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.


7: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are crossing, a signal of one short blast by either vessel means __________.


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


57: INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. The blue light indicates a __________.


87: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used for maneuvering signals?

    N a. It must be synchronized with the whistle.
    N b. It may be white or yellow.
    N c. It must be an all-round light.
    Y d. All of the above

104: INLAND ONLY Which light(s) shall be shown at night on a moored barge which reduces the navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters?

    Y a. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
    N b. Two yellow lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N c. A red light placed on all four corners
    N d. A red light placed on the two corners farthest from the bank

140: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is showing an alternating red and yellow light. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Stand on.
    N b. Heave to.
    N c. Alter course to assist.
    N d. Yield the right-of-way.

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

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

227: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    Y a. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

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

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

    N a. propose the manner of passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    Y d. None of the above

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

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

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

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

821: INLAND ONLY One and two short blast signals must be sounded on inland waters when __________.

    N a. two sailing vessels are in sight of one another and meeting at a distance of one quarter mile
    N b. two power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and will cross at a distance of one mile
    N c. two power-driven vessels are crossing within half a mile of each other and NOT in sight of each other
    Y d. Two power-driven vessel are in sight of one another and are meeting at a distance of one half mile

4043: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the watch officer on a power-driven vessel and notice a large sailing vessel approaching from astern. You should __________.

    N a. slow down
    N b. sound one short blast and change course to starboard
    N c. sound two short blasts and change course to port
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4075: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4107: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear, passing at a safe distance
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

4146: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When taking action to avoid collision, you should __________.

    Y a. make sure the action is taken in enough time
    N b. not make any large course changes
    N c. not make any large speed changes
    N d. All of the above

4154: 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 on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 25-meter vessel trawling will show the dayshape(s) consisting of __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. two balls
    Y c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. a cone, apex downward

4289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a power-driven vessel in fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules require you to navigate with caution and, if danger of collision exists __________.

    N a. slow to less than 2 knots
    Y b. reduce to bare steerageway
    N c. stop your engines
    N d. initiate a radar plot

4327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are approaching each other near head on. What action should be taken to avoid collision?

    N a. The first vessel to sight the other should give way.
    N b. The vessel making the slower speed should give way.
    Y c. Both vessels should alter course to starboard.
    N d. Both vessels should alter course to port.

4425: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel exhibits the same lights as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing, when not underway
    N b. vessel towing astern
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are in a composite unit

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

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

4682: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N c. cannot be mistaken for the lights specified elsewhere in the Rules
    Y d. All of the above

4721: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel when anchored at night, would not be required to show anchor lights?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N b. A vessel engaged in mine clearance
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in survey operations

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

4842: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
    Y b. A vessel engaged in towing, not making way
    N c. A pilot vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel which has run aground

4859: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing in the narrow channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N b. The vessels are required to exchange signals.
    Y c. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

8051: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    Y a. three all-round red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three all-round blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights