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.


55: Most minor spills of oil products are caused by __________.


169: The signal T 0735 means __________.


200: Which statement is TRUE of a tender vessel?


280: In the regulations that apply to small passenger vessels an "open boat" is a vessel __________.

    N a. that is used for charter fishing or tours and is open to the public
    N b. on which gambling and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted
    N c. that is docked and open for visitors
    Y d. that is not protected from entry of water by means of a complete weathertight deck

318: The best treatment for preventing traumatic shock after an accident is to __________.

    N a. have the victim exercise to increase circulation
    N b. keep the victim from electrical equipment
    Y c. keep the victim warm and dry while lying down
    N d. apply ice packs and avoid excitement

370: What is the principal danger from the liquid in a half full tank onboard a vessel?

    N a. Corrosion from the shifting liquid
    N b. Rupturing of bulkheads from the shifting liquid
    Y c. Loss of stability from free surface effect
    N d. Holing of the tank bottom from the weight of the shifting liquid

450: Which type of portable fire extinguisher is best suited for putting out a Class D fire?

    N a. Dry chemical
    N b. CO2
    N c. Foam
    Y d. Dry powder

473: Each small passenger vessel that operates on the high seas, or beyond 3 miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes must have a Category 1 406 MHz EPIRB that __________.

    N a. is in good operating condition and is stowed near its charger
    Y b. will float free and clear of a sinking vessel and automatically activate
    N c. is protected against all physical hazards
    N d. All of the above

720: The center of volume of the immersed portion of the hull is called the __________.

    Y a. center of buoyancy
    N b. center of flotation
    N c. center of gravity
    N d. tipping center

750: The center of flotation of a vessel is __________.

    N a. the center of volume of the immersed portion of the vessel
    Y b. the center of gravity of the water plane
    N c. that point at which all the vertical downward forces of weight are considered to be concentrated
    N d. that point at which all the vertical upward forces of buoyancy are considered to be concentrated

882: Fire in an engine compartment is best extinguished with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and by __________.

    N a. closing the compartment except for the ventilators
    Y b. completely closing the compartment
    N c. leaving the compartment open to the air
    N d. increasing the air flow to the compartment by blowers

897: Which statement is TRUE concerning carbon dioxide?

    N a. It is lighter than air.
    Y b. It is an inert gas.
    N c. It is used mostly on class A fires.
    N d. All of the above

1069: After the initial AMVER Position Report, sent by a vessel sailing foreign, subsequent Position Reports must be sent no less frequently than every __________.

    N a. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
    Y b. 48 hours
    N c. 36 hours
    N d. 24 hours

1111: On small passenger vessels, outlets in fuel lines are permitted __________.

    N a. to tap fuel for cleaning parts and engine wash down
    N b. for inspection purposes only
    N c. to bleed fuel lines
    Y d. under no circumstances in gasoline installations

1133: If you must enter water on which there is an oil fire, you should __________.

    N a. protect your life preserver by holding it above your head
    Y b. enter the water on the windward side of the vessel
    N c. keep both hands in front of your face to break the water surface when diving head first
    N d. wear very light clothing

1246: Inflatable liferafts are provided with __________.

    N a. a Very pistol
    Y b. a towing connection
    N c. a portable radio
    N d. canned milk

1251: The proper stimulant for an unconscious person is __________.

    N a. tea
    N b. coffee
    N c. whiskey and water
    Y d. ammonia inhalant

1276: The lights on the outside of the canopy on an inflatable liferaft operate __________.

    N a. by turning the globe clockwise
    N b. by a switch at each light
    N c. by a light sensor
    Y d. automatically when the raft is inflated

1313: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 3224 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 29.8 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-0035

    N a. KG 27.2 feet
    N b. KG 27.8 feet
    N c. KG 28.4 feet
    Y d. KG 29.0 feet

1394: In each inflatable liferaft, what equipment is provided to make quick, emergency, temporary repairs to large holes in the raft?

    N a. No equipment is provided.
    N b. Glue and rubber patches
    Y c. Several various-sized sealing clamps
    N d. Self-adhesive rubberized canvas patches

1447: Why is carbon dioxide (CO2) better than dry chemical for fighting a class "C" fire?

    N a. The dry chemical is a conductor.
    Y b. The dry chemical leaves a residue.
    N c. CO2 will not dissipate in air.
    N d. It takes smaller amounts of CO2 to cover the same area.

1479: If your vessel is aground at the bow, it would be preferable that any weight removals be made from the __________.

    Y a. bow
    N b. mid-section
    N c. stern
    N d. All of the above

1549: You are sailing in a strong wind and may accidentally jibe when __________.

    N a. reaching
    N b. tacking
    Y c. running-free
    N d. in irons

1596: By regulation, orange smoke distress signals will expire not more than how many months from the date of manufacture?

    N a. 24 months
    N b. 36 months
    Y c. 42 months
    N d. 54 months

1624: A sail plan, including the vessel's itinerary, name, number, and persons aboard, should be filed with __________.

    N a. the FAA
    N b. the Coast Guard
    N c. U.S. Customs
    Y d. a responsible person

1779: The Sailing Plan, required by vessels participating in AMVER, should be sent __________.

    N a. after the first position report
    Y b. within a few hours before or after departure
    N c. 24 hours prior to departure
    N d. 24 hours after departure

2147: Each life preserver must be readily accessible to the person for whom it is intended while he or she is __________.

    N a. at work, only
    N b. in his or her berthing area, only
    Y c. BOTH at work and in his or her berthing area
    N d. None of the above

2251: What will NOT decrease the stability of a vessel?

    N a. Topside icing
    N b. Running with a following sea
    N c. Using 35% of the fuel in a full tank
    Y d. Lowering a weight suspended by a boom onto the deck

2422: What is the threshold limit value (TLV) for a product of PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE?

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

2452: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 22'-03", AFT 22'-09"; and the KG is 23.2 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 30°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 20,790 foot-tons
    N b. 22,200 foot-tons
    Y c. 25,520 foot-tons
    N d. 28,080 foot-tons

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

2768: Small passenger vessels of less than 100 gross registered tons must be inspected by the Coast Guard when they carry more than __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 12 passengers
    N b. 50 passengers
    Y c. 6 passengers
    N d. 1 passenger

2830: Your vessel assumes an angle of loll of 14° after loading a deck cargo. The drafts are: FWD 13'-01", AFT 13'-11". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the negative GM.

    Y a. -0.7 foot
    N b. -0.4 foot
    N c. -0.3 foot
    N d. -0.1 foot

3134: Which is a B-II fire extinguisher? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. A 2-1/2 gallon water (stored pressure) extinguisher
    Y b. A 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher
    N c. A 2 lb. dry chemical extinguisher
    N d. A 1-1/4 gallon foam extinguisher

3145: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the port forward column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1P
    N b. 8P
    Y c. 1P
    N d. 2S

3159: Fusible-link fire dampers are operated by __________.

    N a. a break-glass and pull-cable system
    N b. electrical controls on the bridge
    N c. a mechanical arm outside the vent duct
    Y d. the heat of a fire melting the link

3264: If you reef a marconi mainsail, the sail area __________.

    N a. stays the same
    N b. moves aft
    N c. becomes more
    Y d. becomes less

3303: Your fireman's outfit includes a(n) __________.

    N a. chemical protection face shield
    N b. approved work vest
    Y c. self-contained breathing apparatus
    N d. marlinspike

3376: Outlets in gasoline fuel lines are _____________,

    N a. permitted for drawing fuel samples
    N b. permitted for draining fuel from lines
    N c. permitted for bleeding air from lines
    Y d. prohibited

3418: Your 600 GT vessel must carry a line-throwing appliance if it is certificated for __________.

    N a. river service
    N b. Great Lakes service
    Y c. coastwise service
    N d. None of the above

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

3658: 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-0145

    N a. 226.9 ft
    N b. 238.3 ft
    N c. 252.4 ft
    Y d. 268.8 ft

3925: Among the valves that must be opened on the DEEP DRILLER to pump bilge water out of the port pump room using both bilge pumps is valve __________.

    N a. 26
    N b. 28
    N c. 36
    Y d. 41

3979: In the illustration shown, where would you find the knife? (D014SA )

    Y a. Item #2
    N b. item #4
    N c. item #12
    N d. item #16

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

4275: The independent-leg drilling unit is the best jack-up rig selection for drilling at locations with __________.

    N a. soft even bottoms
    Y b. firm uneven bottoms
    N c. deep water
    N d. shallow water

5457: The only wire rope termination which may be made in the field is __________.

    N a. swaged socket
    N b. thimbled mechanical splice
    N c. hand splice
    Y d. spelter poured and resin sockets

5461: Thirty-five percent of the breaking strength of an anchor cable is generally accepted as the __________.

    Y a. safe operating load
    N b. normal operating tension
    N c. emergency working load
    N d. allowable storm load

5543: What happens ns to the efficiency of an anchor when it is moved from sand to mud?

    N a. The efficiency increases.
    Y b. The efficiency decreases.
    N c. The efficiency remains the same.
    N d. The efficiency cannot be determined.

5637: While in transit during heavy weather, the crew aboard a semisubmersible should be alert to repeated pounding of waves on the lower bracing. If necessary, the unit should be __________.

    N a. deballasted to a shallower draft
    Y b. ballasted to survival draft
    N c. ballasted to a draft in which the KG exceeds the maximum allowed
    N d. towed in the trough of the waves

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

5713: What pressure must a spring buoy, moored at a 500 foot depth, withstand?

    N a. 100 psig
    N b. 150 psig
    Y c. 225 psig
    N d. 300 psig

5805: A permanent chain chasing system is used to __________.

    N a. clean anchor chain as it's hauled in
    N b. recover anchors which have lost their buoys
    Y c. run and retrieve anchors
    N d. prepare anchor chain for inspection

5917: What must be located on the discharge side of the pump in a fire main system?

    Y a. Pressure gauge
    N b. Strainer
    N c. Reduction valve
    N d. International shore connection

5917: What must be located on the discharge side of the pump in a fire main system?

    Y a. Pressure gauge
    N b. Strainer
    N c. Reduction valve
    N d. International shore connection

6127: On offshore drilling units, the minimum number of persons required to be trained in the use of fireman's outfits is __________.

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

6273: During a storm, the chance of fatigue failure of a mooring line will increase as __________.

    Y a. vessel motions increase
    N b. mooring tensions decrease
    N c. KG increases
    N d. KG decreases

6757: On Offshore Drilling units, in addition to the life jackets stowed at each berth location, life jackets must be stowed at each work station and __________.

    N a. the mess room
    N b. each lifeboat
    Y c. each industrial work site
    N d. each fire station

6931: A report of casualty to a mobile offshore drilling unit must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage to the unit
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    Y d. the name of the owner or agent of the unit

8561: On a MODU, a fire pump may be used for other purposes if __________.

    N a. the other services are run off a reducing station with a pressure gage
    Y b. a separate fire pump is available for use on the fire main
    N c. all other services are operated by a manifold near the pump
    N d. All of the above