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.


90: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are in a starboard to starboard meeting situation and will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should each vessel take?


94: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.


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


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

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

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.

241: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all cases when passing within one half mile of each other.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional, and the vessels should pass starboard to starboard as agreed.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

380: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    Y a. dredge pipeline
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. vessel not under command

4023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is overtaking a tug and tow as shown. Which statement is CORRECT? (DIAGRAM 43 )

    N a. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is overtaking.
    N b. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is under sail.
    Y c. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is being overtaken.
    N d. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.

4047: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.

    N a. red light over a white light
    Y b. green light over a white light
    N c. yellow light over a red light
    N d. white light over a green light

4067: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. One white light
    Y d. Two green lights

4203: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you hear the firing of a gun at one minute intervals from another vessel, this indicates that __________.

    N a. the gun is being used to sound passing signals
    Y b. the vessel is in distress
    N c. all vessels are to clear the area
    N d. all is clear and it is safe to pass

4219: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. You must __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    N c. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y d. do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel

4234: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights, if any, would you exhibit at night if your vessel were broken down and being towed by another vessel?

    N a. None
    N b. Same lights as for a power-driven vessel underway
    N c. A white light forward and a white light aft
    Y d. The colored sidelights and a white stern light

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

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4294: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead show three flashes of a white light. This signal indicates that the vessel ahead is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. approaching a bend in the channel
    Y c. operating astern propulsion
    N d. intending to overtake another vessel

4309: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown on a partly submerged vessel which is being towed?

    Y a. A diamond
    N b. A cone
    N c. One black ball
    N d. Two black balls in a vertical line

4423: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    Y a. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N b. The vessel may be trolling.
    N c. The vessel shows 2 lights in a vertical line, white over red.
    N d. The vessel sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway, making no way.

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

4476: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying one green light. This light could indicate a __________.

    N a. vessel drifting
    N b. vessel at anchor
    N c. small motorboat underway
    Y d. sailboat underway

4573: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel shows the same lights as a __________.

    N a. vessel engaged in towing, when not underway
    N b. vessel towing astern
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are rigidly connected in a composite unit

4584: INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A vessel that is not equipped with towing lights should show that it has a vessel in tow by_________________.

    N a. continuously sounding its horn
    N b. sounding one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    Y c. shining a searchlight on the towline of the towed vessel
    N d. None of the above; a vessel shall not engage in towing at night without proper navigation lights

4598: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    Y a. one prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals
    N b. one prolonged and three short blasts at two-minute intervals
    N c. a rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one-minute intervals
    N d. a sounding of the bell and gong at one-minute intervals

4717: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night MAY show __________.

    N a. a green light over a red light
    N b. a red light over a white light
    N c. two white lights at the stern
    Y d. None of the above

4718: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. fishing at anchor
    Y b. dredging while underway
    N c. transferring dangerous cargo at a berth
    N d. restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway but not making way

4720: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    N b. at anchor and dredging
    Y c. underway and engaged in surveying operations
    N d. not under command and making way

4736: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is _____________ .

    N a. the last vessel in the tow
    Y b. the last vessel in the tow and it is carrying a crew
    N c. manned, regardless of its position in the tow
    N d. None of the above are correct

4847: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require which factor to be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    N b. The experience of the vessel's crew
    Y c. The location of vessels detected by radar
    N d. All of the above

8014: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel leaving a quay or wharf must sound what signal?

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