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.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


12: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the steering and sailing rules, you should __________.


51: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the Inland Navigation Rules?


82: INLAND ONLY A vessel leaving a dock or berth must sound a prolonged blast of the whistle only if __________.

    N a. other vessels can be seen approaching
    Y b. she is a power-driven vessel
    N c. visibility is restricted
    N d. her engines are going astern

150: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?

    N a. Three short blasts
    N b. A long blast
    Y c. A prolonged blast
    N d. No signal is required.

193: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "B" and crossing a narrow channel. Vessel "A", who can only navigate within the channel, is on your port bow and crossing as shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed as the ship is on your port bow.
    Y b. Give way to the other vessel.
    N c. Increase speed and cross his bow.
    N d. Sound the danger signal.

216: INLAND ONLY Signals shall be sounded by a power-driven vessel intending to overtake __________.

    N a. any vessel when within half a mile of that vessel
    Y b. another power-driven vessel when both power-driven vessels are in sight of one another
    N c. any vessel when both are in sight of one another
    N d. another power-driven vessel only when within half a mile of that power-driven vessel

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

247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

4026: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a distress signal?

    N a. Firing of green star shells
    N b. Sounding 5 short blasts on the whistle
    N c. Answering a one blast whistle signal with two blasts
    Y d. A flaming barrel of oil on deck

4061: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 26 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass under the stern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4062: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel navigating at night. You sight the red sidelight of another vessel on your port bow. The other vessel's after masthead light is to the right of her forward masthead light. You should __________.

    Y a. hold course and speed
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. stop engines
    N d. sound the danger signal

4114: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

    N a. Use of such a light is required.
    N b. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    Y c. It is only used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N d. All of the above

4119: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining a vessel's navigation lights may be shown on a __________.

    Y a. 15-meter sailing vessel
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel trolling
    N d. 25-meter pilot vessel

4134: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 9 )

    N a. Vessel "A"
    Y b. Vessel "B"
    N c. Neither vessel
    N d. Both vessels must keep clear of the other.

4140: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rule regarding look-outs applies __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. between dusk and dawn
    N c. in heavy traffic
    Y d. All of the above

4239: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approaching from the opposite direction. You should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. one long blast
    N d. five or more short blasts

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

4257: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is required 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 its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4263: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. manned vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel underway trawling
    N c. pilot vessel underway making a special signal
    N d. vessel not under command

4298: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

4407: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4513: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, you sight a vessel displaying three shapes in a vertical line. The top and bottom shapes are balls, and the middle shape is a diamond. It could be a __________.

    N a. vessel trolling
    N b. mineclearing vessel
    N c. trawler
    Y d. vessel engaged in replenishment at sea

4877: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    Y c. the danger signal
    N d. no signal and maneuver at will

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.

8075: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. Two short blasts followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y b. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts only
    N d. Two short blasts only

8111: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor. Visibility is restricted. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast only
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N d. the danger signal