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USCG Ballast Control Operator (BCO) Practice Test

100 Ballast Control Operator (BCO) questions from the National Maritime Center’s published sample exams for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, each with the NMC’s answer key. Questions that need an illustration, a chart or a reference book are left out.

61 of them come with the closest regulation or reference section, shown with the answer.

Take a quiz of 10 drawn at random, or read the 10 sample questions and answers below.

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10 sample Ballast Control Operator (BCO) questions with answers

The same 10 on every visit. A related section is the closest match RegKnot found in the regulations and references; it is not part of the NMC’s answer key.

  1. Question 1 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    What should you do if a crewman suffers a second-degree burn on the arm?

    • A.Immerse the arm in cold water (correct answer)
    • B.Apply antiseptic ointment
    • C.Scrub the arm thoroughly to prevent infection
    • D.Drain any blisters

    Answer: A. Immerse the arm in cold water

    Related regulation: NVIC 08-14 Encl.2 — CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — Enclosure (2)

  2. Question 2 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    Sea water temporarily pumped into tanks to simulate the increased vertical loading of environmental forces is termed __________.

    • A.liquid variable load
    • B.fixed load
    • C.basic load
    • D.preload (correct answer)

    Answer: D. preload

    Related regulation: NVIC 01-18 Encl.1 — Ballast Water Management for Control of Non-Indigenous Species in Waters of The United States — Enclosure (1)

  3. Question 3 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    An offshore drilling unit must have enough inflatable liferafts to accommodate at least what percentage of the persons allowed?

    • A.20%
    • B.30%
    • C.50%
    • D.100% (correct answer)

    Answer: D. 100%

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 169.515 ↗ — Number required

  4. Question 4 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

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

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

    Answer: A. hydrostatic pressure

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 32.63-20 ↗ — Hull structure—B/ALL

  5. Question 5 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    Each part of the fire-main system located on an exposed deck must be __________.

    • A.protected against freezing (correct answer)
    • B.locked to prevent theft
    • C.pressurized at all times
    • D.numbered sequentially

    Answer: A. protected against freezing

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 108.429 ↗ — Fire main system protection

  6. Question 6 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    The DEEP DRILLER is loaded as shown in the Sample Load Form #2 (Ballasting to Survival). What is the shift in VCG if 100.76 long tons of ballast are added to Ballast Tank #8S to replace the discharge of all bulk materials?

    • A.0.19 foot down
    • B.0.44 foot down
    • C.0.63 foot down (correct answer)
    • D.1.19 feet down

    Answer: C. 0.63 foot down

    Related regulation: NVIC 05-86 Encl.1 — Voluntary Standards for U.S. Uninspected Commercial Fishing Vessels — Enclosure (1)

  7. Question 7 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

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

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

    Answer: D. All of the above

    Related regulation: NVIC 07-98 Encl.1 — The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — Enclosure (1)

  8. Question 8 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    On a MODU, a fixed carbon dioxide or other approved system must be installed __________.

    • A.in paint lockers (correct answer)
    • B.in all battery storage locations
    • C.where oil or chemical drums are stored
    • D.in all of the above locations

    Answer: A. in paint lockers

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 132.310 ↗ — Fixed fire-extinguishing systems for paint lockers

  9. Question 9 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    In how many locations must lifeboats be installed on a mobile offshore drilling unit?

    • A.1
    • B.2 (correct answer)
    • C.3
    • D.4

    Answer: B. 2

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 108.525 ↗ — Survival craft number and arrangement

  10. Question 10 · Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

    Your vessel is in distress and the order has been given to abandon ship. If you must enter the water which of the following would aid in preventing hypothermia?

    • A.Remove as many layers of clothing as possible before donning a survival suit to help increase buoyancy
    • B.Consume large amounts of cold liquids to increase hydration
    • C.Once you are in the water keep moving as much as possible to increase circulation
    • D.Apply as many layers of clothing as possible before donning a survival suit to preserve body heat (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Apply as many layers of clothing as possible before donning a survival suit to preserve body heat

    Related regulation: IMO LSA Code MSC.48(66) Ch.11 — IMO LSA Code Chapter 11 — PERSONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES

Exams these questions come from

  • Mobile Offshore Drilling Units100 questions

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The questions and answer keys are from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center’s published sample exams. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. A practice score does not predict your exam result; check the NMC for current exam requirements.