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.


174: If you sent out a signal on 12 March 1980, the date would be indicated by __________.


195: As soon as the officer in charge of the vessel has taken steps to stop the discharge of oil or oily mixture into a U.S. harbor, what must he do FIRST?


220: Metacentric height is a measure of __________.


271: A fishing vessel casualty must be reported to the Coast Guard if it involves __________.

    Y a. loss of life
    N b. an injury requiring only first aid
    N c. $(SA)10,000 in property damage
    N d. loss of equipment which doesn't reduce the vessel's maneuverability

676: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The middle boat on the starboard side is designated as boat number __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 2 STARBOARD
    Y c. 3
    N d. 4

821: Bleeding from a vein is __________.

    Y a. dark red and has a steady flow
    N b. bright red and slow
    N c. bright red and spurting
    N d. dark red and spurting

913: On a vessel of 8,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water in the tank tops. The hold is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    Y a. 0.1 ft
    N b. 0.3 ft
    N c. 0.5 ft
    N d. 0.9 ft

998: Fire extinguishers of sizes III, IV, and V are designated as __________.

    N a. portable
    Y b. semi-portable
    N c. fixed
    N d. disposable

1000: A vessel continually lists to one side and has a normal rolling period. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The vessel has negative GM.
    N b. The center of gravity is on the centerline.
    N c. The list can be corrected by reducing KM.
    Y d. The vessel has asymmetrical weight distribution.

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

1323: How should latitude 51°48.7'S be written when preparing an AMVER report?

    Y a. 5149S
    N b. 51.8S
    N c. 0578S
    N d. 52S

1388: Which extinguishing agent will absorb the most heat?

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

1395: After you have thrown the liferaft and stowage container into the water, you inflate the liferaft by __________.

    Y a. pulling on the painter line
    N b. forcing open the container which operates the CO2
    N c. hitting the hydrostatic release
    N d. using the hand pump provided

1413: Your vessel is damaged, and there is no list or trim. The rolling period is short. The freeboard before the damage was 12'02" (3.7 meters). It is now reduced to 3'00"(1 meter). Which action would you take FIRST?

    N a. Press up a slack centerline double bottom tank
    Y b. Pump out an amidships centerline ballast tank
    N c. Transfer ballast from the peak tanks to an amidships centerline tank
    N d. Pump out the marine potable tank located on the starboard side amidships

1434: Halon fire extinguishers are NOT effective when used on which types of fires?

    N a. Fires in electrical equipment
    N b. Flammable oils and greases
    N c. Class "A" fires in ordinary combustibles
    Y d. Materials containing their own oxygen

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

1491: You are in a lifeboat when you sight the stars shown. You will be heading almost due north when you head for Polaris which is marked by what letter? (D006SA )

    Y a. C
    N b. D
    N c. E
    N d. G

1522: The pollution prevention regulations in MARPOL apply to U. S. flag vessels __________.

    N a. only on the Great Lakes and international waters
    N b. only on the western rivers and international waters
    N c. only on international voyages outside U.S. territorial waters
    Y d. on all international and inland waters

1540: Which statement concerning the sources of drinking water is FALSE?

    Y a. Fresh water may be obtained from fish.
    N b. Lifeboat covers or canopies should be washed with rain before drinking water is collected.
    N c. Fresh water may be collected from condensation inside the liferaft.
    N d. Seawater should never be consumed.

1541: Which would be considered pollution under the U.S. water pollution laws?

    N a. Garbage
    N b. Hazardous substances
    N c. Oil
    Y d. All of the above

1898: Your vessel displaces 585 tons and measures 128'L by 26'B. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface if the fish hold (30'L by 18'B by 9'D) is filled with 2.8 feet of water? (Each foot of water weighs 15.4 tons)

    Y a. 0.66 foot
    N b. 1.12 feet
    N c. 1.37 feet
    N d. 1.58 feet

1945: What is the best method to overcome the effects of shadowing when attempting to place an INMARSAT-B call?

    Y a. A small course change should work.
    N b. Select a CES that serves the INMARSAT satellite that will handle the call.
    N c. Installing a shadow correction filter will compensate in fringe areas.
    N d. Turning on compensators will work in all but extreme cases of shadowing.

2112: You are sailing the navigable waters of the United States. You must have a currently corrected copy (or extract) of the __________.

    N a. List of Lights
    Y b. Tide Tables
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. H.O. 249 Sight Reduction Tables

2139: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 24.0 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 28'-01", AFT 28'-06"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 64°
    Y b. 71°
    N c. 77°
    N d. 82°

2380: Access to a cargo pumproom on a tank vessel carrying grades A, B, C or D liquid cargoes shall be __________.

    N a. at least 13.1 feet away from the galleys, living quarters or navigation spaces
    Y b. from the open deck
    N c. only from areas equipped with power ventilation systems
    N d. isolated from any part of the vessel which normally contains sources of vapor ignition

2444: When sending a DSC call, the vessel's __________.

    N a. position will automatically be sent
    Y b. position will automatically be sent if the vessel is sending a "Distress Hot Key" alert
    N c. MMSI will indicate its ocean region
    N d. None of the above

2670: According to the Chemical Data Guide, which material would corrode upon contact with aniline?

    N a. Aluminum
    Y b. Copper
    N c. Nickel
    N d. Mild steel

2811: A vessel heading SW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    Y b. 225.0°
    N c. 247.5°
    N d. 270.0°

2886: A small passenger vessel, operating only on domestic routes, which is operated in salt water for more than three months in a year must undergo a dry dock and internal structural examination at least once every __________.

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

2921: A MODU is inclined at an angle of loll. In the absence of external forces, the righting arm (GZ) is __________.

    N a. positive
    N b. negative
    Y c. zero
    N d. vertical

3142: In the machinery space of all uninspected motor vessels, there must be one type B-II hand portable fire extinguisher for every __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 500 S.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    N b. 1000 S.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    N c. 500 B.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof
    Y d. 1000 B.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof

3178: Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 23 while using a single belt loader to arrive at a desired mean keel draft of 28'-00"? (Use the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN.)

    N a. 2930 tons
    N b. 3110 tons
    N c. 3170 tons
    Y d. 3240 tons

3192: Which statement is FALSE concerning the use of approved buoyant work vests on board uninspected towboats? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    Y a. They may be substituted for up to 50% of the required life preservers.
    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.

3235: A MODU displacing 28,000 long tons has a KG of 60 feet. A weight of 500 long tons is added at a VCG of 150 feet. The change in KG is __________.

    N a. 1.09 feet
    N b. 1.60 feet
    Y c. 1.58 feet
    N d. 2.73 feet

3368: Your tow includes a barge carrying chlorine. Which special requirements must be observed?

    N a. The wing voids shall not be opened when underway.
    N b. You must post a deckhand to keep a special watch on this barge.
    Y c. A cargo information card for chlorine must be in the pilothouse.
    N d. All of the above

3376: Outlets in gasoline fuel lines are _____________,

    N a. permitted for drawing fuel samples
    N b. permitted for draining fuel from lines
    N c. permitted for bleeding air from lines
    Y d. prohibited

3513: The lightweight transverse free surface moments for the DEEP DRILLER are __________.

    N a. 680,914 ft-long tons
    Y b. 000 ft-long tons
    N c. -5,937 ft-long tons
    N d. -6,716 ft-long tons

3573: The DEEP DRILLER in transit is level at 23.0 feet draft. Strong winds are blowing from the starboard. A careful load form calculation determines that the TCG is 2.0 feet to starboard. What is the value of the wind heeling moment?

    N a. 4,339 foot-long tons
    Y b. 26,033 foot-long tons
    N c. 39,050 foot-long tons
    N d. 78,099 foot-long tons

3746: A conscious victim who has suffered a blow to the head has symptoms that indicate the possibility of concussion. If the patient feels no indication of neck or spine injury, recommended treatment would include __________.

    N a. turning the victim's head to the side to keep his airway open
    N b. positioning the victim so the head is lower than the body
    N c. giving the victim water if he is thirsty, but no food
    Y d. elevating the head and shoulders slightly with a pillow

3769: You hear the general alarm and ship's whistle sound for over 10 seconds. Traditionally, this is the signal for __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    N b. dismissal from fire and emergency stations
    Y c. fire and emergency
    N d. man overboard

3886: Which type EPIRB must each ocean-going OSV carry?

    N a. Class A
    N b. Class B
    N c. Class C
    Y d. Category I

3986: A fire is discovered in the bow of your vessel while making way. The wind is from ahead at 35 knots. You should __________.

    N a. remain on course and hold speed
    N b. remain on course but slack the speed
    N c. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed
    Y d. change course and put the stern to the wind

3991: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of transverse moments for the Stores & Supplies (Table 6) if paint weighing 3.48 tons is added to the paint locker?

    N a. 592 foot-tons
    N b. 296 foot-tons
    N c. 148 foot-tons
    Y d. 000 foot-tons

4139: Rotation of the steering wheel on the navigation bridge initiates oil pressure being applied to the steering gear rams by __________.

    N a. regulating the oil flow with the six-way valve
    N b. moving the automatic differential valve
    N c. moving the follow up indicator which regulates the six-way valve
    Y d. varying the angle of a tilting box or eccentricity of a floating ring

4290: If you use obscene, indecent, or profane language over the radiotelephone, you can be __________.

    N a. assessed a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both
    Y b. assessed a fine not to exceed $11,000, imprisonment of not more than two years, or both
    N c. assessed a fine not to exceed $20,000
    N d. imprisoned up to five years

4387: The COASTAL DRILLER is elevated in 192 feet of water. Leg penetration is 83 feet. The maximum leg reaction is 5,940 kips. The waves are 30 feet and the current is 2 knots. What is the maximum wind for drilling?

    N a. 45 knots
    Y b. 50 knots
    N c. 57 knots
    N d. 62 knots

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

5325: While the COASTAL DRILLER is in transit at a draft of 10 feet 6 inches, a severe storm is predicted within 12 hours. VM are 546,462 ft-kips, FSML are 18,000 ft-kips, and FSMT are 32,000 ft-kips. How much should the KG corrected for free surface effects be lowered to satisfy the maximum allowable KG criteria?

    N a. 22.66 feet
    Y b. 2.34 feet
    N c. 1.32 feet
    N d. 0.00 feet

5451: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected inclination to starboard and aft. Strong wind and high waves are on the port bow. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 5 or 6
    Y b. failure of mooring lines 1 or 2
    N c. leak in ballast tank 9P
    N d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 10S

5611: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while tripping is 8 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 4 degrees. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. unsatisfactory, place setback in the pipe racks
    Y b. satisfactory, continue tripping
    N c. unsatisfactory, deballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

6617: On offshore drilling units, sleeping spaces for the regular personnel employed on board may not berth more than __________.

    N a. two persons
    N b. three persons
    Y c. four persons
    N d. five persons

7063: The symptoms of a fractured back are __________.

    N a. leg cramps in the muscles in one or both legs
    N b. pain and uncontrolled jerking of the legs and arms
    N c. vomiting and involuntary urination or bowel movement
    Y d. pain at the site of the fracture and possible numbness or paralysis below the injury

7578: When a helicopter is lifting personnel from an enclosed lifeboat, the other individuals in the boat should __________.

    N a. enter the water in case the person being lifted slips from the sling
    N b. stand on the outside of the boat to assist the person being lifted
    N c. remove their life preservers to prepare for their transfer to the helicopter
    Y d. remain seated inside to provide body weight for stability

8147: The DEEP DRILLER has a KGL of 53.16 feet while at a draft of 58.0 feet. Although there are no environmental forces, trim is 2.0 feet by the stern. What is the value of LCG?

    Y a. 2.16 feet
    N b. 2.26 feet
    N c. 2.36 feet
    N d. 2.46 feet

8721: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the transverse free surface correction to KG?

    N a. 0.00 feet
    Y b. 1.03 feet
    N c. 1.69 feet
    N d. 2.22 feet

8761: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while tripping is 7 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 4°. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. unsatisfactory, place setback in the pipe racks
    N b. satisfactory, continue tripping
    Y c. unsatisfactory, deballast to survival draft
    N d. satisfactory, but prepare to hang off

8783: When using a hand held smoke signal aboard a survival craft, you should activate the signal __________.

    Y a. on the downwind side of the craft
    N b. on the upwind side of the craft
    N c. inside the craft
    N d. at the stern of the craft

9382: Fire in an engine compartment is best extinguished with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and by __________.

    Y a. completely closing the compartment
    N b. closing the compartment except for the ventilators
    N c. leaving the compartment open to the air
    N d. increasing the air flow to the compartment by blowers

9465: When inclined to an angle of list, the value of the righting arm is __________.

    N a. negative
    Y b. zero
    N c. positive
    N d. maximum

9501: Stability is determined principally by the location of the point of application of two forces: the downward-acting gravity force and the __________.

    N a. upward-acting weight force
    N b. downward-acting weight force
    Y c. upward-acting buoyant force
    N d. environmental force