Captain's Class


Do you have the knowledge required to pass a USCG "Captain's License"
exam?
The following questions (and official answers) are extracted from the
pool of questions used on USCG exams.

(And represent only a small portion of the total knowledge one would
need to demonstrate to pass the exam),

All 10 questions apply to inland waters;

1. What is the required whistle signal for a power-driven vessel
leaving a dock or berth?
A. One short blast
B. One prolonged blast
C. Two short blasts
D. Two prolonged blasts

2. You are overtaking a vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave
her on your starboard side. You may:
A. Attempt to contact her on the radiotelephone to arrange for the
passage
B. Proceed to overtake her without sounding signals
C. Sound five short blasts
D. All of the above

3. When power-driven vessels are crossing, a signal of one short blast
by either vessel means:
A. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
B. "I intend to hold course and speed"
C. "I intend to change course to starboard"
D. "I request a departure from the Rules"

4. You are coming up on another vessel from dead astern and desire to
overtake on the other vessel's starboard side. Which whistle signal do
you sound?
A. One short blast
B. One prolonged blast
C. Two short blasts
D. Two prolonged blasts

5. When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her
left or port hand, you should sound:
A. One short blast
B. One long blast
C. Two short blasts
D. Two prolonged blasts

6. Two vessels are in a starboard-to-starboard meeting situation and
will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should
each vessel take?
A. Sound a one blast whistle and turn to starboard
B. Maintain course and sound no signal
C. Sound a two blast signal and maintain course
D. Sound a three blast signal and turn to port

7. You are overtaking another vessel and sound a whistle signal
indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard
side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and
rapid blasts, you should:
A. Pass the other vessel along her starboard side
B. Sound five short and rapid blasts and pass along her starboard side
C. Not overtake the other vessel until both vessels exchange the same
passing signal
D. Not overtake the other vessel until she sounds another five short
and rapid blast signals

8. You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as
a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What
should be your next action?
A. Pass on the other vessel's starboard side
B. Sound the danger signal
C. Pass astern of the other vessel
D. Hold your course and speed

9. Which statement is true concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15
meters in length anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by
the Secretary of Transportation?
A. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal
B. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute
C. The vessel shall sound one blast of the foghorn every 2 minutes
D. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes

10. Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated
safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port.
You do not think she will pass safely. You:
A. May sound the danger signal
B. Must sound the danger signal
C. Should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding
course and speed
D. Are required to back down




Answers: 1:B, 2:A, 3:A, 4:A, 5:C, 6:C, 7:C, 8:B, 9:A, 10:B