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.


116: What is classified as a B-II fire extinguisher?


144: The unit of duration of a dash in Morse Code is __________.


187: What represents poor sanitary procedures?


233: Most enclosed lifeboats will right themselves after capsizing IF the __________.

    N a. lower ballast tanks are filled with water
    N b. fuel tanks are not less than half full
    Y c. passengers are strapped to their seats
    N d. sea anchor is deployed to windward

441: Your vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. You can reduce the possibility of capsizing by __________.

    N a. moving all personnel aft
    N b. constantly shifting the rudder
    Y c. rigging a sea anchor
    N d. moving all personnel forward and low

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

700: Intact buoyancy is a term used to describe __________.

    N a. the volume of all intact spaces above the waterline
    Y b. an intact space below the surface of a flooded area
    N c. an intact space which can be flooded without causing a ship to sink
    N d. the space at which all the vertical upward forces of buoyancy are considered to be concentrated

782: On small passenger vessels what device must you install under carburetors, other than the downdraft type, to allow ready removal of fuel leakage?

    Y a. A drip collector
    N b. A funnel and a tin can
    N c. A sponge
    N d. Suitable absorbent material

864: A crew member suddenly becomes blind in both eyes. Which code should your message contain?

    N a. MNJ
    N b. MNM
    Y c. MNO
    N d. MNI

1270: The most common type of davit found on merchant vessels today is the __________.

    N a. radial
    N b. sheath-screw
    Y c. gravity
    N d. quadrantal

1339: The static stability curve for a given vessel peaks at 34°. For this ship, the danger angle for a permanent list would be about __________.

    N a. 8.5°
    Y b. 17°
    N c. 34°
    N d. 51°

1384: According to 46 CFR Subchapter T, rigid plastic or other nonmetallic piping __________.

    N a. may only be used for gasoline fuel piping
    N b. may only be used for diesel fuel piping
    Y c. may not be used for diesel or gasoline fuel piping
    N d. may be used for gasoline or diesel fuel piping

1575: Foam extinguishes a fire by __________.

    Y a. smothering the burning material
    N b. chemical combination with burning material
    N c. absorbing the burning material
    N d. organic destruction of the burning material

1745: During loading, what is the minimum pressure required to be maintained by the inert gas system on cargo tanks?

    N a. 2" water gauge
    Y b. 4" water gauge
    N c. 20" water gauge
    N d. 40" water gauge

1755: When checking the oxygen content of the cargo tanks prior to loading cargoes requiring vapor recovery, the atmosphere must be sampled __________.

    N a. one meter from the tank bottom and one meter below the tank top
    Y b. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter below the tank top
    N c. one half the ullage of the tank and one meter above the tank bottom
    N d. at three meter intervals from the tank top

1798: The combined fan discharge rate in an inert gas system is related to the __________.

    N a. shoreside loading rate
    Y b. cargo pump discharge rate
    N c. boiler forced draft fan rate
    N d. size of the largest cargo tank

1823: What is the MINIMUM distance a vessel subject to the requirements of Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 must be located from nearest land to legally discharge paper trash?

    N a. 5 nautical miles
    N b. 10 nautical miles
    Y c. 12 nautical miles
    N d. 25 nautical miles

1827: The helicopter deck on an offshore drilling unit is required to be fitted with perimeter lights in alternating colors of __________.

    N a. red and white
    N b. yellow and white
    Y c. yellow and blue
    N d. yellow and red

1846: You are under sail on a close reach, and the wind is steady. While steady on course, you reef the mainsail and your speed slows. The apparent wind __________.

    N a. is unchanged
    N b. increases and draws aft
    N c. increases and draws forward
    Y d. decreases and draws aft

1934: Which piece of required GMDSS equipment is the primary source of transmitting locating signals?

    N a. Radio Direction Finder (RDF)
    Y b. An EPIRB transmitting on 406 MHz
    N c. Survival Craft Transceiver
    N d. A SART transmitting on 406 MHz

1944: You have 640 tons of below deck tonnage. There is no liquid mud aboard. If you have 160 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? (see illustration D036DG, stability letter for M.V. Hudson) (D036DG )

    N a. 1.24 feet
    N b. 1.65 feet
    N c. 1.98 feet
    Y d. 2.46 feet

1987: When a fire drill is conducted on a mobile offshore drilling unit, the designated person in charge must ensure that __________.

    Y a. all personnel report to their stations
    N b. each hose is brought to full pressure at the nozzle
    N c. at least three portable extinguishers are activated
    N d. All of the above

2098: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0049

    Y a. 395 tons
    N b. 530 tons
    N c. 750 tons
    N d. 990 tons

2339: Sixty tons of cargo are raised with a boom 45 feet from the centerline. The vessel's displacement including the weight lifted is 16,400 tons. The angle of list caused by the suspended weight is 1.5°. KM is 28.75 ft., and BM is 17.25 ft. What is the KG?

    N a. 11.65 feet
    Y b. 22.46 feet
    N c. 23.15 feet
    N d. 23.82 feet

2443: 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-0063

    N a. 4.0 feet
    N b. 5.6 feet
    N c. 6.0 feet
    Y d. 6.8 feet

2591: Structural bulkheads on a MODU are usually __________.

    N a. continuous
    Y b. watertight
    N c. transverse
    N d. non-watertight

2657: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-2", AFT 6'-8". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 6 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 23 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? ( D037DG )

    N a. 24 tons
    N b. 18 tons
    N c. 12 tons
    Y d. 6 tons

2697: In order to withstand fluid head pressure on a MODU, stiffeners are often attached to the bulkhead __________.

    N a. penetrations
    Y b. plating
    N c. framing
    N d. brackets

2748: Most covered lifeboats will right themselves after capsizing if the __________.

    Y a. passengers are strapped to their seats
    N b. fuel tanks are not less than half full
    N c. sea anchor is deployed to windward
    N d. lower ballast tanks are filled with water

2792: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-06", AFT 19'-01"; and the KG is 18.2 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 35° inclination.

    N a. 1.8 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 4.7 feet
    Y d. 5.8 feet

2816: When a lifeline is required to be attached to a ring life buoy it must be at least __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 30 feet long
    Y b. 60 feet long
    N c. 90 feet long
    N d. 120 feet long

2829: Aboard small passenger vessels the steering gear, signaling whistle, controls, and communication system shall be tested by the Master __________.

    N a. once a week
    Y b. before getting underway for the day's operation
    N c. at every inspection and reinspection
    N d. at least once in every 48 hours

3136: Where should the tops of vents from gasoline tanks terminate?

    Y a. In open air
    N b. Inside cabins near the overhead
    N c. In the machinery space near the engine air intake
    N d. Underwater

3244: A person may operate an air compressor in which of the following areas on board a tank barge?

    N a. Pumproom
    Y b. Generator room
    N c. A space adjacent to a cargo tank
    N d. A space two meters from a cargo valve

3278: Gasoline tanks should be filled __________.

    N a. to the top to expel all vapors from the tanks
    N b. to the top so the operator is certain how much fuel he has aboard
    N c. with only sufficient fuel for the planned trip so excess gasoline is not carried
    Y d. to near the top with some space allowed for gasoline expansion

3300: How many portable fire extinguishers are required to be located inside the machinery space of a small passenger vessel?

    Y a. None are required
    N b. One B-I, C-I
    N c. One B-II, C-II
    N d. One B-II

3742: A rescuer can most easily determine whether or not an adult victim has a pulse by checking the pulse at the __________.

    Y a. carotid artery in the neck
    N b. femoral artery in the groin
    N c. brachial artery in the arm
    N d. radial artery in the wrist

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

3792: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 08'-11.5", 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-0147

    N a. 3.10 feet
    Y b. 2.45 feet
    N c. 2.00 feet
    N d. 1.50 feet

3859: When can a work vest be substituted for a lifejacket in the total count of the required lifesaving gear?

    N a. When it is approved by the Coast Guard
    N b. When working near or over the water
    N c. When stowed away from the ring buoys
    Y d. A work vest may never be counted as a lifejacket.

4087: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (transit). What is the new metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects if the entire contents of Salt Water Ballast Tanks 1P and 1S are discharged? (Use KMT = 375.38 feet)

    N a. 375.38 feet
    N b. 345.23 feet
    N c. 319.66 feet
    Y d. 306.79 feet

4124: Approximately how far could a straight stream of water reach if the fire hose pressure is reduced to 60 PSI?

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

4208: You are loading in a port subject to the winter load line mark and bound for a port subject to the summer load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming six days. You will consume 32 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.005, and the average TPI is 65. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 93 inches
    N b. 90 inches
    Y c. 81 inches
    N d. 70 inches

4625: The order to abandon a MODU should only be given by the __________.

    Y a. Offshore Installation Manager
    N b. Barge Engineer
    N c. Ballast Control Operator
    N d. Rig Safety Supervisor

4785: What should you do with your emergency position indicating radio beacon if you are in a liferaft in a storm?

    Y a. Bring it inside the liferaft and leave it on.
    N b. Bring it inside the liferaft and turn it off until the storm passes.
    N c. Leave it outside the liferaft and leave it on.
    N d. Leave it outside the liferaft but turn it off.

5101: When a marine surveyor is employed to assist in the move of a mobile offshore drilling unit, he __________.

    N a. becomes responsible for the safe movement of the rig
    N b. relieves the Offshore Installation Manager at the moment the rig is free from the bottom
    N c. must be designated as the person in charge of the rig
    Y d. is a specialist who is hired to provide advice and guidance on aspects of the move

5486: This illustration shows the correct method of securing a __________. (D009SA )

    N a. man-rope
    N b. frapping line
    Y c. sea painter
    N d. lifeline

5535: What effect is achieved from soaking an anchor?

    Y a. It allows the bottom soil to consolidate.
    N b. It gives the palms time to trip the anchor.
    N c. It stabilizes the mooring system.
    N d. It lubricates the anchor for better tripping.

5586: Your drafts are: FWD 17'-09", AFT 21'-01". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    N a. 5.1 feet forward
    Y b. 4.7 feet forward
    N c. 2.6 feet aft
    N d. 0.8 foot forward

5653: On a semisubmersible drilling unit, decreasing riser tension increases __________.

    N a. free surface moments
    N b. KM
    Y c. GM
    N d. KG

5817: The two main types of load cells used in mooring tension gauges are __________.

    Y a. distortion and compression
    N b. hydraulic and mechanical
    N c. magnetic and applied torque
    N d. frictionless and hydraulic

5936: 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-0188

    N a. Available GM 4.1 ft
    Y b. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.7 ft
    N d. Available GM 5.1 ft

6051: The connection facilities for the international shore connection required on board offshore drilling units in international service must be located to provide access __________.

    Y a. to each side of the drilling unit
    N b. as close as possible to the control house
    N c. on the drill floor
    N d. on each level of the accommodation space

6843: With regard to the opening and closing of watertight integrity appliances not fitted with a remote operating control or alarm system, what must the Master or person in charge of a MODU enter in the logbook?

    N a. The time required to close the appliances
    Y b. The reason for opening or closing each appliance
    N c. The name of the person performing the opening and closing of such appliances
    N d. The fact that the hull indicators functioned or not

6856: Fire dampers prevent the spread of fire by __________.

    N a. conduction
    Y b. convection
    N c. radiation
    N d. direct contact

6908: Topside icing decreases vessel stability because it is usually off-center and __________.

    N a. increases displacement
    Y b. increases the height of the center of gravity
    N c. increases draft
    N d. reduces the pocketing of free surface

8341: Clean air standards referred to as "Grade D" apply to compressed air for use in __________.

    N a. high pressure fluid accumulators
    N b. driving air-powered plunger pumps
    Y c. filling open-circuit breathing systems
    N d. bladder-type accumulators

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

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

9153: The two factors which make underwater hull repair of a MODU difficult are accessibility and the __________.

    N a. availability of tools
    N b. shape of the hull
    Y c. pressure exerted by the water
    N d. threat of progressive flooding