USCG Master 100 study plan
USCG Master 100 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Rules of the Road
Sketch from memory the required lights and day shapes for power-driven, sailing, fishing, towing, and not-under-command vessels
Recite the Steering and Sailing Rules precedence order for meeting, crossing, and overtaking situations without notes
Distinguish 'vessels in sight of one another' obligations from restricted-visibility obligations
Define key Rule 3 terms: underway, making way, restricted in ability to maneuver, narrow channel, traffic separation scheme
Your checkpoint
Closed-book worksheet: correctly draw and label 15 of 15 vessel light and day-shape configurations
Rules of the Road
Apply give-way and stand-on responsibilities to 20 written crossing, meeting, and overtaking scenarios
List the required maneuvering and warning sound signals and the distress signals in Annex IV
Contrast at least 8 International vs Inland rule differences (narrow channels, overtaking signals, lights, water-skiing, etc.)
Interpret Rules 1 through 19 governing responsibility, lookout, safe speed, and risk of collision
Your checkpoint
Score at least 85% on a 40-question timed Rules of the Road practice test
Navigation General
Decode the U.S. Aids to Navigation system: lateral, cardinal, safe-water, isolated-danger, and special marks, plus ranges and light characteristics
Identify and label 20 standard chart symbols and abbreviations
Plot a three-bearing fix and a running fix on a training chart
Convert bearings between true, magnetic, and compass using variation and deviation
Your checkpoint
Plot 5 position fixes within 0.2 nautical mile of the answer key on a practice chart
Navigation General
Solve time-speed-distance and fuel-consumption problems using the 60D=ST relationship
Compute set and drift and resolve a current triangle to find course to steer and speed made good
Derive tidal height and current direction and speed from tide and current tables
Explain the limitations and failure modes of GPS, chartplotters, radar, and depth sounders
Your checkpoint
Complete a 25-question Navigation General test at 80% or better with all computations shown
Deck General
Describe anchoring procedures including scope selection, setting the anchor, and weighing anchor
Describe line handling, mooring, and towing evolutions and the fittings involved
Identify ground tackle, deck fittings, and standing and running rigging components
Tie and explain the bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend, round turn and two half hitches, and a common whipping
Your checkpoint
Tie and verbally explain 6 required knots correctly under a 5-minute time limit plus a 10-question seamanship quiz
Deck General & Deck Safety
Explain basic stability concepts: metacentric height, free surface effect, list versus loll, and the effect of shifting weights
Apply MARPOL and U.S. garbage-discharge restrictions and oil-pollution reporting requirements
Describe the fire triangle, fire classes, and selection of portable and fixed extinguishing systems
Identify required safety equipment for a 100-ton vessel: PFDs, immersion suits, flares, EPIRB, liferafts, and extinguishers
Your checkpoint
Complete a combined stability and pollution-regulation quiz at 80% or better
Deck Safety
Execute the man-overboard and abandon-ship sequences of action from memory in correct order
State firefighting actions for each fire class and outline an engine-room fire response
Administer basic first aid for hypothermia, near-drowning, burns, and severe bleeding
State the required content and scheduling of drills, station bills, and emergency instructions
Your checkpoint
Teach-back: walk a peer or instructor through MOB, abandon-ship, and engine-room fire scenarios in under 10 minutes each, naming every required action
Rules of the Road & Navigation General & Deck General & Deck Safety
Take three full-length timed practice exams mirroring the actual domain weighting
Re-drill every missed item flagged in weeks 1 through 7 to mastery
Memorize the remaining light, shape, and sound-signal specifics still being missed
Rehearse exam-day logistics and a question-answering strategy for flagged items
Your checkpoint
Three full-length practice exams scored at 90% or better with no single domain below 85%
Milestones
Week 2: Rules of the Road practice test at 85% or better with lights/shapes drawn cold; if below, add 1 hour per week of rule-card drills
Week 4: Both Rules of the Road and Navigation General at 80% or better; if either is short, shift 2 hours per week from Deck General into that domain for weeks 5 and 6
Week 6: All four domains scored at least once at 75% or better; log the three weakest sub-topics for week 8 remediation
Week 8: Three consecutive full-length exams at 90% or better with no domain below 85% before scheduling the exam