100+ Free USCG AB Unlimited Practice Questions
Pass your USCG National Able Seafarer Unlimited (Able Seaman Unlimited) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
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Key Facts: USCG AB Unlimited Exam
540 days
Sea Service for Unlimited
46 CFR 12.401
3 x 50
Written Modules x Questions
USCG NMC sample exams
70%
Passing Score per Module
USCG NMC
$95
Examination Fee
NMC fee schedule
Q445
Lifeboatman Module Code
USCG NMC sample exams
STCW 2014
Manila Naming (Able Seafarer)
STCW Manila Amendments
As of May 2026, National Able Seafarer Unlimited under 46 CFR 12.401 still requires 540 qualifying days, three 50-question written modules (Rules/Navigation General, Deck General and Safety, Lifeboatman) at 70% each, and a practical knot-tying and lifeboatman survival-craft demonstration. The Lifeboatman module (Q445) is bundled with all three AB ratings. Application now flows through the NMC ASAP portal and fee payments through Pay.gov.
Sample USCG AB Unlimited Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your USCG AB Unlimited exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under Rule 5 of the Navigation Rules, a proper lookout must be maintained by:
2You are steering a vessel and the bearing to another vessel remains constant while the range is decreasing. You should:
3Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on. Under Rule 14, each vessel shall:
4In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, which vessel is the give-way vessel under Rule 15?
5An overtaking vessel is defined under Rule 13 as one approaching from a direction more than:
6What lights would a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length display when underway at night?
7At night, you see a single white light low to the water dead ahead. What might it be?
8What day shape is displayed by a vessel not under command under Rule 27?
9A vessel constrained by her draft, in addition to her normal lights or shapes, may exhibit:
10Under Rule 34, what sound signal indicates 'I am altering my course to starboard'?
About the USCG AB Unlimited Exam
The USCG National Able Seafarer Unlimited (formerly Able Seaman Unlimited) examination is the knowledge and practical test for an unrestricted deck-rating endorsement under 46 CFR 12.401. Unlimited requires 540 days of qualifying deck service on Oceans or Great Lakes, compared with 360 days for Limited and 180 days for Special. The current 'Able Seafarer' name reflects the 2014 STCW Manila amendments; many U.S. mariners and study materials still use the legacy term 'Able Seaman.'
Assessment
Three written modules of 50 questions each (Rules of the Road / Navigation General, Deck General and Safety, Lifeboatman) plus practical knot-tying and lifeboatman survival-craft demonstration at the REC.
Time Limit
Up to 3.5 hours per written module; practical demos timed separately
Passing Score
70% each module; practical knot-tying and lifeboatman demos must be satisfactorily demonstrated
Exam Fee
$95 exam fee; $240 total typical original application (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)
USCG AB Unlimited Exam Content Outline
Rules of the Road / Navigation General
COLREGS and Inland Rules: lookout duties, risk of collision, head-on, crossing and overtaking, steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, sound and light signals, conduct in restricted visibility, narrow channels, plus aids to navigation and basic chart symbols.
Deck General and Safety
Seamanship, knot identification and use, fiber and wire rope handling, mooring and spring lines, anchoring and ground-tackle terms, watchkeeping, firefighting classes and agents, PPE, enclosed-space entry, damage control, and pollution-prevention duties.
Lifeboatman (Q445)
Survival craft equipment and capacity, davit-launched lifeboats and inflatable liferafts, painter and on-load release operation, EPIRB and SART use, pyrotechnic distress signals, immersion suits and lifejacket requirements, hypothermia and first aid in survival craft, and abandon-ship signals and drills.
How to Pass the USCG AB Unlimited Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70% each module; practical knot-tying and lifeboatman demos must be satisfactorily demonstrated
- Assessment: Three written modules of 50 questions each (Rules of the Road / Navigation General, Deck General and Safety, Lifeboatman) plus practical knot-tying and lifeboatman survival-craft demonstration at the REC.
- Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per written module; practical demos timed separately
- Exam fee: $95 exam fee; $240 total typical original application
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
USCG AB Unlimited Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the USCG Able Seafarer Unlimited exam?
The Able Seafarer Unlimited written exam has 150 questions total across three modules of 50 questions each: Rules of the Road / Navigation General, Deck General and Safety, and Lifeboatman. Each module requires 70% to pass. The REC also administers a practical knot-tying test and a lifeboatman survival-craft demonstration.
What is the difference between Unlimited, Limited, and Special Able Seafarer?
The endorsements differ primarily by required sea service under 46 CFR 12.401: Unlimited requires 540 days of qualifying deck service on Oceans or Great Lakes, Limited requires 360 days, and Special requires 180 days. All three take the same Lifeboatman exam and similar Rules and Deck General modules.
What is 'Able Seafarer' versus 'Able Seaman'?
Able Seafarer is the current official term, harmonized with the 2014 STCW Manila amendments. Able Seaman (AB) is the legacy U.S. term and is still widely used in industry, hiring halls, and older study materials. The USCG checklist for 46 CFR 12.401 lists the endorsement as 'National Able Seafarer (Formerly Able Seaman).'
What knots do I need to demonstrate?
Common required knots include the bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend (becket bend), square (reef) knot, figure-eight, rolling hitch, two half-hitches, and a stopper such as the figure-eight. Practice tying each from memory in seconds, including under low-light conditions.
What is the Lifeboatman Q445 module?
Q445 is the USCG NMC's Lifeboatman sample-exam module: 50 multiple-choice questions on survival craft equipment, launching of inflatable rafts and davit-launched lifeboats, EPIRB and SART, pyrotechnic distress signals, immersion suits, hypothermia, and first aid in survival craft. The same module is required for all three Able Seafarer ratings.
How much does the Able Seafarer Unlimited exam cost?
The current NMC fee schedule lists a $95 examination fee. For a typical original deck-rating endorsement, the breakdown is $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance, for $240 total. Fees are paid through Pay.gov after submitting the application through the NMC ASAP portal.
Where do I take the exam?
Written modules and practical demonstrations for Able Seafarer Unlimited are administered in person at USCG Regional Exam Centers (RECs) and authorized monitoring sites. Remote testing is not available for the Able Seafarer module set because of the in-person knot-tying and lifeboatman demonstration requirements.