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USCG National Maritime Center Credential Prep

OUPV 6-Pack Captain's License Practice Tests & Exam Questions

Practice authentic U.S. Coast Guard examination questions covering all 4 modules of the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV / 6-Pack) credential. Master Rules of the Road, Chart Plotting, Navigation General, and Deck Safety with 46 CFR rule citations, official diagrams, and instant scoring. 100% free with no subscription walls.

4 Core Exam Modules
150 Total Exam Questions
90% ROR & Plotting Pass Bar
Free & Open Access

The 4 OUPV 6-Pack Exam Practice Modules

Select a module to start practicing authentic US Coast Guard examination questions with explanations and scoring.

Pass: 90% (27/30)
Module 054 / 211 • 30 Exam Qs • 1.5 hours

Rules of the Road (International & Inland)

Master steering and sailing rules, vessel lights and shapes, sound signals, distress signals, and COLREGS 1972 vs 33 CFR 83 Inland rules.

1,280+ Practice Qs Practice Questions
Pass: 90% (9/10)
Module 070 / 212 • 10 Exam Qs • 2.0 hours

Navigation Problems: Chart Plotting

Practice plotting dead reckoning tracks, line of position (LOP), set and drift, leeway, compass correction, distance off, and bearing fixes on official training charts.

1,349+ Practice Qs Practice Questions
Pass: 70% (35/50)
Module 069 / 213 • 50 Exam Qs • 2.5 hours

General Navigation (Nav General)

Covers aids to navigation (U.S. ATON & IALA-B), nautical charts, compass deviation and variation, tides & tidal currents, publications, and electronic nav equipment.

1,674+ Practice Qs Practice Questions
Pass: 70% (42/60)
Module 055 / 214 • 60 Exam Qs • 3.0 hours

Deck General & Safety

Covers seamanship, marlinspike, small boat handling, anchoring, fire prevention and extinguishing (Classes A–D), lifesaving gear, emergency procedures, and MARPOL rules.

937+ Practice Qs Practice Questions

Official USCG OUPV Examination Blueprint

Summary of National Maritime Center (NMC) testing requirements under 46 CFR § 11.910.

Exam Module Questions Min. Correct Pass Benchmark Time Limit Practice
Rules of the Road (International & Inland) 30 27/30 90% 1.5 hours Start →
Navigation Problems: Chart Plotting 10 9/10 90% 2.0 hours Start →
General Navigation (Nav General) 50 35/50 70% 2.5 hours Start →
Deck General & Safety 60 42/60 70% 3.0 hours Start →
Total Exam Battery 150 Questions 113 Correct — 9.0 Hours Total —

Requirements for the OUPV (6-Pack) Captain's License

Checklist for completing your National Maritime Center (NMC) credential application under 46 CFR Part 11.

01

Sea Service Documentation

Minimum 360 days of sea service on power or sailing vessels (minimum 4 hours per day), with 90 days within the last 3 years. Near Coastal routes require 90 days in ocean/near-coastal waters.

02

TWIC & Background Check

Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by TSA, verifying US citizenship or permanent resident alien status.

03

Medical Physical & Drug Test

USCG Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate (Form CG-719K) and a negative DOT 5-panel drug screen certificate within 185 days of application submission.

04

First Aid & CPR Certification

Current certification in Adult CPR (within 1 year) and Basic First Aid (within 1 year) from an approved training organization (Red Cross, AHA, or USCG-accepted equivalent).

05

Pass USCG Examination

Successfully complete the 4 exam modules either directly at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC) or through an approved maritime school test-in-lieu examination.

06

MMC Issuance

Submit the completed CG-719B application package to the National Maritime Center for review and issuance of your official Merchant Mariner Credential booklet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding the OUPV 6-Pack Captain's License examination and requirements.

What is an OUPV (6-Pack) Captain's License?
The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) license, colloquially known as the 6-Pack Captain's License, is an official credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) under Title 46 CFR. It authorizes the holder to captain uninspected commercial passenger vessels carrying up to 6 paying passengers on Inland, Great Lakes, or Near Coastal waters up to 100 miles offshore.
What are the 4 examination modules on the USCG OUPV 6-Pack exam?
The USCG OUPV examination comprises four separate written modules: (1) Rules of the Road (30 questions, 90% pass requirement), (2) Navigation Problems / Chart Plotting (10 questions, 90% pass requirement), (3) General Navigation (50 questions, 70% pass requirement), and (4) Deck General & Safety (60 questions, 70% pass requirement). All four sections must be passed.
What is the passing score for each OUPV 6-Pack exam section?
Rules of the Road and Chart Plotting require a strict 90% passing score—meaning you may only miss a maximum of 3 questions on Rules of the Road (27/30) and 1 question on Chart Plotting (9/10). General Navigation and Deck General & Safety require a 70% passing score (35/50 and 42/60 respectively).
How much sea service time is required for an OUPV Captain's License?
For an Inland OUPV credential, the Coast Guard requires a minimum of 360 days of documented sea service on appropriate vessels, with at least 90 days served within the past 3 years. For a Near Coastal OUPV endorsement, at least 90 of those 360 days must have occurred on ocean or near-coastal waters.
Can I take the exam at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC) without paying for a commercial school?
Yes. You have the right under 46 CFR to schedule and take your OUPV exams directly through a U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Center (REC). Studying authentic NMC question banks on BrightMariner allows candidates to prepare and challenge the official USCG exam directly, saving thousands of dollars in course fees.
How are the practice questions on BrightMariner verified against NMC standards?
Every question in our database is drawn directly from the official U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center public test banks. Each question includes complete option choices, official illustrations/diagrams, and detailed explanations referencing Title 46 CFR, Bowditch (The American Practical Navigator), and COLREGS 1972 rules.

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