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.


37: INLAND ONLY You are operating a vessel through a narrow channel and your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port, and you are in doubt as to her intentions. You __________.


94: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )


254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

260: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

283: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. seaplane
    N b. minesweeper
    Y c. dredge pipeline
    N d. vessel not under command

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

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

4002: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. sailboat underway
    N b. vessel underway, towing
    Y c. power-driven vessel underway, making way
    N d. vessel being towed

4031: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    Y a. engaged in fishing
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4057: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying the code flag "LIMA" below which is a red ball. The vessel is __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. getting ready to receive aircraft
    N c. aground
    Y d. in distress

4152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel with a 150-meter stern tow shall display __________.

    N a. three masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. a red light over a white light at the masthead

4154: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, is NOT required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4228: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a stand-on vessel FIRST allowed by the Rules to take action in order to avoid collision?

    N a. When the two vessels are less than half a mile from each other.
    Y b. When the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action to avoid collision.
    N c. When collision is imminent.
    N d. The stand-on vessel is never allowed to take action.

4243: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In reduced visibility, you hear two prolonged blasts of a whistle. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel dead in the water
    N b. sailing vessel on the port tack
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel fishing with nets

4285: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear another vessel sounding two prolonged blasts every two minutes. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. making way through the water
    N b. towing
    Y c. drifting
    N d. anchored

4321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could mean all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. towing astern
    N c. fishing with trawls
    Y d. being towed

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

4493: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and hear one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in succession. What is the meaning of this signal?

    N a. A vessel is in distress and needs assistance.
    N b. A vessel is fishing, hauling nets.
    Y c. A vessel is at anchor, warning of her position.
    N d. A vessel is towing.

4498: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the daytime, you see a large sailing vessel on the beam. You know that she is also propelled by machinery if she shows __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. a black ball
    Y c. a black cone
    N d. two black cones

4521: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, all of the following are engaged in fishing EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. setting nets
    N b. trawling
    N c. using a dredge net
    Y d. trolling

4607: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of vessels required to show two anchor lights?

    N a. 40 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 60 meters
    N d. 70 meters

4611: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which does not normally engage in towing operations, is towing a vessel in distress. She __________.

    Y a. need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so
    N b. may show the lights for a vessel not under command
    N c. must show a yellow light above the stern light
    N d. must show the lights for a vessel towing

4614: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A fishing vessel
    N b. A pilot vessel
    N c. A mineclearance vessel
    Y d. None of the above

4663: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for bell & gong signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    Y b. Manual sounding of the signals must always be possible.
    N c. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    N d. Signals must be able to be sounded manually and automatically.

4688: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the fog signal for a vessel 75 meters in length, restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor?

    Y a. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N b. Five second ringing of a bell at intervals of not more than one minute
    N c. Four short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N d. Five second ringing of a bell and five second sounding of a gong at intervals of not more than one minute

4718: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. fishing at anchor
    Y b. dredging while underway
    N c. transferring dangerous cargo at a berth
    N d. restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway but not making way

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case 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

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft