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.


68: INLAND ONLY Which is CORRECT regarding a "special flashing light"?


82: INLAND ONLY A vessel leaving a dock or berth must sound a prolonged blast of the whistle only if __________.


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


247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

251: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    Y b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard
    N d. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

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

4098: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You can indicate that your vessel is in distress by __________.

    N a. displaying a large red flag
    N b. displaying three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    Y d. continuously sounding the fog whistle

4115: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

    N a. A bell only
    N b. A whistle only
    Y c. A bell and a whistle
    N d. Any means of making an efficient sound signal

4128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display indicates a vessel conducting mineclearance operations?

    N a. Three balls in a vertical line
    N b. Two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. One ball near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm
    N d. One diamond near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm

4135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is __________.

    N a. a "special circumstance" vessel
    N b. not covered under any category
    N c. a sail vessel
    Y d. a power-driven vessel

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4250: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 60 )

    Y a. towing
    N b. being towed
    N c. broken down
    N d. fishing

4254: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4286: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 69 )

    Y a. engaged in trawling
    N b. minesweeping
    N c. under sail
    N d. a pilot boat

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

4345: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a green light over a white light in a vertical line above the level of the sidelights is __________.

    N a. engaged in underwater construction
    N b. under sail and power
    N c. a pilot vessel
    Y d. trawling

4359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway but stopped and making no way through the water when fog sets in. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast on the whistle
    N b. One prolonged blast and two short blasts on the whistle
    Y c. Two prolonged blasts on the whistle
    N d. One short, one prolonged, and one short blast on the whistle

4394: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A partly submerged vessel or object being towed, which is not readily noticeable, shall show __________.

    N a. yellow lights at each end
    N b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a black ball
    Y d. a diamond shape

4435: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which procedure(s) shall be used to determine risk of collision?

    N a. Watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel
    N b. Systematic observation of objects detected by radar
    N c. Long-range radar scanning
    Y d. All of the above

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

4481: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for about five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for about five seconds. This signal came from a __________.

    N a. vessel engaged in fishing at anchor
    N b. sailing vessel at anchor
    Y c. vessel 150 meters in length at anchor
    N d. vessel aground

4521: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, all of the following are engaged in fishing EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. setting nets
    N b. trawling
    N c. using a dredge net
    Y d. trolling

4541: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are no other vessels around
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    N c. the Master enters it in the ship's log
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

4610: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?

    Y a. Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
    N b. Make a large course change to starboard
    N c. Slow your vessel
    N d. Back your vessel

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.

4640: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    Y a. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
    N b. The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
    N c. The larger vessel
    N d. The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal

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

8114: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a situation involving a fishing vessel and a vessel not under command?

    N a. They are required to communicate by radiotelephone.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    Y c. The fishing vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel not under command.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.