USCG Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the USCG exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 USCG Exam Format at a Glance
📚 USCG Topics to Study (23)
✍️ Sample USCG Questions & Answers
1. What are the three elements of the fire triangle?
The fire triangle consists of fuel (combustible material), heat (ignition source), and oxygen; removing any one element will extinguish the fire.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Oil Record Book?
The Oil Record Book is a legal document required by MARPOL and U.S. law to record all oil transfers, bilge discharges, and oily water separator operations, subject to USCG inspection.
3. Under COLREGS, what action shall the stand-on vessel take when a collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone?
COLREGS Rule 17 allows the stand-on vessel, when collision cannot otherwise be avoided, to take whatever action will best aid in avoiding collision.
4. What does the COSPAS-SARSAT system primarily do?
COSPAS-SARSAT is an international satellite-based search and rescue system that detects and locates distress signals from 406 MHz emergency beacons.
5. What information must be included in a MAYDAY distress call?
A MAYDAY call must include the word MAYDAY spoken three times, vessel name, position, nature of distress, number of persons aboard, and any other information helpful to rescuers.
6. What does the term 'sheen' indicate in the context of an oil spill?
A sheen is a visible oily film on the water surface and under OPA 90 and the Clean Water Act, any discharge causing a sheen must be reported to the National Response Center.