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.


383: The purpose of the tripping line on a sea anchor is to __________.


418: Treatment(s) of heat exhaustion consist(s) of __________.


521: On a vessel of 6,000 tons displacement there are two slack tanks of carbon tetrachloride (SG 1.6). Each tank is 40 feet long and 25 feet wide. What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface with the vessel in sea water (SG 1.025)?


563: Which item is of the most use in getting a lifeboat away from a moving ship?

    N a. The falls
    Y b. Boat hook
    N c. Boat painter
    N d. Sea painter

635: The person in charge on the vessel and the person in charge at the facility must hold a meeting before starting the transfer of oil. Who must decide to start the transfer?

    N a. The person in charge on the vessel
    N b. The person in charge at the facility
    Y c. Both persons in charge
    N d. The person in charge of either place that is doing the pumping

834: After sending a message describing the symptoms of an ill crew member, you receive a message containing the code MRL. This means "_______".

    N a. Apply ice-cold compress and renew every 4 hours
    Y b. Commence artificial respiration immediately
    N c. Give enema
    N d. Pass catheter into bladder

854: If an ill crew member is beginning to show signs of improvement, what code should your message contain?

    N a. MVP
    N b. MPH
    Y c. MPF
    N d. MSO

1101: A crew member has suffered frostbite to the toes of the right foot. Which is NOT an acceptable first aid measure?

    Y a. Rub the toes briskly.
    N b. Elevate the foot slightly.
    N c. Rewarm rapidly.
    N d. Give aspirin or other medication for pain if necessary.

1214: An inflatable liferaft should be lifted back aboard the ship by using __________.

    N a. the single hook at the top of the raft
    N b. two lines passed under the raft
    Y c. the towing bridle
    N d. All of the above

1715: After allowing for pressure losses, the pressure-volume capacity of an inert gas blower must be able to maintain a pressure, in any cargo tank, at a minimum of __________.

    N a. 50 millimeters of water pressure
    Y b. 100 millimeters of water pressure
    N c. 150 millimeters of water pressure
    N d. 200 millimeters of water pressure

1929: Which statement concerning homing signals in the GMDSS is FALSE?

    N a. A homing signal provides a bearing for rescue personnel to follow to the signal's SOURCE.
    Y b. A homing signal is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.
    N c. A homing signal cannot be detected by a GPS receiver.
    N d. A homing signal may be transmitted by equipment attached to the survival craft.

2116: You have 10 containers of rig supplies each measuring 10'L by 6'B by 6'H and weighing 1.8 tons 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? (See illustration D037DG, stability letter for M.V. Surveyor) (D037DG )

    Y a. 0.94 foot
    N b. 1.36 feet
    N c. 1.78 feet
    N d. 1.96 feet

2134: The flammable limits of gasoline are 1.3 to 7.6 percent volume of the air. You are testing a tank that contained gasoline by using a combustible gas indicator. Under testing, the tank sample registers 55 on the instrument. What is the concentration of gases?

    N a. 55%
    N b. 5.5%
    N c. 4.1%
    Y d. 0.7%

2146: Aboard damaged vessels, the MOST important consideration is preserving __________.

    N a. bilge pumping capacity
    Y b. reserve buoyancy
    N c. level attitude
    N d. instability

2222: Which system is most likely to be affected by atmospheric disturbances?

    Y a. MF/HF radiotelephony
    N b. VHF DSC
    N c. INMARSAT
    N d. SafetyNET

2491: The platform that supports the derrickman when tripping pipe is called the __________.

    N a. Texas deck
    N b. water table
    N c. stabbing board
    Y d. monkey board

2528: Which action should you take after sending a false Distress alert on VHF?

    N a. Send a DSC cancellation message on Ch-70.
    Y b. Make a voice announcement to cancel the alert on Ch-16.
    N c. Make a voice announcement to cancel the alert on Ch-13.
    N d. Make a voice announcement to cancel the alert on Ch-22A.

2613: What is required in addition to the heat, fuel, and oxygen of the fire triangle to have a fire?

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

2668: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    Y a. remains aligned with compass north
    N b. also turns to starboard
    N c. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N d. turns counterclockwise to port

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

2871: As shown, the symbol 3 represents __________. (D041DG )

    N a. displacement
    Y b. amidships
    N c. forward perpendicular
    N d. baseline

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

2961: The Certificate of Inspection issued to a vessel carrying more than six passengers must be __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. posted on board under glass, if practical
    N b. posted on the dock where passengers are embarked
    N c. retained at the owner's principal place of business
    N d. kept on file by the Collector of Customs

3138: Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 20 while using a single belt loader to arrive at a desired mean keel draft of 29'-06"? (Use the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN.)

    N a. 1550 tons
    Y b. 2920 tons
    N c. 3010 tons
    N d. 3515 tons

3215: The jackknife stored on an inflatable liferaft will always be located __________.

    N a. in one of the equipment bags
    Y b. in a special pocket near the forward entrance
    N c. on a cord hanging from the canopy
    N d. in a pocket on the first aid kit

3285: 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-0118

    N a. 271.2 ft
    N b. 288.8 ft
    N c. 292.3 ft
    Y d. 307.2 ft

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

3357: What must be carried out in order to launch and inflate an inflatable liferaft?

    N a. Pull on the hydrostatic release, pull on the sea painter.
    Y b. Push on the hydrostatic release, pull on the sea painter.
    N c. Push on the hydrostatic release, push on the sea painter.
    N d. Pull on the hydrostatic release, push on the sea painter.

3403: The COASTAL DRILLER has a trim of 2.13 feet by the stern. The draft at the forward draft marks is observed to be 8.0 feet. The draft at the center of flotation is __________.

    N a. 7.00 feet
    N b. 8.58 feet
    N c. 9.00 feet
    Y d. 9.42 feet

3579: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 3 (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 34 lbs.

    N a. 1150 tons each
    N b. 1180 tons each
    Y c. 1220 tons each
    N d. 1250 tons each

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

3857: Where would you find a list of the lifesaving equipment onboard your supply boat?

    N a. Ship's Articles
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard Regulations

3868: The rescue boat on an OSV shall carry a tow line strong enough to tow the vessel's largest loaded liferaft at a speed of at least __________.

    N a. 1 knot
    Y b. 2 knot
    N c. 5 knot
    N d. 10 knot

3938: You have abandoned ship in rough weather. After picking up other survivors in your liferaft, what should you do next?

    Y a. Close up the entrances.
    N b. Top up the buoyancy tubes.
    N c. Prepare for the arrival of rescue units.
    N d. Decide on food and water rations.

4007: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of longitudinal free surface moments for Fuel Oil (Table 2) if the entire contents of Tank #4P are transferred to Tank #4S?

    N a. 1,189 foot-tons
    Y b. 2,835 foot-tons
    N c. 5,378 foot-tons
    N d. 5,670 foot-tons

4031: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    N a. 5.66 feet
    N b. 7.37 feet
    Y c. 8.02 feet
    N d. 54.82 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

4111: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballasting to Survival). What is the metacentric height corrected for longitudinal free surface effects if 100.76 long tons of ballast are added to Ballast Tank #8S to replace the discharge of all bulk materials?

    N a. 6.46 feet
    N b. 7.09 feet
    Y c. 7.72 feet
    N d. 8.39 feet

4117: As Master of an inspected small passenger vessel, you have a question regarding a proposed modification to a watertight bulkhead. In which subchapter of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations would you find the answer?

    Y a. Subchapter T
    N b. Subchapter Q
    N c. Subchapter F
    N d. Subchapter C

4203: While going on location in 200 feet water depth when the roll angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2.5 degrees, the roll period should be longer than __________.

    N a. 0.8 second
    N b. 6.2 seconds
    Y c. 13.0 seconds
    N d. 17.0 seconds

4341: The COASTAL DRILLER is elevated to an air gap of 25 feet in 250 feet of water. The current is 2 knots and the waves are 30 feet. The maximum leg reaction is 6,120 kips. What is the maximum wind for drilling operations?

    N a. 100 knots
    N b. 70 knots
    N c. 60 knots
    Y d. 40 knots

4493: The COASTAL DRILLER, with a draft of 10 feet 6 inches, has a displacement of __________.

