Prepare for the USCG 6 Pack Captain’s License exam with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers navigation rules, seamanship, safety, and USCG regulations.
Q: Who needs a license?
Answer: anyone who takes another person for any sum or payment
Q: OUPV License
Answer: 100 gross tons of any length
Q: Masters license: INLAND/Near Costal
Answer: inland: requires 360 days, restricts you to inland watersNear coastal: requires 720 days with at least 360 days offshore
Q: All original license require at least __ days upon any waters in the last 3 years
Answer: 90
Q: What is considered a “day” when discussing time requirements?-A minimum of __ hours on a personal vessel-A minimum of __ hours on a commercial vessel
Answer: -4 hours on personal-8 hours on commercial
Q: Once you have been issued a license, it is good for a period of __ years before it needs to be renewed!
Answer: 5
Q: You have a __ year grace period
Answer: 1
Q: Your license MUST be onboard and in your possession at all times when…
Answer: you have passengers for hire
Q: INLAND
Answer: Anything SHOREWARD of the line of demarcation
Q: INTERNATIONAL
Answer: Anything SEAWARD of the line of demarcation
Q: Line of Demarcation
Answer: Boundary between Spanish and Portuguese territories in the New World
Q: Important conversion to know!Meters -> feet
Answer: 20 meters = 65 feet
Q: INTERNATIONAL rules apply to all vessels operating…
Answer: UPON THE HIGH SEAS
Q: INLAND rules apply to vessels upon the inland waters of the US and they include:
Answer: -Great Lakes (on U.S side)-Waters SHOREWARD of the line-Mississippi River-Western Rivers-Special anchorage areas
Q: What is considered INLAND waters?
Answer: SPECIAL ANCHORAGE AREAS
Q: A special anchorage area is designated by the ________, and vessels less than __ meters (65 ft) are excused fro the lights and whistal signals and day shapes WHEN _______ in a special anchorage area.-This is an INLAND rule only!!!
Answer: – secretary- 20- anchored
Q: Intermittent flashing (yellow/amber) light belongs to a ________.
Answer: SUBMARINE
Q: Lights that have action are?
Answer: Intermittent light that has 3 seconds on, 3 seconds off. (submarine)
Q: What relives you of your obligation to prevent collisions?
Answer: NOTHING DUH!!
Q: Who is responsible for your boat AND the other person’s boat?
Answer: you are!
Q: A vessel may depart from the rules if necessary to ______ immediate _______!
Answer: AvoidDanger!
Q: What is considered SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES??-When ____ _____ ___ vessels are approaching.
Answer: More than 2!
Q: ALL vessels are required to deviate from the rules when necessary to ______ ________ ______!
Answer: Avoid immediate danger!
Q: **20 meters =
Answer: **65 feet
Q: 7 meters =
Answer: 23 feet
Q: 12 meters =
Answer: 40 feet
Q: 50 meters =
Answer: 165 feet
Q: 100 meters =
Answer: 328 feet
Q: 200 meters =
Answer: 656 feet
Q: What is considered a VESSEL?
Answer: Every description of watercraft including non-displacement craft (hovercraft), WIG (Wing in Ground craft), and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
Q: In general, anything that can carry a person is a vessel, including a _____ _______ ____.
Answer: vessel under oars.
Q: A power driven vessel is?
Answer: any vessel propelled by machinery
Q: x < 65ft is called what?-This is measured by what?
Answer: -a motor BOAT/ SMALL-length
Q: X > 65ft is called what?-This is measured by what?
Answer: -a motor VESSEL/ LARGE-gross tons AND Break horsepower (BHP)
Q: A sailing vessel is?
Answer: Any vessel that is moving by SAIL ONLY!
Q: When the engine turns on a sailboat, it is now called a?
Answer: powerdriven vessel!
Q: A power-driven vessel is?What are the two categories that fall under it?
Answer: -Any vessel propelled by machinery-S-class (small/motor boat)-L-class (large/motor vessel)
Q: Engaged in FISHING means what?
Answer: A vessel that is fishing with MULTIPLE LINES, NETS, or TRAWLS or other FISHING GEAR or apparatus that RESTRICTS MANEUVERABILITY!
Q: A SEAPLANE is what?
Answer: -an aircraft designed to maneuver on water-She SHALL IN GENERAL KEEP WELL CLEAR OF ALL VESSELS!!!(**She shall in general… remember that!)
Q: Not Under Command (NUC) means?-What should all other vessels do in this situation?
Answer: Means that a vessel, DUE TO SOME UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE, is unable to maneuver!-All other vessels should steer clear of the vessel that is NUC
Q: What are two circumstances in which a vessel may be UNABLE TO MANEUVER (NUC)?
Answer: -Loss of ENGINE-Loss of STEERING
Q: What does Restricted in Ability to Maneuver (RAM) mean?
Answer: A vessel in which, DUE TO THE NATURE OF HER WORK, is unable to keep out of the way of other vessels!
Q: What are 5 situations in which a vessel may be RAM?
Answer: -Laying a cable-Servicing a navigation aid-Dredging-Mine sweeping / mine clearing-Transferring people or cargo
Q: UNDERWAY means?
Answer: AWAY FROM THE DOCK OR PEIR and NOT AT ANCHOR!-A boat is not tied to the dock, not anchored, not aground, just simply not attached
Q: MAKING WAY means?
Answer: Moving through the water and MAKING A WAVE!
Q: NOT MAKING WAY means?
Answer: A vessel that is underway, but not moving.-Example: just drifting!
Q: length and breadth means a vessels __ length and __ breadth
Answer: -C (how long from bow to stern)-A (how wide from starboard to port)
Q: In-Sight means?
Answer: You can see another vessel using ONLY OUR EYES!
Q: Restricted visibility means?What are some examples?
Answer: -Any condition in which your vision is impaired.-Examples: FOG, A BEND IN A RIVER, mist, snow, rainstorm
Q: What does Constrained By Draft mean? (CBD)
Answer: -A powerdriven vessel operating in INTERNATIONAL WATERS whose draft (depth at keel) will severely restrict her ability to deviate from her course.-Examples: Oil tanker, cruise ship, large cargo vessel
Q: Constrained By Draft (CBD) refers to two things:
Answer: -Power driven vessel-International waters
Q: Vessels are required to display ____ ______ to display their situations.-These are _____ in color and must be displayed as far ______ as practical where they are most likely to be seen by other vessels.
Answer: -Day shapes-Black in color-Forward
Q: Every vessel shall at all times have a _______.
Answer: Lookout.
Q: Not under command is due to ______ _______, which can be what two things?
Answer: -Due to Unusual Circumstance-Loss of Engine-Loss of Steering
Q: Every vessel shall use ______, ______, and any other means available, including _______, if operational in oder to prevent collisions.
Answer: sight, hearing, … including radar
Q: During a fog, a LOOKOUT should be?
Answer: -posted as LOW down and as FAR FORWARD as possible.
Q: What does the word BREADTH mean?
Answer: Greatest breadth
Q: What does the word LENGTH refer to?
Answer: Length overall
Q: What is an example of something that is Restricted in Ability to Maneuver?
Answer: A mine sweeping/clearing vessel
Q: Every vessel shall at ALL TIMES proceed at….
Answer: a safe speed
Q: A safe speed is when?
Answer: You can take PROPER and EFFECTIVE ACTION to avoid a collision, or to stop within a distance appropriate to the EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES and CONDITIONS
Q: What is something that should be considered when discussing safe speed?
Answer: State of the wind, sea, and CURRENTS and surrounding hazards (weather)
Q: Also, when discussing safe speed, what should be considered by vessels with operational radar??
Answer: the effect on the radar, from sea and weather conditions
Q: Risk of collision exists IF THE _____ ______ to an approaching vessel _____ NOT _____ ________.
Answer: -COMPASS BEARING-DOES NOT CHANGE APPRECIABLY
Q: A risk exists when the BEARING to another vessel is ______, but the range is _______.
Answer: -constant-decreasing
Q: When discussing risk of collision, such risk MAY ____ ______ when approaching a large vessel or a vessel engaged in towing
Answer: MAY STILL EXIST
Q: Risk of collision EXISTS __ _____ when you see BOTH ___________________________________…..
Answer: -AT NIGHT-BOTH sidelights of another vessel off your bow
Q: Vessels fitted with radar must use _____ ______ and _____ _____: ______, _______, and ______ ________ when determining risk
Answer: -long range and short range: Scanning, Plotting, and Compass Bearings
Q: Any action taken to avoid collision shall if possible be:
Answer: -made in ENOUGH TIME-with due regard to good seamanship-must NOT result in another CLOSE QUARTER SITUATION
Q: The danger signal is:
Answer: Mandatory
Q: Any course change must be ______ enough so that another vessel can observe this visually and have no doubt as to your intention
Answer: LARGE(also hold this course change so other vessels can see on their radar)
Q: YOU MUST AVOID:
Answer: SMALL ALTERNATIONS OF COURSE AND SPEED
Q: If necessary to allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall:
Answer: slacken her speed or take all the way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion
Q: To avoid collision, you should also:
Answer: Reduce or slow to BARE STEERAGEWAY
Q: Any time a vessel is IN DOUBT, you MUST:
Answer: Sound the DANGER SIGNAL consisting of at LEAST 5 SHORT RAPID BLASTS!!
Q: The danger signal indicates:
Answer: -DANGER-NO (not safe to pass)-DOUBT (of the other vessels intention)
Q: If you are IN DOUBT:
Answer: You MUST sound the danger signal!!!
Q: The rules on narrow channels state:
Answer: -DO NOT ANCHOR in a narrow channel (miserable mile)-Stay AS FAR on the STARBOARD SIDE
Q: What does Bare Steerageway mean?
Answer: “put boat in clutch”-come to minimum speed in order to maintain control
Q: if you MUST OPERATE in a narrow channel (because of your draft) these vessels CANNOT impede your passage:
Answer: -A vessel engaged in FISHING-A vessel SAILING-A vessel less than 20 METERS in length
Q: A vessel crossing the channel (or river) CANNOT…
Answer: impede your passage if you can ONLY operate in a channel-due to your draft or other restrictions
Q: The following is the list of vessels in PRIORITY ORDER having the right of way:
Answer: New: Not under commandRods: Restricted in ability to maneuverCatch: Constrained by draftFish: FishingSo: SailingPurchase: Power-driven vesselSome: Seaplanes
Q: The operation of a sailing vessel involves…?
Answer: 2 or more people when a vessel is maneuvering such as when TACKING or JIBING
Q: Heavy weather procedures on a sailing vessel may include?
Answer: REDUCING the sail area-this is known as REEFING
Q: In general, a sailing vessel can only sail about ____ degrees out of a 360 degree circle
Answer: 270
Q: When using a GPS, beware:
Answer: the speed over the ground is not the same as how fast you are sailing toward your destination
Q: Tack
Answer: Named for the direction the wind is coming over your sailing vessel.-EX) if the wind is coming at your port side, it is a port tack.
Q: Running Light on sailing vessel
Answer: The LINES, SHEETS, and HALYARDS which move UP and DOWN or SIDE to SIDE
Q: When two sailing vessels are approaching, with the wind on DIFFERENT sides, the vessel on the ________ tack has right of way
Answer: starboard
Q: If you cannot determine the tack, then you shall be the ________ vessel
Answer: giveway
Q: The ______ vessel has the right of way
Answer: leeward (the one that is not in the wind, because she has less control)
Q: Any sailing vessel overtaking another vessel is the _______ vessel
Answer: giveway
Q: Any vessel overtaking another shall:
Answer: KEEP OUT OF THE WAY OF THE VESSEL BEING OVERTAKEN
Q: You are considered to be OVERTAKING, when you are coming upon another vessel from….
Answer: more than 22.5 abaft her beam
Q: At night when you are overtaking someone, you will see her
Answer: sternlight only!
Q: ANY vessel being OVERTAKEN is the _____ __ vessel and should…?
Answer: -stand-on-HOLD HER COURSE AND SPEED
Q: When 2 POWER DRIVEN VESSELS are meeting on RECIPROCAL courses and RISK OF COLLISION exists, each vessel shall exchange ___ ______ _______ on the whistle and alter the course to starboard and pass _____ to _____.
Answer: -ONE SHORT BLAST-Port to port
Q: If I am steering 000, the reciprocal course is ____ which is directly behind you.
Answer: 080
Q: When two power driven vessels are approaching and risk of collision exists, the Vessel that has the other on her __________ side shall _____ ______.
Answer: -Starboard side-shall keep clear
Q: If you are ON the right, you are ?
Answer: IN the right