100+ Free USCG Mate OSV Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Mate of Offshore Supply Vessels (Oceans or Near Coastal) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Mate OSV Exam

OSV02

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

90%

Rules of the Road Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide / sample standards

70%

Typical Deck Module Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

$95

Exam Fee (Lower Level)

46 CFR 10.219

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

5 yr

MMC Validity

USCG MMC rules

OSV02 Mate of Offshore Supply Vessels is a modular Coast Guard exam. Typical modules include Rules of the Road (50 at 90%), Deck General and Deck Safety (70 each at 70%), Navigation General Near Coastal or Oceans (70 at 70%), Chart Plot (~15 at ~87%), and Navigation Problems Near Coastal (10 at 90%) or Oceans (15 at 80%). Near Coastal candidates do not take Q215. Fees for a typical original lower-level officer path are about $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance under 46 CFR 10.219. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid, not an official REC exam simulation.

Sample USCG Mate OSV Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Mate OSV 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 and STCW watchkeeping standards, the person assigned as lookout on an OSV bridge:

A.Must be able to give full attention to keeping a proper lookout and be given no other duty that would interfere with it

B.May also steer the vessel at any time, because the helm position has a clear view ahead

C.Is required only between sunset and sunrise

D.May be replaced by AIS whenever traffic is light

Explanation: Rule 5 requires a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means at all times. STCW Section A-VIII/2 adds that the lookout must be able to give full attention to that task and must not be assigned duties that interfere with it. The helmsman is not counted as the lookout except on small vessels with unobstructed all-round visibility from the steering position in daylight.

2In determining whether risk of collision exists, Rule 7 expressly requires that a vessel:

A.Make proper use of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation

B.Assume no risk exists whenever the other vessel is more than 5 miles away

C.Act on scanty radar information rather than delay a decision

D.Wait until the other vessel sounds a maneuvering signal

Explanation: Rule 7(b) requires proper use of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to get early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects. Rule 7(c) separately warns that assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.

3As give-way vessel in a crossing you decide to pass astern of the stand-on vessel. Under Rules 8 and 16 that action must be:

A.Taken in ample time and large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel observing visually or by radar

B.Made as a series of small heading changes of two or three degrees each

C.Delayed until the closest point of approach is inside 0.2 nautical miles

D.Announced on VHF instead of being made with helm or engines

Explanation: Rule 16 requires the give-way vessel to take early and substantial action to keep well clear. Rule 8(b) requires any alteration of course and/or speed to be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar, and says a succession of small alterations should be avoided.

4Under Rule 14, a head-on situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night could see:

A.The masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both of her sidelights

B.Only the sternlight of the other vessel

C.A single green sidelight with no masthead light

D.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line

Explanation: Rule 14(b) deems a head-on situation to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights, or by day observes the corresponding aspect. Rule 14(c) adds that when in doubt whether such a situation exists, assume it does and act accordingly.

5An overtaking vessel later alters her bearing so that the geometry begins to look like a crossing. Under Rule 13(d) she:

A.Remains the overtaking vessel and must keep out of the way until finally past and clear

B.Becomes the stand-on vessel because Rule 15 now governs

C.May sound five short blasts and then hold her course and speed

D.Is relieved of all further duty once she draws abeam

Explanation: Rule 13(d) states that any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of the Rules, nor relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

6In an overtaking situation, which vessel is the give-way vessel?

A.The vessel that is overtaking

B.The vessel being overtaken

C.Both vessels equally

D.The vessel with the other on her port side

Explanation: Rule 13 requires any vessel overtaking any other to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. The overtaking vessel remains give-way until she is finally past and clear.

7Under Rule 17, the stand-on vessel shall:

A.Keep her course and speed, but may take action to avoid collision if it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

B.Always alter course to port

C.Immediately reverse engines upon sighting another vessel

D.Sound one prolonged blast every two minutes

Explanation: Rule 17 requires the stand-on vessel to keep her course and speed. When it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, she may take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone, and when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

8In restricted visibility, a vessel not under command, restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, engaged in fishing, or towing shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes:

A.One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts

B.One prolonged blast only

C.Two prolonged blasts only

D.Four short blasts only

Explanation: Rule 35(c) groups these vessels together: a vessel not under command, restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, constrained by her draught, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing, and a vessel towing or pushing shall sound three blasts in succession — one prolonged followed by two short — at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, whether making way or stopped.

9A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water in restricted visibility shall sound:

A.Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes

B.One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes

C.One short blast every minute

D.Rapid ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds every minute

Explanation: Under Rule 35, a power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them.

10In restricted visibility under Rule 19, a vessel that detects by radar alone another vessel and determines that a close-quarters situation is developing shall:

A.Take avoiding action in ample time; if that action consists of an alteration of course, avoid an alteration to port for a vessel forward of the beam, so far as possible

B.Maintain course and speed until visual contact is established

C.Immediately reverse engines and sound five short blasts

D.Always alter course to port for a vessel forward of the beam

Explanation: Rule 19 requires action in ample time when a close-quarters situation is developing or risk of collision exists. So far as possible, avoid an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (other than for a vessel being overtaken) and avoid an alteration of course toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.

