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.


142: You are in the Baltic Sea which is a special area listed in ANNEX V of MARPOL. How many miles from land must you be to discharge ground rags, glass, and bottles into the sea?


254: If you wanted to ask a nearby vessel if he had a doctor on board, you would hoist the flag signal __________.


326: CO2 cylinders, which protect the small space in which they are stored must __________.


382: A damaged "T-Boat" that is unable to meet the requirements of its Certificate of Inspection but is able to travel to a shipyard under its own power should __________.

    Y a. make the trip only after obtaining a "Permit to Proceed to Another Port for Repair", Form CG-948
    N b. get underway as soon as possible
    N c. hire a tug and pilot instead
    N d. request an Expiration Certificate if the vessel displays a tendency to sink

527: The VHF radiotelephone frequency designated to be used only to transmit or receive information pertaining to the safe navigation of a vessel is __________.

    N a. 156.8 MHz (channel 16)
    N b. 156.7 MHz (channel 14)
    Y c. 156.65 MHz (channel 13)
    N d. 156.6 MHz (channel 12)

562: One gallon of high expansion foam solution will produce __________.

    N a. 8 to 10 gallons of foam
    N b. 25 to 50 gallons of foam
    N c. 100 to 200 gallons of foam
    Y d. 500 to 1000 gallons of foam

636: What is required by regulations concerning the stowage of lifeboats on cargo vessels?

    Y a. Each lifeboat must have a launching appliance.
    N b. Launching appliances must be of the gravity type.
    N c. There may not be more than two launching appliances on the same deck.
    N d. All of the above

845: Each pressure gage used in an oil transfer operation must be accurate to within __________.

    N a. 1 percent
    N b. 3 percent
    N c. 5 percent
    Y d. 10 percent

895: Air-cooled gasoline auxiliary engines are allowed on vessels not more than 65 feet in length, carrying not more than 12 passengers if __________.

    N a. it is not practicable to supply water to the engine
    Y b. they have a self-contained fuel system and are installed on an open deck
    N c. they are rated at not more than 4.5 horsepower
    N d. All of the above

925: The center of flotation of a vessel is the geometric center of the __________.

    N a. underwater volume
    N b. above water volume
    N c. amidships section
    Y d. waterplane area

1077: A vessel's KG is determined by __________.

    N a. dividing the total longitudinal moment summation by displacement
    Y b. dividing the total vertical moment summation by displacement
    N c. multiplying the MT1 by the longitudinal moments
    N d. subtracting LCF from LCB

1221: Which operation may cause the pressure in an inert tank to fall below the prescribed limits?

    N a. Loading
    Y b. Discharging
    N c. Crude oil washing
    N d. Steaming tanks

1278: An extinguishing agent which effectively cools, dilutes combustible vapors, removes oxygen, and provides a heat and smoke screen is __________.

    N a. carbon dioxide
    N b. Halon 1301
    N c. dry chemical
    Y d. water fog

1279: On a documented small passenger vessel, what information must be permanently affixed in block-type letters and/or numerals to the main beam or other clearly visible interior structural part of the hull?

    N a. The vessel's name and gross tonnage
    Y b. The vessel's official number
    N c. Draft markings
    N d. The vessel's name and home port

1358: Which extinguishing agent is best for use on a magnesium fire?

    N a. Water
    Y b. Sand
    N c. CO2
    N d. Dry chemical

1359: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The middle lifeboat on the port side is designated as boat number __________.

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

1377: On a vessel of 34,000 tons displacement, a tank 80 ft. long, 60 ft. wide and 30 ft. deep is half filled with fresh water (SG 1.000) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (SG 1.026). What is the free surface constant for this tank?

    N a. 2661
    N b. 2819
    Y c. 40100
    N d. 42213

1453: The hoods over galley ranges present what major hazard?

    Y a. Grease collects in the duct and filter and if it catches fire is difficult to extinguish.
    N b. In order to effectively draw off cooking heat they present a head-injury hazard to a person of average or more height.
    N c. They inhibit the effective operation of fire fighting systems in combating deep fat fryer or range fires.
    N d. They concentrate the heat of cooking and may raise surrounding flammable material to the ignition point.

1492: You have abandoned ship. There are several rafts in the water. One of the FIRST things to do 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

1536: Which types of portable fire extinguishers are designed for putting out electrical fires?

    N a. Foam and water (stored pressure)
    N b. Foam and carbon dioxide
    N c. Foam and dry chemical
    Y d. Dry chemical and carbon dioxide

1579: During oil transfer operations, who is responsible for ensuring that the posted transfer procedures are followed?

    Y a. The designated person in charge
    N b. The tankerman
    N c. The senior able seaman
    N d. The oiler

1795: Where can GMDSS regulations pertaining specifically to U.S.-flag vessels be found?

    N a. These are located in CCIR #476.
    N b. These are located in FCC Part 83.
    N c. These are published only by the U.S. Coast Guard.
    Y d. These are located in 47 CFR Part 80.

2038: Which system is least likely to be subject to fading or static interference?

    N a. HF SITOR
    Y b. INMARSAT
    N c. Digital Selective Calling on channel 70
    N d. VHF ARQ

2176: According to regulations, cargo pump rooms, on the tank vessels handling grades A, B, or C liquid cargo, shall be equipped with power ventilation of the exhaust type having capacity sufficient to effect a complete change of air in not more than __________.

    N a. 1 minute
    N b. 2 minutes
    Y c. 3 minutes
    N d. 5 minutes

2270: When a vessel is inclined at a small angle the center of buoyancy will __________.

    N a. remain stationary
    Y b. move toward the low side
    N c. move toward the high side
    N d. move to the height of the metacenter

2280: A vessel displaces 140,000 cubic feet of saltwater in a light condition. After loading 7500 tons of cargo and 200 tons of fuel, water and stores, she is "full and down". The vessel's light displacement is __________.

    N a. 3000 tons
    N b. 3500 tons
    Y c. 4000 tons
    N d. 4500 tons

2285: When retrieving the survival craft, the helmsman should instruct the crewman to __________.

    N a. check the fuel level
    N b. open the doors
    N c. take the life preservers off
    Y d. check that hooks are fully locked in place

2386: What are the vessel equipment and personnel requirements for GMDSS?

    N a. Two licensed GMDSS radio operators
    N b. Equipment carriage requirements
    N c. Distress alerting and response
    Y d. All of the above

2429: A vessel trimmed by the stern has a __________.

    N a. list
    Y b. drag
    N c. set
    N d. sheer

2508: What is the TLV of cyclohexanol?

    N a. 20 ppm
    N b. 30 ppm
    N c. 40 ppm
    Y d. 50 ppm

2523: How many B-II fire extinguishers must be in the machinery space of a 75-foot long fishing vessel propelled by engines with 2000 brake horsepower?

    Y a. 2
    N b. 3
    N c. 4
    N d. 5

2530: Regulations require that cargo pumprooms on tank barges (constructed in 1965) carrying grades B or C liquid cargoes have power ventilation systems which can completely change the air in __________.

    N a. 1 minute
    Y b. 3 minutes
    N c. 5 minutes
    N d. 10 minutes

2553: What is meant by the term "radio silence"?

    Y a. Stations not directly involved with the on-going Distress communications may not transmit on the distress frequency or channel
    N b. Stations remaining off the air to safeguard proprietary information
    N c. Two three-minute silent periods, at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour, that provide a transmitting "window" for distressed vessels to transmit distress alerts using J3E
    N d. Communications on a distress frequency or channel is banned for 24 hours following the cessation of the distress traffic

2555: When hoisting personnel from a vessel, with the MODU cranes, the crane operator must assure that __________.

    N a. the personnel carrier remains directly over the vessel
    N b. all personnel are inside the net type carrier
    Y c. the personnel carrier remains directly over water
    N d. he does not swing the load until it is above the landing area

2728: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 14'-00", AFT 14'-08"; and the KG is 25.8 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the remaining righting arm at 30° inclination if the center of gravity is 1.5 feet off the centerline.

    Y a. 0.6 foot
    N b. 1.3 feet
    N c. 1.9 feet
    N d. 2.9 feet

2814: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 21'-04", AFT 21'-08"; and the KG is 20.6 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the remaining righting arm at 45° inclination if the center of gravity is 1.2 feet off the centerline.

    N a. 3.8 feet
    Y b. 4.4 feet
    N c. 5.2 feet
    N d. 5.6 feet

2836: The remote control for a fixed fire extinguishing system should be __________. (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    Y a. painted red and labeled
    N b. concealed from the crew
    N c. protected by plexiglas
    N d. padlocked

2952: Where is the most probable location of the remote shutdown station for cargo pumps on a tank barge carrying oil?

    N a. The loading dock
    Y b. The midpoint of the barge
    N c. Within 25 feet of the pump engine
    N d. Above the forward rake end

2987: For a MODU with trim, a decrease in GMT will cause the angle of inclination to __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. remain constant
    N d. stabilize at an angle of loll

3273: A semisubmersible with a displacement of 20,000 long tons and a KG of 52 feet discharges 300 long tons of barite from P-tanks located 120 feet above the keel. What is the change in KG?

    N a. 0.79 foot downward
    N b. 1.00 foot downward
    Y c. 1.04 feet downward
    N d. 1.83 feet downward

3347: The DEEP DRILLER is level at a draft of 60 feet in calm water. What is the value of the righting moment?

    N a. 18,118 foot-tons
    N b. 9,059 foot-tons
    N c. 4,529 foot-tons
    Y d. 0 foot-tons

3380: At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, all carbon dioxide fire extinguishers aboard a vessel are __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. checked for pressure loss
    N b. discharged and recharged
    N c. sent ashore to an approved service facility
    Y d. weighed

3677: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers damage to the starboard aft column below the waterline. Pumping from tanks 8S and 9S is not sufficient to prevent increasing starboard list and stern down trim. You should consider counterflooding in tank __________.

    N a. 1S
    Y b. 1P
    N c. C2BP
    N d. 10P

3781: What is the weight of barite in P-tank #4 of the DEEP DRILLER if the ullage is 3.4 feet?

    N a. 11.5 long tons
    N b. 16.6 long tons
    N c. 54.2 long tons
    Y d. 78.2 long tons

3953: To turn over a liferaft that is floating upside down, you should pull on the __________.

    N a. canopy
    N b. manropes
    N c. sea painter
    Y d. righting lines

3990: What is a FALSE statement concerning the line throwing appliance on a vessel?

    N a. A drill on its use must be held once every three months.
    N b. The actual firing is at the discretion of the Master.
    Y c. The auxiliary line must be of a light color.
    N d. The auxiliary line must be at least 1500 feet long.

5693: In a storm, the leeward lines of a MODU's mooring system will __________.

    Y a. pull the unit in the same direction that the weather is pushing it
    N b. pull the unit in the opposite direction that the weather is pushing it
    N c. tend to keep the unit on its original location over the well head
    N d. affect the unit's draft and inclination as maximum mooring tensions are reached

6455: Most drill ships and barges have a walled opening below the derrick, open to the water's surface and through which various drilling tools can pass down to the sea floor called a __________.

    Y a. moon pool
    N b. spider deck opening
    N c. pontoon
    N d. keyway

6604: Fusible-link fire dampers are operated by __________.

    Y a. the heat of a fire melting the link
    N b. a break-glass and pull-cable system
    N c. electrical controls on the bridge
    N d. a mechanical arm outside the vent duct

6667: On a MODU, the locker or space containing the self-contained breathing apparatus must __________.

    N a. be located in close proximity to the main control station
    N b. be equipped with battery powered emergency lighting
    Y c. be marked "SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS"
    N d. All of the above

6705: The immersion suit requirements for MODU's apply to units operating in the Atlantic Ocean above __________.

    N a. 20°North and below 20°South
    N b. 25°North and below 25°South
    N c. 30°North and below 30°South
    Y d. 32°North and below 32°South

6731: During the required periodic abandon ship drill aboard a MODU, each person not assigned duties in the muster list is __________.

    N a. instructed in the use of portable fire extinguishers
    N b. shown a video demonstrating lifeboat launching
    Y c. instructed in the use of life jackets
    N d. not required to attend the boat drill

7073: Where there are multiple accident victims, which condition should be the first to receive emergency treatment?

    N a. Back injuries
    N b. Major multiple fractures
    Y c. Suspension of breathing
    N d. Burns

8121: While at operating draft, the DEEP DRILLER suffers flooding in the port pump room. Both port bilge pumps are inadequate to dewater the pump room. You may supplement the bilge pumps with the __________.

    N a. starboard ballast pump and crossover system
    N b. port ballast pump
    N c. port saltwater service pump
    Y d. port drill water pump

8151: Laying down drill pipe from the derrick of a semisubmersible on location reduces the __________.

    Y a. natural roll period
    N b. metacentric height
    N c. waterplane area
    N d. righting moment

8333: Individuals who have consumed alcohol within 24 hours of exposure to H2S can tolerate __________.

    N a. unusually large concentrations of H2S
    Y b. smaller than normal concentrations of H2S
    N c. moderate concentrations of H2S without the usual reactions
    N d. longer exposure to H2S concentrations

8412: When abandoning ship and jumping into the water from a substantial height, you should __________.

    N a. dive head first using your hands to break the surface of the water
    N b. hold your arms firmly at your sides and jump feet first
    N c. throw your life jacket into the water first and then jump feet first into the water next to it
    Y d. jump feet first, holding onto your life jacket with one hand while covering your nose and mouth with the other

8415: The three conditions which cause engine shutdown are overspeed, low lube oil pressure, and __________.

    N a. high lube oil pressure
    N b. high jacket water pressure
    Y c. high jacket water temperature
    N d. low jacket water pressure

9137: Fighting a fire in the galley poses the additional threat of __________.

    N a. contaminating food with extinguishing agent
    N b. spreading through the engineering space
    N c. loss of stability
    Y d. a grease fire in the ventilation system

9661: In a fixed CO2 extinguishing system where provision is made for the release of CO2 by operation of a remote control, provision shall also be made for releasing the CO2 __________.

    N a. from inside the engine room
    N b. from the bridge
    N c. from the cargo control station
    Y d. at the cylinder location