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.


5: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


120: INLAND ONLY What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show an after masthead light, if over 50 meters in length?


186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

232: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. should change course to the right
    N b. should slow down until vessel "A" has passed
    Y c. should hold her course and speed
    N d. may steer various courses and vessel "A" must keep clear

369: 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
    N b. overtaking vessel
    Y c. give-way vessel
    N d. None of the above

3683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require that a stand-on vessel SHALL take action to avoid collision when she determines that __________.

    N a. risk of collision exists
    N b. the other vessel will cross ahead of her
    N c. the other vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y d. collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's maneuver alone

4068: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the situation illustrated, vessel I is a power-driven vessel. Vessel II is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Which statement about this situation is correct? (DIAGRAM 2 )

    Y a. Vessel I should keep out of the way of Vessel II.
    N b. Vessel II should keep out of the way of Vessel I.
    N c. Vessel II would normally be the stand-on vessel, but should stay out of the way in this particular situation.
    N d. The Rules of Special Circumstances applies, and neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4091: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An authorized light to assist in the identification of submarines operating on the surface is a(n) __________.

    N a. blue rotating light
    Y b. intermittent flashing amber/yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing sidelight

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4166: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

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

4194: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you are towing a partly submerged vessel, 20 meters in length and 4 meters in breadth. What lights must you display on the towed vessel?

    N a. A white light at the stern
    N b. Two white lights side by side at the stern
    Y c. A white light at the forward end and a white light at the after end
    N d. Two red lights in a vertical line at the after end

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

4254: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

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

4272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel, when towing another vessel astern shall show the light(s) in Diagram __________. (DIAGRAMS 46, 54, 60 )

    N a. 75
    Y b. 60
    N c. 54
    N d. 46

4278: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal consisting 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"

4280: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Vessel II is a power-driven vessel trawling. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 33 )

    Y a. Vessel I is to keep clear because the other vessel is fishing.
    N b. Vessel II is to keep clear because she is a power-driven vessel.
    N c. Vessel II is to keep clear because the other vessel is to its starboard.
    N d. Both vessels are to take action to stay clear of each other.

4309: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown on a partly submerged vessel which is being towed?

    Y a. A diamond
    N b. A cone
    N c. One black ball
    N d. Two black balls in a vertical line

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4526: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. Risk of collision never exists if the compass bearing of the other vessel is changing.
    Y b. Proper use shall be made of radar equipment to determine risk of collision.
    N c. Risk of collision must be determined before any action can be taken by a vessel.
    N d. Risk of collision exists if the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other.

4540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 58 )

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length
    N c. fishing vessel at anchor
    N d. sailboat

4558: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 22.5°
    Y b. 67.5°
    N c. 112.5°
    N d. 135.0°

4565: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the other side. A vessel on the other side of the bend sounds one prolonged blast. You should __________.

    N a. sound passing signals
    N b. not sound any signal until you sight the other vessel
    Y c. sound a prolonged blast
    N d. sound the danger signal

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

4610: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?

    Y a. Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
    N b. Make a large course change to starboard
    N c. Slow your vessel
    N d. Back your vessel

4693: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

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

4713: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    Y a. Whistle and bell only
    N b. Whistle only
    N c. Bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4865: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to starboard is within the channel and crossing your course. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the cargo vessel
    N d. do not cross the channel

5300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is located between the scheme and the nearest land
    Y b. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    N d. contains all the traffic moving in the same direction