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.


311: Spontaneous ignition can result from __________.


321: A signal indicating Greenwich mean time would be preceded with __________.


422: The all-purpose nozzle will produce a fog spray when you __________.


428: Physical exertion on the part of a person who has fallen into cold water would __________.

    N a. be the best thing to try if there was no rescue in sight
    N b. increase survival time in the water
    Y c. increase the rate of heat loss from the body
    N d. not affect the heat loss from the body

607: The "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" applies to which towboat?

    N a. A 100 GT towboat, 24 feet in length
    N b. A 90-foot towboat tied to the pier
    Y c. A 60-foot towboat pushing ahead
    N d. A 400 GT towboat anchored

704: Which radiotelephone transmission may be sent over channel 16?

    N a. Distress signal MAYDAY
    N b. Call to a particular station
    N c. A meteorological warning
    Y d. All of the above

1077: A vessel's KG is determined by __________.

    N a. dividing the total longitudinal moment summation by displacement
    Y b. dividing the total vertical moment summation by displacement
    N c. multiplying the MT1 by the longitudinal moments
    N d. subtracting LCF from LCB

1083: On board small passenger vessels, fittings used in a gasoline supply line must be __________.

    Y a. made of non-ferrous metal, and be a flare or non-bite flareless type
    N b. an interlocking type
    N c. a silver-soldered type
    N d. an asbestos covered type

1091: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 09'-00", 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-0026

    N a. 2.49 feet
    Y b. 2.38 feet
    N c. 2.27 feet
    N d. 2.05 feet

1173: On small passenger vessels all connections to electrical conductors MUST be __________.

    Y a. made within enclosures
    N b. served and parceled with the lay, turned and wormed the other way
    N c. installed only by a licensed marine electrician
    N d. inspected annually by the Coast Guard

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

1319: Where should muster lists be posted?

    N a. In crew's accommodation spaces
    N b. On the navigating bridge
    N c. In the engine room
    Y d. All of the above

1492: You have abandoned ship. There are several rafts in the water. One of the FIRST things to do is __________.

    N a. separate the rafts as much as possible to increase chances of detection
    N b. transfer all supplies to one raft
    N c. transfer all the injured to one raft
    Y d. secure the rafts together to keep them from drifting apart

1498: The spread of fire is prevented by __________.

    Y a. cooling surfaces adjacent to the fire
    N b. leaving combustibles in the endangered area
    N c. increasing the oxygen supply
    N d. All of the above

1527: You discharge garbage overboard at sea. When recording your vessel's position as required, you must include __________.

    N a. latitude, longitude and approximate depth of water
    N b. latitude, longitude, course, speed, and a copy of that days noon position slip
    Y c. latitude, longitude, and estimated distance from shore
    N d. latitude and longitude only

1632: When joining the female coupling of the fire hose to the male outlet of the hydrant, you should make sure that the __________.

    N a. threads are lubricated
    N b. nozzle is attached to the hose
    Y c. female coupling has a gasket
    N d. hose is led out

1703: With regard to aerodynamic lift, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. If the thrust on a sail becomes excessive when close-hauled, it is likely to capsize the vessel rather than drive it.
    N b. When a sail is trimmed too tight, turbulence will break out on the windward side of the sail and cause a telltale there to flutter.
    N c. A properly trimmed sail should have laminar flow on the windward side and turbulent flow on the leeward side.
    N d. Adjusting the angle of attack on a mainsail is accomplished by adjusting the outhaul or the vang, if fitted.

1721: An inert gas system is designed to reduce the possibility of tank explosions by __________.

    N a. eliminating sparks and fire in the vicinity of cargo tanks
    N b. removing all hydrocarbon gases from the cargo tanks
    N c. blanketing cargo tanks with inert foam
    Y d. reducing the oxygen concentration below levels necessary for combustion

1766: You are operating a liftboat. In preparation for jacking you should __________.

    N a. make sure walkway is hanging over the bow
    N b. make sure that all boats alongside are securely fast
    Y c. check that all equipment on deck is secured
    N d. have all personnel remain in their quarters

1982: Which system may be useful for messages, such as local storm warnings or a shore-to-ship distress alert, for which it is inappropriate to alert all ships in the satellite coverage area?

    N a. NAVTEX
    Y b. EGC
    N c. AMVER
    N d. DSC

2071: The generators on your rig have shut down, leaving you without navigation lights. Which emergency signal would you transmit over the VHF radio to alert vessels in the area of your predicament?

    N a. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
    N b. Pan, Pan, Pan
    Y c. Security, Security, Security
    N d. Lights out, Lights out, Lights out

2092: According to regulations, cargo pumps in tank vessels carrying grade A, B, C, or D liquid cargo, shall be isolated from sources of vapor ignition by __________. (vessel constructed 1970)

    N a. cofferdams
    N b. general cargo spaces
    N c. passageways or living quarters
    Y d. gastight bulkheads

2106: In special cases, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may permit cargo piping to pass through machinery spaces, provided that the only cargo carried through such piping is(are) __________.

    N a. grades A or B
    N b. grades D or E
    Y c. grade E
    N d. LFG

2136: A vessel's drafts are FWD 20'-08", AFT 20'-10". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 195 tons of cargo are discharged 76 feet forward of amidships.

    N a. FWD 19'-07", AFT 20'-10"
    Y b. FWD 19'-09", AFT 21'-01"
    N c. FWD 20'-00", AFT 21'-00"
    N d. FWD 20'-01", AFT 21'-05"

2232: Your vessel is sailing on a port tack when a sudden gust of wind heels the vessel sharply to starboard. Which action will reduce the heeling of the vessel?

    N a. Attempt to sail the vessel closer to the wind
    N b. Ease the sheets to allow air flow to spill off the sail
    N c. Shift weight to the port side of the vessel
    Y d. Any of the above

2273: During an abandonment or drill, the first person to arrive at the survival craft should __________.

    N a. pass out food and water to personnel
    N b. open the doors and start the sprinkler system
    N c. activate the emergency release handle
    Y d. open the doors and prepare the craft for boarding

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

2711: The number of able seamen required on a MODU is stated in the __________.

    N a. American Bureau of Shipping code
    N b. Department of Energy regulations
    N c. Mineral Management Service rules
    Y d. Certificate of Inspection

2731: The document that certifies the correctness of the load line marks on a MODU is called the __________.

    N a. Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Load line certificate
    N c. Certificate of Documentation
    N d. SOLAS Certificate

2755: What repair or modification to a MODU would most likely require consulting the construction portfolio?

    N a. Replacing watertight doors in quarters
    N b. Repair of drill pipe racks on deck
    Y c. Repair of leg-to-can connection on a jack-up
    N d. Replacing a service pump foundation

2917: For a jack-up, the angle of maximum stability corresponds approximately to the angle of __________.

    Y a. deck edge immersion
    N b. the load line
    N c. downflooding
    N d. loll

3081: A person who observes an individual fall overboard from an OSV should __________.

    N a. immediately jump into the water to assist the individual
    Y b. call for help and keep the individual in sight
    N c. run to the radio room to send an emergency message
    N d. go to the control room for the distress flares

3191: To assess the potential for progressive flooding aboard a damaged MODU, you must know the __________.

    Y a. integrity of the watertight boundaries
    N b. capacity of the water sprinkler systems
    N c. operation of the machinery space bilge level alarms
    N d. All of the above

3519: A message by flashing light consists of the call, the identity, the ending, and the __________.

    N a. reply
    Y b. text
    N c. time
    N d. answer

3555: What are the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft if the winds are greater than 70 knots?

    N a. 912,120 foot-tons
    N b. 942,120 foot-tons
    Y c. 996,522 foot-tons
    N d. 998,927 foot-tons

3606: Which radiotelephone signal indicates receipt of a distress message?

    N a. Roger wilco
    Y b. Romeo, romeo, romeo
    N c. SOS acknowledged
    N d. Mayday roger

3930: You have abandoned your vessel. You are in a liferaft and have cleared away from your vessel. One of your FIRST actions should be to __________.

    N a. take measures to maintain morale
    N b. prepare and use radio equipment
    N c. identify the person in charge of liferaft
    Y d. search for survivors

3936: After abandoning ship which action should be taken IMMEDIATELY upon entering a liferaft?

    N a. Open equipment pack.
    N b. Issue anti-seasickness medicine.
    Y c. Get clear of the ship.
    N d. Dry the liferaft floor and inflate.

4025: When is direct voice communication allowed in place of an internal communication system on a towing vessel?

    N a. When the vessel is less than 20 meters in length
    N b. When the vessel is ruled to be an "existing vessel"
    Y c. When the controls at the operation station are within 3 meters (10 feet) of the engine room access
    N d. When it is easier to shout than use a radio or telephone

4218: You are loading in a port subject to the winter load line mark and bound for a port subject to the tropical load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming four days, and you will enter the tropical zone after a total of twelve days. You will consume 31 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.000, and the average TPI is 46. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    Y a. 78 inches
    N b. 74 inches
    N c. 70 inches
    N d. 68 inches

4240: Both an approved B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system and a fixed fire-extinguishing system are required to protect the engine room on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for on or after __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. February 1, 2002
    Y b. August 27, 2003
    N c. April 29, 2004
    N d. April 29, 2005

4282: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-01", AFT 6'-05". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 5 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 15 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can legally be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    Y a. 10 tons
    N b. 20 tons
    N c. 35 tons
    N d. None

4297: The COASTAL DRILLER is in ocean transit in which the winds are not expected to exceed 70 knots. In order to meet the leg strength requirements, the tip of can (TOC) position should be at __________.

