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.


153: If you reach shore in a liferaft, the first thing to do is __________.


230: Initial stability of a vessel may be improved by __________.


257: Which vessel greater than 100 GT is NOT required to have an EPIRB.


299: Which of the following statements relating to AMVER (Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue) is TRUE?

    N a. An AMVER participant is under greater obligation to render assistance to a vessel in distress than a non-participant.
    Y b. There is no cost to the ship or owner for messages sent within the AMVER system.
    N c. An AMVER participant is not relieved of the obligation to give 24 hour advance notice to the U.S. Coast Guard before entering a U.S. port from offshore.
    N d. The AMVER system does not reduce the time lost for vessels responding to calls for assistance.

331: One of the limitations of foam as an extinguishing agent is that foam __________.

    N a. cannot be made with salt water
    N b. is heavier than oil and sinks below its surface
    N c. is corrosive and a hazard to fire fighters
    Y d. conducts electricity

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

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.

781: How is the external flotation bladder of an immersion suit inflated?

    N a. It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is automatically tripped when the front zipper is at the top of the zipper track.
    N b. It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is manually tripped.
    Y c. It is inflated by blowing through an inflation tube.
    N d. It inflates by sea water bleeding into the flotation bladder and reacting with a chemical therein.

788: Fires of which class would most likely occur in the engine room of a vessel?

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

797: Which statement about the hospital space on a cargo ship is TRUE?

    N a. The hospital may be used for disciplinary confinement if it is not being used for treatment.
    N b. The hospital space must have both a bathtub and shower.
    N c. A hospital is required on all vessels with a crew of 12 or more if it makes overnight voyages.
    Y d. If a ship has a crew of forty-five who do not have their own room, the hospital must have four berths.

805: Application for a waiver of any requirements of the regulations for oil transfer operations must be submitted to the __________.

    N a. District Commander
    N b. Commandant
    Y c. Captain of the Port
    N d. nearest Coast Guard office

904: If you are on the beach and are signaling to a small boat in distress that your present location is dangerous and they should land to the left, you would __________.

    N a. fire a green star to the left
    N b. send the letter K by light and point to the left
    N c. place an orange signal to your left as you signal with a white light
    Y d. send the code signal S followed by L

1014: Which signal would be used by a shore rescue unit to indicate "Landing here highly dangerous"?

    N a. The firing of a white star signal
    Y b. Horizontal motion with a white flag
    N c. Vertical motion of a white light
    N d. Code letter "K" by blinker light

1136: The breaking strength of the service lines of the rockets used with an impulse-projected, rocket type line throwing appliances is __________.

    N a. 300 lbs
    Y b. 500 lbs
    N c. 1000 lbs
    N d. 1500 lbs

1178: The lowest temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion of a substance independent of any outside source of ignition is called __________.

    N a. explosive range
    N b. flash point
    Y c. ignition temperature
    N d. combustion temperature

1320: Fire extinguishers on inspected vessels are numbered by size I through V, with I being __________.

    N a. used for electrical fires only
    Y b. the smallest
    N c. the most accessible
    N d. the most effective

1489: The boat command that means complete the stroke and level the oars horizontally with the blades trimmed fore and aft is __________.

    Y a. "Oars"
    N b. "Up oars"
    N c. "Way enough"
    N d. "Hold water"

1572: Your fishing vessel operates more than 25 miles from the coastline on the Great Lakes. Which distress signal is NOT required to be on board?

    N a. 3 red parachute flares
    N b. 6 red hand flares
    Y c. 1 electric distress light
    N d. 3 orange smoke signals

1669: You have abandoned ship and after two days in a liferaft you can see an aircraft near the horizon apparently carrying out a search pattern. You should __________.

    N a. switch the EPIRB to the homing signal mode
    N b. use the voice transmission capability of the EPIRB to guide the aircraft to your raft
    N c. turn on the strobe light on the top of the EPIRB
    Y d. use visual distress signals in conjunction with the EPIRB

1734: Which procedure should be followed when individuals are rescued in cold climates and suffer from hypothermia?

    N a. Give them brandy or other alcoholic stimulation to promote a return to an acceptable body temperature.
    Y b. Move them to a warm room to gradually raise their body temperature.
    N c. Keep them moving to stimulate circulation to raise their body temperature.
    N d. Warm them under an electric blanket to rapidly regain normal body temperature.

1757: You are operating a liftboat. Before starting jacking operations you should __________.

