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.


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


97: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a passing agreement made by radiotelephone?


146: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?


150: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?

    N a. Three short blasts
    N b. A long blast
    Y c. A prolonged blast
    N d. No signal is required.

151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is indicated by the day signal shown? (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A dredge indicating the side with the obstruction
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    Y c. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters which limits her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel engaged in underwater operations with a diver down

158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. dredging while underway
    Y b. not under command
    N c. engaged in trawling
    N d. engaged in mineclearance

159: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel not under command

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

190: INLAND ONLY At night, you see the lights shown. They are shown on a __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )

    N a. barge being pushed ahead
    N b. barge being towed astern
    Y c. tug pushing a barge ahead
    N d. tug towing a barge astern

237: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. no whistle signal
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. at least five short and rapid blasts

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

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

4050: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.

    N a. black diamond
    Y b. black cone
    N c. black ball
    N d. basket

4086: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and approaching vessel "B" as shown. You are not sure whether your vessel is crossing or overtaking vessel "B". You should __________. (DIAGRAM 15 )

    N a. change course to make the situation definitely either crossing or overtaking
    N b. consider it to be a crossing situation
    Y c. consider it to be an overtaking situation
    N d. consider it a crossing situation if you can cross ahead safely

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°

4174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.

    N a. fishing
    N b. in distress
    Y c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4235: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 7 )

    Y a. broken down
    N b. fishing
    N c. a minesweeper
    N d. transferring dangerous cargo

4279: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are watching another vessel approach and her compass bearing is not changing. This means that __________.

    N a. you are the stand-on vessel
    Y b. a risk of collision exists
    N c. a special circumstances situation exists
    N d. the other vessel is dead in the water

4320: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

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

4360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed
    N b. Provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. Stay clear, the other vessel is maneuvering with difficulty
    N d. Stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes of the bell. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor, giving warning
    Y b. aground
    N c. at anchor, greater than 100 meters
    N d. not under command at anchor

4415: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may be used by a vessel that is in doubt as to whether sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

4585: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. What lights would you expect to see?

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

4632: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a seaplane shall __________.

    N a. not be regarded as a vessel
    Y b. in general, keep well clear of all vessels
    N c. proceed at a slower speed than surrounding vessels
    N d. when making way, show the lights for a vessel not under command

8004: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. a long blast
    N c. a prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8006: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters which are not inland waters
    N b. only to waters outside the territorial waters of the United States
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

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

8085: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length, with a maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, MUST show when underway at least __________.

    Y a. one white 360° light
    N b. a white light on the near approach of another vessel
    N c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. the lights required of a vessel less than 12 meters in length

8097: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

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

8131: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    Y a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round white or yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.