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.


9: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning narrow channels?


48: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?


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


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

    Y a. the Western Rivers, extending to the COLREGS demarcation line
    N b. harbors and rivers to the outermost aids to navigation
    N c. waters along the coast of the United States to a distance of two miles offshore
    N d. None of the above

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

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

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

228: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    N a. law enforcement
    Y b. patrolling a regatta
    N c. hauling in pairs
    N d. river bank protection

260: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

4000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 75 meters in length and restricted in her ability to maneuver. Visibility is restricted. What signal do you sound if you are carrying out your work at anchor?

    N a. Five seconds ringing of a bell at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y b. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N c. Five seconds ringing of a bell and five second sounding of a gong at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. Four short blasts on the whistle at intervals of not more than two minutes

4004: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.

    N a. red and green sidelights only
    N b. a white stern light only
    Y c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. one all-round white light

4072: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 30-meter tug is underway and NOT towing. At night, this vessel must show sidelights and __________.

    Y a. one masthead light and a stern light
    N b. two masthead lights and a stern light
    N c. three masthead lights and a stern light
    N d. a stern light ONLY

4104: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when __________.

    N a. she can be observed by radar
    Y b. she can be observed visually from the other vessel
    N c. she can be plotted on radar well enough to determine her heading
    N d. her fog signal can be heard

4115: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

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

4133: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE when you are towing more than one barge astern at night?

    N a. Only the last barge in the tow must be lighted.
    N b. Only the first and last barges in the tow must be lighted.
    Y c. All barges in the tow must be lighted.
    N d. All barges, except unmanned barges, must be lighted.

4141: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and towing, your vessel enters fog. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    Y c. One prolonged blast and two short blasts
    N d. Three distinct blasts

4144: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel which is less than 7 meters in length and anchored in an area where other vessels do not normally navigate is __________.

    Y a. not required to show any anchor lights
    N b. required to show a flare-up light
    N c. required to show one white light
    N d. required to show sidelights and a stern light

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4199: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing must show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway
    N c. dead in the water
    Y d. underway and making way

4322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do you think a risk of collision exists?

    N a. A vessel is 22° on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22° abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

4411: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For the purpose of the Rules, except where otherwise required, the term __________.

    Y a. "vessel" includes seaplanes
    N b. "seaplane" includes nondisplacement craft
    N c. "vessel engaged in fishing" includes a vessel fishing with trolling lines
    N d. "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" includes fishing vessels

4551: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear when __________.

    N a. she is forward of the other vessel's beam
    N b. the overtaking situation becomes a crossing situation
    Y c. she is past and clear of the other vessel
    N d. the other vessel is no longer in sight

4567: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As shown, vessel "A", which is pushing ahead, and vessel "B" are crossing. Which is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 5 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is to port of vessel "B".
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because she is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel in this situation.

4569: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if __________.

    N a. she is the faster vessel
    Y b. the situation involves risk of collision
    N c. the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other
    N d. whistle signals have been sounded

4600: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. A sailing vessel becalmed

4838: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    N c. Whether the vessel is operating in a narrow channel
    Y d. The nature of the vessel's work, limiting maneuverability required by the Rules

5500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on a heading at as small an angle as is practical
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. use the separation zone for navigation through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft