Unlimited Examination Practice Exam

Coast Guard Able Seaman – Any Waters, Unlimited Examination Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the minimum age required to serve as an Able Seaman in any

waters?

• 16 years
• 18 years
• 21 years
• 25 years

Rationale: The U.S. Coast Guard requires that individuals be at least 18

years old to serve as an Able Seaman in any waters due to legal and safety considerations.

• Which document certifies a mariner as an Able Seaman?
• Passport 1 / 4

• Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
• Certificate of Registry or MMC with Able Seaman endorsement
• Seaman’s Book

Rationale: The Certificate of Registry or MMC with an Able Seaman

endorsement is the official document proving qualification for the AB rating.

3. The term “any waters” in AB certification means:

• Only inland waters
• Only rivers and lakes
• Oceans, coastal, and inland waters
• Only international waters

Rationale: “Any waters” indicates eligibility to operate on all types of

waters, including oceans, coastal areas, and inland waters.

• What is the primary purpose of a ship’s bell?
• Signal the captain
• Indicate time and maintain watch schedule
• Alert crew to meals
• Sound during emergencies only

Rationale: The ship’s bell is traditionally used to mark time in watch shifts, helping regulate the ship’s watch system.

• What is the correct sequence of lights for a sailing vessel underway at

night?

• Masthead, stern, side 2 / 4

• Red (port), green (starboard), white (stern)
• White, red, green
• Green, red, white

Rationale: Navigation rules require sailing vessels to show red and green

sidelights and a white stern light to indicate direction at night.

• What is the definition of “dead reckoning” navigation?
• Navigation using celestial bodies
• Navigation using GPS only
• Navigation by calculating course, speed, and time from a known position
• Navigation using charts only

Rationale: Dead reckoning estimates position based on course, speed, and

time from a known point, without external reference.

• Which knot is best for forming a temporary loop that won’t slip under

load?

• Square knot
• Sheet bend
• Bowline
• Clove hitch

Rationale: The bowline forms a secure loop that does not slip and is easy to

untie, even after heavy load.

• When is a distress signal considered official under the International

Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)?

• When fired at a port 3 / 4

• When displayed during fog only
• When showing signs of grave and imminent danger
• When shown on inland waters only

Rationale: Distress signals are used to indicate grave and imminent danger

requiring immediate assistance.

• What is the first action a seaman should take when encountering a man

overboard?

• Throw a life buoy
• Stop the ship immediately
• Shout “man overboard” and point at the person
• Turn the ship away from the person

Rationale: Immediate verbal alerting and pointing ensures the crew is

aware and the person can be located quickly.

10. The primary purpose of a sounding tube on a ship is to:

• Vent air from tanks
• Measure the depth of liquid in a tank
• Drain ballast water
• Observe engine oil levels

Rationale: Sounding tubes allow crew to check the liquid levels in tanks

without entering them, crucial for stability and safety.

• How often must lifeboat drills be conducted on a vessel?
• Once a month
• Once a week
• / 4