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Free USCG OUPV Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (USCG OUPV) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free USCG OUPV practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free USCG OUPV questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Rules of the Road: International and Inland (50 questions; 90% minimum score)

Question 1

You are navigating in U.S. inland waters and sound one short blast on your whistle when meeting another power-driven vessel head-on. Under the Inland Navigation Rules, this signal means:

  1. I am altering my course to starboard
  2. I intend to leave you on my port side
  3. I intend to leave you on my starboard side
  4. I am operating my engines astern
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - I intend to leave you on my port side

Question 2

Your vessel is underway in dense fog. You have stopped your engines and the vessel is dead in the water - not moving through the water. What sound signal are you required to sound?

  1. One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
  2. Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
  3. Rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds, repeated every minute
  4. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts, every two minutes
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes

Question 3

At night you observe a vessel ahead displaying two white masthead lights, sidelights, and two yellow lights arranged vertically at the stern - but no white sternlight. A second, darker vessel further ahead shows a rapidly flashing yellow light at its bow. Under the Inland Navigation Rules, you are most likely observing:

  1. A fishing vessel trawling with gear extending more than 150 meters astern
  2. A tug with a tow astern exceeding 200 meters and a lit tow position marker
  3. A RAM vessel with hazard lights marking an obstruction forward
  4. A tug pushing a barge ahead
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - A tug pushing a barge ahead

Question 4

A power-driven vessel (Vessel A) and a vessel not under command (Vessel B), displaying two all-round red lights in a vertical line, are on a collision course in open water. Which statement CORRECTLY describes their obligations?

  1. Vessel A is the stand-on vessel because it has propulsion and greater maneuverability
  2. Rule 15 applies - the vessel with the other on her starboard side must give way
  3. Both vessels must take action because neither has clear right-of-way in this situation
  4. Vessel A must give way to Vessel B
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Vessel A must give way to Vessel B

Question 5

In international waters, a vessel displays three all-round red lights arranged vertically at night and a cylinder shape during daylight hours. This vessel is:

  1. A vessel not under command due to exceptional circumstances
  2. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
  3. A vessel constrained by her draft
  4. A vessel engaged in towing a submerged object
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A vessel constrained by her draft

Domain 2: Deck General-Safety (50 questions; 70% minimum score)

Question 6

A recreational vessel has a permanently installed gasoline inboard engine rated at 120 horsepower. Under 46 CFR §25.30-20, what is the MINIMUM portable fire extinguisher requirement for the engine space?

  1. Two Type B-I extinguishers, or one Type B-II extinguisher
  2. One Type B-I extinguisher
  3. Three Type B-I extinguishers
  4. One Type B-II and one Type B-I extinguisher
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Two Type B-I extinguishers, or one Type B-II extinguisher

Question 7

A passenger falls overboard and is found unconscious in offshore open water. Which Type of Personal Flotation Device is specifically designed to turn MOST unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water?

  1. Type V (Special Use Device)
  2. Type III (Flotation Aid)
  3. Type II (Near-Shore Buoyant Vest)
  4. Type I (Offshore Life Jacket)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Type I (Offshore Life Jacket)

Question 8

Your vessel grounds on a shoal, causing serious injury to a crew member - a Serious Marine Incident (SMI) under 46 CFR Part 4. Within what maximum time after the incident must a chemical drug test on the operator be completed?

  1. 4 hours
  2. 8 hours
  3. 24 hours
  4. 32 hours
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 32 hours

Domain 3: Navigation General: Near Coastal (50 questions; 70% minimum score)

Question 9

Your vessel is steering a compass course of 165°C. The deviation card for this heading shows 8°E, and the chart's compass rose shows a variation of 12°W. What is your true course?

  1. 145°T
  2. 161°T
  3. 169°T
  4. 185°T
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 161°T

Question 10

Approaching a harbor entrance, you sight a buoy with red and white vertical stripes displaying a Morse Code "A" light characteristic (short-long flash). Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (USATONS), this buoy indicates:

  1. The starboard side of the channel - keep it to starboard when entering
  2. A preferred channel junction, with the main channel to starboard
  3. Safe water, with navigable water all around the mark
  4. A regulatory restriction is in effect in the surrounding area
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Safe water, with navigable water all around the mark

The rest of the USCG OUPV blueprint

The USCG OUPV exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:

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