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.


77: Normally, the percentage of oxygen in air is __________.


147: Your vessel is on a voyage of three months duration. The number of sanitary inspections required is __________.


183: Which statement is TRUE concerning an inflatable liferaft?


281: The gross weight of a fully charged CO2 bottle in a fixed CO2 system is 220 lbs. When the bottle is empty it weighs 120 lbs. What is the minimum acceptable gross weight of the CO2 bottle before it should be recharged by the manufacturer?

    N a. 200 lbs
    N b. 205 lbs
    Y c. 210 lbs
    N d. 220 lbs

283: Spreading oil on the open sea has the effect of __________.

    N a. diminishing the height of the seas
    N b. lengthening the distance between successive crests
    N c. increasing the height of the seas
    Y d. preventing the wave crests from breaking

327: The maneuvering information required to be posted in the wheelhouse must be based on certain conditions. Which of the following is NOT one of these conditions?

    N a. The hull must be clean.
    N b. There must be calm weather-wind 10 knots or less and a calm sea.
    N c. There must be no current.
    Y d. The depth of the water must be at least one and one-half times the draft.

403: Due to the shape of the sea anchor, the best way to haul it back aboard is by __________.

    N a. hauling in on the anchor line as you would any anchor
    N b. getting all hands to assist
    Y c. its trip line
    N d. cutting the line, as you cannot haul it back in

416: Under the regulations for cargo vessels, which statement is TRUE concerning fireman's outfits?

    N a. If a vessel carries two outfits, they may be stored in the same location.
    Y b. Each fireman's outfit shall contain a flame safety lamp of an approved type.
    N c. Each fireman's outfit shall contain a fresh-air breathing apparatus.
    N d. All of the above

538: A victim is coughing and wheezing from a partial obstruction of the airway. An observer should __________.

    N a. perform the Heimlich maneuver
    N b. immediately start CPR
    N c. give back blows and something to drink
    Y d. allow the person to continue coughing and dislodge the obstruction on his own

547: Channel 13 (156.65 MHz), the designated bridge-to-bridge channel, may NOT be used to __________.

    N a. exchange navigational information between vessels
    N b. exchange navigational information between a vessel and a shore station
    N c. conduct necessary tests
    Y d. exchange operating schedules with company dispatcher

657: What is the normal operating power for ship-to-ship communications on channel 13?

    Y a. 1 watt or less
    N b. 5 watts
    N c. 10 watts
    N d. 20 watts

712: Which statement is TRUE concerning the application of foam on an oil fire?

    N a. It cools the surface of the liquid.
    N b. It gives protection to fire fighting personnel against the heat of the fire.
    Y c. It forms a smothering blanket on the surface of the oil.
    N d. It should be used at the same time a solid stream of water is being applied.

834: After sending a message describing the symptoms of an ill crew member, you receive a message containing the code MRL. This means "_______".

    N a. Apply ice-cold compress and renew every 4 hours
    Y b. Commence artificial respiration immediately
    N c. Give enema
    N d. Pass catheter into bladder

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

1010: Which action will best increase the transverse stability of a merchant vessel at sea?

    Y a. Ballasting the double bottom tanks
    N b. Deballasting the deep tanks
    N c. Positioning a heavy lift cargo on the main deck
    N d. Raising the cargo booms to the upright position

1106: On small passenger vessels, when may a flexible hose be used in gasoline or diesel fuel lines?

    N a. In diesel installations only
    N b. In gasoline installations only
    Y c. In both diesel and gasoline installations
    N d. In neither diesel nor gasoline installations

1253: If there are no alternatives for escape, what is the maximum height that the survival craft could be dropped into the water?

    N a. 2 ft.
    N b. 6 ft.
    Y c. 10 ft.
    N d. 14 ft.

1270: The most common type of davit found on merchant vessels today is the __________.

    N a. radial
    N b. sheath-screw
    Y c. gravity
    N d. quadrantal

1346: The canopy of an inflatable liferaft should __________.

    Y a. go into place as the raft is inflated
    N b. be put up after everyone is aboard
    N c. be put up only in severe weather
    N d. be used as a sail if the wind is blowing

1357: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is partially loaded with a GM of 2.9 feet and drafts of: FWD 17'-10", AFT 19'-04". Use the white pages of the Stability Data Reference Book to determine what tanks you should ballast to increase the GM to 3.9 feet.

    Y a. Tanks: DB4, DT6
    N b. Tanks: DB3, DB5, DT8
    N c. Tanks: DB6, DT7
    N d. Tanks: DB2, DT1, DT6

1393: You are reading the draft marks. The water level is about 4 inches below the bottom of the number 11. What is the draft? (D032DG )

    Y a. 10'-08"
    N b. 10'-10"
    N c. 11'-04"
    N d. 11'-08"

1512: Where are the draft marks required to be displayed on a ship?

    N a. Deep tanks
    N b. Voids
    N c. Midships near the waterline
    Y d. Area of water line near stem and stern

1543: The ship station license for your radiotelephone is valid for __________.

    N a. one year
    N b. two years
    Y c. ten years
    N d. the life of the vessel

1628: You are running before a rough sea and a strong wind. Your sailing vessel is yawing. If the wind should catch the mainsail on the reverse side you will __________.

    N a. broach
    N b. tack
    Y c. jibe
    N d. go in irons

1757: You are operating a liftboat. Before starting jacking operations you should __________.

    N a. put the crane in a vertical position
    N b. close the wheelhouse doors
    Y c. have all personnel don life jackets
    N d. put a watch in the engineroom

1839: A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 020° relative would be __________.

    Y a. coming about
    N b. close hauled on the port tack
    N c. running before the wind
    N d. on a broad reach on the starboard tack

1938: A wobbling tail shaft is an indication of __________.

    N a. shallow water
    N b. an engine that is misfiring
    N c. a tight tail shaft gland
    Y d. worn stern bearing or misalignment

2171: The approval period for a shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan expires after __________.

    N a. two years
    N b. three years
    N c. four years
    Y d. five years

2619: 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-0073

    N a. 1171.5 tons
    N b. 1311.0 tons
    N c. 1503.0 tons
    Y d. 1710.5 tons

2723: The prohibition against exceeding the load line draft may be considered temporarily not applicable when __________.

    N a. column-stabilized units are operating in water depths over 600 feet
    N b. column-stabilized units are operating in waters outside U.S. jurisdiction
    Y c. bottom supported units are being raised or lowered to the sea bed
    N d. bottom supported units are being towed on a move of less than 12 hours

3036: 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-0098

    N a. 262.3 ft
    N b. 264.9 ft
    Y c. 268.1 ft
    N d. 270.3 ft

3129: If water is rising in the bilge of a survival craft, you should first __________.

    N a. abandon the survival craft
    N b. check for cracks in the hull
    N c. shift all personnel to the stern
    Y d. check the bilge drain plug

3135: While the DEEP DRILLER is operating loaded as shown in Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), casing is accidentally dropped over the port side. If the port forward inclination is slowly increasing, which tank is probably damaged?

    Y a. 1P
    N b. 2P
    N c. 1S
    N d. 3P

3153: The DEEP DRILLER, while loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #4 (Drilling), suffers severe damage to the port aft column below the waterline. You should pump from tank __________.

    N a. C1S
    N b. 9S
    Y c. 10P
    N d. 2S

3387: A semisubmersible records the following drafts: Port Forward 64'-09"; Port Aft 68'-09"; Starboard Forward 59'-09"; Starboard Aft 63'-09". What is the mean draft?

    Y a. 64.25 feet
    N b. 64.40 feet
    N c. 64.75 feet
    N d. 64.90 feet

3401: While in port, what signal flag would inform the vessel's crew to report on board because the vessel was about to proceed to sea?

    Y a. "P"
    N b. "H"
    N c. "U"
    N d. "A"

3457: Using a sea anchor will __________.

    Y a. reduce your drift rate
    N b. keep the liferaft from turning over
    N c. aid in recovering the liferaft
    N d. increase your visibility

3545: Until a change to lightweight has been approved, the weights and center of gravity locations for the changes to lightweight shown in the permanent record for the Deep Driller are treated as __________.

    Y a. variable load
    N b. fixed load
    N c. basic load
    N d. gross tonnage

3547: The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to sail with the load shown. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the available GM. ST-0139

    Y a. Available GM 3.5 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.9 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.3 ft
    N d. Available GM 4.8 ft

3999: Which item may be substituted for, in the fireman's outfit, on a cargo vessel?

    N a. fire ax
    N b. flashlight
    N c. rigid helmet
    Y d. flame safety lamp

4009: You are preparing to load fuel oil on a vessel of 1,600 gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974. Before loading, you must check that the fuel oil tank vents __________.

    N a. are not obstructed by on-deck cargo
    N b. have a fire extinguisher within the immediate area
    Y c. have containment capacity for at least one barrel
    N d. are opened and the flame screen replaced

4193: While going on location in 250 feet water depth when the pitch angle of the COASTAL DRILLER is 2 degrees, the single amplitude pitch period should be longer than __________.

    N a. 0.2 second
    N b. 0.4 second
    N c. 4.9 seconds
    Y d. 13.9 seconds

4216: You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming four days, and you will enter the winter zone after a total of nine days. You will consume 29 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.008, and the average TPI is 53. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? (Get Table Data)

    N a. 72.5 inches
    N b. 75.0 inches
    N c. 77.0 inches
    Y d. 80.0 inches

4246: Radiation spreads a fire by __________.

    Y a. transferring heat across an unobstructed space
    N b. heated gases flowing through ventilation systems
    N c. burning liquids flowing into another space
    N d. transmitting the heat of a fire through the ship's metal

4268: Which statement about immersion suits is TRUE?

    Y a. Prior to abandonment, the suit allows body movement such as walking, climbing a ladder and picking up small objects.
    N b. The immersion suit seals in body heat and provides protection against hypothermia for weeks.
    N c. The suit is flameproof and provides protection to the wearer while swimming through burning oil.
    N d. The wearer of the suit is severely restricted and requires twice the time to climb a ladder than without the suit.

4285: During an ocean tow when the winds are less than 70 knots, the maximum allowable KG for the COASTAL DRILLER is __________.

    N a. 38.75 feet
    N b. 42.00 feet
    N c. 44.00 feet
    Y d. 65.00 feet

4393: Environmental loading consists of the forces caused by wind, waves, and __________.

    N a. drilling
    N b. soil reactions
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

6703: The person-in-charge of a mobile offshore drilling unit must be designated by the __________.

    N a. Coast Guard
    N b. Minerals Management Service
    N c. operator or his agent
    Y d. owner or his agent

7046: A fire has broken out on the stern of your vessel. You should maneuver your vessel so the wind __________.

    N a. blows the fire back toward the vessel
    N b. comes over either beam
    N c. comes over the stern
    Y d. comes over the bow

7325: One method of reducing the length of radio transmissions without distorting the meaning of your words is by using __________.

    N a. slang
    N b. secret codes
    Y c. procedure words
    N d. analogies

7805: A tank with internal dimensions of 40 feet X 20 feet X 12 feet is pressed with fuel oil weighing 54 pounds per cubic foot. What is the weight, in short tons, of the liquid?

    N a. 518.4 short tons
    Y b. 259.2 short tons
    N c. 135.0 short tons
    N d. 11.3 short tons

8055: When inspecting a survival craft, you should check to make sure that the __________.

    N a. sea anchor is deployed
    N b. hydraulic starting system has been drained
    Y c. hydraulic pressure is within the specified range
    N d. steering controls are locked

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

8445: Under the regulations implementing MARPOL, a mobile offshore drilling unit is required to have an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate when the unit __________.

    N a. is drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf
    N b. moves to a new drilling location in U.S. waters
    Y c. engages in a voyage to a port of another country which is a party of MARPOL
    N d. All of the above

8511: An elevated jack-up weighs 17,000 kips. Its center of gravity is located 110 feet aft of frame zero (AF0). What would be the new LCG if the cantilever (weight 900 kips) and drill floor (weight 800 kips) were skidded 70 feet aft?

    N a. 103.0 feet AF0
    N b. 113.4 feet AF0
    Y c. 117.0 feet AF0
    N d. 180.0 feet AF0

8535: You are transferring fuel from a supply vessel to your MODU. If you close off one tank in the line of tanks being filled, the rate of flow to other open tanks on the same line will __________.

    Y a. increase
    N b. decrease
    N c. stop
    N d. stabilize

8661: While the DEEP DRILLER is operating as shown in Sample Form #4 (Drilling), casing is accidentally dropped over the starboard side. If the starboard aft inclination is slowly increasing, which tank is probably damaged?

    N a. 9S
    N b. 8S
    Y c. 10S
    N d. 10P

9235: The longitudinal free surface moments of a drilling mud pit aboard a MODU displacing 24,000 long tons in sea water is 1,200 ft-long tons. If the sounding level in the mud pit is reduced from 8 to 6 feet and the mud weight increases from 10 to 12 lbs/gallon, what is the new FSML for the mud pit?

    N a. 750 ft-long tons
    N b. 1,000 ft-long tons
    Y c. 1,440 ft-long tons
    N d. 1,920 ft-long tons

9531: When the height of the metacenter is greater than the height of the center of gravity, the upright equilibrium position is stable and stability is __________.

    N a. unstable
    N b. neutral
    N c. negative
    Y d. positive

9595: A non-symmetrical tank aboard a MODU contains 390 tons of ballast at a VCG of 9.85 feet. Ballast weighing 250 tons and a VCG of 12.0 feet is discharged. The vertical moments for the remaining ballast is __________.

    Y a. 842 ft-long tons
    N b. 3,000 ft-long tons
    N c. 3,842 ft-long tons
    N d. 6,842 ft-long tons