USCG Engineering General Subjects Practice Test

10 sample Engineering General Subjects 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 · First Assistant Engineer

   When performing mariner competency assessment onboard a vessel, as an assessor you must be mindful of the potential influence of other crew members. Which of the following statements regarding this potential influence is true?

   • A.While you should never allow an assessment candidate to observe others being assessed for the same competency, other crew members can be allowed to interfere with the assessment.
   • B.You should never allow an assessment candidate to observe others being assessed for the same competency, and you should never allow other crew members to interfere with an assessment. (correct answer)
   • C.While you can allow an assessment candidate to observe others being assessed for the same competency, you should never allow other crew members to interfere with an assessment.
   • D.You can allow an assessment candidate to observe others being assessed for the same competency, and you can allow other crew members to interfere with an assessment.

   Answer: B. You should never allow an assessment candidate to observe others being assessed for the same competency, and you should never allow other crew members to interfere with an assessment.

   Related regulation: NVIC 19-14 Encl.4 — CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — Enclosure (4)

2. Question 2 · OSV – Assistant Engineer

   When making welding repairs to a ship's structural member, why is it important to avoid weld faults?

   • A.The poor-quality weld can lead to points of stress relief, which in addition to a weak joint, may form the starting points for cracks.
   • B.The poor-quality weld can lead to points of stress relief, which in addition to a weak joint, may cause plate distortion.
   • C.The poor-quality weld can lead to points of stress concentration, which in addition to a weak joint, may form the starting points for cracks. (correct answer)
   • D.The poor quality weld can lead to points of stress concentration, which in addition to a weak joint, may cause plate distortion.

   Answer: C. The poor-quality weld can lead to points of stress concentration, which in addition to a weak joint, may form the starting points for cracks.

   Related regulation: NVIC 07-68 Encl. — Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls — Enclosure

3. Question 3 · Third Assistant Engineer

   Under the federal regulations of, if a vessel equipped with a Type III Marine Sanitation Device enters a body of water where the discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited, which of the following methods of securing the device to prevent the discharge of sewage is UNACCEPTABLE?

   • A.Closing each valve leading to an overboard discharge and removing the handle.
   • B.Padlocking each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position.
   • C.Closing and tagging each valve leading to an overboard discharge. (correct answer)
   • D.Using a non-releasable wire-tire to hold each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position.

   Answer: C. Closing and tagging each valve leading to an overboard discharge.

   Related regulation: TVNCOE UTV Guidebook — TVNCOE UTV Guidebook — Requirements for Uninspected Towing Vessels (Subchapter C) — TVNCOE guidebook

4. Question 4 · OSV – Chief Engineer

   What federal agency enforces the prohibition of employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin as it applies to shipboard employment onboard US flag vessels?

   • A.International Transport Workers' Federation (ITWF)
   • B.Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (correct answer)
   • C.Maritime Administration (MARAD)
   • D.U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

   Answer: B. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

   Related regulation: 46 USC 10104 — Requirement to report sexual offenses

5. Question 5 · Assistant Engineer – Limited

   On a ship with a continuously manned engine room, with a three-person watch rotation, what is the watch and rest period rotation?

   • A.4 hours on watch followed by 8 hours rest (correct answer)
   • B.6 hours on watch followed by 6 hours rest
   • C.8 hours on watch followed by 4 hours rest
   • D.8 hours on watch followed by 8 hours rest

   Answer: A. 4 hours on watch followed by 8 hours rest

   Related regulation: 46 CFR 15.1111 — Work hours and rest periods

6. Question 6 · OSV – Assistant Engineer

   What is meant by the term independent bilge suction?

   • A.The means by which the machinery space bilge is pumped out by a pump normally used as a bilge pump but independent of any bilge manifolds or automatic bilge suction valves. (correct answer)
   • B.The means by which the machinery space bilge is pumped out by a pump not normally used as a bilge pump but using either bilge manifolds or automatic bilge suction valves.
   • C.The means by which a cargo-hold bilge is pumped out by a pump normally used as a bilge pump but independent of any bilge manifolds or automatic bilge suction valves.
   • D.The means by which a cargo-hold bilge is pumped out by a pump not normally used as a bilge pump but using either bilge manifolds or automatic bilge suction valves.

   Answer: A. The means by which the machinery space bilge is pumped out by a pump normally used as a bilge pump but independent of any bilge manifolds or automatic bilge suction valves.

   Related regulation: 46 CFR 56.50-50 ↗ — Bilge and ballast piping

7. Question 7 · MODU – Chief Engineer

   Coast Guard Regulations (46 CFR Part 58) require a method for the relieving pressure of an over pressurized refrigeration system. Which of the following statements complies with these regulations?

   • A.A rupture disk may be fitted in series with the relief valve. (correct answer)
   • B.The relief valve settings shall be 1 1/4 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
   • C.The rupture disk shall burst at a pressure not higher than 10% above the relief valve setting.
   • D.The relief valve from the receiver must relieve to the condenser first.

   Answer: A. A rupture disk may be fitted in series with the relief valve.

   Related regulation: 46 CFR 58.20-10 ↗ — Pressure relieving devices

8. Question 8 · Chief Engineer – Limited

   In what part of 33CFR can be found the recordkeeping requirements for specific machinery space operations onboard all ships of 400 gross tons or above other than a tanker that must be entered into an Oil Record Book?

   • A.33CFR Part 151.15
   • B.33CFR Part 151.25 (correct answer)
   • C.33CFR Part 151.55
   • D.33CFR Part 151.2070

   Answer: B. 33CFR Part 151.25

   Related regulation: MARPOL Annex I Reg.17 — Oil Record Book Part I – Machinery space operations

9. Question 9 · UFIV – Chief Engineer

   The unlicensed crew requirements listed on the Certificate of Inspection reads as follows: 3 firemen/water tenders; 3 oilers. The vessel is about to depart on a foreign voyage, and has in the crew: 3 firemen/water tenders, 2 oilers, and one man, whose merchant mariner's document is endorsed QMED, any rating. You should __________.

   • A.request a waiver from the Coast Guard
   • B.check if any of the firemen have enough time for an oiler's endorsement
   • C.call the port captain and request another oiler
   • D.sail because your crew requirements are filled (correct answer)

   Answer: D. sail because your crew requirements are filled

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

10. Question 10 · Assistant Engineer – Limited

    Even though bilge keels do provide some improvement in longitudinal strength at the bilge radius, what is the primary purpose of the bilge keels?

    • A.Dampen the tendency the ship has to yaw.
    • B.Dampen the tendency the ship has to heave.
    • C.Dampen the tendency the ship has to pitch.
    • D.Dampen the tendency the ship has to roll. (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Dampen the tendency the ship has to roll.

    Related regulation: NVIC 05-86 Encl.1 — Voluntary Standards for U.S. Uninspected Commercial Fishing Vessels — Enclosure (1)

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 622.

• First Assistant Engineer114 questions
• OSV – Chief Engineer59 questions
• Chief Engineer – Limited56 questions
• UFIV – Chief Engineer56 questions
• MODU – Chief Engineer54 questions
• Assistant Engineer – Limited53 questions
• Third Assistant Engineer53 questions
• DDE – Unlimited HP52 questions
• OSV – Assistant Engineer52 questions
• DDE – 1000/4000 HP39 questions
• UFIV – Assistant Engineer35 questions
• MODU – Assistant Engineer34 questions

More USCG practice tests