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106+ Free USCG Barge Supervisor Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Barge Supervisor (MODU) National Officer Endorsement exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Barge Supervisor Exam

MODU02

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

50

Questions per Q437/Q438 Module

USCG Deck Guide

70%

Q437/Q438 Pass Score

USCG module standards

90%

Q439 Renewal OBE Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

11.472

CFR Service Authority

46 CFR

5 yr

MMC Validity

USCG MMC rules

MODU02 Barge Supervisor is modular: Rules of the Road Inland and International (Q100, 50 at 90%), Deck General/Safety (Q437, 50 at 70%), MODU Operations (Q438, 50 at 70%), and Renewal OBE (Q439, 50 at 90%) when applicable. An original officer endorsement costs $100 evaluation + $45 issuance plus the applicable 46 CFR 10.219 examination fee, roughly $240-$255. Service and training follow 46 CFR 11.472, and 46 CFR 11.903(c)(2) lets a qualifying Master Unlimited Oceans or Near Coastal add the endorsement without testing. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid, not an official Coast Guard exam.

Sample USCG Barge Supervisor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Barge Supervisor exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 106+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under 46 CFR 11.472, which service path can qualify an applicant for a Barge Supervisor endorsement without a full three-year MODU employment requirement?
A.Any Able Seaman endorsement with 90 days offshore
B.An ABET-accredited engineering or engineering-technology degree plus the required MODU service days as listed in the regulation
C.Completion of only a survival craft course
D.Holding a Ballast Control Operator endorsement alone with no additional service
Explanation: 46 CFR 11.472(a)(1)(ii) allows qualification through an ABET-accredited engineering or engineering-technology degree (or NMC-accepted equivalent) combined with at least 168 days of specified MODU supervisory service, including 84 days as BCO or Barge Supervisor trainee.
2For original knowledge testing, which NMC modules make up the Barge Supervisor battery under exam code MODU02?
A.Q300 Rules of the Road: Inland and Q401 Deck General/Safety
B.Q100 Rules of the Road: Inland and International, Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety, and Q438 Barge Supervisor MODU Operations
C.Q437 and Q438 only, because Rules of the Road is not examined for MODU endorsements
D.Q456 Tankerman Assistant Dangerous Liquids and Q438 MODU Operations
Explanation: The MODU02 Examination Structure Sheet in the USCG Deck & Engineering Guide lists three original modules: Q100 Rules of the Road: Inland and International (50 questions, 90% pass), Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety (50, 70%), and Q438 Barge Supervisor MODU Operations (50, 70%). Q439 is the separate renewal open-book exercise. Note also that under 46 CFR 11.903(c)(2) a Master of Unlimited Tonnage Oceans or Near Coastal who meets the professional requirements may add Barge Supervisor without testing at all.
3What passing score is required on Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety?
A.50%
B.60%
C.70%
D.90%
Explanation: Per the USCG Deck & Engineering Guide, Q437 is a 50-question module requiring 70% to pass.
4What passing score is required on Q439 Barge Supervisor Renewal Open Book Exercise?
A.70%
B.75%
C.80%
D.90%
Explanation: Renewal open-book exercises such as Q439 require 90% to pass, higher than the 70% original knowledge modules.
5On a MODU, the primary purpose of keeping a continuous navigational or safety watch while underway or on location is to:
A.Reduce the need for written operating-manual procedures
B.Ensure timely detection of hazards and full appraisal of the unit's situation
C.Eliminate the requirement for obstruction lights
D.Replace the need for a Barge Supervisor during daylight only
Explanation: Watchkeeping principles require a proper lookout and continuous appraisal so hazards, traffic, weather, and unit status are detected early and managed—consistent with basic navigational watch principles listed for Barge Supervisor in 46 CFR 11.920.
6MODU obstruction lights are intended primarily to:
A.Indicate that the unit is free of all personnel
B.Warn vessels of the presence of the unit as a navigational hazard
C.Replace AIS and radio watch requirements entirely
D.Signal that ballasting is in progress
Explanation: Obstruction lights mark the presence of a fixed or floating offshore structure/unit so approaching vessels can detect and avoid it—listed as a Barge Supervisor examination subject under 46 CFR 11.920.
7Which radio practice is most appropriate when making a distress or urgent call from a MODU?
A.Speak as quickly as possible without identifying the unit
B.Use standard distress/urgency procedures, identify the unit, state position, nature of distress, and assistance required
C.Wait until commercial traffic has finished all business calls
D.Transmit only on internal intercom frequencies
Explanation: Radiotelephone distress and urgency procedures require clear identification, position, nature of the emergency, and assistance needed so responders can act effectively—covered under communications subjects for Barge Supervisor.
8A fire breaks out inside an energized 480-volt distribution panel on a MODU. How is it classified, and what changes once the panel is isolated?
A.Class B while energized, and it stays Class B after isolation because of the cable insulation
B.Class C while energized; once de-energized it is fought according to what is actually burning, usually Class A insulation and cabling
C.Class D, because the aluminium busbars are a combustible metal
D.Class A throughout, because the fire load is insulation rather than liquid fuel
Explanation: The Class C designation describes the electrical-shock hazard of energized equipment, not the fuel. Isolating the panel removes that hazard, and the fire is then classified and attacked according to the burning material — normally Class A cable insulation and enclosure contents. That is why the standing rule is de-energize when safe, then use the agent suited to the remaining fuel.
9The preferred first action when discovering a small electrical fire in an energized switchboard room is generally to:
A.Apply a straight water stream immediately
B.De-energize the circuit if safe and use the proper extinguisher for the residual fire
C.Open all doors to increase ventilation with no other action
D.Throw dry sand only and leave the space energized
Explanation: Electrical fires should be approached by securing power when safe, then fighting remaining Class A/B material with the correct agent. Water streams on energized equipment create shock hazards.
10Organization of fire drills on a MODU should primarily ensure that personnel:
A.Practice only during major inspections
B.Know alarms, stations, duties, equipment locations, and coordinated response
C.Rely solely on shore fire departments
D.Skip musters if weather is fair
Explanation: Fire-drill organization trains the crew on recognition, alarms, assigned duties, equipment use, and teamwork—explicitly listed under fire prevention/firefighting subjects for Barge Supervisor.

