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.


37: What is the generally accepted method of determining whether the atmosphere within a cargo tank is explosive, too rich, or too lean to support combustion?


123: If you are forced to abandon ship in a lifeboat, you should __________.


248: You are treating a shipmate with a compound fracture of the lower arm. Which action should you take?


420: The most important figure in calculating the free surface constant of a tank carrying liquids is __________.

    N a. depth
    N b. length
    N c. displacement
    Y d. breadth

471: In how many locations must lifeboats be installed on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

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

534: Your vessel has been damaged and is taking on water, but you do not require immediate assistance. You would preface a message advising other vessels of your situation with __________.

    N a. Mayday-Mayday-Mayday
    Y b. Pan-Pan (3 times)
    N c. Securite-Securite-Securite
    N d. SOS-SOS-SOS

551: A shaft alley divides a vessel's cargo hold into two tanks, each 20 ft. wide by 60 ft. long. Each tank is filled with saltwater below the level of the shaft alley. The vessel's displacement is 7,000 tons. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface effect?

    N a. .29 feet
    Y b. .33 feet
    N c. .38 feet
    N d. .42 feet

585: How long must a "Declaration of Inspection" be kept on board?

    N a. One week
    N b. Two weeks
    Y c. One month
    N d. Three months

595: How long shall the operator of a vessel employed in the transferring of oil to other vessels keep the Declaration of Inspection of those transfers?

    N a. 1 week from date of signature
    N b. 2 weeks from date of signature
    Y c. 1 month from date of signature
    N d. 6 months from date of signature

614: Your vessel is damaged and listing to port. There is a short rolling period around the angle of list. The port side freeboard is reduced to 1 foot. There is no trim and the weather is calm. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. press up a slack double bottom tank on the port side
    N b. fill an empty centerline double bottom tank
    Y c. pump out a slack marine portable tank located on the portside amidships
    N d. jettison the anchors and anchor cables

747: Which statement about the use of portable electric lights in petroleum product tanks is TRUE?

    N a. The fixture must be explosion-proof and the line must have a ground wire.
    N b. They can be used only when the compartment is gas free.
    Y c. They must be explosion-proof, self-contained, battery-fed lamps.
    N d. No portable electric equipment of any type is allowed.

770: A vessel is described as a two compartment vessel when it __________.

    N a. has no more than two compartments
    N b. has two compartments in addition to the engine room
    N c. will sink if any two compartments are flooded
    Y d. will float if any two adjacent compartments are flooded

786: Which statement is TRUE concerning distress signals in a lifeboat?

    Y a. Hand held flares and orange smoke signals are required.
    N b. If hand-held rocket-propelled parachute flares are provided, they are the only distress signals required.
    N c. Two hand-held smoke signals shall be provided.
    N d. A Very pistol with twelve flares is required.

800: The "trimming arm" of a vessel is the horizontal distance between the __________.

    N a. LCB and LCF
    N b. LCF and LCG
    N c. LHA and LCG
    Y d. LCB and LCG

827: A small passenger vessel's Official Number must be marked___________.

    N a. in block type Arabic numerals not less than 3 inches high
    N b. or mounted so that any alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious
    N c. on some clearly visible interior structural hull part
    Y d. All of the above

891: On small passenger vessels, cooling water for the exhaust lines from an internal combustion engine must be __________.

    Y a. obtained from the engine's cooling water system or from a separate engine-driven pump
    N b. chemically treated to prevent corrosion
    N c. flushed and changed periodically
    N d. obtained from a fresh water storage tank or an expansion tank

893: On a vessel of 12,000 tons displacement, a tank 60 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 20 feet deep is half filled with fresh water (SG 1.000) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (SG 1.026) What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface?

    N a. 0.97 ft.
    N b. 1.01 ft.
    N c. 1.35 ft.
    Y d. 1.44 ft.

1048: The angle of maximum righting arm corresponds approximately to the angle of __________.

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

1312: The best method of extinguishing a class A fire is to __________.

    N a. remove oxygen from the area
    Y b. cool fuel below ignition temperature
    N c. smother with CO2
    N d. smother fire with foam

1411: Which statement about entry into a space that has been sealed for a long time is TRUE?

    Y a. A tank that has been used to carry hazardous liquids should be tested for oxygen content, toxicity, and explosive gases.
    N b. You can safely enter the space without a breathing apparatus if the oxygen content exceeds 14%.
    N c. The natural ventilation through the installed vents is sufficient to provide the proper oxygen content.
    N d. The heat of the sun on upper ballast tanks, such as in a bulk carrier, may generate carbon monoxide.

1491: You are in a lifeboat when you sight the stars shown. You will be heading almost due north when you head for Polaris which is marked by what letter? (D006SA )

    Y a. C
    N b. D
    N c. E
    N d. G

1635: Which firefighting method is an example of an indirect attack on a fire?

    N a. Bouncing a straight stream of water off the overhead to create spray effect
    N b. Spraying foam on a bulkhead and letting it flow down and over a pool of burning oil
    Y c. Flooding a paint locker with CO2 and sealing the compartment
    N d. Cooling adjacent bulkheads with water to prevent the spread of the fire by conduction

2077: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND You are proceeding under sail with the auxiliary engine running and the propeller engaged. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. If most of the propelling power comes from the sails, your vessel is considered a sailing vessel.
    N b. You must display a red light over a green light at the masthead.
    Y c. In fog you must sound one prolonged blast at two-minute intervals when making way.
    N d. By day, you must display a black diamond shape forward.

2205: You board an inflatable liferaft that has been hand launched from a sinking vessel. What should you do FIRST after everyone is onboard the liferaft?

    Y a. Cut the painter.
    N b. Operate the radio equipment.
    N c. Open the equipment pack.
    N d. Ventilate the liferaft of CO2.

2227: When the survival craft is supplied with bottles of compressed air they are used for __________.

    Y a. an air supply for personnel
    N b. additional flotation
    N c. priming the sprinkler system
    N d. filling the self righting bags

2365: The space around a pipe in a wellbore, the outer wall of which may be the wall of either the borehole or the casing, is the __________.

    N a. open hole
    N b. down hole
    N c. bore
    Y d. annulus

2398: Proper GMDSS watchkeeping includes __________.

    N a. understanding the GMDSS console's normal operational indicators
    N b. maintaining a proper GMDSS radio station log
    N c. responding to and comprehending alarms
    Y d. All of the above

2502: The international shore connection __________.

    N a. permits discharge of waste oil
    Y b. allows hook up of fire hoses from a dock or another vessel
    N c. satisfies pollution prevention requirements
    N d. allows emergency use of the fire main for deballasting

2552: When can routine communications be resumed when radio silence has been imposed?

    N a. After determining that the frequency or channel appears to be no longer in use
    N b. After determining that geographic distance from the distress situation will prohibit any other signal from interfering with emergency communications
    Y c. Routine communications can resume after the Rescue Coordination Center transmits a message on the frequency or channel being used for emergency communications stating that such traffic has concluded.
    N d. If, in the Master's opinion, communications on that frequency will interfere with emergency communications

2751: The requirements for special welding procedures on a MODU must be contained in the __________.

    N a. vessel plans
    N b. Coast Guard file
    Y c. construction portfolio
    N d. construction plans

2821: A vessel heading SE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 112.5°
    Y b. 135.0°
    N c. 157.5°
    N d. 180.0°

3244: A person may operate an air compressor in which of the following areas on board a tank barge?

    N a. Pumproom
    Y b. Generator room
    N c. A space adjacent to a cargo tank
    N d. A space two meters from a cargo valve

3269: What is the purpose of the liferaft's hydrostatic release?

    Y a. To release raft automatically as the ship sinks
    N b. To inflate the raft automatically
    N c. To test rafts hydrostatically
    N d. None of the above

3287: A vessel displacing 18,000 tons has a KG of 50 feet. A crane is used to lift cargo weighing 20 long tons from a supply vessel. When lifting, the head of the crane boom is 150 feet above the keel. What is the change in KG?

    Y a. 0.11 foot
    N b. 0.17 foot
    N c. 0.25 foot
    N d. 0.32 foot

3304: If your passenger vessel has been issued a stability letter, it must be __________.

    N a. filed in the ship's office
    N b. posted in a passenger area
    N c. posted adjacent to the Certificate of Inspection
    Y d. posted in the pilothouse

3426: In illustration D011SA, number 1 operates the __________. (D011SA )

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

3469: The knife on an inflatable liferaft will always be located __________.

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

3542: An aircraft has indicated that he wants you to change course and follow him. You cannot comply because of an emergency on board. Which signal should you make?

    N a. Fire a red flare at night or a red smoke signal by day
    Y b. Send the Morse signal "N" by flashing light
    N c. Make a round turn (360°) and resume course
    N d. Make an "S" turn (hard right then hard left) and resume course

3553: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). What is the margin on the maximum allowable KG while drilling?

    Y a. 4.58 feet
    N b. 5.24 feet
    N c. 6.27 feet
    N d. 6.94 feet

3587: A person has fallen overboard and is being picked up with a rescue boat. If the person appears in danger of drowning, the rescue boat should be maneuvered to make____________________.

    N a. an approach from leeward
    N b. an approach from windward
    N c. an approach across the wind
    Y d. the most direct approach

3762: The symptoms of a fractured back are __________.

    N a. leg cramps in the muscles in one or both legs
    N b. pain and uncontrolled jerking of the legs and arms
    N c. vomiting and involuntary urination or bowel movement
    Y d. pain at the site of the fracture and possible numbness or paralysis below the injury

3788: When you hear three short blasts on the ship's whistle and the same signal on the general alarm bells, you __________.

    N a. are required to be at your liferaft
    Y b. are dismissed from drills
    N c. should point to the man overboard
    N d. should start the fire pump

4027: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 40,301 foot-long tons, TM =3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the metacentric height corrected for longitudinal free surface effects?

    Y a. 5.66 feet
    N b. 6.31 feet
    N c. 7.37 feet
    N d. 55.47 feet

4046: Fire protection regulations for towing vessels require that drills be conducted on board the vessel as if there were an actual emergency. Drills include all of the following, EXCEPT ____________ .

    N a. testing all alarm and detection systems
    N b. breaking out and using the vessel's emergency equipment
    Y c. participation by selected crew members
    N d. one person putting on protective clothing, if the vessel is so equipped

4093: Towing vessels of more than 39.4 feet in length must carry charts or maps _____________ .

    N a. of the area to be navigated
    N b. with enough detail to make safe navigation possible
    N c. of the current edition or currently corrected edition
    Y d. All of the above

4242: A certificated lifeboatman assigned to command the lifeboat should __________.

    N a. be the first individual to board the craft
    N b. drain the hydraulic pressure before lowering the craft
    Y c. have a list of the persons assigned to the lifeboat
    N d. All of the above

4323: Guide tolerances during elevation of the jack-up rig will __________.

    N a. reduce spud can bearing pressure
    Y b. keep the unit level and reduce overloading
    N c. reduce stresses on the hull
    N d. minimize the potential for punch-through

4495: The COASTAL DRILLER is in transit at a draft of 10.5 feet. It discharges 216.43 kips of weight. What is the new draft?

    N a. 10.7 feet
    N b. 10.3 feet
    N c. 10 feet 8 inches
    Y d. 10 feet 4 inches

5263: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C3S. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    Y a. pump from 9S
    N b. pump from C3S
    N c. counterflood in 1P
    N d. counterflood in 10S

5285: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #1 (Transit), suffers minor damage which results in flooding in tank 1P. You may pump from __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. C1P
    Y c. 1P
    N d. 10S

5633: In ballasting to survival draft, while in transit, due to extreme wind and wave loads, thrusters or propulsion, if available, should be used to __________.

    N a. reduce windward mooring tensions
    Y b. maintain vessel heading
    N c. maximize accelerations
    N d. increase speed of advance

6076: You are wearing a breathing apparatus inside a tank. How many tugs on the lifeline indicate that you are all right?

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

6619: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 6450 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 270.89 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0194

    N a. LCG-FP 267.12 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 268.48 feet
    Y c. LCG-FP 270.97 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 273.06 feet

6623: Each hose in the fuel transfer system for helicopter refueling must have a __________.

    Y a. static grounding device
    N b. quick-disconnect nozzle
    N c. splash guard
    N d. vapor recovery system

7313: What is the MOST important thing you should do before transmitting on a marine radio?

    N a. Ask for permission.
    N b. Record the time in your radio log.
    N c. Press the "push to talk" button three times.
    Y d. Monitor the channel to insure that it is clear.

8195: The COASTAL DRILLER, while in transit, expects the winds to increase to 75 knots. In order to meet the stability and 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
    N c. 12.38 feet
    Y d. 60.50 feet

8511: An elevated jack-up weighs 17,000 kips. Its center of gravity is located 110 feet aft of frame zero (AF0). What would be the new LCG if the cantilever (weight 900 kips) and drill floor (weight 800 kips) were skidded 70 feet aft?

    N a. 103.0 feet AF0
    N b. 113.4 feet AF0
    Y c. 117.0 feet AF0
    N d. 180.0 feet AF0

9427: In the absence of external forces, adding weight on one side of a floating vessel causes the vessel to __________.

    N a. heel until the angle of loll is reached
    Y b. list until the center of buoyancy is aligned vertically with the center of gravity
    N c. trim to the side opposite TCG until all moments are equal
    N d. decrease draft at the center of flotation

9701: Which of the following statements is/are TRUE in regard to Ro-Ro vessels' spaces that are "specially suitable for vehicles"?

    Y a. The spaces shall be fitted with an approved fire or smoke detecting system.
    N b. The spaces shall have designated smoking areas.
    N c. The spaces are prohibited from being fitted with fixed CO2 fire extinguishing systems.
    N d. All of the above

9703: Which of the following statements is/are FALSE in regard to Ro-Ro vessels' spaces that are "specially suitable for vehicles"?

    N a. The spaces shall be fitted with an approved fire or smoke detecting system.
    N b. The spaces shall be fitted with an approved fixed fire extinguishing system.
    Y c. The installation of a water sprinkler extinguishing system is prohibited.
    N d. All of the above