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.


44: The spread of fire is prevented by __________.


46: The required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers to be carried in the vicinity of the radio room exit for a tank vessel on an international voyage is one __________.


233: Most enclosed lifeboats will right themselves after capsizing IF the __________.


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

    N a. Width of the tank
    N b. Length of the tank
    Y c. Registered tonnage
    N d. Specific gravity of the liquid in the tank

290: What will happen when cargo is shifted from the main deck into the lower hold of a vessel?

    Y a. The GM will increase.
    N b. The metacenter will move upward.
    N c. The center of buoyancy will move upward.
    N d. All of the above

318: The best treatment for preventing traumatic shock after an accident is to __________.

    N a. have the victim exercise to increase circulation
    N b. keep the victim from electrical equipment
    Y c. keep the victim warm and dry while lying down
    N d. apply ice packs and avoid excitement

466: Deficient oxygen content inside a chain locker can be detected with __________.

    N a. litmus paper
    N b. a combustible gas indicator
    N c. an oxygen breathing apparatus
    Y d. an oxygen indicator

819: Providing you are not in a special area, such as the Mediterranean or Red Sea, how many nautical miles from land must you be to throw wooden dunnage into the sea?

    Y a. 25 nm
    N b. 12 nm
    N c. 6 nm
    N d. 3 nm

891: On small passenger vessels, cooling water for the exhaust lines from an internal combustion engine must be __________.

    Y a. obtained from the engine's cooling water system or from a separate engine-driven pump
    N b. chemically treated to prevent corrosion
    N c. flushed and changed periodically
    N d. obtained from a fresh water storage tank or an expansion tank

913: On a vessel of 8,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water in the tank tops. The hold is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    Y a. 0.1 ft
    N b. 0.3 ft
    N c. 0.5 ft
    N d. 0.9 ft

998: Fire extinguishers of sizes III, IV, and V are designated as __________.

    N a. portable
    Y b. semi-portable
    N c. fixed
    N d. disposable

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"

1137: One gallon of low expansion foam solution will produce about __________.

    Y a. 10 gallons of foam
    N b. 25 gallons of foam
    N c. 100 gallons of foam
    N d. 500 gallons of foam

1178: The lowest temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion of a substance independent of any outside source of ignition is called __________.

    N a. explosive range
    N b. flash point
    Y c. ignition temperature
    N d. combustion temperature

1204: Generally, when lifting an inflatable liferaft back aboard ship you would use the __________.

    Y a. towing bridle
    N b. main weather cover
    N c. external lifelines
    N d. righting strap

1217: Which types of portable fire extinguishers are designed for use on electrical fires?

    Y a. Dry chemical and carbon dioxide
    N b. Foam (stored pressure) and soda-acid
    N c. Carbon dioxide and foam (stored pressure)
    N d. Dry chemical and soda-acid

1282: When approaching a fire from leeward you should shield fire fighters from the fire by using __________.

    N a. a straight stream of water
    N b. foam spray
    Y c. high-velocity fog
    N d. low-velocity fog

1294: According to the "T-Boat" regulations, the permanent marks placed on each side of a vessel forward, aft, and amidships to indicate the maximum allowable draft and trim are called __________.

    Y a. loading marks
    N b. the air draft
    N c. depth marks
    N d. Plimsoll marks

1550: The purpose of a water spray system on a covered lifeboat is to __________.

    N a. cool the lifeboat engine
    Y b. keep the lifeboat from reaching combustion temperature while operating in a fire
    N c. keep the lifeboat warm in a cold climate by applying heated water spray from the engine to the boat
    N d. put out a fire inside the lifeboat

1594: Which statement is TRUE concerning buoyant work vests aboard tank vessels?

    N a. They may be worn while working on deck but not while working over the side.
    Y b. They must be used only under supervision of a designated ship's officer.
    N c. They will be accepted for up to 10% of the required life preservers.
    N d. They may be worn during drills.

1665: Which statement about stowing spare hose is TRUE?

    Y a. Fold the hose so that the male coupling is about 4 feet from the female coupling, then roll it up.
    N b. Roll the hose starting at the female end.
    N c. Roll the hose starting at the male end.
    N d. Fold the hose into lengths about 6 feet long and then lash the folds together.

1900: The accumulation of dangerous fumes generated by the storage batteries is best prevented by __________.

    N a. covering the batteries in a nonconducting, solid enclosure
    N b. mounting the batteries in a position as high as possible
    Y c. natural or mechanical ventilation
    N d. securing the batteries to vibration reducing mounting brackets

2130: You have 300 tons of below deck tonnage including liquid mud. Your existing deck cargo is 180 tons with a VCG above the deck of 1.9 feet. What is the maximum additional cargo tonnage you are permitted to load? (See illustration D036DG, stability letter for M.V. Hudson.) (D036DG )

    N a. 108 tons
    N b. 124 tons
    Y c. 162 tons
    N d. 342 tons

2296: Regulations require that cargo pumps in tank vessels carrying grade D liquid cargo shall be isolated from sources of vapor ignition by __________.

    N a. cofferdams
    Y b. gastight bulkheads
    N c. passageways or living quarters
    N d. general cargo spaces

2344: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 25.2 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 22'-03", AFT 23'-01"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 92°
    N b. 77°
    Y c. 68°
    N d. 61°

2625: If help has not arrived in 10-12 hours after you abandon ship in a lifeboat, you should __________.

    N a. go in one direction until the fuel runs out
    N b. plot course for the nearest land
    N c. take a vote on which direction you should go
    Y d. shut down the engines and set the sea anchor

2677: 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-0075

    N a. 4.0 feet
    Y b. 5.6 feet
    N c. 6.0 feet
    N d. 6.8 feet

3033: The effects of free surface on initial stability depend upon the dimensions of the surface of the free liquids and the __________.

    N a. volume of liquid in the tank
    Y b. volume of displacement of the vessel
    N c. location of the tank in the vessel
    N d. height of the center of gravity of the vessel

3047: Automatic fire dampers in ventilation systems are operated by use of __________.

    N a. remotely operated valves
    Y b. fusible links
    N c. C02 system pressure switches
    N d. heat or smoke detectors

3154: How many escape routes must normally exist from all general areas accessible to the passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed? (small passenger vessel regulations)

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

3383: The DEEP DRILLER, at a mean draft of 45 feet, has a three-foot trim by the stern and a two-foot list to port. What is the draft at the starboard forward draft mark?

    Y a. 42.5 feet
    N b. 44.5 feet
    N c. 45.5 feet
    N d. 47.5 feet

3413: With no environmental forces on the DEEP DRILLER, the average of the forward drafts is 59.0 feet, and the average of the aft drafts is 61.0 feet. KGL is 51.13 feet. What is the value of LCG?

    N a. -0.12 foot
    N b. 0.12 foot
    Y c. 2.11 feet
    N d. 2.35 feet

3565: What are the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at a draft of 60 feet if the winds are less than 70 knots?

    N a. 942,120 foot-tons
    N b. 946,271 foot-tons
    N c. 974,441 foot-tons
    Y d. 1,059,885 foot-tons

3711: Changing rescuers while carrying out artificial respiration should be done __________.

    Y a. without losing the rhythm of respiration
    N b. only with the help of two other people
    N c. by not stopping the respiration for more than 5 minutes
    N d. at ten minute intervals

3820: Once the daily ration of drinking water in a survival situation has been established, the drinking routine should include __________.

    N a. small sips at regular intervals during the day
    N b. a complete daily ration at one time during the day
    Y c. one-third the daily ration three times during the day
    N d. small sips only after sunset

4035: The DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), discharges a non-liquid load of 275.8 long tons from a position 130 feet above the keel, 40 feet forward of amidships, and 30 feet to port of the centerline. What is the new KGL?

    N a. 52.60 feet
    N b. 53.65 feet
    Y c. 54.32 feet
    N d. 54.92 feet

4087: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (transit). What is the new metacentric height corrected for transverse free surface effects if the entire contents of Salt Water Ballast Tanks 1P and 1S are discharged? (Use KMT = 375.38 feet)

    N a. 375.38 feet
    N b. 345.23 feet
    N c. 319.66 feet
    Y d. 306.79 feet

4191: The DEEP DRILLER is planning to operate while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 ( Preparing to Drill). What is the margin between KGT and maximum allowable KG?

    N a. 0.66 foot
    N b. 2.58 feet
    Y c. 5.24 feet
    N d. 7.87 feet

4267: For the COASTAL DRILLER, what is the maximum rotary load that can be used when the rotary has been extended 40 feet aft of the transom?

    N a. 750 kips
    N b. 630 kips
    Y c. 609 kips
    N d. 531 kips

4277: Drilling loads on the COASTAL DRILLER are the combined loads arising from conductor tension, rotary, hook, and __________.

    N a. fixed loads
    Y b. setback loads
    N c. basic loads
    N d. variable loads

4282: Your drafts are: FWD 6'-01", AFT 6'-05". From past experience, you know that the vessel will increase her draft 1 inch for every 5 tons loaded. There is rig water on board and 15 tons of deck cargo. How many more tons of cargo can legally be loaded and still maintain the same trim? (D037DG )

    Y a. 10 tons
    N b. 20 tons
    N c. 35 tons
    N d. None

4465: The COASTAL DRILLER's ability to meet the damage stability criteria depends on maintaining watertight integrity, displacement less than 14,158 kips, level attitude, and KGT and KGL less than __________.

    N a. the height of the righting arm
    Y b. the maximum allowed
    N c. GMT and GML
    N d. BMT and BML

4563: While loaded as shown in the COASTAL DRILLER sample load form #3 (drilling), 200 kips are discharged from 60 feet AF0 and 30 feet to starboard of the centerline. What is the starboard leg reaction?

    N a. 4,271 kips
    Y b. 5,393 kips
    N c. 5,410 kips
    N d. 5,571 kips

5363: The COASTAL DRILLER, when underway was loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). It is now preloaded at minimum air gap waiting for all settling to take place. The preload, weighing 7,191.7 kips, has LM 870,196 ft-kips and TM 2,158 ft-kips. What is the starboard leg reaction?

    N a. 7,026 kips
    N b. 7,099 kips
    N c. 7,144 kips
    Y d. 7,180 kips

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

5553: The angle between the flukes and the shank of an anchor is called the __________.

    N a. holding angle
    N b. fleet angle
    Y c. fluke angle
    N d. shank angle

5611: The full period of motion of the DEEP DRILLER while tripping is 8 seconds and the maximum pitch angle as seen on the inclinometers is 4 degrees. From the standpoint of critical motion, the motion is __________.

    N a. unsatisfactory, place setback in the pipe racks
    Y b. satisfactory, continue tripping
    N c. unsatisfactory, deballast to survival draft
    N d. unsatisfactory, place unit in standby

5857: In towing it is desirable for the tug and the MODU to ride wave crests simultaneously because __________.

    Y a. shock loading on the tow line is reduced
    N b. towing speed is improved
    N c. the MODU is more visible from the tug
    N d. the catenary of the tow line is reduced

5921: Multiple fire pumps may be used for other purposes provided that one pump is __________.

    N a. on line to the fire main
    Y b. kept available for use on the fire main at all times
    N c. capable of being connected to the fire main
    N d. rated at or above 125 psi

6213: When patching holes in the hull of a MODU, pillows, bedding, and other soft materials can be used as __________.

    N a. caulking
    Y b. gaskets
    N c. strongbacks
    N d. wedges

6619: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 6450 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 270.89 feet. See the distribution of the cargo to be loaded. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final LCG-FP of the cargo. ST-0194

    N a. LCG-FP 267.12 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 268.48 feet
    Y c. LCG-FP 270.97 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 273.06 feet

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

8747: If a severe storm threatens the COASTAL DRILLER while elevated, the setback in the derrick should be lowered and placed in the pipe rack. Its weight should be accounted for as __________.

    Y a. variable loads
    N b. drilling loads
    N c. environmental loads
    N d. fixed weight

9205: When you are firing a pyrotechnic distress signal, it should be aimed __________.

    N a. horizontally and directly abeam of your vessel
    N b. at the vessel whose attention you want to attract
    N c. into the wind
    Y d. at greater than 60 degrees above the horizon

9327: Accumulations of oily rags should be __________.

    N a. kept in nonmetal containers
    Y b. discarded as soon as possible
    N c. cleaned thoroughly for reuse
    N d. kept in the paint locker

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

9435: For an upright vessel, draft is the vertical distance between the keel and the __________.

    Y a. waterline
    N b. freeboard deck
    N c. Plimsoll mark
    N d. amidships section

9623: You detect an odor of burning electrical insulation and then notice smoke coming from an open laundry room doorway. After activating the fire alarm, which of the following is the LEAST likely of your next actions?

    N a. Close the door to the room.
    N b. Locate the nearest CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher.
    N c. Secure power to the washers and dryers.
    Y d. Break out the nearest fire hose.

9641: The carbon dioxide cylinders of a fixed fire extinguishing system may be located inside the protected space, if the quantity of CO2 required to protect that space is not more than __________.

    N a. 1 long ton
    Y b. 300 pounds
    N c. 900 pounds
    N d. 1,500 pounds

9643: The carbon dioxide cylinders of a fixed fire extinguishing system may be located inside the protected space, if the quantity of CO2 required to protect that space is not more than __________.

    N a. 1,000 pounds
    N b. 750 pounds
    N c. 500 pounds
    Y d. 300 pounds