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.


75: If you must abandon a rig in VERY HEAVY SEAS, in a survival craft, when should you remove the safety pin and pull the hook release?


105: The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea contain the requirements for __________.


259: What does NOT affect the value of the free surface correction?


297: Which information is NOT required to be posted in or near the wheelhouse?

    N a. Stopping time and distance from full speed while maintaining course with minimum rudder
    Y b. A diagram of advance and transfer for turns of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° at full speed with maximum rudder and constant power
    N c. For vessels with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft RPMs for a representative range of speeds
    N d. Operating instructions for change-over procedures for remote steering gear systems

372: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is loaded with the cargo shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the amount of liquid loading required in the double bottom tanks to meet a one compartment standard. ST-0005

    N a. 189 tons
    N b. 174 tons
    Y c. 158 tons
    N d. No loading required

396: Deck foam systems, designed to protect cargo areas on tank vessels built after January 1, 1975, must have a supply of foam-producing material to operate the system at its designed rate of foam production for __________.

    N a. 15 minutes without recharging
    Y b. 20 minutes without recharging
    N c. 25 minutes without recharging
    N d. 30 minutes without recharging

499: In setting the valves on a steam-smothering system on a tank vessel, the master control valve to cargo tanks should be __________.

    N a. open and individual tank valves open
    N b. open and the individual tank valves closed
    N c. closed and the individual tank valves closed
    Y d. closed and the individual tank valves open

522: A spanner is a __________.

    N a. cross connection line between two main fire lines
    Y b. special wrench for the couplings in a fire hose line
    N c. tackle rigged to support a fire hose
    N d. None of the above

578: When fighting fires in spaces containing bottles of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), you should __________.

    N a. attempt to isolate the fire from the LPG
    Y b. cool the bottles or remove them from the fire area
    N c. see that the valves on all LPG bottles are closed
    N d. place insulating material over the bottles

624: Each EPIRB and SART for lifeboats shall be tested __________.

    N a. weekly
    N b. every 2 weeks
    Y c. monthly
    N d. every 3 months

1101: A crew member has suffered frostbite to the toes of the right foot. Which is NOT an acceptable first aid measure?

    Y a. Rub the toes briskly.
    N b. Elevate the foot slightly.
    N c. Rewarm rapidly.
    N d. Give aspirin or other medication for pain if necessary.

1148: Spontaneous combustion is most likely to occur in __________.

    Y a. rags soaked in linseed oil
    N b. overloaded electrical circuits
    N c. dirty swabs and cleaning gear
    N d. partially loaded fuel tanks

1169: Your vessel's draft is 24'-06" forward and aft. The MT1 of your vessel is 1000 ft-tons. How many tons of cargo must be loaded in number 4 hold, which is 100 feet abaft the tipping center, if she is to have a 2 foot drag?

    N a. 120 tons
    Y b. 240 tons
    N c. 300 tons
    N d. 480 tons

1177: 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-0030

    N a. 1.20 feet
    N b. 1.64 feet
    Y c. 2.26 feet
    N d. 3.00 feet

1304: The painter of an inflatable liferaft should be __________.

    N a. free running on the deck
    N b. faked out next to the case
    Y c. secured to a permanent object on deck
    N d. stowed near the raft

1346: The canopy of an inflatable liferaft should __________.

    Y a. go into place as the raft is inflated
    N b. be put up after everyone is aboard
    N c. be put up only in severe weather
    N d. be used as a sail if the wind is blowing

1374: Puncture leaks in the lower tubes or bottom of an inflatable liferaft should FIRST be stopped by using __________.

    Y a. sealing clamps
    N b. repair tape
    N c. a tube patch
    N d. sail twine and vulcanizing kit

1486: A cargo of 30 tons is to be loaded on deck 30 feet from the ship's centerline. The ship's displacement including the 30 tons cargo will be 9,000 tons and the GM will be 5 feet. The list of the vessel after loading this cargo will be __________.

    Y a. 1.14°
    N b. 2.05°
    N c. 2.31°
    N d. 3.40°

1717: An inert gas system on a tanker should be used to __________.

    N a. prevent the generation of flammable or combustible gas in tanks
    N b. blow out cargo lines to prevent the build up of gas concentrations
    Y c. dilute tank atmospheres to keep gas concentrations below the lower explosive limit
    N d. prevent fires in the pumproom by continually displacing flammable vapors

2031: Which condition is NOT necessary for a combustible liquid to burn?

    N a. The temperature of the substance must be equal to or above its fire point.
    N b. The air must contain oxygen in sufficient quantity.
    N c. The mixture of vapors with air must be within the "explosive range."
    Y d. All of the above are necessary for a combustible liquid to burn.

2099: Cargo hose carried on tank vessels shall be able to withstand a pressure of at least __________.

    N a. 75 psi
    N b. 100 psi
    N c. 120 psi
    Y d. 150 psi

2375: An entry of water, gas, oil, or other formation fluid into the wellbore is called a __________.

    N a. blowout
    Y b. kick
    N c. gusher
    N d. flow

2439: If you observe any situation which presents a safety or pollution hazard during fuel transfer operations which action should you take FIRST?

    N a. Close the valves at the manifold.
    N b. Notify the person in charge of the shore facility.
    Y c. Shut down the operation.
    N d. Sound the general alarm.

2549: Vessels "A" and "B" are identical; however, "A" is more tender than "B". This means that "A" relative to "B" has a __________.

    N a. lower KG
    Y b. smaller GM
    N c. smaller roll angle
    N d. larger GZ

2558: Grade C liquids are those having a Reid vapor pressure of __________.

    Y a. 8-1/2 psi or less
    N b. 8-1/2 psi or more
    N c. 14 psi or less
    N d. 14 psi or more

2603: Where is the keel generally located on a MODU?

    N a. Along the midships axis
    Y b. Along the centerline of the lower hulls
    N c. Along the roll axis of the hull
    N d. Along the axis of rotation of the hull

2635: In MODU construction, beams are transverse girders which provide support to __________.

    N a. bulkheads
    N b. deckhouse structures
    Y c. decks
    N d. vertical frames

2694: The heading of a vessel is indicated by what part of the compass?

    N a. Card
    N b. Needle
    Y c. Lubber's line
    N d. Gimbals

2861: What is the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers required on board a 45-foot towing vessel having a fixed fire system on board? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. 1 B-I
    Y b. 2 B-I
    N c. 3 B-I
    N d. 4 B-I

3100: Portable fire extinguishers must be provided for the cargo tank area of an unmanned tank barge __________.

    N a. only when fully loaded
    N b. if one or more tanks are full
    Y c. when transferring cargo
    N d. only when the barge is being towed

3145: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the port forward column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1P
    N b. 8P
    Y c. 1P
    N d. 2S

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

3318: You discover a leak in the fuel line to the engine. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. activate the CO2 system
    N b. make a temporary repair with canvas or tape
    N c. start the bilge pump
    Y d. close the fuel valve at the tank

3470: According to the regulations for lifeboat falls, which action must be taken with the falls no later than 5-year intervals?

    N a. Proof tested
    N b. End-for-ended
    Y c. Renewed
    N d. Weight tested

3471: Every fishing vessel required to have a general alarm system must test it __________.

    N a. once every day that the vessel is operated
    N b. once every week that the vessel is operated
    N c. prior to operation of the vessel
    Y d. Both B and C

3644: When should distress flares and rockets be used?

    N a. Immediately upon abandoning the vessel
    Y b. Only when there is a chance of their being seen by a rescue vessel
    N c. At one hour intervals
    N d. At half hour intervals

3676: You have abandoned ship and after two days in a liferaft you can see an aircraft near the horizon apparently carrying out a search pattern. You should __________.

    N a. switch the EPIRB to the homing signal mode
    N b. use the voice transmission capability of the EPIRB to guide the aircraft to your raft
    N c. turn on the strobe light on the top of the EPIRB
    Y d. use visual distress signals in conjunction with the EPIRB

3778: When a ship is abandoned and there are several liferafts in the water, one of the FIRST things to be done is __________.

    N a. separate the rafts as much as possible to increase chances of detection
    N b. transfer all supplies to one raft
    N c. transfer all the injured to one raft
    Y d. secure the rafts together to keep them from drifting apart

3799: With no alternative but to jump from an OSV, the correct posture should include __________.

    Y a. holding down the lifejacket against the chest with one arm, crossing the other, covering the mouth and nose with a hand, and keeping the feet together
    N b. knees bent and held close to the body with both arms around legs
    N c. body straight and arms held tightly at the sides for a feet first entry into the water
    N d. both hands holding the lifejacket below the chin with knees bent and legs crossed

3814: If you are forced to abandon ship in a rescue boat, you should __________.

    Y a. remain in the immediate vicinity
    N b. head for the nearest land
    N c. head for the closest sea-lanes
    N d. vote on what to do, so all hands will have a part in the decision

3853: Coast Guard Regulations (46 CFR) require inflatable liferafts to be equipped with __________.

    N a. a first aid kit
    N b. an instruction manual
    N c. a sea anchor
    Y d. All of the above

3866: Each distress signal and self-activated smoke signal must be replaced not later than the marked date of expiration, or not more than how many months from the date of manufacture?

    N a. 48 months
    Y b. 42 months
    N c. 36 months
    N d. 30 months

4173: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges all the cement in the P-Tanks. See Table 7. What is the change in KG?

    N a. 0.24 foot downward
    Y b. 0.49 foot downward
    N c. 0.88 foot downward
    N d. 1.02 feet downward

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

4205: While in 150 feet water depth when the single amplitude roll angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2 degrees, the safe platform roll period for going on location should be longer than __________.

    Y a. 0.5 second
    N b. 5.0 seconds
    N c. 10.0 seconds
    N d. 13.5 seconds

4224: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming eleven days, and you will enter the winter zone after a total of fourteen days. You will consume 36 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.025, and the average TPI is 51. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 75.0 inches
    N b. 76.0 inches
    N c. 79.5 inches
    Y d. 81.0 inches

4411: While the COASTAL DRILLER is in a normal transit, the roll period is 9 seconds. What is the limiting angle of roll which does not exceed the design limits of the legs?

    N a. 11°
    N b. 9°
    Y c. 7°
    N d. 5°

4565: The COASTAL DRILLER, elevated in 200 feet of water with 2 knots current, 30 foot waves, and wind speeds of 60 knots may continue drilling if the maximum leg reaction is less than __________.

    N a. 5,700 kips
    N b. 5,790 kips
    Y c. 5,870 kips
    N d. 5,990 kips

4716: What is the purpose of tricing pendants?

    N a. They have the same function as frapping lines.
    N b. They are safety lines for personnel inside the lifeboat.
    N c. They slow the descent of the lifeboat.
    Y d. They hold the lifeboat alongside the embarkation deck.

5203: Among the possible causes of unexpected rapid increasing inclination of the floating COASTAL DRILLER is __________.

    N a. consumption of on board liquids
    N b. miscalculation of loads
    N c. external environmental forces
    Y d. flooding due to hull damage

5271: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #5 (Survival), suffers major damage which results in flooding in tank C1P. Your best countermeasure is to pump from __________.

    N a. 1P
    Y b. 3P
    N c. C1P
    N d. C2P

5286: A vessel is inclined at an angle of loll. In the absence of external forces, the righting arm (GZ) is __________.

    N a. positive
    N b. negative
    Y c. zero
    N d. vertical

5451: While drilling loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), the DEEP DRILLER suffers a sudden unexpected inclination to starboard and aft. Strong wind and high waves are on the port bow. Among the possible causes, you should consider __________.

    N a. failure of mooring lines 5 or 6
    Y b. failure of mooring lines 1 or 2
    N c. leak in ballast tank 9P
    N d. ballast tanks equalizing into tank 10S

5715: What can cause a lack of oxygen in a chain locker?

    N a. Absorption
    N b. Osmosis
    N c. Evaporation
    Y d. Oxidation

7313: What is the MOST important thing you should do before transmitting on a marine radio?

    N a. Ask for permission.
    N b. Record the time in your radio log.
    N c. Press the "push to talk" button three times.
    Y d. Monitor the channel to insure that it is clear.

8081: What additional precautions should be taken when making temporary repairs to a MODU that is operating when hydrogen sulfide is present?

    N a. Seal off all tank and compartment ventilation.
    N b. Remove all bulk materials from the P-tanks.
    Y c. Provide respiratory protection and monitoring.
    N d. All of the above

8707: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling). If port valves 24 and 2 are mistakenly opened, the change in inclination will be increasing trim by the __________.

    Y a. bow with port list
    N b. bow
    N c. stern
    N d. stern with starboard list

8897: The international body responsible for drafting the convention prohibiting marine pollution (MARPOL) is the __________.

    N a. Maritime Advisory Council
    Y b. International Maritime Organization
    N c. International Association of Shipping
    N d. Association of Seafaring Nations

9537: When the height of the metacenter is less than the height of the center of gravity of a vessel, the upright equilibrium position is __________.

    N a. stable
    N b. neutral
    Y c. unstable
    N d. negative

9652: When pilot cylinder pressure is used as a means to release the CO2 from a fixed fire extinguishing system consisting of four storage cylinders, the number of pilot cylinders shall be at least __________.

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4