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.


14: A yellow signal floating in the air from a small parachute, about 300 feet above the water, would indicate that a submarine __________.


82: You are fighting a class "B" fire with a portable dry chemical extinguisher. The discharge should be directed __________.


101: On a vessel of 10,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water on the tank top. The hold is 40 feet long and 50 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.


269: To remedy a leaking fire hose connection at the hydrant, secure the valve and __________.

    N a. replace the gasket in the male coupling
    N b. reduce fire pump pressure
    Y c. replace the gasket in the female coupling
    N d. rethread the male coupling

440: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 8390 T. The 40 ton weight is on the pier and its center is 55' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 110' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 45' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 3.5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    Y a. 4.58 feet
    N b. 4.27 feet
    N c. 3.93 feet
    N d. 3.68 feet

487: Which statement is TRUE concerning radiotelephones on board towing vessels?

    N a. There cannot be a radiotelephone located anywhere except in the wheelhouse.
    Y b. The officer in charge of the wheelhouse is considered to have the radiotelephone watch.
    N c. Only distress messages may be transmitted over channel 13.
    N d. Only the Master of the vessel is allowed to speak over the radiotelephone.

545: The oil transfer procedures aboard a tanker transferring oil are NOT required to contain __________.

    Y a. the name of each person designated as the person in charge of transfer
    N b. a line diagram of the vessel's oil transfer piping
    N c. special procedures for topping off tanks
    N d. a description of the deck discharge containment system

634: You are fighting a fire in a watertight compartment using hoses and salt water. Stability may be reduced because of __________.

    N a. progressive downflooding
    N b. reduction of water in the storage tanks
    Y c. increase in free surface which reduces the metacentric height
    N d. reduction of KG to the minimum allowable

704: Which radiotelephone transmission may be sent over channel 16?

    N a. Distress signal MAYDAY
    N b. Call to a particular station
    N c. A meteorological warning
    Y d. All of the above

850: When a vessel is stationary and in a hogging condition, the main deck is under __________.

    N a. compression stress
    Y b. tension stress
    N c. shear stress
    N d. racking stress

879: To operate a portable CO2 extinguisher continuously in the discharge mode __________.

    Y a. slip the "D yoke" ring in the lower handle over the upper handle
    N b. reinsert the locking pin
    N c. open the discharge valve
    N d. invert the CO2 extinguisher

1114: The National Weather Service differentiates between small craft, gale, whole gale, and hurricane warnings by the __________.

    N a. amount of rain forecasted
    N b. wave heights forecasted
    N c. amount of cloud cover forecasted
    Y d. wind speed forecasted

1479: If your vessel is aground at the bow, it would be preferable that any weight removals be made from the __________.

    Y a. bow
    N b. mid-section
    N c. stern
    N d. All of the above

1530: Which vessel in ocean service is not subject to Annex V of MARPOL 73/78?

    N a. A 20-foot sailing vessel
    N b. A 26-foot tug and tow
    N c. An uninspected 35-foot passenger vessel
    Y d. A Navy Destroyer

1760: After jacking down your liftboat you have an unexpected list. You find that the only cause of this list must be a flooded leg. Your next course of action should be to __________.

    Y a. jack the vessel back up to a safe height
    N b. proceed on to your next destination since the list is unimportant
    N c. pump out all ballast to gain reserve buoyancy
    N d. notify the U. S. Coast Guard

1787: Which GMDSS control selection may result in limited receiving range?

    N a. Setting the squelch control to its minimum level
    N b. The power switch is set to the "high" output position resulting in receiver over loading
    Y c. Setting the squelch control to its maximum level
    N d. Setting the channel selection switch midway between channels 6 and 16

1832: For GMDSS, when may a compulsory vessel not be allowed to leave port?

    N a. When the vessel is in an overloaded condition
    N b. When the vessel has arranged for both duplication of equipment AND shore-based maintenance
    Y c. When the vessel has replaced a required piece of GMDSS-related equipment but its performance has not been verified or logged
    N d. When the vessel is carrying only two licensed GMDSS Radio Operators and is capable of performing all required functions

1875: After abandoning ship which action should be taken IMMEDIATELY upon entering a liferaft?

    N a. Open equipment pack.
    N b. Issue anti-seasickness medicine.
    Y c. Get clear of the ship.
    N d. Dry the liferaft floor and inflate.

1895: How can a SART's effective range be maximized?

    N a. The SART should be placed in water immediately upon activation.
    Y b. The SART should be held as high as possible.
    N c. Switch the SART into the "high" power position.
    N d. If possible, the SART should be mounted horizontally so that its signal matches that of the searching radar signal.

2051: You are standing a radio watch aboard the rig. A crew boat calls you on VHF channel 16. When you reply with your vessel name and call letters, you should request the crew boat to switch to an intership channel such as channel __________.

    N a. 6
    Y b. 10
    N c. 12
    N d. 14

2224: Your vessel is drifting with the wind broad on the port beam. The marconi sail is set and flapping free. As you sheet in the maximum drive is attained when the sail __________.

    N a. is at right angles to the true wind
    Y b. first takes the shape of an airfoil
    N c. is filled with a slight flap at the leech
    N d. is 45° from the apparent wind

2351: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 75-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 2200 brake horsepower?

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

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

2417: Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Key letters or abbreviations may not be used in GMDSS radio logbooks under any circumstance.
    N b. Urgency communications do not need to be entered in the GMDSS radio log.
    N c. Both of the above
    Y d. None of the above

2465: The element that supports the weight of the drill stem, allows the drill stem to rotate, and provides a pressure-tight seal and passageway for the drilling mud to be pumped down the inside of the drill stem is called the __________.

    Y a. swivel
    N b. bail
    N c. kelly
    N d. cock

2516: When heated to breakdown, tetraethyl or tetramethyl lead compounds emit highly toxic fumes of __________.

    N a. hydrogen gas
    Y b. lead
    N c. bromide
    N d. phosgene

2600: If your Bunker-C barge has operated in salt water for more than 12 months in the 24 month period since it was last dry-docked, when is it required to be hauled out again?

    N a. 36 months since last dry-docking
    Y b. 24 months since last dry-docking
    N c. 18 months since last dry-docking
    N d. 12 months since last dry-docking

3008: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the LCG-FP of the liquid load. ST-0095

    N a. 280.2 ft
    N b. 284.1 ft
    N c. 285.3 ft
    Y d. 286.2 ft

3026: Who is required to prepare and post Emergency Instructions in a conspicuous place accessible to crew and passengers? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. The builder of the vessel
    Y b. The owner or Master of the vessel
    N c. The U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. The classification society

3289: A warship indicates that it wishes to communicate with a merchant ship by hoisting __________.

    N a. the merchant ship's identity signal and keeping it hoisted during the entire communication
    N b. the national ensign of the merchant vessel at the starboard yard
    N c. the flags MV close up until acknowledged and then lowering them to the dip
    Y d. the code pennant, and keeping it flying during the entire communication

3323: A semisubmersible, with a TCG of 0.5 foot to port, displaces 20,000 long tons. Bulk, weighing 400 long tons, is loaded in P-tanks located 50 feet starboard to the centerline. What is the new TCG?

    Y a. 0.49 foot starboard of centerline
    N b. 0.51 foot starboard of centerline
    N c. 0.99 foot starboard of centerline
    N d. 1.49 feet starboard of centerline

3328: A barge displaying a 2' X 3' white sign with the word "WARNING" followed by "DANGEROUS CARGO" in black letters __________.

    Y a. would require that a cargo information card be carried in the pilothouse of the towboat
    N b. may not be spotted next to the towboat while under tow
    N c. may not be in the same tow as a barge carrying gasoline
    N d. must be located as a lead barge in a tow

3329: A fire is discovered in the forepeak of a vessel at sea. The wind is from ahead at 35 knots. You should __________.

    N a. remain on course and hold speed
    N b. remain on course but slack the speed
    Y c. change course and put the stern to the wind
    N d. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed

3511: The lightweight transverse moments for the DEEP DRILLER are __________.

    N a. 680,914 ft-long tons
    N b. 9,733 ft-long tons
    Y c. -5,937 ft-long tons
    N d. 000 ft-long tons

3519: A message by flashing light consists of the call, the identity, the ending, and the __________.

    N a. reply
    Y b. text
    N c. time
    N d. answer

3526: A message by flashing light consists of the call, the text, the ending, and the __________.

    Y a. identity
    N b. time of origin
    N c. reply
    N d. procedure code

3548: You are on a Mariner class cargo vessel. Your drafts are: FWD 26'-06", AFT 28'-02". You wish to increase the calculated GM of 2.7' to 2.9'. What tanks should you ballast? (Use the white pages in the Stability Data Reference Book.)

    N a. Tanks: DB1
    Y b. Tanks: DB1, DT1
    N c. Tanks: DB2
    N d. Tanks: DB1, DT1, DT6

3575: While in transit at a draft of 20.5 feet, the DEEP DRILLER has a KGL of 65.00 feet. What is the GML?

