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.


61: You are towing a 1000 gross ton gasoline tank barge. The barge is NOT gas free. Regulations say that the cargo tank hatches, ullage holes, and Butterworth plates on the barge may remain open without flame screens __________.


290: What will happen when cargo is shifted from the main deck into the lower hold of a vessel?


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


499: In setting the valves on a steam-smothering system on a tank vessel, the master control valve to cargo tanks should be __________.

    N a. open and individual tank valves open
    N b. open and the individual tank valves closed
    N c. closed and the individual tank valves closed
    Y d. closed and the individual tank valves open

731: If Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 applies to your vessel, you will not be able to discharge __________ anywhere at sea.

    Y a. plastic
    N b. metal
    N c. glass
    N d. paper

993: If your vessel has a GM of one foot and a breadth of 50 feet, what will be your full rolling period?

    N a. 11 seconds
    N b. 15 seconds
    N c. 20 seconds
    Y d. 22 seconds

1021: Which vessel(s) is(are) required to comply with the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone regulations while navigating?

    N a. Towing vessel 25 feet or less in length
    N b. Passenger vessel of 50 GT or less, carrying one or more passengers for hire
    N c. Power-driven vessels 12 meters or less in length, operating on inland waters
    Y d. Dredges engaged in operations likely to restrict navigation of other vessels in or near a channel or fairway

1029: Which vessel(s) is(are) required to comply with the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone regulations while navigating?

    N a. Towing vessel 26 feet in length or greater
    N b. Passenger vessels of 100 gross tons or greater, carrying one or more passengers for hire
    N c. Power-driven vessels 20 meters in length or greater
    Y d. All of the above

1087: A combination or all-purpose nozzle produces __________.

    N a. low-velocity fog only
    N b. a solid stream only
    N c. a solid stream and foam
    Y d. a solid stream and fog

1187: A self-contained breathing apparatus is used to __________.

    N a. make underwater repairs to barges
    N b. determine if the air in a tank is safe for men
    Y c. enter areas that may contain dangerous fumes or lack oxygen
    N d. resuscitate an unconscious person

1388: Which extinguishing agent will absorb the most heat?

    N a. CO2
    N b. Foam
    Y c. Water
    N d. Dry chemical

1488: When compared to a high-expansion foam, a low-expansion foam will __________.

    N a. be dryer
    N b. be lighter
    Y c. be more heat resistant
    N d. cling to vertical surfaces

1503: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning ship, your legs should be __________.

    N a. spread apart as far as possible
    N b. held as tightly against your chest as possible
    N c. in a kneeling position
    Y d. extended straight down and crossed at the ankles

1512: Where are the draft marks required to be displayed on a ship?

    N a. Deep tanks
    N b. Voids
    N c. Midships near the waterline
    Y d. Area of water line near stem and stern

1718: You wish to communicate information that the swell in your area is 8-10 feet in height and from the northeast. This swell, as defined in the International Code of Signals, would be described as __________.

    N a. rough
    Y b. moderate
    N c. high
    N d. confused

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

2017: A shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan is required of __________.

    N a. all vessels, regardless of size and commercial application
    N b. any barge or ship constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can be carried aboard
    Y c. an oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, or other ship of 400 gross tons and above
    N d. an oil tanker of 400 gross tons and above, or other ships of 150 gross tons and above

2018: When can routine communications be resumed on a frequency or channel on which 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. 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. Routine communications can resume if, in the Master's opinion, communications on that frequency or channel will not interfere with emergency communications.

2038: Which system is least likely to be subject to fading or static interference?

    N a. HF SITOR
    Y b. INMARSAT
    N c. Digital Selective Calling on channel 70
    N d. VHF ARQ

2064: INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND You are under sail and overtaking a tug and tow. Which action is correct?

    N a. The power-driven tug must maneuver to avoid collision.
    Y b. You must maneuver to avoid the tug and tow.
    N c. You must maneuver to avoid collision only if the tug is to leeward and the wind is on your port side.
    N d. Both vessels are required to maneuver to avoid collision.

2229: To get the best speed when tacking and using a mainsail and jib, the sails should be trimmed such that __________.

    N a. the jib is on one side of the vessel and the mainsail on the other
    Y b. an air slot is formed between the two sails
    N c. one sail is as close to a right angle as possible to the other
    N d. as much of a gap as possible exists between the two sails in order to catch the most wind

2379: Regulations require that access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grade D liquid cargo, shall be __________.

