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.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


19: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?


63: INLAND ONLY A vessel of less than 20 meters in length at anchor at night in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary" __________.


120: INLAND ONLY What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A black cone, apex downward
    Y b. An all-round white light at each end of the tow
    N c. A flare-up light
    N d. All of the above

130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.

    N a. slow to bare steerageway
    N b. back down
    N c. sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    Y d. sound the danger signal

135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter trawler. Which day signal must you show while trawling? (DIAGRAM 16 )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. None of these day signals are correct.

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.

176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    Y a. 40-meter tug with tow exceeding 200 meters
    N b. tug unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. range marking a channel beneath a drawbridge
    N d. 60-meter tug pushing a barge ahead

195: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. engaged in fishing and making way
    Y c. on pilotage duty and underway
    N d. not under command

226: INLAND ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel a mile ahead you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    Y d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

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.

318: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. two cones with apexes together
    N b. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    N c. a cylinder
    N d. a diamond

340: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

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

    N a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N d. None of the above

347: 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. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

4023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is overtaking a tug and tow as shown. Which statement is CORRECT? (DIAGRAM 43 )

    N a. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is overtaking.
    N b. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is under sail.
    Y c. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is being overtaken.
    N d. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.

4142: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing must display a light in the direction of any gear that extends outward more than 150 meters. The color of this light is __________.

    Y a. white
    N b. green
    N c. red
    N d. yellow

4188: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog on a 120-meter power-driven vessel. You hear the fog signal of a vessel approaching off your port bow. You may sound __________.

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

4299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel on your 15-meter vessel. A deeply loaded cargo vessel is proceeding down the channel as shown. In this situation, which statement is correct? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because you are less than 65 feet in length.
    Y b. You cannot impede the passage of the cargo vessel.
    N c. The cargo vessel is the stand-on vessel because she is running with the current.
    N d. The Rule of Special Circumstances applies in this case.

4313: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night, you sight a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 71 )

    Y a. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Your vessel should hold course and speed and the other vessel should keep clear.
    N d. You should sound an appropriate overtaking signal.

4313: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night, you sight a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 71 )

    Y a. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Your vessel should hold course and speed and the other vessel should keep clear.
    N d. You should sound an appropriate overtaking signal.

4321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could mean all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. towing astern
    N c. fishing with trawls
    Y d. being towed

4329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 25 meters long and anchored in restricted visibility. You are required to sound the proper fog signal at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 30 seconds
    Y b. one minute
    N c. two minutes
    N d. three minutes

4334: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In narrow channels, vessels of less than what length shall not impede the safe passage of vessels which can navigate only inside that channel?

    Y a. 20 meters
    N b. 50 meters
    N c. 65 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4418: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two vessels are in immediate danger of collision, the stand-on vessel must __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    Y b. assist in taking whatever action is necessary to avoid collision
    N c. hold course and speed
    N d. sound a distress signal

4449: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Give-way vessel
    N b. Stand-on vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

4608: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.

    Y a. diving operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance operations

4699: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the identity signal which may be sounded by a vessel engaged on pilotage duty in fog?

    N a. 2 short blasts
    N b. 3 short blasts
    Y c. 4 short blasts
    N d. 5 short blasts

4833: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    N a. The vessel is classified as "restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N b. Her gear will not affect the vessel's maneuverability.
    Y c. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N d. She sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway but stopped and making no way.

8072: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blasts
    Y c. four short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts