Captain's License / Study Guides
🔥Deck General / Safety
The Deck General / Safety section covers the broadest range of topics — from knot-tying to fire extinguishers to maritime law. It's open book with a 70% passing score, but the breadth of material catches many candidates off guard.
What's Covered
Seamanship & Marlinspike
Line types (nylon, polyester, manila), knots (bowline, cleat hitch, clove hitch), splices, deck hardware, block and tackle.
Vessel Handling & Stability
Center of gravity, metacentric height, free surface effect, prop walk, anchoring techniques, scope ratios (7:1 minimum).
Machinery & Engines
Diesel vs gasoline engines, cooling systems, fuel systems, ventilation requirements, troubleshooting common problems.
Maritime Law (46 CFR)
Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) regulations, 6-passenger limit, drug and alcohol testing, incident reporting, required safety briefings.
Fire Prevention & Fighting
Fire triangle, fire classes (A/B/C/D), extinguisher types, PASS technique, fixed suppression systems, engine room fires.
Lifesaving & Emergency
PFD types (I-V), visual distress signals (42-month expiry), MOB recovery (Williamson Turn), MAYDAY procedures, first aid, MARPOL compliance.
Study Tips
- 1.Memorize fire extinguisher types for each fire class — this is heavily tested
- 2.Know the PASS technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
- 3.The 6-passenger rule defines the OUPV license — know when passengers count and when they don't
- 4.PFD Type I (offshore) vs Type II (near-shore) vs Type III (flotation aid) — know the turning capability of each
- 5.Visual distress signals: 3 day + 3 night signals required. Pyrotechnic signals expire 42 months from manufacture date.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Forgetting that nylon stretches (good for dock lines) while polyester doesn't (good for sheets/halyards)
- ✗Confusing CO2 extinguishers (Class B/C, no residue) with dry chemical (Class A/B/C, leaves residue)
- ✗Not knowing that the OUPV license is for uninspected vessels carrying up to 6 passengers for hire
- ✗Missing the free surface effect question — partially filled tanks reduce stability
- ✗Forgetting that MAYDAY is only for imminent danger to life or vessel — Pan-Pan is for urgency
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