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.


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.


142: INLAND ONLY The special light for a vessel engaged in public safety activities must __________.


204: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are in a crossing situation on the high seas as shown. Vessel "B" sounds one short blast. What is the proper action for vessel "A" to take? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Answer with one blast and hold course and speed
    Y b. Hold course and speed
    N c. Answer with one blast and keep clear of vessel "B"
    N d. Sound danger signal

231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. vessel being overtaken
    N c. passing vessel
    N d. None of the above

255: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light on vessel "B" will you see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    Y d. None of the above

279: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    Y b. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

336: 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 __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed without sounding any signals
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    Y c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

377: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. NW
    Y b. SE
    N c. SW
    N d. NW

4023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is overtaking a tug and tow as shown. Which statement is CORRECT? (DIAGRAM 43 )

    N a. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is overtaking.
    N b. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is under sail.
    Y c. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is being overtaken.
    N d. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.

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

4133: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE when you are towing more than one barge astern at night?

    N a. Only the last barge in the tow must be lighted.
    N b. Only the first and last barges in the tow must be lighted.
    Y c. All barges in the tow must be lighted.
    N d. All barges, except unmanned barges, must be lighted.

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

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.

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

4333: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The arc of visibility for sidelights is from right ahead to __________.

    Y a. 22.5° abaft the beam
    N b. abeam
    N c. 22.5° forward of the beam
    N d. 135° abaft the beam

4410: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules state that vessels may depart from the requirements of the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are no other vessels around
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    N c. the Master enters it in the ship's log
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

4415: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may be used by a vessel that is in doubt as to whether sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

4429: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting head-on. How must the vessels pass?

    N a. One vessel must alter course while the other must continue on its course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4446: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus
    N b. A signal sent by radiotelephone consisting of the spoken word "Mayday"
    N c. An International Code Signal of N.C.
    Y d. The firing of green star rockets or shells

4501: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For identification purposes at night, U.S. Navy submarines on the surface may display an intermittent flashing light of which color?

    Y a. Amber (yellow)
    N b. White
    N c. Blue
    N d. Red

4561: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is aground in fog. In addition to the regular anchor signals, you will be sounding __________.

    N a. three strokes of the gong before and after the rapid ringing of the gong
    N b. a blast on the whistle
    Y c. three strokes of the bell before and after the rapid ringing of the bell
    N d. no additional signals

4570: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may at some time be exhibited by a vessel trawling?

    N a. Two white lights in a vertical line
    N b. A white light over a red light in a vertical line
    N c. Two red lights in a vertical line
    Y 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

6000: 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
    Y b. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted
    N c. sound whistle signals only if you change course
    N d. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted

8042: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. A vessel on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

8048: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

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

8072: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blasts
    Y c. four short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts

8097: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black diamond
    Y b. A cylinder
    N c. A black ball
    N d. A black cone, apex upward