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.


9: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning narrow channels?


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


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


68: INLAND ONLY Which is CORRECT regarding a "special flashing light"?

    N a. It must be yellow in color.
    N b. It must be placed as far forward as possible.
    N c. It must not show through an arc of more than 225°.
    Y d. All of the above

100: INLAND ONLY Only law enforcement vessels are permitted to show __________.

    N a. two red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a flashing yellow light
    N c. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    Y d. a flashing blue light

191: INLAND ONLY At night, you see the lights shown. They are shown on a __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )

    N a. bow of a barge being pushed ahead
    N b. stern of a barge being towed astern
    N c. masthead of a tug towing astern
    Y d. stern of a tug pushing ahead

295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel not under command

312: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. What should you do? (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. Proceed at full see speed through the two sets of double red lights.
    N b. Stop the vessel and await the red lights to change to green.
    Y c. Slow down and pass between the two sets of double red lights.
    N d. None of the above

4007: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you do NOT understand the course or intention of an approaching vessel you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    N b. one prolonged blast
    Y c. not less than five short blasts
    N d. not less than five prolonged blasts

4021: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal of three flashes means __________.

    N a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
    N b. "My engines are full speed astern"
    N c. "I desire to overtake you"
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4022: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway may exhibit __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

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

4125: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you saw flames aboard a vessel but could see the vessel was not on fire, you would know that the __________.

    N a. crew was trying to get warm
    Y b. vessel required immediate assistance
    N c. vessel was attempting to attract the attention of a pilot boat
    N d. vessel was being illuminated for identification by aircraft

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.

4146: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When taking action to avoid collision, you should __________.

    Y a. make sure the action is taken in enough time
    N b. not make any large course changes
    N c. not make any large speed changes
    N d. All of the above

4193: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter sailing vessel underway must exhibit a __________.

    Y a. stern light
    N b. combined lantern
    N c. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N d. All of the above

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

4278: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal consisting of three flashes means __________.

    N a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
    N b. "My engines are full speed astern"
    N c. "I desire to overtake you"
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

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

4344: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND "safe speed" is defined as that speed where __________.

    N a. you can stop within your visibility range
    Y b. you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
    N c. you are traveling slower than surrounding vessels
    N d. no wake comes from your vessel

4480: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

    N a. a small white light abaft the funnel
    N b. three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    N d. two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

4493: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and hear one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in succession. What is the meaning of this signal?

    N a. A vessel is in distress and needs assistance.
    N b. A vessel is fishing, hauling nets.
    Y c. A vessel is at anchor, warning of her position.
    N d. A vessel is towing.

4527: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are fishing at night, and you sight a vessel showing three lights in a vertical line. The upper and lower lights are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must keep out of the way of the other vessel.
    N b. The other vessel is responsible to keep out of your way.
    N c. The other vessel is at anchor.
    N d. The rule of special circumstances applies.

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

4590: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND 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

4595: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, would NOT be required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

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

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.

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal

8010: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. aground
    N c. dredging
    Y d. constrained by her draft