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100+ Free USCG Master 1600 Practice Questions

Pass your USCG Master 1600-Ton Oceans/Near Coastal Captain License exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Under COLREGS Rule 19, a 1,500 GRT cargo vessel proceeding in restricted visibility detects a target by radar alone forward of the beam. The risk of collision exists and a close-quarters situation is developing. What is required?

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Key Facts: USCG Master 1600 Exam

Same exam

As Master 500 GRT (ONC03 set)

USCG ONC03 module assignment

215

Questions on ONC03 Original Path

USCG sample exam structure

90%

Rules/Chart Plot Passing Score

USCG sample exams

$95

Exam Fee

NMC fee schedule

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

Sea service

Sets 500 vs 1,600 GRT Cap

USCG MMC tonnage policy

Jan 28, 2026

ASAP Portal Rollout

NMC ASAP notice

As of May 2026, the USCG Master 1,600 GRT tonnage cap is assigned based on documented sea-service tonnage, NOT by a separate written exam. The written exam is the same ONC03 module set (Q100/Q120-127) used for Master 500 GRT — 215 questions total across nine modules, with Rules of the Road and Chart Plot at 90% passing. This 100-question practice bank covers all nine modules with larger-vessel context (ISM, BRM, cargo securing, MARPOL Annex V, oceans plotting). The main current process changes for applicants are the January 19, 2025 Pay.gov fee shift and the January 28, 2026 NMC ASAP application portal rollout.

Sample USCG Master 1600 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Master 1600 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on at sea. Under Rule 14 of the 72 COLREGS, what action is required?
A.Each shall alter course to port so they pass starboard-to-starboard
B.Each shall alter course to starboard so they pass port-to-port
C.The larger tonnage vessel holds course and the smaller gives way
D.Both vessels stop engines and signal one short blast
Explanation: Rule 14 of the 72 COLREGS requires both power-driven vessels in a head-on or near head-on situation to alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other. Tonnage does not change this requirement on a large cargo or freight vessel.
2Under COLREGS Rule 19, a 1,500 GRT cargo vessel proceeding in restricted visibility detects a target by radar alone forward of the beam. The risk of collision exists and a close-quarters situation is developing. What is required?
A.Maintain course and speed because radar contact is sufficient
B.Sound one prolonged blast and continue on the present heading
C.Take avoiding action in ample time, and if altering course, avoid an alteration to port for a vessel forward of the beam
D.Alter course to port to open the CPA on the radar display
Explanation: Rule 19(d) requires a vessel that detects another by radar alone in restricted visibility to determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and, if so, take avoiding action in ample time. So far as practicable, the vessel shall avoid an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (other than for a vessel being overtaken).
3What light configuration distinguishes a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length underway from one less than 50 meters under the 72 COLREGS?
A.Only the after masthead light is required
B.A second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward masthead light is required
C.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line are required
D.The sidelights must be doubled
Explanation: Rule 23(a)(ii) requires power-driven vessels of 50 meters or more in length to exhibit a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward masthead light. Vessels less than 50 meters may carry the second masthead light but are not required to.
4A 1,600 GRT vessel constrained by her draft is making way at sea. Under the 72 COLREGS, what additional signals may she display?
A.Three all-round red lights in a vertical line or a cylinder by day
B.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line or a ball by day
C.An all-round white light over a red light or a diamond by day
D.Two all-round green lights in a vertical line or two cones apex together by day
Explanation: Rule 28 provides that a vessel constrained by her draft may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels, exhibit three all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen, or a cylinder by day.
5Under the 72 COLREGS, what fog signal is required of a power-driven vessel of 1,600 GRT making way through the water?
A.One short blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
B.Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
C.One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
D.One prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
Explanation: Rule 35(a) requires a power-driven vessel making way through the water to sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast. If she is stopped and not making way, she sounds two prolonged blasts in succession.
6Inside a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) under Rule 10 of the 72 COLREGS, a vessel that must cross a traffic lane shall:
A.Cross on a heading that gives the best ETA
B.Cross at the angle of least resistance to the current
C.Cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
D.Avoid all crossing because crossing is prohibited
Explanation: Rule 10(c) requires a vessel crossing a traffic lane to do so on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This minimizes time in the lane and makes the crossing intent unambiguous to vessels in the through traffic.
7An overtaking situation under Rule 13 of the 72 COLREGS is defined as approaching another vessel from a direction more than how many degrees abaft her beam?
A.11.25 degrees
B.22.5 degrees
C.45 degrees
D.67.5 degrees
Explanation: Rule 13(b) defines an overtaking vessel as one coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position that at night she would only be able to see the sternlight of the vessel being overtaken.
8Your 1,600 GRT cargo vessel is the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action and a close-quarters situation is developing. Under Rule 17, what may you do?
A.You must continue to hold course and speed until collision is unavoidable
B.You shall take action by your maneuver alone as soon as it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
C.You may signal three short blasts and reverse engines
D.You must alter course to port to clear the other vessel
Explanation: Rule 17(a)(ii) permits the stand-on vessel to take action by her maneuver alone as soon as it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. If safe and practicable, a power-driven vessel shall not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side (Rule 17(c)).
9Under Inland Rule 9, a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or specified waters shall propose the manner of passage and signal first. The upbound vessel shall:
A.Hold a steady course and speed, no signal required
B.Sound the danger signal if she disagrees
C.Propose the passage signals first because she is uphill
D.Cross-signal immediately on hearing the downbound proposal
Explanation: Under Inland Rule 9, on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, the downbound vessel with a following current has the right of way over the upbound vessel and proposes the manner and place of passage by first sounding the appropriate signal. The upbound vessel responds and shall sound the danger signal (five short blasts) if she disagrees.
10What lights are required at night for a 1,600 GRT power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit, under the 72 COLREGS?
A.Two masthead lights in a vertical line forward, sidelights, and a sternlight
B.Two masthead lights in a vertical line forward, sidelights, two towing lights in a vertical line, and a sternlight
C.Three masthead lights in a vertical line forward, sidelights, and a sternlight
D.Two masthead lights forward, sidelights, and two yellow towing lights in a vertical line in place of the sternlight
Explanation: Rule 24(c) requires a power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside (other than a composite unit) to exhibit instead of the after masthead light two masthead lights in a vertical line forward, plus sidelights and a sternlight. There is no second pair of towing lights for pushing/towing alongside under (c).