    N a. 0.00 feet (flush with bottom of hull)
    N b. 1.20 feet
    Y c. 12.38 feet
    N d. 60.50 feet

4561: The sounding level of 17 lb. per gallon mud in mud pit 2S of the COASTAL DRILLER is 7.75 feet. What is the weight of the mud?

    N a. 153.16 kips
    N b. 156.13 kips
    Y c. 194.77 kips
    N d. 198.54 kips

4631: On the COASTAL DRILLER, in case the bilge discharge is oily, the bilge water should be discharged through the __________.

    N a. overboard discharge
    N b. dump valves
    Y c. skimmer tank
    N d. sump valves

5191: While being towed at a 19.5 foot draft, the DEEP DRILLER experiences single amplitude pitching of 7.5 degrees with an 8 second period. You should __________.

    Y a. continue towing operations and carefully monitor vessel motions
    N b. alter course into the wind to improve motion characteristics
    N c. ballast the rig to a 45 foot draft and check the vessel motion at the new draft
    N d. ballast the rig to a 60 foot draft and check vessel motion at the new draft

5325: While the COASTAL DRILLER is in transit at a draft of 10 feet 6 inches, a severe storm is predicted within 12 hours. VM are 546,462 ft-kips, FSML are 18,000 ft-kips, and FSMT are 32,000 ft-kips. How much should the KG corrected for free surface effects be lowered to satisfy the maximum allowable KG criteria?

    N a. 22.66 feet
    Y b. 2.34 feet
    N c. 1.32 feet
    N d. 0.00 feet

5563: Most large anchors are manufactured with a __________.

    N a. bow type shackle
    Y b. D-type shackle
    N c. U-type shackle
    N d. Kenter shackle

5631: In deballasting to survival draft because of extreme wind and wave loads, thrusters or propulsion, if available, should be used to __________.

    Y a. reduce windward mooring line tensions
    N b. reduce leeward mooring line tensions
    N c. increase leeward mooring line tensions
    N d. maintain constant mooring line tensions

6177: Fires on a MODU must be reported to the Coast Guard if there is death, injury resulting in more than 72 hours incapacitation, or property damage in excess of __________.

    N a. $ 5,000
    N b. $10,000
    Y c. $25,000
    N d. $50,000

6493: A helicopter making a round trip from a helodeck with refueling capabilities to an unmanned platform will take 45 minutes each way. The helicopter should be carrying enough fuel to last __________.

    N a. 45 minutes
    N b. 1 hour and 15 minutes
    N c. 1 hour and 30 minutes
    Y d. 2 hours

6761: Each distress signal and self-activated smoke signal must be replaced not later than the marked date of expiration, or, from the date of manufacture, not later than __________.

    N a. 6 months
    N b. 12 months
    N c. 24 months
    Y d. 42 months

7043: While providing assistance to a victim of an epileptic seizure, it is most important to __________.

    N a. give artificial respiration
    Y b. prevent patient from hurting himself
    N c. keep the patient awake and make him/her walk if necessary to keep him/her awake
    N d. remove any soiled clothing and put the patient in a clean bed

7318: A cabinet or space containing the controls or valves for the fixed firefighting system must be __________.

    Y a. posted with instructions on the operation of the system
    N b. ventilated and equipped with explosion-proof switches
    N c. painted with red and black diagonal stripes
    N d. equipped with a battery powered source of emergency lighting

7621: Which statement is TRUE about metacentric height?

    Y a. It is a measure of initial stability.
    N b. It is located above the center of buoyancy.
    N c. It is measured vertically above the center of buoyancy.
    N d. It's determination is the objective of the inclining experiment.

7631: At an angle of loll, the capsizing moment is __________.

    N a. maximum
    N b. negative
    N c. positive
    Y d. zero

8223: What is the purpose of a check valve?

    N a. Passes air but not liquid
    N b. Regulates liquid flow
    Y c. Permits flow in one direction only
    N d. Passes liquid but not air

8763: After deploying the anchor, a permanent chain chaser is __________.

    N a. removed from the anchor chain
    N b. connected to a buoy at the anchor
    Y c. stripped back to the rig and secured
    N d. connected to a buoy halfway down the chain

9547: A neutral equilibrium position for a vessel means that the metacenter is __________.

    N a. lower than the keel
    Y b. at the same height as the center of gravity
    N c. exactly at midships
    N d. at the center of the waterplane area

9605: The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit with winds less than 70 knots, has a draft of 10 feet 8 inches. The VM are 541,257 ft-kips, FSML are 32,000 ft-kips, and FSMT are 24,000 ft-kips. The margin on the maximum allowable KG is __________.

    N a. -2.3 feet
    N b. 0.0 feet
    Y c. 23.7 feet
    N d. 26.0 feet