    Y d. jack back up and ballast the vessel's high side as necessary

1853: On offshore drilling units each fire station is identified by letters and numbers at least __________.

    Y a. 2 inches high
    N b. 3 inches high
    N c. 5 inches high
    N d. 8 inches high

1956: You have 400 tons of below deck tonnage. There is no liquid mud aboard. If you have 225 tons of cargo above deck with a VCG above the deck of 3.4 feet, what is the maximum allowed VCG of the remainder of the deck cargo that is permitted? (D036DG )

    N a. 1.96 feet
    Y b. 2.28 feet
    N c. 2.65 feet
    N d. 2.93 feet

2039: You have approximately 14 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 6 feet? (total displacement is 210 tons)

    N a. 0.2 foot
    N b. 0.3 foot
    Y c. 0.4 foot
    N d. 0.5 foot

2182: Your drafts are: FWD 5'-08", AFT 6'-02". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 8 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 11 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    N a. None
    N b. 10 tons
    N c. 18 tons
    Y d. 24 tons

2317: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the KG of the liquid load. ST-0057

    Y a. 7.7 feet
    N b. 9.1 feet
    N c. 9.9 feet
    N d. 10.6 feet

2531: What is the fundamental purpose for imposing radio silence?

    N a. To ensure that interference to proprietary communications is minimized
    N b. To ensure that only voice communications can be effected on the distress frequency or channel
    N c. To ensure that a distressed vessel will have a "window" twice each hour for transmitting routine messages
    Y d. To ensure that interference on a particular frequency or channel to communications concerning emergency traffic is minimized

2540: The MINIMUM ventilation requirements for pumprooms on tank vessels (constructed in 1960) carrying grades B or C liquid cargo with machinery spaces located below the freeboard deck specify __________.

    N a. gooseneck vents and flame screens
    N b. that it be connected to a vent header system
    Y c. that it be power ventilation
    N d. that it be fitted with at least two ducts extended to the weather deck

2552: When can routine communications be resumed when radio silence has been imposed?

    N a. After determining that the frequency or channel appears to be no longer in use
    N b. After determining that geographic distance from the distress situation will prohibit any other signal from interfering with emergency communications
    Y c. Routine communications can resume after the Rescue Coordination Center transmits a message on the frequency or channel being used for emergency communications stating that such traffic has concluded.
    N d. If, in the Master's opinion, communications on that frequency will interfere with emergency communications

2669: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 23'-10", AFT 26'-00". The LCG of the forepeak is 200 feet forward of amidships. How many tons of ballast must be pumped into the forepeak in order to have a drag of 1 foot? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 61 tons
    N b. 72 tons
    Y c. 79 tons
    N d. 86 tons

2682: The purpose of fuses in electric wiring is to __________.

    N a. allow for cutting out branch circuits
    Y b. prevent overloading the circuits
    N c. reduce voltage to the branch circuits
    N d. permit the use of smaller wiring for lighting circuits

2852: You are fighting a fire in a watertight compartment using hoses and river water. Stability may be reduced because of __________.

    N a. progressive downflooding
    N b. reduction of water in the storage tanks
    Y c. increase in free surface which reduces the metacentric height
    N d. reduction of KG to the minimum allowable

2859: For emergency communications, vessels operating on oceans, coastwise, or Great Lakes routes, on runs of more than 30 minutes shall carry in a portable watertight container at or near the operating station __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. six orange hand smoke distress signals
    N b. six red hand flare distress signals
    N c. one 3-cell flashlight
    Y d. six red hand flare distress signals and six orange hand smoke distress signals

2932: What is FALSE concerning the use of unicellular plastic foam work vests on small passenger vessels? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. They may be substituted for up to 50% of the required life jackets.
    N b. They shall be of an approved type.
    N c. They shall be stowed separately from required lifesaving equipment.
    N d. They may be worn by crew members when working near or over the water.

3015: An inclined semisubmersible with a very short rolling period about a constant angle of list is likely to have __________.

    Y a. an off-center TCG
    N b. an LCG greater than level vessel LCB
    N c. a negative GM
    N d. excessive free surfaces

3024: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 17'-07", AFT 18'-05" and the GM is 3.4 feet. What will be the angle of list if #4 port double bottom (capacity 140 tons, VCG 2.6 feet, and 26 feet off the centerline) is filled with saltwater? (Use the data in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. Less than 1°
    N b. 3°
    Y c. 6°
    N d. 9°

3575: While in transit at a draft of 20.5 feet, the DEEP DRILLER has a KGL of 65.00 feet. What is the GML?

    N a. 7.55 feet
    N b. 5.42 feet
    N c. 5.30 feet
    Y d. 5.10 feet

3600: How should the number "3" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    Y a. TAY-RAH-TREE
    N b. BEES-SOH-THREE
    N c. NUM-ERL-THREE
    N d. TRIC-THREE

3750: While providing assistance to a victim of an epileptic seizure, it is most important to __________.

    N a. give artificial respiration
    Y b. prevent patient from hurting himself
    N c. keep the patient awake and make him/her walk if necessary to keep him/her awake
    N d. remove any soiled clothing and put the patient in a clean bed

3812: If you have to abandon ship, and enter a liferaft, your main course of action should be to __________.

