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.


348: A man has suffered a burn on the arm. There is a reddening of the skin but no other apparent damage. Using standard MEDICAL terminology, this is a __________.


353: When a sea anchor is used in landing stern first in a heavy surf, sternway is checked by __________.


395: You are operating a 1,000 GT non-ocean going tankship. It must be equipped with __________.


482: The high-velocity fog tip used with the all-purpose fire fighting nozzle should always be __________.

    Y a. attached by a chain
    N b. coated with heavy grease to prevent corrosion
    N c. painted red for identity as emergency equipment
    N d. stored in the clip at each fire station

574: You are calling another vessel by radiotelephone using the International Code of Signals. He responds with the words "Alpha Sierra". This indicates that __________.

    Y a. he cannot accept traffic immediately
    N b. you should proceed with your message
    N c. you should send your message in International Code
    N d. you should send your message in plain language

637: The date and time kept in the radiotelephone log shall commence at __________.

    Y a. midnight
    N b. noon
    N c. beginning of the watch
    N d. any convenient time

1089: During counterflooding to correct a severe list aggravated by an off-center load, your vessel suddenly takes a list or trim to the opposite side. You should __________.

    N a. continue counterflooding in the same direction
    N b. continue counterflooding, but in the opposite direction
    Y c. immediately stop counterflooding
    N d. deballast from the low side

1136: The breaking strength of the service lines of the rockets used with an impulse-projected, rocket type line throwing appliances is __________.

    N a. 300 lbs
    Y b. 500 lbs
    N c. 1000 lbs
    N d. 1500 lbs

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

1324: A hydrostatic release mechanism for a liferaft __________.

    N a. must be wet before it will release
    N b. should be kept in a watertight cover except in an emergency
    N c. will inflate the raft in its cradle if operated manually
    Y d. must be submerged to a certain depth to release automatically

1398: The size of fire hydrant hose connections on a cargo vessel must be either 1-1/2 inches or __________.

    N a. 1 inch
    Y b. 2-1/2 inches
    N c. 3 inches
    N d. 3-1/2 inches

1426: A vessel aground may have negative GM since the __________.

    N a. decrease in KM is equal to the loss of draft
    N b. virtual rise of G is directly proportional to the remaining draft
    Y c. displacement lost acts at the point where the ship is aground
    N d. lost buoyancy method is used to calculate KM, and KB is reduced

1475: You need to pull the sea anchor back aboard your liferaft. What part of the anchor do you pull on?

    N a. Drag line
    N b. Bridle
    Y c. Trip line
    N d. Iron ring

1682: Which radio call-in plan is the most prudent?

    N a. There must be a designated responsible person who will be available to receive your call at anytime.
    Y b. There must be specific instructions for the designated responsible person to follow if your call does not come in on schedule.
    N c. The designated responsible person must be instructed to call the Coast Guard search and rescue authorities immediately if your call does not come in on schedule.
    N d. The designated responsible person should be over 18 years of age.

1741: The maximum allowable oxygen content within the ship's cargo tanks, inert gas piping and the vapor recovery system is __________.

    N a. 4%
    N b. 5%
    Y c. 8%
    N d. 10%

1780: How often must a compulsory vessel's GMDSS radio station be inspected?

    N a. Annually, by the U.S. Coast Guard
    Y b. Annually, by the FCC or designated authority
    N c. Annually, by the FCC, and every six months if the vessel sails outside of the Sea Areas A1 and A2
    N d. The FCC's annual inspection may be waived if, and only if, monthly inspections are performed by the vessel's onboard GMDSS Radio Maintainer.

1802: The component in an inert gas system used for cleaning the gas of solid and sulfur combustion products, while simultaneously cooling the inert gas, is called the __________.

    N a. filter
    N b. cooler
    Y c. scrubber
    N d. purifier

1938: A wobbling tail shaft is an indication of __________.

    N a. shallow water
    N b. an engine that is misfiring
    N c. a tight tail shaft gland
    Y d. worn stern bearing or misalignment

1978: How should you try to right a capsized small sailing vessel?

    N a. Position all personnel at the stern and rock the vessel upright.
    N b. Position all personnel around the mast and lift the vessel upright.
    Y c. Lock the centerboard in the down position, stand on the centerboard, and pull on a shroud or a halyard.
    N d. Put the centerboard in the up position and have all personnel haul in on the line attached to the mast.

2090: You have 520 tons of below deck tonnage including liquid mud. Your existing deck cargo is 160 tons with a VCG above the deck of 2.7 feet. What is the maximum cargo tonnage you are permitted to load? (See the stability letter for the M.V. Hudson illustration D036DG.) (D036DG )

    Y a. 84 tons
    N b. 160 tons
    N c. 244 tons
    N d. 317 tons

2235: You are aboard a vessel which is near a platform engaged in oil exploration. Under U.S. pollution regulations, you may NOT discharge garbage if you are within __________.

    Y a. 1650 feet (500 meters)
    N b. 1750 feet (533 meters)
    N c. 1970 feet (600 meters)
    N d. 2500 feet (762 meters)

2255: The survival capsule is manufactured with fire retardant __________.

    N a. foam
    N b. marine plywood
    N c. steel
    Y d. fiberglass

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

2288: A major health hazard of the product tert-butylamine is that it______.

    N a. can be absorbed through the skin
    Y b. causes irreversible damage to eye tissue
    N c. is a very unstable product
    N d. All of the above

2401: A high-velocity fog stream can be used in fire fighting situations to drive heat and smoke ahead of the fire fighters in a passageway. This technique should only be used when __________.

    N a. using a 2-1/2 inch hose
    Y b. there is an outlet for the smoke and heat
    N c. the fire is totally contained by the ship's structure
    N d. at least two fog streams can be used

2739: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 19'-03", AFT 21'-03". 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 18 inches? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 27 tons
    Y b. 31 tons
    N c. 34 tons
    N d. 37 tons

2787: You are on a commercial fishing vessel 78 feet long. At least one of your ring buoys or throwable flotation devices must have a line of what minimum length attached?

    N a. 60 feet
    N b. 70 feet
    N c. 80 feet
    Y d. 90 feet

2788: Which is NOT a safety precaution to be observed during the loading of LFG?

    N a. Report any leakage of cargo.
    Y b. Make sure the rake ends of the barge are completely dry and mopped.
    N c. Ascertain that the hoses to be used are in good order.
    N d. Be on the lookout for work being accomplished ashore in the vicinity of the barges.

2793: The mean draft of a MODU is the draft __________.

    Y a. midway between the forward and aft draft marks
    N b. at the center of flotation
    N c. at the load line
    N d. at the center of buoyancy

2985: For a MODU with list, a decrease in GMT will cause the angle of inclination to __________.

    N a. stabilize at an angle of loll
    N b. decrease
    Y c. increase
    N d. remain constant

3062: The Master of a vessel shall make sure the EPIRB is tested __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. daily
    N b. weekly
    N c. every two weeks
    Y d. monthly

3171: Automatic fire dampers in ventilation systems are operated by use of __________.

    Y a. fusible links
    N b. remotely operated valves
    N c. C02 system pressure switches
    N d. heat or smoke detectors

3194: Generally, what is used to inflate liferafts?

    Y a. non-toxic gas
    N b. Oxygen
    N c. Hydrogen
    N d. Helium

3202: Which of these approved lifesaving devices must a small passenger vessel carrying passengers for hire carry for each person on board? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. Buoyant cushion
    Y b. Life jacket
    N c. Ring buoy
    N d. Buoyant vest

3208: Water pockets on the underside of an inflatable liferaft are for __________.

    N a. catching rain water
    Y b. stability
    N c. easy drainage
    N d. maneuverability

3282: What form of venting of cargo tanks is allowed for a tank barge certificated to carry grade B petroleum products?

    N a. Gooseneck vents only
    N b. Gooseneck vents with flame screens
    Y c. Individual pressure-vacuum relief valves with flame screens
    N d. Straight vents with flame screens

3303: Your fireman's outfit includes a(n) __________.

    N a. chemical protection face shield
    N b. approved work vest
    Y c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. marlinspike

3523: Among the equipment included in the DEEP DRILLER lightweight are the loading hoses, traveling block in the lowest position, anchors, mooring chain, all machinery with liquids to normal operating level, and __________.

    Y a. derrick
    N b. lower hull fuel
    N c. eight anchor buoys
    N d. normal food supplies for 79 persons

3525: Among the equipment included in the DEEP DRILLER lightweight are the loading hoses, derrick, traveling block in the lowest position, mooring chain, all machinery with liquids to normal operating level, and __________.

    N a. normal food supplies for 79 persons
    N b. eight anchor buoys
    Y c. anchors
    N d. lower hull fuel

3732: Heat exhaustion is caused by excessive __________.

    N a. loss of body temperature
    Y b. loss of water and salt from the body
    N c. gain in body temperature
    N d. intake of water when working or exercising

3780: One of the first actions to be taken by survivors when they have boarded an inflatable liferaft is to __________.

    N a. stream the sea anchor
    Y b. take an anti-seasickness pill
    N c. open the pressure relief valve
    N d. drink at least one can of water

3926: To keep injured survivors warm in the water after abandoning ship, they should __________.

    Y a. be placed in the middle of a small circle formed by the other survivors in the water
    N b. float on their backs with their arms extended for maximum exposure to the air
    N c. remove their life preservers and hold on to the uninjured survivors
    N d. sip water at intervals of fifteen minutes

3964: Paints and solvents on a vessel should be __________.

    N a. stored safely in a cool dark non-ventilated area until work is completed
    Y b. resealed and returned to a well ventilated area after each use
    N c. covered at all times to protect from ignition sources
    N d. stored in a suitable gear locker

4098: Which publication(s) must a towing vessel of 12 meters or more in length carry when operating on US waters other than the Western Rivers?

    N a. US Coast Pilot(s)
    N b. Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    Y d. All of the above

5095: Who has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of a mobile offshore drilling unit while it is being towed to a new location?

    Y a. The rig mover
    N b. The Pilot
    N c. The marine surveyor
    N d. The Offshore Installation Manager

5125: A MODU with the TCG off the longitudinal centerline inclines to an angle of __________.

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

5473: Where do fatigue failures of wire rope mooring lines usually occur?

    N a. In the middle part of the line length
    Y b. Near the socketed end fitting adjacent to the anchor
    N c. At the point where the line touches the bottom
    N d. At the place the anchor buoy is attached to the line

5595: An anchor winch should be equipped with mechanical brakes capable of holding __________.

    N a. half the breaking strength of the mooring line
    Y b. the full breaking strength of the mooring line
    N c. the maximum expected tension of the mooring line
    N d. 50% over the working tension of the mooring line

5633: In ballasting to survival draft, while in transit, due to extreme wind and wave loads, thrusters or propulsion, if available, should be used to __________.

    N a. reduce windward mooring tensions
    Y b. maintain vessel heading
    N c. maximize accelerations
    N d. increase speed of advance

6475: The pneumatic containers which store bulk dry mud additives and cement on a MODU are called __________.

    N a. mud hoppers
    N b. bulk bins
    Y c. P-tanks
    N d. mud tanks

7651: When positive stability exists, GZ represents the __________.

    N a. righting moment
    N b. center of gravity
    Y c. righting arm
    N d. metacentric height

7667: Subtracting GM from KM yields __________.

    N a. BL
    N b. GM
    N c. FS
    Y d. KG

7681: The effects of free surface on initial stability depend upon the dimensions of the surface of the free liquids and the __________.

    N a. volume of liquid in the tank
    Y b. volume of displacement of the MODU
    N c. location of the tank in the MODU
    N d. height of the center of gravity of the MODU

8054: A thrust block is designed to __________.

    N a. transmit the thrust of the engine to the propeller
    Y b. transmit the thrust of the propeller to the vessel
    N c. absorb the shock of wave pressure at the bow
    N d. be placed between the engines and the foundation to absorb the vibration

8517: While preparing for a storm when elevated, the total weight of the COASTAL DRILLER is 14,150 kips. LM are 1,712,150 ft-kips, and TM are -9,905 ft-kips. The port leg reaction is __________.

    N a. 4,536 kips
    N b. 4,716 kips
    N c. 4,824 kips
    Y d. 4,890 kips

8647: While the DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Form #4 (Drilling), casing is accidentally dropped over the port side. Because the tank sounding level and port forward inclination are rapidly increasing, you decide that tank 1P is damaged. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    Y a. deballast from tank 2P
    N b. dump the mud
    N c. counterflood into 9S
    N d. counterflood into C3S

8833: A jack-up level at 12.5 feet draft transfers 100 kips of drill water from a tank with a TCG of -30 feet to a starboard tank with a TCG of 70 feet. The resulting starboard draft is 13 feet. The moment required to change list one inch (MCL1") is __________.

    N a. 667 foot-kips
    Y b. 833 foot-kips
    N c. 1,400 foot-kips
    N d. 1,667 foot-kips

8871: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). Weather conditions make it necessary to ballast down to survival draft. It is decided to check the stability at the intermediate draft of 32 feet. If the added ballast has an average VCG of 9.03 feet, what is the new KG?

    N a. 54.76 feet
    N b. 55.76 feet
    Y c. 57.22 feet
    N d. 57.76 feet

8895: The AMVER system for vessels in the Gulf of Mexico is administered by the __________.

    Y a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. Minerals Management Service
    N c. Department of Energy
    N d. Corps of Engineers

9276: You are underway when a fire breaks out in the forward part of your vessel. If possible, you should __________.

    N a. call for assistance
    Y b. put the vessel's stern into the wind
    N c. abandon ship to windward
    N d. keep going at half speed