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.


2: INLAND ONLY What is the required whistle signal for a power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth?


25: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will sound a whistle signal of __________.


32: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as 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

84: INLAND ONLY You are in charge of a power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers. You must keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. sail vessel descending the river
    N b. power-driven vessel ascending the river
    N c. sail vessel ascending the river
    Y d. All of the above

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

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. air cushion vessel operating in the non-displacement mode
    N c. submarine operating on the surface
    N d. vessel pushing a barge ahead

341: 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 )

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

352: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing blue light
    Y b. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

4067: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. One white light
    Y d. Two green lights

4136: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power-driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horizon?

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4146: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When taking action to avoid collision, you should __________.

    Y a. make sure the action is taken in enough time
    N b. not make any large course changes
    N c. not make any large speed changes
    N d. All of the above

4155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.

    N a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
    N b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
    N c. tow is less than 200 meters
    Y d. tow is greater than 200 meters

4165: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE of a 30-meter sailing vessel underway?

    Y a. She must show sidelights and a stern light in restricted visibility.
    N b. She may show an all-round white light at the top of the mast.
    N c. She need not show a stern light if she is showing all-round lights on the mast.
    N d. If she is using propelling machinery, she shall show forward a shape consisting of two cones, apexes together.

4220: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.

    N a. masthead lights
    Y b. sidelights
    N c. a special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

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°)

4435: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which procedure(s) shall be used to determine risk of collision?

    N a. Watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel
    N b. Systematic observation of objects detected by radar
    N c. Long-range radar scanning
    Y d. All of the above

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

4575: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she can see which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    Y a. Only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. One sidelight and a masthead light of the vessel
    N c. Only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. The masthead lights of the vessel

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

4622: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within __________.

    N a. the distance of visibility
    N b. 1/2 the distance of visibility
    Y c. a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
    N d. the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

4635: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.

    N a. three balls in a vertical line
    N b. two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. one ball near the foremast and one ball at each fore yard
    N d. one diamond near the foremast head and one ball at each fore yard

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

4716: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?

    N a. A cone, apex downward
    N b. A cone, apex upward
    Y c. A diamond
    N d. A ball

4745: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed if he is on your port bow
    N b. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

4866: 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
    Y b. The one to windward
    N c. The one to leeward
    N d. The one that sounds the first whistle signal

8029: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. A black cone, apex downward
    N c. Two vertical black balls
    Y d. A cylinder

8032: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Under what circumstances would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area

8047: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel __________.

    N a. intends to alter course to starboard
    N b. intends to pass starboard to starboard
    Y c. is altering course to starboard
    N d. intends to pass port to port

8102: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. She is hampered because of her work.
    N b. She is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance.
    N c. She may be a vessel being towed.
    Y d. She must be a power-driven vessel.