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.


55: Most minor spills of oil products are caused by __________.


254: If you wanted to ask a nearby vessel if he had a doctor on board, you would hoist the flag signal __________.


302: If you are fighting a fire below the main deck of your vessel, which action is most important concerning the stability of the vessel?


444: A call between any two ship stations on an intership working frequency shall have a maximum duration of __________.

    N a. 2 minutes
    Y b. 3 minutes
    N c. 4 minutes
    N d. 5 minutes

483: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 4184 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 27.8 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-0008

    Y a. KG 25.8 feet
    N b. KG 26.6 feet
    N c. KG 27.2 feet
    N d. KG 28.0 feet

516: Which toxic gas is a product of incomplete combustion, and is often present when a fire burns in a closed compartment?

    N a. Carbon dioxide
    N b. Hydrogen sulfide
    Y c. Carbon monoxide
    N d. Nitric oxide

627: Distress flares and smoke signals for small passenger vessels __________.

    N a. are not required aboard vessels on runs of less than 30 minutes duration
    N b. must be Coast Guard approved and stowed in a portable, watertight container
    N c. must be marked with an expiration date not more than 42 months from the date of manufacture
    Y d. All of the above

634: You are fighting a fire in a watertight compartment using hoses and salt 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

672: A foam-type portable fire extinguisher is most useful in fighting a fire in __________.

    N a. generators
    Y b. oil drums
    N c. the bridge controls
    N d. combustible metals

730: The percentage of the total surface area or volume of a flooded compartment that can be occupied by water caused by damage is known as __________.

    N a. one compartment standard
    N b. center of flotation
    Y c. permeability
    N d. form gain

800: The "trimming arm" of a vessel is the horizontal distance between the __________.

    N a. LCB and LCF
    N b. LCF and LCG
    N c. LHA and LCG
    Y d. LCB and LCG

804: You have an AB who has become violently ill, and you are requesting urgent medical advice. Your message should contain which code?

    N a. MAB
    N b. MAD
    Y c. MAA
    N d. MAF

874: If you were being assisted by an icebreaker and he sent you the single letter "Q", he would be telling you __________.

    N a. that he has his engines in reverse
    N b. that he is shortening the distance between vessels
    Y c. to shorten the distance between vessels
    N d. that his vessel is healthy

983: Your vessel has a metacentric height of 1.12 feet and a beam of 60 feet. Your average rolling period will be __________.

    N a. 20 seconds
    N b. 23 seconds
    Y c. 25 seconds
    N d. 35 seconds

1086: Required lifesaving equipment on existing vessels may be continued in use on the vessel if __________.

    N a. kept on board no more than 2 years
    N b. inspected and serviced every 6 months
    N c. destroyed if more than 5 years old
    Y d. maintained in good and serviceable condition

1140: Limit switches are used on which davits?

    N a. Sheath-screw davits
    Y b. Gravity davits
    N c. Radial davits
    N d. Quadrantal davits

1246: Inflatable liferafts are provided with __________.

    N a. a Very pistol
    Y b. a towing connection
    N c. a portable radio
    N d. canned milk

1247: The BEST method of applying foam to a fire is to __________.

    N a. spray directly on the base of the fire
    Y b. flow the foam down a nearby vertical surface
    N c. sweep the fire with the foam
    N d. spray directly on the surface of the fire

1598: On board a small passenger vessel connections to electric conductors MUST be __________.

    Y a. made within enclosures
    N b. served and parceled
    N c. installed only by a licensed marine electrician
    N d. Be inspected annually

1655: Which space(s) on your cargo vessel must have a fire detection system?

    N a. Any compartment containing explosives
    N b. Any compartment adjacent to one containing explosives
    N c. Enclosed spaces which are "specially suitable for vehicles"
    Y d. All of the above

1696: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE?

    N a. Polyester sailcloth, such as Dacron, is resistant to rot due to moisture but susceptible to UV degradation and should be kept covered as much as possible.
    N b. Canvas sailcloth is susceptible to rot due to moisture and should never be covered when wet.
    N c. Kevlar sail cloth is susceptible to weakening due to repeated folding and therefore should be draped loosely over the boom when stowed.
    Y d. All of the above are true.

1764: After jacking down your liftboat you have an unexpected list. You find that the only cause of this list must be a flooded leg. Raising the flooded leg further would adversely affect the boats stability by __________.

    Y a. raising the KG and increasing the draft which may put you in an unsafe operating condition
    N b. increasing GM and causing a fast roll
    N c. increasing the righting arm on the high side
    N d. causing the vessel to yaw when underway

1771: The Sailing Plan, required by vessels participating in AMVER, should be sent __________.

    N a. 24 hours prior to departure
    Y b. within a few hours before or after departure
    N c. 24 hours after departure
    N d. after the first position report

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

1999: Which channel and mode should be used when initiating a Distress alert transmission?

    N a. Channel 6 DSC
    N b. Channel 6 Radiotelephony
    N c. Channel 13 Radiotelephony and Channel 16 DSC
    Y d. Channel 70 DSC

2005: If there is unsafe machinery on a mobile offshore drilling unit, who is responsible for reporting the existence of the unsafe condition to the Coast Guard?

    N a. The chief mechanic
    N b. The port engineer
    N c. The rig superintendent
    Y d. The designated person in charge

2290: In order to calculate the TPI of a vessel, for any given draft, it is necessary to divide the area of the waterplane by __________.

    N a. 35
    N b. 120
    N c. 240
    Y d. 420

2470: According to the Chemical Data Guide, propylene oxide is assigned a health hazard rating of 3,2,2. The last digit "2" of the rating means __________.

    N a. chemical vapors will cause a slight smarting of the eyes or respiratory system if present in high concentrations
    N b. the chemical contains fairly severe skin irritants, causing second- and third-degree burns after a few minutes contact
    Y c. the chemical poison presents some hazard if it enters the body and typically has threshold limits of 100 to 500 ppm
    N d. the chemical is severely hazardous, usually having threshold limits below 10 ppm

2577: The radiotelephone safety signal is __________.

    Y a. "Securite" repeated 3 times
    N b. "Safety" repeated 3 times
    N c. "Pan Pan" repeated 3 times
    N d. "Securite Securite" repeated 3 times

2695: A certificated lifeboatman assigned to command the lifeboat must __________.

    N a. be the first individual to board the craft
    N b. drain the hydraulic pressure before lowering the craft
    Y c. have a list of the persons assigned to the lifeboat
    N d. All of the above

2863: You are berthed at a cargo facility where you have just completed discharging a dangerous cargo from your barge. You must complete topside repairs on the barge involving hot work before sailing. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You can make repairs with permission of the facility owner since you are empty and the cargo is on the facility.
    N b. The repair area must be inspected by a marine surveyor to ensure that it can be done safely.
    N c. Hot work repairs at such a facility are prohibited.
    Y d. The Captain of the Port may give specific approval to make hot work repairs.

2930: You have loaded a deck cargo, and the vessel has assumed a 5° list due to negative GM. Your salt water drafts are: FWD 16'-10", AFT 16'-08". If you then load 1225 tons of cargo in the lower hold (VCG 12 feet) and 875 tons of cargo in the lower 'tween decks (VCG 24 feet), what is the final GM? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 0.0 feet
    Y b. 0.8 foot
    N c. 1.2 feet
    N d. 1.9 feet

2972: Regulations require that approved buoyant work vests __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. may not be carried on inspected vessels
    N b. may be substituted for 10% of the required life jackets
    N c. shall be stowed in a place inaccessible to passengers
    Y d. shall be stowed separately from the required life jackets

3034: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 14'-04", AFT 16'-02" and the GM is 3.0 feet. What will be the angle of list if #5 port double bottom (capacity 195 tons, VCG 2.6 feet, and 18.5 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. 4°
    Y b. 8°
    N c. 13°
    N d. 16°

3050: A vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-04", AFT 15'-08". How much more cargo can be loaded to have the vessel down to the freeboard draft? (Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 7280 tons
    Y b. 7879 tons
    N c. 8004 tons
    N d. 8104 tons

3113: For a MODU with trim, an increase in GMT will cause the inclination to __________.

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

3191: To assess the potential for progressive flooding aboard a damaged MODU, you must know the __________.

    Y a. integrity of the watertight boundaries
    N b. capacity of the water sprinkler systems
    N c. operation of the machinery space bilge level alarms
    N d. All of the above

3381: The DEEP DRILLER, at a mean draft of 60 feet, has a two-foot trim by the head and a three foot list to starboard. What is the draft at the port aft draft mark?

    Y a. 57.5 feet
    N b. 59.5 feet
    N c. 60.5 feet
    N d. 62.5 feet

3427: A semisubmersible, 200 feet in length between draft marks with the LCF 10 feet aft of amidships, records the following drafts: Port Forward 64'-09"; Port Aft 68'-09"; Starboard Forward 59'-09"; and Starboard Aft 63'-09". What is the trim?

    N a. 8 feet by the stern
    Y b. 4 feet by the stern
    N c. 2 feet by the stern
    N d. 4 feet by the head

3481: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the contents of #6 and #7 Drill Water Tanks are discharged, what is the new longitudinal free surface correction?

    Y a. 1.63 feet
    N b. 2.14 feet
    N c. 2.24 feet
    N d. 2.38 feet

3593: The DEEP DRILLER is level at a draft of 58 feet when there are no environmental forces. What is the value of LCG?

    N a. 0.00 (amidships)
    N b. 2.23 feet forward of amidships
    Y c. 2.26 feet forward of amidships
    N d. 2.31 feet forward of amidships

3611: Each life jacket light that has a non-replaceable power source must be replaced __________.

    N a. every 6 months after initial installation
    N b. every 12 months after initial installation
    N c. every 24 months after initial installation
    Y d. on or before the expiration date of the power source

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

3751: A shipmate chokes suddenly, cannot speak, and starts to turn blue. You should __________.

    Y a. perform the Heimlich maneuver
    N b. make the victim lie down with the feet elevated to get blood to the brain
    N c. immediately administer CPR
    N d. do nothing until the victim becomes unconscious

3805: For the DEEP DRILLER, what are the longitudinal moments for a sounding of 15 feet in tank C3P?

    N a. 1,055 foot-tons
    N b. 7,772 foot-tons
    N c. -21,391 foot-tons
    Y d. -25,669 foot-tons

3904: The light on a life jacket must be replaced __________.

    N a. when the power source is replaced
    N b. each year after installation
    N c. every six months
    Y d. when it is no longer serviceable

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

4127: While loaded as shown in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill), all of the casing is discharged. What is the change in LCG?

    N a. 0.45 foot
    Y b. -0.45 foot
    N c. -1.78 feet
    N d. -2.68 feet

4140: In an electro-hydraulic steering system, rudder movement is maintained in close synchronization with the steering wheel position by means of the __________.

    N a. trick wheel
    Y b. follow-up control
    N c. six-way valve
    N d. Rapson slide

4188: You are the operator of a 295 GRT uninspected towing vessel. Which type of fire extinguishing system is required on your vessel, if its construction was contracted for before August 27, 2003? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    Y a. Type B-V semi-portable OR a fixed fire-extinguishing system
    N b. Type B-IV semi-portable OR a fixed fire-extinguishing system
    N c. Type B-III semi-portable AND a fixed fire-extinguishing system
    N d. Fixed CO2, AND another fixed fire-extinguishing system

4317: Curve B in the Design Limits of Legs Chart of the Coastal Driller Operating Manual, shows the operating limits during normal transit based on __________.

    Y a. leg strength
    N b. variable load
    N c. environmental load
    N d. load line

4333: The COASTAL DRILLER is experiencing a single amplitude roll angle of 2 degrees and a roll period of 10 seconds. What is the maximum recommended water depth for elevating?

    N a. 50 feet
    N b. 100 feet
    Y c. 150 feet
    N d. 200 feet

4713: When the COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the sample load form #3 (drilling), the hook load is placed in the pipe racks. What would be the new variable load?

    N a. 2,381.0 kips
    N b. 3,381.0 kips
    Y c. 3,658.8 kips
    N d. 4,381.0 kips

5523: Before being certified by the American Bureau of Shipping, anchor chain must undergo __________.

    N a. USCG inspection
    Y b. a breaking test
    N c. x-ray inspection
    N d. spectroanalysis

5731: Given the same water depth and line tension, the catenary length of a 19 pound/foot wire rope mooring line in comparison to the catenary length of a 90 pound/foot mooring chain will be __________.

    N a. shorter
    Y b. longer
    N c. identical
    N d. indeterminable

6693: The litter on a MODU must be able to __________.

    N a. carry at least two injured persons
    N b. float for at least two hours
    Y c. be used on the types of helicopters serving the unit
    N d. All of the above

8093: What is the displacement of the DEEP DRILLER with a draft of 19.5 feet in fresh water?

    Y a. 11,932.8 long tons
    N b. 12,232.8 long tons
    N c. 12,602.9 long tons
    N d. 18,919.8 long tons

8131: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of longitudinal moments for the liquid variables if the entire contents of drill water tank #17 are transferred to drill water tank #18?

    N a. 181,648 ft-kips
    Y b. 181,718 ft-kips
    N c. 187,345 ft-kips
    N d. 195,462 ft-kips

8627: What is the shift in the longitudinal center of gravity if 200 short tons are discharged from 30 feet forward of amidships on a MODU with LCG 1.5 feet forward of amidships, and displacement 9,000 short tons?

    N a. 0.62 foot aft
    Y b. 0.65 foot aft
    N c. 0.68 foot aft
    N d. 0.71 foot aft

9093: In addition to weighing the cartridge, which other maintenance is required for a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher?

    N a. Weigh the powder in the canister.
    N b. Discharge a small amount to see that it works.
    Y c. Check the hose and nozzle for clogs.
    N d. Check the external pressure gage.