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.


18: When giving mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing to an adult, you should breathe at the rate of how many breaths per minute?


167: One method of controlling rats on vessels is by rat-proofing. Rat-proofing is accomplished by __________.


244: A vessel is flying the signal "BJ-1" from her starboard halyard. The signal means "_____."


252: What, when removed, will result in the extinguishment of a fire?

    N a. Nitrogen
    N b. Sodium
    Y c. Oxygen
    N d. Carbon dioxide

331: One of the limitations of foam as an extinguishing agent is that foam __________.

    N a. cannot be made with salt water
    N b. is heavier than oil and sinks below its surface
    N c. is corrosive and a hazard to fire fighters
    Y d. conducts electricity

345: A 100-GT vessel, constructed before July 1,1974, is loading diesel fuel. What is the minimum capacity of the drip pans required for placement under or around each fuel tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe?

    N a. 1 gallon
    Y b. 5 gallons
    N c. 1 barrel
    N d. 2 barrels

420: The most important figure in calculating the free surface constant of a tank carrying liquids is __________.

    N a. depth
    N b. length
    N c. displacement
    Y d. breadth

478: A crew member is unconscious and the face is flushed. You should __________.

    Y a. lay the crew member down with the head and shoulders slightly raised
    N b. administer a liquid stimulant
    N c. lay the crew member down with the head lower than the feet
    N d. attempt to stand the crew member upright to restore consciousness

488: A rescuer can most easily determine whether or not an adult victim has a pulse by checking the pulse at the __________.

    Y a. carotid artery in the neck
    N b. femoral artery in the groin
    N c. brachial artery in the arm
    N d. radial artery in the wrist

493: Why are lifeboats usually double-enders?

    Y a. They are more seaworthy and less likely to be swamped or broach to.
    N b. They can go forward and backward more easily.
    N c. They require less space for stowing aboard ship.
    N d. There is no particular reason for this.

612: The service life of distress signals must be not more than __________.

    Y a. forty two months from the date of manufacture
    N b. thirty six months from the date of the last inspection
    N c. twenty four months from the date of approval
    N d. twelve months from the date of purchase

639: A fire hose with a nozzle attached must be connected to each hydrant except when exposed to heavy weather or when the __________.

    Y a. fire hose might be damaged by cargo operations
    N b. vessel is in port
    N c. fire-main system is not charged
    N d. fire pumps are used for purposes other than supplying water to the fire main

706: The painter on a life float or buoyant apparatus shall __________.

    N a. have a minimum breaking strength of 3,000 lbs. if the capacity of the lifesaving gear is 50 persons or greater
    N b. be resistant to ultraviolet sunlight deterioration
    N c. be stowed to pay out freely if the vessel sinks
    Y d. All of the above

839: A small passenger vessel's Official Number must be marked___________.

    N a. in block type Arabic numerals not less than 1-1/2 inch high
    Y b. or mounted so its alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious
    N c. on some clearly visible exterior structural hull part
    N d. All of the above

911: 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-0018

    N a. 3.75 feet
    N b. 3.02 feet
    Y c. 2.22 feet
    N d. 0.83 foot

940: When a vessel is inclined by an external force, the __________.

    N a. shape of the vessel's underwater hull remains the same
    N b. vessel's center of gravity shifts to the center of the vessel's underwater hull
    Y c. vessel's center of buoyancy shifts to the center of the vessel's underwater hull
    N d. vessel's mean draft increases

1019: You are operating 10 miles offshore with three people aboard. What kind of survival craft must you carry?

    N a. An inflatable liferaft with a coastal pack
    N b. A life float
    N c. An inflatable buoyant apparatus
    Y d. No survival craft is required.

1036: Life preservers must be marked with the __________.

    N a. stowage space assigned
    Y b. vessel's name
    N c. vessel's home port
    N d. maximum weight allowed

1055: The signal K4 sent by any method means __________.

    N a. a distance of 4 miles
    N b. a speed of 4 knots
    N c. the wind is from the south
    Y d. "I wish to communicate with you by sound signals"

1095: When launching a lifeboat, frapping lines should be rigged __________.

    N a. before the gripes are released
    N b. before the boat is moved from the davits
    Y c. at the embarkation deck
    N d. after the boat is in the water

1133: If you must enter water on which there is an oil fire, you should __________.

