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100+ Free USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Master, Mate, and Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels — Great Lakes and Inland exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Exam

TV02

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

70

Q418/Q419 Deck Module Questions

NMC TV02 / Deck Guide

90%

Rules & Chart Plot Pass Score

USCG module standards

70%

Deck/Nav Module Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

5 yr

MMC Validity

USCG MMC rules

TV02 Master/Mate/Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels GLI is modular: Rules Q100 (90%), Deck General Q418 (70 questions at 70%), Deck Safety Q419 (70 at 70%), Navigation General GLI Q420 (50 at 70%), Chart Plot Q421 (10 at 90%), and Renewal OBE Q422 (50 at 90%). Lower-level original fees are about $100+$95+$45 under 46 CFR 10.219. Service and TOAR follow 46 CFR 11.463–11.466. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid focused on inland and Great Lakes barge towing—not an official Coast Guard exam.

Sample USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI 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, a proper lookout on a towing vessel must be maintained by:
A.Radar alone when pushing a long barge string
B.Sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
C.The master only when the tow exceeds 200 meters
D.VHF Channel 13 alone while in a lock approach
Explanation: Rule 5 requires every vessel to keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means appropriate to the circumstances so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. On a tug with barges, that still means visual/aural lookout plus aids such as radar when fitted and appropriate.
2You take successive compass bearings on another vessel while closing range. The bearing remains nearly steady. What should you assume?
A.There is no risk because the bearing is not changing
B.Risk of collision exists
C.Only the other vessel has collision responsibility
D.The other vessel must be overtaking you
Explanation: A steady or nearly steady bearing with decreasing range is a classic indicator of collision risk under Rule 7. Assume risk of collision exists and take appropriate action early—especially important when your maneuvering is limited by a barge string.
3Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which vessel is the give-way vessel under the Rules?
A.The vessel that has the other on her own port side
B.The smaller of the two vessels
C.The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side
D.The vessel with barges in tow
Explanation: Under Rule 15, when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and, if circumstances admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Tow configuration alone does not change the basic power-driven crossing rule unless another special status applies.
4Under Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on so as to involve risk of collision, each vessel shall:
A.Alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
B.Stop engines until the situation clears
C.Alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other
D.Sound five short blasts and maintain course
Explanation: Rule 14 requires each power-driven vessel in a head-on meeting involving risk of collision to alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other (port-to-port).
5On inland waters you reach a passing agreement with an approaching vessel over the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone. Under Inland Rule 34(h), you are then:
A.Required to sound the Rule 34 whistle signals anyway, because a radio agreement has no standing under the Rules
B.Not obliged to sound the Rule 34 whistle signals, although you may still do so
C.Relieved of every Rule 34 obligation for the rest of the passage, including the doubt signal
D.Required to repeat the agreement to the local Coast Guard sector before executing the maneuver
Explanation: Inland Rule 34(h) (33 CFR 83.34(h)) provides that a vessel which reaches agreement with another vessel in a head-on, crossing, or overtaking situation — for example by using the radiotelephone under the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act — is not obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by the Rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, whistle signals must be exchanged in a timely manner and they prevail. This is why Channel 13 arrangements are the working norm between tows.
6A power-driven vessel towing astern where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit which additional day shape under the Rules?
A.A single black ball
B.A diamond shape where it can best be seen
C.Two cones with apexes together
D.A cylinder
Explanation: Rule 24 requires a vessel towing, when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, to exhibit a diamond shape where it can best be seen (in addition to the prescribed towing lights at night).
7At night, a power-driven vessel towing astern with a tow longer than 200 meters shows how many masthead lights in a vertical line in addition to sidelights and sternlight?
A.One
B.Two
C.Three
D.Four
Explanation: Under Rule 24, a power-driven vessel when towing astern exhibits two masthead lights in a vertical line when the length of the tow is 200 meters or less, and three masthead lights in a vertical line when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, plus sidelights, sternlight, and a towing light above the sternlight.
8Under the Inland Rules, on the Western Rivers (except below the Huey P. Long Bridge) and on waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside — not rigidly connected as a composite unit — exhibits:
A.Sidelights and two towing lights in a vertical line, with no masthead lights
B.Two masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and two towing lights in a vertical line
C.Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
D.Sidelights and a single sternlight only
Explanation: Inland Rule 24 (33 CFR 83.24) carries a Western Rivers and specified-waters exception: notwithstanding the general pushing/towing-alongside paragraph, a power-driven vessel on those waters exhibits only sidelights and two towing lights in a vertical line — the masthead lights are not shown. Knowing this exception matters because the same tug shows a different picture once it leaves those waters.
9Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast when vessels are in sight generally means:
A.I am operating astern propulsion
B.I intend to leave you on my port side
C.I intend to leave you on my starboard side
D.Danger; I do not understand your intentions
Explanation: Under Inland Rule 34, when vessels are in sight, one short blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side' (intention/agreement signaling). This differs from the International meaning of one short blast as 'I am altering my course to starboard.'
10Five short and rapid blasts on the whistle under Rule 34 means:
A.I am altering course to starboard
B.I am operating astern propulsion
C.Doubt as to the other vessel's intentions or actions, or danger
D.Request for a lockage
Explanation: Rule 34 provides that at least five short and rapid blasts indicate doubt concerning the other vessel's intentions or actions, or that the vessel is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision (the danger signal).

About the USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Exam

The USCG Master, Mate, and Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels — Great Lakes and Inland examination (NMC exam code TV02) is the national deck knowledge path for towing endorsements on Great Lakes and inland waters under 46 CFR 11.463–11.466. Modules cover Rules of the Road International and Inland (Q100), Deck General (Q418), Deck Safety (Q419), Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (Q420), Chart Plot (Q421), and TV GLI Renewal OBE (Q422) as assigned. It is distinct from Oceans/Near Coastal and Western Rivers towing exam codes.

Assessment

TV02: Q100 Rules of the Road International and Inland (typically 50, 90%); Q418 Deck General (70, 70%); Q419 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q420 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (50, 70%); Q421 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q422 TV GLI Renewal OBE (50, 90%) as assigned for renewal. Confirm current sample-exam sizes on the NMC TV02 page.

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% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road (Q100); 90% Chart Plot (Q421); 90% TV GLI Renewal OBE (Q422)

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. Towing endorsements are route-scoped rather than tonnage-scoped, so confirm the row with the NMC before paying on Pay.gov. (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Exam Content Outline

~22%

Rules of the Road International and Inland

COLREGS and Inland Rules with towing lights, shapes, and inland special provisions for barge operations (Q100).

~22%

Deck General

Towing seamanship, barge makeup, wire/hawser handling, and watchkeeping for Q418 (70 questions).

~18%

Deck Safety

Firefighting, lifesaving, pollution, and emergencies on towing vessels and barges (Q419).

~22%

Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland

GLI navigation, aids, locks, ice, weather, and piloting (Q420).

~16%

Chart Plot

Chart navigation and calculation problems scored at 90% (Q421).

How to Pass the USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road (Q100); 90% Chart Plot (Q421); 90% TV GLI Renewal OBE (Q422)
  • Assessment: TV02: Q100 Rules of the Road International and Inland (typically 50, 90%); Q418 Deck General (70, 70%); Q419 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q420 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (50, 70%); Q421 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q422 TV GLI Renewal OBE (50, 90%) as assigned for renewal. Confirm current sample-exam sizes on the NMC TV02 page.
  • 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. Towing endorsements are route-scoped rather than tonnage-scoped, so confirm the row with the NMC before paying on Pay.gov.

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

USCG Master/Mate Towing GLI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Overprepare for Rules of the Road because Q100 requires 90% to pass.
2Master towing lights and shapes under Rule 24 for pushing ahead, towing alongside, and towing astern—including barges on inland waters.
3Drill Inland Rule 34 intention/agreement signals and danger signals used constantly around tows and locks.
4Practice barge makeup, face wires, jockey wires, stern lines, and safe wire-handling habits for Q418.
5Study lock procedures, Great Lakes ice, seiches, and inland aids for Q420 Navigation General GLI.
6Drill chart-plot routines for Q421: speed-time-distance, set and drift, and standard plotting symbology—pass is 90%.
7Take timed sets that match REC module length for Q418/Q419 (70 questions) and Q420 (50 questions).
8Review firefighting, pollution response, man overboard, and abandon-ship for the deck safety module on towing platforms.
9Confirm your application path is TV02 (Great Lakes and Inland towing) rather than Oceans/NC or Western Rivers towing codes.
10Know that Q422 is renewal open-book; do not confuse it with original Q418–Q421 knowledge modules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG TV02 exam?

TV02 is modular for Master, Mate, and Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels on Great Lakes and Inland routes. Published modules include Rules of the Road International and Inland (Q100), Deck General (Q418 — 70 questions at 70%), Deck Safety (Q419 — 70 questions at 70%), Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (Q420 — 50 at 70%), Chart Plot (Q421 — 10 at 90%), and TV GLI Renewal OBE (Q422 — 50 at 90%) for renewal. Exact totals depend on the current NMC module sizes; confirm sample exams on the TV02 NMC page.

What passing score do I need?

Most modules require 70%. Rules of the Road (Q100) requires 90%. Chart Plot (Q421) requires 90%. TV GLI Renewal OBE (Q422) requires 90% when assigned for renewal.

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 (~$240 total). Medical, drug testing, TOAR-related training, and firefighting course costs are separate. Pay via Pay.gov.

Can I take the exam remotely?

No. These deck 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 TV02 the same as Oceans/Near Coastal or Western Rivers towing exams?

No. TV02 is Master/Mate/Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels on Great Lakes and Inland routes. Oceans or Near Coastal towing uses a different NMC path (uscg-master-mate-towing-oceans-nc). Western Rivers towing uses uscg-master-mate-towing-western-rivers. Do not mix route-specific modules or assume one credential covers the other route.

What regulations cover Master, Mate, and Apprentice Mate of towing vessels?

46 CFR 11.463 (Master of towing vessels), 11.464 (Mate/pilot of towing vessels), 11.465 (Apprentice mate/steersman), and related provisions including 11.466 address towing endorsements. Confirm sea service, TOAR, and examination requirements on the current NMC checklist for the GLI route.

Is Q422 part of the original knowledge exam?

Q422 is the TV GLI Renewal open-book exercise (OBE). Original issuance typically uses Q100 and Q418–Q421 as assigned. Renewal open-book exercises are separate from original knowledge modules.

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 include chart-plot and calculation items that this bank approximates with knowledge and calculation MCQs.