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.


22: INLAND ONLY You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern of the other vessel. You MUST __________.


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


168: 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 )


170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y b. vessel crossing from your port
    N c. vessel being overtaken
    N d. vessel meeting head-on

197: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape when the length of the tow is 200 meters or less
    N b. diamond shape when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

251: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    Y 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 vessels should pass starboard to starboard and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

262: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.

    Y a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
    N b. meeting within one mile of each other
    N c. meeting or crossing at any distance
    N d. crossing within one mile of each other

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

377: 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
    Y b. SE
    N c. SW
    N d. NW

4006: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is approaching a bend. You hear a prolonged blast from around the bend. You should __________.

    N a. back your engines
    N b. stop your engines and drift
    Y c. answer with one prolonged blast
    N d. sound the danger signal

4034: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    Y a. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

4050: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.

    N a. black diamond
    Y b. black cone
    N c. black ball
    N d. basket

4138: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.

    N a. white lights are not used
    N b. red and green lights are not used
    N c. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone
    Y d. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules

4139: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing
    Y b. Trawling
    N c. Minesweeping
    N d. Dredging

4155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.

    N a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
    N b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
    N c. tow is less than 200 meters
    Y d. tow is greater than 200 meters

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4330: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a short blast, a prolonged blast, and a short blast of a whistle. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel towing in fog
    N b. sailboat underway in fog
    N c. vessel being towed in fog
    Y d. vessel anchored in fog

4335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. sailing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

4353: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel that is to keep out of the way of another vessel must take positive early action to comply with this obligation and must __________.

    Y a. avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel
    N b. avoid passing astern of the other vessel
    N c. sound one prolonged blast to indicate compliance
    N d. alter course to port for a vessel on her port side

4412: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

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

4431: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 50 meters in length at anchor must sound which fog signal?

    Y a. 5-second ringing of a bell every minute
    N b. 5-second ringing of a bell every two minutes
    N c. 5-second sounding of a gong every minute
    N d. 5-second sounding of both a bell and gong every two minutes

4466: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
    Y c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light

4480: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

    N a. a small white light abaft the funnel
    N b. three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    N d. two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

4496: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing is required to 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

4539: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. a green star signal
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

4675: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a meeting situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

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

4872: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. As soon as you determine that risk of collision exists
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    Y c. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel

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

8029: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. A black cone, apex downward
    N c. Two vertical black balls
    Y d. A cylinder

8090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light is ____________ .

    N a. shown below the stern light
    N b. white in color
    N c. displayed at the masthead
    Y d. a yellow light having the same characteristics as the stern light