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.


83: If more than one raft is manned after the vessel has sunk, you should __________.


136: Which item is NOT required to be marked with the vessel's name?


157: On a tankship, sanitary inspections of the crew's quarters are the responsibility of the __________.


297: Which information is NOT required to be posted in or near the wheelhouse?

    N a. Stopping time and distance from full speed while maintaining course with minimum rudder
    Y b. A diagram of advance and transfer for turns of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° at full speed with maximum rudder and constant power
    N c. For vessels with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft RPMs for a representative range of speeds
    N d. Operating instructions for change-over procedures for remote steering gear systems

581: You are ordering ships' stores that are NOT consumer commodities. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. All flammable liquids must be stowed in the paint locker or specially constructed integral tanks.
    Y b. The label of a hazardous ships' store must include instructions for safe stowage.
    N c. Replacement CO2 cylinders for the fixed fire fighting system must have been tested within 8 years of receipt.
    N d. Cartridges for the line throwing appliance must be stored in the portable magazine chest after receipt.

702: Which statement about firefighting foam is TRUE?

    Y a. Foam conducts electricity.
    N b. To be most effective, foam should be directed at the base of the fire.
    N c. Foam is most effective on burning liquids which are flowing.
    N d. Foam can ONLY be used to extinguish class A fires.

715: Your vessel is taking on fuel when a small leak develops in the hose. You order the pumping stopped. Before you resume pumping, you should __________.

    N a. notify the terminal superintendent
    N b. place a large drip pan under the leak and plug the scuppers
    N c. repair the hose with a patch
    Y d. replace the hose

746: The quantity of fuel required to be carried in a motor lifeboat is __________.

    Y a. the quantity needed for 24 hours continuous operation
    N b. the quantity needed for 48 hours continuous operation
    N c. 55 gallons
    N d. 90 gallons

789: An inflatable liferaft equipped with a SOLAS B pack must be stowed __________.

    Y a. so as to float free
    N b. with the vessel's emergency equipment
    N c. near the wheelhouse
    N d. as far forward as possible

804: You have an AB who has become violently ill, and you are requesting urgent medical advice. Your message should contain which code?

    N a. MAB
    N b. MAD
    Y c. MAA
    N d. MAF

833: While reading the muster list you see that "3 short blasts on the whistle and 3 short rings on the general alarm bells" is the signal for __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    Y b. dismissal from fire and emergency stations
    N c. fire and emergency
    N d. man overboard

922: An upright vessel has negative GM. GM becomes positive at the angle of loll because the __________.

    N a. free surface effects are reduced due to pocketing
    N b. KG is reduced as the vessel seeks the angle of loll
    Y c. effective beam is increased causing BM to increase
    N d. underwater volume of the hull is increased

1135: Which statement about the bilge piping system of "T-Boats" that are more than 26 feet in length is NOT correct?

    N a. Each watertight compartment must have its own bilge suction line or pump
    N b. Each space's bilge suction connection to a manifold must have stop and check valves, or a stop-check valve
    Y c. All bilge piping must be at least 2" inside-diameter brass pipe
    N d. Bilge suction strainers must have an open area not less than three times the area of the bilge pipe

1227: Which type of portable fire extinguishers is NOT designed for use on flammable liquid fires?

    N a. Foam (stored-pressure)
    Y b. Water (cartridge-operated)
    N c. Dry chemical
    N d. Carbon dioxide

1282: When approaching a fire from leeward you should shield fire fighters from the fire by using __________.

    N a. a straight stream of water
    N b. foam spray
    Y c. high-velocity fog
    N d. low-velocity fog

1338: Regular foam can be used on all but which flammable liquid?

    N a. Motor gasoline
    N b. Jet fuel
    N c. Crude petroleum
    Y d. Alcohol

1677: After an engine is started you should __________.

    N a. increase engine speed to insure adequate flow of oil to all parts of the engine
    N b. pay no attention unless there are unusual noises from the engine
    Y c. check operating pressures and temperatures, and check for leaks
    N d. run the engine at idle until the temperature has increased

1864: The liquid mud tanks on your vessel measure 40'L by 20'B by 8'D. The vessel's displacement is 996 T and the specific gravity of the mud is 1.7. What is the reduction in GM due to 2 of these tanks being slack?

    N a. 0.95 foot
    N b. 1.26 feet
    N c. 2.10 feet
    Y d. 2.54 feet

1895: How can a SART's effective range be maximized?

    N a. The SART should be placed in water immediately upon activation.
    Y b. The SART should be held as high as possible.
    N c. Switch the SART into the "high" power position.
    N d. If possible, the SART should be mounted horizontally so that its signal matches that of the searching radar signal.

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

2024: Which step should be taken, if possible, when the vessel must be abandoned because of a distress situation?

    N a. Alert the U.S. Coast Guard by using the survival craft's portable INMARSAT unit.
    N b. Program the SART and EPIRB to transmit the vessel's location and situation.
    Y c. Place the SART and EPIRB in the "ON" position and secure them to the survival craft.
    N d. No additional steps are needed as the SART and EPIRB will both automatically float free and operate properly.

2242: An example of a grade B product is __________.

    Y a. piperyline
    N b. motor gasoline
    N c. kerosene
    N d. mineral spirits

2287: The limit switches on a MODUs survival-craft winch system __________.

    Y a. stop the winch just before the craft reaches the final stowage position
    N b. limit the amount of cable on the drum
    N c. limit the ascent rate
    N d. stop the winch in case the craft weighs too much

2362: A tankerman who permits or causes oil to go into a navigable waterway may be punished federally by __________.

    N a. fine
    N b. imprisonment
    N c. suspension or revocation of tankerman's document
    Y d. All of the above

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

2751: The requirements for special welding procedures on a MODU must be contained in the __________.

    N a. vessel plans
    N b. Coast Guard file
    Y c. construction portfolio
    N d. construction plans

2798: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-07", AFT 16'-09"; and the KG is 21.5 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the remaining righting arm at 30° inclination if the center of gravity is 0.9 foot off the centerline.

    N a. 1.5 feet
    Y b. 2.8 feet
    N c. 3.6 feet
    N d. 4.3 feet

2911: In the event of a fire, the doors to a stair tower must be closed to prevent the spread of fire by __________.

    N a. ventilation
    Y b. convection
    N c. radiation
    N d. conduction

3052: Which statement is TRUE concerning work vests on a small passenger vessel?

    N a. They may be worn during drills
    N b. They may be substituted for up to 10% of the required life jackets on board
    N c. They need not be an approved type
    Y d. They must be stowed separately from approved life jackets

3078: If you see an individual fall overboard, you should __________.

    N a. throw him/her a life buoy
    N b. hail "man overboard"
    N c. pass the word to the bridge
    Y d. All of the above

3120: Before issuing an initial Certificate of Inspection, the construction arrangement and equipment of a vessel must be acceptable to the __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping Surveyor
    N b. U.S. Salvage Marine Surveyor
    Y c. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N d. U.S. Customs Collector

3143: The instructions for rescue boats and liferafts on an OSV must be approved by the __________.

    N a. lease operator
    N b. Minerals Management Service
    Y c. Coast Guard
    N d. person-in-charge of the unit

3282: What form of venting of cargo tanks is allowed for a tank barge certificated to carry grade B petroleum products?

    N a. Gooseneck vents only
    N b. Gooseneck vents with flame screens
    Y c. Individual pressure-vacuum relief valves with flame screens
    N d. Straight vents with flame screens

3366: An inflatable liferaft is floating in its container, attached to the ship by its painter, as the ship is sinking rapidly. Which action should be taken with respect to the liferaft container?

    N a. Cut the painter line so that it will not pull the liferaft container down.
    N b. Swim away from the container so that you will not be in danger as it goes down.
    Y c. Take no action as the pull on the painter will cause the liferaft to inflate and open the container.
    N d. Manually open the container and inflate the liferaft with the hand pump.

3427: A semisubmersible, 200 feet in length between draft marks with the LCF 10 feet aft of amidships, records the following drafts: Port Forward 64'-09"; Port Aft 68'-09"; Starboard Forward 59'-09"; and Starboard Aft 63'-09". What is the trim?

    N a. 8 feet by the stern
    Y b. 4 feet by the stern
    N c. 2 feet by the stern
    N d. 4 feet by the head

3481: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). If the contents of #6 and #7 Drill Water Tanks are discharged, what is the new longitudinal free surface correction?

    Y a. 1.63 feet
    N b. 2.14 feet
    N c. 2.24 feet
    N d. 2.38 feet

3504: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 6280 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 25.5 feet. Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final KG of all the cargo after loading is completed. ST-0135

    N a. KG 25.3 feet
    N b. KG 25.7 feet
    Y c. KG 26.0 feet
    N d. KG 27.1 feet

3591: With no environmental forces on the DEEP DRILLER, the average of the starboard drafts is 59.0 feet, and the average of the port drafts is 61.0 feet. KGT is 52.84 feet. What is the value of TCG?

    N a. -2.00 feet
    N b. -1.00 foot
    Y c. -0.16 foot
    N d. -0.10 foot

3613: You are in a survival craft broadcasting a distress message. What information would be essential to your rescuers?

    N a. The nature of the distress
    N b. The time of day
    N c. Your radio call sign
    Y d. Your position by latitude and longitude

3621: The DEEP DRILLER is moored in 700 feet of water. The average tension on the mooring lines is 200 kips. What is the total vertical component of chain tension?

