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.


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


142: You are in the Baltic Sea which is a special area listed in ANNEX V of MARPOL. How many miles from land must you be to discharge ground rags, glass, and bottles into the sea?


175: According to 46 CFR Subchapter T, a stability test may be dispensed with if the __________.


210: Metacentric height is an indication of a vessel's stability __________.

    N a. for all angles of inclination
    N b. for large angles of inclination
    Y c. for small angles of inclination
    N d. in no case

239: Which statement about the free surface correction is TRUE?

    N a. It is added to GM at light drafts and subtracted at deep drafts.
    N b. It is increased if the slack tank is not on the centerline.
    N c. It is decreased if the slack tank is below the KG of the vessel.
    Y d. The correction decreases as the draft increases due to loading dry cargo.

555: The transfer procedures for oil products are required to be posted __________.

    N a. in the pilothouse
    N b. in the officer's lounge
    N c. in the upper pumproom flat
    Y d. where they can be easily seen or readily available

723: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine to indicate an emergency condition within the submarine is __________.

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

725: You notice oil on the water near your vessel while taking on fuel. You should FIRST __________.

    Y a. stop fueling
    N b. notify the senior deck officer
    N c. notify the terminal superintendent
    N d. determine whether your vessel is the source

737: When using the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR's) for Tank Vessels, you see T/O and B/C. What do the T and B tell you?

    N a. The waters in which vessels may operate
    N b. Special construction limitations
    N c. Grades of cargo which may be carried
    Y d. Type of vessel to which the regulation applies

765: Hoses used for cargo transfer operations must be tested and inspected at specified intervals by __________.

    N a. a representative of the Captain of the Port
    Y b. the operator of the vessel or facility
    N c. a representative of the National Cargo Bureau
    N d. a representative of the American Bureau of Shipping

924: What is the lifesaving signal for "You are seen - Assistance will be given as soon as possible"?

    Y a. 3 white star signals
    N b. Horizontal motion with a white flag
    N c. Vertical motion of a white light
    N d. Code letter "K" by blinker light

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

1234: When landing a lifeboat through heavy surf with a strong current running parallel to the beach (from right to left when facing from seaward) the recommended procedure is to __________.

    N a. approach while coming to the left to take advantage of the current
    N b. drop an anchor outside the surf line, then pay out anchor line over the bow while the seas carry the boat toward the beach
    N c. approach slow enough so that the boat can be brought around to meet breaking seas on the bow
    Y d. rig a drogue with tripping line over the bow, back ashore with drogue tripped between breakers

1665: Which statement about stowing spare hose is TRUE?

    Y a. Fold the hose so that the male coupling is about 4 feet from the female coupling, then roll it up.
    N b. Roll the hose starting at the female end.
    N c. Roll the hose starting at the male end.
    N d. Fold the hose into lengths about 6 feet long and then lash the folds together.

1673: In commercial fishing, "cold water" means water where the monthly mean low water temperature is normally __________.

    N a. 39°Fahrenheit or less
    N b. 44°Fahrenheit or less
    N c. 49°Fahrenheit or less
    Y d. 59°Fahrenheit or less

1740: Tank vessel inerting refers to __________.

    N a. the introduction of inert gas into a tank with the object of reducing the oxygen content to below 8% by volume
    N b. the introduction of inert gas into a gas free tank for the purpose of reducing the oxygen content to below 8% by volume
    N c. the introduction of inert gas into a cargo tank during cargo discharge to replace the volume of discharged cargo
    Y d. All of the above

1815: The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close hauled the __________.

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

1851: When using a hand held smoke signal from a lifeboat, you should activate the signal __________.

    Y a. on the downwind side
    N b. on the upwind side
    N c. inside the boat
    N d. at the stern

2061: Where would you find the "call sign" or "call letters" of the radio station on your rig?

    N a. In the rig safety manual
    N b. On the Certificate of Inspection
    Y c. On the Ship Station License
    N d. On the rig Watch Bill

2159: Your vessel displaces 528 tons. The existing cargo has a center of gravity of 2.9 feet above the deck and weighs 28 tons. If you load 14 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 9 inches above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 1.76 feet
    N b. 1.93 feet
    Y c. 2.18 feet
    N d. 2.43 feet

2175: To keep injured survivors warm in the water after abandoning ship, they should __________.

    Y a. be placed in the middle of a small circle formed by the other survivors in the water
    N b. float on their backs with their arms extended for maximum exposure to the air
    N c. remove their life preservers and hold on to the uninjured survivors
    N d. sip water at intervals of fifteen minutes

2181: To prevent the spread of fire by conduction you should __________.

    N a. shut off all electrical power
    N b. close all openings to the area
    N c. remove combustibles from direct exposure
    Y d. cool the bulkheads around the fire

2213: When abandoning a MODU, after launching the survival craft you should __________.

    N a. plot a course for the nearest land
    N b. take a vote on which direction you should go
    Y c. stay in the immediate area
    N d. go in one direction until fuel runs out

2245: The backup system on an electric start survival craft is a __________.

    N a. hydraulic system
    N b. pneumatic system
    N c. spare battery
    Y d. hand crank

2250: Which cargo is considered volatile?

    N a. Bunker C
    N b. Turkey-red oil
    N c. Sweet oil
    Y d. iso-Propylamine

2258: According to the Chemical Data Guide, to what chemical family does 1,3 - pentadiene belong?

    N a. Unsaturated hydrocarbons
    N b. Esters
    N c. Phosphorus
    Y d. Olefins

2497: In MODU drilling operations, the term tripping means __________.

    N a. releasing the tongs from the drill pipe
    N b. welding hard metal to tool joints
    Y c. hoisting drill pipe out of and returning it to the wellbore
    N d. sliding a joint of drill pipe down to the pipe rack ramp

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

2865: Which statement about the free surface correction is TRUE?

    N a. It is added to GM at light drafts and subtracted at deep drafts.
    N b. It is increased if the slack tank is not on the centerline.
    N c. It is decreased if the slack tank is below the KG of the vessel.
    Y d. The correction decreases as the draft increases

2873: As shown, the symbol for the reference from which transverse measurements are made is __________. (D041DG )

    Y a. 5
    N b. 4
    N c. 3
    N d. 1

2993: Convection spreads a fire by __________.

    N a. the transfer of heat across an unobstructed space
    N b. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N c. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal
    Y d. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems

3033: The effects of free surface on initial stability depend upon the dimensions of the surface of the free liquids and the __________.

    N a. volume of liquid in the tank
    Y b. volume of displacement of the vessel
    N c. location of the tank in the vessel
    N d. height of the center of gravity of the vessel

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

3364: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0124

    N a. 444 tons
    N b. 644 tons
    N c. 1044 tons
    Y d. 1263 tons

3410: How should the letter "I" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. IN DEE GO
    Y b. IN DEE AH
    N c. I EE
    N d. I VAN HO

3434: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to load the cargo listed. There is already 4260 tons of cargo on board with a KG of 25.8 feet. Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final KG of all the cargo after loading is completed. ST-0130

    N a. KG 24.6 feet
    N b. KG 25.0 feet
    N c. KG 25.4 feet
    Y d. KG 25.9 feet

3466: A sea anchor is __________.

    N a. a heavy metal anchor with an extra long line used to anchor in deep water
    Y b. a cone shaped bag used to slow down the wind drift effect
    N c. a pad eye to which the sea painter is made fast
    N d. made of wood if it is of an approved type

3503: The transverse distance between draft marks for the DEEP DRILLER is __________.

    Y a. 122'-09"
    N b. 164'-00"
    N c. 217'-01"
    N d. 260'-05"

3583: 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-0142

    N a. 2.6 feet
    N b. 2.8 feet
    N c. 3.1 feet
    Y d. 4.3 feet

3586: 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
    Y c. the most direct approach
    N d. an approach across the wind

3651: Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4119: A large fire, involving class "A" material, has developed in the ship's galley. In combating this fire, you should __________.

