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.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.


71: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a power-driven vessel, bound downstream, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


123: INLAND ONLY What is not contained in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. An inconspicuous, partly submerged object
    N b. Lights on pipelines
    Y c. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N d. An air-cushion vessel

144: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

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

157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. engaged in fishing
    Y c. not under command
    N d. on pilotage duty

343: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N d. None of the above

345: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    Y c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N d. None of the above

4053: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to __________.

    Y a. alter course to starboard and pass port to port
    N b. alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
    N c. decide on which side the passage will occur by matching whistle signals
    N d. slow to bare steerageway

4123: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A vessel towing
    N b. A vessel engaged in pilotage duty
    N c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel aground

4131: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?

    N a. Two balls
    N b. Two diamonds
    N c. One ball
    Y d. One diamond

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are 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

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4197: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall show two red lights in a vertical line and __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, sidelights and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

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

4403: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown by a vessel over 20 meters fishing which has gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outward from it?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. One diamond shape
    Y c. One cone with its apex upwards
    N d. One basket

4416: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

    N a. must be displayed when day signals are being used
    N b. must be displayed when moored to a pier
    N c. may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
    Y d. may be displayed during daylight

4423: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    Y a. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N b. The vessel may be trolling.
    N c. The vessel shows 2 lights in a vertical line, white over red.
    N d. The vessel sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway, making no way.

4488: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and navigate with caution
    N b. stay in the middle of the channel
    N c. sound passing signals to any other vessel that may be on the other side of the bend
    Y d. sound a whistle blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration

4528: 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 her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

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.

4660: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow. You should __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound the danger signal at two-minute intervals
    N c. hold course and speed until the other vessel is sighted
    Y d. take avoiding action as soon as possible

4678: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    Y a. Intermittent flashing amber (yellow) beacon for submarines
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights indicating mine clearance operations
    N c. Red-white-red lights in a vertical line for a carrier, launching aircraft
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4721: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel when anchored at night, would not be required to show anchor lights?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N b. A vessel engaged in mine clearance
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in survey operations

4850: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

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

4860: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shows special identity lights __________.

    Y a. in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel
    N b. which means that other vessels should not approach closer than 500 meters on either side of the vessel
    N c. that are green and show through an arc of the horizon of 225°
    N d. All of the above

8032: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Under what circumstances 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

8118: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of intent must be sounded in international waters by __________.

    N a. a vessel meeting another head-on
    Y b. a vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N c. a vessel crossing the course of another
    N d. the give-way vessel in a crossing situation