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.


70: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )


136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.


143: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.


214: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 55 )

    N a. A vessel fishing at anchor
    Y b. A tug with a tow alongside
    N c. A tug not under command
    N d. A pipeline

245: 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
    N b. sound two short blasts
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. None of the above

259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. only if manned
    N c. only if towed astern
    N d. Need not be lighted

262: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.

    Y a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
    N b. meeting within one mile of each other
    N c. meeting or crossing at any distance
    N d. crossing within one mile of each other

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

360: 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 right or slow down
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. sound at least five short and rapid blasts

390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

1000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    N a. begin a radar plot
    N b. stop your engines
    Y c. take all way off, if necessary
    N d. All of the above

4008: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. At any time you feel it is appropriate
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    N c. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

4054: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "engaged in fishing" when __________.

    N a. her gear extends more than 100 meters from the vessel
    N b. she is using any type of gear, other than lines
    Y c. she is using fishing apparatus which restricts her maneuverability
    N d. she has any fishing gear on board

4105: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    Y a. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N b. When each is on a different tack, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

4107: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear, passing at a safe distance
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

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°

4179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if __________.

    N a. she is showing sidelights
    N b. her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel
    N c. she is showing a stern light
    Y d. her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast

4208: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is __________.

    Y a. in doubt that another vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid a collision
    N b. altering course to starboard
    N c. altering course to port
    N d. the stand-on vessel and will maintain course and speed

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

4466: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
    Y c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light

4640: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    Y a. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
    N b. The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
    N c. The larger vessel
    N d. The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal

4655: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessels shall turn off their sidelights?

    N a. All vessels that are not under command
    Y b. All fishing vessels that are not making way
    N c. All sailing vessels which are becalmed
    N d. All vessels engaged in underwater operations

4838: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    N c. Whether the vessel is operating in a narrow channel
    Y d. The nature of the vessel's work, limiting maneuverability required by the Rules

5400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT __________.

    N a. cross a traffic lane
    N b. engage in fishing the separation zone
    Y c. proceed in an inappropriate traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone

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

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.