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.


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


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


225: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?


289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is less than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by day from the vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. ball-diamond-ball on the towing vessel
    N b. diamond on the towing vessel
    N c. diamond on the last barge
    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

350: 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 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

360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slow down
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. sound at least five short and rapid blasts

368: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is made up of inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels and is 150 meters in length. The towed vessels are less than 25 meters in breadth and less than 100 meters in length. Which lights would be displayed from the towed vessels? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. Sidelights and stern light on each vessel towed
    N b. One all round white light at the after end of each vessel towed
    Y c. One all round white light at or near each end of each vessel towed
    N d. One all round white light at each end and one all round white light at the extremities of its breadth of each vessel towed

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

4100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.

    N a. a masthead light forward, and two masthead lights in a vertical line aft
    Y b. three masthead lights forward and one aft
    N c. two masthead lights forward and no after masthead light
    N d. three masthead lights aft and none forward

4109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing in fog shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast every one minute
    N b. two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. one prolonged blast every two minutes

4121: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel engaged in fishing

4248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. Red flares or red rockets
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog signaling apparatus
    N c. International Code Flags "November" and "Charlie"
    Y d. Basket hanging in the rigging

4256: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes established by the International Maritime Organization __________.

    Y a. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N b. provide vessel reporting systems to assist in search and rescue in the event of a vessel casualty
    N c. provide routing and vessel scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargos from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

4290: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes of the bell. This signal is made by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor and giving warning
    Y b. aground
    N c. at anchor and greater than 100 meters in length
    N d. not under command and at anchor

4293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4405: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway but not making way and fishing other than trawling will show which lights?

    N a. A white light over a red light
    Y b. A red light over a white light
    N c. A white light over a red light, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. A red light over a white light, sidelights, and a stern light

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

4499: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 76 )

    Y a. trawling
    N b. laying submarine cable
    N c. towing astern
    N d. dredging

4503: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a masthead light abaft of and higher than her identifying lights?

    N a. A 55-meter vessel fishing
    Y b. A 55-meter vessel trawling
    N c. A 100-meter vessel not under command
    N d. A 20-meter vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4544: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant and is presently on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, accompanied by the appropriate whistle signal, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4628: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel displaying the day-shape shown is indicating that she is __________. (DIAGRAM 35 )

    Y a. being propelled by power as well as sail
    N b. on a starboard tack
    N c. close-hauled and has difficulty maneuvering
    N d. fishing as well as sailing

4631: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two barges are being pushed ahead by a tugboat. Which statement is TRUE concerning lights on the barges?

    N a. Each vessel should show sidelights.
    N b. Each vessel should show at least one white light.
    N c. The barges should be lighted as separate units.
    Y d. The barges should be lighted as one vessel.

4681: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. are not the same color as either side light
    N b. have a lesser range of visibility than the prescribed lights
    Y c. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

4871: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Your vessel is obligated to stay out of the way.
    N b. The other vessel must give way, since your vessel is stopped.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

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

8017: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a vessel trying to overtake another on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle signal of __________.

    N a. one short blast
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    Y d. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts