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.


91: Except in rare cases, it is impossible to extinguish a shipboard fire by __________.


389: On a vessel of 9,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water on the tank tops. The hold is 20 feet long and 30 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.


412: To get low-velocity fog from an all-purpose nozzle, you would __________.


476: What type of gauging is required for a cargo of formic acid?

    N a. Open
    Y b. Restricted
    N c. Closed
    N d. None of the above

551: A shaft alley divides a vessel's cargo hold into two tanks, each 20 ft. wide by 60 ft. long. Each tank is filled with saltwater below the level of the shaft alley. The vessel's displacement is 7,000 tons. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface effect?

    N a. .29 feet
    Y b. .33 feet
    N c. .38 feet
    N d. .42 feet

871: The bilge pump on a fishing vessel __________.

    Y a. must be fixed if the vessel exceeds 12 meters in length
    N b. may be used as a fire pump
    N c. must be portable if there are more than 4 watertight compartments
    N d. must be capable of pumping at least 450 gpm

886: What is the minimum number of deck officers, able seaman or certificated persons required for a lifeboat on a vessel in ocean service?

    Y a. Two
    N b. Three
    N c. Four
    N d. Five

946: What material is allowed in construction of the hull of a vessel with an integral diesel fuel tank ?

    Y a. Steel or aluminum
    N b. Sandwich style fiberglass with a natural rubber core
    N c. Copper-nickel or copper silicon alloys
    N d. Any or all of the above

1078: The explosive range of Bunker C mixed with air is __________.

    N a. 0% to 1% by volume
    Y b. 1% to 5% by volume
    N c. 5% to 10% by volume
    N d. 10% to 20% by volume

1351: While operating off the coast of Greece, a seaman is injured. What indicator should be in the preamble of a radio telegram asking for medical advice from a Greek station?

    Y a. RADIO MEDICAL
    N b. DH MEDICO
    N c. MEDICO ELLAS
    N d. MAYDAY

1356: What is placed on the under side of an inflatable liferaft to help prevent it from being skidded by the wind or overturned?

    Y a. Water pockets
    N b. A keel
    N c. Strikes
    N d. Sea anchor

1411: Which statement about entry into a space that has been sealed for a long time is TRUE?

    Y a. A tank that has been used to carry hazardous liquids should be tested for oxygen content, toxicity, and explosive gases.
    N b. You can safely enter the space without a breathing apparatus if the oxygen content exceeds 14%.
    N c. The natural ventilation through the installed vents is sufficient to provide the proper oxygen content.
    N d. The heat of the sun on upper ballast tanks, such as in a bulk carrier, may generate carbon monoxide.

1474: In cleaning up an oil spill, straw is an example of a __________.

    N a. chemical agent
    N b. blocker
    Y c. sorbent
    N d. None of the above

1534: Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must keep a record of garbage discharged in port to a shore facility.
    N b. You need not keep a record of dumping ground garbage in to the sea more than 25 miles offshore.
    N c. You must keep a record of the approximate weight of the garbage dumped.
    N d. You need not keep a record of garbage incinerated on the ship.

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

1792: For GMDSS, which statement concerning a compulsory vessel is FALSE?

    N a. A conditional or partial exemption may be granted, in exceptional circumstances, for a single voyage outside the sea area for which the vessel is equipped.
    Y b. Once a compulsory vessel's GMDSS station has been fitted and inspected, the station must be inspected only once every five years.
    N c. All passenger vessels regardless of size and all cargo vessels that are 300 Gross Tons or larger must comply.
    N d. Compulsory vessels must carry at least two licensed GMDSS Radio Operators for Distress and Safety radio-communications purpose..

1882: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 260° relative would be __________.

    N a. on a close reach
    Y b. on a broad reach
    N c. on a starboard tack
    N d. running before the wind

2102: The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close-hauled the __________.

    N a. apparent wind remains steady
    N b. heeling moment decreases
    N c. side slip decreases
    Y d. speed decreases

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

2290: In order to calculate the TPI of a vessel, for any given draft, it is necessary to divide the area of the waterplane by __________.

    N a. 35
    N b. 120
    N c. 240
    Y d. 420

2318: A vessel's drafts are FWD 19'-02", AFT 23'-10". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 98 tons of fuel is pumped 116 feet forward.

    N a. FWD 19'-04", AFT 23'-06"
    Y b. FWD 19'-07", AFT 23'-04"
    N c. FWD 19'-09", AFT 23'-01"
    N d. FWD 19'-09", AFT 23'-06"

2420: What is an example of a grade A flammable liquid?

    Y a. iso - Propylamine
    N b. Acetone
    N c. Morpholine
    N d. Ethyl acetate

2467: To prevent the riser system from buckling under its own weight, upward tension is provided by the __________.

    N a. riser stabilizers
    N b. guideline tensioning system
    Y c. riser tensioning system
    N d. guideline stabilizers

2500: According to the Chemical Data Guide, which extinguishing agent is NOT recommended for use in fighting an ethylamine fire?

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

2666: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 18'-09", AFT 20'-05"; and the KG is 23.8 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 15° inclination.

    Y a. 0.7 foot
    N b. 1.0 feet
    N c. 1.7 feet
    N d. 3.8 feet

2797: A semisubmersible with a positive GM, and TCG located starboard of the centerline, inclines to an angle of __________.

    N a. heel
    N b. trim
    Y c. list
    N d. loll

2883: Life jackets should be stowed in __________.

    N a. survival craft
    N b. messrooms
    Y c. readily accessible locations
    N d. locked watertight containers

3071: The free surface effects of a partially-full tank in a floating MODU increase with the __________.

    Y a. surface area of the fluid in the tank
    N b. displacement volume of the MODU
    N c. draft of the MODU
    N d. height of the tank above the keel

3268: Diesel engines are considered safer than gasoline engines because __________.

    N a. they are more heavily built
    Y b. the fuel used is less volatile
    N c. they can be easily reversed
    N d. they operate at a lower speed

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

3566: The normal equipment of every rescue boat shall include __________.

    N a. buoyant oars
    N b. one 50 meter line
    N c. one first aid kit
    Y d. All of the above

3671: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the starboard center column below the waterline. Pumping from tanks 2S and 9S is not sufficient to prevent increasing starboard list. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 2P
    N b. 9P
    N c. C2BS
    Y d. C2BP

3704: After a person has been revived by artificial respiration, he should be __________.

    N a. walked around until he is back to normal
    N b. given several shots of whiskey
    Y c. kept lying down and warm
    N d. allowed to do as he wishes

3743: An unconscious person should NOT be __________.

    N a. placed in a position with the head lower than the body
    N b. given an inhalation stimulant
    Y c. given something to drink
    N d. treated for injuries until conscious

4009: You are preparing to load fuel oil on a vessel of 1,600 gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974. Before loading, you must check that the fuel oil tank vents __________.

    N a. are not obstructed by on-deck cargo
    N b. have a fire extinguisher within the immediate area
    Y c. have containment capacity for at least one barrel
    N d. are opened and the flame screen replaced

4021: A towing vessel's fire detection system may be certified to comply with the Coast Guard's towing vessel fire protection regulations by _________ .

    N a. a Coast Guard inspector
    Y b. a registered professional engineer
    N c. the owner or Master of the vessel
    N d. a licensed electrician

4031: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects?

    N a. 5.66 feet
    N b. 7.37 feet
    Y c. 8.02 feet
    N d. 54.82 feet

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

4151: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Preparing to Drill). If the liquid mud in mud pit #1 (see table 8) is dumped, what would be the new draft?

    N a. 60 feet 9.6 inches
    N b. 59 feet 9.3 inches
    Y c. 59 feet 2.7 inches
    N d. 56 feet 10.9 inches

4158: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 19'-02", AFT 20'-10". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 170 long tons are discharged from No. 8 hatch.

    N a. FWD 19'-00.4", AFT 20'-08.6"
    Y b. FWD 18'-10.8", AFT 20'-10.4"
    N c. FWD 19'-03.4", AFT 20'-05.6"
    N d. FWD 19'-05.4", AFT 20'-03.4"

4192: Alterations or repairs on inspected small passenger vessels must be done __________.

    N a. under the direction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    N b. in accordance with the regulations of Subchapter "S" (Subdivision and Stability)
    N c. in accordance with regulations in effect when the vessel was contracted for, as long as the repairs are minor
    Y d. All of the above

4385: While elevated as shown in Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling), winds are 57 knots and current is 2 knots. What is the maximum wave height allowed for drilling?

    N a. 30 feet
    N b. 33 feet
    Y c. 35 feet
    N d. 40 feet

4764: You are scheduled to load 3700 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 427 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in salt water.

    N a. 17'-01"
    Y b. 17'-05"
    N c. 17'-10"
    N d. 18'-00"

4764: You are scheduled to load 3700 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 427 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in salt water.

    N a. 17'-01"
    Y b. 17'-05"
    N c. 17'-10"
    N d. 18'-00"

5515: What should be done after repairing a surface crack on a link of anchor chain by grinding?

    Y a. Examine the area by magnetic particle inspection
    N b. Replace the chain in service
    N c. Galvanize the area
    N d. Post heat the area

5805: A permanent chain chasing system is used to __________.

    N a. clean anchor chain as it's hauled in
    N b. recover anchors which have lost their buoys
    Y c. run and retrieve anchors
    N d. prepare anchor chain for inspection

6007: On offshore drilling units, each hand-held portable fire extinguisher, semi-portable fire extinguisher, and fixed fire extinguisher must be tested and inspected at least once every __________.

    Y a. 12 months
    N b. 24 months
    N c. 36 months
    N d. 48 months

6107: The preferred agent used in fighting a helicopter crash fire on a MODU is __________.

    N a. CO2
    N b. dry chemical
    N c. water
    Y d. foam

6265: During severe storms when survival becomes a major concern, it may become necessary to relieve high anchor tensions on the windward side of the unit by __________.

    N a. deballasting the rig
    N b. ballasting the rig
    N c. paying out cable on the windward side
    Y d. paying out cable on the leeward side

6581: If a fixed foam firefighting system on a MODU is not of the premix type, a sample of the foam liquid must be tested by __________.

    N a. a Coast Guard inspection officer
    N b. the safety man aboard the unit
    N c. the designated person in charge of the unit
    Y d. the manufacturer or his authorized representative

6684: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has drafts of: FWD 19'-04", AFT 21'-02". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the drafts if you ballast the forepeak with 68 tons of seawater.

    N a. FWD 19'-09.7", AFT 20'-10.0"
    Y b. FWD 19'-11.1", AFT 20'-09.4"
    N c. FWD 19'-11.7", AFT 20'-08.8"
    N d. FWD 20'-00.3", AFT 20'-08.2"

6843: With regard to the opening and closing of watertight integrity appliances not fitted with a remote operating control or alarm system, what must the Master or person in charge of a MODU enter in the logbook?

    N a. The time required to close the appliances
    Y b. The reason for opening or closing each appliance
    N c. The name of the person performing the opening and closing of such appliances
    N d. The fact that the hull indicators functioned or not

8036: 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
    Y c. transferring heat across an unobstructed space
    N d. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems

8393: Diesel engines obtain combustion air through turbo chargers, blowers, or __________.

    N a. air starters
    N b. carburetors
    Y c. natural aspiration
    N d. air receivers

8875: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). Excessive motion makes it necessary to ballast down to survival draft. It is decided to check the stability at the intermediate draft of 32 feet. If the added ballast has an average VCG of 9.03 feet, and the sum of free surface moments is 56,244 foot-tons, what is the new margin on the maximum allowable KG?

    N a. 6.23 feet
    N b. 5.11 feet
    N c. 4.86 feet
    Y d. 4.06 feet

8923: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4. While the unit is deballasting, port valve 5 fails in the closed position. You may deballast from tank 2P by pumping from tank 9P by also opening valves 6 and __________.

    N a. 35
    N b. 21
    Y c. 20
    N d. 8

9301: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). Weather conditions require ballasting to survival draft. Assume that 4087 long tons of ballast are added at an average VCG of 8.32 feet. What would be the value of uncorrected KG?

    Y a. 51.65 feet
    N b. 52.67 feet
    N c. 55.15 feet
    N d. 62.24 feet

9367: A galley grease fire on the stove may be extinguished using_______.

    N a. water
    N b. foam
    Y c. the range hood extinguishing system
    N d. fire dampers

9383: Immediately after abandoning a vessel, lookouts should be posted aboard liferafts to look for __________.

    Y a. survivors in the water
    N b. food and water
    N c. land
    N d. bad weather

9611: A crew member reports that the high-pressure alarm light of a low-pressure CO2 fixed fire extinguishing system is illuminated. The most probable cause of this condition would be that __________.

    N a. an air leak has developed in the tank
    Y b. the tank cooling system has malfunctioned
    N c. the pilot cylinder discharge valve is leaking
    N d. an excessive amount of insulation has been installed on the tank and piping