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.


25: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will sound a whistle signal of __________.


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 __________.


93: INLAND ONLY While underway in a harbor you hear a vessel sound a prolonged blast. This signal indicates that this vessel __________.


134: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. Neither vessel has the right-of-way.
    Y b. She has the right-of-way only if she is power-driven.
    N c. She does not have the right-of-way, since the other vessel is not crossing the river.
    N d. She must wait for a whistle signal from the upbound vessel.

186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

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

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

728: 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 __________.

    N a. river bank protection
    N b. conducting submarine operations
    Y c. firefighting
    N d. law enforcement

4013: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 11 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

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"

4075: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4117: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. air cushion vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N c. vessel towing a submerged object
    N d. vessel engaged in diving operations

4149: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 84 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. showing improper lights
    N c. towing
    N d. dredging

4155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.

    N a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
    N b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
    N c. tow is less than 200 meters
    Y d. tow is greater than 200 meters

4208: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is __________.

    Y a. in doubt that another vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid a collision
    N b. altering course to starboard
    N c. altering course to port
    N d. the stand-on vessel and will maintain course and speed

4239: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approaching from the opposite direction. You should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. one long blast
    N d. five or more short blasts

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

4360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed
    N b. Provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. Stay clear, the other vessel is maneuvering with difficulty
    N d. Stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4487: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

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

4557: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?

    N a. Both vessels must be power-driven.
    N b. They must be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses.
    N c. The situation must involve risk of collision.
    Y d. All of the above

4577: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about the Navigation Rules is TRUE?

    N a. The rules require vessels to comply with Traffic Separation Scheme regulations.
    N b. The rules use the term "safe speed."
    N c. The Rules permit a stand-on vessel to take action prior to being in extremis.
    Y d. All of the above are correct.

4577: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about the Navigation Rules is TRUE?

    N a. The rules require vessels to comply with Traffic Separation Scheme regulations.
    N b. The rules use the term "safe speed."
    N c. The Rules permit a stand-on vessel to take action prior to being in extremis.
    Y d. All of the above are correct.

4607: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of vessels required to show two anchor lights?

    N a. 40 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 60 meters
    N d. 70 meters

4644: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in trawling will show identification lights of __________.

    N a. a red light over a white light
    N b. a white light over a red light
    Y c. a green light over a white light
    N d. two red lights in a vertical line

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4864: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N d. All of the above

8056: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A whistle signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor
    N b. towing a submerged object
    Y c. being overtaken in a narrow channel
    N d. in distress

8087: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    Y a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
    N c. vessels towing astern
    N d. barges being towed astern

8100: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters
    N b. to any waters inside the territorial waters of the U.S.
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

8121: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A fishing vessel while underway has the right-of-way over a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.