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.


35: Which statement is TRUE of a gasoline spill?


126: Which portable fire extinguisher is classified as a type B-III extinguisher?


267: Which type of EPIRB must each ocean-going ship carry?


327: The maneuvering information required to be posted in the wheelhouse must be based on certain conditions. Which of the following is NOT one of these conditions?

    N a. The hull must be clean.
    N b. There must be calm weather-wind 10 knots or less and a calm sea.
    N c. There must be no current.
    Y d. The depth of the water must be at least one and one-half times the draft.

470: A squeeze-grip type carbon-dioxide portable fire- extinguisher has been partially discharged. It should be __________.

    N a. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 15%
    Y b. labeled empty and recharged as soon as possible
    N c. replaced in its proper location regardless of weight
    N d. replaced in its proper location if weight loss is no more than 25%

597: The "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" applies to __________.

    N a. every towing vessel of 16 feet or over in length while navigating
    N b. every vessel of 50 GT and upward, carrying one or more persons for hire
    N c. all aircraft operating on the water
    Y d. every power-driven vessel of 20 meters and upward while navigating

615: The operator of each vessel subject to the pollution regulations is NOT required to keep written records of __________.

    N a. the name of each person designated as a person in charge
    N b. the date and results of the most recent equipment inspection
    Y c. cargoes carried and dates delivered, including destinations
    N d. hose information not marked on the hose

679: All of the following are part of the fire triangle EXCEPT __________.

    N a. heat
    N b. oxygen
    Y c. electricity
    N d. fuel

778: An aluminum powder fire is classified as class __________.

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    Y d. D

865: On board a small passenger vessel, fuel tank vents should __________.

    N a. be connected at the highest point in the tank
    N b. terminate in a U-bend fitted with a single corrosion resistant wire screen of at least 30x30 mesh
    N c. be installed with an upward gradient to prevent fuel from being trapped in the line
    Y d. All of the above

1088: The flash point of a liquid means the temperature __________.

    Y a. at which a liquid will give off flammable vapors
    N b. at which a liquid will burn steadily
    N c. at which a liquid will explode
    N d. that a liquid must reach before it will flow readily

1122: A combustible gas indicator will operate correctly ONLY when the __________.

    Y a. hydrocarbon content of the atmosphere is less than the U.E.L.
    N b. atmosphere is deficient in oxygen
    N c. compartment to be tested is free of CO2
    N d. All of the above

1187: A self-contained breathing apparatus is used to __________.

    N a. make underwater repairs to barges
    N b. determine if the air in a tank is safe for men
    Y c. enter areas that may contain dangerous fumes or lack oxygen
    N d. resuscitate an unconscious person

1401: Which statement about transmitting distress messages by radiotelephone is INCORRECT?

    N a. Distress messages should first be transmitted on 2182 kHz.
    Y b. It is advisable to follow a distress message on 2182 kHz by two dashes of 10 to 15 seconds duration.
    N c. If no answer is received on the designated distress frequencies, repeat the distress call on any frequency available.
    N d. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) may be used for distress messages.

1495: A weight of 350 tons is loaded on your vessel 85 feet forward of the tipping center. The vessel's MT1 is 1150 foot-tons. What is the total change of trim?

    N a. 12.93 inches
    N b. 23.75 inches
    Y c. 25.87 inches
    N d. 38.50 inches

1605: What entry would NOT be shown on the V line of an AMVER report?

    N a. MD
    Y b. MT
    N c. PA
    N d. NURSE

1627: The canvas covering of fire hose is called the __________.

    N a. casing
    N b. outer hose
    N c. line cover
    Y d. jacket

1664: The number of fire extinguishers required on an uninspected "motor vessel" is based on the vessel's __________.

    N a. length
    Y b. gross tonnage
    N c. draft
    N d. crew list

1683: You are running before a strong wind in a sloop. The most dangerous thing to do is __________.

    Y a. jibe
    N b. tack about
    N c. reef the mainsail
    N d. strike the jib

1705: How does an inert gas system on a tanker function to prevent explosions in cargo tanks?

    N a. De-energizes the "charged mist" effect.
    N b. Maintains a positive pressure on the vent header to cool the flammable vapors.
    N c. Inert gas filters out the flammable vapors from the cargo tank spaces.
    Y d. Inert gas dilutes the flammable vapor and air concentrations to keep them below the lower explosive limit.

1723: The regulations that were passed to implement MARPOL 73/78 concerning oil pollution apply to a U.S. flag vessel that sails on which waters?

    N a. Inland waters only
    N b. Great Lakes only
    Y c. International waters
    N d. All of the above

1842: How many VHF Survival Craft Transceivers are required aboard passenger ships?

    N a. 2
    Y b. 3
    N c. 4
    N d. 5

2007: The bottom of the mast rests on the __________.

    N a. foot plate
    N b. sole plate
    N c. hounds
    Y d. mast step

2108: Air compressors are NOT permitted in which space(s) on a tank barge carrying grade A cargo?

    N a. A cargo handling room
    N b. A space in which cargo hose is stored
    N c. An enclosed space containing cargo piping
    Y d. All of the above

2133: If a vessel is sagging, which kind of stress is placed on the sheer strake?

    Y a. Compression
    N b. Racking
    N c. Tension
    N d. Thrust

2155: When sailing with the wind aft, a vessel may carry sails on both sides at the same time. The sails are __________.

    Y a. wing and wing
    N b. luffed
    N c. reefed
    N d. cringled

2215: If help has not arrived in 10-12 hours after you abandon a MODU in a survival craft, you should __________.

    N a. go in one direction until the fuel runs out
    N b. plot a course for the nearest land
    N c. take a vote on which direction you should go
    Y d. shut down the engine(s) and set the sea anchor

2260: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 18,000 T. The 50-ton weight is on the pier, and its center is 75 feet to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 112 feet above the base line, and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 56 feet above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain, the ship lists 3.5°. What is the GM when the cargo is stowed?

    N a. 3.19 feet
    N b. 3.24 feet
    N c. 3.40 feet
    Y d. 3.56 feet

2458: To find the product Valeral in the Chemical Data Guide, you would have to look up the product __________.

    N a. Acrylic acid
    N b. iso-Valeraldehyde
    Y c. n-Valeraldehyde
    N d. Vinyl acetate

2521: To enable tying down a helicopter on the landing area of a MODU, the landing deck must be fitted with __________.

    Y a. recessed tie down points
    N b. hydraulically lifted bitts
    N c. air tuggers
    N d. fixed cleats

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

2634: Use the floodable length curve in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the curve represents 45 percent permeability and number 4 hold floods, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 40
    N b. 48
    N c. 53
    Y d. 60

2659: 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-0074

    Y a. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N b. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.6 ft

2661: When the longitudinal strength members of a MODU are continuous and closely spaced, the vessel is __________.

    N a. transversely framed
    Y b. longitudinally framed
    N c. intermittently framed
    N d. web framed

2728: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-00", AFT 14'-08"; and the KG is 25.8 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 1.5 feet off the centerline.

    Y a. 0.6 foot
    N b. 1.3 feet
    N c. 1.9 feet
    N d. 2.9 feet

2790: The weight of liquefied petroleum gas vapors as compared to air is __________.

    N a. variable
    N b. the same
    N c. lighter
    Y d. heavier

3037: An immersion suit should be equipped with a/an __________.

    N a. air bottle for breathing
    N b. whistle and hand held flare
    Y c. whistle, strobe light and reflective tape
    N d. whistle, hand held flare and sea dye marker

3371: The DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60.0 feet discharges 68.94 long tons of ballast. What is the new draft?

    N a. 66.0 feet
    N b. 60.5 feet
    Y c. 59.5 feet
    N d. 55.0 feet

3451: As shown, number 1 operates the __________. (D011SA )

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

3491: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the starboard forward column below the waterline. Pumping from tank 2S and 3S is not sufficient to prevent increasing starboard list and bow down trim. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. 9P
    N c. C2BP
    Y d. 10P

3518: The groups "AA" and "AB" are used in conjunction with what other group in signaling by flashing light?

    N a. WA
    N b. RQ
    N c. CS
    Y d. RPT

3592: When should the emergency position-indicating radio beacon be activated after abandoning an OSV?

    Y a. Immediately
    N b. After one hour
    N c. Only when another vessel is in sight
    N d. Only after sunset

3600: How should the number "3" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    Y a. TAY-RAH-TREE
    N b. BEES-SOH-THREE
    N c. NUM-ERL-THREE
    N d. TRIC-THREE

3703: While loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #5 (Survival), an estimated 250 long tons of snow and ice accumulates on the DEEP DRILLER at an estimated height of 127 feet. Assuming no corrective ballasting, what is the new height of the center of gravity corrected for longitudinal free surface effects?

    N a. 58.78 feet
    Y b. 60.68 feet
    N c. 61.53 feet
    N d. 62.78 feet

3924: If you are forced to abandon ship in a liferaft, your course of action should be to __________.

    Y a. remain in the immediate vicinity
    N b. head for the nearest land
    N c. head for the closest sea-lanes
    N d. let the persons in the boat vote on what to do

4022: Which towing vessels are NOT required to have an internal communication system between the engine room and the operating station?

    Y a. Twin-screw vessels that have operating station control for both engines
    N b. Vessels on limited routes
    N c. Fleet boats making or breaking tows
    N d. Vessels serving a single company or facility

4263: The rotary of the COASTAL DRILLER is located 38 feet aft of transom and 6 feet to starboard of the centerline. With the changes to lightweight shown in the Operating Manual, the maximum allowable hook load is __________.

    N a. 1000 kips
    N b. 445 kips
    Y c. 424 kips
    N d. 346 kips

4299: When jumping into water upon which there is an oil-fire, you should __________.

    N a. enter the water midships on the leeward side of the vessel
    N b. enter the water midships on the windward side of the vessel
    N c. enter the water at the bow or stern on the leeward side of the vessel
    Y d. enter the water at the bow or stern on the windward side of the vessel

4313: The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit with winds expected to exceed 70 knots, must lower the legs to 60.5 feet below the hull in order to meet the requirements for leg strength and __________.

    Y a. stability
    N b. variable load
    N c. environmental load
    N d. load line

4447: When a helicopter is lifting personnel from a survival craft, the other individuals in the craft should __________.

    N a. enter the water in case the person being lifted slips from the sling
    N b. stand on the outside of the craft to assist the person being lifted
    N c. remove their life preservers to prepare for their transfer to the helicopter
    Y d. remain seated inside the craft to provide body weight for stability

4746: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 12'-07", AFT 16'-01". 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-0167

    N a. 1.30 feet
    Y b. 1.07 foot
    N c. 0.96 foot
    N d. 0.82 foot

5651: On a semisubmersible drilling unit, decreasing riser tension reduces __________.

    Y a. KG
    N b. KM
    N c. GM
    N d. free surface moments

6037: When testing fire hoses on offshore drilling units, each hose must be subjected to a test pressure of at least __________.

    Y a. 100 psi
    N b. 110 psi
    N c. 120 psi
    N d. 150 psi

6531: On the cargo manifest, the weight of the cargo inside a box is called the __________.

    N a. gross weight
    Y b. net weight
    N c. light weight
    N d. rate weight

6687: A MODU must have a self-contained breathing apparatus to be used as protection from gas leaking from a refrigeration unit. To meet this requirement, you may use __________.

    N a. a gas mask certified by the Mine Safety and Health Administration
    Y b. the same self-contained breathing apparatus required with the fireman's outfit
    N c. an oxygen breathing apparatus, provided that the device has been inspected within three years
    N d. a portable ventilation system that will provide a complete change of air every three minutes

7072: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has drafts of: FWD 15'-06", AFT 18'-06". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts if you ballast the forepeak with 62 tons of seawater.

    N a. FWD 15'-11.5", AFT 18'-02.7"
    N b. FWD 16'-00.1", AFT 18'-02.1"
    Y c. FWD 16'-00.7", AFT 18'-01.5"
    N d. FWD 16'-01.3", AFT 18'-00.9"

8355: What quality of a diesel fuel is most significant for efficient combustion?

    Y a. Volatility
    N b. Viscosity
    N c. Flash point
    N d. Specific heat

8775: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected forward inclination. The wind and waves are light from the starboard bow. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 2 and 3
    N b. drilling crew has dumped the mud
    Y c. the drill string has broken
    N d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 1P

8837: A jack-up with a calculated moment to change list one inch (MCL1") of 1,200 foot-kips intends to transfer 100 kips of weight in a transverse direction. How far should the weight be transferred to change the draft on the port side from 11.5 to 11.0 feet?

    N a. 12 feet
    N b. 48 feet
    N c. 120 feet
    Y d. 144 feet

9217: Apparent wind speed blowing across a MODU under tow can be measured by a(n) __________.

    N a. barometer
    N b. wind vane
    Y c. anemometer
    N d. thermometer