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.


64: INLAND ONLY At night, which lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


80: INLAND ONLY While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.


157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )


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

    Y a. 40-meter tug with tow exceeding 200 meters
    N b. tug unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. range marking a channel beneath a drawbridge
    N d. 60-meter tug pushing a barge ahead

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

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

225: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    N a. One
    N b. None
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    Y d. Two

265: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing. The vessels will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed.
    Y c. Sound one short blast, turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound one short blast and hold course and speed.

287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. dredge
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. power-driven vessel pushing ahead
    Y d. None of the above

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

    N a. white masthead light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

338: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    Y b. one short blast
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    N d. two short blasts

352: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing blue light
    Y b. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red 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

4105: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    Y a. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N b. When each is on a different tack, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

4108: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At specified intervals, a vessel towing in fog shall sound __________.

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

4189: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying the day signal shown. The vessel may be __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. not under command
    N b. fishing with trawls
    Y c. laying cable
    N d. aground

4274: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

    N a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
    N b. two black balls
    N c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
    Y d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

4306: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is directed not to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about a 25-meter auxiliary sailboat is TRUE?

    N a. The sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern.
    N b. When operating under sail, her fog signal would consist of one prolonged blast.
    N c. She may show a green light over a red light at the masthead.
    Y d. She must show fixed sidelights.

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

4436: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A white masthead light shows through an arc of how many degrees?

    N a. 90°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225°
    N d. 360°

4485: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of collision may exist. You should __________.

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

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4557: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?

    N a. Both vessels must be power-driven.
    N b. They must be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses.
    N c. The situation must involve risk of collision.
    Y d. All of the above

4661: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a towing vessel which, due to the nature of her work, is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. By day, she shall carry a black cylinder shape.
    N b. By day, she shall carry two black balls in a vertical line.
    N c. By night, she would show the same lights as a vessel not under command.
    Y d. By day, she would show the same shapes as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4662: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" (towing) and vessel "B" are meeting as shown. In this situation, which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should hold course while vessel "B" alters course to starboard.
    N d. Vessel "A" is the stand-on in this situation.

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. 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 c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4818: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shows special identity lights __________.

    N a. instead of the masthead lights
    Y b. which mean that other vessels should not approach within 1000 meters
    N c. that are 225° green lights
    N d. All of the above

8004: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.

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

8040: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel may NOT exhibit two red lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A trawler fishing in close proximity to other trawlers
    N c. A vessel aground
    N d. A dredge

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A towing vessel with tow, unable to deviate from its course
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging