USCGQ
Log in Start free
USCGQ
Toggle sidebar
Home
Deck
Retired questions · Deck General
Start practicing

Deck · 159 questions

Retired questions · Deck General - USCG Exam Questions

These are retired questions the Coast Guard no longer draws exams from. They stay online for reference; the current questions are in Deck General.

Seamanship in the broad sense: marlinespike, ground tackle and anchoring, mooring and towing, weather, stability basics, and day-to-day vessel operations.

Every question below is a real U.S. Coast Guard exam question with four choices. Answer one and the correct choice is revealed instantly, with the USCG reference and illustration where the question uses one.

Random question Start at question 5 Build a timed exam

All Retired questions · Deck General questions

Questions 1–100 of 159 · page 1 of 2

  1. #5 A "reaching" course is one in which the wind __________.
  2. #11 Dacron sails, when not in use, may be damaged if __________.
  3. #26 Your 80-ton schooner is hove to on the starboard tack under storm trysail and fore- staysail in 45 knots of wind. Your heading is averaging about 000°...
  4. #29 Canvas sails, when not in use, may be damaged if __________.
  5. #32 To get the best speed when tacking and using a mainsail and jib, the sails should be trimmed such that __________.
  6. #33 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 050° relative would be __________.
  7. #38 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 090° relative would be __________.
  8. #41 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 180° relative would be __________.
  9. #42 When sailing with the wind aft, a vessel may carry sails on both sides at the same time. The sails are __________.
  10. #43 You are under sail on a close reach, and the wind is steady. While steady on course, you reef the mainsail and your speed slows. The apparent wind ___...
  11. #45 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 140° relative would be __________.
  12. #46 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 290° relative would be __________.
  13. #48 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 260° relative would be __________.
  14. #49 When shifting to a course where the wind comes more from astern, easing the mainsheet will __________.
  15. #60 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 220° relative would be __________.
  16. #61 A sailing vessel with the wind coming from 020° relative would be __________.
  17. #66 When repairing a torn sail at sea, you should __________.
  18. #71 On small sailing vessels, the PRIMARY reason for using nylon in a combination chain- nylon anchor line is to __________.
  19. #73 A deep keel on a sailing vessel increases the __________.
  20. #82 Your sails are properly trimmed while on a reaching course. Changing to a close hauled course will __________.
  21. #84 Your vessel is drifting with the wind broad on the port beam. The marconi sail is set and flapping free. As you sheet in the maximum drive is attained...
  22. #85 You are sailing on a close reach when a strong wind suddenly heels the vessel hard over. To reduce the heeling and yet maintain speed, you should ____...
  23. #86 The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close hauled the __________.
  24. #92 You are running before the wind in a fresh breeze. The boom may be prevented from accidentally jibing by using a(n) __________.
  25. #93 The sails are properly set and trimmed. As a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close-hauled the __________.
  26. #95 A sailing vessel with the wind coming over the port side is said to be on a __________.
  27. #96 In order to maintain speed while changing course from a close reach to a broad reach, the sails should be __________.
  28. #97 When properly set and drawing, a fore-and-aft sail has a cross-section that __________.
  29. #109 Your 20-ton ketch-rigged sailing vessel is sailing close hauled on the port tack in a moderate breeze with all sails properly trimmed. You wish to bea...
  30. #132 Kevlar sails, when not in use, may be damaged if __________.
  31. #134 The major lift-producing part of a sail is the __________.
  32. #135 Sails may be wing and wing when_____________.
  33. #136 Sails may be wing and wing when __________.
  34. #137 Most recreational sailing craft have triangular sails and are said to be __________.
  35. #138 When a sail is reefed, the sail area is _______ .
  36. #140 The hinge fitting used to attach the boom to the mast is the __________.
  37. #142 The bottom of the mast rests on a part of the keel called the mast __________.
  38. #173 The Lake Carriers Association and the Canadian Shipowners Association prescribe separation routes for upbound and downbound vessels on the Great Lakes...
  39. #260 Single hull vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes must be dry docked at intervals not to exceed __________.
  40. #279 A B-III foam extinguisher contains __________.
  41. #294 On cargo vessels, which fire extinguisher is considered semi-portable?
  42. #297 By regulation, your cargo vessel must have __________.
  43. #303 Regulations require that cargo pumprooms on tank barges (constructed in 1965) carrying grades B or C liquid cargoes have power ventilation systems. In...
  44. #306 The required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers required for a galley having an area of 3,500 square feet is __________.
  45. #308 For a cargo vessel of 1,000 GT or over, on an international voyage, the required minimum pitot tube pressure from the two highest outlets when two fir...
  46. #316 The largest crew a cargo vessel may carry without having a hospital space is __________.
  47. #320 The regulations governing the sleeping accommodations of a cargo vessel are found in __________.
  48. #330 What is considered to be a B-II portable fire extinguisher?
  49. #339 In the subchapter for Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels of the Code of Federral Regulations, what is the maximum number of sleeping accommodations a bar...
  50. #348 The number of fire axes required to be carried on a cargo vessel of 14,000 GT and on an international voyage is __________.
  51. #357 The galley on your cargo vessel has an area of 2,500 square feet. What would fulfill the minimum requirements for fire protection?
  52. #367 On a vessel of 900 GT, the minimum number of fire axes required is __________.
  53. #372 The number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers required outside and in the vicinity of the paint locker exit is __________.
  54. #376 The required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers to be carried in the vicinity of the radio room exit for a tank vessel on an internat...
  55. #378 The required number and type of hand portable fire extinguishers for staterooms on cargo vessels is __________.
  56. #389 On cargo vessels, the discharge of the required quantity of carbon dioxide into any "tight" space shall be completed within __________.
  57. #428 The letter and number symbols, such as B-II, used to classify portable fire extinguishers indicate the __________.
  58. #430 The lifeline which is part of a fireman's outfit must be __________.
  59. #522 The signal man assisting the crane operator uses one hand to give any motion signal and places the other hand motionless in front of the hand giving t...
  60. #583 You must load as much of a large shipment of case goods as possible into a hold which has 24,000 cubic feet of space. Each case measures 2 feet by 2-1...
  61. #687 You receive a package, for shipment aboard your vessel, containing Class 1 explosives. The package is damp, moldy and stained. You must __________.
  62. #699 What is a solid at ambient temperature?
  63. #798 What must access to a cargo pumproom on a tank vessel carrying grades A, B, C or D liquid cargoes be?
  64. #804 What are the minimum ventilation requirements for pumprooms on tank vessels, constructed in 1960, carrying grades B or C liquid cargo with machinery s...
  65. #886 Your vessel is securely moored to the berth preparing to discharge a cargo of LPG. Which of the following items would not comply with a "Safety Checkl...
  66. #892 On a tank vessel, each high level alarm and tank overfill alarm must be tested __________.
  67. #904 Cargo pumprooms on tank vessels, constructed in 1965, handling grade C liquid cargo shall have power ventilation systems. What is time requirement for...
  68. #931 What is required of an access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grade D liquid cargo?
  69. #933 Regulations require that cargo pumprooms handling grades D and/or E liquid cargo only shall be fitted with at LEAST how many ducts extended to the wea...
  70. #944 A reinspection of the vessel shall be made between which of the following months while the Certificate of Inspection is valid?
  71. #955 What is the required access to a cargo pumproom in a tank vessel carrying grades C or D liquid cargo?
  72. #993 You are berthed at a cargo facility where you have just completed discharging a dangerous cargo from your barge. You must complete topside repairs on...
  73. #997 What type of ventilation is required for pumprooms on tank vessels, carrying grade C liquid cargo, with machinery spaces below the freeboard deck?
  74. #1014 What is required of the access to a cargo pumproom on a tank vessel carrying grade D liquid cargo?
  75. #1024 Regulations require that cargo pumprooms handling grades D and/or E liquid cargo only shall be fitted with at LEAST how many ducts extended to the wea...
  76. #1028 What is required of the access to a cargo pumproom on a tank vessel carrying grades A, B, C or D liquid cargoes?
  77. #1040 If your JP-5 barge has operated in saltwater for less than 1 month in the 12 month period since it was last dry-docked, when is it required to be haul...
  78. #1067 An on-board monitoring system, using level sensors permanently installed in each vessel compartment, will have a high level alarm set at not more than...
  79. #1084 In a tank vessel constructed in 1970, carying grade A, B, C, or D liquid cargo, what is required to isolate cargo pumps from sources of vapor ignition...
  80. #1087 What do regulations require that pumprooms on tank vessels carrying grade C liquid cargo with machinery spaces below the freeboard deck be ventilated...
  81. #1093 On an inspection of your tankship you notice that there are no portable fire extinguishers in the pumproom. To comply with regulations, you __________...
  82. #1158 The use of portable electrical equipment in the pumproom on tank barges is prohibited unless __________.
  83. #1180 What are cargo tanks carrying grades D or E liquids on tank barges required to be ventillated with?
  84. #1188 What is NOT a requirement of the reinspection for a tank barge with a certificate of inspection valid for two years?
  85. #1294 An LNG vessel contaiment system must be cooled down prior to loading cargo. Where are the cool-down parameters and rates obtained from?
  86. #1299 LNG boil-off is used as fuel in the dual fuel system to produce steam in the boilers to run the turbines. What happens nder slow maneuvering speeds, d...
  87. #1303 What functions due reliquification plants perform?
  88. #1326 Some cargoes can react with air to form unstable oxygen compounds which could cause them to do which ofthe following?
  89. #1494 When a tank vessel with a capacity of 250 barrels is transferring oil to a facility, U.S. regulations require an emergency means to stopping the flow...
  90. #1542 Which of the knots, bends, or hitches shown in illustration D030DG below would you use to properly secure a bosun's chair to a gantline? illustration
  91. #1544 What is the name of tackle number 9as shown in illustration D029DG below? illustration
  92. #1584 What is the knot used to join two lines or two large hawsers for towing called?
  93. #1585 Aboard small passenger vessels the number of childrens' life jackets carried must be at least what percentage of the total number of persons aboard?
  94. #1590 To coil a right-laid rope, you should coil the line in __________.
  95. #1620 In order to help protect a natural fiber rope from rotting, the line must be __________.
  96. #1624 The strongest of the natural fibers is __________.
  97. #1646 Your vessel is docking, but not yet alongside. Which line will be the most useful when maneuvering the vessel alongside the pier?
  98. #1686 The critical point in nylon line elongation is about __________.
  99. #1712 Uncoiling manila line improperly can result in a(n) __________.
  100. #1723 What is a serving mallet is used for?

Deck General questions: what to expect

Q How many Deck General questions are in the Deck pool?

This retired set holds 159 Deck General questions the Coast Guard no longer draws on exams. They stay online for reference; the current Deck General module is the one to study.

Q What score do I need to pass the Deck General module?

Most USCG exam modules, including Deck General, require 70 percent to pass. Rules of the Road modules require 90 percent.

Q Are these the real USCG Deck General exam questions?

Yes. They are the published U.S. Coast Guard questions, matched to the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examinations. Answer any question to see the correct choice, the USCG reference and the illustration where the question uses one.

Other Deck modules

About the Deck question pool

The Deck pool holds the current U.S. Coast Guard questions for every deck credential, from Able Seaman and the OUPV six-pack up to unlimited Master. Each question is multiple choice with four options, graded instantly, with the USCG reference shown where one exists.