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.


5: Pollution of the waterways may result from the discharge of __________.


342: Every injury aboard a commercial fishing industry vessel must be reported to the __________.


385: You are operating a non-ocean going vessel, how much of the accumulated oily waste must you be able to retain on board?


504: If you wished to transmit a message by voice concerning the safety of navigation, you would preface it by the word __________.

    N a. Mayday
    N b. Pan-pan
    Y c. Securite
    N d. Safety

640: The volume of a vessel's intact watertight space above the waterline is its __________.

    N a. free surface
    N b. marginal stability
    Y c. reserve buoyancy
    N d. freeboard

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

776: When dry chemical extinguishers are used to put out class B fires, there is a danger of reflash because dry chemical_________.

    N a. is not an effective agent on Class B fires
    Y b. does little or no cooling
    N c. dissipates quickly
    N d. is rapidly absorbed by the liquid

813: 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

879: To operate a portable CO2 extinguisher continuously in the discharge mode __________.

    Y a. slip the "D yoke" ring in the lower handle over the upper handle
    N b. reinsert the locking pin
    N c. open the discharge valve
    N d. invert the CO2 extinguisher

1122: A combustible gas indicator will operate correctly ONLY when the __________.

    Y a. hydrocarbon content of the atmosphere is less than the U.E.L.
    N b. atmosphere is deficient in oxygen
    N c. compartment to be tested is free of CO2
    N d. All of the above

1144: Aboard a 60 foot long small passenger vessel (other than a ferry) which is certificated to carry 33 persons, the minimum capacity required per bilge pump is __________.

    Y a. 10 gallons per minute
    N b. 19 gallons per minute
    N c. 38 gallons per minute
    N d. 50 gallons per minute

1249: Which area is designated a special area by Annex V to MARPOL 73/78?

    N a. Gulf of Saint Lawrence
    N b. Sargasso Sea
    Y c. Red Sea
    N d. Great Lakes

1349: What type of liquid is used in the liquid P/V breaker?

    N a. Hydraulic oil
    Y b. Water-antifreeze mixture
    N c. Distilled water
    N d. Oil from the cargo

1465: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The middle lifeboat on the port side is designated as boat number __________.

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

1613: Steering a motor lifeboat broadside to the sea could cause it to __________.

    Y a. capsize
    N b. run smoother
    N c. run faster
    N d. sink

1641: The most serious effect of air trapped in a non-treated diesel engine jacket water cooling system is that it __________.

    Y a. causes corrosion
    N b. reduces the ability of the system to cool the engine
    N c. can form pockets which block the flow of coolant through the system
    N d. accelerates formation of metal plating

1669: You have abandoned ship and after two days in a liferaft you can see an aircraft near the horizon apparently carrying out a search pattern. You should __________.

    N a. switch the EPIRB to the homing signal mode
    N b. use the voice transmission capability of the EPIRB to guide the aircraft to your raft
    N c. turn on the strobe light on the top of the EPIRB
    Y d. use visual distress signals in conjunction with the EPIRB

1718: You wish to communicate information that the swell in your area is 8-10 feet in height and from the northeast. This swell, as defined in the International Code of Signals, would be described as __________.

    N a. rough
    Y b. moderate
    N c. high
    N d. confused

1723: The regulations that were passed to implement MARPOL 73/78 concerning oil pollution apply to a U.S. flag vessel that sails on which waters?

    N a. Inland waters only
    N b. Great Lakes only
    Y c. International waters
    N d. All of the above

1825: Each drilling unit equipped with helicopter fuel storage tanks must have the tanks installed as far as practicable from the __________.

    Y a. landing area and sources of vapor ignition
    N b. main deck
    N c. engine room
    N d. drill floor

1866: 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-0046

    N a. Available GM 5.0 ft
    Y b. Available GM 5.4 ft
    N c. Available GM 6.1 ft
    N d. Available GM 6.8 ft

1871: If the cause of a sudden severe list is negative initial stability, counterflooding into empty tanks may __________.

    N a. increase the righting moment
    N b. cause an increase in the righting arm
    N c. bring the vessel to an upright equilibrium position
    Y d. cause the vessel to flop to a greater angle

1905: What fitting on the mast works in conjunction with the shrouds to control side bend of the mast?

    N a. Chainplate
    N b. Hound
    N c. Crowfoot
    Y d. Spreader

2475: Your fishing vessel is required to have a compass. It must also have a(n) __________.

    Y a. deviation table
    N b. radar reflector
    N c. electronic position-fixing device
    N d. copy of the Sailing Directions

2507: When using a crane for transferring personnel in a basket, the load hook must be equipped with a __________.

    N a. moused shackle
    Y b. safety latch
    N c. safety belt for each rider
    N d. quick-release device

2557: When transferring personnel with a MODU crane, the weight of the loaded personnel carrier must not exceed __________.

    N a. 1/2 of the static rated load at the lift radius
    Y b. 1/3 of the static rated load at the lift radius
    N c. 1/2 of the breaking strength of the hoist rope times the parts of line used
    N d. 1/3 of the breaking strength of the hoist rope times the parts of line used

2744: Radar reflectors are required for __________.

    N a. all fishing vessels over 39 feet in length
    N b. sail-propelled fishing vessels
    N c. all fishing vessels of less than 200 GT
    Y d. wooden hull fishing vessels with a poor radar echo

2780: The carriage of a liquefied gas not appearing in table 4 of 46 CFR Part 154 must be approved by the __________.

    N a. vessel owner
    Y b. Commandant (G-MTH)
    N c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection

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°

2845: 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-0084

    N a. FWD 27'-01", AFT 25'-08"
    N b. FWD 29'-09", AFT 25'-09"
    N c. FWD 25'-09", AFT 30'-05"
    Y d. FWD 25'-06", AFT 30'-00"

2951: A jack-up displacing 350,000 cubic feet while floating in sea water (64 pounds per cubic foot) weighs __________.

    N a. 10,000 kips
    N b. 18,169 kips
    N c. 21,841 kips
    Y d. 22,400 kips

2962: 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-0090

    Y a. FWD 17'-06", AFT 24'-03"
    N b. FWD 19'-03", AFT 22'-06"
    N c. FWD 17'-01", AFT 24'-08"
    N d. FWD 21'-04", AFT 19'-07"

3100: Portable fire extinguishers must be provided for the cargo tank area of an unmanned tank barge __________.

    N a. only when fully loaded
    N b. if one or more tanks are full
    Y c. when transferring cargo
    N d. only when the barge is being towed

3177: 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-0112

    N a. FWD 25'-07", AFT 27'-01"
    N b. FWD 25'-02", AFT 27'-06"
    Y c. FWD 24'-10", AFT 27'-10"
    N d. FWD 24'-08", AFT 28'-00"

3370: The carbon dioxide cylinders of all fixed fire extinguishing systems shall be retested and remarked whenever a cylinder remains in place on a vessel for __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 5 years from the latest test date stamped on the cylinder
    N b. 7 years from the latest test date stamped on the cylinder
    N c. 10 years from the latest test date stamped on the cylinder
    Y d. 12 years from the latest test date stamped on the cylinder

3394: The carburetor is placed on the engine to __________.

    N a. distribute the gasoline
    Y b. mix the fuel and air
    N c. properly lubricate the engine
    N d. assist in priming the cylinders

3515: The lightweight longitudinal 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

3539: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 5 (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 33 lbs.

    N a. 1010 tons each
    N b. 1025 tons each
    N c. 1050 tons each
    Y d. 1070 tons each

3905: On the DEEP DRILLER, when using the starboard #2 ballast pump to provide water to the main deck from the sea, it is necessary to open valves __________.

    Y a. 37, 35, 36, 45
    N b. 37, 36, 46, 47
    N c. 38, 47
    N d. 38, 47, 45, 46

4105: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballasting to Survival). What is the shift in LCG if 100.76 long tons of ballast are added to Ballast Tank #8S to replace the discharge of all bulk materials?

    Y a. 0.06 foot aft
    N b. 0.14 foot aft
    N c. 0.27 foot aft
    N d. 0.40 foot aft

4114: 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-0155

    N a. 229.8 ft
    Y b. 236.7 ft
    N c. 244.6 ft
    N d. 251.5 ft

4183: What is the shift in KG if all the liquid mud is dumped when the DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load #3 (Preparing to Drill)?

    N a. 1.26 feet downward
    Y b. 1.51 feet downward
    N c. 2.77 feet downward
    N d. 1.47 feet downward

4190: You are loading at port A, governed by the summer load line mark, for a voyage to port B, governed by the winter mark. The fresh water allowance is 10", and the hydrometer reads 1.020. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You may not load beyond the winter mark except for 2 inches brackish water allowance.
    N b. You may not load beyond the summer mark and must be at the winter mark upon arrival at port B.
    N c. You may not load beyond the summer mark plus 8 inches brackish water allowance.
    Y d. You may load to the summer mark plus 2 inches if you will be at the winter mark when entering the winter zone.

4557: The sounding level of 12 lb. per gallon mud in mud pit 1S of the COASTAL DRILLER is 5.5 feet. What is the weight of the mud?

    N a. 104.53 kips
    Y b. 114.37 kips
    N c. 116.45 kips
    N d. 127.41 kips

5315: The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit during a severe storm while at a draft of 9 feet 6 inches, has a KGT of 39.1 feet and a KGL of 39.9 feet. The margin on the maximum allowable KG is __________.

    Y a. 2.6 feet
    N b. 3.4 feet
    N c. 25.1 feet
    N d. 25.9 feet

6071: On offshore drilling units fitted with fixed CO2 systems, the system must withstand a bursting pressure of at least __________.

    N a. 5,000 pounds per square inch
    Y b. 6,000 pounds per square inch
    N c. 8,000 pounds per square inch
    N d. 10,000 pounds per square inch

6537: When pumping fuel between an offshore supply vessel (OSV) and a MODU, there must be direct VHF radio contact between the offshore supply vessel engineer and the __________.

    Y a. person in charge of the fuel transfer
    N b. crane operator
    N c. ballast control operator
    N d. barge superintendent

6686: Your drafts are: FWD 24'-09", AFT 27'-02". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessels displacement if you are in salt water.

    N a. 13,175 tons
    N b. 13,350 tons
    N c. 13,490 tons
    Y d. 13,620 tons

6757: On Offshore Drilling units, in addition to the life jackets stowed at each berth location, life jackets must be stowed at each work station and __________.

    N a. the mess room
    N b. each lifeboat
    Y c. each industrial work site
    N d. each fire station

6847: What must the Master or person in charge of a MODU enter in the logbook after conducting a boat drill?

    Y a. Which survival craft was used in the drill
    N b. The number of each lifeboat not lowered during each drill
    N c. Only the number of each motor propelled lifeboat that is lowered
    N d. The length of time an oar propelled lifeboat is rowed

6913: According to regulations, a Master or person in charge of a MODU is required to submit a report of a loss of life __________.

    N a. only when it happens while underway
    N b. to the next of kin
    Y c. to the nearest Marine Safety or Marine Inspection Office
    N d. to the nearest coroner

7127: Spaces protected by a fixed CO2 system must be equipped with an alarm which sounds __________.

    N a. for the first 20 seconds CO2 is being released into the space
    Y b. for at least 20 seconds prior to release of CO2
    N c. during the entire period that CO2 is being released
    N d. if all doors and ventilation are not secured

7623: The weight of the liquid displaced by a vessel floating in sea water is equal to the __________.

    N a. weight required to sink the vessel
    Y b. total weight of the vessel
    N c. displaced volume
    N d. reserve buoyancy

8118: Most medium and slow speed diesels are started by what medium?

    N a. Electric starting motors
    N b. Hydraulics
    Y c. Compressed air
    N d. Ether

8151: Laying down drill pipe from the derrick of a semisubmersible on location reduces the __________.

    Y a. natural roll period
    N b. metacentric height
    N c. waterplane area
    N d. righting moment

8361: What is the effect of heated intake air on a diesel engine?

    N a. Increases efficiency
    N b. Increases engine horsepower
    N c. Increases engine life
    Y d. Reduces engine horsepower

8551: On offshore drilling units, each fire station is required to be fitted with at least one spanner and at least one __________.

    N a. fire axe
    Y b. hose rack
    N c. sandbag
    N d. scupper

8661: While the DEEP DRILLER is operating as shown in Sample Form #4 (Drilling), casing is accidentally dropped over the starboard side. If the starboard aft inclination is slowly increasing, which tank is probably damaged?

    N a. 9S
    N b. 8S
    Y c. 10S
    N d. 10P

9303: When displacement increases, the free surface corrections for slack tanks __________.

    N a. increase
    Y b. decrease
    N c. are directly proportional
    N d. remain unchanged

9700: The regulations governing the sleeping accommodations of a cargo vessel are found in __________.

    N a. 46 CFR subchapter S
    N b. 46 CFR subchapter T
    N c. 46 CFR subchapter B
    Y d. 46 CFR subchapter I