USCG Rules of the Road: Master's License

This is an interactive test. Read each question and select the proper answer by clicking on the appropriate answer. If a "Y" appears, your choice is correct. If a "N" appears, more study may be in order.


16: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


154: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 47 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. trawler dragging nets
    N c. vessel engaged in mine clearance
    N d. dredge at work

181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown. They indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 74 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. 8-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. 12-meter fishing vessel

215: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 66 )

    N a. Two vessels pair trawling
    Y b. A tug with a tow alongside
    N c. A ship being assisted by a tug
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

235: INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    N d. no signal

297: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    Y c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "C" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    Y d. None of the above

376: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show forward and after masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4038: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A bell is used to sound a fog signal for a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. sailing vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel not under command

4051: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. The lights __________.

    Y a. shall be displayed in restricted visibility during daylight hours
    N b. need not be displayed when no other vessels are in the area
    N c. shall be set at low power when used during daylight hours
    N d. need not be displayed by unmanned vessels

4066: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The wind is ESE, and a sailing vessel is steering NW. Which fog signal should she sound?

    N a. One blast at one-minute intervals
    N b. One blast at two-minute intervals
    N c. Two blasts at one-minute intervals
    Y d. One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals

4095: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should keep to the __________.

    N a. middle of the channel
    Y b. starboard side of the channel
    N c. port side of the channel
    N d. side of the channel that has the widest turns

4125: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you saw flames aboard a vessel but could see the vessel was not on fire, you would know that the __________.

    N a. crew was trying to get warm
    Y b. vessel required immediate assistance
    N c. vessel was attempting to attract the attention of a pilot boat
    N d. vessel was being illuminated for identification by aircraft

4140: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rule regarding look-outs applies __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. between dusk and dawn
    N c. in heavy traffic
    Y d. All of the above

4175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 57 )

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver and not making way
    N b. engaged in fishing and not making way
    N c. a pilot vessel underway and making way on pilotage duty
    N d. towing and making way

4178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.

    Y a. towing
    N b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. aground in a fairway
    N d. stopped and making no way through the water

4218: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day signal shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 7 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. a dredge underway and dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. a hydrographic survey vessel underway

4354: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the normal navigation lights, show sidelights and one __________.

    Y a. white light
    N b. yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing yellow light

4367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would NOT be a distress signal?

    N a. "MAYDAY" sent by radiotelephone
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog horn
    Y c. Green star shells fired from a launcher
    N d. Square flag and ball in a vertical line

4488: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and navigate with caution
    N b. stay in the middle of the channel
    N c. sound passing signals to any other vessel that may be on the other side of the bend
    Y d. sound a whistle blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration

4639: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying a single green light. This is a __________.

    N a. vessel at anchor
    N b. small motorboat underway
    N c. vessel drifting
    Y d. sailing vessel

4669: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

    N a. Use of such a light is required.
    Y b. Its purpose is to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N c. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

4674: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in fog. Which vessel is "in sight"?

    Y a. A vessel that you can see from the bridge
    N b. A radar target of which you have determined the course and speed
    N c. A vessel from which you can hear the fog signal
    N d. All of the above

4714: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A vessel pushing ahead
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N d. A vessel trawling

8021: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. What is your responsibility?

    N a. Hold your course and speed.
    N b. Sound the danger signal.
    N c. Begin an exchange of passing signals.
    Y d. Do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel.

8051: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    Y a. three all-round red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three all-round blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights

8061: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. should sound two short blasts
    N b. should sound the danger signal
    N c. should sound one long blast
    Y d. need not sound any whistle signals