Free captain's license practice test: real Coast Guard questions and answers

5,784 questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, for 79 licenses and ratings, plus the FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit pool. Free, no sign-up.

The Coast Guard exam is split into modules, and each one is graded on its own. Rules of the Road needs 90%. Every other module needs 70%.

Passing score: Coast Guard pass marks module by module, and the retest rules

Start with your license

The modules on the six-pack and 100-ton exams

20 practice questions and answers

From the six-pack (OUPV) and 100-ton Near Coastal modules. Tap to see each answer.

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. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires the person in charge of a vessel to immediately notify the Coast Guard as soon as he knows of any oil discharge. Failure to notify the Coast Guard can lead to a monetary fine and imprisonment up to what duration?

   • A.5 years
   • B.3 years
   • C.2 years
   • D.1 years
   Show answer

   A. 5 years

   Q160, Deck General

3. How many characters does the short text messaging feature of the automatic identification system (AIS) allow for?

   • A.56 characters
   • B.64 characters
   • C.128 characters
   • D.158 characters
   Show answer

   D. 158 characters

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

4. Which of the following is a rope ladder with wooden rungs?

   • A.A life ladder
   • B.A Jacob's ladder
   • C.A jury ladder
   • D.A drop ladder
   Show answer

   B. A Jacob's ladder

   Q160, Deck General

5. The water in which a vessel floats provides vertical upward support. Which term is regarded as the point through which this support is assumed to act?

   • A.The center of gravity
   • B.The center of effort
   • C.The center of buoyancy
   • D.The center of flotation
   Show answer

   C. The center of buoyancy

   Q161, Deck Safety

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. How can the accumulation of dangerous fumes generated by the storage batteries be prevented?

   • A.Covering the batteries in a nonconducting, solid enclosure
   • B.Mounting the batteries in a position as high as possible
   • C.Securing the batteries to vibration reducing mounting brackets
   • D.By natural or mechanical ventilation
   Show answer

   D. By natural or mechanical ventilation

   Q161, Deck Safety

8. Which information must automatic identification systems (AIS) automatically provide to appropriately equipped shore stations, vessels and aircraft?

   • A.Vessel's type
   • B.Navigational status
   • C.Vessel's course
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

9. What should you inspect to be sure that it is safe to go aloft in a bosun's chair?

   • A.The tail block
   • B.The gantline
   • C.The chair and bridle
   • D.All of the above
   Show answer

   D. All of the above

   Q160, Deck General

10. Deballasting a double bottom has what effect on KG?

    • A.KG is increased.
    • B.KG is not affected.
    • C.KG is decreased.
    • D.KG increases at light drafts and decreases at deep drafts.
    Show answer

    A. KG is increased.

    Q161, Deck Safety

11. 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

12. How does good housekeeping prevent fires on a vessel?

    • A.Improving personnel qualifications
    • B.Eliminating trip hazards
    • C.Eliminating potential fuel sources
    • D.Allowing better access in an emergency
    Show answer

    C. Eliminating potential fuel sources

    Q161, Deck Safety

13. A List of Lights entry (L Fl) is a single flashing light which shows a long flash of not less than which duration?

    • A.1.0 second duration
    • B.1.5 seconds duration
    • C.2.0 seconds duration
    • D.3.0 seconds duration
    Show answer

    C. 2.0 seconds duration

    Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

14. Using a safety factor of five, determine what is the safe working load for 3-1/2 inch manila line with a breaking stress of 4.9 tons.

    • A.0.82 ton
    • B.0.98 ton
    • C.2.45 tons
    • D.12.25 tons
    Show answer

    B. 0.98 ton

    Q160, Deck General

15. A quick and rapid motion of a vessel in a seaway is an indication of a(n) __________.

    • A.excessive free surface
    • B.small GZ
    • C.high center of gravity
    • D.large GM
    Show answer

    D. large GM

    Q161, Deck Safety

16. What is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    • A.A large tanker that is being towed as a dead ship to dry dock
    • B.A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    • C.A vessel fishing with a bottom trawl that must remain on course
    • D.A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel
    Show answer

    D. A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

    Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

17. Which is TRUE concerning the stowage of life jackets?

    • A.They must be stowed in readily accessible locations
    • B.They are required to be stowed in messrooms
    • C.They are always locked in watertight containers
    • D.They are required to be stowed in a central location
    Show answer

    A. They must be stowed in readily accessible locations

    Q161, Deck Safety

18. What does a white buoy with an orange rectangle on it indicate?

    • A.General information
    • B.Danger
    • C.An exclusion area
    • D.A controlled area
    Show answer

    A. General information

    Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

19. How should manila lines in which the strands are right-hand laid be coiled?

    • A.Manila line should be coiled in a clockwise direction
    • B.Manila line should be coiled in a counterclockwise direction
    • C.Manila line should never be coiled
    • D.Manila line may be coiled either clockwise or counterclockwise
    Show answer

    A. Manila line should be coiled in a clockwise direction

    Q160, Deck General

20. What will happen when cargo is shifted from the main deck into the lower hold of a vessel?

    • A.The metacenter will move upward.
    • B.The GM will increase.
    • C.The center of buoyancy will move upward.
    • D.All of the above
    Show answer

    B. The GM will increase.

    Q161, Deck Safety

Questions people ask