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.


15: In reference to accidental oil pollution, the most critical time during bunkering is when __________.


220: Metacentric height is a measure of __________.


254: If you wanted to ask a nearby vessel if he had a doctor on board, you would hoist the flag signal __________.


266: What is the minimum number of fire pumps required on a cargo vessel of 900 GT?

    Y a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

298: Which is NOT a symptom of traumatic shock?

    Y a. Slow, deep breathing
    N b. Pale, cold skin
    N c. Weak, rapid pulse
    N d. Restlessness and anxiety

343: An emergency sea anchor may be constructed by using __________.

    N a. a boat bucket
    N b. an air tank filled with water
    N c. an oar and canvas weighted down
    Y d. All of the above

481: How should the letter "D" be pronounced when spoken on the radiotelephone?

    N a. DUKE
    N b. DA VID
    N c. DOG
    Y d. DELL TAH

501: 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-0010

    N a. 1292 tons
    Y b. 1248 tons
    N c. 1211 tons
    N d. 1172 tons

530: The TPI curve, one of the hydrostatic curves in a vessel's plans, gives the number of tons __________.

    N a. necessary to change the angle of list 1° at a given draft
    N b. necessary to change trim 1 inch at a given draft
    N c. pressure per square inch on the vessel's hull at a given draft
    Y d. necessary to further immerse the vessel 1 inch at a given draft

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

    N a. lower ballast tanks are filled with water
    Y b. passengers are strapped to their seats
    N c. sea anchor is deployed to windward
    N d. fuel tanks are not less than half full

701: Which statement about free surface is TRUE?

    N a. A partially filled space with 40% surface permeability will have greater free surface effect than one with 60% surface permeability.
    N b. Pocketing increases the loss of GM due to free surface effect.
    N c. Cargo with a specific gravity of 1.05 has less free surface effect than a cargo with a specific gravity of 0.98.
    Y d. Pocketing occurs at small angles of inclination when a tank is 98% full.

711: When administering artificial respiration to an adult, the breathing cycle should be repeated about __________.

    Y a. 12 to 15 times per minute
    N b. 18 to 20 times per minute
    N c. 20 to 25 times per minute
    N d. as fast as possible

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

    Y a. a painter
    N b. red smoke flares
    N c. a jackknife
    N d. a signal mirror

887: Carbon dioxide as a fire fighting agent has which advantage over other agents?

    Y a. It causes minimal damage.
    N b. It is safer for personnel.
    N c. It is cheaper.
    N d. It is most effective on a per unit basis.

1193: On small passenger, vessels spaces containing batteries require good ventilation because it __________.

    N a. adds as much as 2 volts to battery performance
    N b. supplies extra nitrogen for the battery
    Y c. helps dissipate flammable gas accumulations
    N d. allows less soda water to be used in the diodes

1307: Firefighting foam is only effective when the foam __________.

    N a. penetrates to the bottom of the fire
    N b. is kept saturated with low-velocity water fog
    N c. mixes with the burning fuel oil
    Y d. completely covers the top of the burning liquid

1413: Your vessel is damaged, and there is no list or trim. The rolling period is short. The freeboard before the damage was 12'02" (3.7 meters). It is now reduced to 3'00"(1 meter). Which action would you take FIRST?

    N a. Press up a slack centerline double bottom tank
    Y b. Pump out an amidships centerline ballast tank
    N c. Transfer ballast from the peak tanks to an amidships centerline tank
    N d. Pump out the marine potable tank located on the starboard side amidships

1478: There is a fire in the crew's quarters of your vessel. You should __________.

    N a. ventilate the quarters as much as possible
    N b. prepare to abandon ship
    Y c. close all ventilation to the quarters if possible
    N d. attempt to put the fire out yourself before sounding the alarm

1551: On inspected cargo vessels, each fire station is required to be fitted with a hose which has a nominal diameter of __________.

    Y a. 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 inches
    N b. 2 or 3 inches
    N c. 2-1/2 or 3-1/2 inches
    N d. 3 or 4 inches

1597: Which characteristic is an advantage of Halon as a fire extinguishing medium?

    Y a. Electrically non-conductive
    N b. Relatively inexpensive
    N c. Effective against chemicals containing an oxidizer
    N d. All of the above

1663: Which tank barges require draft marks?

    Y a. All tank barges
    N b. Tank barges over 50 GT
    N c. Tank barges over 100 GT
    N d. Notch barges over 1000 GT

1688: Each commercial fishing vessel must have at least one immersion suit, exposure suit, or life preserver for each __________.

    Y a. person aboard
    N b. person working on deck
    N c. crew member
    N d. None of the above are correct.

1749: High pressure and low pressure alarms must be tested __________.

    Y a. no earlier than 24 hours prior to loading
    N b. no later than 24 hours prior to loading
    N c. anytime prior to loading
    N d. weekly

1828: A gas-free certificate would usually be issued by a(n) __________.

    N a. ABS marine surveyor
    Y b. certified marine chemist
    N c. port engineer
    N d. Coast Guard marine inspector

1854: How is the Master or operator of a vessel required to keep the crew informed of the regulations concerning the discharging of garbage overboard?

    N a. Give each crewmember a copy of ANNEX V of MARPOL.
    N b. Call an all hands meeting before sailing.
    Y c. Keep placards prominently posted.
    N d. Have each person read and sign a copy of the regulations.

1997: Vessels to which Annex V to MARPOL 73/78 applies may discharge garbage containing plastics __________.

    N a. 5 nautical miles from nearest land
    N b. 12 nautical miles from nearest land
    N c. 25 nautical miles from nearest land
    Y d. None of the above

2039: You have approximately 14 tons of fish on deck. What will be the shift in the center of gravity after you shift the fish to the fish hold, a vertical distance of 6 feet? (total displacement is 210 tons)

    N a. 0.2 foot
    N b. 0.3 foot
    Y c. 0.4 foot
    N d. 0.5 foot

2127: On vessels on an international voyage, each inflatable liferaft shall have a carrying capacity of not less than __________.

    N a. 50 percent of all persons on board
    N b. 75 percent of all persons on board
    Y c. 6 persons
    N d. 10 persons

2630: According to the Chemical Data Guide, what is NOT a recommended extinguishing agent for an ethylene cyanohydrin fire?

    N a. Alcohol foam
    N b. CO2
    N c. Dry chemical
    Y d. Water fog

2697: In order to withstand fluid head pressure on a MODU, stiffeners are often attached to the bulkhead __________.

    N a. penetrations
    Y b. plating
    N c. framing
    N d. brackets

2771: The angle to which a floating MODU, with a negative initial metacentric height, lies while at rest in still water is the angle of __________.

    N a. trim
    N b. yaw
    N c. heel
    Y d. loll

2832: Which fuel cannot be used for cooking on vessels carrying passengers for hire? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. Kerosene
    N b. Coal
    N c. Wood
    Y d. Gasoline

2920: You have loaded a deck cargo, and the vessel has assumed an 8° list due to negative GM. Your salt water drafts are: FWD 16'-02", AFT 16'-06". If you then load 1200 tons of cargo in the lower holds (VCG 12 feet) and take on 624 tons of bunkers (VCG 2.5 feet), what is the final GM? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    Y a. 2.0 feet
    N b. 2.6 feet
    N c. 3.0 feet
    N d. 3.4 feet

3085: The vertical distance between G and M of a MODU is used as a measure of __________.

    N a. stability at all angles of inclination
    Y b. initial stability
    N c. stability at angles less than the limit of positive stability
    N d. stability at angles less than the downflooding angle

3239: Your tow includes a loaded chlorine barge. After inspecting the tow, the mate reports that he hears a hissing sound coming from the safety valves. Where will you find information on emergency procedures concerning the uncontrolled release of cargo?

    N a. Barge's Certificate of Inspection
    Y b. Cargo Information Card on your towboat
    N c. Cargo Manifest or loading paper
    N d. Dangerous Cargo Regulations

3373: The DEEP DRILLER at survival draft loads 2,068.1 long tons of ballast. What is the new draft?

    N a. 30.0 feet
    N b. 45.0 feet
    Y c. 60.0 feet
    N d. 75.0 feet

3396: On a vessel making a voyage more than 48 hours long, regulations require that __________.

    N a. a lifeboat drill be held within 12 hours prior to departure
    N b. fire pumps be tested by starting within 12 hours prior to departure
    N c. the emergency generator and lighting system be tested by starting and operating within 12 hours prior to departure
    Y d. the entire steering gear be tested within 12 hours prior to departure

3397: A jack-up 180 feet in length with the LCF at 120 feet AFO has a draft of 8 feet at the bow and 11 feet at the stern. What is the true mean draft (draft at the center of flotation)?

    N a. 8.0 feet
    N b. 9.0 feet
    Y c. 10.0 feet
    N d. 11.0 feet

3478: Puncture leaks in the lower tubes or bottom of an inflatable liferaft should FIRST be stopped by using __________.

    Y a. sealing clamps
    N b. repair tape
    N c. a tube patch
    N d. sail twine and vulcanizing kit

3610: A passenger vessel is underway. When may passengers visit the pilothouse?

    Y a. Passengers are excluded from the pilothouse while underway.
    N b. Passengers are permitted in the pilothouse during daylight hours only.
    N c. Passengers are permitted to visit the pilothouse when authorized by the Master and officer of the watch.
    N d. Passengers are permitted in the pilothouse when they are escorted by a ship's officer.

3614: While proceeding towards a distress site you hear the message "Seelonce Feenee" over the radiotelephone. Which action should you take?

    N a. Resume base course and speed because the distress situation is over.
    N b. Do not transmit over the radiotelephone.
    N c. Relay the initial distress message to the nearest shore station.
    Y d. Resume normal communications on the guarded frequency.

