Mate OSV Practice Test (Oceans)

The OSV mate ticket for any ocean. Coast Guard exam code OSV02.

233 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

The Q213 Chart Plot and Q215 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 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?

   • A.Use more left rudder
   • B.Decrease speed
   • C.Use more right rudder
   • D.Increase speed
   Show answer

   C. Use more right rudder

   Q160, Deck General

3. Which class of fire is an oil fire classified?

   • A.Class A
   • B.Class B
   • C.Class C
   • D.Class D
   Show answer

   B. Class B

   Q161, Deck Safety

4. Aneroid barometers are usually calibrated to indicate atmospheric pressure in which units?

   • A.Inches of mercury and centimeters
   • B.Feet of mercury and millibars
   • C.Inches of mercury and millibars
   • D.Inches of mercury and millimeters
   Show answer

   C. Inches of mercury and millibars

   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 document shows details of a tank vessel, cargoes it may carry, manning and safety equipment required?

   • A.Declaration of Inspection
   • B.Safety Construction Certificate
   • C.Certificate of Inspection
   • D.Cargo Gear Certificate
   Show answer

   C. Certificate of Inspection

   Q160, Deck General

7. You are on a ship that has broken down and are preparing to be taken in tow. You will use your anchor cable as part of the towline. Which statement is TRUE?

   • A.The strain of the tow is taken by the riding pawl, chain stopper, and anchor windlass brake.
   • B.The anchor cable should be led out through a chock, if possible, to avoid a sharp nip at the hawsepipe lip.
   • C.The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be just forward of your bow.
   • D.The anchor cable should be veered enough to allow the towline connection to be immediately astern of the towing vessel.
   Show answer

   A. The strain of the tow is taken by the riding pawl, chain stopper, and anchor windlass brake.

   Q161, Deck Safety

8. How are buoys which mark isolated dangers painted?

   • A.Alternating red and black bands
   • B.Alternating green and black bands
   • C.Alternating green and white bands
   • D.Alternating red and white stripes
   Show answer

   A. Alternating red and black bands

   Q349, Navigation General

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. Which term is sometimes used to refer to a disk with a horizontal line through its center, equivalent to the summer load line on a vessel?

    • A.The deadrise mark
    • B.The Plimsoll mark
    • C.The maximum allowable draft mark
    • D.The tonnage mark
    Show answer

    B. The Plimsoll mark

    Q160, Deck 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).