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.


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


93: INLAND ONLY While underway in a harbor you hear a vessel sound a prolonged blast. This signal indicates that this vessel __________.


100: INLAND ONLY Only law enforcement vessels are permitted to show __________.

    N a. two red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a flashing yellow light
    N c. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    Y d. a flashing blue light

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

152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    N c. A trawler shooting nets in the direction indicated
    Y d. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters unable to deviate from course

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

    Y a. no whistle signal
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. at least five short and rapid blasts

313: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. Where should you pass? (DIAGRAM 85 )

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

371: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, the towing vessel shall show lights in addition to her towing identification lights. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    Y c. towed astern
    N d. All of the above

4025: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. She should sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    N d. two prolonged blasts

4030: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The NAVIGATION RULES define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

4050: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.

    N a. black diamond
    Y b. black cone
    N c. black ball
    N d. basket

4078: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are making headway in fog and hear a fog signal of two prolonged blasts on your starboard quarter. You should __________.

    N a. stop your vessel
    N b. change course to the left
    N c. change course to the right
    Y d. hold your course and speed

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.

4266: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open waters, a power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. vessel on her port side that is crossing her course
    N b. vessel that is overtaking her
    N c. seaplane on the water
    Y d. sailing vessel

4281: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 30 meters in length and aground would display a day-shape consisting of __________.

    N a. a cylinder
    N b. one black ball
    N c. two black balls in a vertical line
    Y d. three black balls in a vertical line

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4343: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision may exist __________.

    N a. if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does NOT appreciably change
    N b. even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a vessel at close range
    N c. if you observe both sidelights of a vessel ahead for an extended period of time
    Y d. All of the above

4360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed
    N b. Provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. Stay clear, the other vessel is maneuvering with difficulty
    N d. Stop your vessel and sound passing signals

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

4386: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a rapid ringing of a bell ahead. This bell indicates a __________.

    Y a. vessel at anchor
    N b. vessel in distress
    N c. sailboat underway
    N d. vessel backing out of a berth

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4516: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. Sailing vessel
    N d. Vessel towing

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4583: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchor ball need NOT be exhibited by an anchored vessel if she is __________.

    N a. under 50 meters in length, and anchored in an anchorage
    N b. over 150 meters in length
    N c. rigged for sail
    Y d. less than 7 meters in length, and not in or near an area where other vessels normally navigate

4618: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    Y a. A vessel towing astern
    N b. A vessel trawling
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging operations

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

4723: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    N a. vessel engaged in fishing at anchor
    N b. pilot vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in launching or recovering aircraft
    Y d. power-driven vessel underway

4839: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is considered to be "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules if she is __________.

    N a. at anchor
    Y b. mineclearing
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. engaged in towing

8000: INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.

    Y a. three 360° red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three 360° blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights