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.


79: INLAND ONLY On the Western Rivers, a power-driven vessel crossing a river must __________.


103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?


115: INLAND ONLY What is true of a "special flashing light"?


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )

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

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

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

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

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

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

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

4009: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter tug is underway and crossing a deep and narrow channel. A large container vessel is off your port bow on a steady bearing. Which statement is TRUE concerning this situation?

    N a. You should maintain course and speed.
    N b. The container vessel is the stand-on as it is the larger vessel.
    Y c. You are not to impede the safe passage of the container vessel in the channel.
    N d. None of the above

4129: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel MUST show two masthead lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A power-driven vessel less than 50 meters in length with a 20-meter tow
    N b. A sailing vessel towing a small vessel astern
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

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

4294: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead show three flashes of a white light. This signal indicates that the vessel ahead is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. approaching a bend in the channel
    Y c. operating astern propulsion
    N d. intending to overtake another vessel

4304: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed will show __________.

    N a. a forward masthead light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a towing light
    N d. All of the above

4337: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a yellow light over a white light at night is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in piloting
    Y b. towing astern
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. in distress

4377: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of __________.

    N a. two to four seconds duration
    Y b. four to six seconds duration
    N c. six to eight seconds duration
    N d. eight to ten seconds duration

4421: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    Y a. south (180°)
    N b. east (090°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    N d. west (270°)

4447: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" may be shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. pulling a submarine cable
    Y b. engaged in diving operations
    N c. engaged in underway replenishment
    N d. transferring explosives

4457: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you anchor your 25-meter vessel in a harbor, what light(s) must you show?

    Y a. One all-round white light
    N b. Two all-round white lights
    N c. One all-round red light
    N d. All the deck house lights

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

4536: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the other vessel
    N d. turn to port and come into the wind

4564: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

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

4600: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. A sailing vessel becalmed

4619: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate safely within a narrow channel?

    N a. Any vessel less than 20 meters in length
    N b. Any sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4691: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

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

4736: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is _____________ .

    N a. the last vessel in the tow
    Y b. the last vessel in the tow and it is carrying a crew
    N c. manned, regardless of its position in the tow
    N d. None of the above are correct

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4834: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" under the Rules, a vessel must be __________.

    N a. power-driven
    N b. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. using nets
    Y d. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

8016: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What whistle signal, if any, would be sounded when two vessels are meeting, but will pass clear starboard to starboard?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Two short blasts
    N c. Five or more short blasts
    Y d. No signal is required.