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.


7: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are crossing, a signal of one short blast by either vessel means __________.


57: INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. The blue light indicates a __________.


113: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.


146: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    N a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    Y c. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.

149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
    N b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
    Y c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light

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

    Y a. diamond shape when the length of the tow is 200 meters or less
    N b. diamond shape 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

209: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

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

363: 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
    N c. overtaking vessel
    Y d. None of the above

4009: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter tug is underway and crossing a deep and narrow channel. A large container vessel is off your port bow on a steady bearing. Which statement is TRUE concerning this situation?

    N a. You should maintain course and speed.
    N b. The container vessel is the stand-on as it is the larger vessel.
    Y c. You are not to impede the safe passage of the container vessel in the channel.
    N d. None of the above

4011: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty at night will show sidelights and a stern light __________.

    N a. when at anchor
    N b. only when making way
    Y c. at any time when underway
    N d. only when the identifying lights are not being shown

4040: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown indicates a vessel with a tow exceeding 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

4044: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel's green sidelight bearing due east from you. The vessel might be heading __________.

    N a. east (090°)
    N b. northeast (045°)
    N c. northwest (315°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4059: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must show appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should exhibit the lights for a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. In situations where a risk of collision exists, a seaplane should always give way.
    Y d. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels.

4301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation would risk of collision definitely exist?

    N a. A vessel is 22 degrees on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22 degrees abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4368: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog you hear a whistle signal ahead of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel underway trawling
    Y b. manned vessel being towed
    N c. pilot vessel underway making a special signal
    N d. vessel not under command

4430: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N b. A sailing vessel
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4454: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.

    Y a. turning to port
    N b. turning to starboard
    N c. decreasing speed
    N d. increasing speed

4518: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, a towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

    N a. masthead light
    N b. all-round light
    N c. sidelight
    Y d. stern light

4534: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing where the tow prevents her from changing course shall carry __________.

    N a. only the lights for a vessel towing
    N b. only the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel not under command

4540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 58 )

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length
    N c. fishing vessel at anchor
    N d. sailboat

4555: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N b. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the fishing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

4626: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern, where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, will exhibit __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. a diamond shape where it can best be seen
    N c. a ball on each end of the tow
    N d. no day-shape

4702: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. southeast (135°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4770: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

    N a. sound two blasts and change course to the left
    N b. sound whistle signals only if you change course
    N c. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted
    Y d. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal

4831: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which craft is a "power-driven vessel" under the Rules of the Road?

    N a. An auxiliary sailing vessel, using her engine
    N b. A canoe propelled by a small outboard motor
    N c. A trawler on her way to the fishing grounds
    Y d. All of the above

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

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

8053: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. a single white light forward
    Y b. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. two all-round red lights where they can best be seen

8118: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of intent must be sounded in international waters by __________.

    N a. a vessel meeting another head-on
    Y b. a vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N c. a vessel crossing the course of another
    N d. the give-way vessel in a crossing situation