Towing Vessel License Practice Test: Great Lakes & Inland

Tugs and towboats on bays, sounds, the ICW and the Great Lakes. The usual Florida harbor-tug and ICW barge route. Coast Guard exam code TV02.

207 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 Q421 Chart Plot (chart 12221 TR, Chesapeake Bay) 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. If your propeller is racing in rough weather, which action should you take?

   • A.Ignore it, this is acceptable in rough weather
   • B.Decrease your engine speed
   • C.Stop your engine until the rough weather passes
   • D.Increase your engine speed
   Show answer

   B. Decrease your engine speed

   Q160, Deck General

3. What is the difference between net tonnage and gross tonnage?

   • A.Net tonnage is tonnage of cargo compared to tonnage of whole ship.
   • B.There is no difference.
   • C.Net tonnage is the net weight of the ship.
   • D.Net tonnage is the gross tonnage, less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.
   Show answer

   D. Net tonnage is the gross tonnage, less certain deductions for machinery and other areas.

   Q161, Deck Safety

4. You sight a buoy fitted with a double-sphere topmark. If sighted at night, what color and light sequence would you expect to see?

   • A.A flashing red light showing a group of three flashes
   • B.A quick-flashing green light
   • C.A flashing white light showing a group of two flashes
   • D.A quick-flashing red light
   Show answer

   C. A flashing white light showing a group of two flashes

   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 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

7. If you have to jump in the water when abandoning ship, your legs should be in which position?

   • A.Your legs should be spread apart as far as possible
   • B.Your legs should be in a kneeling position
   • C.Your legs should be held as tightly against your chest as possible
   • D.Your legs should be extended straight down and crossed at the ankles
   Show answer

   D. Your legs should be extended straight down and crossed at the ankles

   Q161, Deck Safety

8. What is indicated when slanted letters are used to spell the name of a charted object?

   • A.The object is a hazard to vessels drawing 20 feet draft
   • B.The object is always visible
   • C.The position is approximate or doubtful
   • D.The object is underwater or floating
   Show answer

   D. The object is underwater or floating

   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. Which factor is most likely to impair the strength and durability of synthetic line?

    • A.Dry rot
    • B.Washing with mild soap
    • C.Sunlight
    • D.Mildew
    Show answer

    C. Sunlight

    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).