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.


121: Your vessel has a displacement of 24,500 tons. It is 529 feet long and has a beam of 71 feet. You have timed your full charge rolling period to be 25.0 seconds. What is your vessel's approximate GM?


137: The officer responsible for the sanitary condition of the engineering department is the __________.


221: Which statement about the free surface effect is TRUE?


224: If there is a possibility of confusion, which signal should be used to send the group "True Bearing 045 Degrees"?

    N a. 045
    N b. B045
    N c. B045T
    Y d. A045

232: You are tending the lifeline of a person who has entered a compartment wearing a breathing apparatus. How many tugs of the lifeline mean "Are you all right"?

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

389: On a vessel of 9,000 tons displacement, compute the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold having free water on the tank tops. The hold is 20 feet long and 30 feet wide. The reduction in metacentric height is __________.

    N a. .09 feet
    N b. .12 feet
    Y c. .14 feet
    N d. .16 feet

413: Paint and oil lockers on small passenger vessels must be constructed of or lined with __________.

    Y a. steel or equivalent material
    N b. fiberglass
    N c. sheetrock, asbestos, or other material that retards the spread of fire
    N d. marine plywood

440: You are making a heavy lift with the jumbo boom. Your vessel displaces 8390 T. The 40 ton weight is on the pier and its center is 55' to starboard of the centerline. The head of the boom is 110' above the base line and the center of gravity of the lift when stowed on deck will be 45' above the base line. As the jumbo boom takes the strain the ship lists to 3.5°. What is the GM with the cargo stowed?

    Y a. 4.58 feet
    N b. 4.27 feet
    N c. 3.93 feet
    N d. 3.68 feet

630: Reserve buoyancy is __________.

    N a. also called GM
    N b. the void portion of the ship below the waterline which is enclosed and watertight
    N c. affected by the number of transverse watertight bulkheads
    Y d. the watertight portion of a vessel above the waterline

723: The color of the signal flare sent up by a submarine to indicate an emergency condition within the submarine is __________.

    Y a. red
    N b. white
    N c. yellow
    N d. green

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

955: If another station sent you the signal "KG", he would be __________.

    N a. telling you to stay clear
    N b. telling you he has flooded a hold
    Y c. asking you if you needed a tug
    N d. telling you he found an aircraft wreckage

979: When should you first have any food or water after boarding a lifeboat or liferaft?

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

1056: U.S.C.G. approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety equipment and may be worn by members of the crew __________.

    N a. in lieu of life preservers during fire drills
    N b. in lieu of life preservers during boat drills
    N c. in lieu of life preservers during an actual emergency
    Y d. when carrying out duties near a weather deck's edge

1073: Your vessel is damaged and partially flooded. It is listing 12° to port and trimmed 8 feet down by the head. It has a long, slow, sluggish roll. Which action should you take FIRST?

    Y a. Press up an after, slack, centerline double bottom tank
    N b. Pump out the forepeak tank
    N c. Jettison the anchors and anchor cables
    N d. Jettison deck cargo from the port side

1158: Spontaneous combustion is caused by __________.

    N a. an outside heat source heating a substance until it ignites
    N b. conduction of heat through a wall of material to the substance
    Y c. chemical action within a substance
    N d. All of the above

1163: Individual wires, used in systems greater than 50 volts, __________.

    N a. should be supported at 24 inch intervals with plastic tie wraps
    N b. should never be located in a tank
    Y c. must be installed in conduit
    N d. All of the above

1824: Most recreational sailing craft have triangular sails and are said to be __________.

    N a. Gaff rigged
    N b. Spinnaker rigged
    Y c. Marconi rigged
    N d. Square rigged

1825: Each drilling unit equipped with helicopter fuel storage tanks must have the tanks installed as far as practicable from the __________.

    Y a. landing area and sources of vapor ignition
    N b. main deck
    N c. engine room
    N d. drill floor

1897: Which is a part of a vessel's standing rigging?

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

1927: On offshore drilling units, the minimum number of inclined ladders which must be fitted between each weather deck is __________.

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

1943: Which statement concerning satellite EPIRBs is TRUE?

    Y a. Once activated, these EPIRBs continuously send up a signal for use in identifying the vessel and for determining the position of the beacon.
    N b. The coded signal identifies the nature of the Distress situation.
    N c. The coded signal only identifies the vessel's name and port of registry.
    N d. If the GMDSS Radio Operator does not program the EPIRB, it will transmit default information such as the follow-on communications frequency and mode.

2069: The metal horseshoe-shaped pieces used to bend a sail onto a stay are called_________.

    Y a. hanks
    N b. shackles
    N c. warps
    N d. gudgeons

2090: You have 520 tons of below deck tonnage including liquid mud. Your existing deck cargo is 160 tons with a VCG above the deck of 2.7 feet. What is the maximum cargo tonnage you are permitted to load? (See the stability letter for the M.V. Hudson illustration D036DG.) (D036DG )

    Y a. 84 tons
    N b. 160 tons
    N c. 244 tons
    N d. 317 tons

2126: Which spaces are required to be segregated from cargo tanks carrying grades A, B, C, or D cargoes?

    N a. Pump rooms
    N b. Enclosed deck spaces
    N c. Cofferdams
    Y d. Navigation spaces

2309: Your vessel is preparing to lift a weight of 30 tons with a boom whose head is 30 feet from the ship's centerline. The ship's displacement not including the weight lifted is 8,790 tons. KM is 21.5 ft; KG is 20.5 ft. The angle of list when the weight is lifted will be __________.

    N a. 1.4°
    N b. 2.8°
    N c. 3.4°
    Y d. 5.8°

2315: What is the function of an air receiver in the compressed air system on a MODU?

    N a. Condenses moisture
    N b. Provides overpressure protection
    N c. Purifies the air
    Y d. Acts as an accumulator

2384: Use the material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book. If the KG is 24.2 feet, and the drafts are: FWD 23'-04", AFT 24'-05"; at what angle will the vessel lose positive stability?

    N a. 67°
    N b. 71°
    Y c. 75°
    N d. 79°

2418: Your vessel's drafts are: FWD 24'-07", AFT 25'-09"; and the KG is 23.2 feet. What is the righting moment when the vessel is inclined to 45°? (Use the reference material in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book)

    N a. 27,008 foot-tons
    N b. 29,778 foot-tons
    N c. 32,428 foot-tons
    Y d. 34,663 foot-tons

2425: Every seaman injured on a fishing vessel must report the injury to the Master, individual in charge, or other agent of the employer __________.

    N a. before the end of the voyage
    N b. no later than 24 hours after the vessel docks
    Y c. no later than 7 days after the injury occurred
    N d. only if the injury prevents him from working

2821: A vessel heading SE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 112.5°
    Y b. 135.0°
    N c. 157.5°
    N d. 180.0°

2894: The sailing drafts are: FWD 23'-10", AFT 25'-02" and the GM is 5.3 feet. Use the information in Section 1, the blue pages, of the Stability Data Reference Book, to determine the available righting arm at 18° inclination.

    N a. 0.8 feet
    N b. 1.1 feet
    N c. 1.5 feet
    Y d. 1.9 feet

2902: Vessels in ocean service shall carry sufficient life floats for __________. (small passenger vessel regulations)

    N a. 25% of all persons on board
    N b. 50% of all persons on board
    N c. 75% of all persons on board
    Y d. 100% of all persons on board

2959: Which commodity would be regulated by subchapter D, Rules and Regulations for Tank Vessels?

    Y a. Asphalt
    N b. Vinyl Chloride
    N c. Benzene
    N d. All of the above

3051: The external flotation bladder on an immersion suit should be inflated __________.

    N a. only after two hours in the water
    N b. only after four hours in the water
    N c. before entry into the water
    Y d. upon entry into the water

3329: A fire is discovered in the forepeak of a vessel at sea. The wind is from ahead at 35 knots. You should __________.

    N a. remain on course and hold speed
    N b. remain on course but slack the speed
    Y c. change course and put the stern to the wind
    N d. change course to put the wind on either beam and increase speed

3409: To launch a liferaft by hand, you should __________.

    N a. cut the casing bands, throw the raft over the side and it will inflate by itself
    N b. detach the operating cord, throw the liferaft over the side and it will then inflate
    N c. cut the casing bands, throw the raft over the side and pull the operating cord
    Y d. throw the liferaft over the side and pull the operating cord

3511: The lightweight transverse moments for the DEEP DRILLER are __________.

    N a. 680,914 ft-long tons
    N b. 9,733 ft-long tons
    Y c. -5,937 ft-long tons
    N d. 000 ft-long tons

3516: Drinking salt water will __________.

    N a. will protect against heat cramps
    Y b. dehydrate you
    N c. be safe if mixed with fresh water
    N d. prevent seasickness

3572: Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 25'-04", AFT 24'-08". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 634 long tons are discharged from NO. 19 hatch.

    N a. FWD 25'-00 1/4", AFT 25'-04 1/8"
    N b. FWD 25'-02 3/4", AFT 23'-08 5/8"
    Y c. FWD 25'-05 1/4", AFT 23'-08 5/8"
    N d. FWD 25'-10 1/4", AFT 23'-11 3/4"

3738: A crew member is unconscious and the face is flushed. You should __________.

    Y a. lay the crew member down with the head and shoulders slightly raised
    N b. administer a liquid stimulant
    N c. lay the crew member down with the head lower than the feet
    N d. attempt to stand the crew member upright to restore consciousness

3793: When the ullage is 6.4 feet in P-Tank #5 for the Deep Driller, what is the value of the longitudinal moment?

    N a. -2,254 foot-tons
    N b. -2,949 foot-tons
    N c. -3,392 foot-tons
    Y d. -4,249 foot-tons

3902: 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-0149

    Y a. Available GM 3.0 ft
    N b. Available GM 3.7 ft
    N c. Available GM 4.0 ft
    N d. Available GM 4.2 ft

4091: The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #1 (Transit). What is the new metacentric height corrected for longitudinal free surface effects if the entire contents of salt water ballast 1anks 1P and 1S are discharged? (Use KML = 348.58)

    N a. 261.11 feet
    Y b. 279.37 feet
    N c. 283.37 feet
    N d. 301.12 feet

4751: Because there is a possibility of fuel oil being discharged overboard from a full fuel oil tank, it is decided to transfer 25 kips from tank #14 to tank #20. See COASTAL DRILLER Sample Load Form #1 (Rig Move). What would be the change in longitudinal moments with this transfer?

    Y a. 565 ft-kips
    N b. 900 ft-kips
    N c. 2603 ft-kips
    N d. 3168 ft-kips

5097: To have the ultimate authority for a mobile offshore drilling unit while it is under tow, a rig mover must __________.

    N a. hold an Able Seaman certificate and be designated as the person in charge of the rig
    Y b. hold a license as Offshore Installation Manager and be held as the person in charge of the rig
    N c. be certified by an approved classification society and be designated as the person in charge of the rig
    N d. be certified by the Minerals Management Service and be designated as the person in charge of the rig

5457: The only wire rope termination which may be made in the field is __________.

    N a. swaged socket
    N b. thimbled mechanical splice
    N c. hand splice
    Y d. spelter poured and resin sockets

5901: With a rig in tow, there is immediate danger to the tug in the event of the __________.

    Y a. tug losing power
    N b. tow line parting
    N c. bridle twisting
    N d. rig broaching

5957: On a MODU, a CO2 extinguisher is checked by __________.

    N a. reading the gage pressure
    Y b. weighing the extinguisher
    N c. discharging a small amount of CO2
    N d. seeing if the seal has been broken

6961: A report of casualty to a mobile offshore drilling unit must be made in writing to which office?

    N a. Commandant of the Coast Guard
    N b. Owner of the unit
    Y c. Nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office
    N d. Captain of the nearest port

7421: After receiving your distress call, the U.S.C.G. will ask you to switch to which SSB frequency?

    N a. 2570
    Y b. 2670
    N c. 2770
    N d. 2870

7587: The geometric center of the underwater volume is known as the __________.

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

8047: An "on-load" release system on a survival craft means the cable can be released __________.

    N a. only when the load is taken off the cable
    N b. only when there is a load on the cable
    N c. only when activated by the controls at the lowering station
    Y d. at any time

8081: What additional precautions should be taken when making temporary repairs to a MODU that is operating when hydrogen sulfide is present?

    N a. Seal off all tank and compartment ventilation.
    N b. Remove all bulk materials from the P-tanks.
    Y c. Provide respiratory protection and monitoring.
    N d. All of the above

8215: In the piping systems of a MODU, what type of valve gives the least resistance to fluid flow when fully open?

    N a. Globe valve
    N b. Butterfly valve
    Y c. Gate valve
    N d. Packless valve

8375: Maintaining good working order of fuel pumps and injectors in auxiliary diesel engines requires the use of __________.

    N a. fuel/water separators
    N b. day tanks
    N c. an injector test stand
    Y d. fuel filters

8555: The discharge side of every fire pump must be equipped with a __________.

    N a. gate valve
    Y b. pressure gauge
    N c. check valve
    N d. strainer

8702: An oil fire is classified as class __________.

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

9457: The center of buoyancy is located at the __________.

    N a. geometric center of the waterplane area
    N b. intersection of the vertical centerline and line of action of the buoyant force
    N c. center of gravity of the vessel corrected for free surface effects
    Y d. geometric center of the displaced volume

9605: The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit with winds less than 70 knots, has a draft of 10 feet 8 inches. The VM are 541,257 ft-kips, FSML are 32,000 ft-kips, and FSMT are 24,000 ft-kips. The margin on the maximum allowable KG is __________.

    N a. -2.3 feet
    N b. 0.0 feet
    Y c. 23.7 feet
    N d. 26.0 feet