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.


2: An airplane wants a vessel to change course and proceed towards a vessel in distress. The actions of the aircraft to convey this message will NOT include __________.


9: The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea contain the requirements for __________.


129: A life float on a fishing vessel must be equipped with __________.


138: A person reports to you with a fishhook in his thumb. To remove it you should __________.

    N a. pull it out with pliers
    N b. cut the skin from around the hook
    Y c. push the barb through, cut it off, then remove the hook
    N d. have a surgeon remove it

170: In order to minimize the effects of a tender vessel, when carrying a cargo of lumber, you should __________.

    N a. maximize your deck load
    N b. distribute lumber so that those stowing most compactly per unit of weight are in the upper holds
    Y c. place the heaviest woods in the lower holds
    N d. keep the vessel's frame spaces free from lumber

284: What is the correct interpretation of the flag hoist G, 4, 2, 1, first substitute.

    N a. G421G
    Y b. G4214
    N c. G421G421
    N d. G4211

308: A person being treated for shock should be wrapped in warm coverings to __________.

    N a. increase body heat
    Y b. preserve body heat
    N c. avoid self-inflicted wounds caused by spastic movement
    N d. protect the person from injury during transportation

491: Before starting to hoist provisions, which should be checked?

    N a. Hoist rope is not kinked
    N b. Multiple part lines are not twisted around each other
    N c. The hook is centrally located over the load
    Y d. All of the above

503: Your vessel has lifeboats on both sides. Lifeboat No. 2 is located __________.

    N a. forward of lifeboat No. 4 on the starboard side
    Y b. forward of lifeboat No. 4 on the port side
    N c. aft of lifeboat No. 1 on the starboard side
    N d. All of the above

938: A magnesium fire is classified as class __________.

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

990: If your vessel will list with equal readiness to either side, the list is most likely caused by __________.

    Y a. negative GM
    N b. off-center weight
    N c. pocketing of free surface
    N d. excessive freeboard

1061: What are the symptoms of sun stroke?

    N a. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid and feeble, skin is cold and clammy.
    Y b. Temperature is high, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry.
    N c. Temperature is high, pulse is slow and feeble, skin is clammy.
    N d. Temperature falls below normal, pulse is rapid, skin is clammy.

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.

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.

1361: What is the minimum diameter allowed for bilge piping on small passenger vessels which are more than 65 feet in length?

    N a. 1"
    Y b. 1-1/2"
    N c. 2"
    N d. 2-1/2"

1376: Which distress signal is required for a liferaft in ocean service and could be effectively used to attract the attention of aircraft at night?

    N a. The water light
    N b. Smoke marker
    Y c. Red flares
    N d. Orange dye marker

1483: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is partially loaded with a GM of 3.1 feet and drafts of: FWD 19'-06", AFT 21'-04". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine what tank(s) you should ballast to increase the GM to 3.7 feet.

    N a. Tanks: DT1
    Y b. Tanks: DB3, DT8
    N c. Tanks: DB2, DB7
    N d. Tanks: DB5

1505: What is one of the FIRST things you would do on boarding an inflatable liferaft?

    N a. Open equipment pack.
    N b. Post a lookout.
    N c. Issue anti-seasickness medicine.
    Y d. Pick up other survivors.

1620: One disadvantage of using regular dry chemical (sodium bicarbonate) in firefighting is that __________.

    N a. it can break down under high heat and emit noxious fumes
    N b. it will decompose under prolonged storage and lose its effectiveness
    Y c. fire has been known to flash back over the surface of an oil fire
    N d. it is ineffective in fighting fires in high-voltage electrical equipment

1634: To prevent the spread of fire by convection you should __________.

    Y a. close all openings to the area
    N b. shut off all electrical power
    N c. remove combustibles from direct exposure
    N d. cool the bulkhead around the fire

1763: You are operating a liftboat. When jacking down and a leg becomes stuck on the bottom, you should __________.

    N a. raise the free legs all the way
    N b. use the engines to rotate about the leg that is stuck
    Y c. jack the barge down part way to pull the leg free
    N d. submerge the barge completely to give added pull

1869: The three corners of the main sail are called __________. (D002SL )

    N a. head, fore, and aft
    N b. luff, leech, and spar
    N c. headboard, foot, and tail
    Y d. head, tack, and clew

1916: What is part of a vessel's standing rigging?