About the USCG Master 1600 Exam

The USCG Master 1,600-Ton credential allows command of inspected vessels up to 1,600 GRT on Oceans or Near Coastal routes. Important: the 1,600 GRT tonnage cap is assigned based on documented sea-service tonnage, not by a separate written exam — the written exam is the same ONC03 module set used for Master 500 GRT (Q100/Q120-127). This practice bank emphasizes the larger-vessel context you will encounter in command of a 500-1,600 GRT cargo or freight vessel, including ISM Code, BRM, cargo operations, MARPOL compliance, and oceans-level navigation.

Assessment

ONC03 path: Q100 Rules of the Road (50), Q120 Deck General I (50), Q121 Deck General II (50), Q122 Deck Safety (70), Q123 Stability Problems (15), Q124 Navigation General Oceans (70), Q125 Chart Plot (10), Q126 Navigation Problems NC (10), Q127 Navigation Problems Oceans (15). Total 215 questions when sitting the full original set. This is the same module set as Master 500 GRT.

Time Limit

Up to 3.5 hours per module

Passing Score

70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road, Chart Plot, and Navigation Problems (NC and Oceans); Q127 requires 80%

Exam Fee

$95 exam fee; $240 typical original total (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Master 1600 Exam Content Outline

50 questions / 90% to pass

Q100 Rules of the Road

International (72 COLREGS) and Inland Rules tested as the same module as for Master 500 GRT, with lights, shapes, sound signals, and steering rules applied to vessels of 50 m and over.

50 questions / 70% to pass

Q120 Deck General Part I

Seamanship, anchoring on stockless ground tackle, ISM Code structure (DOC/SMC/SMS), master's authority, watchkeeping, and basic stability concepts for larger cargo vessels.

50 questions / 70% to pass

Q121 Deck General Part II

Cargo stowage and securing plans, IMDG Code segregation, load line marks, Cargo Securing Manual (CSM), pilot transfer arrangements, BRM, and SOLAS V/34 voyage planning.

70 questions / 70% to pass

Q122 Deck Safety

SOLAS lifesaving (immersion suits, EPIRB 406 MHz, SART), firefighting (CO2, AFFF foam, fixed systems), drills (monthly fire and abandon-ship, quarterly lifeboat launching), enclosed-space entry, MARPOL Annex I/V, and heavy-weather decisions.

15 questions / 70% to pass

Q123 Stability Problems

KM−KG=GM calculations, TPI sinkage, free surface effect, weight-shift list, FWA, and reading the GZ statical stability curve at displacements typical of 500-1,600 GRT vessels.

70 questions / 70% to pass

Q124 Navigation General Oceans

Charts/publications (NOAA, NGA, Notices to Mariners), IALA Region B aids, ECDIS (ENC, type-approval, generic + type-specific training), AIS, compass error (variation/deviation), set/drift, tides/currents, Buys-Ballot, tropical revolving storms.

10 questions / 90% to pass

Q125 Chart Plot

Practical plotting: distance from latitude scale, running fix, bow-and-beam bearings, and vector solutions for course-to-steer with set and drift.

10 questions / 90% to pass

Q126 Navigation Problems NC

Near-coastal speed-required, ETA, and course-to-steer problems with current correction.

15 questions / 80% to pass

Q127 Navigation Problems Oceans

Oceans-level great-circle vs rhumb-line behavior, equatorial currents and the ITCZ, and the Marcq St. Hilaire celestial intercept method for sight reduction.

How to Pass the USCG Master 1600 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road, Chart Plot, and Navigation Problems (NC and Oceans); Q127 requires 80%
  • Assessment: ONC03 path: Q100 Rules of the Road (50), Q120 Deck General I (50), Q121 Deck General II (50), Q122 Deck Safety (70), Q123 Stability Problems (15), Q124 Navigation General Oceans (70), Q125 Chart Plot (10), Q126 Navigation Problems NC (10), Q127 Navigation Problems Oceans (15). Total 215 questions when sitting the full original set. This is the same module set as Master 500 GRT.
  • Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module
  • Exam fee: $95 exam fee; $240 typical original total

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 Master 1600 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Remember the headline rule: Master 1,600 GRT is the same written exam as Master 500 GRT — the tonnage cap is set by your documented sea service, not by a different test.
2Master COLREGS for vessels of 50 m and over, including the second masthead light, anchor-deck illumination at 100 m+, vessel constrained by draft signals, and towing/pushing arrangements.
3Memorize SOLAS/STCW drill frequencies: fire and abandon-ship monthly, lifeboat launching quarterly with crew aboard, rescue boat monthly when practicable.
4Drill stability math (KM − KG = GM, weight shift list, TPI, free surface) until you can solve at exam speed; calculator allowed is the TI-30XIIS.
5Practice the 6-minute rule and lat/long advance-the-track DR until they are automatic, because Chart Plot and Navigation Problems modules require 90%.
6Build a working knowledge of the ISM Code (DOC, SMC, SMS) and BRM/master-pilot exchange — these come up in Deck General II.
7Know the MARPOL paperwork for a 1,600 GRT cargo vessel: Oil Record Book Part I, Garbage Management Plan and Garbage Record Book, 15-ppm OWS rule.
8For Navigation Problems Oceans (Q127), drill the Marcq St. Hilaire intercept method and great-circle vs rhumb-line behavior between two Northern Hemisphere points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate written exam for Master 1,600 GRT versus Master 500 GRT?

No. The 1,600 GRT cap is assigned based on documented sea-service tonnage, not by a separate written exam. The written exam is the same ONC03 module set used for Master 500 GRT: Q100 Rules of the Road, Q120 and Q121 Deck General, Q122 Deck Safety, Q123 Stability Problems, Q124 Navigation General Oceans, Q125 Chart Plot, Q126 Navigation Problems NC, and Q127 Navigation Problems Oceans.

How many questions are on the Master 1,600-Ton exam path?

The full ONC03 original path is 215 questions across nine modules: 50/50/50/70/15/70/10/10/15. Most modules require 70% to pass, but Rules of the Road (Q100), Chart Plot (Q125), and Navigation Problems NC (Q126) require 90%, and Navigation Problems Oceans (Q127) requires 80%.

How is the 1,600 GRT tonnage cap actually assigned if not by a different exam?

The Coast Guard assigns the tonnage limitation on your MMC based on the documented tonnage of the vessels on which you served your qualifying sea time. Service primarily on vessels of 1,000 GRT or greater (with the specific time and capacity required by the regulations) supports a 1,600 GRT cap, while lower-tonnage service caps your endorsement at 500 GRT. Application-stage documentation, not a written test question, determines this cap.

How much does the Master 1,600-Ton exam cost?

The current NMC fee schedule lists a $95 examination fee. For a typical original officer endorsement application, the breakdown is $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance, for $240 total. Raise-of-grade applications from a lower-tonnage Master endorsement are lower on the evaluation portion.

Is remote (online) testing available?

No. USCG deck-officer examinations including the Master 1,600-Ton path are administered at Regional Exam Centers (RECs). Scheduling is done through the NMC ASAP portal.

What STCW courses do I typically need for Master 1,600 GRT?

Beyond the written exam, candidates at this level commonly need Basic Training (BT/STCW VI/1), Advanced Firefighting (VI/3), Medical Care Provider or Medical First Aid Provider depending on route, Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC), and ARPA/Radar Observer plus ECDIS/BRM/BTM as required for the route. Check current NMC checklists for your specific endorsement.

What calculator can I bring to the exam?

The NMC calculator policy specifies that, effective January 1, 2024, the Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS is the accepted scientific calculator model for examinations that require one. Programmable, graphing, or memory-retaining devices are not acceptable for REC testing.