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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


223: 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?


272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "A" is a sailing vessel. Vessel "B" is a power-driven vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Vessel "B" sounds the danger signal. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N c. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. have the right of way

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

4120: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. two cones with bases together
    N c. a cone, apex downward
    Y d. two cones, apexes together

4139: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing
    Y b. Trawling
    N c. Minesweeping
    N d. Dredging

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4189: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying the day signal shown. The vessel may be __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. not under command
    N b. fishing with trawls
    Y c. laying cable
    N d. aground

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

4213: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning whistle signals is FALSE?

    N a. When a pushing vessel and a vessel pushed are connected in a composite unit, the unit sounds the fog signal of a power-driven vessel.
    N b. A vessel at anchor may sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast.
    N c. A pilot vessel may sound an identity signal on the whistle.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in towing in fog shall sound a fog signal at intervals of one minute.

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

4397: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a vessel fishing must keep out of the way of a vessel which is __________.

    N a. under sail
    N b. towing
    Y c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. engaged in pilotage duty

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.

4502: 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
    N c. in a narrow channel
    Y d. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing

4502: 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
    N c. in a narrow channel
    Y d. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing

4537: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is on course 000°T. Vessel "B" is on a course such that she is involved in a head-on situation and is bearing 355°T, 2 miles away from vessel "A". To ensure a safe passing, vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. maintain course
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. alter course to ensure a starboard to starboard passing
    Y d. maneuver to ensure a port to port passing

4550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning an overtaking situation is correct?

    N a. The overtaking vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N b. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N c. The overtaking vessel must maintain course and speed.
    Y d. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the other.

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

4596: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape is __________. (DIAGRAM 13 )

    N a. fishing
    N b. towing
    N c. being towed
    Y d. anchored

4617: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel shall __________.

    N a. avoid crossing the channel at right angles
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    Y c. keep as near as safe and practicable to the limit of the channel on her starboard side
    N d. when nearing a bend in the channel, sound a long blast of the whistle

4658: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 60-meter vessel which is trawling is required to show how many white masthead lights at night?

    Y a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4673: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Either vessel in a meeting situation
    N b. The give-way vessel in a crossing situation
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

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

4863: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The fishing vessel must sound the danger signal.
    Y b. The fishing vessel shall not impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Both vessels should be displaying the signal for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

6560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme is forbidden to __________.

    Y a. proceed through an inappropriate traffic lane
    N b. engaged in fishing in the separation zone
    N c. cross a traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone, even in a emergency

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

8024: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is required to be sounded by a power-driven vessel ONLY?

    Y a. A signal meaning, "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. A signal meaning, "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side."
    N c. A signal meaning that the vessel sounding it is in doubt as to the other vessel's actions.
    N d. A signal sounded when approaching a bend.

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"

8073: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to PASS on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    Y c. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. two short blasts