Towing Master to Master 500 Ton Upgrade Practice Test (Near Coastal)

Tug captains: one 70-question module moves you to ships and passenger vessels up to 500 tons. Your NMC approval letter lists the exact modules. Coast Guard exam code ONC03.

69 real questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, free. Each module needs 70% to pass.

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 Q133 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.

10 sample questions

1. 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

2. 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

3. What is the average range of vessel-to-vessel VHF-FM radio communications?

   • A.15 to 20 miles
   • B.60 to 90 miles
   • C.90 to 120 miles
   • D.120 to 150 miles
   Show answer

   A. 15 to 20 miles

   Q170, Deck General / Safety

4. Which of the following is part of the annual SOLAS required test on an EPIRB?

   • A.Verification that the battery voltage is within 20% of the design limits
   • B.Verification that the unit is stowed within five feet of survival craft
   • C.Verification that the unit has been maintained by a shore based maintenance provider
   • D.Verification that the unit lanyard is neatly stowed and properly secured to the vessel
   Show answer

   C. Verification that the unit has been maintained by a shore based maintenance provider

   Q445, Lifeboat Operator

5. What is the maximum length of time that distress flares are approved for?

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

   C. 3 and 1/2 years

   Q445, Lifeboat Operator

6. Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed at night while bunkering at a dock?

   • A.Two red lights
   • B.One red light over a white light
   • C.One red light
   • D.One red light over a yellow light
   Show answer

   C. One red light

   Q451, Deck General / Safety

7. Your cargo vessel is transiting pirate waters with a temporary security team onboard. The ship has been attacked and starts sinking. The decision has been made to abandon ship. During the muster, the security force leader is determined to be missing. What initial action should be taken?

   • A.Designate a crew member to search for the security force leader
   • B.Presume the security force leader was killed in action
   • C.Presume the security force leader is staying behind to defend the ship
   • D.Designate a security team member to search for the security force leader
   Show answer

   A. Designate a crew member to search for the security force leader

   Q411, Towing Deck Safety (Oceans/Near Coastal)

8. What is a ceiling on a vessel?

   • A.A wooden protection placed over the tank top
   • B.The overhead in berthing compartments
   • C.The material driven into seams or cracks to prevent leaking
   • D.None of the above are correct
   Show answer

   A. A wooden protection placed over the tank top

   Q411, Towing Deck Safety (Oceans/Near Coastal)

9. During a SAR helicopter evacuation which of the following describes the proper donning of a rescue sling?

   • A.The person steps onto the sling grasping the hoist line for support while facing away from the winch hook
   • B.The person sits in the sling with their hands clasped across the chest while facing the winch hook
   • C.The loop of the sling passes behind the back and under the arms while facing the winch hook
   • D.The loop of the sling passes across the chest and under the arms while facing away from the winch hook
   Show answer

   C. The loop of the sling passes behind the back and under the arms while facing the winch hook

   Q419, Towing Deck Safety (Great Lakes & Inland)

10. Who must approve the vessel's trim and stability booklet?

    • A.Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
    • B.International Maritime Organization
    • C.National Cargo Bureau
    • D.United States Coast Guard
    Show answer

    D. United States Coast Guard

    Q423, Towing Deck General (Western Rivers)

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).