USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Six-Pack License Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does Rule 2 (Responsibility) allow in exceptional circumstances?

Anchoring in shipping lanes
Departure from COLREGS to avoid immediate danger (Correct answer)
Vessels to ignore COLREGS if they choose
Vessels to claim right-of-way regardless of position

Correct answer: Departure from COLREGS to avoid immediate danger

COLREGS Rule 2 allows any vessel to depart from the rules when necessary to avoid immediate danger — a key safety override provision.

Question 2: What does STCW stand for and what is its purpose?

Shipboard Traffic Control and Weather — governs harbor navigation
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping — sets international crew competency standards (Correct answer)
Safety Training for Commercial Waterways — US inland rules
Standard Technical Compliance Worksheet — USCG inspection checklist

Correct answer: Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping — sets international crew competency standards

STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is an international convention setting minimum training and competency standards for merchant marine officers and crew.

Question 3: When two vessels are in a head-on situation, what should each vessel do?

Both vessels alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port (Correct answer)
Both vessels stop immediately
The slower vessel stops and waits
The larger vessel maintains course, smaller vessel yields

Correct answer: Both vessels alter course to starboard to pass port-to-port

In a head-on meeting situation, both vessels must alter course to starboard so they pass each other port-side to port-side per COLREGS Rule 14.

Question 4: What is required for a commercial vessel operating on navigable US waters regarding registration?

International Maritime Organization (IMO) registration
Only a state boating registration sticker
No registration is required for commercial vessels
Either state registration or USCG documentation depending on vessel size and use (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Either state registration or USCG documentation depending on vessel size and use

Commercial vessels must either hold state registration (smaller vessels) or federal USCG documentation (5+ net tons), depending on their size, use, and trade route.

Question 5: What light configuration indicates a power-driven vessel underway less than 50 meters in length?

All-round white light only
Masthead light forward, sternlight aft, sidelights (Correct answer)
Two masthead lights, sternlight, sidelights
Red and white lights only

Correct answer: Masthead light forward, sternlight aft, sidelights

A power-driven vessel under 50m must show one forward masthead light, a sternlight, and red/green sidelights per COLREGS Rule 23.

Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a man-overboard (MOB) button on the GPS/chartplotter?

To shut down the engine
To sound a fire alarm
To deploy the anchor automatically
To mark the exact position where a person fell into the water (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To mark the exact position where a person fell into the water

The MOB button instantly logs the vessel's position so the crew can return to the spot where the person was lost.

Question 7: What does an all-round red light over an all-round white light indicate?

Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
Vessel not under command (Correct answer)
Vessel aground
Vessel at anchor

Correct answer: Vessel not under command

Two all-round lights — red over white — displayed at the masthead indicate a vessel not under command (NUC) due to mechanical failure or emergency.

Question 8: Which law governs pollution prevention from vessels in US waters?

Clean Air Act (CAA)
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90) and MARPOL regulations (Correct answer)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Correct answer: Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90) and MARPOL regulations

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and US implementation of MARPOL govern discharge of oil, garbage, and sewage from vessels in US waters.

Question 9: What is 'trim' on a vessel?

The difference between forward and aft draft (Correct answer)
The total weight of cargo
Side-to-side leaning
The width of the deck

Correct answer: The difference between forward and aft draft

Trim describes the longitudinal balance, the difference between the bow and stern drafts.

Question 10: A vessel towing another vessel longer than 200m must display:

White masthead light only
One masthead light and all-round yellow light
Two masthead lights and a yellow towing light
Three masthead lights forward and a yellow stern towing light (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Three masthead lights forward and a yellow stern towing light

A vessel towing with a tow exceeding 200 meters must show three masthead lights in a vertical line and a yellow towing light above the sternlight per Rule 24.

Question 11: What is the purpose of running the bilge blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

To cool the engine before startup
To test the bilge pump system
To remove potentially explosive gasoline vapors from the engine compartment (Correct answer)
To warm up the fuel system

Correct answer: To remove potentially explosive gasoline vapors from the engine compartment

Federal law requires running the bilge blower for at least 4 minutes before starting a gasoline inboard to evacuate any accumulated explosive fuel vapors.

Question 12: Under federal law, what are the penalties for operating a vessel while intoxicated (BUI)?

Mandatory 30-day boating license suspension
Vessel impoundment only
Civil penalties up to $5,000, criminal penalties up to $5,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment (Correct answer)
Only a fine of up to $500

Correct answer: Civil penalties up to $5,000, criminal penalties up to $5,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment

Federal BUI penalties include civil fines up to $5,000 and criminal penalties of up to $5,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment, with state penalties often additional.

Question 13: What is 'safe speed' defined as under COLREGS Rule 6?

Legal maximum speed for the vessel class
Speed posted on navigational charts for the area
Speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision (Correct answer)
Half the vessel's maximum rated speed

Correct answer: Speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision

Safe speed is the speed that allows a vessel to take proper action to avoid collision and stop within an appropriate distance given conditions.

Question 14: What is the purpose of the National Recreational Boating Safety (NRBS) Program?

To regulate marina operations nationwide
To issue federal boat operator licenses to recreational boaters
To inspect all recreational vessels annually
To fund state boating safety education, enforcement, and accident reporting programs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To fund state boating safety education, enforcement, and accident reporting programs

The NRBS program distributes federal Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund money to states for boating safety education, law enforcement, and accident reporting.

Question 15: What must a vessel operator carry aboard to prove a vessel is properly registered?

A copy of the operator's boating license
A USCG Float Plan
The current state registration certificate or USCG documentation certificate (Correct answer)
The original manufacturer's title

Correct answer: The current state registration certificate or USCG documentation certificate

Vessel operators must carry and produce on demand either the current state certificate of registration or USCG Certificate of Documentation, as required by federal and state law.

Question 16: What condition requires a vessel to be hauled out for inspection of the running gear?

Persistent vibration through the hull while underway at normal speed (Correct answer)
Fuel consumption increase of 5%
Engine runs roughly at high RPM
Compass deviation of more than 3 degrees

Correct answer: Persistent vibration through the hull while underway at normal speed

Persistent vibration through the hull while underway often indicates propeller damage, shaft misalignment, or damaged struts — conditions that require haul-out for inspection.

Question 17: When meeting a vessel in a crossing situation, the give-way vessel should preferably:

Speed up to cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
Sound one blast and maintain course
Slow down and let the stand-on vessel pass ahead
Alter course to pass astern of the stand-on vessel (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Alter course to pass astern of the stand-on vessel

Give-way vessels should take positive action, ideally altering course to pass astern of the stand-on vessel, avoiding crossing ahead.

Question 18: What action must a give-way vessel take in a crossing situation?

Wait for the stand-on vessel to maneuver
Sound three short blasts and stop
Take early and substantial action to keep well clear (Correct answer)
Speed up to cross ahead

Correct answer: Take early and substantial action to keep well clear

The give-way vessel must take early, large, and obvious action to avoid the stand-on vessel, preferably altering course to pass astern.

Question 19: What is a squall, and why should mariners be concerned about one?

A gradual increase in wind over several hours preceding a cold front
A sudden, brief but intense burst of wind often accompanied by rain or hail (Correct answer)
A persistent area of calm found near the equator
A localized area of dense fog near shore

Correct answer: A sudden, brief but intense burst of wind often accompanied by rain or hail

A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed lasting minutes, often accompanied by precipitation, and can cause dangerous sea conditions with little warning.

Question 20: What is the polite way to set anchor when you are unsure your hook is holding?

Leave and hope for the best
Back down to test the set and monitor your position (Correct answer)
Anchor closer to others as backup
Tie to another boat's anchor line

Correct answer: Back down to test the set and monitor your position

Testing your set and watching for drag protects you and surrounding vessels from collisions.

Question 21: What is a 'line of position' (LOP) used for in celestial or coastal navigation?

Establishing one component of a vessel's fix (Correct answer)
Identifying a vessel's home port
Recording fuel tank capacity
Marking a shipping lane boundary

Correct answer: Establishing one component of a vessel's fix

A line of position (LOP) is a bearing, range, or other measurement along which the vessel must lie, and two or more LOPs crossed produce a fix.

Question 22: What hazard does carbon monoxide present aboard a vessel?

It is an odorless, toxic gas from engine exhaust that can cause poisoning (Correct answer)
It improves engine efficiency
It only affects electronics
It is harmless in open air

Correct answer: It is an odorless, toxic gas from engine exhaust that can cause poisoning

Carbon monoxide from exhaust is colorless and odorless and can accumulate to lethal levels in cabins and around the stern.

Question 23: What is the polite response when a fellow boater appears to be in difficulty?

Continue on; it's not your problem
Take photos and post them online
Charge a fee before helping
Offer assistance or alert authorities (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Offer assistance or alert authorities

Mariners traditionally and legally render aid to those in distress.

Question 24: Under the Jones Act, what restriction applies to cargo shipping between US ports?

All US cargo must be shipped by air
Only US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and US-crewed vessels may carry cargo between US ports (Correct answer)
Foreign vessels may carry cargo only with a USCG permit
Foreign vessels must pay a higher tariff

Correct answer: Only US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and US-crewed vessels may carry cargo between US ports

The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) requires cargo shipped between US ports to be carried on vessels that are US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and crewed by US citizens.

Question 25: According to COLREGS, which vessel is the 'stand-on' vessel in a crossing situation?

The larger vessel
The vessel with the other on its starboard side (Correct answer)
The faster vessel
The vessel with the other on its port side

Correct answer: The vessel with the other on its starboard side

In a crossing situation, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side is the stand-on vessel and must maintain course and speed.

Question 26: What is the purpose of a Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued by the USCG?

Verifies the vessel's documentation number
Approves a vessel to enter foreign ports
Certifies that an inspector has reviewed safety equipment
Certifies that an inspected vessel meets USCG standards for its route, trade, and passenger/cargo capacity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Certifies that an inspected vessel meets USCG standards for its route, trade, and passenger/cargo capacity

A COI issued to inspected USCG vessels certifies they meet federal safety standards for their specific route, trade, and authorized number of passengers and crew.

Question 27: What does MARPOL Annex V regulate?

Sewage treatment aboard vessels
Air emissions from vessel engines
Oil discharge from vessels
Garbage disposal from ships (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Garbage disposal from ships

MARPOL Annex V governs the disposal of garbage from ships, prohibiting overboard disposal of most waste and regulating what may be discharged and where.

Question 28: What is a compass rose on a nautical chart used for?

Determining water depth
Identifying shipping lanes
Reading true and magnetic bearings (Correct answer)
Measuring distances

Correct answer: Reading true and magnetic bearings

A compass rose shows both true north (outer ring) and magnetic north (inner ring) so mariners can convert between the two for navigation.

Question 29: What should you do first when fire breaks out in the engine compartment?

Jump overboard immediately
Open the hatch and use a fire extinguisher directly
Call the marina on VHF
Shut off the fuel supply and discharge the engine compartment extinguisher without opening the hatch (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shut off the fuel supply and discharge the engine compartment extinguisher without opening the hatch

Shut off fuel immediately and discharge a fixed or handheld extinguisher through the access port — opening the hatch feeds oxygen and can cause flashover.

USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Six-Pack License Exam

The USCG OUPV (Six-Pack) license exam certifies operators to carry up to six passengers for hire on uninspected vessels, covering Rules of the Road, navigation, chart plotting, and deck safety across four separately scored modules.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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