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.


49: You are fighting a fire in the electrical switchboard in the engine room. You should secure the power, then __________.


287: The Master shall insure that the Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon (EPIRB) is __________.


421: After the initial AMVER Position Report, sent by a vessel sailing foreign, subsequent Position Reports must be sent no less frequently than every __________.


466: Deficient oxygen content inside a chain locker can be detected with __________.

    N a. litmus paper
    N b. a combustible gas indicator
    N c. an oxygen breathing apparatus
    Y d. an oxygen indicator

492: The spray of water produced by using the high-velocity fog position on an all-purpose nozzle will have __________.

    Y a. greater range than low-velocity fog
    N b. lesser range than low-velocity fog
    N c. about the same range as low-velocity fog
    N d. greater range than a solid stream

536: A fully loaded motor-propelled lifeboat must be capable of attaining a speed of at least __________.

    N a. 3 knots in smooth water
    Y b. 6 knots in smooth water
    N c. 3 knots in rough water
    N d. 6 knots in rough water

633: A sweep oar is an oar that is __________.

    N a. generally shorter than the others and is used to steer with
    N b. is longer than the others and is used as the stroke oar
    N c. is raised in the bow of the boat for the steersman to steer by
    Y d. longer than the others used for steering

680: The ship's tanks most effective for trimming are the __________.

    N a. deeps
    N b. domestics
    Y c. peaks
    N d. settlers

861: 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-0017

    Y a. FWD 26'-09", AFT 28'-00"
    N b. FWD 27'-00", AFT 27'-10"
    N c. FWD 27'-03", AFT 27'-07"
    N d. FWD 27'-06", AFT 27'-04"

1102: While using a combustible gas indicator, if the hydrocarbon content of the atmosphere exceeds the U.E.L., the needle of the indicator will __________.

    N a. remain at zero without moving
    N b. move to the maximum reading and stay there
    N c. move halfway up the scale
    Y d. move to the maximum reading and immediately return to zero

1176: Your vessel is required to have an impulse-projected line throwing appliance. The auxiliary line must __________.

    N a. be of a light color
    N b. be 250 meters in length
    Y c. have a breaking strength of 9000 lbs
    N d. be made of synthetic material

1506: Before hydraulic starting of an engine on a covered lifeboat, what need NOT be checked?

    N a. Fuel supply line valve
    N b. Pressure registered on the accumulator gauge
    Y c. Cold-spark voltage readings test lamp
    N d. Engine stop control

1680: In an open lifeboat, the lifeboat compass is usually __________.

    Y a. placed in a fixed bracket when being used
    N b. clamped to any position convenient for the coxswain to see it
    N c. permanently mounted on the lifeboat's centerline
    N d. mounted in the center of the boat to eliminate deviation

1682: Which radio call-in plan is the most prudent?

    N a. There must be a designated responsible person who will be available to receive your call at anytime.
    Y b. There must be specific instructions for the designated responsible person to follow if your call does not come in on schedule.
    N c. The designated responsible person must be instructed to call the Coast Guard search and rescue authorities immediately if your call does not come in on schedule.
    N d. The designated responsible person should be over 18 years of age.

1725: The most effective treatment for warming a crew member suffering from hypothermia is __________.

    N a. running or jumping to increase circulation
    N b. raising body temperature rapidly by placing hands and feet in hot water
    Y c. bundling the body in blankets to rewarm gradually
    N d. laying prone under heat lamps to rewarm rapidly

1756: Under federal regulations, what minimum level of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) constitutes a violation of the laws prohibiting Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol (BUI) on commercial vessels?

    N a. .18%BAC
    N b. .10%BAC
    N c. .06%BAC
    Y d. .04%BAC

1820: Your voyage planning indicates you will arrive at a waypoint in longitude 49°16.3'E at 0947 ZT on 3 March 1988. How should this date be entered into an AMVER report?

    N a. 030947C MAR
    N b. 03094703
    N c. 06470303Z
    Y d. 030647Z MAR

1837: Each liferaft, which does not have an indicated maximum stowage height indicated on the liferaft, must be __________.

    N a. limited to carry no more than 10 persons
    Y b. stowed not more than 59 feet above the lightest waterline
    N c. stowed in quick release racks
    N d. inspected every six months

1858: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 180° relative would be __________.

    N a. close hauled on the port tack
    N b. close hauled on the starboard tack
    Y c. running before the wind
    N d. on a broad reach

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

1879: Your vessel measures 127 feet long by 17 feet in beam. If the natural rolling period at a draft of 7'-10" is 5 seconds, what is the GM?

    N a. 1.96 feet
    Y b. 2.24 feet
    N c. 2.45 feet
    N d. 2.68 feet

1964: When crossing a bar in rough weather, you should enter on a(n) __________.

    N a. tidal bore
    N b. ebbing current
    Y c. flood current
    N d. All of the above

2082: On a tank barge constructed on or after July 1, 1951, regulations require that each cargo tank be equipped with a vent that has a diameter of not less than __________.

    N a. 1.5 inches
    N b. 2.0 inches
    Y c. 2.5 inches
    N d. 3.0 inches

2127: On vessels on an international voyage, each inflatable liferaft shall have a carrying capacity of not less than __________.

    N a. 50 percent of all persons on board
    N b. 75 percent of all persons on board
    Y c. 6 persons
    N d. 10 persons

2332: The amount of LFG that may be loaded into a given tank is determined by __________.

    N a. checking the loading sheet
    N b. loading to within 1 percent of outage
    N c. loading to within 10 percent of the safety relief valve setting
    Y d. filling to the maximum level indicated on the liquid level gauging device

2372: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 23.0 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 15'-03", AFT 15'-09"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 57°
    N b. 72°
    N c. 81°
    Y d. 90°

2413: Signaling by flag hoist is completed by the vessel hoisting the __________.

    N a. signal AR
    N b. code flag N
    N c. code flag R
    Y d. answering pennant

2416: Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. GMDSS radio logs are required to contain entries pertaining to all incidents connected to radio communication service which appear to be of importance to the safety of life at sea.
    N b. All distress communications must be entered in the GMDSS radio log.
    Y c. Both of the above
    N d. None of the above

2480: According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is NOT a recommended extinguishing agent for an ethyl chloride fire?

    N a. CO2
    Y b. Alcohol foam
    N c. Dry chemical
    N d. Water fog

2563: The hoist line primarily used for lifting personnel on MODU cranes is called the __________.

    N a. personnel line
    Y b. whip line
    N c. main hoist line
    N d. pendant

2641: The deck plating on a MODU is supported primarily by deck longitudinals and deck __________.

    N a. girders
    N b. stanchions
    N c. frames
    Y d. beams

2645: Keeping the draft of a MODU at or below the load line mark will insure that the unit has adequate __________.

    N a. reserve ballast
    Y b. reserve buoyancy
    N c. lightweight displacement
    N d. critical motions

2706: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 15'-09", AFT 16'-08"; and the KG is 23.6 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if the center of gravity is shifted 0.9 foot off the centerline.

    Y a. 15°
    N b. 18°
    N c. 21°
    N d. 24°

2906: Which vessel must carry a compass on board? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. A non-self-propelled vessel
    N b. A vessel operating in protected waters with a short restricted route
    N c. A vessel operating on the Ohio River
    Y d. A vessel operating on the Gulf of Mexico

2954: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 19'-06", AFT 20'-10" and the GM is 3.3 feet. What will be the angle of list if the #2 starboard deep tank (capacity 100 tons, VCG 19.1 feet, and 24 feet off the centerline) is filled? (Use the data in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. Less than 1°
    N b. 2°
    Y c. 4°
    N d. 6°

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

3047: Automatic fire dampers in ventilation systems are operated by use of __________.

    N a. remotely operated valves
    Y b. fusible links
    N c. C02 system pressure switches
    N d. heat or smoke detectors

3076: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 11'-01", AFT 15'-01". After all bunkers are on board, soundings indicate the tonnages shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the free surface correction. ST-0103

    N a. 0.87 foot
    N b. 0.98 foot
    Y c. 1.14 feet
    N d. 1.25 feet

3529: 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-0138

    N a. 2.15 feet
    Y b. 2.05 feet
    N c. 1.95 feet
    N d. 1.75 feet

3675: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the port forward column below the waterline. Pumping from tank 2P and 3P is not sufficient to prevent increasing port list and bow down trim. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 2S
    N b. 9S
    N c. C2BS
    Y d. 10S

3786: When using the rainwater collection tubes of a liferaft, the FIRST collection should be __________.

    N a. passed around so all can drink
    Y b. poured overboard because of salt washed off the canopy
    N c. saved to be used at a later time
    N d. used to boil food

3955: The person-in-charge shall insure that each rescue boat on an OSV is lowered to the water, launched and operated at least once every __________.

    N a. week
    N b. two months
    Y c. three months
    N d. six months

3955: The person-in-charge shall insure that each rescue boat on an OSV is lowered to the water, launched and operated at least once every __________.

    N a. week
    N b. two months
    Y c. three months
    N d. six months

3960: A rigid lifesaving device designed to support survivors in the water is a __________.

    N a. rigid liferaft
    Y b. life float
    N c. inflatable liferaft
    N d. survival capsule

4133: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). According to the deck load graph, how much additional deck load could be added to the unit?

    Y a. 526.87 long tons
    N b. 276.87 long tons
    N c. 241.50 long tons
    N d. 189.51 long tons

4287: While in ocean transit at a draft of 10 feet, the Coastal Driller has a maximum allowed KG of __________.

    N a. 42 feet
    N b. 44 feet
    Y c. 65 feet
    N d. 70 feet

4416: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine indicating that a torpedo has been fired in a training exercise is __________.

    N a. white
    N b. yellow
    N c. red
    Y d. green

4603: The COASTAL DRILLER is elevated while preparing for the passage of a severe storm. With ideal loading, the static loading on each of the three legs would be 4,715 kips. However, the LCG is 121 feet AFO and TCG is 0.5 foot to starboard of the centerline. By how many kips does the starboard leg reaction exceed the ideal loading?

    N a. 00 kips
    N b. 32 kips
    Y c. 149 kips
    N d. 181 kips

5163: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). If all the liquid mud (see table 8) is dumped, what would be the new height of the longitudinal metacenter?

    N a. 61.13 feet
    Y b. 61.19 feet
    N c. 61.22 feet
    N d. 62.94 feet

5386: 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
    Y b. Carbon monoxide
    N c. Nitric oxide
    N d. Hydrogen sulfide

5648: The hydrostatic release on the inflatable liferafts on a fishing vessel must be __________.

    N a. replaced annually
    N b. tested monthly
    Y c. serviced annually
    N d. overhauled quarterly

5743: The safest device used to secure the end of the pendant wire when it is initially passed to the anchor handling vessel is a __________.

    N a. pelican hook
    Y b. hydraulic deck stopper
    N c. connecting link
    N d. shackle

5743: The safest device used to secure the end of the pendant wire when it is initially passed to the anchor handling vessel is a __________.

    N a. pelican hook
    Y b. hydraulic deck stopper
    N c. connecting link
    N d. shackle

5823: Your semisubmersible drilling unit is moored on station and is experiencing winds from the north. What will be the effect if you increase the length of the anchor chains you have deployed to the north?

    N a. It will increase your draft.
    N b. It will increase your operating tensions.
    Y c. It will increase the holding power of those chains.
    N d. It will significantly reduce your stability.

6007: On offshore drilling units, each hand-held portable fire extinguisher, semi-portable fire extinguisher, and fixed fire extinguisher must be tested and inspected at least once every __________.

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

6580: The brickwork surrounding the firebox of a boiler is known as __________.

    Y a. refractory
    N b. the screen wall
    N c. the water wall
    N d. fire plate

6841: What must the Master or person in charge of a MODU enter in the logbook after conducting an abandonment drill?

    N a. The sea condition at the time of the drill
    Y b. Which survival craft was used
    N c. The names of all crew members participating in the drill
    N d. The name of the lifeboatman in charge of each boat

7387: Prior to boarding from a MODU, a davit-launched liferaft should be well ventilated of excess __________.

    N a. hydrocarbon gas
    N b. carbon monoxide gas
    Y c. carbon dioxide gas
    N d. freon gas

8717: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 40,301 foot-long tons, TM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the uncorrected height of the center of gravity?

    N a. 52.14 feet
    Y b. 53.78 feet
    N c. 55.03 feet
    N d. 58.50 feet

9682: What is the minimum period of time that the air supply for a self-contained breathing apparatus is required to last?

    N a. 15 minutes
    Y b. 30 minutes
    N c. 45 minutes
    N d. 60 minutes