First quiz free · No sign-up

USCG Lifeboatman Practice Test

92 Lifeboatman questions from the National Maritime Center’s published sample exams for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman Limited, each with the NMC’s answer key. Questions that need an illustration, a chart or a reference book are left out.

46 CFR now calls this endorsement Lifeboat Operator (and Lifeboat Operator-Limited): the Coast Guard changed the title from Lifeboatman in 2024 (89 FR 93040).

63 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 92, with each answer as soon as you pick.

10 sample Lifeboatman 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 · Lifeboatman Limited

    A magnetic compass card is marked in how many degrees?

    • A.90
    • B.180
    • C.360 (correct answer)
    • D.400

    Answer: C. 360

    Further reading: Bowditch Art.918 — Bowditch Ch.9 Compasses — 918. The Compass and the Binnacle

  2. Question 2 · Lifeboatman Limited

    How should gasoline tanks be filled?

    • A.To the top to expel all vapors from the tanks
    • B.Fill with only sufficient fuel for the planned trip so excess gasoline is not carried
    • C.Fill to near the top with some space allowed for gasoline expansion (correct answer)
    • D.To the top so the operator is certain how much fuel he has aboard

    Answer: C. Fill to near the top with some space allowed for gasoline expansion

    Related regulation: 33 CFR 183.518 ↗ — Fuel tank openings

  3. Question 3 · Lifeboatman Limited

    BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    • A.Orange smoke signal
    • B.Flames from a burning barrel
    • C.Searchlight beam (correct answer)
    • D.Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus

    Answer: C. Searchlight beam

    Related regulation: 33 CFR 83.36 ↗ — Signals to attract attention (Rule 36)

  4. Question 4 · Lifeboatman

    Which action should be taken once fueling has been completed?

    • A.The fuel tank fill pipe should be left open to allow vapors to vent from the tank
    • B.Open the fuel line and drain a small amount of gasoline into the bilge to clear the line of sediment
    • C.All hatches should be opened and all compartments should be ventilated (correct answer)
    • D.The engine should be started immediately to prevent vapor lock in the fuel line

    Answer: C. All hatches should be opened and all compartments should be ventilated

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 154.707 ↗ — Cargo boil-off as fuel: Ventilation

  5. Question 5 · Lifeboatman

    A motor lifeboat shall carry sufficient fuel to operate continuously for a period of which duration?

    • A.12 hours
    • B.18 hours
    • C.24 hours (correct answer)
    • D.36 hours

    Answer: C. 24 hours

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 160.135-7 — Design, construction, and performance of lifeboats

  6. Question 6 · Lifeboatman Limited

    How is the external flotation bladder of an immersion suit inflated?

    • A.It is inflated by blowing through an inflation tube. (correct answer)
    • B.It inflates by sea water bleeding into the flotation bladder and reacting with a chemical therein.
    • C.It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is automatically tripped when the front zipper is at the top of the zipper track.
    • D.It is inflated by a small CO2 bottle that is manually tripped.

    Answer: A. It is inflated by blowing through an inflation tube.

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 160.171-9 — Construction

  7. Question 7 · Lifeboatman

    Which represents the appropriate time for setting off distress flares and rockets?

    • A.Immediately upon abandoning the vessel
    • B.At one-hour intervals
    • C.At half hour intervals
    • D.Only when there is a chance of their being seen by rescue vessels (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Only when there is a chance of their being seen by rescue vessels

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

  8. Question 8 · Lifeboatman

    When is it recommended that the external flotation bladder on an immersion suit be inflated?

    • A.Before entry into the water
    • B.Upon entry into the water (correct answer)
    • C.Only after two hours in the water
    • D.Only after four hours in the water

    Answer: B. Upon entry into the water

    Related regulation: NVIC 01-08 Encl.2 §1 — Promulgation of recommendations from the IMO in MSC Circulars 1047 and 1114, concerning periodic inspection and testing of immersion suits by ships' crews. — Enclosure (2): A suitable head piece, fitted with a means to inject air into the suit, should be inserted into the face orifice of the suit and secured so as to minimize leakage around the face seal. A low-pressure monitoring device, either integral to the fitting for air injection or a separate device, should also be inserted. If the suit

  9. Question 9 · Lifeboatman Limited

    BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal should be used to indicate that your vessel is in distress?

    • A.Displaying a large red flag
    • B.Sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    • C.Continuously sounding the fog whistle (correct answer)
    • D.Displaying three black balls in a vertical line

    Answer: C. Continuously sounding the fog whistle

    Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 37 — Rule 37: When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the

  10. Question 10 · Lifeboatman Limited

    The signal has been given to abandon ship. Which of the following describes the action to be taken with the EPIRB?

    • A.No action is required, muster at your boat station to wait for further direction
    • B.Activate the unit and secure it to the vessel before entering the survival craft
    • C.No action is required, the unit will activate when triggered by a satellite
    • D.Activate the unit and take it with you to the closest survival craft (correct answer)

    Answer: D. Activate the unit and take it with you to the closest survival craft

    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 92.

  • Lifeboatman49 questions
  • Lifeboatman Limited44 questions

Requirements for the endorsement

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.