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.


10: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?


136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.


199: INLAND ONLY You are on a vessel that the Secretary has determined cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?


248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "I" and "II" are power-driven vessels. You are on vessel "I" as shown. You are the __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

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

297: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    Y a. vessel towing astern
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel aground

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

386: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a barge 35 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    N a. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    Y b. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

4053: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to __________.

    Y a. alter course to starboard and pass port to port
    N b. alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
    N c. decide on which side the passage will occur by matching whistle signals
    N d. slow to bare steerageway

4150: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel 30 meters in length is pushing barges ahead. How many white masthead lights is the vessel REQUIRED to show at night?

    N a. One
    Y b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. Four

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

    Y a. mineclearing
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

4216: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

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

4222: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are towing two barges astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the tug to the stern of the last barge is 150 meters. How many white towing identification lights should be displayed on the tugboat at night?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4230: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, would sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds every minute
    N b. two prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. two prolonged and one short blast every two minutes

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.

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

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

4379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. The stand-on vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel when risk of collision exists.
    N b. Risk of collision always exists when two vessels pass within one mile of each other.
    N c. Risk of collision always exists when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel changes appreciably.
    Y d. Risk of collision may exist when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel is changing appreciably.

4470: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal, and change course
    Y c. take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avoid collision

4476: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying one green light. This light could indicate a __________.

    N a. vessel drifting
    N b. vessel at anchor
    N c. small motorboat underway
    Y d. sailboat underway

4517: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

    N a. A 200-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A 50-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. All of the above

4542: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is towing and carrying the required lights on the masthead. What is the visibility arc of these lights?

    N a. 112.5°
    N b. 135.0°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

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

4726: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three unmanned barges astern in fog. The third vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged blast

4844: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean in the Rules?

    N a. Breadth on the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Molded breadth
    Y c. Greatest breadth
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

4863: 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. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The fishing vessel must sound the danger signal.
    Y b. The fishing vessel shall not impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Both vessels should be displaying the signal for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

8025: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle is to be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    N b. used prior to sounding the whistle
    N c. used only at night
    Y d. a white light

8081: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    Y b. a white light
    N c. used only at night
    N d. used prior to sounding the whistle

8126: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round white or yellow light
    N b. all-round yellow light only
    Y c. all-round white light only
    N d. Any colored light is acceptable.