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.


59: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.


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?


96: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a sharp bend in a river. You have sounded a prolonged blast and it has been answered by a vessel on the other side of the bend. Which statement is TRUE?


126: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.

    N a. the waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
    Y b. the Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
    N c. the coastline of the United States, out to one mile offshore
    N d. any lakes within state boundaries

173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. power-driven vessel
    N c. sailing vessel
    N d. vessel engaged in trawling

210: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

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

323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a red sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

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

355: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

378: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I intend to overtake you on your port side"
    N d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

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

4068: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the situation illustrated, vessel I is a power-driven vessel. Vessel II is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Which statement about this situation is correct? (DIAGRAM 2 )

    Y a. Vessel I should keep out of the way of Vessel II.
    N b. Vessel II should keep out of the way of Vessel I.
    N c. Vessel II would normally be the stand-on vessel, but should stay out of the way in this particular situation.
    N d. The Rules of Special Circumstances applies, and neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4077: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor shall display, between sunrise and sunset, on the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen __________.

    Y a. one black ball
    N b. two black balls
    N c. one red ball
    N d. two orange and white balls

4098: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You can indicate that your vessel is in distress by __________.

    N a. displaying a large red flag
    N b. displaying three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    Y d. continuously sounding the fog whistle

4184: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel at night. You can see both red and green sidelights and, above the level of the sidelights, three white lights in a vertical line. The vessel may be __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. towing a tow more than 200 meters astern
    N c. trawling
    N d. underway and dredging

4213: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning whistle signals is FALSE?

    N a. When a pushing vessel and a vessel pushed are connected in a composite unit, the unit sounds the fog signal of a power-driven vessel.
    N b. A vessel at anchor may sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast.
    N c. A pilot vessel may sound an identity signal on the whistle.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in towing in fog shall sound a fog signal at intervals of one minute.

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

4363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. broken down
    N b. anchored
    Y c. towing
    N d. fishing

4374: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground would show the same day-shape as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing a submerged object
    N b. dredge underway and dredging
    N c. hydrographic survey vessel at anchor and surveying
    Y d. None of the above

4487: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. towing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. anchored
    N d. being towed

4524: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    N a. Whistle only
    N b. Bell only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4541: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from 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

4557: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?

    N a. Both vessels must be power-driven.
    N b. They must be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses.
    N c. The situation must involve risk of collision.
    Y d. All of the above

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4605: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines
    Y b. alter course to starboard
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. back down

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

4854: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. sound a signal of one prolonged blast
    Y b. make a large course change
    N c. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

6540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may enter a traffic separation zone __________.

    N a. in an emergency
    N b. to engage in fishing within the zone
    N c. to cross the traffic separation scheme
    Y d. All of the above

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"

8085: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length, with a maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, MUST show when underway at least __________.

    Y a. one white 360° light
    N b. a white light on the near approach of another vessel
    N c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. the lights required of a vessel less than 12 meters in length