    N a. 60.9 long tons
    N b. 472.8 long tons
    Y c. 487.2 long tons
    N d. 714.4 long tons

3819: If there are a number of survivors in the water after abandoning an OSV and no rescue craft are in sight, they should __________.

    N a. tie themselves to the unit to avoid drifting with the current
    Y b. group to form a small circle of survivors to create a warmer pocket of water in the center of the circle
    N c. send the strongest swimmer to shore for assistance
    N d. from a raft by lashing their life jackets together

3916: If an inflatable liferaft inflates upside down, you can right it by __________.

    N a. pushing up on one side
    Y b. standing on the CO2 bottle, holding the bottom straps, and throwing your weight backwards
    N c. getting at least three or four men to push down on the side containing the CO2 cylinder
    N d. doing nothing; it will right itself after the canopy supports inflate

4034: When a standard in the fire protection regulations for towing vessels is "incorporated by reference," it means that the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard accepts a commercial or military standard as part of a specific regulation
    N b. standard is readily available to the public
    N c. standard, and where it can be obtained or referred to, are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations
    Y d. All of the above

4096: Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning radio equipment on towing vessels of 26 feet or more in length?

    N a. The vessel must have a ship-radio-station license issued by the FCC.
    N b. Each radio operator must hold an FCC-issued restricted operator's license, or higher.
    N c. Maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 and the bridge-to-bridge channel.
    Y d. All of the above.

4621: On the COASTAL DRILLER, the start/stop station for the bilge pumps is located __________.

    N a. in the OIM's office
    N b. in the control house
    Y c. near the bilge pits
    N d. in the MCC

4747: 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 transverse location of the missing load?

    N a. 46 feet port of the centerline
    Y b. 46 feet starboard of the centerline
    N c. 84 feet port of the centerline
    N d. 84 feet starboard of the centerline

5586: Your drafts are: FWD 17'-09", AFT 21'-01". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    N a. 5.1 feet forward
    Y b. 4.7 feet forward
    N c. 2.6 feet aft
    N d. 0.8 foot forward

5701: The vessel motion that can significantly affect mooring line tensions on a MODU is __________.

    N a. roll
    N b. yaw
    Y c. surge
    N d. pitch

5707: A mooring system that results in a spread system without anchor buoys is called a __________.

    Y a. permanent chasing system
    N b. wire rope mooring system
    N c. shepherd's crook mooring system
    N d. spring buoy mooring system

6196: You are tending the lifeline of a man who entered a compartment using a breathing apparatus. How many tugs on the lifeline indicate the man should advance?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

6593: What organization is approved by the Coast Guard for certifying cranes on mobile offshore drilling units?

    N a. Minerals Management Service
    N b. International Maritime Organization
    Y c. American Bureau of Shipping
    N d. Lloyd's of London

7027: To treat a person suffering from heat exhaustion, you should __________.

    N a. administer artificial respiration
    N b. put him in a tub of ice water
    Y c. give him sips of cool water
    N d. cover him with a light cloth

7093: Normal mouth temperature is __________.

    N a. 96.4°F
    N b. 97.5°F
    Y c. 98.6°F
    N d. 99.7°F

7307: All VHF marine band radios operate in the simplex mode, which means that __________.

    Y a. only one person may talk at a time
    N b. only two persons may talk at the same time
    N c. the radio only transmits
    N d. the radio only receives

7323: Whenever your marine radio is on, FCC Rules require you to monitor __________.

    N a. a commercial ship-to-ship channel
    N b. the last frequency that was used
    Y c. the distress and calling frequency
    N d. the radio only if expecting a call

8323: The Lethal Concentration of H2S that will cause death with short-term exposure is a minimum of __________.

    N a. 100 ppm
    N b. 200 ppm
    N c. 400 ppm
    Y d. 700 ppm

8487: The DEEP DRILLER, at a draft of 19 feet, has a KGL of 59.91 feet and an LCG of 1.57 feet. What is the trim angle?

    N a. 0.2° by the stern
    Y b. 0.3° by the stern
    N c. 0.4° by the stern
    N d. 0.5° by the stern

9001: The difference between the starboard and port drafts caused by shifting a weight transversely is __________.

    Y a. list
    N b. heel
    N c. trim
    N d. flotation

9362: You are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into an engine compartment to extinguish a fire. The CO2 will be most effective if the __________.

    N a. compartment is closed and ventilators are opened
    N b. compartment is left open to the air
    Y c. compartment is closed and airtight
    N d. air flow to the compartment is increased with blowers

9505: With no environmental forces acting on the vessel, the center of gravity of an inclined vessel is vertically aligned with the __________.

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