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.


39: INLAND ONLY Which indicates the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


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


117: INLAND ONLY Which is a characteristic of a "special flashing light"?


130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.

    N a. slow to bare steerageway
    N b. back down
    N c. sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    Y d. sound the danger signal

132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She shall not impede the upbound vessel.
    N b. She shall pass on the port side of the other.
    Y c. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N d. All of the above

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

189: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" towing a barge alongside and meeting vessel "B" as shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 39 )

    N a. Alter course to port
    Y b. Alter course to starboard
    N c. Back down to reduce the strain on the lines
    N d. Maintain course and speed

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

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

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

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

4122: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation
    N b. The give-way vessel in a crossing situation
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4143: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a towing light when a towing vessel is towing astern?

    N a. When a towing light is shown, no stern light is necessary.
    N b. When a stern light is shown, no towing light is necessary.
    N c. The towing light is shown below the stern light.
    Y d. The towing light is shown above the stern light.

4181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing a navigation marker
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    N d. A vessel dredging

4185: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, should exhibit __________.

    N a. an anchor light
    N b. sidelights and stern light
    N c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
    Y d. None of the above

4211: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a stand-on vessel to take action in a situation, she must determine that the other vessel __________.

    N a. is restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. has sounded the danger signal
    Y c. is not taking appropriate action
    N d. has not changed course since risk of collision was determined

4269: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. International Code Signal "AA"
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

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

4416: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

    N a. must be displayed when day signals are being used
    N b. must be displayed when moored to a pier
    N c. may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
    Y d. may be displayed during daylight

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

4491: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night __________.

    Y a. must be lighted at all times
    N b. must be lighted only if manned
    N c. must be lighted only if towed astern
    N d. need not be lighted

4650: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights would be shown at night by a vessel which is restricted in her ability to deviate from her course?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line
    N b. Three white lights in a vertical line
    N c. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest white and the middle red
    Y d. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white

4665: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 10 meters in length?

    Y a. Any means of making an efficient sound signal
    N b. A bell only
    N c. A whistle only
    N d. A bell and a whistle

4685: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean?

    Y a. Greatest breadth
    N b. Molded breadth
    N c. Breadth on the main deck
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

4873: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. engaged in towing
    N d. fishing

6570: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is between the scheme and the nearest land
    N b. contains all the traffic moving in one direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    Y d. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction

8000: INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.

    Y a. three 360° red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three 360° blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights

8013: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another, all of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

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

8082: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    N b. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    Y c. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N d. All of the above

8120: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round yellow light only
    Y b. all-round white light only
    N c. all-round blue light only
    N d. alternating red and yellow light

8120: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round yellow light only
    Y b. all-round white light only
    N c. all-round blue light only
    N d. alternating red and yellow light