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.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as shown, with the yellow lights flashing. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )


115: INLAND ONLY What is true of a "special flashing light"?

    Y a. It may show through an arc of 180°.
    N b. It flashes at the rate of 120 flashes per minute.
    N c. It is optional below the Baton Rouge Highway Bridge.
    N d. All of the above

174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. They could indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 71 )

    N a. under sail and power
    N b. dredging while underway
    N c. fishing with nets extending more than 150 meters
    Y d. power-driven and approaching head-on

237: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. no whistle signal
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. at least five short and rapid blasts

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

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

317: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a pilot boat
    N b. sailing
    N c. anchored
    Y d. fishing

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

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

4015: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 95-meter vessel aground sounds which fog signal?

    N a. A rapid ringing of a bell for 5 seconds every two minutes
    N b. A whistle signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. A prolonged blast of the whistle at intervals not to exceed one minute
    Y d. A rapid ringing of a bell for 5 seconds, preceded and followed by three separate and distinct strokes on the bell

4031: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    Y a. engaged in fishing
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4044: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel's green sidelight bearing due east from you. The vessel might be heading __________.

    N a. east (090°)
    N b. northeast (045°)
    N c. northwest (315°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

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.

4218: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day signal shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 7 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. a dredge underway and dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. a hydrographic survey vessel underway

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4346: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed at night must show __________.

    N a. a white all-round light, only
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a flashing yellow light, only
    N d. forward and after masthead lights

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

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

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

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

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

4551: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear when __________.

    N a. she is forward of the other vessel's beam
    N b. the overtaking situation becomes a crossing situation
    Y c. she is past and clear of the other vessel
    N d. the other vessel is no longer in sight

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

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

4732: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    Y c. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing
    N d. in a narrow channel

4828: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are other vessels in the vicinity
    N b. operating in a traffic separation scheme
    N c. engaged in a situation involving more than two vessels
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

6550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    Y a. at as small an angle as possible
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    N c. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N d. never

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel

8031: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    Y b. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N c. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    N d. All of the above