USCG OUPV (Six-Pack) — USA

Practice questions (with answers)

1. If fitted, the topmark of a special mark is:

   1. A red sphere
   2. A yellow X-shape (cross)
   3. Two black cones
   4. A green triangle
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   Correct answer: B. A yellow X-shape (cross)

   Special marks have a yellow X-shaped (St. Andrew's cross) topmark. (if fitted).

2. Emergency wreck marking buoys are coloured:

   1. Red and white vertical stripes
   2. Black with red bands
   3. Blue and yellow vertical stripes
   4. All green
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   Correct answer: C. Blue and yellow vertical stripes

   equal numbers and widths of blue and yellow vertical stripes; 4 to 8 stripes in total. 1 s blue + 0.5 s darkness + 1 s yellow + 0.5 s darkness; period 3 s.

3. Emergency wreck marking buoys are used for:

   1. Permanent wreck marking
   2. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks
   3. Indicating salvage operations
   4. Channel marking near ports
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   Correct answer: B. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks

   The emergency wreck marking buoy marks new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks. The competent authority determines further marking once the danger is removed or its information has been sufficiently promulgated.

4. A vessel engaged in fishing with gear restricting manoeuvrability shows sidelights and a sternlight when:

   1. At anchor
   2. The sun has set
   3. Making way through the water
   4. In a traffic separation scheme
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   Correct answer: C. Making way through the water

   Rule 26: sidelights and sternlight are shown by fishing vessels only when making way through the water.

5. A dredger of at least 12 metres restricted in ability to manoeuvre shows on the obstructed side:

   1. Two green all-round lights or diamonds
   2. Two red all-round lights or balls
   3. A single yellow flashing light
   4. Three white all-round lights
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   Correct answer: B. Two red all-round lights or balls

   Rule 27(d): two red all-round lights or two balls on the obstructed side, two green or two diamonds on the clear side.

6. The day shape for a vessel of 12 metres or more aground is:

   1. One ball
   2. Two balls vertically
   3. Three balls vertically
   4. A diamond
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   Correct answer: C. Three balls vertically

   Rule 30(d): three balls in a vertical line is the day shape for a vessel aground.

7. For a power-driven vessel underway manoeuvring in sight of another vessel, three short whistle blasts mean:

   1. I am altering course to starboard
   2. I require assistance
   3. I am operating astern propulsion
   4. I am constrained by my draught
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   Correct answer: C. I am operating astern propulsion

   Rule 34(a): three short blasts mean 'I am operating astern propulsion.'

8. The topmark of a West Cardinal mark is:

   1. Two cones pointing up
   2. Two cones pointing down
   3. Two cones point to point
   4. Two cones base to base
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   Correct answer: C. Two cones point to point

   Two separate black cones with their points facing each other. The cones must remain clearly separated.

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