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.


62: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )


125: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel making way in dense fog. You observe what appears to be another vessel on radar half a mile distant on your port bow and closing. You must __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    N b. exchange passing signals
    Y c. sound one prolonged blast
    N d. sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast

238: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown but are not in sight of one another due to restricted visibility. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Both vessels should sound two short blasts.
    N b. Both vessels should sound one short blast.
    N c. Vessel "A" should sound one short blast and vessel "B" should sound two short blasts.
    Y d. None of the above statements is TRUE.

268: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown and will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Two short blasts from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I am altering my course to port."
    N d. "I am altering my course to starboard."

349: 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 short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

4043: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the watch officer on a power-driven vessel and notice a large sailing vessel approaching from astern. You should __________.

    N a. slow down
    N b. sound one short blast and change course to starboard
    N c. sound two short blasts and change course to port
    Y d. hold your course and speed

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

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

4197: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall show two red lights in a vertical line and __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, sidelights and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4202: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the following signal: one short blast, one prolonged blast and one short blast in succession. Which of the following would it be?

    N a. A sailing vessel underway with the wind abaft the beam
    N b. A power-driven vessel underway and making way through the water
    Y c. A vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel towing

4233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you must __________.

    Y a. slow to bare steerageway and navigate with caution
    N b. sound three short blasts and back your engines
    N c. stop your engines and navigate with caution
    N d. continue on your course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

4282: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 63 )

    Y a. towing astern
    N b. underway and more than 50 meters in length
    N c. broken down
    N d. fishing

4305: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

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

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4469: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal in fog if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. no longer on pilotage duty

4500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is stopped and making no way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4516: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. Sailing vessel
    N d. Vessel towing

4531: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel enters fog. You stop your engines, and the vessel is dead in the water. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    N c. Three short blasts every two minutes
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes

4559: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground at night is required to show two red lights in a vertical line as well as __________.

    N a. not under command lights
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver lights
    Y c. anchor lights
    N d. sidelights and a stern light

4560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.

    N a. only the last barge on the tow must be lighted
    N b. only the first and the last barges in the tow must be lighted
    Y c. each barge in the tow must be lighted
    N d. only manned barges must be lighted

4627: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway you sight a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. contact the vessel on VHF radiotelephone
    N b. provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. stay clear, the other vessel cannot get out of the way
    N d. stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4635: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.

    N a. three balls in a vertical line
    N b. two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. one ball near the foremast and one ball at each fore yard
    N d. one diamond near the foremast head and one ball at each fore yard

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.

4672: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N b. Radio transmissions may be used in place of the danger signal.
    Y c. A vessel in doubt as to the other vessel's intentions must sound the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 5 or more prolonged blasts of the whistle.

4697: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three barges astern in restricted visibility. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged and two short blasts
    N b. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. no fog signal

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

5500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on a heading at as small an angle as is practical
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. use the separation zone for navigation through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

8005: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in charge of a 250-meter freight vessel constrained by her draft proceeding down a narrow channel. There is a vessel engaged in fishing on your starboard bow half a mile away. According to Rule 9, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are not to impede the fishing vessel.
    Y b. If you are in doubt as to the fishing vessel's intentions you may sound at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle.
    N c. You are to slow to bare steerageway until clear of the fishing vessel.
    N d. You must sound one prolonged blast to alert the fishing vessel.