    N a. put the crane in a vertical position
    N b. close the wheelhouse doors
    Y c. have all personnel don life jackets
    N d. put a watch in the engineroom

1773: What must Inland vessels of 100 GT and over be fitted with for oily mixtures?

    N a. A fixed system to discharge the slops overboard
    Y b. A fixed system to discharge oily mixtures to a reception facility
    N c. A portable system to discharge the slops overboard
    N d. A portable system to discharge oily mixtures to a reception facility

1812: The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close hauled the __________.

    Y a. apparent wind moves forward
    N b. heeling moment decreases
    N c. side slip decreases
    N d. speed increases

1995: Who is responsible for insuring that each survival craft on a mobile offshore drilling unit is cleaned and inspected once a year?

    N a. The certificated lifeboatman assigned to that craft
    N b. The certificated able seaman assigned to that craft
    N c. The Coast Guard inspecting officer
    Y d. The designated person in charge of the rig

2296: Regulations require that cargo pumps in tank vessels carrying grade D liquid cargo shall be isolated from sources of vapor ignition by __________.

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

2315: What is the function of an air receiver in the compressed air system on a MODU?

    N a. Condenses moisture
    N b. Provides overpressure protection
    N c. Purifies the air
    Y d. Acts as an accumulator

2380: Access to a cargo pumproom on a tank vessel carrying grades A, B, C or D liquid cargoes shall be __________.

    N a. at least 13.1 feet away from the galleys, living quarters or navigation spaces
    Y b. from the open deck
    N c. only from areas equipped with power ventilation systems
    N d. isolated from any part of the vessel which normally contains sources of vapor ignition

2403: A frame with two, or sometimes four, arms through which are threaded the guidelines and which is used to keep the drill stem and bit in line with the center opening in the temporary guide base is the __________.

    N a. drill stem guide
    Y b. guide frame
    N c. drill string frame
    N d. casing guide

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

2771: The angle to which a floating MODU, with a negative initial metacentric height, lies while at rest in still water is the angle of __________.

    N a. trim
    N b. yaw
    N c. heel
    Y d. loll

2946: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-09", AFT 18'-03"; and the KG is 22.4 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the angle of list if the center of gravity is shifted 1.5 feet off the centerline.

    N a. 14°
    N b. 18°
    Y c. 22°
    N d. 26°

3172: Your vessel has a gasoline engine and a mechanical exhaust ventilation system. BEFORE starting the engine, the exhaust blower should be run long enough to __________.

    N a. warm up the exhaust blower motor
    N b. provide a proper supply of fresh air for the engine(s)
    N c. see the system is in good operating condition
    Y d. insure at least one complete change of air in the compartments concerned

3205: On a sailing vessel, it is best to approach a person in the water by placing them on your __________.

    N a. leeward side
    Y b. windward side
    N c. bow
    N d. transom

3215: The jackknife stored on an inflatable liferaft will always be located __________.

    N a. in one of the equipment bags
    Y b. in a special pocket near the forward entrance
    N c. on a cord hanging from the canopy
    N d. in a pocket on the first aid kit

3390: Non-required lifesaving equipment carried as additional equipment aboard small passenger vessels __________.

    N a. must be removed when carrying passengers
    Y b. must be approved by the Commandant
    N c. may be substituted for not more than 5% of the required lifejackets
    N d. may be carried regardless of approval or condition, if in excess of required lifesaving equipment

3496: In general, how often are sanitary inspections of passenger and crew quarters made aboard passenger vessels in river service?

    N a. Once each day
    N b. Once each week
    Y c. Once each month
    N d. Once each trip

3514: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the KG of the liquid load. ST-0136

    N a. 2.8 feet
    N b. 4.6 feet
    N c. 6.8 feet
    Y d. 7.1 feet

3663: Before deballasting to survival draft in the event of predicted heavy weather, the DEEP DRILLER Operations Manual recommends that the mooring lines be slacked __________.

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 20 feet
    N c. 30 feet
    N d. 40 feet

3911: For the DEEP DRILLER, it is recommended that the number of lower-hull ballast tanks with free surfaces be less than __________.

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    Y c. 6
    N d. 8

4198: A tanker loads at a terminal within the tropical zone. She will enter the summer zone six days after departing the loading port. She will burn off 45 tons/day and daily water consumption is 8 tons. How many tons may she load over that allowed by her summer load line?

    N a. 270
    N b. 278
    N c. 291
    Y d. 318

4258: Dacron sails, when not in use, may be damaged if __________.

    Y a. left in the sunlight
    N b. stowed wet
    N c. washed with soap
    N d. folded frequently

4475: While the COASTAL DRILLER is elevated, the out-of-level alarm indicates that hull inclination exceeds 0.3°. What should you do?

    N a. Raise the high corner.
    N b. Raise the low corner.
    N c. Raise unit to proper air gap and inspect for damage.
    Y d. Confirm operation of out-of-level alarm.

4643: What is the change in longitudinal moments for the Coastal Driller if 2.0 feet of drill water is transferred from a full drill water tank #23 to an empty drill water tank #6?

    N a. 7,990 foot-kips increase
    Y b. 7,990 foot-kips decrease
    N c. 8,502 foot-kips decrease
    N d. 16,041 foot-kips decrease

4645: What is the change in the vertical moments (excluding free surface effects) for the COASTAL DRILLER if 2.0 feet of drill water is transferred from a full drill water tank #23 to an empty drill water tank #6?

    N a. 253 foot-kips
    N b. 56 foot-kips
    Y c. -253 foot-kips
    N d. -411 foot-kips

4851: The self-contained breathing device should not be used in which situation?

    N a. Oxygen deficient spaces
    N b. Compartments containing poisonous vapors
    N c. Fighting fires that produce heavy smoke
    Y d. Underwater search

5042: What is the meaning of the signal SA T1035 RQ when sent by the International code of Signals?

    N a. The longitude is 10°35'.
    N b. I am altering course to 103.5°T.
    Y c. Can you proceed at 1035 local time?
    N d. Is the latitude 10°35'?

5553: The angle between the flukes and the shank of an anchor is called the __________.

    N a. holding angle
    N b. fleet angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. shank angle

5863: If a MODU under tow starts jumping on its tow line, the most appropriate action to alleviate the condition is to __________.

    N a. change course
    N b. slow down
    N c. heave to
    Y d. adjust tow line length

6087: Portable Halon extinguishers used on MODU's may use __________.

    N a. HALON 1301 only
    N b. HALON 22 only
    Y c. HALON 1211 only
    N d. HALON 1301 or 1211

6731: During the required periodic abandon ship drill aboard a MODU, each person not assigned duties in the muster list is __________.

    N a. instructed in the use of portable fire extinguishers
    N b. shown a video demonstrating lifeboat launching
    Y c. instructed in the use of life jackets
    N d. not required to attend the boat drill

7105: Combustible gas indicators measure the presence of combustible gas as a percentage of the __________.

    N a. flash point
    N b. upper explosive limit
    Y c. lower explosive limit
    N d. fire point

7121: CO2 cylinders equipped with pressure actuated discharge heads will discharge automatically when __________.

    N a. the discharge valve is open
    N b. the control box glass is broken
    Y c. pressure from the control cylinders is detected
    N d. the control cylinders have been completely discharged

7667: Subtracting GM from KM yields __________.

    N a. BL
    N b. GM
    N c. FS
    Y d. KG

8105: What is the port leg reaction for the COASTAL DRILLER if the total weight is 15,000 kips, LCG is 120 feet, and TCG is 1.0?

    Y a. 4,909 kips
    N b. 4,931 kips
    N c. 4,950 kips
    N d. 5,160 kips

8371: Each cylinder in a two stroke cycle engine experiences combustion __________.

    Y a. once each crankshaft revolution
    N b. twice each crankshaft revolution
    N c. every other crankshaft revolution
    N d. every fourth stroke

8483: A jack-up 180 feet in length with the LCF at 120 feet AFO has a true mean draft (draft at LCF) of 10 feet. If the trim is 3 feet by the stern, what is the draft at the stern?

    N a. 8.0 feet
    N b. 9.0 feet
    Y c. 11.0 feet
    N d. 12.0 feet

8993: The waterplane area is described as the intersection of the surface of the water in which a vessel floats and the __________.

    N a. baseline
    N b. vertical reference plane
    Y c. hull
    N d. horizontal reference plane

9067: The TCG of a vessel may be found by dividing the displacement of the vessel into the __________.

    N a. transverse center of gravity of the vessel
    N b. sum of the vertical moments of the vessel
    Y c. sum of the transverse moments of the vessel
    N d. transverse baseline of the vessel

9351: Halon from extinguishers used on a class B fire, should be directed __________.

    N a. at the top of the flames
    Y b. at the base of the fire near the edge
    N c. in short quick bursts
    N d. toward the upwind side of the fire

9507: With no environmental forces, 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. center of buoyancy