Ballast Control Operator Practice Test

Keeps a floating rig level and stable from the ballast control room. No Rules of the Road module on this one. Stability questions built on the NMC sample rigs (DEEP DRILLER, COASTAL DRILLER) need their reference book, so they are left out here. Coast Guard exam code MODU03.

79 real questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, free. Each module needs 70% to pass.

Passing score: Coast Guard pass marks module by module, and the retest rules

What's free: daily rounds, the Brig, the drills and the Pass Meter, for every license. Your first module test is free too. After that, the full Exam Room is $19, once. No subscription.

What's on the test

10 sample questions

1. What should you do if you have transmitted a distress call a number of times on channel 16 and have received no reply?

   • A.Key the microphone several times before transmitting again.
   • B.Turn up the volume on the receiver before transmitting again.
   • C.Report the problem to the head electrician.
   • D.Repeat the message using any other channel on which you might attract attention.
   Show answer

   D. Repeat the message using any other channel on which you might attract attention.

   Q360, Deck General / Deck Safety (Limited OUPV)

2. You discharge food waste overboard at sea. You have recorded your vessel's position as required, what other items must be included in the report?

   • A.The vessel's latitude and longitude is all that is required
   • B.The vessel's latitude, longitude and approximate depth of water
   • C.The vessel's latitude, longitude, course, speed, and a copy of that days noon position slip
   • D.The vessel's latitude, longitude, date and time of the discharge
   Show answer

   D. The vessel's latitude, longitude, date and time of the discharge

   Q308, Deck General (Mate Unlimited, Great Lakes & Inland)

3. For small, first-degree burns, what is the quickest method to relieve pain?

   • A.Apply petroleum jelly
   • B.Immerse the burn in cold water
   • C.Administer aspirin
   • D.Apply a bandage to exclude air
   Show answer

   B. Immerse the burn in cold water

   Q121, Deck Safety (Master 1600 ton)

4. Which of the following items should all MODU personnel be familiar with?

   • A.navigational systems
   • B.fuel consumption rates
   • C.maintenance schedule
   • D.boarding and operating procedures
   Show answer

   D. boarding and operating procedures

   Q430, OIM Deck General / Safety

5. The distress message of a ship should include considerable information which might facilitate the rescue. Which is TRUE concerning the information?

   • A.The distress message shall include the vessel's draft
   • B.The message must be sent to a Coast Guard station FIRST
   • C.The information is ALWAYS included in the initial distress message and repeated as required
   • D.The information should be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows
   Show answer

   D. The information should be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows

   Q121, Deck Safety (Master 1600 ton)

6. The retrievable subsea units that contain the pilot valves and regulators for operating the subsea blowout preventers are called __________.

   • A.accumulators
   • B.control pods
   • C.consoles
   • D.shuttle controls
   Show answer

   B. control pods

   Q431, OIM Unrestricted

7. You are in a lifeboat broadcasting a distress message. What information would be essential to your rescuers?

   • A.The nature of the distress
   • B.Your position by latitude and longitude
   • C.Number of persons aboard
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q121, Deck Safety (Master 1600 ton)

8. Bulkheads which form part of the tanks on a MODU are stiffened to withstand __________.

   • A.over-pressurization
   • B.dynamic forces while afloat
   • C.deck loads from above
   • D.hydrostatic pressure
   Show answer

   D. hydrostatic pressure

   Q431, OIM Unrestricted

9. Weather systems in the middle latitudes generally travel in which direction?

   • A.West to East
   • B.East to West
   • C.North to South
   • D.Southeast to Northwest
   Show answer

   A. West to East

   Q123, Navigation General: Near Coastal (Master 1600 ton)

10. Survival practice in the mooring system is to slack off the tensions on the leeward side and __________.

    • A.deballast the unit to transit draft
    • B.tighten the anchor buoys on the leeward side anchors
    • C.adjust as evenly as practical the windward tensions
    • D.release the anchors on the windward side
    Show answer

    C. adjust as evenly as practical the windward tensions

    Q431, OIM Unrestricted

What the study guide does

• Short daily rounds of 10 questions, with a streak.
• Practice tests built like the real one, scored with the real pass marks (first one free, then $19 once for the full Exam Room).
• The Brig: questions you miss come back until you get them right twice.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing every module if you sat it today, worked out from your own answers.
• Lights, shapes and sound signal drills (Rules 21-35).