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.


26: The galley on your cargo vessel has an area of 2,500 square feet. What would fulfill the minimum requirements for fire protection?


131: A vessel is floating at a mean draft of 16 feet. At this draft, the displacement is 8,000 tons. The length of the vessel is 475 ft., beam is 55 ft., TPI is 45. Calculate KM. (See P-value, K-value table in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book)


132: The most serious effect of air trapped in a diesel engine jacket water cooling system is that it __________.


284: What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist G, 4, 2, 1, first substitute.

    N a. G421G
    Y b. G4214
    N c. G421G421
    N d. G4211

365: What is the minimum fuel-oil discharge-containment needed for a 100 gross ton vessel constructed after June 30,1974?

    Y a. At least 5 gallons
    N b. At least 1 barrel
    N c. At least 2 barrels
    N d. At least 3 barrels

369: A cargo vessel of 9,000 tons displacement is carrying a slack deep tank of molasses (SG 1.4). The tank measures 20 feet long and 30 feet wide. What will be the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface, with the vessel floating in sea water (SG 1.026)?

    N a. .142 ft.
    N b. .177 ft.
    Y c. .195 ft.
    N d. .212 ft.

449: On a vessel of 9,000 tons displacement there are two slack deep tanks of palm oil (SG .86). Each tank is 40 feet long and 30 feet wide. What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface with the vessel in sea water (SG 1.025)?

    N a. .27 ft
    Y b. .48 ft
    N c. .57 ft
    N d. .74 ft

464: You are making a telephone call ship-to-shore using the VHF-FM service. You can tell that the working channel is busy if you hear __________.

    N a. speech
    N b. signaling tones
    N c. a busy signal
    Y d. All of the above

510: A new crew member aboard your fishing vessel, who has not received any safety instructions or participated in any drills, reports on board. The Master must provide a safety orientation __________.

    N a. within one week
    N b. within 24 hours
    N c. on reporting day if it occurs within normal work hours
    Y d. before sailing

559: The maximum draft of the SS AMERICAN MARINER cannot exceed 28'-08" in order to cross a bar. The present drafts are: FWD 28'-00", AFT 29'-00". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum amount of sea water to ballast the forepeak to achieve this condition.

    N a. 44.4 tons
    N b. 58.0 tons
    Y c. 76.7 tons
    N d. 116.0 tons

749: Small passenger vessels on rivers routes in cold water must be provided with life floats of an aggregate capacity to accommodate __________.

    Y a. at least 50% of all persons on board or meet certain construction standards
    N b. 100% of the crew and 50% of all passengers allowed to be carried
    N c. not less than 50% of all passengers on board at the time
    N d. All persons on board (100% of all passengers and crew)

798: A fire starts in a switchboard due to a short circuit. This is which class of fire?

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

805: Application for a waiver of any requirements of the regulations for oil transfer operations must be submitted to the __________.

    N a. District Commander
    N b. Commandant
    Y c. Captain of the Port
    N d. nearest Coast Guard office

1155: When picking up a lifeboat at sea with way on the ship, the sea painter should be secured __________.

    Y a. well forward in the lifeboat
    N b. about amidships in the lifeboat
    N c. well aft in the lifeboat
    N d. only after the falls have been attached

1189: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the following drafts: FWD 09'-00", AFT 15'-11". Upon completion of loading and bunkering the items listed will be on board. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the minimum GM required to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0032

    N a. 2.62 feet
    Y b. 2.82 feet
    N c. 2.97 feet
    N d. 3.15 feet

1413: Your vessel is damaged, and there is no list or trim. The rolling period is short. The freeboard before the damage was 12'02" (3.7 meters). It is now reduced to 3'00"(1 meter). Which action would you take FIRST?

    N a. Press up a slack centerline double bottom tank
    Y b. Pump out an amidships centerline ballast tank
    N c. Transfer ballast from the peak tanks to an amidships centerline tank
    N d. Pump out the marine potable tank located on the starboard side amidships

1418: Which is the MOST important consideration for a tank vessel?

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

1527: You discharge garbage overboard at sea. When recording your vessel's position as required, you must include __________.

    N a. latitude, longitude and approximate depth of water
    N b. latitude, longitude, course, speed, and a copy of that days noon position slip
    Y c. latitude, longitude, and estimated distance from shore
    N d. latitude and longitude only

1700: How often must the impulse-projected line throwing appliance be test fired?

    N a. Monthly
    Y b. At the Master's discretion
    N c. Semiannually
    N d. Annually

1976: A capsized small sail vessel is best righted when what part of the vessel is downwind?

    N a. Stern
    N b. Bow
    N c. Centerboard
    Y d. Mast

2163: You are approaching a small vessel and see that it has the signal flag "T" hoisted. What should you do?

    N a. Proceed on present course and speed since the vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
    Y b. Keep clear of the vessel because it is engaged in pair trawling.
    N c. Attempt to call the vessel on VHF radiotelephone because it requires assistance.
    N d. Keep clear of the vessel because it has a diver down.

2194: Your vessel is damaged with no list, but down by the stern. There is progressive flooding and trim by the stern is increasing. What is the effect on transverse stability after the deck edge at the stern is submerged?

    N a. KB increases, increasing BM and therefore GM
    N b. KG increases due to the weight of the added water on deck
    Y c. BM decreases from loss of water plane and greater volume.
    N d. There is no effect on transverse stability.

2206: Which action will NOT reduce heeling of a vessel when sailing on a tack?

    N a. Heading up until your sails begin to luff
    N b. Easing sheets
    N c. Reefing sails
    Y d. Changing to larger sails

2343: A marker pole, with a horseshoe buoy and a sea anchor attached, should be used to __________.

    N a. mark the position of a lost mooring
    N b. determine your vessel's sideslip underway
    N c. determine your speed through the water
    Y d. indicate location of a man overboard

2471: The device that allows a floating MODU to sway without bending the marine riser system is the __________.

    N a. yaw joint
    N b. sway joint
    N c. slip joint
    Y d. flex or ball joint

2594: 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 number 3 hold floods, the vessel will sink if the permeability exceeds what percent?

    N a. 64
    N b. 68
    N c. 72
    Y d. 78

2631: In MODU construction, beam brackets are triangular plates that join the deck beam to a __________.

    N a. bulkhead
    Y b. frame
    N c. stanchion
    N d. deck longitudinal

2659: 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-0074

    Y a. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N b. Available GM 4.1 ft
    N c. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N d. Available GM 3.6 ft

2984: Your sailing drafts are: FWD 24'-02", AFT 24'-10" and the GM is 4.6 feet. What will be the angle of list if #6 starboard double bottom (capacity 95 tons, VCG 2.6 feet, and 21 feet off the centerline) is filled with saltwater? (Use the data in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. Less than 1°
    Y b. 2°
    N c. 4°
    N d. 7°

3121: To prevent the spread of fire by conduction you should __________.

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

3130: What is the minimum height of rails on passenger decks of ferryboats, excursion vessels, and vessels of a similar type? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 18 inches (.5 m) high
    N b. 24 inches (.6 m) high
    Y c. 39-1/2 inches (1 m) high
    N d. 42 inches (1.1 m) high

3147: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers severe damage to the starboard forward column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1S
    N b. 8S
    N c. 2P
    Y d. 1S

3564: The sea painter of a rescue boat should be led __________.

    Y a. forward and outboard of all obstructions
    N b. forward and inboard of all obstructions
    N c. up and down from the main deck
    N d. to the foremost point on the vessel

3610: A passenger vessel is underway. When may passengers visit the pilothouse?

    Y a. Passengers are excluded from the pilothouse while underway.
    N b. Passengers are permitted in the pilothouse during daylight hours only.
    N c. Passengers are permitted to visit the pilothouse when authorized by the Master and officer of the watch.
    N d. Passengers are permitted in the pilothouse when they are escorted by a ship's officer.

3685: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers an unexpected but slowly increasing starboard and aft inclination. The wind and waves are light. This inclination could have been caused by __________.

    N a. the failure of mooring lines 6 and 7
    N b. the drilling crew dumping the mud
    N c. the drill string breaking
    Y d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 10S

3700: Sign(s) of respiratory arrest requiring artificial respiration is(are) __________.

    N a. vomiting
    Y b. blue color and lack of breathing
    N c. irregular breathing
    N d. unconsciousness

3714: If someone suffers a heart attack and has ceased breathing, you should __________.

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

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

4121: The DEEP DRILLER is observed to be level at a draft of 60.0 feet. At the same time, the calculated load form shows the displacement to be 17,845 long tons, total longitudinal moments 51,466 foot-tons, and total transverse moments -10,000 foot-tons. What is the weight of the missing load?

    N a. 220.7 long tons
    N b. 235.3 long tons
    N c. 253.7 long tons
    Y d. 272.7 long tons

4189: You are loading in the winter in Albany, N.Y., for a voyage to a port governed by the tropical load line mark. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Hydrometer reading in Albany is 1.000)

    N a. You may not exceed the winter load line mark when you finish loading except for the burnout to sea.
    Y b. The freshwater allowance and burnout to sea may be subtracted from the required freeboard in Albany.
    N c. You may calculate the burnout necessary to reach the tropical zone and load extra cargo to compensate.
    N d. You may load to the winter mark less the fresh water allowance if you will be at the tropical mark upon arrival in the tropical zone.

4213: While in ocean transit, the COASTAL DRILLER has a roll period of four seconds. What would be the largest angle each side of vertical that does not exceed the design limit of the legs?

    N a. 6.3 degrees
    N b. 5.0 degrees
    N c. 3.5 degrees
    Y d. 2.0 degrees

4321: Sea water temporarily pumped into tanks to simulate the increased vertical loading of environmental forces is termed __________.

    Y a. preload
    N b. liquid variable load
    N c. fixed load
    N d. basic load

4534: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 5577 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 275.55 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-0163

    Y a. LCG-FP 271.2 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 272.1 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 273.6 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 274.6 feet

4807: The COASTAL DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What is the new transverse free surface correction (FSCT) if the entire contents of drill water tanks 6 and 7 are discharged?

    N a. 2.24 feet
    N b. 2.14 feet
    N c. 2.10 feet
    Y d. 1.67 feet

5275: In case of minor damage to lower-hull tank 1P while the DEEP DRILLER is in transit, you should pump from tank 1P using __________.

    N a. all four ballast pumps
    Y b. both port-side ballast pumps
    N c. saltwater service pump to supplement port-side ballast pumps
    N d. drill water pump to supplement port-side ballast pumps

5547: In a combination chain and wire rope mooring system, the chain is deployed at the anchor end of the line to __________.

    N a. increase fatigue life
    N b. eliminate the need for mooring buoys
    N c. prevent the anchor from fouling
    Y d. increase the catenary

5823: Your semisubmersible drilling unit is moored on station and is experiencing winds from the north. What will be the effect if you increase the length of the anchor chains you have deployed to the north?

    N a. It will increase your draft.
    N b. It will increase your operating tensions.
    Y c. It will increase the holding power of those chains.
    N d. It will significantly reduce your stability.

6095: Where foam extinguishing systems are provided on a MODU, each machinery flat in the protected space must have a(n) __________.

    Y a. coaming
    N b. alarm
    N c. drain
    N d. fire sensor

6133: What equipment is included in the fireman's outfit?

    N a. Chemical protection face shield
    N b. Approved work vest
    Y c. Self contained breathing apparatus
    N d. Marlinspike

6177: Fires on a MODU must be reported to the Coast Guard if there is death, injury resulting in more than 72 hours incapacitation, or property damage in excess of __________.

    N a. $ 5,000
    N b. $10,000
    Y c. $25,000
    N d. $50,000

6397: A well kick while drilling from a MODU will cause __________.

    Y a. increased fluid level in the mud pits
    N b. decreased fluid level in the mud pits
    N c. increased cuttings on the shale shaker
    N d. decreased cuttings on the shale shaker

6563: When loading or discharging dry mud or cement, crew members should use goggles and __________.

    Y a. facial respirator mask
    N b. ear plugs
    N c. rubberized boots
    N d. fireman's outfit

6567: On offshore drilling units, the number of industrial personnel permitted to be on board during drilling operations is found on the __________.

    N a. Classification Certificate
    N b. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Owner's Operation Manual

6567: On offshore drilling units, the number of industrial personnel permitted to be on board during drilling operations is found on the __________.

    N a. Classification Certificate
    N b. Safety of Life at Sea Certificate
    Y c. U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection
    N d. Owner's Operation Manual

7607: The difference between the height of the metacenter and the metacentric height is known as __________.

    N a. righting arm
    N b. metacentric radius
    N c. height of the center of buoyancy
    Y d. height of the center of gravity

8477: You are on a semisubmersible being towed and are concerned that a fishing vessel is not taking sufficient action to avoid you. To signal your concern, you should __________.

    N a. fire a red flare at 15 second intervals
    N b. fire a green flare at 15 second intervals
    Y c. sound five or more short blasts on the whistle
    N d. broadcast a Mayday message on the radiotelephone

8593: Who is responsible for insuring that the accommodations on a mobile offshore drilling unit are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition?

    N a. The galley personnel
    N b. The safety man
    N c. The relief toolpusher
    Y d. The designated person in charge

9412: Radiation spreads a fire by __________.

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

9425: Which formula can be used to calculate metacentric height?

    N a. KM + GM
    N b. KM - GM
    Y c. KM - KG
    N d. KB + BM

9567: The correction to KG for transverse free surface effects may be found by dividing the vessel's displacement into the __________.

    N a. transverse free surface correction for the vessel
    N b. sum of the vertical moments of the vessel
    Y c. sum of the transverse free surface moments of the vessel
    N d. transverse baseline of the vessel