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.


15: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of the two short blasts signal used when meeting another vessel?


50: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )


61: INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake her on her starboard side. You should sound a whistle signal of __________.


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )

    N a. alter course to the left
    N b. slow your vessel until vessel "B" has passed
    Y c. hold course and speed
    N d. alter course to the left to give vessel "B" more sea room

77: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. What action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. Both vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    Y b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show an after masthead light, if over 50 meters in length?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. A vessel at anchor
    N c. A vessel not under command
    Y d. A vessel trawling

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

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

273: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    N b. stop until the red lights turn green
    N c. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side
    Y d. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights

327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    Y c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

339: 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 sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    Y c. one short blast
    N d. None of the above

390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

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

4142: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing must display a light in the direction of any gear that extends outward more than 150 meters. The color of this light is __________.

    Y a. white
    N b. green
    N c. red
    N d. yellow

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

4283: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    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. A square flag and ball flown from the mast

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

4382: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound four short blasts in succession. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A pilot vessel
    N b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel fishing
    N d. A sailboat

4396: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Concerning the identification signal for a pilot vessel, in fog, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When at anchor, the pilot vessel is only required to sound anchor signals.
    N b. The identification signal must be sounded any time the pilot vessel is underway.
    N c. The pilot vessel may only sound the identity signal when making way.
    N d. All of the above

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4475: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.

    N a. not be required to show any lights
    N b. be required to show the lights characteristic of a dredge
    N c. be required to show the lights of a stationary dredge
    Y d. be required to show the lights of a power-driven vessel underway

4506: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the sidelights and stern light MAY be shown on a __________.

    N a. sailing vessel of 25 meters in length
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel engaged in trolling
    Y d. 6-meter vessel under oars

4556: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes MUST be shown __________.

    Y a. during daylight hours
    N b. during daylight hours except in restricted visibility
    N c. ONLY between 8 AM and 4 PM daily
    N d. between sunset and sunrise

4641: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after white masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4689: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel not under command

4710: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    Y d. A power-driven vessel

4730: INLAND ONLY Which of the following signals may be exhibited by a vessel trawling in close proximity to other fishing vessels?

    Y a. Two white lights in a vertical line
    N b. A red light over a white light in a vertical line
    N c. Two fixed yellow lights in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

4837: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    N a. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    Y b. from the nature of her work 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

4863: 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?

    N a. The fishing vessel must sound the danger signal.
    Y b. The fishing vessel shall not impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Both vessels should be displaying the signal for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

8057: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor and you can see that other vessels are approaching. You should sound __________.

    Y a. three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast only
    N d. the danger signal