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.


2: INLAND ONLY What is the required whistle signal for a power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth?


49: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


81: INLAND ONLY When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a current, which vessel shall sound the first passing signal?


114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?

    N a. All-round yellow lights placed at the corners of each barge in the group
    N b. Two yellow lights in a vertical line at the corner extremities of the group
    Y c. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
    N d. Two unobstructed all-round red lights

151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is indicated by the day signal shown? (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A dredge indicating the side with the obstruction
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    Y c. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters which limits her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel engaged in underwater operations with a diver down

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

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. engaged in fishing
    Y c. not under command
    N d. on pilotage duty

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

    N a. submarine on the surface
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel not under command

245: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound two short blasts
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. None of the above

322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel whose lights are shown is navigating in a narrow channel. Which statement about this vessel is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. It shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within the channel or fairway.
    N b. It is the stand-on vessel
    N c. It may anchor in the channel or fairway
    N d. It shows two balls

397: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal may be sounded ONLY by vessels in restricted visibility?

    N a. At least five short and rapid blasts
    Y b. Four short blasts
    N c. One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order
    N d. Two short blasts

4034: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    Y a. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

4045: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when she can see at night __________.

    Y a. only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. a sidelight and one masthead light of the vessel
    N c. only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. any lights except the masthead lights of the vessel

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

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

4121: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.

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

4122: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

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

4158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 25-meter vessel trawling will show the dayshape(s) consisting of __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. two balls
    Y c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. a cone, apex downward

4254: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4312: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show which lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Three red
    Y b. Two red
    N c. Two white
    N d. Three white

4427: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light, according to the Rules, is a __________.

    N a. white light
    N b. red light
    Y c. yellow light
    N d. blue light

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

    N a. in the middle of the channel
    Y b. to the starboard side of the channel
    N c. to the port side of the channel
    N d. to the side of the channel that has the widest bends

4562: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall __________.

    Y a. if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other
    N b. change course to port to keep out of the way
    N c. reduce her speed
    N d. All of the above

4657: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close quarters situation is developing or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    N b. when taking action, make only course changes
    Y c. avoid altering course toward a vessel abaft the beam
    N d. All of the above

4709: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. aground
    Y b. underway
    N c. at anchor
    N d. transferring dangerous cargo

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. 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 c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4861: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When navigating in thick fog with the radar on, you should __________.

    N a. station the look-out in the wheelhouse to keep a continuous watch on the radar
    N b. secure the sounding of fog signals until a vessel closes within five miles
    Y c. station a look-out as low down and far forward as possible
    N d. keep the radar on the shortest available range for early detection of approaching vessels

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

4873: 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 vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. engaged in towing
    N d. fishing

8081: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    Y b. a white light
    N c. used only at night
    N d. used prior to sounding the whistle