3962: When should food or water be provided to survivors after boarding a liferaft?

    N a. After 12 hours
    Y b. After 24 hours
    N c. After 48 hours
    N d. Some food and water should be consumed immediately and then not until 48 hours later

4013: The DEEP DRILLER, at 60.0 feet draft in sea water, has VM = 974,441 foot-long tons, LM = 40,301 foot-long tons, TM = 3 foot-long tons, FSML = 30,572 foot-long tons, and FSMT = 18,732 foot-long tons. What is the KG corrected for longitudinal free surface effects?

    N a. 53.78 feet
    N b. 54.82 feet
    Y c. 55.47 feet
    N d. 56.01 feet

4326: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 4850 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 279.84 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-0159

    N a. LCG-FP 267.7 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 268.4 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 269.2 feet
    Y d. LCG-FP 270.6 feet

4534: The SS AMERICAN MARINER has on board 5577 tons of cargo with an LCG-FP of 275.55 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-0163

    Y a. LCG-FP 271.2 feet
    N b. LCG-FP 272.1 feet
    N c. LCG-FP 273.6 feet
    N d. LCG-FP 274.6 feet

4535: The sounding level of 17 lb. per gallon mud in mud pit 2S of the COASTAL DRILLER is 7.75 feet. What are the transverse moments for this mud?

    N a. 896 ft-kips
    N b. 913 ft-kips
    Y c. 1139 ft-kips
    N d. 1161 ft-kips

4643: What is the change in longitudinal moments for the Coastal Driller if 2.0 feet of drill water is transferred from a full drill water tank #23 to an empty drill water tank #6?

    N a. 7,990 foot-kips increase
    Y b. 7,990 foot-kips decrease
    N c. 8,502 foot-kips decrease
    N d. 16,041 foot-kips decrease

5073: An obstruction light on a mobile offshore drilling unit on the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, shall have a lens that is visible over an arc of __________.

    N a. 60°
    N b. 90°
    N c. 180°
    Y d. 360°

5193: The DEEP DRILLER is being towed at a 20 foot draft. Vessel motions are within acceptable limits, but the waves begin to hit the horizontal braces. You should __________.

    N a. continue on course at the same draft
    N b. ballast to a 60 foot draft and continue on course
    Y c. change course to reduce the wave impact
    N d. shorten the tow wire for a smoother ride

5423: The COASTAL DRILLER, loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #3 (Drilling), dumps all the mud in pits 1, 2, 3, and 4. What is the new TCG?

    N a. -0.36 foot
    Y b. -0.26 foot
    N c. 0.31 foot
    N d. 0.36 foot

5486: This illustration shows the correct method of securing a __________. (D009SA )

    N a. man-rope
    N b. frapping line
    Y c. sea painter
    N d. lifeline

5813: An ideal mooring system would be __________.

    Y a. symmetrical and in equilibrium
    N b. asymmetrical and in flux
    N c. distorted and in equilibrium
    N d. concentric and in flux

5958: You are wearing a breathing apparatus inside a tank. How many tugs on the lifeline should you give to indicate that you are advancing?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

6124: On a vessel of 7000 tons displacement, a tank 35 ft. long, 30 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep is half filled with fuel oil (S.G. 0.962) while the vessel is floating in saltwater (S.G. 1.026). What is the free surface constant for this tank?

    Y a. 2,109
    N b. 25,974
    N c. 31,328
    N d. 909,090

6401: Why must the drilled hole be filled with drilling mud when tripping the drill string out of the hole?

    N a. To maintain circulation to the mud pits
    N b. To compensate for MODU heave
    N c. To keep the mud agitated
    Y d. To prevent reduction of fluid head on the formations

6833: If a drill required by regulations is not completed on a mobile offshore drilling unit, the Master or person in charge must __________.

    N a. report this immediately to the OCMI
    N b. report this immediately to the Commandant of the Coast Guard
    Y c. log the reason for not completing the drill
    N d. conduct two of the required drills at the next opportunity

7075: Where there are multiple accident victims, which injuries should be the FIRST to receive emergency treatment?

    N a. Major multiple fractures
    N b. Eye injuries
    N c. Back injuries with spinal-cord damage
    Y d. Airway and breathing difficulties

9362: You are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into an engine compartment to extinguish a fire. The CO2 will be most effective if the __________.

    N a. compartment is closed and ventilators are opened
    N b. compartment is left open to the air
    Y c. compartment is closed and airtight
    N d. air flow to the compartment is increased with blowers

9467: When inclined to an angle of list, the value of the righting moment is __________.

    N a. negative
    Y b. zero
    N c. positive
    N d. maximum

9652: When pilot cylinder pressure is used as a means to release the CO2 from a fixed fire extinguishing system consisting of four storage cylinders, the number of pilot cylinders shall be at least __________.

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4