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.


32: Every U.S. crude oil tankship with a keel laying date on or after 1/1/75, shall be equipped with an inert gas system if the tonnage is more than __________.


43: If an inflatable liferaft is overturned, it may be righted by __________.


199: You are on a supply run to an offshore drilling rig. On board is the cargo listed. What is the height above the main deck of the center of gravity of the cargo? ST-0004


254: If you wanted to ask a nearby vessel if he had a doctor on board, you would hoist the flag signal __________.

    Y a. AM
    N b. AL
    N c. AN 1
    N d. MA

300: In the small passenger vessel regulations a coastwise route is defined as one that is __________.

    N a. not more than 50 statute miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico
    N b. on ocean waters more than 200 nautical miles from shore in the Gulf of Alaska
    N c. not more than 20 statute miles from the nearest safe harbor in the Pacific Ocean
    Y d. not more than 20 nautical miles offshore in the ocean

333: Which statement is TRUE concerning life preservers (Type I personal flotation devices)?

    N a. Buoyant vests may be substituted for life jackets.
    Y b. Life preservers are designed to turn an unconscious person's face clear of the water.
    N c. Life preservers must always be worn with the same side facing outwards to float properly.
    N d. Lightly stained or faded life jackets will fail in the water and should not be used.

611: The maximum mean draft to which a vessel may be safely loaded is called __________.

    N a. mean draft
    N b. calculated draft
    N c. deep draft
    Y d. load line draft

853: When whistle signals are used for launching lifeboats, one short blast means __________.

    N a. "use the float-free method only"
    Y b. "lower all boats"
    N c. "raise all boats"
    N d. "drill is over, secure all boats"

853: When whistle signals are used for launching lifeboats, one short blast means __________.

    N a. "use the float-free method only"
    Y b. "lower all boats"
    N c. "raise all boats"
    N d. "drill is over, secure all boats"

899: EXCEPT when suffering from a head or chest injury a patient in shock should be placed in which position?

    N a. Head up and feet down
    Y b. Head down and feet up
    N c. Flat on back with head and feet elevated
    N d. Arms above the head

977: Which type of fire is the foam (stored-pressure type) fire extinguisher effective on?

    Y a. Classes A & B
    N b. Classes A & C
    N c. Classes B & C
    N d. All of the above

1062: Weight is considered during the periodic required inspection and servicing of __________.

    Y a. CO2 (carbon dioxide) fire extinguishers
    N b. foam fire extinguishers
    N c. water (stored pressure) fire extinguishers
    N d. All of the above

1156: Which statement is TRUE concerning the testing of the line-throwing appliance?

    N a. It shall be fired at least once in every three months.
    Y b. A drill in its use shall be held once in every 3 months.
    N c. Drills shall be held quarterly and it shall be fired annually.
    N d. No drills are required.

1184: If an inflatable liferaft is to be released manually, where should the operating cord be attached before throwing the raft overboard?

    N a. Do not attach the cord to anything but throw it overboard with the raft container.
    Y b. Attach the cord to a fixed object on the ship.
    N c. You should stand on the cord.
    N d. Attach the cord to the special pad eye on the "raft davit launcher".

1372: It is necessary to secure the forced ventilation to a compartment where there is a fire to __________.

    N a. allow the exhaust fans to remove smoke
    N b. extinguish the fire by carbon monoxide smothering
    Y c. prevent additional oxygen from reaching the fire
    N d. protect fire fighting personnel from smoke

1406: The principal danger from ice collecting on a vessel is the____________________.

    N a. decrease in capabilities of radar
    N b. decrease in displacement
    N c. adverse effect on trim
    Y d. loss of stability

1614: You may have to give artificial respiration after a/an __________.

    N a. drowning
    N b. electrocution
    N c. poisoning
    Y d. All of the above

1929: Which statement concerning homing signals in the GMDSS is FALSE?

    N a. A homing signal provides a bearing for rescue personnel to follow to the signal's SOURCE.
    Y b. A homing signal is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.
    N c. A homing signal cannot be detected by a GPS receiver.
    N d. A homing signal may be transmitted by equipment attached to the survival craft.

2023: If you were to jibe in a strong wind, the part of the rigging most likely to fail would be the __________.

    N a. forestay
    Y b. backstay
    N c. jumper stay
    N d. halyard

2093: The davit launched liferaft can be boarded __________.

    N a. from the water only
    Y b. at the deck
    N c. by jumping down onto it
    N d. through the escape tube

2142: What is meant by the term "overhaul" in firefighting?

    N a. Slow down the spread of fire by cooling adjacent structures
    N b. Cover the fire with foam
    N c. Smother the fire with a blanket or similar object
    Y d. Break up solid objects to ensure that any deep seated fires are extinguished

2353: Which documents are required by GMDSS for vessels on international voyages (other than the Great Lakes)?

    N a. A copy of the IMO master plan of shore-based facilities
    N b. Station logs
    N c. 47 CFR Part 80 FCC Rules and Regulations
    Y d. All of the above

2416: Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. GMDSS radio logs are required to contain entries pertaining to all incidents connected to radio communication service which appear to be of importance to the safety of life at sea.
    N b. All distress communications must be entered in the GMDSS radio log.
    Y c. Both of the above
    N d. None of the above

2504: A reinspection of the vessel shall be made between which of the following months while the Certificate of Inspection is valid?

    N a. 8 - 12 months
    N b. 10 - 12 months
    Y c. 10 - 14 months
    N d. 12 - 14 months

2546: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 24'-07", AFT 25'-09"; and the KG is 24.0 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 15°? (Use the selected stability curves in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 5,202 foot-tons
    Y b. 8,666 foot-tons
    N c. 10,876 foot-tons
    N d. 11,424 foot-tons

2588: Which extinguishing agent is recommended in the Chemical Data Guide for use on a carbon disulfide fire?

    N a. Alcohol foam
    Y b. Dry chemical
    N c. Chemical foam
    N d. Water fog

2629: Severe exposure to chlorine gas can be fatal. Chlorine gas is primarily a __________.

    Y a. respiratory irritant
    N b. skin burning agent
    N c. blood poisoning agent
    N d. nerve paralyzing irritant

2633: A load line for a MODU is assigned by the __________.

    N a. Minerals Management Service
    N b. Department of Energy
    N c. Corps of Engineers
    Y d. A recognized classification society approved by the Coast Guard

2689: A vessel with a large GM will __________.

    Y a. have more resistance to listing in case of damage
    N b. have less tendency to have synchronous rolling
    N c. be less likely to have cargo shift
    N d. ride more comfortably

2763: A welding procedure used for joining dissimilar metals used on a MODU would be recorded in the __________.

    N a. welding plan
    N b. ASTM specifications
    Y c. construction portfolio
    N d. Coast Guard file

2911: In the event of a fire, the doors to a stair tower must be closed to prevent the spread of fire by __________.

    N a. ventilation
    Y b. convection
    N c. radiation
    N d. conduction

2935: Which statement is TRUE concerning life jackets which are severely damaged?

    Y a. They should be replaced.
    N b. They must be tested for buoyancy before being continued in use.
    N c. They can be repaired by a reliable seamstress.
    N d. They can be used for children.

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

3056: The service use of pyrotechnic distress signals measured from the date of manufacture shall be limited to a period of __________.

    N a. 24 months
    N b. 36 months
    Y c. 42 months
    N d. 60 months

3158: Electric generators can be protected against overload __________.

    N a. with switches
    N b. with a governor on the engine
    Y c. with fuses or circuit breakers
    N d. by using heavy wire

3391: A semisubmersible, 200 feet in length between draft marks with the LCF 10 feet aft of amidships, records the following drafts: Port Forward 64'-9"; Port Aft 68'-9"; Starboard Forward 59'-9"; and Starboard Aft 63'-9". What is the true mean draft?

    N a. 64.25 feet
    Y b. 64.45 feet
    N c. 64.75 feet
    N d. 64.90 feet

3397: A jack-up 180 feet in length with the LCF at 120 feet AFO has a draft of 8 feet at the bow and 11 feet at the stern. What is the true mean draft (draft at the center of flotation)?

    N a. 8.0 feet
    N b. 9.0 feet
    Y c. 10.0 feet
    N d. 11.0 feet

3418: Your 600 GT vessel must carry a line-throwing appliance if it is certificated for __________.

    N a. river service
    N b. Great Lakes service
    Y c. coastwise service
    N d. None of the above

3462: A rigid lifesaving device only designed for survivors to hold on to while in the water is known as a __________.

    N a. liferaft
    N b. life float
    N c. life preserver
    Y d. buoyant apparatus

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

3733: In the event of damage to the DEEP DRILLER which results in flooding to one of the lower-hull tanks, pump from __________.

    N a. nearby damaged tanks
    Y b. nearby undamaged tanks containing ballast
    N c. tanks on the opposite corner
    N d. the opposite trim tank

3736: The most effective treatment for warming a crew member suffering from hypothermia is __________.

    N a. running or jumping to increase circulation
    N b. raising body temperature rapidly by placing hands and feet in hot water
    Y c. bundling the body in blankets to rewarm gradually
    N d. laying prone under heat lamps to rewarm rapidly

3857: Where would you find a list of the lifesaving equipment onboard your supply boat?

    N a. Ship's Articles
    N b. Muster List ("Station Bill")
    Y c. Certificate of Inspection
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard Regulations

4135: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). According to the deck load graph, how much additional deck load could be added on the unit?

    N a. 561.87 long tons
    Y b. 461.87 long tons
    N c. 281.34 long tons
    N d. 192.59 long tons

4203: While going on location in 200 feet water depth when the roll angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2.5 degrees, the roll period should be longer than __________.

    N a. 0.8 second
    N b. 6.2 seconds
    Y c. 13.0 seconds
    N d. 17.0 seconds

4413: The COASTAL DRILLER, while in a normal transit, experiences single amplitude rolling of three degrees. What is the minimum period of roll which does not exceed the design limits of the legs?

    N a. 1.5 seconds
    N b. 3.0 seconds
    Y c. 5.5 seconds
    N d. 7.0 seconds

4457: Prior to entering a davit-launched liferaft, you should make sure that __________.

    Y a. the liferaft is well ventilated of excess carbon dioxide
    N b. all personnel have removed their life preservers to facilitate boarding
    N c. the door flap has been cut away and stowed inside the raft
    N d. All of the above

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

4555: The COASTAL DRILLER at a draft of 10.5 feet, transfers a portion of the on board liquids from full drill water tank #23 to empty drill water tank #24. What is the change in the free surface correction?

    N a. 0.69 foot
    Y b. 0.44 foot
    N c. 0.34 foot
    N d. 0.22 foot

4567: When elevated, placing the LCG and TCG at the leg centroid provides __________.

    N a. reduced scour rates
    N b. higher variable loading during preloading
    N c. higher drilling loads
    Y d. equal leg reactions

4701: After you activate your emergency position indicating radio beacon, you should __________.

    N a. turn it off for five minutes every half-hour
    N b. turn it off and on at five-minute intervals
    N c. turn it off during daylight hours
    Y d. leave it on continuously

4783: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the margin on the maximum allowable KG if winds remain less than 70 knots?

    N a. 0.00 feet
    Y b. 14.35 feet
    N c. 14.82 feet
    N d. 65.00 feet

5655: When the air temperature is just below 32°F, snow FIRST adheres to __________.

    N a. surfaces near the waterline
    N b. vertical surfaces
    Y c. horizontal surfaces
    N d. leeward surfaces

5695: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4, (Drilling). In preparing for approaching heavy weather, the four leeward mooring lines are slacked. These actions reduce the __________.

    Y a. natural pitch period
    N b. metacentric height
    N c. height of the righting arm
    N d. righting moment

5701: The vessel motion that can significantly affect mooring line tensions on a MODU is __________.

    N a. roll
    N b. yaw
    Y c. surge
    N d. pitch

5917: What must be located on the discharge side of the pump in a fire main system?

    Y a. Pressure gauge
    N b. Strainer
    N c. Reduction valve
    N d. International shore connection

5953: The stamped full weight of a 100 lb. CO2 bottle is 314 lbs. What is the minimum weight of the bottle before it has to be recharged?

    N a. 282 lbs.
    N b. 294 lbs.
    N c. 300 lbs.
    Y d. 304 lbs.

6251: Explosive and flammable gasses are most likely to be encountered on a MODU __________.

    N a. at any location
    Y b. on the drill floor and liquid mud handling areas
    N c. in bulk storage tanks
    N d. in machinery spaces

6275: During a storm, the mooring line on a MODU should be long enough so that the angle between the anchor shank and the ocean floor is __________.

    Y a. 0°
    N b. 30°
    N c. 60°
    N d. 90°

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