INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes which of the following?

The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary

The coastline of the United States out to one mile offshore

The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary

The waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.

Any lakes within state boundaries

INLAND ONLY A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may exhibit a flashing blue light or which of the following alternates?

an alternately flashing red and yellow light

two amber lights in a horizontal line

a fixed green light over a red flashing light

a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)

an alternately flashing red and yellow light

INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) identity light(s). Which of the following is appropriate for these activities?

alternately flashing red and yellow light

alternately flashing blue and red light

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

A large tanker that is being towed as a dead ship to dry dock

A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel

A vessel fishing with a bottom trawl that must remain on course

A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

A vessel towing unable to deviate from her course

A vessel constrained by her draft

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

If the stand-on vessel takes action, she shall avoid changing course to port

The give-way vessel should keep the other vessel to her starboard

The vessel which has the other on her own port side shall keep out of the way

If the give-way vessel takes action, she shall avoid changing course to starboard

If the stand-on vessel takes action, she shall avoid changing course to port

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel shows the same lights as which vessel?

a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are rigidly connected in a composite unit

a vessel engaged in towing, when not underway

a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are rigidly connected in a composite unit

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of collision may exist. Which action should you take?

Reduce your speed to bare steerageway

Alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel

Slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you

Alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side

Reduce your speed to bare steerageway

INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is crossing a river on the Great Lakes System. A power-driven vessel is ascending the river, crossing your course from port to starboard. Which statement is TRUE?

The vessel ascending the river has the right of way

The other vessel must hold as necessary to allow you to pass

Your vessel has the right of way, but you are directed not to impede the other vessel

You are required to propose the manner of passage

The vessel ascending the river has the right of way

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Navigation Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist?

If the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change

Whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel

If one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

If the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change

Whenever two vessels approach from opposite directions

Your vessel is sailing on a port tack when a sudden gust of wind heels the vessel sharply to starboard. Which action will reduce the heeling of the vessel?

Shift weight to the port side of the vessel

Ease the sheets to allow air flow to spill off the sail

Attempt to sail the vessel closer to the wind

The sails are properly set and trimmed. Which is TRUE when a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close-hauled?

The vessel's side slip decreases

The apparent wind remains steady

You are Master of a 20-ton ketch. You wish to heave-to on the starboard tack in 35 knots of wind. Which action would be appropriate?

Secure your storm jib aback to starboard and sheet your reefed mizzen in flat. Secure your rudder hard to starboard.

Secure your reefed mizzen aback to starboard and your storm jib aback to port. Secure your rudder hard to port.

Sheet your mizzen in flat and secure your rudder amidships.

Set your storm jib aback to port and secure your rudder hard to starboard.

Deck · 2026 NMC sample exam Q100–Q460

Deck Officer Endorsements Practice Test

Every module on the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examination for Deck Officer Endorsements: 3 modules, 118 real questions, graded instantly.

Start with Q100 Take the timed sample exam

★★★★★ Trusted by mariners since 2008 Sample exam dated August 26, 2026

The Deck Officer Endorsements exam is split into 3 modules, each graded separately. The table below is the National Maritime Center's own 2026 sample examination for this credential, module by module, with every question matched to our bank of released U.S. Coast Guard exam questions. Open a module to practice its questions one at a time, or sit the whole module as a timed exam.

What is on the Deck Officer Endorsements exam

Module	Questions	Illustrations	Practice
Q100 Rules of the Road - Inland - International	50	5	Practice →
Q300 Rules of the Road - Inland	48	7	Practice →
Q460 Auxiliary Sail Endorsement	20	1	Practice →
Total	118	13

Most modules require 70 percent to pass; Rules of the Road modules require 90 percent.

Q100 · 50 questions · 5 illustrations

Rules of the Road - Inland - International

All Rules of the Road questions Sit Q100 timed

Showing the first 5 of 50. Start at question 1 and use Next to work through the module →

Q300 · 48 questions · 7 illustrations

Rules of the Road - Inland

All Rules of the Road questions Sit Q300 timed

Showing the first 5 of 48. Start at question 1 and use Next to work through the module →

Q460 · 20 questions · 1 illustration

Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

All Deck General questions Sit Q460 timed

Showing the first 5 of 20. Start at question 1 and use Next to work through the module →

Deck Officer Endorsements exam FAQ

Q How many questions are on the Deck Officer Endorsements exam?

The National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examination for Deck Officer Endorsements has 118 questions across 3 modules: Q100 Rules of the Road - Inland - International (50 questions), Q300 Rules of the Road - Inland (48 questions) and Q460 Auxiliary Sail Endorsement (20 questions). Every one is multiple choice with four answers, and you can practice all of them on this page.

Q What modules are on the Deck Officer Endorsements exam?

The modules are Q100 Rules of the Road - Inland - International (50 questions), Q300 Rules of the Road - Inland (48 questions) and Q460 Auxiliary Sail Endorsement (20 questions). Each module is graded separately, so you need to pass every one to pass the exam.

Q What score do I need to pass the Deck Officer Endorsements exam?

Most modules require 70 percent. The Rules of the Road module requires 90 percent, which is where most candidates fail, so give it the most practice.

Q Are these the real questions?

Yes. They are the questions on the National Maritime Center's published 2026 sample examination for Deck Officer Endorsements (modules Q100–Q460), matched to our bank of released U.S. Coast Guard exam questions. The exam you sit draws from the same pools.

Q Can I take a timed Deck Officer Endorsements practice exam?

Yes. Subscribers can sit any module as an official sample exam in its published order, timed or untimed, with answers revealed at the end. Free accounts can build one 10-question practice exam and answer questions on every module page.

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