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.


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


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


207: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a single barge being towed alongside?


253: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light(s) on the tug & barge will you see, if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. a special flashing light
    N b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. green sidelights
    Y d. All of the above

4096: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, in fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal is sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. not under command
    N b. being towed
    N c. on pilotage duty
    N d. aground

4123: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A vessel towing
    N b. A vessel engaged in pilotage duty
    N c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel aground

4228: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a stand-on vessel FIRST allowed by the Rules to take action in order to avoid collision?

    N a. When the two vessels are less than half a mile from each other.
    Y b. When the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action to avoid collision.
    N c. When collision is imminent.
    N d. The stand-on vessel is never allowed to take action.

4233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you must __________.

    Y a. slow to bare steerageway and navigate with caution
    N b. sound three short blasts and back your engines
    N c. stop your engines and navigate with caution
    N d. continue on your course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

4335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. sailing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4365: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel is servicing an aid to navigation and is restricted in her ability to maneuver. Which lights will she show?

    Y a. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white, and anchor lights
    N b. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white, ONLY
    N c. Anchor lights ONLY
    N d. Anchor lights and sidelights ONLY

4420: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring provisions or cargo at sea shall display during the day __________.

    N a. two black balls in a vertical line
    N b. three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. three shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest shall be red balls and the middle a white diamond
    Y d. three black shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest shall be balls and the middle one a diamond

4464: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command, underway but not making way, would show __________.

    Y a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. sidelights
    N c. a stern light
    N d. All of the above

4494: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel on pilotage duty must show which light(s) at night?

    N a. A stern light only
    N b. Anchor lights only
    N c. A white light over a red light only
    Y d. A white light over a red light and anchor lights

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

    N a. in the middle of the channel
    Y b. to the starboard side of the channel
    N c. to the port side of the channel
    N d. to the side of the channel that has the widest bends

4528: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel, underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4556: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes MUST be shown __________.

    Y a. during daylight hours
    N b. during daylight hours except in restricted visibility
    N c. ONLY between 8 AM and 4 PM daily
    N d. between sunset and sunrise

4642: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By radar alone, you detect a vessel ahead on a collision course, about 3 miles distant. Your radar plot shows this to be a meeting situation. You should __________.

    N a. turn to port
    Y b. turn to starboard
    N c. maintain course and speed and sound the danger signal
    N d. maintain course and speed and sound no signal

4720: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    N b. at anchor and dredging
    Y c. underway and engaged in surveying operations
    N d. not under command and making way

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

4874: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would be a "special circumstance" under the Rules?

    N a. Vessel at anchor
    N b. Two vessels meeting
    N c. Speed in fog
    Y d. More than two vessels crossing

8024: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is required to be sounded by a power-driven vessel ONLY?

    Y a. A signal meaning, "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. A signal meaning, "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side."
    N c. A signal meaning that the vessel sounding it is in doubt as to the other vessel's actions.
    N d. A signal sounded when approaching a bend.

8040: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel may NOT exhibit two red lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A trawler fishing in close proximity to other trawlers
    N c. A vessel aground
    N d. A dredge

8042: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. A vessel on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

8077: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not sound any whistle signals
    N d. sound one long blast

8088: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two all-round red lights at the masthead
    Y d. two masthead lights in a vertical line

8113: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are approaching another vessel and will pass safely starboard to starboard without changing course. You should __________.

    Y a. hold course and sound no whistle signal
    N b. hold course and sound a two blast whistle signal
    N c. change course to starboard and sound one blast
    N d. hold course and sound one blast

8135: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an all-round red light.
    Y b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It can be either an all-round white or yellow light.