Master / Chief Mate Unlimited Practice Test (Oceans)

The same top ticket for any ocean: the captain of a container ship, tanker or cruise ship. Coast Guard exam code ONC01.

263 real questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, free. Rules of the Road needs 90%. Every other module needs 70%.

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

Your exam also has Q104 Stability Problems: about 10 load and stability calculations worked from the Coast Guard's Stability Data Reference Book, which the exam room gives you. They aren't drilled here; practice them with that book.

The Q107 Chart Plot and Q109 Navigation Problems (celestial) module is done on a paper chart at the exam, so it isn't here. Practice it with the chart and tools.

10 sample questions

1. For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes which of the following?

   • A.The coastline of the United States out to one mile offshore
   • B.The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
   • C.The waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
   • D.Any lakes within state boundaries
   Show answer

   B. The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

2. What effect does lifting the shank of a Stockless anchor that is set on the bottom have?

   • A.The probability of fouling the chain increases
   • B.The flukes will break free of the bottom
   • C.The probability of fouling the chain decreases
   • D.The flukes will dig deeper increasing the holding power
   Show answer

   B. The flukes will break free of the bottom

   Q160, Deck General

3. If an electric cargo winch is being used to lift a draft of cargo and the engine room loses all power, which will occur?

   • A.A pawl, forced by a spring mechanism, will engage the teeth of the bull gear and hold the load.
   • B.The load will slowly lower to the deck under control of the drag of the winch motor.
   • C.An electromagnetic brake will hold the load where it is suspended.
   • D.The load will fall rapidly to the deck unless the foot brake is engaged.
   Show answer

   C. An electromagnetic brake will hold the load where it is suspended.

   Q451, Deck General / Safety

4. Lifesaving regulations in Subchapter W require that a fire drill include which of the following?

   • A.Checking arrangements for abandon ship
   • B.Starting the fire pumps
   • C.Checking the operation of watertight doors
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q161, Deck Safety

5. Your vessel is steering course 299°psc, variation for the area is 7°W, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the southwest, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good?

   • A.291°T
   • B.296°T
   • C.299°T
   • D.313°T
   Show answer

   A. 291°T

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

6. A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may exhibit a flashing blue light or which of the following alternates?

   • A.two amber lights in a horizontal line
   • B.a fixed green light over a red flashing light
   • C.a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
   • D.an alternately flashing red and yellow light
   Show answer

   D. an alternately flashing red and yellow light

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

7. You are steaming in a heavy gale and find it necessary to heave to. Under most circumstances, how is this best accomplished?

   • A.Increasing the speed and taking the sea broad on the bow
   • B.Going slow astern and taking the seas on the quarter
   • C.Stopping the engines and drifting beam to the seas
   • D.Taking the sea fine on the bow and reducing the speed
   Show answer

   D. Taking the sea fine on the bow and reducing the speed

   Q160, Deck General

8. When bunkering at anchorage which of the following signals must be displayed?

   • A.A red flag by day ONLY
   • B.A red flag by day, red light by night
   • C.A red light by night ONLY
   • D.No signal required at anchorage
   Show answer

   A. A red flag by day ONLY

   Q451, Deck General / Safety

9. Which term is given to the difference between the starboard and port drafts caused by shifting a weight transversely in the vessel?

   • A.Heel
   • B.Trim
   • C.Flotation
   • D.List
   Show answer

   D. List

   Q348, Deck Safety

10. The needle of an aneroid barometer points to 30.05 on the dial. What does this indicate?

    • A.30.05 millimeters of mercury
    • B.30.05 millibars
    • C.30.05 inches of mercury
    • D.The barometric pressure is falling
    Show answer

    C. 30.05 inches of mercury

    Q349, Navigation General

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).