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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


33: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "inland waters" includes __________.


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

    Y a. 2
    N b. 1
    N c. 3
    N d. None

128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a sailing vessel. While under sail you decide to use your engine to assist in propulsion. Which day signal would you show? (DIAGRAM 16 )

    N a. D
    N b. C
    N c. B
    Y d. None of these day signals are correct.

162: 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 )

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

216: INLAND ONLY Signals shall be sounded by a power-driven vessel intending to overtake __________.

    N a. any vessel when within half a mile of that vessel
    Y b. another power-driven vessel when both power-driven vessels are in sight of one another
    N c. any vessel when both are in sight of one another
    N d. another power-driven vessel only when within half a mile of that power-driven vessel

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

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all cases when passing within one half mile of each other.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional, and the vessels should pass starboard to starboard as agreed.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel not under command

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    Y d. None of the above

338: 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
    Y b. one short blast
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    N d. two short blasts

364: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    Y c. stand-on vessel
    N d. overtaking vessel

372: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating his intentions to overtake you. You feel it is not safe for vessel "B" to overtake you at the present time. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound one prolonged followed by three short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    Y d. None of the above

4059: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must show appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should exhibit the lights for a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. In situations where a risk of collision exists, a seaplane should always give way.
    Y d. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels.

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4134: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 9 )

    N a. Vessel "A"
    Y b. Vessel "B"
    N c. Neither vessel
    N d. Both vessels must keep clear of the other.

4137: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning lights and shapes for towing vessels?

    N a. If a tow exceeds 200 meters in length, the towing vessel will display a black ball during daylight.
    N b. When towing astern, a vessel will carry her identification lights at the masthead in addition to her regular masthead light.
    N c. When towing astern, the towing vessel may show either a stern light or a towing light, but not both.
    Y d. If the towing vessel is over 50 meters in length, she must carry forward and after masthead lights.

4145: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a 120-meter power-driven vessel at anchor in fog, sounding the required anchor signals. You hear the fog signal of a vessel underway off your port bow. You may sound __________.

    N a. at least five short and rapid blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    Y c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. three short blasts

4331: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the lights shown. What would it be? (DIAGRAM 77 )

    N a. A vessel pushing barges ahead
    Y b. A vessel towing barges astern
    N c. A pipeline
    N d. A stationary dredge

4357: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 15 meters in length which is proceeding under sail as well as being propelled by machinery shall exhibit during the daytime __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. a basket
    Y c. a cone with its apex downward
    N d. two cones with their apexes together

4413: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a 75-meter power-driven vessel underway at night?

    N a. She must exhibit an all-round white light at the stern.
    Y b. She must exhibit forward and after masthead lights.
    N c. She must exhibit only a forward masthead light.
    N d. She may exhibit a red light over a green light forward.

4424: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels approach from opposite directions
    Y b. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N c. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

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

4462: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel trawling
    N c. vessel at anchor warning of her location
    Y d. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway

4489: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel of 150 meters in length, at anchor?

    N a. She may show an all-round white light where it can best be seen.
    Y b. She must show all-round white lights forward and aft.
    N c. The showing of working lights is optional.
    N d. None of the above

4513: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, you sight a vessel displaying three shapes in a vertical line. The top and bottom shapes are balls, and the middle shape is a diamond. It could be a __________.

    N a. vessel trolling
    N b. mineclearing vessel
    N c. trawler
    Y d. vessel engaged in replenishment at sea

4518: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, a towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

    N a. masthead light
    N b. all-round light
    N c. sidelight
    Y d. stern light

4624: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    Y b. underway and laying cable
    N c. at anchor and dredging
    N d. underway and carrying dangerous cargo

4680: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes must be displayed __________.

    N a. between sunset and sunrise
    N b. only between 8 AM and 4 PM
    Y c. during daylight hours in any visibility
    N d. during daylight hours in unrestricted visibility only

4770: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

    N a. sound two blasts and change course to the left
    N b. sound whistle signals only if you change course
    N c. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted
    Y d. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted