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.


25: You are on a 30,000 DWT tankship engaged in trade to another country signatory to MARPOL 73/78. Which statement is TRUE?


33: Inflatable liferafts are less maneuverable than lifeboats due to their __________.


217: Which item do you NOT have to provide for the Coast Guard representative at the time of a stability test?


330: Many vessels are provided with flume tanks, which also have a dump tank located under the flume tanks. In the event the ship is damaged, you could dump the flume tanks into the dump tank which would __________.

    N a. reduce the free surface effect and raise the KG
    N b. not have any effect on free surface and raise the KG
    Y c. reduce the free surface effect and lower the KG
    N d. not have any effect on free surface and lower the KG

745: You detect oil around your tank vessel while discharging. The FIRST thing to do is __________.

    N a. try to find out where the oil is coming from
    N b. call the Master
    N c. have the pumpman check the discharge piping
    Y d. shut down operations

748: A fire has broken out on the stern of your vessel. You should maneuver your vessel so the wind __________.

    N a. blows the fire back toward the vessel
    Y b. comes over the bow
    N c. comes over the stern
    N d. comes over either beam

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"

872: The safety discs on carbon dioxide cylinders are set to release at 2,700 psi. Under normal circumstances this pressure will be reached at a temperature of __________.

    N a. 70°F
    N b. 100°F
    N c. 125°F
    Y d. 135°F

1067: A large oil fire on the deck of a ship can be fought most effectively with __________.

    N a. dry chemical
    Y b. foam
    N c. high-velocity fog
    N d. Water (cartridge-operated)

1193: On small passenger, vessels spaces containing batteries require good ventilation because it __________.

    N a. adds as much as 2 volts to battery performance
    N b. supplies extra nitrogen for the battery
    Y c. helps dissipate flammable gas accumulations
    N d. allows less soda water to be used in the diodes

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

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.

1748: In an inert gas system, high pressure alarms are set in the main vapor collection line to cause an audible and visual alarm if the pressure reaches a certain level. What is the percentage of the lowest relief valve setting at which the alarm must sound?

    N a. 70%
    N b. 80%
    Y c. 90%
    N d. 95%

1776: Which type of vessel shall be required to have an emergency towing arrangement fitted at both ends?

    N a. A 30,000 dwt ton oil barge
    N b. An 18,000 dwt ton tanker constructed in 1998
    N c. A 5,000 dwt ton coastal tanker
    Y d. A 22,000 dwt ton tanker operated after Jan. 1, 1999

1875: After abandoning ship which action should be taken IMMEDIATELY upon entering a liferaft?

    N a. Open equipment pack.
    N b. Issue anti-seasickness medicine.
    Y c. Get clear of the ship.
    N d. Dry the liferaft floor and inflate.

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

1918: Which equipment is not a source of locating signals?

    N a. EPIRB's that transmit on 406 MHz
    Y b. Survival craft VHF transceivers that provide a beacon on 121.5 MHz
    N c. COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRBs
    N d. SARTs operating on 9 GHz

1924: Your vessel displaces 645 tons and measures 132'L by 34'B. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface if the fish hold (30'L by 26'B by 8'D) is filled with 3.0 feet of water? (Each foot of water weighs 22.3 tons)

    Y a. 1.76 feet
    N b. 1.94 feet
    N c. 2.10 feet
    N d. 2.44 feet

2125: Who should inspect and test an inflatable liferaft?

    N a. The Chief Mate
    Y b. An approved servicing facility
    N c. Shipyard personnel
    N d. A certificated lifeboatman

2246: What would be classified as grade "C" petroleum product?

    N a. Reid vapor pressure of 14 psia, flash point of 60°F.
    N b. Reid vapor pressure of 7 psia, flash point of 85°F.
    Y c. Reid vapor pressure of 5 psia, flash point of 70°F.
    N d. Reid vapor pressure above 8 1/2 psia but less than 14 psia.

2269: To what chemical family does ethylene oxide belong?

    N a. Glycol ethers
    Y b. Alkylene oxides
    N c. Esters
    N d. Alcohols

2273: During an abandonment or drill, the first person to arrive at the survival craft should __________.

    N a. pass out food and water to personnel
    N b. open the doors and start the sprinkler system
    N c. activate the emergency release handle
    Y d. open the doors and prepare the craft for boarding

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

2559: What is NOT a grade B flammable liquid?

    N a. tert-Butylamine
    N b. Allyl chloride
    Y c. Ethyl chloride
    N d. Carbon disulfide

2639: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 23'-10", AFT 26'-00". The LCG of the forepeak is 200 feet forward of amidships. How many tons of ballast must be pumped into the forepeak in order to have a drag of 18 inches? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 34 tons
    Y b. 45 tons
    N c. 55 tons
    N d. 61 tons

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

2805: A vessel heading NNW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 274.5°
    N b. 292.0°
    N c. 315.5°
    Y d. 337.5°

2894: The sailing drafts are: FWD 23'-10", AFT 25'-02" and the GM is 5.3 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 18° inclination.

    N a. 0.8 feet
    N b. 1.1 feet
    N c. 1.5 feet
    Y d. 1.9 feet

3364: 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-0124

    N a. 444 tons
    N b. 644 tons
    N c. 1044 tons
    Y d. 1263 tons

3405: The COASTAL DRILLER has a trim of 2.13 feet by the stern. If the draft at the forward draft marks is 8.0 feet, the draft at the after draft marks is __________.

    N a. 7.00 feet
    N b. 9.00 feet
    N c. 9.42 feet
    Y d. 10.13 feet

3516: Drinking salt water will __________.

    N a. will protect against heat cramps
    Y b. dehydrate you
    N c. be safe if mixed with fresh water
    N d. prevent seasickness

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

3801: What are the vertical moments for the cement contents of P-tank #1 of the DEEP DRILLER if the ullage is 2.3 feet?

    N a. 4,198 ft-tons
    Y b. 7,067 ft-tons
    N c. 7,096 ft-tons
    N d. 14,921 ft-tons

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.

3977: While loaded as shown in the DEEP DRILLER Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), all of the liquid mud is dumped. What is the new longitudinal free surface correction?

    N a. 1.63 feet
    N b. 1.65 feet
    Y c. 1.67 feet
    N d. 1.69 feet

3989: Inflatable liferafts on vessels on an international voyage must be able to carry at least __________.

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

4062: The owner or Master of a towing vessel that is operating within a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) area must report all of the following to VTS as soon as practicable EXCEPT ___________ .

    N a. any malfunction of propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar, gyrocompass or depth-sounder, if installed
    N b. shortage of personnel, lack of charts, maps or other required publications
    Y c. the type of license he/she holds and its serial number
    N d. any characteristics of the vessel that affect its maneuverability

4239: Either one approved B-V semi-portable fire-extinguishing system or a fixed fire-extinguishing system is required to protect the engine room on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for before __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. April 29, 2005
    N b. April 29, 2004
    Y c. August 27, 2003
    N d. February 1, 2002

4357: In using the Allowable Wind and Wave Charts for the COASTAL DRILLER, which of the three leg reactions is required?

    N a. Minimum
    N b. Average
    Y c. Highest
    N d. Preloaded value

4517: The longitudinal location of the center of flotation for the COASTAL DRILLER has a value of __________.

    N a. 207.33 feet AF0
    N b. 160.33 feet AF0
    Y c. 119.44 feet AF0
    N d. 38.33 feet AF0

4594: As shown, a frapping line is indicated by number __________. (D016SA )

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

5677: The DEEP DRILLER may remain at operating draft instead of deballasting to survival draft when __________.

    Y a. critical motion limits have not been exceeded
    N b. waves approach within two feet of the spider deck
    N c. the maximum wave height is greater than 64 feet
    N d. winds are greater than 70 knots

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

5811: The unit used to measure anchor line tensions in the offshore drilling industry is the __________.

    N a. long ton
    N b. short ton
    N c. metric ton
    Y d. Kip

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

6248: Your drafts are: FWD 26'-03", AFT 30'-08". Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the location of the center of flotation relative to amidships.

    N a. 2.8 feet aft
    N b. 2.3 feet aft
    N c. 1.9 feet aft
    Y d. 1.5 feet aft

6271: During storm conditions on a MODU, the mooring tensions should be adjusted so that __________.

    N a. all mooring lines have a different tension
    N b. the leeward lines have higher tension than the windward lines
    Y c. the maximum tension of the most heavily loaded line does not exceed the safe working load
    N d. all horizontal tension forces on the windward lines are no greater than the vertical tension forces

6927: Records which must be retained on board after report of casualty to a MODU include the __________.

    Y a. tour reports
    N b. hull reports
    N c. machinery repair record book
    N d. deck equipment log

6931: A report of casualty to a mobile offshore drilling unit must include __________.

    N a. the estimated cost of damage to the unit
    N b. an evaluation of who was at fault
    N c. the amount of ballast on board
    Y d. the name of the owner or agent of the unit

7787: A moment is obtained by multiplying a force by its __________.

    N a. couple
    Y b. lever arm
    N c. moment of inertia
    N d. point of application

8107: What is the minimum required GML for the DEEP DRILLER in winds less than 70 knots while at a draft of 60 feet?

    N a. 0.17 foot
    Y b. 2.63 feet
    N c. 4.34 feet
    N d. 9.12 feet

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°

8155: The moment created by a force of 12,000 tons and a moment arm of 0.25 foot is __________.

    N a. 48,000 ft-tons
    N b. 6,000 ft-tons
    Y c. 3,000 ft-tons
    N d. 0 ft-tons

8213: What fitting should you install in the rig piping to a pump to facilitate disconnecting the pump for servicing?

    N a. Coupling
    Y b. Union
    N c. Flange
    N d. Nipple

8363: Lubricating oil should be changed on a heavy duty diesel engine when __________.

    N a. it gets dark in color
    N b. a sample rubbed between fingers feels thin
    Y c. it has been in use for a specified interval
    N d. it no longer supports combustion

8662: When may a work vest be substituted for a required life preserver?

    N a. To replace a damaged life preserver
    N b. For use during fire drills
    N c. For use during boat drills
    Y d. At no time

8973: For a floating vessel, the result of subtracting KG from KM is the __________.

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

9581: The C02 flooding system is actuated by a sequence of steps which are __________.

    Y a. break glass, pull valve, break glass, pull cylinder control
    N b. sound evacuation alarm, pull handle
    N c. open bypass valve, break glass, pull handle
    N d. open stop valve, open control valve, trip alarm

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

9614: The normal designed CO2 storage tank temperature and pressure associated with a ship's low-pressure CO2 fixed fire extinguishing system is approximately __________.

    N a. 0°F at 50 PSI
    N b. 70°F at 150 PSI
    Y c. 0°F at 300 PSI
    N d. 70°Fat 500 PSI