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.


6: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying a flashing blue light is __________.


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.


56: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must remain in a narrow channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel from your starboard. You do not think she will pass safely. You MUST __________.


81: INLAND ONLY When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a current, which vessel shall sound the first passing signal?

    N a. The vessel going upstream stemming the current
    Y b. The vessel downbound with a following current
    N c. The vessel that is towing regardless of the current
    N d. Either vessel

147: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.
    N b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    Y d. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.

321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    N b. a diamond
    N c. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    Y d. two cones with apexes together

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

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. sailing vessel
    N d. power-driven vessel

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

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

4054: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "engaged in fishing" when __________.

    N a. her gear extends more than 100 meters from the vessel
    N b. she is using any type of gear, other than lines
    Y c. she is using fishing apparatus which restricts her maneuverability
    N d. she has any fishing gear on board

4095: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should keep to the __________.

    N a. middle of the channel
    Y b. starboard side of the channel
    N c. port side of the channel
    N d. side of the channel that has the widest turns

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

4214: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.

    N a. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. white masthead light
    N c. combined lantern
    Y d. stern light

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

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"

4316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation take action to avoid the other vessel?

    N a. When a risk of collision exists
    Y b. When action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent a collision
    N c. When the bearing to give-way vessel becomes steady
    N d. When the vessels become less than 1/2 mile apart

4349: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a vessel is engaged in fishing according to the definitions in the Rules, it will have __________.

    N a. gear extending from the side or stern
    Y b. gear that restricts maneuverability
    N c. less than 50 percent trolling lines
    N d. None of the above

4393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225° white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 135° white light
    Y c. Any available working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the fore part of the vessel, a 135° white light

4445: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a towing light above the stern light?

    N a. A vessel pushing three barges ahead
    N b. A vessel towing alongside
    Y c. A vessel with a 150-meter tow astern
    N d. None of the above

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

4471: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, when making way, show __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light and towing light
    Y d. All of the above

4532: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "power-driven vessel" refers to any vessel __________.

    N a. with propelling machinery onboard whether in use or not
    N b. making way against the current
    Y c. with propelling machinery in use
    N d. traveling at a speed greater than that of the current

4584: INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A vessel that is not equipped with towing lights should show that it has a vessel in tow by_________________.

    N a. continuously sounding its horn
    N b. sounding one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    Y c. shining a searchlight on the towline of the towed vessel
    N d. None of the above; a vessel shall not engage in towing at night without proper navigation lights

4701: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway
    N c. fishing vessel trawling
    N d. vessel at anchor warning of her location

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

4877: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    Y c. the danger signal
    N d. no signal and maneuver at will

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

8025: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle is to be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    N b. used prior to sounding the whistle
    N c. used only at night
    Y d. a white light

8092: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. alternating red and yellow light
    N b. alternating white and yellow light
    N c. all-round white or yellow light
    Y d. all-round white light only

8101: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. The term only applies to vessels in narrow channels.
    Y b. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A towing vessel with tow, unable to deviate from its course
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging