Instruction & Web Services Librarian
The Library and USCG Exam Prep - Deck
The Cal Maritime Library makes an effort to support USCG Exam study as much as possible. If you don't see something you think would be helpful, please let us know!
How to Prep for the Exams
The resources listed have been provided by Cal Maritime student tutors in help you approach studying and focus on some specific questions.
- Mates Study ResourceA study guide for USCG Exams, Deck, created by Cal Maritime tutors in 2023-2024. Some advice may be helpful for Engine exams, though some focuses on Deck topics.
- Practice Exam Quesions (Deck)Practice Exam Questions created by Joey Simone in 2023-2024.
Murphy's Deck Officer Study Guides
The Library has Murphy's Deck Officer Study Guides available on the main shelves, in 7-Day Loans, and on Reserve for 2-hour loan. Volume 1 has 3rd and 2nd mate tables of questions broken into sub-questions, and tells you which exam you'll see them on. Licensed faculty tip: scan the tables, print them, and keep a copy for notes as you study.
Murphy's guides are located in multiple locations in the library, so your best bet may be to ask at the Help Desk or use the links below to check location and availability. They're located at Call No. VK405 .D43 volumes 1-7. The Open Library has an online copy of vol. 6 for checkout.
If you're looking for study materials not listed here, please ask in the Library!
American Practical Navigator (Bowditch) - Selected Editions
The Cal Maritime Library has print copies of most editions of Bowditch, and several copies of key editions such as 1981.
American practical navigator : an epitome of navigation. Volume II : Useful tables, calculations, glossary of marine navigation by Call Number: VK 563 B7 1981 v.2Publication Date: 1982
American practical navigator : an epitome of navigation by Call Number: VK555 .A48 2019Publication Date: 2019Bowditch 2019, in several locations in the Library- American Practical Navigator Vol. 2 byPublication Date: 2019This link is to the free online PDF for Bowditch 2019.
American Practical Navigator - Bowditch 2024 - Vol 1 & 2 by Call Number: VK555 .A48 2024ISBN: 9781951116880Publication Date: 2024The 2024 edition of Bowditch has been organized to improve its usefulness for study.
Useful Materials for USCG Exam Study (Deck)
U.S. Chart No. 1: Symbols, abbreviations and terms used on paper and electronic navigational charts by Call Number: GA359 .U65 2019Publication Date: 2019The symbols for paper charts, including charts output by the NOAA Custom Chart application, are shown, as well as the symbols used to portray NOAA electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENC®) data on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).
USCG Exam Reference Resources - Deck
Deck examinations – No references may be used for any Rules of the Road module. The permitted references for other modules which are available in the Library include:
- National Maritime Center list of exam materialsExamination Reference Materials for engine and deck exams. Updated 12/5/2023. Includes links to materials available online.
Reprints from the Light Lists and Coast Pilots; Reprints from the Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables by Call Number: VK405 .M475 1993ISBN: 9781950785490One volume
Reprints from the Light Lists and Coast Pilots by Call Number: VK405 .M475 1993ISBN: 9780160419584Publication Date: 1993
Reprints from the Tide tables and Tidal current tables by Call Number: VK405 .M475 1982Publication Date: 1982
Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water by Call Number: T55.3.H3 C44 1990ISBN: 0160284252Publication Date: 1991-04-23- Pub. No. 229 Vol. 2: Sight reduction tables for marine navigation byCall Number: VK565 .U695Publication Date: 1974
- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46 (online)The eCFR service from the National Archives has the most current version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Title 46, Parts 1-199 required for the USCG Exam, appears as Chapter I. If you prefer print, the Library has copies available in 7-day Loans and Reference (in-library use).
Code of Federal Regulations : Title 46 Shipping by Call Number: Reference
- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33 (online)The eCFR service from the National Archives has the most current version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Title 33, Parts 1-99 required for the USCG Exam, appears as Chapter I. If you prefer print, the Library has copies available in 7-day Loans and Reference (in-library use).
Code of Federal Regulations : Title 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters by Call Number: Reference
- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 (online)The eCFR service from the National Archives has the most current version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Title 46, Parts 1-199 required for the USCG Exam, appears as Chapter I. If you prefer print, the Library has copies available in 7-day Loans and Reference (in-library use).
Code of Federal Regulations : Title 49 Transportation by Call Number: Reference
Emergency Response Guidebook 2012 by Call Number: Reference : T 55.3 .H3 E43 2012ISBN: 1598046349Publication Date: 2012-06-28