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.


17: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers has the right of way over __________.


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


125: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

213: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You see the lights shown. This is a __________. (DIAGRAM 66 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a launch alongside
    N b. dredge working at anchor
    Y c. vessel towing a barge alongside
    N d. vessel pushing a barge ahead

238: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown but are not in sight of one another due to restricted visibility. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Both vessels should sound two short blasts.
    N b. Both vessels should sound one short blast.
    N c. Vessel "A" should sound one short blast and vessel "B" should sound two short blasts.
    Y d. None of the above statements is TRUE.

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. red sidelight
    Y c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

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

4006: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is approaching a bend. You hear a prolonged blast from around the bend. You should __________.

    N a. back your engines
    N b. stop your engines and drift
    Y c. answer with one prolonged blast
    N d. sound the danger signal

4013: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 11 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

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

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing a navigation marker
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    N d. A vessel dredging

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

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4223: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show three lights in a vertical line, the top and bottom being red and the middle being white?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N b. A pilot vessel
    N c. A vessel trawling
    N d. All of the above

4268: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is at anchor in fog. The fog signal of another vessel, apparently underway, has been growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate your presence?

    N a. No signal other than your fog signal may be used.
    N b. One prolonged, one short, and one prolonged whistle blast
    N c. One prolonged followed by two short whistle blasts
    Y d. One short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blast

4340: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and making way your vessel enters fog. Which fog signal should you sound every two minutes?

    Y a. One prolonged blast
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. Three short blasts
    N d. A prolonged blast and three short blasts

4349: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a vessel is engaged in fishing according to the definitions in the Rules, it will have __________.

    N a. gear extending from the side or stern
    Y b. gear that restricts maneuverability
    N c. less than 50 percent trolling lines
    N d. None of the above

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

4463: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "B" approaching vessel "A", as shown. You are unable to see any sidelights on vessel "A". This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )

    N a. meeting situation
    N b. crossing situation
    Y c. overtaking situation
    N d. special circumstances situation

4493: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and hear one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in succession. What is the meaning of this signal?

    N a. A vessel is in distress and needs assistance.
    N b. A vessel is fishing, hauling nets.
    Y c. A vessel is at anchor, warning of her position.
    N d. A vessel is towing.

4519: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and making way in fog shall sound every two minutes __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast and three short blasts
    N d. three distinct blasts

4606: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power driven vessel when towing and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit during daylight hours where they can best be seen which of the following shapes?

    Y a. a diamond shape
    N b. two cones, apexes together
    N c. a black ball
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4611: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which does not normally engage in towing operations, is towing a vessel in distress. She __________.

    Y a. need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so
    N b. may show the lights for a vessel not under command
    N c. must show a yellow light above the stern light
    N d. must show the lights for a vessel towing

4639: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying a single green light. This is a __________.

    N a. vessel at anchor
    N b. small motorboat underway
    N c. vessel drifting
    Y d. sailing vessel

4645: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is required of a vessel navigating near an area of restricted visibility?

    N a. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.
    N b. She must sound appropriate sound signals.
    N c. If she detects another vessel by radar, she shall determine if risk of collision exists.
    Y d. All of the above

4853: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly
    N c. initiate a passing signal that will allow for a half mile clearance
    Y d. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary

4869: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. when they are making more speed than the power-driven vessel
    Y c. when the sailing vessel is overtaking
    N d. on the Inland Waters of the United States

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    Y a. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical
    N c. only anchor in the separation zone
    N d. use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed