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.


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


21: INLAND ONLY The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation sounds one short blast of the whistle. This means that the vessel __________.


67: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


117: INLAND ONLY Which is a characteristic of a "special flashing light"?

    N a. It is required for all vessels being pushed ahead as part of a composite unit.
    Y b. It must show through an arc of not less than 180° nor more than 225°.
    N c. It must be of the same character and construction as the masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

119: INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. Two all-round yellow lights at each end of the tow
    Y c. The beam of a search light from the towing vessel shown in the direction of the tow
    N d. All of the above

204: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are in a crossing situation on the high seas as shown. Vessel "B" sounds one short blast. What is the proper action for vessel "A" to take? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Answer with one blast and hold course and speed
    Y b. Hold course and speed
    N c. Answer with one blast and keep clear of vessel "B"
    N d. Sound danger signal

313: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. Where should you pass? (DIAGRAM 85 )

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

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making 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.

4107: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear, passing at a safe distance
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

4109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing in fog shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast every one minute
    N b. two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. one prolonged blast every two minutes

4168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel signals her distress by means of a gun or other explosive signal, the firing should be at intervals of approximately __________.

    N a. 10 minutes
    Y b. 1 minute
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 3 minutes

4211: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a stand-on vessel to take action in a situation, she must determine that the other vessel __________.

    N a. is restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. has sounded the danger signal
    Y c. is not taking appropriate action
    N d. has not changed course since risk of collision was determined

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

4277: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a fog when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    Y a. being towed
    N b. not under command
    N c. fishing with trawls
    N d. towing astern

4286: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 69 )

    Y a. engaged in trawling
    N b. minesweeping
    N c. under sail
    N d. a pilot boat

4363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. broken down
    N b. anchored
    Y c. towing
    N d. fishing

4367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would NOT be a distress signal?

    N a. "MAYDAY" sent by radiotelephone
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog horn
    Y c. Green star shells fired from a launcher
    N d. Square flag and ball in a vertical line

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4439: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Signals required for vessels aground include __________.

    N a. by night, the anchor lights for a vessel of her length, and three red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a short, a prolonged, and a short blast
    Y c. by day, three black balls in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

4505: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels of less than what length may not impede the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. 10 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 30 meters
    N d. 40 meters

4603: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?

    Y a. A stern light
    N b. A masthead light
    N c. Not under command lights
    N d. Range lights

4606: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power driven vessel when towing and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit during daylight hours where they can best be seen which of the following shapes?

    Y a. a diamond shape
    N b. two cones, apexes together
    N c. a black ball
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4845: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What represents the length of a vessel as defined by the Rules? (DIAGRAM 86 )

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

4870: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    N a. Any time the danger signal is sounded
    N b. When two power-driven vessels are crossing and it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y c. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on
    N d. All of the above

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.

8020: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8042: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. A vessel on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

8052: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting. A two blast whistle signal by either vessel means __________.

    N a. "I intend to alter course to port"
    N b. "I desire to pass starboard to starboard"
    N c. "I desire to pass port to port"
    Y d. "I am altering course to port"

8129: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. A vessel constrained by her draft shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y d. 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.