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 )


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


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


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

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. air cushion vessel operating in the non-displacement mode
    N c. submarine operating on the surface
    N d. vessel pushing a barge ahead

158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. dredging while underway
    Y b. not under command
    N c. engaged in trawling
    N d. engaged in mineclearance

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

    N a. vessel under oars
    Y b. sailing vessel
    N c. law enforcement vessel
    N d. air-cushion vessel

212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This indicates a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    Y a. engaged in fishing, making way
    N b. engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N c. engaged in trawling, making way
    N d. on pilotage duty, making way

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

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N 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 vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel whose lights are shown is navigating in a narrow channel. Which statement about this vessel is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. It shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within the channel or fairway.
    N b. It is the stand-on vessel
    N c. It may anchor in the channel or fairway
    N d. It shows two balls

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

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

401: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. take action to permit safe passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    N d. None of the above

4048: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If it becomes necessary for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision, she shall NOT, if possible, __________.

    N a. decrease speed
    N b. increase speed
    Y c. turn to port for a vessel on her own port side
    N d. turn to starboard for a vessel on her own port side

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

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

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

4165: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE of a 30-meter sailing vessel underway?

    Y a. She must show sidelights and a stern light in restricted visibility.
    N b. She may show an all-round white light at the top of the mast.
    N c. She need not show a stern light if she is showing all-round lights on the mast.
    N d. If she is using propelling machinery, she shall show forward a shape consisting of two cones, apexes together.

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4410: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules state that vessels may depart from the requirements of 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

4486: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?

    Y a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    N c. Three black balls
    N d. No signal

4529: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    Y a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. are not the color of either sidelight
    N c. have a lesser range than the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4567: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As shown, vessel "A", which is pushing ahead, and vessel "B" are crossing. Which is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 5 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is to port of vessel "B".
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because she is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel in this situation.

4579: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. seaplanes
    N b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. barges
    Y d. All of the above

4656: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing at night, with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outwards, will show in the direction of the gear __________.

    Y a. one white light
    N b. two vertical white lights
    N c. one yellow light
    N d. two vertical yellow lights

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.

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

4854: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. sound a signal of one prolonged blast
    Y b. make a large course change
    N c. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

8008: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to pass on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. two prolonged followed by two short blasts

8054: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    Y a. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth of water.
    N b. The term applies only to vessels in marked channels.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft

8104: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is constrained by her draft and operating in a narrow channel. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You are in doubt as to her intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

    N a. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N b. must sound one prolonged blast
    Y c. may sound the danger signal
    N d. are required to back down