    N a. protect your life preserver by holding it above your head
    Y b. enter the water on the windward side of the vessel
    N c. keep both hands in front of your face to break the water surface when diving head first
    N d. wear very light clothing

1209: According to 46 CFR Subchapter T the purpose of fuses in electric wiring is to __________.

    N a. allow for cutting out branch circuits
    Y b. prevent overloading the circuits
    N c. reduce voltage to the branch circuits
    N d. permit the use of smaller wiring for lighting circuits

1367: Determine the free surface constant for a fuel oil tank 30 ft. long by 40 ft. wide by 15 ft. deep. The specific gravity of the fuel oil is .85 and the ship is floating in saltwater (S.G. 1.026).

    N a. .83
    N b. 42.7
    Y c. 3787
    N d. 4571

1460: Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The middle boat on the starboard side is designated as boat number __________.

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

1480: 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-0039

    N a. 2.23 feet
    N b. 1.93 feet
    N c. 1.82 feet
    Y d. 1.38 feet

1502: A portable foam (stored-pressure type) fire extinguisher would be most useful in combating a fire in __________.

    N a. generators
    Y b. oil drums
    N c. the bridge controls
    N d. combustible metals

1695: In order to prevent galvanic corrosion, an aluminum boat must be insulated from the davits and gripes. Which of the following is acceptable as an insulator?

    Y a. Hard rubber
    N b. Canvas
    N c. Leather
    N d. Sponge rubber

1718: You wish to communicate information that the swell in your area is 8-10 feet in height and from the northeast. This swell, as defined in the International Code of Signals, would be described as __________.

    N a. rough
    Y b. moderate
    N c. high
    N d. confused

1945: What is the best method to overcome the effects of shadowing when attempting to place an INMARSAT-B call?

    Y a. A small course change should work.
    N b. Select a CES that serves the INMARSAT satellite that will handle the call.
    N c. Installing a shadow correction filter will compensate in fringe areas.
    N d. Turning on compensators will work in all but extreme cases of shadowing.

1964: When crossing a bar in rough weather, you should enter on a(n) __________.

    N a. tidal bore
    N b. ebbing current
    Y c. flood current
    N d. All of the above

1970: What product is considered a noxious liquid substance for regulatory purposes?

    Y a. Octanol
    N b. Acetonitrile
    N c. Hog grease
    N d. Carbon black hose

2004: You have 420 tons of below deck tonnage and 180 tons of above deck cargo on board. You must load 140 tons of liquid mud below deck. How much more deck cargo can you load? (See illustration D036DG, stability letter for M.V. Hudson.) (D036DG )

    Y a. 60 tons
    N b. 100 tons
    N c. 180 tons
    N d. 240 tons

2118: You have 50 containers of ships stores each measuring 6'L by 4'B by 3'H and weighing 0.4 ton each. Each container is stowed on deck. What is the maximum VCG permitted of the remaining cargo if you are carrying rig water and load to maximum capacity? (D037DG )

    N a. 1.50 feet
    N b. 2.25 feet
    Y c. 2.66 feet
    N d. 2.91 feet

2155: When sailing with the wind aft, a vessel may carry sails on both sides at the same time. The sails are __________.

    Y a. wing and wing
    N b. luffed
    N c. reefed
    N d. cringled

2320: You are attempting to recover a mooring buoy. If you approach the object on the port tack, how would you slow the vessel as you draw near?

    N a. Quickly change to a starboard tack as you reach the object.
    N b. Shift the rudder from port to starboard several times as you reach the object.
    N c. Bring the wind so that it comes over the stern and ease all the sheets.
    Y d. Bring the wind directly over the bow and allow the sails to luff.

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

2919: All of the following are part of the fire triangle EXCEPT __________.

    N a. fuel
    Y b. electricity
    N c. oxygen
    N d. heat

3078: If you see an individual fall overboard, you should __________.

    N a. throw him/her a life buoy
    N b. hail "man overboard"
    N c. pass the word to the bridge
    Y d. All of the above

3140: Hatches on small passenger vessels operating on exposed waters and exposed to the weather __________.

    Y a. must be watertight
    N b. must be open at all times
    N c. need not be watertight
    N d. None of the above

3259: Why is a warning sign displayed at the gangway or access point of a barge during cargo transfer?

    N a. To keep visitors away from the barge
    N b. To prohibit smoking
    N c. To prohibit open lights
    Y d. All of the above

3353: An inflatable liferaft can be launched by __________.

    N a. the float free method only
    N b. kicking the hydrostatic release
    Y c. throwing the entire container overboard, then pulling on the operating cord to inflate the raft
    N d. removing the securing straps

3403: The COASTAL DRILLER has a trim of 2.13 feet by the stern. The draft at the forward draft marks is observed to be 8.0 feet. The draft at the center of flotation is __________.

    N a. 7.00 feet
    N b. 8.58 feet
    N c. 9.00 feet
    Y d. 9.42 feet

3440: How should the number "7" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    Y a. SAY-TAY-SEVEN
    N b. SEE-ETA-SEVEN
    N c. NUM-BER-SEVEN
    N d. NEW-MER-AL-SEVEN

3583: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the KG of the liquid load. ST-0142

    N a. 2.6 feet
    N b. 2.8 feet
    N c. 3.1 feet
    Y d. 4.3 feet

3627: The DEEP DRILLER is drilling on location at a 60 foot draft. Waves are approaching within 2 feet of the underside of the spider deck. You should __________.

    Y a. suspend drilling operations and deballast to a 45 foot draft
    N b. continue drilling while ballasting to a 20 foot draft maximum air gap
    N c. deballast when the waves just begin to hit the underside of the spider deck
    N d. reduce tension on all anchor chains to increase draft

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

3705: While loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #5 (Survival), an estimated 250 long tons of snow and ice accumulates on the DEEP DRILLER at an estimated height of 127 feet. Assuming no corrective ballasting, what is the margin on maximum allowable KG?

    N a. 1.55 feet
    N b. 1.23 feet
    Y c. 0.50 foot
    N d. -1.45 feet

3779: If more than one liferaft is manned after the vessel has sunk, __________.

    N a. each raft should go in a different direction in search of land
    N b. the possibility of a search aircraft finding you is increased by spreading out
    N c. reduce the number of liferafts by getting as many people as possible into as few rafts as possible
    Y d. tie each of the rafts together and try to stay in a single group

3936: 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.

4093: Towing vessels of more than 39.4 feet in length must carry charts or maps _____________ .

    N a. of the area to be navigated
    N b. with enough detail to make safe navigation possible
    N c. of the current edition or currently corrected edition
    Y d. All of the above

4178: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has the liquid loading shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the LCG-FP of the liquid load. ST-0156

    N a. 229.8 ft
    N b. 234.3 ft
    N c. 244.6 ft
    Y d. 253.5 ft

4658: You are scheduled to load 3900 tons of cargo, 45 tons of crew effects and stores and 259 tons of fuel. Use the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the vessel's mean draft in fresh water.

    N a. 18'-06"
    N b. 18'-02"
    Y c. 17'-11"
    N d. 17'-08"

5793: In storm conditions, with the wind and waves from the starboard bow of the DEEP DRILLER in 400 feet water depth, the offset is 7%. Completely slacking mooring lines 7 and 8 reduces the offset to __________.

    N a. 6.5%
    N b. 5.0%
    Y c. 4.0%
    N d. 2.5%

6423: The most accurate method for measuring drilling mud required to fill the hole when drill stem is removed is by use of a __________.

    N a. pit level change
    N b. pump stroke count
    Y c. trip tank
    N d. mud return flow indicator

7031: Symptoms of sugar diabetes include __________.

    Y a. increased appetite and thirst
    N b. decreased appetite and thirst
    N c. gain in weight
    N d. elevated temperature

7577: The value of the maximum righting arm depends on the position of the center of buoyancy and the __________.

    N a. longitudinal center of gravity
    N b. transverse center of gravity
    N c. downflooding angle
    Y d. vertical location of the center of gravity

7593: The horizontal distance between the vertical lines of action of gravity and the buoyant forces is called the __________.

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

8435: A MODU which is required to carry an Oil Record Book must log in the book __________.

    Y a. discharge of ballast or cleaning water from fuel tanks
    N b. sounding levels of all fuel tanks on a daily basis
    N c. the grade and specific gravity of all fuel oil carried
    N d. fuel consumption rates on a weekly basis

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