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 __________.


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


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.


120: INLAND ONLY What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A black cone, apex downward
    Y b. An all-round white light at each end of the tow
    N c. A flare-up light
    N d. All of the above

235: INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    N d. no signal

302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. dredging
    N c. engaged in launching or recovery of aircraft
    Y d. towing astern

359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

385: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a canal boat 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    Y a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

4100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.

    N a. a masthead light forward, and two masthead lights in a vertical line aft
    Y b. three masthead lights forward and one aft
    N c. two masthead lights forward and no after masthead light
    N d. three masthead lights aft and none forward

4101: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    Y a. When any vessel fails to understand the intentions of an approaching vessel she must sound the danger signal.
    N b. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N c. Distress signals may be used in place of the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 4 or more short blasts of the whistle.

4118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When should the fog signal of a manned vessel under tow be sounded?

    Y a. After the towing vessel's fog signal
    N b. Before the towing vessel's fog signal
    N c. Approximately one minute after the towing vessel's fog signal
    N d. If the towing vessel is sounding a fog signal, the manned vessel being towed is not required to sound any fog signal.

4168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel signals her distress by means of a gun or other explosive signal, the firing should be at intervals of approximately __________.

    N a. 10 minutes
    Y b. 1 minute
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 3 minutes

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the optional whistle signal which may be sounded by a vessel at anchor?

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

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

4277: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a fog when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    Y a. being towed
    N b. not under command
    N c. fishing with trawls
    N d. towing astern

4302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound __________.

    N a. one long blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. the danger signal
    N d. two short blasts

4316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation take action to avoid the other vessel?

    N a. When a risk of collision exists
    Y b. When action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent a collision
    N c. When the bearing to give-way vessel becomes steady
    N d. When the vessels become less than 1/2 mile apart

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4458: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the lights shown as illustrated on your port bow. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 50 )

    Y a. hold course and speed
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. stop engines
    N d. sound the danger signal

4465: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes __________.

    N a. provide routing and scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N b. provide traffic patterns in congested areas, so that vessels can operate without having a separate lookout
    Y c. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargoes from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

4532: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "power-driven vessel" refers to any vessel __________.

    N a. with propelling machinery onboard whether in use or not
    N b. making way against the current
    Y c. with propelling machinery in use
    N d. traveling at a speed greater than that of the current

4612: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.

    N a. vessel laying cable
    N b. vessel towing a submerged object
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. air cushion vessel

4613: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Working lights shall be used to illuminate the decks of a vessel __________.

    Y a. over 100 meters at anchor
    N b. not under command
    N c. constrained by her draft
    N d. Any 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

4656: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing at night, with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outwards, will show in the direction of the gear __________.

    Y a. one white light
    N b. two vertical white lights
    N c. one yellow light
    N d. two vertical yellow lights

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4877: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    Y c. the danger signal
    N d. no signal and maneuver at will

6510: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. take all way off, if necessary
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8011: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel underway of less than 7 meters in length where its maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may show, as a minimum, __________.

    N a. sidelights and a stern light
    N b. the lights required for a vessel more than 7 meters in length
    N c. sidelights only
    Y d. one all-round white light