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?


38: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the rules, you should exchange __________.


74: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT used in the Inland Navigation Rules?


89: 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 __________.

    N a. may sound the danger signal
    Y b. must sound the danger signal
    N c. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N d. are required to back down

103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    Y b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

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

    N a. the waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
    Y b. the Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
    N c. the coastline of the United States, out to one mile offshore
    N d. any lakes within state boundaries

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

269: 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 "A" 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. All of the above

389: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

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

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4021: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal of three flashes means __________.

    N a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
    N b. "My engines are full speed astern"
    N c. "I desire to overtake you"
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4038: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A bell is used to sound a fog signal for a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. sailing vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel not under command

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

4086: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and approaching vessel "B" as shown. You are not sure whether your vessel is crossing or overtaking vessel "B". You should __________. (DIAGRAM 15 )

    N a. change course to make the situation definitely either crossing or overtaking
    N b. consider it to be a crossing situation
    Y c. consider it to be an overtaking situation
    N d. consider it a crossing situation if you can cross ahead safely

4143: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a towing light when a towing vessel is towing astern?

    N a. When a towing light is shown, no stern light is necessary.
    N b. When a stern light is shown, no towing light is necessary.
    N c. The towing light is shown below the stern light.
    Y d. The towing light is shown above the stern light.

4186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown. (DIAGRAM 1 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

4225: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A single towing light will be carried above a vessel's stern light __________.

    Y a. only if she is towing astern
    N b. only if the tow exceeds 200 meters
    N c. at any time when towing
    N d. if the towing vessel is part of a composite unit

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

4395: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights displayed indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 73 )

    N a. fishing vessel trolling
    N b. vessel laying submarine cable
    Y c. vessel towing astern
    N d. vessel dredging

4424: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels approach from opposite directions
    Y b. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N c. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

4444: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards?

    N a. A 10-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. A 15-meter vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 20-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above

4494: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel on pilotage duty must show which light(s) at night?

    N a. A stern light only
    N b. Anchor lights only
    N c. A white light over a red light only
    Y d. A white light over a red light and anchor lights

4564: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    Y b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N d. A vessel not under command

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.

4640: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    Y a. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
    N b. The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
    N c. The larger vessel
    N d. The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal

4700: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "length" refer to?

    N a. Length between the perpendiculars
    Y b. Length overall
    N c. Waterline length
    N d. Registered length

4733: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A distress signal __________.

    N a. consists of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    N b. consists of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    Y c. may be used separately or with other distress signals
    N d. is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

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

4846: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In determining "safe speed", the Rules list all of the following as factors which must be taken into account EXCEPT the __________.

    N a. limitations of radar equipment
    N b. presence of background lights at night
    Y c. maximum horsepower of your vessel
    N d. maneuverability of your vessel

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area