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.


34: Which single-letter sound signal(s) may only be made in compliance with the Rules of the Road?


57: The minimum concentration of a vapor in air which can form an explosive mixture is called the __________.


57: The minimum concentration of a vapor in air which can form an explosive mixture is called the __________.


107: What best describes for how long a gas-free test is good?

    N a. For as long as is indicated on the gas-free certificate
    Y b. For the instant that it is made
    N c. Until valves in line with the tank or compartment are reopened
    N d. Until changes in temperature or pressure affect the vapor content in the space

117: Combustible gas indicators operate by drawing an air sample into the instrument __________.

    Y a. over an electrically heated platinum filament
    N b. where it is mixed with nitrogen
    N c. where it is ignited by a sparking device
    N d. where its specific gravity is measured

338: A man has a burn on his arm. There is reddening of the skin, blistering, and swelling. Using standard medical terminology this is a __________.

    N a. major burn
    N b. secondary burn
    Y c. second-degree burn
    N d. blister burn

556: All lifeboats, rescue boats, and rigid-type liferafts shall be stripped, cleaned, and thoroughly overhauled at least once every __________.

    N a. 6 months
    Y b. year
    N c. 18 months
    N d. two years

568: On a small passenger vessel, if an inlet or discharge pipe is not accessible, its shut off valve __________.

    N a. must be operable from the weather deck
    N b. may be operable from any accessible location above the bulkhead deck
    N c. must be labeled at its operating point to show its identity and direction of closing
    Y d. All of the above

888: An oil fire is classified as class __________.

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

939: CO2 cylinders forming part of a fixed fire extinguishing system must be pressure tested at least every __________.

    N a. year
    N b. 2 years
    N c. 6 years
    Y d. 12 years

1005: Which signal should be used to send the group "Distance 750 nautical miles"?

    N a. D750
    N b. D750N
    Y c. R750
    N d. R750N

1090: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 09'-00", 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-0025

    N a. 1.80 feet
    N b. 1.89 feet
    N c. 1.98 feet
    Y d. 2.05 feet

1090: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 09'-00", 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-0025

    N a. 1.80 feet
    N b. 1.89 feet
    N c. 1.98 feet
    Y d. 2.05 feet

1163: Individual wires, used in systems greater than 50 volts, __________.

    N a. should be supported at 24 inch intervals with plastic tie wraps
    N b. should never be located in a tank
    Y c. must be installed in conduit
    N d. All of the above

1382: Ventilation systems connected to a compartment in which a fire is burning are normally closed to prevent the rapid spread of the fire by __________.

    Y a. convection
    N b. conduction
    N c. radiation
    N d. spontaneous combustion

1428: A Halon 1301 cylinder contains 100 pounds of liquid at 360 psi. It must be recharged when the pressure drops below how many psi?

    N a. 360
    N b. 352
    N c. 336
    Y d. 324

1527: You discharge garbage overboard at sea. When recording your vessel's position as required, you must include __________.

    N a. latitude, longitude and approximate depth of water
    N b. latitude, longitude, course, speed, and a copy of that days noon position slip
    Y c. latitude, longitude, and estimated distance from shore
    N d. latitude and longitude only

1566: CO2 extinguishes a fire by __________.

    N a. cooling
    Y b. smothering
    N c. chemical action
    N d. All of the above

1581: When using the oxygen indicator, which reaction from the needle should you expect as a sample is drawn into the instrument?

    N a. Rise to the correct reading and then, slowly fall to zero as the oxygen in the sample is consumed
    Y b. Move back and forth and finally stabilize at the correct reading after about 10 seconds
    N c. Rise to the correct reading immediately and then rise slowly to a false reading as the operating temperature increases
    N d. Slowly rise to the correct reading and then remain stationary

1800: Which U.S. agency issues a Certificate of Financial Responsibility?

    N a. Environmental Protection Agency
    Y b. Coast Guard
    N c. Corps of Engineers
    N d. Maritime Administration

1835: On surface type offshore drilling units, each survival craft must be capable of being launched to the water at the minimum operating draft, under unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than __________.

    N a. 16°
    Y b. 20°
    N c. 24°
    N d. 30°

1872: Your vessel displaces 641 tons. The existing deck cargo has a center of gravity of 3.6 feet above the deck and weighs 36 tons. If you load 22 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 2.0 feet above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 2.33 feet
    N b. 2.55 feet
    N c. 2.77 feet
    Y d. 2.99 feet

1872: Your vessel displaces 641 tons. The existing deck cargo has a center of gravity of 3.6 feet above the deck and weighs 36 tons. If you load 22 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 2.0 feet above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 2.33 feet
    N b. 2.55 feet
    N c. 2.77 feet
    Y d. 2.99 feet

1986: Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You need not keep a record of ground garbage dumped into the sea more than 25 miles offshore.
    Y b. You must keep a record of garbage discharged in port to a shore facility.
    N c. You need not keep a record of garbage incinerated on the ship.
    N d. You must keep a record of the approximate weight of the garbage dumped.

2261: If the engine of a survival craft does not start, check to see __________.

    Y a. that the fuel valve is open
    N b. if the air supply system is open
    N c. if the water sprinkler system is open
    N d. if the limit switch is on

2329: 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-0059

    N a. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.8 ft
    N d. Available GM 5.3 ft

2441: A set of clamps that are latched onto the drill pipe to allow the driller to raise or lower the drill string out of or into the hole are the __________.

    N a. lifts
    N b. collars
    Y c. elevators
    N d. clamps

2572: The radiotelephone urgency signal is __________.

    N a. mayday
    Y b. pan pan
    N c. securite
    N d. seelonce feenee

2669: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 23'-10", AFT 26'-00". 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 1 foot? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 61 tons
    N b. 72 tons
    Y c. 79 tons
    N d. 86 tons

2779: Error may be introduced into a magnetic compass by __________.

    N a. making a structural change to the vessel
    N b. a short circuit near the compass
    N c. belt buckles
    Y d. All of the above

2828: On board small passenger vessels, how often shall the Master test the steering gear?

    N a. Once a week
    N b. Once a month
    N c. Every 72 operating hours while underway
    Y d. Before getting underway for the day's operations

2967: When a wind force causes a floating MODU to heel to a static angle, the __________.

    N a. centers of buoyancy and gravity are in the same vertical line
    Y b. righting moment equals the wind-heeling moment
    N c. downflooding point is below water
    N d. deck-edge immersion occurs

3065: Which precaution should be taken when testing a line throwing gun?

    Y a. Never remove the line from the rocket.
    N b. Fire it at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the horizon.
    N c. Wear asbestos gloves.
    N d. All of the above

3105: Subtracting the height of the center of gravity corrected for transverse free surface effects from the height of the transverse metacenter of a MODU yields __________.

    N a. GM
    Y b. GMT
    N c. KGT
    N d. KMT

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"

3329: A fire is discovered in the forepeak of a vessel at sea. 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
    Y c. change course and put the stern to the wind
    N d. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed

3458: When fighting a fire in a space containing an IMO class 1 hazardous cargo, the most effective fire fighting procedure is to __________.

    N a. shut down the ventilation and exclude all air to smother the fire
    Y b. use water from fire hoses or a sprinkler system
    N c. activate the fixed CO2 firefighting system
    N d. use high-expansion foam

3526: A message by flashing light consists of the call, the text, the ending, and the __________.

    Y a. identity
    N b. time of origin
    N c. reply
    N d. procedure code

3547: 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-0139

    Y a. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N d. Available GM 4.8 ft

3658: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the LCG-FP of the liquid load. ST-0145

    N a. 226.9 ft
    N b. 238.3 ft
    N c. 252.4 ft
    Y d. 268.8 ft

3659: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 1 (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 43 lbs.

    Y a. 23 tons each
    N b. 50 tons each
    N c. 75 tons each
    N d. 150 tons each

3973: What are the additional vertical moments created when P-tank #4 in the DEEP DRILLER sample load form #1 (Transit) is completely filled?

    N a. 2,252 foot-tons
    Y b. 9,413 foot-tons
    N c. 11,665 foot-tons
    N d. 13,917 foot-tons

4023: Which devices may be used as part of an internal communication system on a towing vessel?

    N a. Sound-powered telephones
    N b. Portable radios
    N c. Either fixed or portable equipment
    Y d. All of the above

4035: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new KGL?

    N a. 52.60 feet
    N b. 53.65 feet
    Y c. 54.32 feet
    N d. 54.92 feet

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

4363: Scouring is the result of __________.

    Y a. interruption of the normal current flow by the footing
    N b. elevating in mud-slide zones
    N c. penetrating rapidly through a hard crust into weaker soils
    N d. extracting legs from soils with high cohesion

4373: In comparison to electric power, hydraulic power for jacking systems has the advantage of __________.

    Y a. better control capabilities
    N b. less maintenance and repair
    N c. fewer personnel needed during jacking
    N d. less preload needed

4734: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

    N a. if gathered during or immediately after a hard rain
    N b. at a maximum rate of two ounces per day
    Y c. under no conditions
    N d. after mixing with an equal quantity of fresh water

5911: What information must be entered on the MODU's muster list?

    N a. Names of all crew members
    N b. Use and application of special equipment
    N c. Listing of approved emergency equipment
    Y d. Duties and station of each person during emergencies

6402: Small passenger vessels in cold water ocean routes, that do not meet the standards for collision bulkheads or subdivision in subchapter S, must carry __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. 100% inflatable buoyant apparatus
    N b. at least one hand fire pump
    N c. at least two EPIRBs
    N d. All of the above.

6731: During the required periodic abandon ship drill aboard a MODU, each person not assigned duties in the muster list is __________.

    N a. instructed in the use of portable fire extinguishers
    N b. shown a video demonstrating lifeboat launching
    Y c. instructed in the use of life jackets
    N d. not required to attend the boat drill

7785: The result of multiplying a weight by a distance is a __________.

    Y a. moment
    N b. force
    N c. couple
    N d. center of gravity location

8198: On a vessel of 6500 tons displacement, a tank 30 ft. long, 32 ft. wide and 15 ft. deep is half filled with oil cargo (S.G. 0.948) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (S.G. 1.026). What is the free surface constant for this tank?

    N a. 3240
    N b. 2731
    Y c. 2162
    N d. 1336

8583: After cranes have been installed on offshore drilling units the hooks, hook block, slings, rib and other rigging must be load tested. This test must be performed once each __________.

    N a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 36 months
    Y d. 48 months

8983: The time required to incline from port to starboard and back to port again is called __________.

    N a. initial stability
    N b. range of stability
    N c. inclining moment
    Y d. rolling period

9113: After using a Halon extinguisher, it should be __________.

    N a. put back in service if more than 50% of the charge remains
    N b. repainted
    N c. discarded
    Y d. recharged

9197: In the first 24 hours after abandoning a vessel, water should be given only to personnel who are __________.

    N a. thirsty
    Y b. sick or injured
    N c. wet
    N d. awake

9281: A floating jack-up with displacement of 15,000 kips has its LCG 106 feet aft of frame zero (AF0). If 200 short tons are loaded at 20 feet AF0 and 400 short tons are loaded 149 feet AF0, what is the new LCG?

    N a. 105.5 feet
    Y b. 106.0 feet
    N c. 108.3 feet
    N d. 111.8 feet

9515: With no environmental forces, the center of gravity of an inclined vessel is vertically aligned directly above the __________.

    N a. longitudinal centerline
    Y b. center of buoyancy
    N c. original vertical centerline
    N d. center of flotation

9643: The carbon dioxide cylinders of a fixed fire extinguishing system may be located inside the protected space, if the quantity of CO2 required to protect that space is not more than __________.

    N a. 1,000 pounds
    N b. 750 pounds
    N c. 500 pounds
    Y d. 300 pounds