First quiz free · No sign-up

USCG Deck General Practice Test

1,639 Deck General questions from 25 of the National Maritime Center’s published sample exams, each with the NMC’s answer key. Questions that need an illustration, a chart or a reference book are left out.

1,133 of them come with the closest regulation or reference section, shown with the answer.

Take a quiz of 10 drawn at random, or read the 10 sample questions and answers below.

← All topics

Take a 10-question quiz

10 at random from all 1,639, with each answer as soon as you pick.

10 sample Deck General questions with answers

The same 10 on every visit. A related section is the closest match RegKnot found in the regulations and references; it is not part of the NMC’s answer key.

  1. Question 1 · Master/Chief Mate Offshore Supply Vessels

    Your 199 GT tugboat is on a 675-mile coastwise voyage. What percentage of the deck crew must be Able Bodied Seamen?

    • A.0%
    • B.25%
    • C.50%
    • D.65% (correct answer)

    Answer: D. 65%

    Related regulation: USCG MSM 16000.8B Ch.17 — MSM Volume III — Marine Industry Personnel — Ch.17 TANKERMAN

  2. Question 2 · Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons

    When bunkering at anchorage which of the following signals must be displayed?

    • A.A red light by night ONLY
    • B.A red flag by day, red light by night
    • C.A red flag by day ONLY (correct answer)
    • D.No signal required at anchorage

    Answer: C. A red flag by day ONLY

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 151.45-9 ↗ — Signals

  3. Question 3 · Master/Chief Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

    Which document is NOT required by law to be posted aboard a vessel?

    • A.Officer's licenses
    • B.Certificate of Inspection
    • C.Official Crew List (correct answer)
    • D.Muster List

    Answer: C. Official Crew List

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 131.310 ↗ — List of crew members and offshore workers

  4. Question 4 · Master/Chief Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

    What is an enclosure which will withstand ignition of a flammable gas, and which will prevent the transmission of any flame able to ignite a flammable gas, which may be present in the surrounding atmosphere called?

    • A.a flame proof screen
    • B.gas-safe enclosure
    • C.explosion proof (correct answer)
    • D.primary gas barrier

    Answer: C. explosion proof

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 183.530 ↗ — Hazardous areas

  5. Question 5 · Towing Vessels – Western Rivers

    Your tow is proceeding through a narrow section in the river. What actions can you take to avoid any sudden sheers of the vessel?

    • A.Reduce speed and stay to the outer limits of the channel
    • B.Increase speed and stay in the shallow section of water
    • C.Reduce speed and stay in the deepest part of the channel (correct answer)
    • D.Increase speed and stay to the outer limits of the channel

    Answer: C. Reduce speed and stay in the deepest part of the channel

    Related regulation: 33 CFR 83.09 ↗ — Narrow channels (Rule 9)

  6. Question 6 · Master or Mate Less than 200 Gross Registered Tons Rivers

    Why should storage batteries be charged in a well-ventilated area?

    • A.They emit hydrogen (correct answer)
    • B.Because of the toxic fumes they emit
    • C.They recharge faster in a well-ventilated space
    • D.They generate heat

    Answer: A. They emit hydrogen

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 111.15-10 ↗ — Ventilation

  7. Question 7 · Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons

    Which of the signals listed is required to be displayed during the day while bunkering?

    • A.A yellow flag
    • B.A red light
    • C.A red and yellow flag
    • D.A red flag (correct answer)

    Answer: D. A red flag

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 151.45-9 ↗ — Signals

  8. Question 8 · Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons

    You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch while underway at sea. Which event(s) will require the transfer of command to be detained until completed?

    • A.During an engine speed change as per night orders
    • B.Any time the helm is in the "hand" mode
    • C.During a navigational course change (correct answer)
    • D.All of the above

    Answer: C. During a navigational course change

    Further reading: Bowditch Art.2817 — Bowditch Ch.28 Navigation Processes — 2817. Watch Relief Procedures

  9. Question 9 · Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Rivers

    How long shall the Oil Record Book be maintained on a vessel engaged in coastwise trade?

    • A.12 months
    • B.24 months
    • C.36 months (correct answer)
    • D.48 months

    Answer: C. 36 months

    Related regulation: NVIC 08-83 Encl.2 — Guidance for Compliance with Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 Relating Thereto (MARPOL 73/78) — Enclosure (2)

  10. Question 10 · Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV)

    Failure to notify the Coast Guard of an oil spill can carry a prison sentence of what duration?

    • A.Not more than 1 year
    • B.Not more than 2 years
    • C.Not more than 3 years
    • D.Not more than 5 years (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Not more than 5 years

    Related regulation: 33 USC 1321 — Oil and hazardous substance liability

Exams these questions come from

Choose one when you start the quiz. A question can appear in more than one exam, so these add up to more than 1,639.

  • Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons195 questions
  • Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons140 questions
  • Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels131 questions
  • Master/Chief Mate of Unlimited Tonnage97 questions
  • Master or Mate Less than 200 Gross Registered Tons91 questions
  • Master of Unlimited Tonnage69 questions
  • Master/Chief Mate Offshore Supply Vessels69 questions
  • Mate Offshore Supply Vessels68 questions
  • Master TV to Master Less than 500 Gross Registered Tons67 questions
  • Mate of Unlimited Tonnage67 questions
  • Master or Mate Less than 200 Gross Registered Tons Rivers66 questions
  • Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage66 questions
  • Master Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons Rivers64 questions
  • Master Unlimited Tonnage Rivers50 questions
  • Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Rivers49 questions
  • Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV)49 questions
  • Master Uninspected Fishing Vessels48 questions
  • Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel Near Coastal (OUPV)48 questions
  • Master Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons47 questions
  • Master Near Coastal Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons47 questions
  • Able Seafarer (AB) Unlimited, Limited, Special…46 questions
  • First Class Pilot45 questions
  • Limited Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (Limited OUPV)45 questions
  • Mate Uninspected Fishing Vessels45 questions
  • Towing Vessels – Western Rivers43 questions

More USCG practice tests

The questions and answer keys are from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center’s published sample exams. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. A practice score does not predict your exam result; check the NMC for current exam requirements.