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Deck · 5,775 questions

Deck General - USCG Exam Questions

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.

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All Deck General questions

Questions 1–100 of 5,775 · page 1 of 58

  1. #1 Which line would NOT be used in handling a mainsail?
  2. #2 Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 5 (P & S) to maintain drafts of 17'-0...
  3. #3 When the pilot is embarked he or she __________.
  4. #4 You are transiting the Straits of Mackinac by way of an improved channel. You have information which indicates that the channel's Federal project dept...
  5. #6 You are preparing to relieve the mate on watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.
  6. #7 Which statement is TRUE with respect to the load line markings shown in illustration D031DG below? illustration
  7. #8 Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 23 while using a sing...
  8. #9 A vessel is loaded to her summer marks for a voyage from Montreal, Canada to Duluth, MN via the Great Lakes System. The voyage has been estimated to t...
  9. #10 What does the line labeled "MS" indicate on the Great Lakes load line model shown in illustration D031DG below? illustration
  10. #12 What are reef points used for?
  11. #13 As look-out, you spot an object 45° off your port bow. You should report the object as __________.
  12. #14 Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 17'-04", AFT 18'-08". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 765 long...
  13. #15 A vessel spotted at 45° relative can be reported as __________.
  14. #16 The metal horseshoe-shaped pieces used to bend a sail onto a stay are called_________.
  15. #17 As a vessel falls off the wind from close-hauled to a beam reach, the tendency for the vessel to move sideways through the water will __________.
  16. #18 Which of the Great Lakes is generally the last to reach its seasonal low and seasonal high water marks?
  17. #19 Which is a part of a vessel's standing rigging?
  18. #20 While on watch at sea you must maintain a proper lookout at all times. On a 700-foot cargo vessel being hand-steered during daylight hours in good vis...
  19. #21 A boom vang __________.
  20. #22 You are at the helm of a sailing vessel under sail on the starboard tack, close hauled, and you are instructed to "head up". You should __________.
  21. #23 Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 19'-02", AFT 20'-10". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 170 long...
  22. #24 What does the command "Hard right rudder" mean?
  23. #25 Your vessel has been ordered to proceed to the United Grain Growers Wharf at Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, for the purpose of taking on a load of wheat....
  24. #27 "Seiche" is defined as a(n) __________.
  25. #28 What is NOT running rigging?
  26. #30 There are basically three categories of water level fluctuations on the Great Lakes. What is NOT included as one of these?
  27. #31 Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No.1 (P&S) to maintain drafts of 17'-00" forw...
  28. #34 You are a watchstanding mate and have come to the bridge to relieve the watch while underway at sea. The watch should not be transferred __________.
  29. #35 Storms that enter the Great Lakes Basin from the west and northwest at a peak in October are the products of pressure systems known as __________.
  30. #36 The "weather adjustment" control on an autopilot steering stand is used to __________.
  31. #37 You are at the helm of a schooner-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the port tack, on a beam reach, with all appropriate sails set and properly trim...
  32. #39 Using the Guidance Manual for Loading the M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 3 (P & S) to maintain drafts of 17'-0...
  33. #40 Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 25'-04", AFT 24'-08". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. GRAND HAVEN, determine the new draft if 634 long...
  34. #44 When steering on autopilot which of the following input conditions may NOT have an effect on the control of the steering gear?
  35. #47 A marker pole, with a horseshoe buoy and a sea anchor attached, should be used to __________.
  36. #50 When anchoring a small sailing vessel in rough weather, the best anchor line would be composed of __________.
  37. #51 Every different type of sailing rig can be dangerous in certain circumstances. Which situation would most likely be dangerous?
  38. #52 The vertical reference for all water levels and bench marks on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System is known as __________.
  39. #53 How are aids to navigation on the Great Lakes arranged geographically?
  40. #54 Your vessel's existing draft is FWD 17'-03", AFT 18'-09". Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. Grand Haven, determine the new draft if 450 long...
  41. #55 When experiencing heavy winds, you should reef sails to __________.
  42. #56 Which fitting is used to connect the boom to the mast?
  43. #57 While your vessel is docked port side to a wharf, a sudden gale force wind causes the vessel's bow lines to part. The bow begins to fall away from the...
  44. #58 You are on watch and the pilot has just anchored the vessel. The next thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go is to __________.
  45. #59 Which statement is FALSE with regards to the Great Lakes Light List?
  46. #62 Which line would be used to hoist a sail?
  47. #63 You are attempting to recover a mooring buoy. If you approach the object on the port tack, how would you slow the vessel as you draw near?
  48. #64 Which of the Great Lakes lies entirely within the United States?
  49. #65 Who publishes the "Canadian List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals"?
  50. #67 On a sailing vessel, it is best to approach a person in the water by placing them on your __________.
  51. #68 A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is south of an approaching eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience __________.
  52. #69 Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatches 8 & 12 while using a si...
  53. #70 To prevent a wooden hull from leaking you caulk it __________.
  54. #72 Sideways movement of the mast is resisted by the __________.
  55. #74 On the Great Lakes, the term "controlling depth" means the __________.
  56. #75 You are sailing at 8 knots on a beam reach in an apparent wind of 25 knots. Which statement is TRUE?
  57. #76 With regard to aerodynamic lift, which statement is TRUE?
  58. #77 You are running before a strong wind in a sloop. The most dangerous thing to do is __________.
  59. #78 A stay is __________.
  60. #79 Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 20 while using a sing...
  61. #80 What is the proper method to fix running rigging to a cleat?
  62. #81 Which statement is TRUE concerning a sailing vessel with the sails properly trimmed?
  63. #83 If you were to jibe in a strong wind, the part of the rigging most likely to fail would be the __________.
  64. #87 Which radio call-in plan is the most prudent?
  65. #88 The old sailors admonition "Beware the lee shore" warns of the danger due to __________.
  66. #89 In illustration D031DG below, what does the single line located directly above the diamond indicate? illustration
  67. #90 You are at the helm of a sloop-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the port tack, on a beam reach, with all appropriate sails set and properly trimmed...
  68. #91 Which of the Great Lakes generally has the shortest navigation season?
  69. #94 A sloop is a sailing vessel with __________.
  70. #99 Which action will NOT reduce heeling of a vessel when sailing on a tack?
  71. #100 Which two Great Lakes are considered hydraulically as one?
  72. #101 You are sailing in a strong wind and may accidentally jibe when __________.
  73. #102 You are sailing into a harbor with the intention of picking up your mooring. There is no current. Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE?
  74. #103 A ketch-rigged sailing vessel is sailing to windward with the wind about 50° on the port bow. All the sails are set and drawing properly. Which statem...
  75. #104 Which statement about sailing close-hauled is TRUE?
  76. #105 Which statement about sailing close-hauled is TRUE?
  77. #106 Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE regarding heaving-to?
  78. #107 The nautical term "lee shore" refers to the __________.
  79. #108 Assuming that the recommended hatch loading sequence is followed, how many long tons of iron ore may be loaded through hatch No. 3 while using a singl...
  80. #110 You are at the helm of a ketch-rigged sailing vessel under sail on the starboard tack, close hauled, with all appropriate sails set and properly trimm...
  81. #111 You can slow or stop a sailing vessel by __________.
  82. #112 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 ve...
  83. #113 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?
  84. #114 When crossing a bar in rough weather, you should enter on a(n) __________.
  85. #115 Using the Guidance Manual for Loading M.V. Grand Haven, determine the amount of ballast required in tank No. 3 (P & S) to maintain drafts of 17'-00" f...
  86. #116 A sail plan, including the vessel's itinerary, name, number, and persons aboard, should be filed with __________.
  87. #117 A schooner is a fore-and-aft rigged vessel with __________.
  88. #118 A storm is forecast for the area where your vessel is moored. For its safety you should put __________.
  89. #119 Your sailing vessel is docked during a storm and is in continuous motion. If a mooring line parts due to vessel motion, it will most likely do so ____...
  90. #120 Your 40-foot auxiliary sailing vessel has just run aground on a bar. She has a relatively long, deep keel and the tide is falling. You have checked th...
  91. #121 On Great Lakes vessels, when do midsummer load lines apply?
  92. #122 You are running before a rough sea and a strong wind. Your sailing vessel is yawing. If the wind should catch the mainsail on the reverse side you wil...
  93. #123 You are sailing before the wind in heavy weather. The failure of what will affect the vessel's safety most?
  94. #124 A capsized small sail vessel is best righted when what part of the vessel is downwind?
  95. #125 How should you try to right a capsized small sailing vessel?
  96. #126 Which radio call-in plan is the most prudent?
  97. #127 You are preparing for what promises to be a rough ocean passage. Your 120-foot schooner carries a yard on the foremast, about 50 feet above the water....
  98. #128 You must pick up an individual who has fallen overboard from a sailboat. The final approach should be __________.
  99. #129 As shown in illustration D002SL below, which of the following describes the three corners of the main sail? illustration
  100. #130 In illustration D001SL below, what is the edge of the sail labeled "A" called? illustration

Deck General questions: what to expect

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

There are 5,775 Deck General questions on this site, every one released by the U.S. Coast Guard or taken from the National Maritime Center's sample examinations, with its correct answer. The exam draws its Deck General module from the same pool.

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.