    N a. keep the galley door closed until all the class "A" material has been consumed by the fire
    N b. have a hose team cool the galley door, then open the door and extinguish the fire using a type B-II extinguisher
    Y c. cool adjoining horizontal and vertical surfaces before opening the galley door
    N d. advance the hose team into the galley without any preparatory action

4177: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). What would be the weight of the mud in pit #4 if the sounding level changed to 6 feet and the mud weight decreased from 16 to 14 pounds/gallon?

    Y a. 70.00 long tons
    N b. 84.17 long tons
    N c. 93.34 long tons
    N d. 106.67 long tons

4230: 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 six days. You will enter the winter zone after an additional three days. You will consume 28 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.020, and the average TPI is 46. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 61.4 inches
    Y b. 64.5 inches
    N c. 70.6 inches
    N d. 77.5 inches

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

4244: You are the operator of a 290 GRT uninspected towing vessel whose construction was contracted for after August 27, 2003. Which type of semi-portable fire-extinguishing system is required on your vessel? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    Y a. B-V
    N b. B-IV
    N c. B-III
    N d. None of the above

4292: A violation of the "Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act" may result in a __________.

    Y a. civil penalty of $650 against the Master or person in charge of a vessel
    N b. civil penalty of $1,000 against the vessel itself
    N c. suspension and/or revocation of an operator's FCC license
    N d. All of the above

4363: Scouring is the result of __________.

    Y a. interruption of the normal current flow by the footing
    N b. elevating in mud-slide zones
    N c. penetrating rapidly through a hard crust into weaker soils
    N d. extracting legs from soils with high cohesion

4511: The height of the transverse metacenter of the Coastal Driller at a displacement of 13,050 kips is __________.

    N a. 143.81 feet
    N b. 144.61 feet
    Y c. 144.93 feet
    N d. 145.73 feet

4681: The COASTAL DRILLER is in transit loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What would be the new KGT if, during the move, 170.9 kips of fuel oil is consumed from Diesel Oil Tanks #13 and #14?

    N a. 48.98 feet
    N b. 50.08 feet
    Y c. 50.70 feet
    N d. 51.21 feet

5137: When a floating MODU inclines to an angle slightly greater than the angle of loll, she will __________.

    N a. capsize
    N b. incline further
    N c. flop to the other side
    Y d. return to the angle of loll

5421: The COASTAL DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling), discharges the bulk in Bulk Tanks 1 and 2. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -1.61 feet
    N b. -1.58 feet
    N c. 0.43 feet
    Y d. 0.99 feet

5503: What are the two main types of stud link chain?

    N a. Oil Rig chain and Oil Field Stud Link chain
    Y b. Flash-butt welded chain and Di-Lok chain
    N c. Flash-butt welded chain and Oil Rig chain
    N d. Oil Field Stud Link chain and Flash-butt welded chain

6455: Most drill ships and barges have a walled opening below the derrick, open to the water's surface and through which various drilling tools can pass down to the sea floor called a __________.

    Y a. moon pool
    N b. spider deck opening
    N c. pontoon
    N d. keyway

6496: In a water-tube marine type boiler, after the steam leaves the generating tubes, in what part of the boiler is temperature of the steam increased?

    N a. Mud drum
    Y b. Superheater
    N c. Economizer
    N d. Firebox

6955: Regulations require certain records to be retained on board a MODU for how long after the report of a casualty?

    N a. 1 month
    Y b. 3 months
    N c. 6 months
    N d. 12 months

7617: When a MODU is inclined at a small angle, the center of buoyancy will __________.

    N a. remain stationary
    Y b. move toward the low side
    N c. move toward the high side
    N d. move to the height of the metacenter

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

8537: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while in transit is 7 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 7°. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. satisfactory, keep the unit at transit draft
    N b. satisfactory, put the unit in standby
    Y c. unsatisfactory, ballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

9091: The outlet at a fire hydrant may be positioned anywhere from horizontal to pointing __________.

    N a. 45° upward
    N b. vertically upward
    Y c. vertically downward
    N d. all of the above