    Y a. 13,662 kips
    N b. 13,553 kips
    N c. 13,011 kips
    N d. 12,252 kips

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

4743: The COASTAL DRILLER is observed to be level at a draft of 10 feet 6 inches. At the same time, the calculated load form shows the displacement to be 13,445 kips, total longitudinal moments 1,613,466 foot-kips, and total transverse moments -10,000 foot-kips. What is the longitudinal location of the missing load?

    N a. 46 feet AFO
    Y b. 84 feet AFO
    N c. 189 feet AFO
    N d. 217 feet AFO

4757: Because there is a possibility of fuel oil being discharged overboard from a full fuel oil tank, it is decided to transfer 25 kips from tank #14 to tank #13. See COASTAL DRILLER Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What would be the change in longitudinal free surface moments?

    N a. 1492 ft-kips increase
    N b. 1034 ft-kips increase
    Y c. 674 ft-kips increase
    N d. 404 ft-kips increase

4775: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the entire contents of bulk tanks #2 and #3 are back-loaded to an offshore supply vessel, what transverse moment would have to be created to level the unit in list at the new draft?

    N a. -3,604 ft-kips
    N b. -4 ft-kips
    Y c. 3,470 ft-kips
    N d. 7,088 ft-kips

4795: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the new LCG if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 118.20 feet
    N b. 119.44 feet
    Y c. 120.10 feet
    N d. 121.36 feet

5285: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #1 (Transit), suffers minor damage which results in flooding in tank 1P. You may pump from __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. C1P
    Y c. 1P
    N d. 10S

5312: As shown, the line indicated by number 4 is connected to the __________. (D016SA )

    N a. releasing gear
    N b. sea painter
    Y c. McCluny hook
    N d. Fleming gear

5365: The COASTAL DRILLER, when underway was loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). It is now preloaded at minimum air gap waiting for all settling to take place. The preload, weighing 7,191.7 kips, has LM 870,196 ft-kips and TM 2,158 ft-kips. What is the port leg reaction?

    N a. 7,026 kips
    N b. 7,099 kips
    Y c. 7,144 kips
    N d. 7,180 kips

5531: With adaptor blocks/chocks removed from an LWT stock anchor, the trip angle will be __________.

    N a. 20°
    N b. 30°
    N c. 40°
    Y d. 50°

6306: An inflatable liferaft is thrown into the water from a sinking vessel. What occurs automatically after the painter trips the CO2 bottles to inflate the raft?

    Y a. The sea anchor deploys.
    N b. The floor inflates.
    N c. If upside down, the craft rights itself.
    N d. The painter detaches from the raft.

6843: With regard to the opening and closing of watertight integrity appliances not fitted with a remote operating control or alarm system, what must the Master or person in charge of a MODU enter in the logbook?

    N a. The time required to close the appliances
    Y b. The reason for opening or closing each appliance
    N c. The name of the person performing the opening and closing of such appliances
    N d. The fact that the hull indicators functioned or not

7697: The distance between the bottom of the hull and the waterline is called __________.

    N a. tonnage
    N b. reserve buoyancy
    Y c. draft
    N d. freeboard

8093: What is the displacement of the DEEP DRILLER with a draft of 19.5 feet in fresh water?

    Y a. 11,932.8 long tons
    N b. 12,232.8 long tons
    N c. 12,602.9 long tons
    N d. 18,919.8 long tons

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

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

8927: On the COASTAL DRILLER, placing the rotary 34 feet aft of the transom and two feet to starboard of the centerline, limits the maximum hook load to __________.

    N a. 1000 kips
    Y b. 875 kips
    N c. 750 kips
    N d. 450 kips

9231: The transverse free surface correction of a floating MODU displacing 24,000 long tons is 1.0 foot. When the MODU is deballasted by discharging 8,000 long tons of ballast, the FSMT decreases by 4,000 ft-long tons. What is the new FSCT?

    N a. 1.50 feet
    Y b. 1.25 feet
    N c. 1.00 foot
    N d. 0.83 foot

9533: Unstable equilibrium exists at small angles of inclination when __________.

    Y a. G is above M
    N b. G is off the centerline
    N c. B is off the centerline
    N d. B is above G