    Y a. remain in the vicinity of the sinking vessel
    N b. head for the closest land
    N c. head for the closest sea-lanes
    N d. get a majority opinion

3893: When filling fuel-oil tank 4S on the DEEP DRILLER, it is necessary to open valve __________.

    N a. 9
    N b. 10
    Y c. 11
    N d. 12

4095: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballast to Survival). What is the new longitudinal location of the center of buoyancy if all the bulk materials are discharged?

    N a. 2.34 feet
    N b. 2.48 feet
    N c. 2.50 feet
    Y d. 2.53 feet

4144: Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning the proper procedure in handling a fire hose?

    N a. A 1½ inch hose should be deployed with a minimum of a nozzleman and hoseman.
    N b. The nozzleman should always hold the nozzle with one hand on top, to prevent kickback.
    N c. Back-up hosemen should be positioned wherever the hose makes a significant turn.
    Y d. The fire hose should be partially charged before deploying it from the fire station.

4144: Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning the proper procedure in handling a fire hose?

    N a. A 1½ inch hose should be deployed with a minimum of a nozzleman and hoseman.
    N b. The nozzleman should always hold the nozzle with one hand on top, to prevent kickback.
    N c. Back-up hosemen should be positioned wherever the hose makes a significant turn.
    Y d. The fire hose should be partially charged before deploying it from the fire station.

4347: In using the Allowable Wind and Wave Charts for the COASTAL DRILLER, leg penetration is assumed to be less than __________.

    N a. 55 feet
    N b. 45 feet
    N c. 35 feet
    Y d. 25 feet

4361: On the COASTAL DRILLER, hook load includes the weight of the __________.

    N a. setback load
    N b. rotary load
    N c. conductor tension
    Y d. drill string

4567: When elevated, placing the LCG and TCG at the leg centroid provides __________.

    N a. reduced scour rates
    N b. higher variable loading during preloading
    N c. higher drilling loads
    Y d. equal leg reactions

4748: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 3885 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 278.45 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-0168

    N a. LCG-FP 267.7 feet
    Y b. LCG-FP 268.4 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 269.2 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 270.6 feet

4763: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the entire contents of the port pipe rack are back-loaded to an offshore supply vessel, how much drill water would have to be transferred between tanks 6 and 7 to level the vessel in list?

    N a. 47.2 kips tank #7 to tank #6
    N b. 23.6 kips tank #7 to tank #6
    Y c. 23.6 kips tank #6 to tank #7
    N d. 47.2 kips tank #6 to tank #7

4811: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the value of KMT if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 135.91 feet
    Y b. 136.38 feet
    N c. 136.62 feet
    N d. 136.89 feet

5223: When floating, the appropriate leg horizontal must be aligned in the center of the __________.

    N a. center of each lower hull guide
    Y b. center of each upper guide structure
    N c. top of the jack house
    N d. bottom of the hull

5261: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C1P. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    Y a. pump from 2P
    N b. pump from C1P
    N c. counterflood in 1P
    N d. counterflood in 10S

5285: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #1 (Transit), suffers minor damage which results in flooding in tank 1P. You may pump from __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. C1P
    Y c. 1P
    N d. 10S

5413: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Preload). What would be the TCG if the preload is dumped and the cantilever and drill floor are skidded aft, placing the rotary 34 feet aft of the transom, and the drill floor is skidded 8 feet to port?

    N a. -0.52 foot
    Y b. -0.33 foot
    N c. -0.17 foot
    N d. 0.52 foot

5601: Your semisubmersible drilling unit is moving onto a location in shallow water with a very hard bottom. What is the most effective means of maintaining your position at this location during severe weather?

    N a. Running out all the anchor chain available
    Y b. Piggyback all anchors and pretension to above the expected tensions
    N c. Install fluke angle blocks on all your LWT anchors
    N d. Remove fluke angle blocks on all your LWT anchors

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

5835: The initial tension set in the mooring system of a MODU establishes the __________.

    N a. maximum water depth at which drilling operations can be conducted
    Y b. distance the unit can be offset from the wellbore before the restoring forces oppose the environmental forces
    N c. maximum time it will take to disconnect the riser package in the event of a storm
    N d. minimum amount of ballast needed to keep the vessel at operating draft during normal drilling operations

7105: Combustible gas indicators measure the presence of combustible gas as a percentage of the __________.

    N a. flash point
    N b. upper explosive limit
    Y c. lower explosive limit
    N d. fire point

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

8171: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #2 (Ballast to Survival), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C3S. Pumping from tanks in the vicinity of the damage have proven ineffective. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    Y a. counterflood in 1P
    N b. counterflood in 10S
    N c. pump from C1P
    N d. pump from C3S

8213: What fitting should you install in the rig piping to a pump to facilitate disconnecting the pump for servicing?

    N a. Coupling
    Y b. Union
    N c. Flange
    N d. Nipple

8576: The ventilation system of your ship has fire dampers restrained by fusible links. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. A fusible link will automatically open after a fire is extinguished and reset the damper.
    Y b. Fusible links must be replaced if a damper is activated.
    N c. Fusible links are tested by applying a source of heat to them.
    N d. Fusible links must be replaced at every inspection for certification.

8657: While the DEEP DRILLER is operating as shown in Sample Form #4 (Drilling), casing is accidentally dropped over the port side. If the port aft inclination is slowly increasing, which tank is probably damaged?

    Y a. 10P
    N b. 9P
    N c. 10S
    N d. 1P

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

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