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.


242: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on Vessel "A" engaged in fishing as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" is a tanker proceeding in the channel. Vessel "B" sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )


296: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )


328: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "D" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )


358: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    Y d. None of the above

401: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. take action to permit safe passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    N d. None of the above

4025: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. She should sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    N d. two prolonged blasts

4045: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when she can see at night __________.

    Y a. only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. a sidelight and one masthead light of the vessel
    N c. only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. any lights except the masthead lights of the vessel

4077: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor shall display, between sunrise and sunset, on the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen __________.

    Y a. one black ball
    N b. two black balls
    N c. one red ball
    N d. two orange and white balls

4173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.

    Y a. towing
    N b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. aground in a fairway
    N d. stopped and making no way through the water

4217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A man aboard a vessel, signaling by raising and lowering his outstretched arms to each side, is indicating __________.

    N a. danger, stay away
    N b. all is clear, it is safe to pass
    N c. the vessel is anchored
    Y d. a distress signal

4276: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel enters fog. You stop your engines and the vessel is dead in the water. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    N c. Three short blasts every two minutes
    N d. One prolonged and three short blasts every two minutes

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4378: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While you are underway, navigation lights must be displayed on your vessel __________.

    Y a. during all periods of restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. at night only when other vessels may be in the area
    N d. at night only when vessels are detected on radar

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

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

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

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

4602: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal consisting of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would indicate the presence of a __________.

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

4605: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines
    Y b. alter course to starboard
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. back down

4655: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessels shall turn off their sidelights?

    N a. All vessels that are not under command
    Y b. All fishing vessels that are not making way
    N c. All sailing vessels which are becalmed
    N d. All vessels engaged in underwater operations

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

4724: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. trawling
    N b. not under command
    Y c. anchored
    N d. drifting

4737: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    Y a. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N b. hold your course and speed if she is on your port bow
    N c. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    N d. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

4739: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y c. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.

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

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

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

8002: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is true concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    Y a. She must be a power-driven vessel.
    N b. She is not under command.
    N c. She may be a vessel being towed.
    N d. She is hampered because of her work.

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

8116: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above