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.


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.


52: INLAND ONLY Whistle signals shall be exchanged by vessels in sight of one another when __________.


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?

    N a. Sound a one blast whistle signal and turn to starboard.
    N b. Maintain course and sound no signal.
    Y c. Sound a two blast whistle signal and maintain course.
    N d. Sound a three blast whistle signal and turn to port.

200: INLAND ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. and will pass without changing course. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. Which light will vessel "A" observe from vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. Green light
    N b. flashing red light
    Y c. flashing yellow light
    N d. flashing white light

338: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

727: INLAND ONLY Maneuvering signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.

    N a. all vessels when meeting, crossing, or overtaking and in sight of one another
    N b. all vessels meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and not in sight of one another
    Y c. power-driven vessels overtaking and in sight of one another
    N d. power-driven vessels crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and NOT in sight of one another

3683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require that a stand-on vessel SHALL take action to avoid collision when she determines that __________.

    N a. risk of collision exists
    N b. the other vessel will cross ahead of her
    N c. the other vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y d. collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's maneuver alone

4028: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?

    N a. The one with the wind closest abeam
    N b. The one with the wind closest astern
    N c. The one to leeward
    Y d. The one to windward

4066: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The wind is ESE, and a sailing vessel is steering NW. Which fog signal should she sound?

    N a. One blast at one-minute intervals
    N b. One blast at two-minute intervals
    N c. Two blasts at one-minute intervals
    Y d. One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals

4076: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a rowboat underway does NOT show the lights specified for a sailing vessel underway, it shall show a __________.

    N a. white light from sunset to sunrise
    N b. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown from sunset to sunrise
    N c. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown in sufficient time to prevent collision
    Y d. white light shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

4087: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light", by the definition given in the rules, is a light that __________.

    N a. is red in color
    N b. is visible over an arc of the horizon of 360°
    Y c. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N d. All of the above

4136: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power-driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horizon?

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4156: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" under the Rules of the Road?

    N a. A vessel at anchor with the engine running
    N b. A vessel with a line led to a tree onshore
    Y c. A vessel drifting with the engine off
    N d. A vessel aground

4178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.

    Y a. towing
    N b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. aground in a fairway
    N d. stopped and making no way through the water

4187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. power-driven vessel approaching on her starboard side
    N d. vessel fishing

4261: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What light(s), if any, would you show at night if your vessel was broken down and being towed astern 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

4272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel, when towing another vessel astern shall show the light(s) in Diagram __________. (DIAGRAMS 46, 54, 60 )

    N a. 75
    Y b. 60
    N c. 54
    N d. 46

4387: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 10°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. None of the above

4462: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel trawling
    N c. vessel at anchor warning of her location
    Y d. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway

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

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

4619: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate safely within a narrow channel?

    N a. Any vessel less than 20 meters in length
    N b. Any sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4630: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. reduce speed to bare steerageway
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    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

5200: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    N a. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    Y c. at as small an angle as possible
    N d. only to anchor within the zone

8007: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.

    N a. shown at the bow
    N b. white in color
    Y c. shown in addition to the stern light
    N d. an all-round light

8029: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. A black cone, apex downward
    N c. Two vertical black balls
    Y d. A cylinder

8050: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, so as to pass on the power-driven vessel's port side. The overtaken vessel will have to move to facilitate passage. The sailing vessel is the __________.

    N a. stand-on vessel and would sound two short blasts
    N b. give-way vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    N c. stand-on vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    Y d. give-way vessel and would sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts