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.


8: INLAND ONLY If you were coming up on another power-driven vessel from dead astern and desired to overtake on the other vessel's starboard side, which whistle signal would you sound?


22: INLAND ONLY You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern of the other vessel. You MUST __________.


39: INLAND ONLY Which indicates the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


44: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a barge being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit?

    N a. Sidelights and a stern light
    Y b. Sidelights and a special flashing light
    N c. Sidelights, a towing light, and a stern light
    N d. Sidelights, a special flashing light, and a stern light

92: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, below the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights and stern light
    Y b. two masthead lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights and stern light

137: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying an alternating red and yellow light is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. enforcing the law
    Y c. engaged in public safety activities
    N d. restricted in its ability to maneuver

152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    N c. A trawler shooting nets in the direction indicated
    Y d. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters unable to deviate from course

177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    N a. dredge working at anchor
    N b. dredge restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. 55-meter tug towing astern, length of tow exceeds 200 meters
    Y d. 65-meter tug towing astern, length of tow 150 meters

253: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light(s) on the tug & barge will you see, if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. a special flashing light
    N b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. green sidelights
    Y d. All of the above

350: 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" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is overtaking a tug and tow as shown. Which statement is CORRECT? (DIAGRAM 43 )

    N a. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is overtaking.
    N b. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is under sail.
    Y c. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is being overtaken.
    N d. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.

4039: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see another vessel approaching, and its compass bearing does not significantly change. This would indicate that __________.

    N a. you are the stand-on vessel
    Y b. risk of collision exists
    N c. a special circumstances situation exists
    N d. the other vessel is dead in the water

4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    Y a. Searchlight beam
    N b. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus
    N c. Burning barrel
    N d. Orange smoke signal

4122: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation
    N b. The give-way vessel in a crossing situation
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4161: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A continuous sounding of a fog-signal apparatus indicates __________.

    Y a. the vessel is in distress
    N b. the vessel has completed loading dangerous cargo
    N c. it is safe to pass
    N d. the vessel is anchored

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4180: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel, when towing astern, shall show __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light in a vertical line above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in addition to the stern light
    N d. a small white light in lieu of the stern light

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4222: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are towing two barges astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the tug to the stern of the last barge is 150 meters. How many white towing identification lights should be displayed on the tugboat at night?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

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

4375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes of the bell. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor, giving warning
    Y b. aground
    N c. at anchor, greater than 100 meters
    N d. not under command at anchor

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

4443: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE in an overtaking situation?

    N a. An overtaking situation exists when one vessel is approaching another vessel from anywhere abaft the beam.
    N b. It is the duty of the vessel being overtaken to get out of the way.
    Y c. Any later change of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel.
    N d. All of the above

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4674: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in fog. Which vessel is "in sight"?

    Y a. A vessel that you can see from the bridge
    N b. A radar target of which you have determined the course and speed
    N c. A vessel from which you can hear the fog signal
    N d. All of the above

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

4859: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing in the narrow channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N b. The vessels are required to exchange signals.
    Y c. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

8067: 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 fishing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above

8072: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blasts
    Y c. four short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts