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.


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


89: 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 __________.


109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. In addition to a steady white light which other light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )


119: INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. Two all-round yellow lights at each end of the tow
    Y c. The beam of a search light from the towing vessel shown in the direction of the tow
    N d. All of the above

154: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 47 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. trawler dragging nets
    N c. vessel engaged in mine clearance
    N d. dredge at work

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

    N a. sailing vessel
    N b. vessel engage in trawling
    Y c. power-driven vessel
    N d. mineclearance vessel

242: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on Vessel "A" engaged in fishing as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" is a tanker proceeding in the channel. Vessel "B" sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. not answer the whistle signals from vessel "B"
    N b. maintain course and speed
    Y c. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N d. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts

243: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    Y b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. sound two short blasts and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts

254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

388: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those in international waters for __________.

    N a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels being towed alongside
    N c. vessels pushing ahead
    Y d. All of the above

394: 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
    Y c. sailing vessel
    N d. power-driven vessel

4028: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?

    N a. The one with the wind closest abeam
    N b. The one with the wind closest astern
    N c. The one to leeward
    Y d. The one to windward

4162: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at night, displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 83 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. not under command
    N c. towing
    N d. being towed

4177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists, you must __________.

    N a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    Y c. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N d. alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side

4199: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing must show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway
    N c. dead in the water
    Y d. underway and making way

4274: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

    N a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
    N b. two black balls
    N c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
    Y d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

4335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. sailing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

4362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and fishing shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel sailing
    N d. vessel engaged on pilotage duty

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

4436: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A white masthead light shows through an arc of how many degrees?

    N a. 90°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225°
    N d. 360°

4512: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must sound her fog signal at intervals not to exceed one minute?

    N a. A power-driven vessel underway, not making way
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    Y d. A vessel aground

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

4529: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    Y a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. are not the color of either sidelight
    N c. have a lesser range than the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4548: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for sound signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    N b. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    Y c. Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible.
    N d. Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.

4582: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. pushing ahead
    Y b. underway
    N c. towing a submerged object
    N d. engaged in dredging

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

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

4663: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for bell & gong signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    Y b. Manual sounding of the signals must always be possible.
    N c. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    N d. Signals must be able to be sounded manually and automatically.

4684: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. east (090°)
    Y c. southwest (225°)
    N d. west (270°)

8045: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. No signal is necessary.
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. Two short blasts
    Y d. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts

8104: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is constrained by her draft and operating in a narrow channel. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You are in doubt as to her intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

    N a. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N b. must sound one prolonged blast
    Y c. may sound the danger signal
    N d. are required to back down