Category: Uncategorized

Summary of New Questions

Posted on by LAPWARE Admin

LAPWARE had been using the USCG question bank to support training mariners since 2002.  Since 2014, the USCG NMC no longer released questions to mariners, but it has been required to publish sample exams yearly, normally around October.  From those 219 exams, LAPWARE extracts the questions (7417) and compares them to our existing database (13645 questions).  LAPWARE identifies duplicates, categorizes the remaining questions, identifies which group it would fall into, and where needed develops a solution.  These solutions walk our subscribers through the problem and how to find the correct answer.  

After our working through the questions, we found there were 110 new and modified questions.  We’ve added these to the LAPWARE bank in early January and the sections below summarize the new content. 

Rules of the Road
4 New Rules questions—covering both International and Inland waters.
    Questions on Rules 17, 24, 32, and 37

Deck General
37 New questions       14 Modified Questions
    6 Cargo Handling and Stowage new questions (Dry and Bulk Liquids)
    1 New/4 Modified Oil Pollution 
    17 New/5 Modified on Rules/Regulations for Vessel Inspection
    4 New/1 Modified on Vessel Documentation 
    2 New on Ice Conditions
    2 New/1 Modified MODU 
    4 New/2 Modified Shiphandling/Towing 
    6 New/2 Modified Ships Business 

Safety
17 New Questions       3 Modifications
    2 New/1 Modified on Stability and Trim
    2 New on Signaling
    3 New/1 Modified on Lifeboats/Life Rafts
    4 New on FireFighting
    5 New/1 Modified on Damage Control & Emergency Procedures

Navigation General
26 New questions
    3 New Tides and Currents
    4 New Aids to Navigation
    2 New Inland Navigation
    4 New on Compasses
    5 New on Radio Navigation
    2 New Weather
    3 New Charts and Navigation Procedures

Navigation Problems
    7 New Questions on Tides and Currents

Resumption of Services at Regional Examination Centers

Posted on by LAPWARE Admin

Funding for the Federal Government has been restored, and the National Maritime Center

(NMC) and Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are in the process of resuming services to

mariners. Full resumption of services at the RECs will be phased in to allow prioritization of

our most critical services and to accommodate mariners most impacted by the furlough.

E-mail submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Walk-in and

scheduled counter service at the RECs will remain suspended through November 21, 2025, to

allow REC employees to prioritize the backlog in screening applications and scheduling

mariner examinations.

To prioritize mariners whose examinations were canceled during the furlough, the RECs will

focus on rescheduling these examinations during the first 5 business days. The earliest

available date for these mariners to start testing at most RECs will be November 18, 2025.

Mariners whose examinations were canceled during the furlough will be contacted by the REC

to re-schedule new examination dates.

Starting November 24, 2025, RECs are expected to return to routine operations, including

availability to schedule exams for all mariners. Because of existing staffing shortages, some

RECs may continue to have limited services.

For updates on NMC and REC operating statuses, please monitor the NMC website. For

questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing

, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

LAPWARE Purchase

Posted on by LAPWARE Admin

We are pleased to announce that Brandon Brown has acquired LAPWARE, the largest supplier of license/credential preparation software for Mariners wishing to obtain their U.S. Coast Guard Credentials, from AB to Unlimited Master.

As a company dedicated to supporting maritime professionals throughout their careers, we are honored to carry forward the excellent reputation and service established by Mr. Richard Plan and the team at LAPWARE. This transition ensures continuity and expanded support for your students and alumni as they prepare for licensure and service in the maritime industry.

Both the buyer and seller are reaffirming our shared commitment to the marine industry and outlining what this acquisition means for students and educators. LAPWARE’s goal will remain to help the merchant mariner to obtain USCG/NMC credential in support of their seagoing career.

LAPWARE greatly values the role your institution plays in educating the next generation of mariners, and we look forward to working with you to ensure your students have access to trusted licensing support. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can collaborate with your program, please don’t hesitate to reach out.