About the USCG Mate OSV Exam

The USCG Mate of Offshore Supply Vessels examination (NMC exam code OSV02) is the national deck knowledge-test path for the Mate-OSV endorsement on Oceans or Near Coastal routes. The modular battery covers Rules of the Road, deck general and safety for OSV operations, navigation general, chart plotting, and navigation problems. Raise of grade from Mate OSV and route increases in scope follow NMC module rules (for example, Near Coastal to Oceans requires the oceans navigation modules).

Assessment

OSV02: Q100 Rules of the Road Inland and International (50, 90%), Q209 Deck General (70, 70%), Q210 Deck Safety (70, 70%), Q211 Navigation General Near Coastal (70, 70%) or Q212 Navigation General Oceans (70, 70%), Q213 Chart Plot (15, ~87%), Q214 Navigation Problems Near Coastal (10, 90%) or Q215 Navigation Problems Oceans (15, 80%). Q216 Mate OSV Renewal Open Book Exercise (50, 90%) is for renewal, not the original-knowledge focus of this bank.

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, chart plot, and near-coastal nav problems; 80% oceans nav problems

Exam Fee

$95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Mate OSV Exam Content Outline

~20% of a typical path

Rules of the Road

Inland and International collision regulations for mate-of-watch decisions on OSVs.

~28% of a typical path

Deck General

Seamanship, cargo/industrial deck operations, watchkeeping, and vessel construction basics.

~28% of a typical path

Deck Safety

Fire, abandon ship, pollution, first aid, and emergency response on offshore support vessels.

~16% of a typical path

Navigation General

Near coastal or oceans navigation knowledge matching the requested route.

~8% of a typical path

Chart Plot and Navigation Problems

Plotting accuracy and calculation-driven navigation problems with high pass standards.

How to Pass the USCG Mate OSV Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road, chart plot, and near-coastal nav problems; 80% oceans nav problems
Assessment: OSV02: Q100 Rules of the Road Inland and International (50, 90%), Q209 Deck General (70, 70%), Q210 Deck Safety (70, 70%), Q211 Navigation General Near Coastal (70, 70%) or Q212 Navigation General Oceans (70, 70%), Q213 Chart Plot (15, ~87%), Q214 Navigation Problems Near Coastal (10, 90%) or Q215 Navigation Problems Oceans (15, 80%). Q216 Mate OSV Renewal Open Book Exercise (50, 90%) is for renewal, not the original-knowledge focus of this bank.
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: $95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance)

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 Mate OSV Study Tips from Top Performers

1Overprepare for Rules of the Road because those modules require 90% to pass.

2Know when Inland Rules differ from COLREGS (sound signals, lights, narrow channels, Western Rivers/Great Lakes special rules).

3Drill chart-plot routines: largest scale chart, regular fixes, set and drift, and standard plotting symbology.

4Practice speed-time-distance and course-to-steer arithmetic until automatic under time pressure.

5Study ice navigation, seiches, and Great Lakes weather if your route includes Great Lakes Topics modules.

6Take timed sets of 50–70 questions to match REC module length.

7Memorize required lights, shapes, and sound signals for power-driven vessels, towing, fishing, and restricted-visibility situations.

8Review stability, damage control, firefighting, and abandon-ship procedures for deck safety modules.

9Confirm whether your application needs Q100 (Inland and International) to avoid a COLREGS limitation.

10Focus on OSV industrial-support operations (cargo, liquid mud, deck cargo, personnel transfer) at the mate-of-watch level rather than full master command scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG OSV02 exam?

OSV02 is modular. A typical original path includes Rules of the Road (50), Deck General (70), Deck Safety (70), Navigation General Near Coastal or Oceans (70), Chart Plot (about 15), and Navigation Problems Near Coastal (10) or Oceans (15). Near Coastal routes do not take Q215. Exact totals depend on route.

What passing score do I need?

Most modules require 70%. Rules of the Road requires 90%. Chart plot is about 87%. Navigation Problems Near Coastal requires 90%; Oceans requires 80%.

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). Medical, drug testing, and training 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.

What is the difference between Inland-only and Great Lakes and Inland Rules modules?

For Great Lakes and Inland routes, Rules of the Road is Inland and International (Q100). For Inland routes, applicants may take Inland-only Rules (Q300), but Inland-only Rules result in a geographic COLREGS limitation on the MMC unless Q100 is also completed (46 CFR 11.430).

Are open-book renewal exercises the same as the original modules?

Q216 is the Mate OSV Renewal Open Book Exercise. This free practice bank focuses on original-module knowledge, not the open-book renewal format.

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 an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation 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.

100+ Free USCG Mate OSV Practice Questions

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