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.


214: In a message sent by flashing light, what group of letters will direct the receiver of a message to repeat the transmission back to the sender?


313: Kapok life jackets should NOT be __________.


398: For small, first-degree burns the quickest method to relieve pain is to __________.


564: If you receive the signal over radiotelephone of "Romeo Papa Tango" while using the International Code of Signals, you should __________.

    N a. report to the caller
    Y b. repeat your last transmission
    N c. continue since he received your last transmission
    N d. end the transmission

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

979: 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.

1145: When hoisting a boat on gravity type davits using an electric motor driven winch, the davit arms should be brought up __________.

    N a. to their final position with the winch operating at slow speed
    N b. to the bar stop, and then hand cranked to their final position
    Y c. until just before they make contact with the limit switch, and then hand cranked to their final position
    N d. to the embarkation deck, and then hand cranked to their final position

1200: What is TRUE concerning frapping lines?

    Y a. They are used to steady a lifeboat when lowered.
    N b. They are normally attached to the davit span.
    N c. They are needed only on radial davits.
    N d. They are used to clear the puddings.

1322: How should the lifeboat sea painter be rigged?

    N a. Spliced into the ring on the stem post
    Y b. Secured to the inboard side of a forward thwart and led inboard of the falls
    N c. Secured by a toggle to the stem post and led outboard of the falls
    N d. Secured by a toggle around the outboard side of a forward thwart

1329: The sprinkler system of an enclosed lifeboat is used to __________.

    Y a. cool the craft in a fire
    N b. cool the engine
    N c. spray oil on the sea to calm it
    N d. spray personnel during a fire

1511: Which step should normally be taken FIRST by those who have boarded a liferaft in an emergency?

    N a. Ration food and water supplies.
    Y b. Take anti-seasickness pills, if available.
    N c. Determine position and closest point of land.
    N d. Check pyrotechnic supplies.

1625: A shipmate suffers a heart attack and stops breathing. You must __________.

    N a. immediately give a stimulant, by force if necessary
    N b. make the victim comfortable in a bunk
    N c. administer oxygen
    Y d. immediately start CPR

1663: Which tank barges require draft marks?

    Y a. All tank barges
    N b. Tank barges over 50 GT
    N c. Tank barges over 100 GT
    N d. Notch barges over 1000 GT

1709: Why is gas-freeing rarely required for LPG cargo tanks?

    N a. LPG is compatible with all cargos.
    N b. LPG's high oxygen content makes it nonvolatile.
    N c. Cargo tanks are inspected less frequently than on oil tankers.
    Y d. The cargo tanks are used for one type of cargo only.

1973: To ensure receipt of all relevant MSI, a NAVTEX receiver should be turned on at least how many hours prior to departure from port?

    N a. 2
    N b. 4
    N c. 6
    Y d. 8

2019: You have 38 containers of ships stores each measuring 6'L by 6'B by 5'H and weighing 0.6 ton each. Each container is stowed on deck. What is the maximum VCG permitted of the remaining cargo if you are carrying rig water and load to maximum capacity? (See illustration D037DG, stability letter for M.V. Surveyor) (D037DG )

    N a. 0.54 foot (0.16 meter)
    Y b. 1.06 feet (0.32 meter)
    N c. 1.35 feet (0.41 meter)
    N d. 1.64 feet (0.50 meter)

2080: You have 260 tons of below deck tonnage including liquid mud. Your existing deck cargo is 150 tons with a VCG above the deck of 2.2 feet. What is the maximum additional cargo tonnage you are permitted to load? (See illustration D036DG, stability letter for M.V. Hudson.) (D036DG )

    N a. 110 tons
    N b. 140 tons
    N c. 180 tons
    Y d. 210 tons

2388: At sea, all required GMDSS equipment (other than survival craft equipment) must be proven operational by __________.

    N a. daily testing
    Y b. either A or C
    N c. operational use of the equipment
    N d. testing at least every 48 hours

2681: You are offloading garbage to another ship. Your records must identify that ship by name and show her __________.

