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.


15: In reference to accidental oil pollution, the most critical time during bunkering is when __________.


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


154: The standard rate of signaling by flashing light is __________.


295: The preferred type of pollution control for oil spills on the water is(are) __________.

    N a. straw
    Y b. booms
    N c. skimmers
    N d. chemical dispersants

627: Distress flares and smoke signals for small passenger vessels __________.

    N a. are not required aboard vessels on runs of less than 30 minutes duration
    N b. must be Coast Guard approved and stowed in a portable, watertight container
    N c. must be marked with an expiration date not more than 42 months from the date of manufacture
    Y d. All of the above

652: How does foam extinguish an oil fire?

    N a. By cooling the oil below the ignition temperature
    N b. By removing the fuel source from the fire
    Y c. By excluding the oxygen from the fire
    N d. By increasing the weight of the oil

764: Which word is an international distress signal when transmitted by radiotelephone?

    N a. Securite
    Y b. Mayday
    N c. Breaker
    N d. Pan

886: What is the minimum number of deck officers, able seaman or certificated persons required for a lifeboat on a vessel in ocean service?

    Y a. Two
    N b. Three
    N c. Four
    N d. Five

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

1040: General requirements for a vessel's radiotelephone station log are that __________.

    N a. logs must be kept in an orderly manner
    N b. erasures are not allowed
    N c. it must identify the vessel's name and official number
    Y d. All of the above

1169: Your vessel's draft is 24'-06" forward and aft. The MT1 of your vessel is 1000 ft-tons. How many tons of cargo must be loaded in number 4 hold, which is 100 feet abaft the tipping center, if she is to have a 2 foot drag?

    N a. 120 tons
    Y b. 240 tons
    N c. 300 tons
    N d. 480 tons

1200: What is TRUE concerning frapping lines?

    Y a. They are used to steady a lifeboat when lowered.
    N b. They are normally attached to the davit span.
    N c. They are needed only on radial davits.
    N d. They are used to clear the puddings.

1215: According to the regulations for small passenger vessels, fuses and circuit breakers are used in electrical circuits to __________.

    N a. keep equipment from shutting off unexpectedly
    N b. prevent voltage fluctuations
    Y c. keep the circuit from becoming overloaded or overheated
    N d. make the operator inspect his wiring periodically after the fuses blow

1497: While operating off Panama a seaman is injured. What indicator should be included in the preamble of a radio telegram requesting medical advice from a Panamanian station?

    N a. RADIO MEDICAL
    Y b. DH MEDICO
    N c. XXX
    N d. MEDRAD

1709: Why is gas-freeing rarely required for LPG cargo tanks?

    N a. LPG is compatible with all cargos.
    N b. LPG's high oxygen content makes it nonvolatile.
    N c. Cargo tanks are inspected less frequently than on oil tankers.
    Y d. The cargo tanks are used for one type of cargo only.

1712: The gross weight of a fully charged CO2 cylinder is 80 lbs. When the bottle is empty it weighs 60 lbs. What is the minimum acceptable gross weight of the CO2 bottle before it should be recharged by the manufacturer?

    N a. 55 lbs
    N b. 68 lbs
    Y c. 78 lbs
    N d. 82 lbs

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

1834: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 20'L by 18'B by 7'D. The vessel's displacement is 986 T and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.6. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?

    N a. .09 foot
    N b. .45 foot
    Y c. .88 foot
    N d. 1.35 feet

2118: You have 50 containers of ships stores each measuring 6'L by 4'B by 3'H and weighing 0.4 ton each. Each container is stowed on deck. What is the maximum VCG permitted of the remaining cargo if you are carrying rig water and load to maximum capacity? (D037DG )

    N a. 1.50 feet
    N b. 2.25 feet
    Y c. 2.66 feet
    N d. 2.91 feet

2165: A schooner is a fore-and-aft rigged vessel with __________.

    N a. a single mast
    N b. two masts: with the mizzen stepped abaft the rudder post
    N c. two masts: with the mizzen stepped forward of the rudder post
    Y d. at least two masts: a foremast and a mainmast

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

2335: What is required in addition to the heat, fuel, and oxygen of the fire triangle to have a fire?

    Y a. Chain reaction
    N b. Electricity
    N c. Pressure
    N d. Smoke

2541: When lifting loads from a boat in heavy weather, the load should be taken when the boat __________.

    Y a. reaches the crest
    N b. begins to fall
    N c. begins to rise
    N d. reaches the trough

2820: 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-0082

    N a. FWD 26'-02", AFT 26'-08"
    Y b. FWD 25'-09", AFT 27'-02"
    N c. FWD 25'-03", AFT 28'-09"
    N d. FWD 24'-11", AFT 29'-11"

2849: A vessel would be referred to as "stiff" when the weight of the cargo is __________.

    N a. evenly distributed vertically and the double bottoms are full
    N b. concentrated low and the double bottoms are empty
    Y c. concentrated low and the double bottoms are full
    N d. concentrated high and the double bottoms are empty

2877: In illustration D041DG, the symbol for the vertical plane midway between the fore and aft perpendiculars is __________.

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

2988: No person whose license has been revoked shall be issued another license except upon __________.

    Y a. approval of the Commandant
    N b. taking a new examination
    N c. approval of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection
    N d. approval of an administrative law judge

3084: All life floats and buoyant apparatus shall be clearly and legibly marked or painted with the __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. manufacturer's price, stock number, and inspection date
    N b. vessel's name, tonnage, and horsepower
    Y c. vessel's name in 3" letters
    N d. vessel's name, and number of persons allowed, all in at least 3" inch high letters and numbers

3186: Using a sea anchor will __________.

    Y a. reduce the drift rate of the liferaft
    N b. keep the liferaft from turning over
    N c. aid in recovering the liferaft
    N d. increase your visibility

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

3509: The maximum draft of the SS AMERICAN MARINER cannot exceed 30'-01" in order to cross a bar. The present drafts are: FWD 29'-04", AFT 30'-06". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum amount of sea water to ballast the forepeak to achieve this condition.

    N a. 97 tons
    Y b. 100 tons
    N c. 103 tons
    N d. 106 tons

3514: 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-0136

    N a. 2.8 feet
    N b. 4.6 feet
    N c. 6.8 feet
    Y d. 7.1 feet

3657: For planning purposes, the time required to place the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft from the drilling mode to counter heavy weather is __________.

    N a. 2 hours
    N b. 4 hours
    Y c. 6 hours
    N d. 8 hours

3783: What is the weight of bulk in P-tank #1 of the DEEP DRILLER if the ullage is 2.3 feet?

    N a. 34.3 long tons
    Y b. 58.0 long tons
    N c. 83.6 long tons
    N d. 121.9 long tons

3911: For the DEEP DRILLER, it is recommended that the number of lower-hull ballast tanks with free surfaces be less than __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 6
    N d. 8

3943: On the DEEP DRILLER, to use the drill water pump to supplement the bilge pumps, it is necessary to open valves 28 and __________.

    N a. 25
    Y b. 26
    N c. 29
    N d. 48

3944: What is the most vulnerable part of the fire main system?

    N a. The fire pump
    N b. Exposed hard piping
    N c. The hydrant valve
    Y d. The fire hose

3961: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown is Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the change in vertical moments for Fresh Water if the entire contents of Drill Water Tank 5P are transferred to Drill Water Tank 5S?

    N a. 5,683 ft-tons
    Y b. 2,689 ft-tons
    N c. 306 ft-tons
    N d. 000 ft-tons

4055: In the DEEP DRILLER, VCG is obtained from the sum of the vertical moments by __________.

    N a. adding displacement
    N b. subtracting displacement
    N c. multiplying by displacement
    Y d. dividing by displacement

4126: Using sheet 25 in the Guidance Manual for Loading 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. 1045 tons each
    Y d. 1070 tons each

4159: A yellow signal, floating in the air from a parachute, about 300 feet above the water, indicates that a submarine __________.

    Y a. will be coming to periscope depth
    N b. will be coming to the surface
    N c. is on the bottom in distress
    N d. is in distress and will try to surface

4216: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming four days, and you will enter the winter zone after a total of nine days. You will consume 29 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.008, and the average TPI is 53. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 72.5 inches
    N b. 75.0 inches
    N c. 77.0 inches
    Y d. 80.0 inches

4507: The height of the transverse metacenter of the COASTAL DRILLER at a displacement of 13,011 kips is __________.

    N a. 144.21 feet
    Y b. 145.33 feet
    N c. 267.98 feet
    N d. 270.13 feet

4534: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 5577 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 275.55 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0163

    Y a. LCG-FP 271.2 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 272.1 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 273.6 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 274.6 feet

5062: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 8530 T. The 40-ton weight is on the pier and its center is 65' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 115' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 50' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    N a. 2.96 ft
    N b. 3.18 ft
    N c. 3.46 ft
    Y d. 3.77 ft

5407: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Preload). What would be the LCG if the preload is dumped and the cantilever and drill floor are skidded aft, placing the rotary 34 feet aft of the transom?

    N a. 114.06 feet AFO
    N b. 119.44 feet AFO
    N c. 123.75 feet AFO
    Y d. 125.91 feet AFO

5447: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected inclination to starboard and forward. Strong winds and high waves are from the port quarter. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 3 or 4
    Y b. failure of mooring lines 7 or 8
    N c. leak in ballast tank #2S
    N d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 1S

5521: Prior to magnetic particle inspection of anchor chain, the chain should be __________.

    N a. degaussed
    N b. demagnetized
    N c. soaked
    Y d. sandblasted

5693: In a storm, the leeward lines of a MODU's mooring system will __________.

    Y a. pull the unit in the same direction that the weather is pushing it
    N b. pull the unit in the opposite direction that the weather is pushing it
    N c. tend to keep the unit on its original location over the well head
    N d. affect the unit's draft and inclination as maximum mooring tensions are reached

5898: What is the meaning of the signal VJ 8 when sent by the International Code of Signals?

    N a. Winds of force 8 are expected.
    N b. Low clouds cover 8 octants of the sky.
    N c. You should stop hauling your warps.
    Y d. A gale is expected from the north.

6517: Prior to backloading portable tanks or drums onto an offshore supply vessel, check that each tank is __________.

    N a. painted yellow with diagonal black striping
    Y b. capped and checked for leaks
    N c. coated with non-corrosive protection
    N d. mounted on pallets

6631: All portable fire extinguishers must be capable of being __________.

    Y a. carried by hand to a fire
    N b. carried or rolled to a fire
    N c. recharged in the field
    N d. used on class "B" fires

6807: The Master or person in charge of a MODU shall ensure the crane record book shows __________.

    N a. the name of the crane operator
    N b. an entry each time the crane is used
    Y c. date and result of each rated load test
    N d. the time of day of the test

7351: The range of a SSB transmission is MOST affected by __________.

    N a. atmospheric noise and radiated power
    Y b. the frequency band selected and time of day or night
    N c. interference and position of the moon
    N d. radiated power and nearness to shore

7421: After receiving your distress call, the U.S.C.G. will ask you to switch to which SSB frequency?

    N a. 2570
    Y b. 2670
    N c. 2770
    N d. 2870

8377: What factor is essential to the proper operation of a radiator cooled engine?

    N a. Cooling water pressure
    N b. Jacket water treatment
    Y c. Air flow through the radiator
    N d. Low heat of combustion

8523: The COASTAL DRILLER, while drilling has a total weight of 15,435 kips. The LM are 1,975,680 ft-kips and the TM are -15,435 ft-kips. What is the starboard leg reaction?

    N a. 4,060 kips
    N b. 5,145 kips
    Y c. 5,559 kips
    N d. 5,816 kips

8701: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). While the unit is deballasting, starboard valve 19 fails in the closed position. You may deballast from tank 9S by pumping from tank 8S by opening valves 20 and __________.

    N a. 35
    N b. 21
    Y c. 18
    N d. 17

8911: If a victim is unconscious, you should first look for evidence of __________.

    N a. high fever
    N b. head injury
    N c. broken limbs
    Y d. irregular breathing

8991: The enclosed area defined as the intersection of the surface of the water and the hull of a vessel is the __________.

    N a. amidships plane
    N b. longitudinal reference plane
    N c. baseline
    Y d. waterplane