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.


50: What is not usually a concern when loading a single-hulled tanker?


51: On cargo and miscellaneous vessels what is NOT a required part of the fireman's outfit?


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


244: A vessel is flying the signal "BJ-1" from her starboard halyard. The signal means "_____."

    N a. an aircraft is ditched in position indicated
    N b. the aircraft is still afloat
    N c. there is no danger of explosion
    Y d. an aircraft is circling over an accident

303: Plastic material may be thrown overboard from a vessel which is __________.

    N a. 25 miles from shore
    N b. 12 miles from shore
    N c. 3 miles from shore
    Y d. None of the above are correct.

342: Every injury aboard a commercial fishing industry vessel must be reported to the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    Y b. vessel owner or owner's agent
    N c. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    N d. National Fisheries Service

459: What is the minimum number of people required to safely handle a 1-1/2 inch fire hose?

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

482: The high-velocity fog tip used with the all-purpose fire fighting nozzle should always be __________.

    Y a. attached by a chain
    N b. coated with heavy grease to prevent corrosion
    N c. painted red for identity as emergency equipment
    N d. stored in the clip at each fire station

631: You are at the helm of a ketch-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the starboard tack, close hauled, with all appropriate sails set and properly trimmed. You are instructed to "bear off quickly". To utilize your sails to assist with the turn, you should __________.

    Y a. slack the mizzen sheet
    N b. trim the mizzen vang
    N c. slack the jib sheet
    N d. trim the main outhaul

736: How many liters of water per person must be carried in lifeboats on a tankship sailing a coastwise route?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    N c. Two
    Y d. Three

771: You are approaching another vessel and see that she has the signal flag "F" hoisted. What should you do?

    N a. Continue on your present course since the vessel is signaling for a pilot.
    Y b. Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because she is disabled.
    N c. Stop your vessel instantly.
    N d. Change course to keep clear of the vessel because she is maneuvering with difficulty.

883: On a vessel of 15,000 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 50 feet long and 60 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    N a. 1.54 feet
    N b. 1.59 feet
    N c. 1.63 feet
    Y d. 1.71 feet

945: The color of rockets, shells, or rocket parachute flares used to indicate that the vessel is in distress and requires immediate assistance is __________.

    N a. white
    N b. green
    Y c. red
    N d. yellow

987: Which extinguishing agent will cool down a heated bulkhead in the least amount of time?

    N a. Water stream
    Y b. Water fog or spray
    N c. Steam
    N d. Dry chemical

1039: On board small passenger vessels, fill lines and sounding pipes of gasoline tanks must extend directly __________.

    Y a. to within one-half of their diameter from the bottom of the tank
    N b. To within one-half foot from the bottom of the tank
    N c. To the tank top
    N d. Midway between the top and bottom of the tank

1128: Most small passenger vessels have an auxiliary steering arrangement. According to the regulations, which is acceptable as a substitute for the auxiliary steering system?

    N a. A threefold purchase, rove to advantage
    N b. A spare rudder, stowed so it can be readily mounted
    Y c. A suitable hand tiller, approved by the OCMI
    N d. All of the above

1190: What could be a result of insufficient lubrication of lifeboat winches and davits?

    N a. Moisture accumulation in winch motor damaging the electrical wiring
    N b. Freezing of gears in cold weather
    N c. Corroding of sheaves on the davits so they will not rotate
    Y d. All of the above

1229: Which T-Boat must be fitted with a suitable compass?

    N a. A vessel in river service
    N b. A vessel operating on a short, restricted route on lakes, bays, and sounds
    Y c. A vessel engaged in ocean or coastwise service
    N d. The regulations do not require a compass on any vessel

1277: When possible, what is the FIRST step in fighting an engine fuel-pump fire which results from a broken fuel line?

    N a. Secure all engine room doors, hatches, and vents.
    Y b. Close the fuel line valve.
    N c. Check the spread of the fire with foam.
    N d. Cast the barge off the wharf.

1277: When possible, what is the FIRST step in fighting an engine fuel-pump fire which results from a broken fuel line?

    N a. Secure all engine room doors, hatches, and vents.
    Y b. Close the fuel line valve.
    N c. Check the spread of the fire with foam.
    N d. Cast the barge off the wharf.

1342: If there's a fire aboard your vessel, you should FIRST __________.

    N a. notify the Coast Guard
    Y b. sound the alarm
    N c. have passengers put on life preservers
    N d. cut off air supply to the fire

1532: You are in a lifeboat when you sight the stars shown. You will be heading due north when you head for Polaris, which is indicated by which letter? (D005SA )

    N a. A
    Y b. E
    N c. G
    N d. H

1696: Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE?

    N a. Polyester sailcloth, such as Dacron, is resistant to rot due to moisture but susceptible to UV degradation and should be kept covered as much as possible.
    N b. Canvas sailcloth is susceptible to rot due to moisture and should never be covered when wet.
    N c. Kevlar sail cloth is susceptible to weakening due to repeated folding and therefore should be draped loosely over the boom when stowed.
    Y d. All of the above are true.

1865: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is partially loaded with a GM of 2.6 feet and drafts of: FWD 13'-07", AFT 15'-01". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine what tanks you should ballast to increase the GM to 3.4 feet.

    N a. Tanks: DB1, DB3
    N b. Tanks: DB5, DT1A
    Y c. Tanks: DB6, DB7, DT7
    N d. Tanks: DB4, DT8

2048: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-02", AFT 6'-08". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 6 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 23 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    Y a. 6 tons
    N b. 12 tons
    N c. 18 tons
    N d. 24 tons

2210: To check stability, a weight of 10 tons is lifted with the jumbo boom whose head is 45 ft. from the ship's centerline. The clinometer show's a list of 5.0° with weight suspended. Displacement including the weight is 9,000 tons. The GM while in this condition is __________.

    Y a. 0.57 foot
    N b. 0.72 foot
    N c. 0.96 foot
    N d. 1.25 feet

2212: In order to maintain speed while changing course from a close reach to a broad reach, the sails should be __________.

    N a. lowered
    N b. reefed
    N c. hauled in
    Y d. eased out

2230: To check stability, a weight of 40 tons is lifted with the jumbo boom, whose head is 40 feet from the ship's centerline. The clinometer shows a list of 6.5° with the weight suspended. Displacement including weight is 16,000 tons. The GM while in this condition is __________.

    N a. 0.21 foot
    N b. 0.43 foot
    Y c. 0.88 foot
    N d. 1.02 feet

2239: You can slow or stop a sailing vessel by __________.

    N a. put the wind off the beam and sheet in
    N b. put the wind off the stern and ease all sheets
    Y c. bring the vessel's head into the wind and let the sails luff
    N d. raise the centerboard when running before the wind

2278: A cargo of 75 tons is to be lifted with a boom located 50 feet from the ship's centerline. The ship's displacement including the suspended cargo is 6,000 tons and GM is 6 feet. The list of the ship with the cargo suspended from the boom will be __________.

    N a. 5.00°
    N b. 5.40°
    Y c. 5.94°
    N d. 6.50°

2431: A device used to enlarge the size of an existing bore hole, having teeth arranged on its outside circumference to cut the formation as it rotates is a(n) __________.

    N a. enlarger bit
    N b. casing bit
    Y c. hole opener
    N d. casing opener

2487: The wire ropes of the riser tensioning system are attached to the __________.

    Y a. outer barrel of the telescoping joint
    N b. inner barrel of the telescoping joint
    N c. marine riser connector
    N d. ball joint

2499: What is an example of a grade B flammable liquid?

    N a. Allyl alcohol
    N b. Phenol
    N c. Acetaldehyde
    Y d. Carbon disulfide

2514: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-11", AFT 16'-01"; and the KG is 23.2 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 15°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 5,800 foot-tons
    N b. 7,600 foot-tons
    Y c. 9,272 foot-tons
    N d. 11,200 foot-tons

2540: The MINIMUM ventilation requirements for pumprooms on tank vessels (constructed in 1960) carrying grades B or C liquid cargo with machinery spaces located below the freeboard deck specify __________.

    N a. gooseneck vents and flame screens
    N b. that it be connected to a vent header system
    Y c. that it be power ventilation
    N d. that it be fitted with at least two ducts extended to the weather deck

2607: The tendency of a grade "B" product to vaporize is indicated by its __________.

    Y a. flash point
    N b. convection index
    N c. flammable range
    N d. ignition temperature

2687: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

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

2786: Certain equipment aboard vessels, inspected under the small passenger vessel regulations, is required to be marked with the vessel's name. This includes __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. bunks, silverware, china, and glassware
    N b. anchors, line, paint cans, and fuel drums
    Y c. life jackets, life floats and paddles
    N d. whistles, searchlights, navigation lights, and ship's bell

2860: If a vessel loads 250 tons of deck cargo resulting in a GM of -0.3 foot on 8000 tons displacement, what will be the angle of loll? (Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 16°
    N b. 13°
    Y c. 10°
    N d. 7°

3234: The abandon ship signal is __________.

    N a. a continuous ringing of general alarm bells for at least 10 seconds
    N b. a continuous ringing of the general alarm, and sounding of the ship's whistle
    Y c. more than 6 short blasts and 1 long blast of the ship's whistle and the same signal on the general alarm bells
    N d. a continuous sounding of the ship's whistle

3249: 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-0116

    Y a. 231.0 ft
    N b. 234.3 ft
    N c. 244.6 ft
    N d. 251.5 ft

3316: When supplemented by a comparable signal on the general alarm, what is the signal for boat stations or boat drill?

    Y a. More than six short blasts followed by one long blast of the whistle
    N b. A continuous blast of the whistle for a period of not less than 10 seconds
    N c. One long blast followed by three short blasts of the whistle
    N d. Three short blasts of the whistle

3539: Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the 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. 1050 tons each
    Y d. 1070 tons each

3715: The necessity for administering artificial respiration may be recognized by the victim's __________.

    N a. vomiting
    Y b. blue color and lack of breathing
    N c. irregular breathing
    N d. unconscious condition

3907: Line throwing apparatus aboard ship must contain __________.

    N a. two rockets, one of which shall be the buoyant type
    N b. three rockets, one of which shall be the buoyant type
    Y c. four rockets, two of which shall be the buoyant type
    N d. five rockets, two of which shall be the buoyant type

4081: Visual inspections of survival craft on offshore drilling units, to ensure operational readiness, must be conducted at least once a __________.

    Y a. week
    N b. month
    N c. quarter
    N d. year

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

5702: 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-0183

    N a. Available GM 2.8 ft
    Y b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

5752: 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-0184

    N a. Available GM 2.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

5924: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 13'-10", AFT 16'-04". After all bunkers are on board, soundings indicate the tonnages shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the free surface correction. ST-0187

    N a. 1.30 feet
    N b. 1.07 foot
    N c. 0.96 foot
    Y d. 0.73 foot

6075: On offshore drilling units fitted with CO2 systems, each space that contains a cylinder must be vented and designed to keep temperature in the space at not more than __________.

    Y a. 130°F
    N b. 150°F
    N c. 180°F
    N d. 200°F

6402: Small passenger vessels in cold water ocean routes, that do not meet the standards for collision bulkheads or subdivision in subchapter S, must carry __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    Y a. 100% inflatable buoyant apparatus
    N b. at least one hand fire pump
    N c. at least two EPIRBs
    N d. All of the above.

6621: Locations on a MODU where flammable hydrocarbon gas or vapors may accumulate due to drilling operations are defined as __________.

    N a. gaseous locations
    N b. hazardous locations
    Y c. classified locations
    N d. designated locations

6858: A hydraulic accumulator is designed to __________.

    Y a. store fluid under pressure
    N b. act as a fluid reservoir
    N c. provide overpressure relief
    N d. replenish fluid to a system

8161: A semisubmersible, displacing 20,500 long tons, has vertical moments of 1,060,000 foot-long tons. What is the change in KG if 500 long tons are discharged from a VCG of 120 feet?

    N a. 1.22 feet downward
    Y b. 1.71 feet downward
    N c. 1.75 feet downward
    N d. 2.93 feet downward

8317: The minimum concentration of H2S which can cause death if a person is exposed for even an instant is __________.

    N a. 200 ppm
    N b. 400 ppm
    N c. 600 ppm
    Y d. 1000 ppm

8361: What is the effect of heated intake air on a diesel engine?

    N a. Increases efficiency
    N b. Increases engine horsepower
    N c. Increases engine life
    Y d. Reduces engine horsepower

8543: It is proposed to moor the DEEP DRILLER in 600 feet of water in a region in which the effective wind velocity could reach 80 knots, significant wave height could reach 30 feet, and the current could be 1.5 knots. If these conditions occurred at the same time from the bow, the environmental force due to the wind would be __________.

    N a. 595 kips
    Y b. 475 kips
    N c. 425 kips
    N d. 300 kips

8849: What is the minimum number of bolts required in a permanently bolted flange oil hose coupling?

    N a. 3
    N b. 4
    N c. 6
    Y d. A bolt must be used in every hole.

9185: The external flotation bladder of an immersion suit should be inflated __________.

    N a. only after two hours in the water
    N b. only after four hours in the water
    N c. before entry into the water
    Y d. upon entry into the water