About the USCG Barge Supervisor Exam

The USCG Barge Supervisor examination (NMC exam code MODU02) is the national deck officer knowledge path for Barge Supervisor service on Mobile Offshore Drilling Units under 46 CFR 11.472. Modules cover Deck General/Safety (Q437), MODU Operations (Q438), and a renewal open-book exercise (Q439) when applicable. Subjects follow 46 CFR 11.920 column 6: watches, stability and ballasting, damage control, maneuvering, firefighting, emergencies, engineering awareness, communications, pollution, and lifesaving.

Assessment

MODU02: Q100 Rules of the Road Inland and International (50, 90%); Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety (50, 70%); Q438 Barge Supervisor MODU Operations (50, 70%); Q439 Renewal OBE (50, 90%) when required. Under 46 CFR 11.903(c)(2) a Master of Unlimited Tonnage Oceans or Near Coastal who meets the professional requirements may add Barge Supervisor without testing.

Time Limit

Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week

Passing Score

70% on Q437 and Q438; 90% on Q439 renewal open-book exercise

Exam Fee

$100 evaluation + $45 issuance plus the applicable 46 CFR 10.219 examination fee ($110 upper level / $95 lower level for an original, $45 for renewal, raise of grade, or modification); about $240-$255 in total. Confirm your transaction type with the NMC. (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Barge Supervisor Exam Content Outline

~45%

Deck General and Safety

Personnel management, watches, communications, pollution, cargo/supply ops, firefighting, lifesaving, and engineering awareness for Q437.

~45%

MODU Operations

Ballasting, stability, construction/damage control, maneuvering, operating manual, and casualty control for Q438.

~10%

Integrated Safety and Emergencies

Blowouts, H2S, man overboard, abandon unit, collision, heavy weather, and ballast-system failure scenarios.

How to Pass the USCG Barge Supervisor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% on Q437 and Q438; 90% on Q439 renewal open-book exercise
  • Assessment: MODU02: Q100 Rules of the Road Inland and International (50, 90%); Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety (50, 70%); Q438 Barge Supervisor MODU Operations (50, 70%); Q439 Renewal OBE (50, 90%) when required. Under 46 CFR 11.903(c)(2) a Master of Unlimited Tonnage Oceans or Near Coastal who meets the professional requirements may add Barge Supervisor without testing.
  • Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week
  • Exam fee: $100 evaluation + $45 issuance plus the applicable 46 CFR 10.219 examination fee ($110 upper level / $95 lower level for an original, $45 for renewal, raise of grade, or modification); about $240-$255 in total. Confirm your transaction type with the NMC.

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 106 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

USCG Barge Supervisor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat Q437 and Q438 as separate 50-question modules at 70%—do not under-prepare either side of the battery.
2Master operating-manual skills: tank tables, KG limitations, variable load form completion/evaluation, and unexpected list/trim response.
3Drill ballasting procedures, bilge system operation, and ballast-control system failure contingencies.
4Review MODU firefighting organization, classes of fire, and fixed/portable systems used on mobile offshore units.
5Practice emergency procedures for blowouts, H2S, man overboard, abandon unit, collision, and heavy weather.
6Know pollution prevention regulations applicable to MODUs and supply barge operations.
7Study crane use, cargo stowage/securing, personnel transfer, and helicopter/boat support ops for deck general items.
8Review COLREGS lookout/watch principles and MODU obstruction lights where assigned to Barge Supervisor subjects.
9If renewing, practice open-book style Q439 items carefully—pass is 90%.
10Confirm your path is MODU02 (Barge Supervisor) rather than MODU03 (BCO) or an OIM exam code before scheduling at a REC.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG MODU02 Barge Supervisor exam?

MODU02 is modular. Original knowledge modules are typically Q437 Barge Supervisor Deck General/Safety (50 questions, 70% pass) and Q438 Barge Supervisor MODU Operations (50 questions, 70% pass). Q439 is a 50-question renewal open-book exercise at 90% when assigned. Confirm current module sizes on the NMC MODU02 page.

What passing score do I need?

Q437 and Q438 require 70%. The Q439 renewal open-book exercise requires 90%.

How much does the exam cost?

Under 46 CFR 10.219, a typical original lower-level officer path is about $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance. Some raise-of-grade or no-exam paths use evaluation plus issuance only (sometimes cited around $110+$45). Medical, drug testing, and training costs are separate. Confirm current NMC fees and pay via Pay.gov.

Can I take the exam remotely?

No. These officer modules are administered in person at U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers (RECs). There is no approved remote-testing option for these endorsements.

Is Barge Supervisor the same as Ballast Control Operator?

No. Barge Supervisor is NMC path MODU02 under 46 CFR 11.472. Ballast Control Operator is a separate endorsement (MODU03 / 46 CFR 11.474) with its own modules and subject matrix under 46 CFR 11.920 column 7.

What regulation covers Barge Supervisor?

46 CFR 11.472 sets service and training requirements for the national Barge Supervisor endorsement. Examination subjects for MODU endorsements, including Barge Supervisor (code 6), are listed in 46 CFR 11.920.

Do unlimited Masters take the same exams?

NMC checklists note that holders of unlimited Master may have reduced or waived exam requirements when other 11.472 training and service items are met. Always confirm the current NMC Barge Supervisor checklist for your credential status.

What calculator can I bring?

The NMC policy letter of December 2, 2024 superseded the earlier TI-30XIIS-only rule. At a Regional Exam Center you may use a programmable calculator with memory if all programs and memory are cleared before entry and you can demonstrate clearing with the manufacturer's instructions. If the examiner cannot confirm the device is cleared, a TI-30XIIS is provided instead. Only one calculator is allowed; other electronics including smart watches are not permitted.

Is this free practice bank an official Coast Guard exam?

No. This is a free English-language multiple-choice study aid for exam prep. Official modules are administered by the Coast Guard at RECs and may differ in wording, figures, and open-book renewal format from this bank.