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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


46: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.


51: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the Inland Navigation Rules?


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

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

208: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. red sidelight
    Y c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

345: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    Y c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N d. None of the above

352: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing blue light
    Y b. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

377: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. NW
    Y b. SE
    N c. SW
    N d. NW

4068: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the situation illustrated, vessel I is a power-driven vessel. Vessel II is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Which statement about this situation is correct? (DIAGRAM 2 )

    Y a. Vessel I should keep out of the way of Vessel II.
    N b. Vessel II should keep out of the way of Vessel I.
    N c. Vessel II would normally be the stand-on vessel, but should stay out of the way in this particular situation.
    N d. The Rules of Special Circumstances applies, and neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4153: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. in special circumstances
    Y c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. constrained by her draft

4232: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the signal consisting of five or more short blasts on the ship's whistle __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the give-way vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to the other vessel's action
    N d. makes it necessary to slow or stop

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4258: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a broken down vessel being towed would show the same lights as __________.

    N a. a power-driven vessel underway
    N b. the towing vessel
    Y c. a barge
    N d. a vessel at anchor

4277: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a fog when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    Y a. being towed
    N b. not under command
    N c. fishing with trawls
    N d. towing astern

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

4366: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules?

    Y a. A vessel mineclearing
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel not under command

4439: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Signals required for vessels aground include __________.

    N a. by night, the anchor lights for a vessel of her length, and three red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a short, a prolonged, and a short blast
    Y c. by day, three black balls in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

4540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 58 )

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length
    N c. fishing vessel at anchor
    N d. sailboat

4580: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    Y a. pilot vessel less than 50 meters, underway and NOT engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. vessel aground less than 50 meters
    N d. vessel engaged in dredging at anchor with an obstruction on one side

4631: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two barges are being pushed ahead by a tugboat. Which statement is TRUE concerning lights on the barges?

    N a. Each vessel should show sidelights.
    N b. Each vessel should show at least one white light.
    N c. The barges should be lighted as separate units.
    Y d. The barges should be lighted as one vessel.

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4657: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close quarters situation is developing or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    N b. when taking action, make only course changes
    Y c. avoid altering course toward a vessel abaft the beam
    N d. All of the above

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

8024: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is required to be sounded by a power-driven vessel ONLY?

    Y a. A signal meaning, "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. A signal meaning, "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side."
    N c. A signal meaning that the vessel sounding it is in doubt as to the other vessel's actions.
    N d. A signal sounded when approaching a bend.

8056: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A whistle signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor
    N b. towing a submerged object
    Y c. being overtaken in a narrow channel
    N d. in distress

8075: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. Two short blasts followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y b. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts only
    N d. Two short blasts only

8090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light is ____________ .

    N a. shown below the stern light
    N b. white in color
    N c. displayed at the masthead
    Y d. a yellow light having the same characteristics as the stern light