    N a. away from galleys, living quarters, or navigation spaces
    N b. only from areas equipped with power ventilation systems
    Y c. from the open deck
    N d. isolated from sources of vapor ignition

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

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

2497: In MODU drilling operations, the term tripping means __________.

    N a. releasing the tongs from the drill pipe
    N b. welding hard metal to tool joints
    Y c. hoisting drill pipe out of and returning it to the wellbore
    N d. sliding a joint of drill pipe down to the pipe rack ramp

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

2581: A continuous watertight bulkhead on a MODU is normally also a(n) __________.

    Y a. structural bulkhead
    N b. exterior bulkhead
    N c. centerline bulkhead
    N d. joiner bulkhead

2762: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 24'-04", AFT 25'-10"; and the KG is 23.5 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 37° inclination.

    N a. 1.9 feet
    Y b. 2.1 feet
    N c. 3.5 feet
    N d. 4.2 feet

2904: The sailing drafts are: FWD 24'-03", AFT 25'-03" and the GM is 5.5 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 30° inclination.

    N a. 2.6 feet
    N b. 2.9 feet
    N c. 3.2 feet
    Y d. 3.5 feet

2914: The sailing drafts are: FWD 25'-03", AFT 26'-03" and the GM is 3.5 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 25° inclination.

    N a. 0.8 foot
    N b. 1.4 feet
    Y c. 2.0 feet
    N d. 2.6 feet

2919: All of the following are part of the fire triangle EXCEPT __________.

    N a. fuel
    Y b. electricity
    N c. oxygen
    N d. heat

3132: If the water level is rising in the bilge of a survival craft, you should first __________.

    N a. increase the speed of the survival craft
    N b. shift all personnel to the bow
    N c. shift all personnel to the stern
    Y d. check the bilge drain plug

3252: Before any machinery is put in operation, you should __________.

    Y a. ventilate all compartments, see that the machinery is clean and there are no obstructions
    N b. just turn the key and start up
    N c. take for granted that there are no fuel leaks
    N d. assume there are no volatile fumes in the engine space

3306: The SS AMERICAN MARINER will sail with the load shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts. ST-0120

    N a. FWD 26'-09", AFT 28'-05"
    Y b. FWD 26'-05", AFT 28'-07"
    N c. FWD 26'-04", AFT 28'-10"
    N d. FWD 26'-00", AFT 29'-00"

3426: In illustration D011SA, number 1 operates the __________. (D011SA )

    N a. releasing gear
    N b. sea painter
    Y c. Fleming gear
    N d. McCluny hook

3464: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 3175 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 25.8 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-0132

    Y a. KG 26.8 feet
    N b. KG 27.3 feet
    N c. KG 28.2 feet
    N d. KG 28.5 feet

3508: Except in rare cases, it is impossible to extinguish a shipboard fire by __________.

    N a. interrupting the chain reaction
    N b. removing the heat
    N c. removing the oxygen
    Y d. removing the fuel

3579: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 3 (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 34 lbs.

    N a. 1150 tons each
    N b. 1180 tons each
    Y c. 1220 tons each
    N d. 1250 tons each

3616: Which radiotelephone signal indicates receipt of a distress message?

    Y a. Received mayday
    N b. Roger wilco
    N c. Seelonce
    N d. Mayday wilco

3789: The signal for a fire emergency on an OSV is __________.

    N a. a 30 second on 30 second off alternating signal
    Y b. the continuous blast of the ships whistle for not less than 10 seconds supplemented by the continuous ringing of the general alarm bells for not less than 10 seconds
    N c. an intermittent ringing of the general alarm for not less than ten seconds
    N d. announced over the PA system

3971: What weight is added when P-tank #4 in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #1 (Transit) is completely filled?

    N a. 19.54 long tons
    N b. 55.71 long tons
    Y c. 75.25 long tons
    N d. 94.79 long tons

3974: In the illustration, the sea anchor is shown as item number_____. (D014SA )

    N a. 7
    N b. 13
    N c. 15
    Y d. 14

4150: In an emergency, the electro-hydraulic steering units can be directly controlled by the __________.

