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USCG Deck Safety Practice Test

1,149 Deck Safety questions from 17 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.

702 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.

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Take a 10-question quiz

10 at random from all 1,149, with each answer as soon as you pick.

10 sample Deck Safety 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 of Unlimited Tonnage

    What is the spoken emergency signal for a distress signal over a VHF radio?

    • A.Pan
    • B.Red Alert
    • C.Security
    • D.Mayday (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Mayday

    Related regulation: 47 CFR 80.314 ↗ — Distress communications

  2. Question 2 · Master Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons

    For small angles of inclination, if the KG were equal to the KM, which is TRUE concerning the vessel?

    • A.The vessel possesses neutral stability (correct answer)
    • B.The vessel possesses negative stability
    • C.The vessel possesses maximum stability
    • D.The vessel possesses positive stability

    Answer: A. The vessel possesses neutral stability

    Related regulation: NVIC 03-89 Encl.1 §7 — Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — Enclosure (1): METHODS TO SIMPLIFY CALCULATIONS IN A TRIM AND STABILITY BOOKLET.

  3. Question 3 · Master of Unlimited Tonnage

    Which term is given to the difference between the starboard and port drafts caused by shifting a weight transversely in the vessel?

    • A.Heel
    • B.Flotation
    • C.List (correct answer)
    • D.Trim

    Answer: C. List

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 131.510 ↗ — Draft and loadline markings

  4. Question 4 · Master Near Coastal Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons

    A person who observes an individual fall overboard should do which of the following?

    • A.Immediately jump into the water to assist the individual
    • B.Go to the control room for the distress flares
    • C.Call for help and keep the individual in sight (correct answer)
    • D.Run to the radio room to send an emergency message

    Answer: C. Call for help and keep the individual in sight

    Related regulation: NVIC 07-98 Encl.1 — The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — Enclosure (1)

  5. Question 5 · Master Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons

    Buoyant apparatus are required to be fitted or equipped with all of the following equipment EXCEPT which item? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    • A.Paddles (correct answer)
    • B.Life lines
    • C.Water lights
    • D.Painters

    Answer: A. Paddles

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 160.010-3 ↗ — Inflatable buoyant apparatus

  6. Question 6 · Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

    Which is TRUE of a distress signal?

    • A.It shall consist of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    • B.It may be used individually or in conjunction with other distress signals (correct answer)
    • C.It shall consist of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    • D.It is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

    Answer: B. It may be used individually or in conjunction with other distress signals

    Further reading: Pub 102 Ch.4 Sec.1 — Pub 102 Ch.4 International Code of Signals, Distress and Lifesaving Signals; Radiotelephone Procedures — Section 1: Distress Signals

  7. Question 7 · Mate Offshore Supply Vessels

    A self-righting survival craft will return to an upright position provided that all personnel __________.

    • A.are to shift to one side to right it
    • B.are seated with seat belts on and doors shut (correct answer)
    • C.are seated with seat belts on and doors open
    • D.escape from the craft

    Answer: B. are seated with seat belts on and doors shut

    Related regulation: IMO LSA Code MSC.48(66) Ch.IV — IMO LSA Code Chapter IV — SURVIVAL CRAFT

  8. Question 8 · Master/Chief Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

    The distress message of a ship should include considerable information which might facilitate the rescue. Which is TRUE concerning the information?

    • A.The message must be sent to a Coast Guard station FIRST
    • B.The information is ALWAYS included in the initial distress message and repeated as required
    • C.The information should be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows (correct answer)
    • D.The distress message shall include the vessel's draft

    Answer: C. The information should be transmitted as a series of short messages, if time allows

    Related regulation: 47 CFR 80.324 ↗ — Transmission of distress message by station not itself in distress

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

    When using a handheld smoke signal aboard a survival craft, how should you activate the signal?

    • A.On the downwind side of the craft (correct answer)
    • B.At the stern of the craft
    • C.On the upwind side of the craft
    • D.Inside the craft

    Answer: A. On the downwind side of the craft

    Further reading: Pub 102 Ch.4 Sec.2 — Pub 102 Ch.4 International Code of Signals, Distress and Lifesaving Signals; Radiotelephone Procedures — Section 2: Table of Lifesaving Signals

  10. Question 10 · Master Near Coastal Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons

    When a vessel is required to have a power-driven fire pump, the pump may also be used for which task? (small passenger vessel regulations)

    • A.The drinking water supply system
    • B.The engine cooling water
    • C.The bilge pump (correct answer)
    • D.None of the above

    Answer: C. The bilge pump

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 182.520 ↗ — Bilge pumps

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 1,149.

  • Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons138 questions
  • Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels135 questions
  • Mate Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons132 questions
  • Master or Mate Less than 200 Gross Registered Tons97 questions
  • Master of Unlimited Tonnage68 questions
  • Mate of Unlimited Tonnage68 questions
  • Mate Offshore Supply Vessels67 questions
  • Master/Chief Mate Offshore Supply Vessels66 questions
  • Master/Chief Mate of Unlimited Tonnage66 questions
  • Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage63 questions
  • Master Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons49 questions
  • Master Near Coastal Less than 100 Gross Registered Tons49 questions
  • Master Uninspected Fishing Vessels49 questions
  • Master Unlimited Tonnage Rivers49 questions
  • Mate Uninspected Fishing Vessels49 questions
  • Master Less than 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons Rivers48 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.