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.


70: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )


98: INLAND ONLY You are aboard the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You sound a one blast whistle signal. The give-way vessel answers with a two blast whistle signal. You should sound the danger signal and __________.


149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.


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

215: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 66 )

    N a. Two vessels pair trawling
    Y b. A tug with a tow alongside
    N c. A ship being assisted by a tug
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

264: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I am altering my course to port."

268: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown and will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Two short blasts from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I am altering my course to port."
    N d. "I am altering my course to starboard."

358: 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" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4013: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 11 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

4101: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    Y a. When any vessel fails to understand the intentions of an approaching vessel she must sound the danger signal.
    N b. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N c. Distress signals may be used in place of the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 4 or more short blasts of the whistle.

4153: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. in special circumstances
    Y c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. constrained by her draft

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4226: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape must be shown by a vessel 25 meters in length aground during daylight hours?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

4328: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. is at anchor
    N b. is not under command
    Y c. has a tow that exceeds 200 meters in length
    N d. has a tow that is carrying dangerous cargo

4399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would display a cone, apex downward?

    N a. A fishing vessel with outlying gear
    Y b. A vessel proceeding under sail and machinery
    N c. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N d. A vessel being towed

4416: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

    N a. must be displayed when day signals are being used
    N b. must be displayed when moored to a pier
    N c. may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
    Y d. may be displayed during daylight

4548: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for sound signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    N b. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    Y c. Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible.
    N d. Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.

4577: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about the Navigation Rules is TRUE?

    N a. The rules require vessels to comply with Traffic Separation Scheme regulations.
    N b. The rules use the term "safe speed."
    N c. The Rules permit a stand-on vessel to take action prior to being in extremis.
    Y d. All of the above are correct.

4593: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision may be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does NOT appreciably change
    N b. even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a vessel at close range
    N c. if you observe both sidelights of a vessel ahead for an extended period of time
    Y d. All of the above

4623: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel 35 meters in length, with a tow 100 meters astern, must show a minimum of how many masthead lights?

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

4680: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes must be displayed __________.

    N a. between sunset and sunrise
    N b. only between 8 AM and 4 PM
    Y c. during daylight hours in any visibility
    N d. during daylight hours in unrestricted visibility only

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4738: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    Y b. five short and rapid blasts
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern

4818: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shows special identity lights __________.

    N a. instead of the masthead lights
    Y b. which mean that other vessels should not approach within 1000 meters
    N c. that are 225° green lights
    N d. All of the above

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

6510: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. take all way off, if necessary
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8059: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in sight of a power-driven vessel that sounds two short blasts of the whistle. This signal means that the vessel __________.

    Y a. is altering course to port
    N b. is altering course to starboard
    N c. intends to leave you on her port side
    N d. intends to leave you on her starboard side

8085: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length, with a maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, MUST show when underway at least __________.

    Y a. one white 360° light
    N b. a white light on the near approach of another vessel
    N c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. the lights required of a vessel less than 12 meters in length

8088: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two all-round red lights at the masthead
    Y d. two masthead lights in a vertical line