    Y a. official number
    N b. home port
    N c. Master
    N d. next port-of-call

2730: According to the regulations, normally, manholes in LFG tanks are located __________.

    N a. in the ends of each tank
    N b. in the expansion trunk of each tank
    Y c. above the weather deck
    N d. there are no requirements in the regulation

2733: Buoyancy associated with empty or partly empty ballast tanks in the mat of a mat supported jack-up MODU during jacking operations can cause __________.

    Y a. capsizing
    N b. delays
    N c. progressive flooding
    N d. negative buoyancy

2733: Buoyancy associated with empty or partly empty ballast tanks in the mat of a mat supported jack-up MODU during jacking operations can cause __________.

    Y a. capsizing
    N b. delays
    N c. progressive flooding
    N d. negative buoyancy

3035: The external inflation bladder on an immersion suit should be inflated __________.

    N a. before you enter the water
    Y b. after you enter the water
    N c. after one hour in the water
    N d. after you notice that your suit is losing buoyancy

3196: What shall be conducted during a fire and boat drill?

    Y a. All watertight doors in the vicinity of the drill shall be operated.
    N b. All lifeboat equipment shall be examined.
    N c. Fire pumps shall be started and all exterior outlets opened.
    N d. All of the above

3215: The jackknife stored on an inflatable liferaft will always be located __________.

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

3302: What is the minimum number of Type B-II hand portable fire extinguishers required to be aboard a 3,000 BHP, 99 GT harbor tug? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 2
    N b. 3
    Y c. 5
    N d. 6

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

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

3432: 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-0129

    N a. 6.1 feet
    Y b. 5.8 feet
    N c. 5.4 feet
    N d. 4.9 feet

3445: The DEEP DRILLER, at a draft of 55 feet, has a KGT of 53.05 feet and TCG of 0.5 foot to starboard. What is the list angle?

    N a. 2.0°Starboard
    Y b. 2.9°Starboard
    N c. 3.2°Starboard
    N d. 3.5° starboard

3620: How should the letter "O" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. OCK TOW BER
    N b. O RI AN
    Y c. OSS CAH
    N d. OA KAM

3660: How should the letter "W" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. DUB A U
    Y b. WISS KEY
    N c. WI NE
    N d. WOO LF

3876: What is NOT a requirement for testing the line throwing appliance on a vessel?

    N a. A drill should be conducted every three months.
    Y b. A regular service line must be used when it's fired.
    N c. A regular projectile must be used when it's fired.
    N d. The actual firing is at the discretion of the Master.

3897: What is the maximum length of time that distress flares are approved for?

    N a. 1 and 1/2 years
    N b. 2 years
    Y c. 3 and 1/2 years
    N d. 5 years

3935: To pump bilge water out of the port pump room on the DEEP DRILLER, using the #2 bilge pump, open port-side valve __________.

    N a. 28
    N b. 36
    N c. 41
    Y d. 42

3952: If an inflatable liferaft is overturned, it may be righted by __________.

    N a. filling the stabilizers on one side with water
    N b. releasing the CO2 cylinder
    N c. pushing up from under one end
    Y d. standing on the inflating cylinder and pulling on the straps on the underside of the raft

3986: A fire is discovered in the bow of your vessel while making way. 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
    N c. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed
    Y d. change course and put the stern to the wind

4167: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load form #3 (Preparing to Drill). If all the liquid mud (see table 8) is dumped, what would be the new metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    Y a. 11.26 feet
    N b. 10.07 feet
    N c. 9.67 feet
    N d. 8.30 feet

5055: A mobile offshore drilling unit will show the day-shape in DIAGRAM 10 to indicate that it is __________.

    N a. at anchor
    Y b. being towed
    N c. aground
    N d. drilling

5385: While preloading, the COASTAL DRILLER has a total weight of 21,401 kips. The LM are 2,560,416 ft-kips, and the TM are -6,206 ft-kips. What is the starboard leg reaction?

    Y a. 7,099 kips
    N b. 7,134 kips
    N c. 7,151 kips
    N d. 7,203 kips

5752: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to sail with the load shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the available GM. ST-0184

    N a. Available GM 2.8 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.2 ft
    Y c. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.8 ft

5898: What is the meaning of the signal VJ 8 when sent by the International Code of Signals?

    N a. Winds of force 8 are expected.
    N b. Low clouds cover 8 octants of the sky.
    N c. You should stop hauling your warps.
    Y d. A gale is expected from the north.

5923: The relief valve on a fire pump is set at 25 psi above the pressure necessary to maintain required fire streams, or __________.

    N a. 50 psi
    N b. 75 psi
    Y c. 125 psi
    N d. 150 psi

6426: Your drafts are: FWD 21'-03", AFT 26'-00". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    Y a. 2.8 feet forward
    N b. 2.1 feet forward
    N c. 1.6 feet forward
    N d. 1.9 feet aft

6547: Nonflammable gases should have what kind of label?

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

6693: The litter on a MODU must be able to __________.

    N a. carry at least two injured persons
    N b. float for at least two hours
    Y c. be used on the types of helicopters serving the unit
    N d. All of the above

6737: Each EPIRB required on a MODU shall be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator every __________.

    N a. week
    N b. two weeks
    Y c. month
    N d. two months

6753: If not attached to the nozzle, each low-velocity spray applicator on a MODU must be stowed __________.

    N a. in a protected area on the main deck
    N b. inside a machinery space near the entrance
    Y c. next to the fire hydrant to which the fire hose is attached
    N d. on a rack inside the quarters near the entrance

7032: Overspeed of the diesel engine driving an electric generator could cause __________.

    N a. low voltage trip
    N b. reverse power trip
    Y c. damage to windings
    N d. excessive exhaust temperatures

7587: The geometric center of the underwater volume is known as the __________.

    N a. center of flotation
    N b. tipping center
    N c. center of gravity
    Y d. center of buoyancy

7727: When flooding occurs in a damaged vessel, reserve buoyancy __________.

    Y a. decreases
    N b. remains the same
    N c. increases
    N d. shifts to the low side

8123: To effectively use the crossover system on the DEEP DRILLER to pump from the low side using a high side ballast pump, transverse inclinations should not exceed __________.

    N a. 8°
    N b. 6°
    N c. 4°
    Y d. 2°

8153: The DEEP DRILLER, at a draft of 60 feet and a total vertical moment of 1,012,598 foot-tons, pumps 2,068.7 long tons of ballast overboard. The VCG of the discharged ballast is 15.0 feet. What is the new height of the center of gravity?

    N a. 50.62 feet
    N b. 55.89 feet
    N c. 60.56 feet
    Y d. 61.16 feet

8207: While on a normal tow, the COASTAL DRILLER is threatened with the approach of a severe storm. The legs should be lowered so that the TOC (tip-of-can) is lowered from 1.20 feet to __________.

    N a. 2.20 feet
    N b. 12.38 feet
    N c. 48.12 feet
    Y d. 60.50 feet

8505: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the improvement in KGL?

    N a. 0.67 foot
    N b. 0.98 foot
    Y c. 1.15 feet
    N d. 2.06 feet

8755: While elevated, the COASTAL DRILLER prepares for a severe storm. When the setback is lowered and placed in the pipe racks, it is considered as part of the __________.

    N a. fixed loads
    N b. basic loads
    Y c. variable loads
    N d. storm loads

9167: To release the davit cable of a davit launched liferaft, you must __________.

    Y a. pull the release lanyard
    N b. pull the hydraulic release
    N c. push the release button
    N d. pull on the ratchet handle

9371: Overhauling a fire in the living quarters on a vessel must include __________.

    Y a. opening dead spaces to check for heat or fire
    N b. evacuation of the vessel
    N c. sounding the "all clear" signal
    N d. operation of the emergency generator

9487: The geometric center of the underwater volume of a floating vessel is the center of __________.

    N a. hydrodynamic forces
    N b. flotation
    N c. gravity
    Y d. buoyancy

9528: You are in Inland Waters of the United States. You may discharge overboard __________.

    N a. bottles
    N b. metal
    N c. dunnage
    Y d. None of the above