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.


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?


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


177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    N a. dredge working at anchor
    N b. dredge restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. 55-meter tug towing astern, length of tow exceeds 200 meters
    Y d. 65-meter tug towing astern, length of tow 150 meters

195: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

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

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

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

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only 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

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

    N a. None
    N b. 3
    Y c. 2
    N d. 1

253: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light(s) on the tug & barge will you see, if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. a special flashing light
    N b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. green sidelights
    Y d. All of the above

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

4060: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching your vessel from 235° relative is in what type of situation?

    N a. Meeting
    Y b. Overtaking
    N c. Crossing
    N d. Passing

4063: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which, to the extent necessary to carry out their work, do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes. One of these is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing in a traffic lane
    Y b. servicing a submarine cable
    N c. towing another
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. no vessels are in sight visually
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    Y c. you are in immediate danger
    N d. out of sight of land

4093: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels?

    Y a. A sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on her port side shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on the starboard side.
    N b. When both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel to leeward shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sail vessel with the wind abaft of the beam must keep out of the way of a vessel sailing into the wind.
    N d. None of the above

4135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is __________.

    N a. a "special circumstance" vessel
    N b. not covered under any category
    N c. a sail vessel
    Y d. a power-driven vessel

4152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel with a 150-meter stern tow shall display __________.

    N a. three masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. a red light over a white light at the masthead

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

    Y a. mineclearing
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

4417: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What describes a head-on situation?

    N a. Seeing a vessel displaying both sidelights ONLY dead ahead
    N b. Seeing two forward white towing identification lights in a vertical line on a towing vessel directly ahead
    N c. Seeing both sidelights of a vessel directly off your starboard beam
    Y d. Seeing both sidelights and masthead light(s) of a vessel dead ahead

4437: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?

    Y a. 50 meters
    N b. 100 meters
    N c. 150 meters
    N d. 200 meters

4456: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the required fog signal for a manned vessel being towed at night?

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

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4574: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT show her sidelights?

    Y a. A fishing vessel that is not making way
    N b. A sailing vessel which is becalmed
    N c. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N d. A vessel that is not under command making way

4578: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "short blast" on the whistle has a duration of __________.

    Y a. 1 second
    N b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 8 to 12 seconds
    N d. 12 to 15 seconds

4616: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation __________.

    Y a. you must keep your course and speed
    N b. you may change course and speed as the other vessel must keep clear
    N c. the other vessel must keep her course and speed
    N d. both vessels must keep their course and speed

4858: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should if safe and practicable __________.

    N a. stay near the middle of the channel
    N b. keep to the starboard side of any vessels you meet
    N c. exchange whistle signals with any other vessels in the channel
    Y d. keep to the side of the channel which lies to your starboard

8028: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a crossing situation on international waters, a short blast by the give-way vessel indicates that the vessel __________.

    N a. is holding course and speed
    Y b. is turning to starboard
    N c. intends to pass port to port
    N d. will keep out of the way of the stand-on vessel

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A towing light __________.

    N a. flashes at regular intervals of 50-70 flashes per minute
    Y b. is yellow in color
    N c. shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above