    N a. Sheet
    Y b. Backstay
    N c. Topping lift
    N d. Downhaul

1983: What is required in addition to the heat, fuel, and oxygen of the fire triangle to have a fire?

    N a. Electricity
    Y b. Chain reaction
    N c. Pressure
    N d. Smoke

2095: Sails may be wing and wing when __________.

    N a. close hauled
    N b. tacking
    N c. wearing
    Y d. sailing with the wind aft

2204: Which communications functions must all vessels be capable of performing under GMDSS as defined by the International Maritime Organization?

    N a. Radio direction finding
    Y b. Distress alerting to and from vessels, search and rescue coordination, on-scene communications, signals for locating, Maritime Safety Information, general and bridge-to-bridge communications.
    N c. Communications in each of the operational ocean areas
    N d. All communications possible within the International Safety-NET service

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

2325: 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-0058

    N a. 395 tons
    N b. 530 tons
    N c. 750 tons
    Y d. 990 tons

2394: Your vessel's drafts are FWD 24'-09", AFT 27'-01". Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine the final drafts if 122 tons are discharged 76 feet aft of amidships, 128 tons are discharged 54 feet forward of amidships, and 68 tons of fuel is pumped 48 feet aft.

    N a. FWD 24'-01", AFT 26'-08"
    N b. FWD 24'-02", AFT 26'-11"
    Y c. FWD 24'-04", AFT 26'-08"
    N d. FWD 24'-05", AFT 26'-02"

2419: Where should the GMDSS radio log be kept on board ship?

    N a. In the Captain's office
    N b. In the sea cabin
    Y c. At the GMDSS operating position
    N d. Anywhere on board the vessel

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

2687: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    N a. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N b. also turns to starboard
    Y c. remains aligned with compass north
    N d. turns counterclockwise to port

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

2827: For a floating MODU, true mean draft is always the __________.

    N a. average of the observed drafts
    Y b. draft at the center of flotation
    N c. draft corresponding to the calculated displacement
    N d. mean of the calculated drafts

3361: 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

3515: The lightweight longitudinal free surface moments for the DEEP DRILLER are __________.

    N a. 680,914 ft-long tons
    Y b. 000 ft-long tons
    N c. -5,937 ft-long tons
    N d. -6,716 ft-long tons

3585: When a man who has fallen overboard is being picked up by a rescue boat, the boat should normally approach with the wind __________.

    N a. astern and the victim just off the bow
    N b. ahead and the victim just off the bow
    N c. just off the bow and the victim to windward
    Y d. just off the bow and the victim to leeward

3603: While anchored in 600 feet water depth, 3,150 feet of chain is deployed for line #8. Tension on that line is 220 kips. According to the DEEP DRILLER Operating manual, how much of that chain lies along the bottom?

    N a. 994 feet
    Y b. 1,422 feet
    N c. 1,728 feet
    N d. 2,550 feet

3712: The rescuer can best provide an airtight seal during mouth to mouth ventilation by pinching the victim's nostrils and __________.

    N a. cupping a hand around the patient's mouth
    N b. keeping the head elevated
    Y c. applying his mouth tightly over the victim's mouth
    N d. holding the jaw down firmly

3750: While providing assistance to a victim of an epileptic seizure, it is most important to __________.

    N a. give artificial respiration
    Y b. prevent patient from hurting himself
    N c. keep the patient awake and make him/her walk if necessary to keep him/her awake
    N d. remove any soiled clothing and put the patient in a clean bed

3795: When the ullage is 5.7 feet in P-Tank #6 for the Deep Driller, the transverse moment for P-Tank #6 is __________.

    N a. 1,288 foot-tons
    Y b. 1,887 foot-tons
    N c. 3,169 foot-tons
    N d. 4,596 foot-tons

3987: 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 metacentric height?

    N a. 5.02 feet
    N b. 5.65 feet
    Y c. 7.33 feet
    N d. 7.63 feet

4082: A towing vessel is NOT required to be fitted with radar if it is ____________ .

    Y a. used solely for assistance towing
    N b. under 65 feet in length
    N c. used exclusively on the Western Rivers
    N d. pushing ahead

4175: How much non-liquid deck load can the DEEP DRILLER, loaded as shown in the sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), accept if the weight is placed at a VCG of 130 feet? Ballast added or discharged to maintain draft at 60 feet is done so at 10 feet.

    N a. 461.9 long tons
    Y b. 457.5 long tons
    N c. 388.8 long tons
    N d. 323.1 long tons

4252: Which statement about immersion suits is TRUE?

    N a. The suit's oil resistance is such that it will be serviceable and be usable after exposure to gasoline or mineral spirits without needing to be specially treated.
    N b. The suit seals in body heat and provides protection against hypothermia indefinitely.
    N c. The suit is flameproof and provides protection to the wearer while swimming through burning oil.
    Y d. The suit must, without assistance, turn an unconscious person's mouth clear of the water within 5 seconds.

4263: The rotary of the COASTAL DRILLER is located 38 feet aft of transom and 6 feet to starboard of the centerline. With the changes to lightweight shown in the Operating Manual, the maximum allowable hook load is __________.

    N a. 1000 kips
    N b. 445 kips
    Y c. 424 kips
    N d. 346 kips

4734: Seawater may be used for drinking __________.

    N a. if gathered during or immediately after a hard rain
    N b. at a maximum rate of two ounces per day
    Y c. under no conditions
    N d. after mixing with an equal quantity of fresh water

5067: While a MODU is underway, a look-out must be maintained __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. only during periods of restricted visibility
    N c. only when other vessels are present
    N d. only during the hours of darkness

5806: Damage stability is the stability __________.

    N a. which exists when the wind speed is less than 50 knots
    N b. before collision
    Y c. after flooding
    N d. at the maximum load

6497: The only type of helicopter that may be refueled with the engine running and the blades turning is __________.

    N a. a helicopter carrying cargo only
    Y b. a turbine-equipped helicopter
    N c. a Sikorsky
    N d. a helicopter carrying injured personnel in an emergency situation

6657: The design specifications for cranes and crane foundations on MODU's are set and published by the __________.

    N a. American Society of Mechanical Engineers
    Y b. American Petroleum Institute
    N c. Society of Petroleum Engineers
    N d. American Society of Civil Engineers

6737: Each EPIRB required on a MODU shall be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator every __________.

    N a. week
    N b. two weeks
    Y c. month
    N d. two months

7375: When a semisubmersible rig under tow veers from side to side on its tow line, the best way of controlling the action is to __________.

    N a. trim by the bow
    Y b. trim by the stern
    N c. play out stern anchor chain
    N d. adjust the length of the towing bridle

7605: For small angles of inclination, if the KG were equal to the KM, then the vessel would have __________.

    N a. positive stability
    N b. negative stability
    Y c. neutral stability
    N d. maximum stability

8161: A semisubmersible, displacing 20,500 long tons, has vertical moments of 1,060,000 foot-long tons. What is the change in KG if 500 long tons are discharged from a VCG of 120 feet?

    N a. 1.22 feet downward
    Y b. 1.71 feet downward
    N c. 1.75 feet downward
    N d. 2.93 feet downward

8295: The DEEP DRILLER suffers minor flooding of the port pump room. If both port bilge pumps fail to dewater the pump room, you should use the __________.

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

8481: A jack-up 180 feet in length with the LCF at 120 feet AF0 has a true mean draft (draft at LCF) of 10 feet. If the trim is 3 feet by the stern, what is the draft at the stern?

    N a. 8.0 feet
    N b. 9.0 feet
    Y c. 11.0 feet
    N d. 12.0 feet

9107: The amount of Halon remaining in an extinguisher is determined by __________.

    N a. internal inspection
    N b. checking the gage
    Y c. weighing the cylinder
    N d. checking the tag

9525: When the height of the metacenter is greater than the height of the center of gravity a vessel has which type of stability?

    Y a. Stable
    N b. Neutral
    N c. Unstable
    N d. Negative

9573: A floating vessel will behave as if all of its weight is acting downward through the __________.

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