    Y a. trick wheel
    N b. rapson slide
    N c. follow-up gear
    N d. receiver unit

4239: Either one approved B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system or a fixed fire-extinguishing system is required to protect the engine room on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for before __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. April 29, 2005
    N b. April 29, 2004
    Y c. August 27, 2003
    N d. February 1, 2002

4275: The independent-leg drilling unit is the best jack-up rig selection for drilling at locations with __________.

    N a. soft even bottoms
    Y b. firm uneven bottoms
    N c. deep water
    N d. shallow water

4303: During a long ocean tow of a jack-up the clearance in the upper guide should be reduced to zero to restrain the leg and eliminate the impact loads from dynamic responses. This is best done by __________.

    N a. lowering the spud cans below the hull
    N b. raising the spud cans into hull recesses
    Y c. tapering the upper guides and building up the teeth
    N d. remove certain lengths of leg

4507: The height of the transverse metacenter of the COASTAL DRILLER at a displacement of 13,011 kips is __________.

    N a. 144.21 feet
    Y b. 145.33 feet
    N c. 267.98 feet
    N d. 270.13 feet

4742: You are scheduled to load 4700 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 323 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. 19'-00"
    N b. 19'-03"
    Y c. 19'-07"
    N d. 20'-01"

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

6201: The two courses of action if the underwater hull of a MODU is severely damaged are to plug the openings and to __________.

    N a. dewater the compartment
    Y b. establish and maintain flooding boundaries
    N c. secure power to the compartment
    N d. counter flood to maintain even keel

6261: When should the emergency position-indicating radio beacon be activated after abandoning a MODU?

    Y a. Immediately
    N b. After one hour
    N c. Only when another vessel is in sight
    N d. Only after sunset

6517: Prior to backloading portable tanks or drums onto an offshore supply vessel, check that each tank is __________.

    N a. painted yellow with diagonal black striping
    Y b. capped and checked for leaks
    N c. coated with non-corrosive protection
    N d. mounted on pallets

6917: Injuries resulting in loss of life or incapacitation, aboard vessels, must be reported to the __________.

    N a. Minerals Management Service
    N b. American Petroleum Institute
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. International Association of Drilling Contractors

6967: A MODU must report a collision with an aid to navigation maintained by the Coast Guard to which office?

    N a. Nearest Oceanographic office
    N b. The Marine Safety Center at Coast Guard Headquarters
    N c. National Ocean Service
    Y d. Nearest Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection

8407: If you are unable to stop a diesel engine by any other means, you should __________.

    Y a. discharge a CO2 extinguisher in the air inlet
    N b. pull off the distributor cap
    N c. secure the jacket water
    N d. secure the starting air supply valve

8435: A MODU which is required to carry an Oil Record Book must log in the book __________.

    Y a. discharge of ballast or cleaning water from fuel tanks
    N b. sounding levels of all fuel tanks on a daily basis
    N c. the grade and specific gravity of all fuel oil carried
    N d. fuel consumption rates on a weekly basis

8483: A jack-up 180 feet in length with the LCF at 120 feet AFO has a true mean draft (draft at LCF) of 10 feet. If the trim is 3 feet by the stern, what is the draft at the stern?

    N a. 8.0 feet
    N b. 9.0 feet
    Y c. 11.0 feet
    N d. 12.0 feet

8645: In the analysis of damaged stability for the DEEP DRILLER, disregarded are the beneficial effects of moorings and __________.

    N a. horizontal area of the platform
    N b. vertical area of the platform
    Y c. countermeasures
    N d. wind strength

9231: The transverse free surface correction of a floating MODU displacing 24,000 long tons is 1.0 foot. When the MODU is deballasted by discharging 8,000 long tons of ballast, the FSMT decreases by 4,000 ft-long tons. What is the new FSCT?

    N a. 1.50 feet
    Y b. 1.25 feet
    N c. 1.00 foot
    N d. 0.83 foot

9313: When a patient has an electrical burn, it is important to __________.

    Y a. look for a second burn, which may have been caused by the current passing through the body
    N b. locate the nearest water source and flood the burn with water for five minutes
    N c. remove any dirt or charred skin from the area of the burn
    N d. apply ointment to the burn area and wrap with clean cloth

9672: When fighting a large fire on your vessel and attacking it from ABOVE the space on fire, it is important to __________.

    N a. not rotate personnel, as the consistent attack can extinguish the fire quickly.
    Y b. stand erect, to avoid the heat of the deck
    N c. station personnel on the hot deck, immediately above the fire, to observe for its potential spread
    N d. All of the above