    N a. 7.55 feet
    N b. 5.42 feet
    N c. 5.30 feet
    Y d. 5.10 feet

3603: While anchored in 600 feet water depth, 3,150 feet of chain is deployed for line #8. Tension on that line is 220 kips. According to the DEEP DRILLER Operating manual, how much of that chain lies along the bottom?

    N a. 994 feet
    Y b. 1,422 feet
    N c. 1,728 feet
    N d. 2,550 feet

3646: One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a rescue boat to attract attention is a/an __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

3949: When should you first have any food or water after boarding a lifeboat or liferaft?

    N a. After 12 hours
    Y b. After 24 hours
    N c. Within 48 hours
    N d. Some food and water should be consumed immediately and then not until 48 hours later

3954: The float free link attached to a sea painter on an inflatable liferaft has a breaking strength of __________.

    N a. 100-134 lbs for buoyant apparatus with a capacity of 10 persons or less
    N b. 200-268 lbs for buoyant apparatus with a capacity of 11 to 20 persons
    N c. 400-536 lbs for buoyant apparatus with a capacity of 21 persons or more
    Y d. All of the above

3992: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 175-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 3300 brake horsepower?

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

4034: When a standard in the fire protection regulations for towing vessels is "incorporated by reference," it means that the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard accepts a commercial or military standard as part of a specific regulation
    N b. standard is readily available to the public
    N c. standard, and where it can be obtained or referred to, are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations
    Y d. All of the above

4040: Fire protection regulations for towing vessels require training in all of the following, EXCEPT _____________ .

    N a. putting on a fireman's outfit, if the vessel is so equipped
    N b. donning a self-contained breathing apparatus, if the vessel is so equipped
    N c. activating the general alarm and reporting inoperative alarm systems and fire-detection systems
    Y d. refilling and servicing all expended fire extinguishing equipment

4317: Curve B in the Design Limits of Legs Chart of the Coastal Driller Operating Manual, shows the operating limits during normal transit based on __________.

    Y a. leg strength
    N b. variable load
    N c. environmental load
    N d. load line

4403: Scouring usually occurs with soils such as __________.

    N a. clay
    Y b. sand
    N c. coral
    N d. mud

4461: If you have to jump in the water when abandoning a MODU, 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

5653: On a semisubmersible drilling unit, decreasing riser tension increases __________.

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

5671: When assuming the maximum ice weight accumulation on the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft, the vertical moments are increased by __________.

    N a. 40,402 ft-long tons
    N b. 42,255 ft-long tons
    Y c. 45,593 ft-long tons
    N d. 49,280 ft-long tons

6241: The objective of shoring the damaged area of a MODU is to __________.

    N a. force the warped, bulged, or deformed sections back into place
    Y b. support and hold the area in the damaged position
    N c. withstand subsequent additional damage
    N d. make a watertight seal at the damaged area

6255: Control of fire on a MODU should be addressed __________.

    N a. immediately after restoring vital services
    Y b. immediately
    N c. following control of flooding
    N d. following establishment of fire boundaries

6547: Nonflammable gases should have what kind of label?

    N a. Skull and crossbones
    N b. White
    Y c. Green
    N d. Red

6573: To determine the number of industrial personnel allowed on a mobile offshore drilling unit, you should check the __________.

    N a. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    N b. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Operations Manual

6895: Who is responsible for reporting a casualty to a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    N a. The pilot
    Y b. The owner
    N c. The surveyor
    N d. The engineer

6985: The COASTAL DRILLER, while operating with minimal wave clearance, is inclined 0.5 degrees bow down. Lowering the stern may place the hull in the wave action. The recommended course of action is to __________.

    N a. prepare to take action in case inclination increases
    Y b. jack the hull up on the bow leg
    N c. jack the hull down on the aft two legs
    N d. transfer weight, such as drill water, toward the stern

7068: Deballasting a double bottom has what affect on KG?

    Y a. KG is increased.
    N b. KG is decreased.
    N c. KG is not affected.
    N d. KG increases at light drafts and decreases at deep drafts.

7693: Increasing the number of slack liquid tanks has the effect of raising the __________.

    N a. uncorrected KG
    N b. maximum allowed KG
    Y c. virtual height of the center of gravity
    N d. metacentric height

8551: On offshore drilling units, each fire station is required to be fitted with at least one spanner and at least one __________.

    N a. fire axe
    Y b. hose rack
    N c. sandbag
    N d. scupper

9622: You notice smoke coming from an open laundry room doorway. After activating the fire alarm, which of the following would you do FIRST?

    Y a. Attempt to determine what is burning.
    N b. Acquire the nearest self contained breathing apparatus.
    N c. Break out the nearest fire hose.
    N d. Wait for the fire team to arrive and assist as directed.