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.


60: Your vessel rolls slowly and sluggishly. This indicates that the vessel __________.


83: If more than one raft is manned after the vessel has sunk, you should __________.


114: If you are in urgent need of a helicopter, which signal code should you send?


138: A person reports to you with a fishhook in his thumb. To remove it you should __________.

    N a. pull it out with pliers
    N b. cut the skin from around the hook
    Y c. push the barb through, cut it off, then remove the hook
    N d. have a surgeon remove it

361: What can be used to measure the percentage of oxygen inside a chain locker?

    N a. Flame safety lamp
    N b. Combustible gas indicator
    Y c. Oxygen indicator
    N d. H2S meter

474: You are making ship-to-shore telephone calls on VHF. You should use the __________.

    Y a. VHF-FM service
    N b. coastal harbor service
    N c. high seas service
    N d. emergency broadcast service

481: How should the letter "D" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. DUKE
    N b. DA VID
    N c. DOG
    Y d. DELL TAH

540: Of the following, the most important consideration for a tank vessel is __________.

    N a. GM
    N b. the vertical center of gravity
    N c. the longitudinal center of gravity
    Y d. the stress on the hull

620: A vessel's LCG is determined by __________.

    Y a. dividing the total longitudinal moment summations by displacement
    N b. dividing the total vertical moment summations by displacement
    N c. multiplying the MT1 by the longitudinal moments
    N d. subtracting LCF from LCB

741: You are ordering ship's stores. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Stores such as line, rags, mattresses, linens, etc. must be treated to be fire retardant.
    N b. Stores certified for use on uninspected vessels may be identified by the certification number used by Underwriter's Laboratories.
    Y c. A portable container of a flammable liquid used as fuel for portable auxiliary equipment must be stowed in a paint locker or at a designated open location.
    N d. Acetylene may be in a ship's storeroom in quantities not exceeding 6000 cubic feet.

832: Which statement is TRUE concerning the use of a dry chemical extinguisher?

    Y a. You should direct the stream at the base of the fire.
    N b. You should direct the stream directly into the fire.
    N c. You should direct the stream at a vertical bulkhead and allow it to flow over the fire.
    N d. All of the above

1089: During counterflooding to correct a severe list aggravated by an off-center load, your vessel suddenly takes a list or trim to the opposite side. You should __________.

    N a. continue counterflooding in the same direction
    N b. continue counterflooding, but in the opposite direction
    Y c. immediately stop counterflooding
    N d. deballast from the low side

1158: Spontaneous combustion is caused by __________.

    N a. an outside heat source heating a substance until it ignites
    N b. conduction of heat through a wall of material to the substance
    Y c. chemical action within a substance
    N d. All of the above

1296: Hand holds or straps on the underside of an inflatable liferaft are provided __________.

    Y a. to right the raft if it capsizes
    N b. to carry the raft around on deck
    N c. for crewmen to hang on to
    N d. to hang the raft for drying

1642: The Master or person in charge on a MODU shall insure that line throwing equipment is not operated __________.

    N a. during a rain storm
    Y b. in an explosive atmosphere
    N c. near a lifeboat station
    N d. by other than senior rig personnel

1922: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel following a traffic lane
    N b. pilot vessel enroute to a pilot station
    N c. law enforcement vessel
    N d. All of the above

2157: On offshore drilling units, each EPIRB or SART must be tested once every __________.

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

2237: Topside icing decreases vessel stability because it increases __________.

    N a. displacement
    N b. free surface
    N c. draft
    Y d. KG

2288: A major health hazard of the product tert-butylamine is that it______.

    N a. can be absorbed through the skin
    Y b. causes irreversible damage to eye tissue
    N c. is a very unstable product
    N d. All of the above

2396: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 17'-05", AFT 20'-01"; and the KG is 25.6 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 45°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 17,222 foot-tons
    Y b. 19,709 foot-tons
    N c. 21,137 foot-tons
    N d. 22,002 foot-tons

2399: Sixty (60) tons of cargo are raised with a heavy lift boom 45 feet from the centerline. The vessel's displacement including the weight lifted is 18,400 tons. The angle of list caused by the suspended weight is 1.5°, KM is 28.75 ft., and BM is 17.25 ft. What is the KG?

    N a. 11.65 feet
    N b. 22.85 feet
    Y c. 23.15 feet
    N d. 23.82 feet

2448: A person on a fixed or floating platform engaged in oil exploration MAY discharge food waste into the sea when the distance from the nearest land is at least __________.

    N a. 3 nautical miles
    N b. 5 nautical miles
    Y c. 12 nautical miles
    N d. 25 nautical miles

2466: According to regulations, access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grades C or D liquid cargo shall be __________.

    N a. from areas equipped with power ventilation
    N b. only from enclosed areas free from sources of vapor ignition
    Y c. from the open deck
    N d. from within the vessel

2505: The helicopter deck of a MODU must be marked with the units identification, appropriate aiming circles, and a continuous line on the perimeter which is __________.

    N a. 8 inches wide
    Y b. 16 inches wide
    N c. 24 inches wide
    N d. 32 inches wide

2571: You have abandoned ship in rough weather. After picking up other survivors in your liferaft, what should you do next?

    Y a. Close up the entrances.
    N b. Top up the buoyancy tubes.
    N c. Prepare for the arrival of rescue units.
    N d. Decide on food and water rations.

2684: 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 holds 4 and 5 flood, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 22
    Y b. 28
    N c. 34
    N d. 39

2792: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-06", AFT 19'-01"; and the KG is 18.2 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 35° inclination.

    N a. 1.8 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 4.7 feet
    Y d. 5.8 feet

3126: A cargo information card does NOT contain __________.

    N a. instructions for the safe handling of the cargo
    N b. appearance and odor characteristics of the cargo
    N c. precautions to be observed in case of a spill or leak
    Y d. duties of the person in charge during the transfer of cargo

3210: On a small passenger vessel, 58 feet in length, carrying 52 passengers the fire pump shall have a minimum pumping capacity of __________.

    N a. 10 gallons per minute
    N b. 25 gallons per minute
    Y c. 50 gallons per minute
    N d. 100 gallons per minute

3250: Which statement is TRUE concerning fire hose on a small passenger vessel?

    N a. Fire hose shall be at least 3/4" outside diameter.
    N b. One length of fire hose shall be provided for every two fire hydrants.
    N c. All fittings on hoses shall be of steel or other ferrous metal.
    Y d. A length of hose with nozzle attached shall be attached to each fire hydrant at all times.

3327: A semisubmersible, while floating level, displaces 20,000 long tons. LCB is 3.0 feet forward of amidships. Bulk, weighing 300 long tons, is placed in P-tanks located 40 feet aft of amidships. What is the new LCG?

    N a. 3.64 feet forward of amidships
    N b. 2.45 feet forward of amidships
    Y c. 2.36 feet forward of amidships
    N d. 0.55 foot forward of amidships

3374: What is NOT listed on the metallic name plate required to be attached to hand portable fire extinguishers? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. The rated capacity in gallons, quarts, or pounds
    Y b. The hydrostatic test date of the cylinder
    N c. The name of the item
    N d. An identifying mark of the actual manufacturer

3585: When a man who has fallen overboard is being picked up by a rescue boat, the boat should normally approach with the wind __________.

    N a. astern and the victim just off the bow
    N b. ahead and the victim just off the bow
    N c. just off the bow and the victim to windward
    Y d. just off the bow and the victim to leeward

3593: The DEEP DRILLER is level at a draft of 58 feet when there are no environmental forces. What is the value of LCG?

    N a. 0.00 (amidships)
    N b. 2.23 feet forward of amidships
    Y c. 2.26 feet forward of amidships
    N d. 2.31 feet forward of amidships

3643: Under extremely heavy weather on the DEEP DRILLER, when operating conditions are too severe to permit the drill string from being tripped out of the hole and laid down in the pipe racks, it may be __________.

    Y a. hung off
    N b. placed in the setback
    N c. supported by the lower marine riser package
    N d. supported by the tensioners

3731: If the DEEP DRILLER is damaged, the unit is designed to avoid downflooding in wind speeds up to __________.

    Y a. 50 knots
    N b. 70 knots
    N c. 90 knots
    N d. 100 knots

3750: While providing assistance to a victim of an epileptic seizure, it is most important to __________.

    N a. give artificial respiration
    Y b. prevent patient from hurting himself
    N c. keep the patient awake and make him/her walk if necessary to keep him/her awake
    N d. remove any soiled clothing and put the patient in a clean bed

3800: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning ship, your legs should be __________.

    N a. spread apart as far as possible
    N b. held as tightly against your chest as possible
    N c. in a kneeling position
    Y d. extended straight down and crossed at the ankles

3944: What is the most vulnerable part of the fire main system?

    N a. The fire pump
    N b. Exposed hard piping
    N c. The hydrant valve
    Y d. The fire hose

3993: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the new sum of longitudinal moments for the Stores & Supplies (Table 6) if paint weighing 3.48 tons is added to the paint locker?

    N a. 5,996 foot-tons
    Y b. 1,688 foot-tons
    N c. 495 foot-tons
    N d. 115 foot-tons

4084: A towing vessel is NOT required to be fitted with radar if it is ____________ .

    N a. used occasionally to assist vessels in distress
    Y b. used solely for pollution response
    N c. less than 49 feet in length
    N d. towing alongside

4224: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming eleven days, and you will enter the winter zone after a total of fourteen days. You will consume 36 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.025, and the average TPI is 51. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 75.0 inches
    N b. 76.0 inches
    N c. 79.5 inches
    Y d. 81.0 inches

4778: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 5540 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 272.20 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-0169

    N a. LCG-FP 266.5 feet
    Y b. LCG-FP 267.8 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 268.4 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 269.2 feet

5195: The DEEP DRILLER is under tow at a 20 foot draft. The rig motions are close to exceeding the limits for critical pitch and roll. The rig is also experiencing occasional pounding on the horizontal braces. In this situation you should __________.

    Y a. ballast down to a 45 foot draft and check vessel motions
    N b. wait until pitch and roll exceed the limits before ballasting down
    N c. ballast up to a 15 foot draft and check vessel motions
    N d. shorten the tow wire for a smoother tow

5273: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #5 (Survival), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C3S. Your best countermeasure is to __________.

    N a. pump from 10S
    N b. counterflood in 1P
    Y c. pump from 8S
    N d. pump from C3S

5307: The COASTAL DRILLER, in ocean transit at a draft of 10 feet 6 inches with winds greater than 70 knots, has a KGT of 38.7 feet and a KGL of 38.2 feet. The margin on the maximum allowable KG is __________.

    N a. 26.8 feet
    N b. 26.3 feet
    N c. 1.8 feet
    Y d. 1.3 feet

5947: Each fire hose coupling on a MODU must have threads that meet the specifications of the __________.

    N a. American Petroleum Institute
    Y b. National Standard Fire hose Coupling
    N c. American Society of Mechanical Engineers
    N d. Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc.

6091: Due to the hazards involved with Halon extinguishers on a MODU, the size II extinguisher may only be used __________.

    Y a. outside
    N b. on class C fires
    N c. in an emergency
    N d. on class B fires

6193: What is best suited for fighting a fire in a ballast control room?

    N a. Automatic sprinkler system
    N b. Steam smothering system
    N c. Dry chemical system
    Y d. Carbon dioxide system

6605: All fire hoses on mobile offshore drilling units must be tested to a pressure of at least __________.

    N a. 100 psi
    Y b. 110 psi
    N c. 120 psi
    N d. 130 psi

6641: On a MODU, how many ring buoys are required to have a buoyant line attached?

    N a. One ring life buoy
    Y b. One ring life buoy on each side of the MODU
    N c. Three ring life buoys
    N d. Two ring life buoys on each side of the MODU

6811: A mobile offshore drilling unit crane certificate is required to be maintained __________.

    Y a. on the unit
    N b. in the company office
    N c. on file with the OCMI
    N d. on file with the American Bureau of Shipping

6908: Topside icing decreases vessel stability because it is usually off-center and __________.

    N a. increases displacement
    Y b. increases the height of the center of gravity
    N c. increases draft
    N d. reduces the pocketing of free surface

7037: Epilepsy is a chronic nervous disorder characterized by __________.

    N a. severe nausea and cramps
    Y b. muscular convulsions with partial or complete loss of consciousness
    N c. sudden thirst and craving for candy
    N d. severe agitation and desire to get out of closed spaces

7341: If you know that the vessel you are about to call on the VHF radio maintains a radio watch on both the working and the calling frequencies, which frequency should you call on?

    N a. Calling frequency
    N b. Distress frequency
    N c. Urgency frequency
    Y d. Working frequency

8015: In case of damage to the DEEP DRILLER on location, the immediate objective is to reduce the unexpected inclination and return the unit to __________.

    N a. nearest sheltered port
    Y b. near its original draft
    N c. drilling
    N d. survival draft

8397: What is the best indication of the loading of a diesel engine?

    N a. Oil temperature
    N b. Manifold pressure
    Y c. Exhaust gas temperature
    N d. Fuel consumption

8901: The Safety of Life at Sea Convention was developed by the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. American Bureau of Shipping
    Y c. International Maritime Organization
    N d. American Institute of Maritime Shipping

8977: The important stability parameter, KG, is defined as the __________.

    N a. metacentric height
    N b. height of the metacenter above the keel
    N c. height of the center of buoyancy above the keel
    Y d. height of the center of gravity above the keel

9547: A neutral equilibrium position for a vessel means that the metacenter is __________.

    N a. lower than the keel
    Y b. at the same height as the center of gravity
    N c. exactly at midships
    N d. at the center of the waterplane area