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.


8: INLAND ONLY If you were coming up on another power-driven vessel from dead astern and desired to overtake on the other vessel's starboard side, which whistle signal would you sound?


36: INLAND ONLY Which type of vessel is NOT mentioned in the Inland Navigation Rules?


59: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.


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

    N a. the waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
    Y b. the Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
    N c. the coastline of the United States, out to one mile offshore
    N d. any lakes within state boundaries

144: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round yellow light only
    N b. all-round white light only
    N c. alternating red and yellow light
    Y d. all-round white or yellow light

147: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.
    N b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    Y d. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.

361: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    Y c. sound five or more short and rapid blasts
    N d. None of the above

380: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    Y a. dredge pipeline
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. vessel not under command

399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. mineclearance vessel
    N b. survey vessel
    Y c. power-driven vessel towing astern
    N d. None of the above

4083: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the continuous sounding of any fog signal apparatus
    Y b. giving five or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N c. firing a gun at intervals of about a minute
    N d. a barrel with burning oil in it, on deck

4112: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall exhibit __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, two all-round red lights, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

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

4199: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing must show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway
    N c. dead in the water
    Y d. underway and making way

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

4335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. sailing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

4352: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum vessel length which must show two white masthead lights, one forward and one aft, when underway at night?

    N a. 7 meters
    N b. 20 meters
    Y c. 50 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. The stand-on vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel when risk of collision exists.
    N b. Risk of collision always exists when two vessels pass within one mile of each other.
    N c. Risk of collision always exists when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel changes appreciably.
    Y d. Risk of collision may exist when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel is changing appreciably.

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4537: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is on course 000°T. Vessel "B" is on a course such that she is involved in a head-on situation and is bearing 355°T, 2 miles away from vessel "A". To ensure a safe passing, vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. maintain course
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. alter course to ensure a starboard to starboard passing
    Y d. maneuver to ensure a port to port passing

4589: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are operating in restricted visibility and hear a signal of a rapidly ringing bell followed by the rapid sounding of a gong. It could be a __________.

    N a. 30-meter sail vessel at anchor
    N b. 150-meter power-driven vessel aground
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. 300-meter power-driven vessel at anchor

4686: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals, what changes would you make in the fog signal IMMEDIATELY upon losing the power plant and propulsion?

    Y a. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N c. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4688: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the fog signal for a vessel 75 meters in length, restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor?

    Y a. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N b. Five second ringing of a bell at intervals of not more than one minute
    N c. Four short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N d. Five second ringing of a bell and five second sounding of a gong at intervals of not more than one minute

4850: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels are on opposite courses
    N b. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    Y c. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

4851: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND. In which situation would you consider a risk of collision to exist?

    N a. A vessel is one point on your starboard bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    Y c. A vessel is two points abaft your port beam, range decreasing, bearing constant.
    N d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range increasing, bearing is constant.

4866: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?

    N a. The one with the wind closest abeam
    Y b. The one to windward
    N c. The one to leeward
    N d. The one that sounds the first whistle signal

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A towing vessel with tow, unable to deviate from its course
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging