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Exam-day conditions: no feedback until you submit, each module scored separately like the real test, with a full question-by-question review at the end.
The real exam is passed module by module: Rules of the Road requires 90%, most other modules 70%. Chart-plotting modules are taken on paper and not included.
The free sample gives you 20 to 30 questions per module. The full bank contains every available official question, with written explanations on the popular small-vessel credentials, one-off $29, lifetime access on up to 3 devices, all credentials included.
You must pass each module separately. Most modules require 70% to pass.
The exam covers 4 modules: Deck General, Deck Safety, Navigation General – Great Lakes and Inland, Great Lakes Topics.
This page includes free sample questions drawn from the official USCG sample examinations, with a full bank of around 227 questions across all modules available with lifetime access.
Every question comes from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center's published sample examinations, which are U.S. government works in the public domain. Wheelhouse Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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A selection of free questions from the official USCG sample examinations. Use the interactive modules above for timed, scored drills.
Firefighting equipment requirements for a particular vessel may be found on which document?
Why: The Certificate of Inspection, issued by the Coast Guard, specifies the vessel's route, manning, and required lifesaving and firefighting equipment. Registry proves nationality; classification certificates address structural and machinery standards.
A vessel proceeding to London, England, from New York makes an unscheduled call at the port of Hamilton, Bermuda. What term is used to denote the voluntary departure from the usual course?
Your vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. How can you reduce the danger of capsizing?
Why: A sea anchor streamed from the bow holds the vessel's head into the seas, keeping her from lying beam-on in the trough where rolling and capsize risk are greatest. Shifting passengers or working the rudder will not control a powerless vessel.
An icebreaker assisting a vessel through an ice field would display a visual signal consisting of the code letter "E" (Echo). What does this signal indicate?
U.S. regulations require all tankships of 150 GT and above and all other ships of 400 GT and above, to prepare and maintain which of the following?
Why: U.S. regulations implementing MARPOL (33 CFR 151.26) require a Coast Guard approved Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) on oceangoing tankships of 150 GT and above and other ships of 400 GT and above.
Which action has a tendency to happen to a vessel proceeding along the bank of a river or channel with steep banks?
As the propeller turns, voids are formed on the trailing and leading edges of the propeller blades causing a loss of propulsive efficiency, pitting of the blades, and vibration. Which term defines this effect?
Ship's officers should check every cargo compartment after it is filled with bulk grain to ensure which of the following?
You are loading 465,000 barrels of cargo oil. At 0900 you find that you have loaded 207,000 barrels. At 1030 you find that you have loaded 223,000 barrels. If you continue loading at the same rate, you will finish at approximately __________.
An annual inspection of a tank vessel shall be made between which of the following months while the Certificate of Inspection is valid?
Which type of weld testing can be used to detect internal flaws?
When evacuating a seaman by helicopter lift, which course should the ship take?
Which is TRUE of the term negative slip on a vessel?
What is the purpose of rigging frapping lines on lifeboat falls?
What is the objective of shoring a damaged bulkhead?
What term indicates the immersed body of the vessel aft of the parallel mid-body?
If the current and wind are in opposite directions, what does the sea surface indicate?
The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers. Which example is required to utilize this characteristic?
The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are reckoned in the tide tables is the same as that used for the charts of the locality. The depression of the datum below mean sea level for Hampton Roads, Virginia is __________.
Why is a VLCC (100,000 DWT+) with a 30,000 Shaft Horsepower Steam Turbine slow to respond to engine movements, and has less stopping power than normal ships?
Why: A loaded VLCC has enormous displacement but comparatively modest horsepower, a small power-to-weight ratio, so the engine has little leverage over the ship's huge momentum, making her slow to respond and hard to stop.
Your vessel is being assisted through an ice field in Thunder Bay by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Alexander Henry. The starboard lookout reports that the icebreaker has run up the code flag "N" (November). Which action should you take?
According to the Lifesaving regulations in Subchapter W, fire and abandon ship drills must be held within 24 hours of leaving port if the percentage of the crew that has not participated in drills aboard that particular vessel in the prior month exceeds which percentage?
Why: Subchapter W requires fire and abandon-ship drills within 24 hours of leaving port whenever more than 25 percent of the crew did not participate in drills aboard that vessel during the previous month.
What is the function of wearing rings found on some centrifugal pumps?
While proceeding up a channel on course 010° per gyrocompass, you notice a pair of range lights in alignment with the masts of your vessel when viewed forward. A check of the chart shows the range to be 009°T and the variation to be 15°W. If the ship's course is 026°psc, what is the deviation for the present heading?
Why: Range true 009 plus variation 15W gives 024 magnetic. On the range dead ahead the compass reads 026 psc. Deviation = magnetic minus compass = 024 - 026 = 2W.
Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, which is TRUE of safe water marks?
Why: IALA safe water marks show white lights with isophase, occulting, single long-flash, or Morse 'A' rhythm. Composite group flashing (2+1) red or green belongs to preferred-channel marks, and Q(9) is a west cardinal characteristic.
While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ships foghorn 5.5 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?
Quadrantal error in a gyrocompass has its GREATEST effect on which of the following?
How can you follow the approach of a dangerous cyclonic storm?
Why: Following a storm's approach requires forecast and synoptic information: weather maps, fax charts, broadcast forecasts, or news reports. Sea temperature and observation handbooks do not show a storm's position and movement.
You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a green can buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is TRUE?
What is the definition of height of tide?
You are signing on a crew. You can determine the minimum number and qualifications of the crew that you are required to carry by consulting which document?
What is the function of an air receiver in the compressed air system?
What does blowing tubes accomplish?
In a following sea, a wave has overtaken your vessel and thrown the stern to starboard. To continue along your original course, which action should you take?
Why: When a following sea kicks the stern to starboard, the bow swings to port off course. Right rudder checks that swing and brings the bow back. Changing speed alone does not correct the yaw.
On 1 September your 1115 zone time DR position is LAT 25°20.0'N, LONG 28°24.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 160.5°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 58s, and the chronometer error is 01m 17s fast. The variation is 13.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass?
When is the effect of wind on exposed areas of the vessel most noticeable?
Why: When backing, the vessel moves slowly and the rudder gives little control, so wind on the superstructure dominates, typically the bow falls off downwind.
A channel is stated as having a controlling depth of 38 feet. Which statement is TRUE?
On Sunday, 8 November, your ship is enroute from Texas City, TX, to Portland, ME. At 0632 ZT, you fix your position at LAT 27°06'N, LONG 90°36'W. When the lower limb of the Sun was two-thirds of a diameter above the visible horizon, the Sun bore 105° per standard magnetic compass. At this time the chronometer read 12h 39m 20s and is 3m 20s slow. If the variation is 3°E, determine the deviation of the standard compass.
While steaming at 15.0 knots, your vessel consumes 326 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 178 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?
You are turning 90 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 24 feet, and an estimated slip of -3%. What is the speed of advance?