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.


94: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.


137: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying an alternating red and yellow light is __________.


150: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?


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

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

174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. They could indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 71 )

    N a. under sail and power
    N b. dredging while underway
    N c. fishing with nets extending more than 150 meters
    Y d. power-driven and approaching head-on

254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. only if manned
    N c. only if towed astern
    N d. Need not be lighted

273: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    N b. stop until the red lights turn green
    N c. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side
    Y d. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights

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

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. give-way vessel
    N b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. give-way vessel
    N b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

396: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

4022: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway may exhibit __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4065: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N c. fishing while making no way through the water
    N d. fishing in company with another vessel

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

4283: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. A square flag and ball flown from the mast

4421: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    Y a. south (180°)
    N b. east (090°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    N d. west (270°)

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4627: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway you sight a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. contact the vessel on VHF radiotelephone
    N b. provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. stay clear, the other vessel cannot get out of the way
    N d. stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4641: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after white masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4664: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You MUST __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. initiate an exchange of passing signals

4666: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must have a gong, or other equipment which will make the sound of a gong?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. Any vessel over 50 meters
    N c. A power driven vessel over 75 meters
    Y d. Any vessel over 100 meters

4696: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in pair trawling
    N b. fishing while making no way through the water
    Y c. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4722: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, is not required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel engaged in survey operations
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    Y d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4725: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

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

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land

6560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme is forbidden to __________.

    Y a. proceed through an inappropriate traffic lane
    N b. engaged in fishing in the separation zone
    N c. cross a traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone, even in a emergency

8021: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. What is your responsibility?

    N a. Hold your course and speed.
    N b. Sound the danger signal.
    N c. Begin an exchange of passing signals.
    Y d. Do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel.

8052: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting. A two blast whistle signal by either vessel means __________.

    N a. "I intend to alter course to port"
    N b. "I desire to pass starboard to starboard"
    N c. "I desire to pass port to port"
    Y d. "I am altering course to port"

8068: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order is given by a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. in distress
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. being overtaken in a narrow channel