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.


19: The operator of the ship's radiotelephone, if the radiotelephone is carried voluntarily, must hold at least a __________.


50: What is not usually a concern when loading a single-hulled tanker?


145: Which statement concerning an accidental oil spill in the navigable waters of the U.S. is TRUE?


210: Metacentric height is an indication of a vessel's stability __________.

    N a. for all angles of inclination
    N b. for large angles of inclination
    Y c. for small angles of inclination
    N d. in no case

462: When the handle of an all-purpose nozzle is in the vertical position and without an applicator, the all-purpose nozzle will __________.

    Y a. produce high-velocity fog
    N b. produce low-velocity fog
    N c. produce a straight stream
    N d. shut off the water

570: On a vessel of 5,000 tons displacement there are two slack tanks of acid (SG 1.8). Each tank is 30 feet long and 20 feet wide. What is the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface with the vessel in sea water (SG 1.025)?

    N a. .11 ft
    N b. .21 ft
    Y c. .40 ft
    N d. .82 ft

572: Your tankship has 40 gallons of 6% foam concentrate aboard. Approximately how much foam solution can be produced from this supply?

    N a. 200 gallons
    N b. 420 gallons
    Y c. 667 gallons
    N d. 986 gallons

574: You are calling another vessel by radiotelephone using the International Code of Signals. He responds with the words "Alpha Sierra". This indicates that __________.

    Y a. he cannot accept traffic immediately
    N b. you should proceed with your message
    N c. you should send your message in International Code
    N d. you should send your message in plain language

610: The amount of freeboard which a ship possesses has a tremendous effect on its __________.

    N a. initial stability
    N b. free surface
    N c. permeability
    Y d. stability at large angles of inclination

868: Burning wood is which class of fire?

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

1235: Which procedure should NOT be done for a person who has fainted?

    N a. Revive the person with smelling salts.
    N b. Loosen the clothing.
    N c. Lay the person horizontally.
    Y d. Give pain reliever.

1262: Which portable fire extinguisher is normally recharged in a shore facility?

    N a. Dry chemical (cartridge-operated)
    N b. Water (cartridge-operated)
    N c. Water (pump tank)
    Y d. Carbon dioxide

1335: What prevents an inflated liferaft from being pulled under by a vessel which sinks in water over 100 feet in depth?

    N a. The hydrostatic release
    N b. Nothing
    N c. A Rottmer release
    Y d. The weak link in the painter line

1385: An inflatable liferaft is hand-launched by __________.

    N a. pulling a cord
    N b. cutting the wire restraining bands
    N c. removing the rubber packing strip
    Y d. throwing the entire container overboard

1477: A fire starts on your vessel while refueling. You should FIRST __________.

    N a. stop the ventilation
    Y b. sound the general alarm
    N c. determine the source of the fire
    N d. attempt to extinguish the fire

1662: By regulation, your cargo vessel must have __________.

    Y a. sufficient facilities for the crew to wash their clothes
    N b. a wash basin in each room
    N c. separate toilet facilities for engineers where their number exceeds six
    N d. All of the above

1952: Your vessel displaces 497 tons. The existing deck cargo has a center of gravity of 2.5 feet above the deck and weighs 24 tons. If you load 18 tons of ground tackle with an estimated center of gravity of 18 inches above the deck, what is the final height of the CG of the deck cargo?

    N a. 1.86 feet
    Y b. 2.07 feet
    N c. 2.35 feet
    N d. 2.76 feet

1957: The first AMVER position report must be sent within how many hours of departure?

    N a. 12
    Y b. 24
    N c. 36
    N d. 48

2086: A partially full tank causes a virtual rise in the height of the __________.

    N a. metacenter
    N b. center of buoyancy
    N c. center of flotation
    Y d. center of gravity

2139: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 24.0 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 28'-01", AFT 28'-06"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 64°
    Y b. 71°
    N c. 77°
    N d. 82°

2234: As a vessel falls off the wind from close-hauled to a beam reach, the tendency for the vessel to move sideways through the water will __________.

    N a. increase
    Y b. decrease
    N c. change only if the vessel comes about on the opposite tack
    N d. not change

2291: The purpose for the bag or box on top of some survival craft is to __________.

    Y a. right the craft in case of capsizing
    N b. increase area for radar detection
    N c. act as a sail in case of a power loss
    N d. steady the craft in heavy seas

2342: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 13'-11", AFT 11'-09". How much more cargo can be loaded to have the vessel down to the freeboard draft? (Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    Y a. 9069 tons
    N b. 9172 tons
    N c. 9207 tons
    N d. 9244 tons

2438: Your vessel's drafts are FWD 20'-08", AFT 23'-00". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 95 tons of cargo are loaded 76 feet forward of amidships.

    Y a. FWD 21'-01", AFT 22'-11"
    N b. FWD 20'-09", AFT 22'-09"
    N c. FWD 20'-09", AFT 23'-01"
    N d. FWD 20'-08", AFT 23'-00"

2513: The maximum number of personnel allowed on a personnel transfer basket is __________.

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

2670: According to the Chemical Data Guide, which material would corrode upon contact with aniline?

    N a. Aluminum
    Y b. Copper
    N c. Nickel
    N d. Mild steel

2772: Tour vessel's drafts are: FWD 22'-09", AFT 23'-07"; and the KG is 24.2 feet. Use the selected stability curves in the blue pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the righting arm at 18° inclination.

    Y a. 0.7 foot
    N b. 1.3 feet
    N c. 2.0 feet
    N d. 2.3 feet

2812: What is correct with respect to required watertight bulkheads on small passenger vessels less than 100 GT?

    N a. Penetrations are prohibited.
    Y b. Sluice valves are not permitted.
    N c. Each bulkhead must be stepped at its midpoint.
    N d. All of the above

2854: The sailing drafts are: FWD 14'-08", AFT 15'-06" and the GM is 4.8 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 40° inclination.

    N a. 3.3 feet
    N b. 3.7 feet
    Y c. 4.3 feet
    N d. 5.4 feet

2965: Which is TRUE concerning immersion suits and their use?

    N a. Only a light layer of clothing may be worn underneath.
    Y b. They provide sufficient flotation to do away with the necessity of wearing a life jacket.
    N c. They should be tight fitting.
    N d. A puncture in the suit will not appreciably reduce its value.

3134: Which is a B-II fire extinguisher? (Uninspected Vessel Regulations)

    N a. A 2-1/2 gallon water (stored pressure) extinguisher
    Y b. A 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher
    N c. A 2 lb. dry chemical extinguisher
    N d. A 1-1/4 gallon foam extinguisher

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

3363: What must be carried out in order to manually launch an inflatable liferaft not designed for float-free operation?

    N a. It will be easily launched by simply breaking the weak link.
    Y b. Depress the hydrostatic release button.
    N c. It is easily launched by cutting the container securing straps.
    N d. It is only necessary to attach the weak link to the vessel.

3393: A semisubmersible with a TPI of 11.25 long tons per inch discharges 270 long tons from amidships. What is the new mean draft if the original drafts were: Port Forward 69.5 feet; Port Aft 68.5 feet; Starboard Forward 71.5 feet; Starboard Aft 70.5 feet?

    Y a. 68'-0"
    N b. 69'-10"
    N c. 70'-2"
    N d. 72'-0"

3495: The SS AMERICAN MARINER arrived in port with drafts of: FWD 17'-10", AFT 19'-06". Cargo was loaded and discharged as indicated. Use sheet 2 in the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts. ST-0134

    N a. FWD 16'-10", AFT 21'-02"
    N b. FWD 17'-00", AFT 21'-00"
    N c. FWD 17'-02", AFT 20'-10"
    Y d. FWD 17'-04", AFT 20'-08"

3562: The Master or person-in-charge of an OSV shall insure that each deck from which rescue boats are launched is __________.

    N a. surfaced with a nonskid texture
    N b. roped off to prevent unnecessary access
    Y c. kept clear of any obstructions that would interfere with launching
    N d. posted with a list of persons assigned to the rescue boat

3648: All of the following are recognized distress signals under the Navigation Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. a green star signal
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

3759: Seasickness is caused by rolling or rocking motions which affect fluids in the __________.

    N a. stomach
    N b. lower intestines
    Y c. inner ear
    N d. bladder

3794: 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

4045: 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 GMT?

    N a. 5.98 feet
    N b. 6.84 feet
    N c. 7.11 feet
    Y d. 9.24 feet

4051: 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 resulting list angle?

    N a. 2.11 degrees to port
    N b. 1.43 degrees to starboard
    Y c. 2.87 degrees to starboard
    N d. 3.02 degrees to starboard

4065: In the DEEP DRILLER, the transverse free surface correction (FSCT) is obtained from the total of transverse free surface moments (FSMT) by __________.

    N a. adding the TCG
    N b. subtracting the TCG
    N c. multiplying by displacement
    Y d. dividing by displacement

4146: The follow-up gear on an electro-hydraulic steering gear __________.

    N a. relieves excessive fluid pressure
    Y b. takes the pump off stroke when the desired rudder angle is attained
    N c. synchronizes wheel position with the rudder position
    N d. returns the rudder to mid-position when the wheel is released

4197: While in 150 feet water depth when the pitch angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2 degrees, the platform roll period for going on location should be longer than __________.

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

4687: What is the decrease in vertical moments for the Coastal Driller if 2.5 feet of drill water is discharged from a full drill water tank #23?

    N a. 3,464 ft-kips
    N b. 2,982 ft-kips
    Y c. 482 ft-kips
    N d. 161 ft-kips

4745: While loaded as shown in the COASTAL DRILLER sample load form #3 (drilling), all of the casing is discharged. What is the change in LCG?

    N a. 1.98 feet forward
    N b. 1.95 feet forward
    Y c. 0.02 foot forward
    N d. 0.02 foot aft

5135: In the illustration, symbol 2 represents __________. (D041DG )

    N a. displacement
    N b. beam limit
    N c. bilge level
    Y d. baseline

5893: The effect of ocean currents is usually more evident on a rig being towed than on a tug navigating independently because the __________.

    Y a. speed of the tow is less
    N b. tow line catches the current
    N c. current causes yawing
    N d. current will offset the rig

5903: The signal to man emergency stations on MODU's is __________.

    N a. 30 seconds on/30 seconds off alternating signal
    N b. continuous ringing of general alarm signal
    Y c. intermittent ringing of general alarm for not less than 10 seconds
    N d. announced over PA system

6225: The procedure of strengthening damaged structures on a MODU by using wood or steel is called __________.

    N a. bracing
    N b. battening
    N c. blocking
    Y d. shoring

6475: The pneumatic containers which store bulk dry mud additives and cement on a MODU are called __________.

    N a. mud hoppers
    N b. bulk bins
    Y c. P-tanks
    N d. mud tanks

6553: While taking on fuel oil from an offshore supply vessel, the transfer hose leaks, causing a sheen in the water. You should __________.

    N a. continue transfer operations
    N b. repair the leak with duct tape
    N c. reduce the rate of transfer
    Y d. immediately shut down operations

6583: When weight-testing a davit-launched liferaft on a mobile offshore drilling unit, the test weight must be equivalent to the weight of the raft, its required equipment, and __________.

    N a. 90% of the allowed capacity of persons for the raft
    Y b. 100% of the allowed capacity of the persons for the raft
    N c. 110% of the allowed capacity of the persons for the raft
    N d. 120% of the allowed capacity of the persons for the raft

6957: Regulations require certain records to be retained on board for at least 3 months after a MODU is involved in a casualty or until advised that they are no longer needed on board by the __________.

    N a. owner
    N b. Master
    N c. person in charge
    Y d. Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection

8053: At a speed of 6 knots the fuel aboard a survival craft should last __________.

    N a. 8 hours
    N b. 12 hours
    Y c. 24 hours
    N d. 48 hours

8591: Prior to burning or welding on a fuel tank on a MODU, regulations require that an inspection be made. An entry in the unofficial logbook is required if this inspection is made by __________.

    N a. a marine chemist
    N b. the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
    Y c. the Master or person in charge of the MODU
    N d. the National Fire Protection Association

8665: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #5 (Survival) loads an additional 137.88 long tons. The resulting trim by the stern is 2 feet and the list to port is 3 feet. What is the draft at the port forward draft mark?

    N a. 45 feet 6 inches
    N b. 46 feet 0 inches
    Y c. 46 feet 6 inches
    N d. 47 feet 0 inches

9217: Apparent wind speed blowing across a MODU under tow can be measured by a(n) __________.

    N a. barometer
    N b. wind vane
    Y c. anemometer
    N d. thermometer

9603: During the passage of a severe storm the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft is __________.

    N a. 998,942 ft-tons
    Y b. 996,522 ft-tons
    N c. 990,430 ft-tons
    N d. 889,555 ft-tons

9633: Which of the following statements is true concerning the control activators, i.e., pull-handles, push-buttons or levers, for a space protected by a CO2 fixed fire extinguishing system?

    N a. Only one control activator is required for discharge piping systems designed without a stop valve.
    N b. Two control activators are required when a stop valve is installed in the main discharge line to a space.
    N c. An alarm must sound for at least 20 seconds before CO2 is released into a space that is likely to be occupied.
    Y d. All of the above