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.


65: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. Which whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


76: INLAND ONLY A special flashing light is used on a vessel(s) __________.


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?


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

122: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

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

126: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.

    N a. the waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
    Y b. the Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
    N c. the coastline of the United States, out to one mile offshore
    N d. any lakes within state boundaries

158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. dredging while underway
    Y b. not under command
    N c. engaged in trawling
    N d. engaged in mineclearance

163: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. alternately flashing blue and red light
    Y d. alternately flashing red and yellow light

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

260: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

364: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    Y c. stand-on vessel
    N d. overtaking vessel

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All 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

4080: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway, in fog, when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate a vessel __________.

    Y a. not under command
    N b. being towed
    N c. aground
    N d. All of the above

4104: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when __________.

    N a. she can be observed by radar
    Y b. she can be observed visually from the other vessel
    N c. she can be plotted on radar well enough to determine her heading
    N d. her fog signal can be heard

4110: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Continuous sounding of a fog whistle by a vessel is a signal __________.

    N a. that the vessel is anchored
    N b. to request the draw span of a bridge to be opened
    Y c. of distress
    N d. that the vessel is broken down and drifting

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4298: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

4333: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The arc of visibility for sidelights is from right ahead to __________.

    Y a. 22.5° abaft the beam
    N b. abeam
    N c. 22.5° forward of the beam
    N d. 135° abaft the beam

4342: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights prescribed by the Rules shall be exhibited __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. from sunset to sunrise, and at no other time
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4343: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision may exist __________.

    N a. if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does NOT appreciably change
    N b. even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a vessel at close range
    N c. if you observe both sidelights of a vessel ahead for an extended period of time
    Y 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

4574: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT show her sidelights?

    Y a. A fishing vessel that is not making way
    N b. A sailing vessel which is becalmed
    N c. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N d. A vessel that is not under command making way

4854: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. sound a signal of one prolonged blast
    Y b. make a large course change
    N c. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

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

4875: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a signal of __________.

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

8002: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is true concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    Y a. She must be a power-driven vessel.
    N b. She is not under command.
    N c. She may be a vessel being towed.
    N d. She is hampered because of her work.

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

8096: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    N a. three all-round red lights instead of the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N b. the same lights as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. three all-round red lights in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N d. the lights for a power-driven vessel which is not under command