Master / Chief Mate OSV Practice Test (Oceans)

The same OSV ticket for any ocean. Adds celestial and ocean navigation. Coast Guard exam code OSV01.

242 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 Q202 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 Q205 Chart Plot and Q207 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. In the United States, which organization sets the load line markings?

   • A.American Bureau of Shipping
   • B.Federal Maritime Board
   • C.Coast Guard
   • D.IMO
   Show answer

   A. American Bureau of Shipping

   Q160, Deck General

3. When discharging a portable CO2 fire extinguisher, why must you grasp the hose handle and NOT the discharge horn?

   • A.The horn could come off in your hands
   • B.The horn is placed directly in the flames
   • C.The discharge horn becomes extremely cold
   • D.The discharge horn becomes extremely hot
   Show answer

   C. The discharge horn becomes extremely cold

   Q161, Deck Safety

4. What is the FIRST sign of the existence of a well-developed tropical cyclone?

   • A.Gale force winds from the north
   • B.An unusually long ocean swell
   • C.Steep, short-period waves and light wind
   • D.Thunderstorms and higher than usual humidity
   Show answer

   B. An unusually long ocean swell

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

5. 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

6. Which term defines when a boat turns broadside to heavy seas and winds, thus exposing the boat to the danger of capsizing?

   • A.Trimmed
   • B.Yawed
   • C.Broached
   • D.Pitchpoled
   Show answer

   C. Broached

   Q170, Deck General / Safety

7. When a ship is abandoned and there are several liferafts in the water, which task must be done to aid in your rescue?

   • A.Transfer all the injured to one raft
   • B.Transfer all supplies to one raft and post a guard
   • C.Separate the rafts by drifting away to increase chances of detection
   • D.Secure the rafts together to keep them from drifting apart
   Show answer

   D. Secure the rafts together to keep them from drifting apart

   Q170, Deck General / Safety

8. Barometer readings in weather reports are given in terms of pressure at which reference location?

   • A.The weather station
   • B.The broadcasting station
   • C.Sea level
   • D.Washington, D.C.
   Show answer

   C. Sea level

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

9. A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) identity light(s). Which of the following is appropriate for these activities?

   • A.alternately flashing red and yellow light
   • B.flashing yellow light
   • C.alternately flashing blue and red light
   • D.flashing blue light
   Show answer

   A. alternately flashing red and yellow light

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

10. The possibility of wake damage can be reduced by following which action?

    • A.Slow down when passing moored vessels
    • B.Alternate engine speeds
    • C.Apply rudder in both port and starboard directions
    • D.Passing close aboard to the moored vessel
    Show answer

    A. Slow down when passing moored vessels

    Q170, Deck General / Safety

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).