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.


53: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on the starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals you should __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )


107: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. What whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a dredge underway and not dredging? (DIAGRAM 72 )


231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. vessel being overtaken
    N c. passing vessel
    N d. None of the above

233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. and will pass without changing course. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. Which light will vessel "A" observe from vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. Green light
    N b. flashing red light
    Y c. flashing yellow light
    N d. flashing white light

301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. engaged in submarine operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. towing astern

311: INLAND ONLY Identify the operation indicated by the lights exhibited as shown. (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. Aircraft carrier engaged in the launching and recovery of aircraft
    N b. A submarine engaged in underway replenishment
    N c. A vessel aground assisted by tugs
    Y d. None of the above

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

4030: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The NAVIGATION RULES define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

4034: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    Y a. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

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

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4126: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, when it is impracticable for a small vessel engaged in diving operations to display the shapes for a vessel engaged in underwater operations, she shall display __________.

    N a. three black balls in a vertical line
    N b. two red balls in a vertical line
    N c. a black cylinder
    Y d. a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A"

4163: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 22° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists you must __________.

    Y a. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N c. alter the course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side

4193: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter sailing vessel underway must exhibit a __________.

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

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

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

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

4377: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of __________.

    N a. two to four seconds duration
    Y b. four to six seconds duration
    N c. six to eight seconds duration
    N d. eight to ten seconds duration

4404: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to change course shall, when making way, exhibit __________.

    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

4409: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel or object being towed astern shall display a(n) __________.

    N a. forward masthead light
    N b. after masthead light
    Y c. stern light
    N d. All of the above

4415: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may be used by a vessel that is in doubt as to whether sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

4503: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a masthead light abaft of and higher than her identifying lights?

    N a. A 55-meter vessel fishing
    Y b. A 55-meter vessel trawling
    N c. A 100-meter vessel not under command
    N d. A 20-meter vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4539: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. a green star signal
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

4543: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which situation would be a "special circumstance" under the Rules?

    N a. Vessel at anchor
    Y b. More than two vessels meeting
    N c. Speed in fog
    N d. Two vessels crossing

4589: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are operating in restricted visibility and hear a signal of a rapidly ringing bell followed by the rapid sounding of a gong. It could be a __________.

    N a. 30-meter sail vessel at anchor
    N b. 150-meter power-driven vessel aground
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. 300-meter power-driven vessel at anchor

4664: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You MUST __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. initiate an exchange of passing signals

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

8024: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is required to be sounded by a power-driven vessel ONLY?

    Y a. A signal meaning, "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. A signal meaning, "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side."
    N c. A signal meaning that the vessel sounding it is in doubt as to the other vessel's actions.
    N d. A signal sounded when approaching a bend.

8088: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two all-round red lights at the masthead
    Y d. two masthead lights in a vertical line