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 __________.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


65: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. Which whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Three short blasts
    Y c. One prolonged blast
    N d. Three prolonged blasts

178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a 65-meter tug towing a barge astern, length of tow 120 meters? (DIAGRAM 72 )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

208: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

223: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    Y a. Two
    N b. One
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    N d. None

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

397: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal may be sounded ONLY by vessels in restricted visibility?

    N a. At least five short and rapid blasts
    Y b. Four short blasts
    N c. One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order
    N d. Two short blasts

4052: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights displayed would be shown by a vessel which is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

    Y a. aground
    N b. not under command and is dead in the water
    N c. not under command and is making way
    N d. laying or picking up navigation marks

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.

4165: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE of a 30-meter sailing vessel underway?

    Y a. She must show sidelights and a stern light in restricted visibility.
    N b. She may show an all-round white light at the top of the mast.
    N c. She need not show a stern light if she is showing all-round lights on the mast.
    N d. If she is using propelling machinery, she shall show forward a shape consisting of two cones, apexes together.

4217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A man aboard a vessel, signaling by raising and lowering his outstretched arms to each side, is indicating __________.

    N a. danger, stay away
    N b. all is clear, it is safe to pass
    N c. the vessel is anchored
    Y d. a distress signal

4226: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape must be shown by a vessel 25 meters in length aground during daylight hours?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

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.

4243: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In reduced visibility, you hear two prolonged blasts of a whistle. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel dead in the water
    N b. sailing vessel on the port tack
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel fishing with nets

4256: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes established by the International Maritime Organization __________.

    Y a. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N b. provide vessel reporting systems to assist in search and rescue in the event of a vessel casualty
    N c. provide routing and vessel scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargos from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

4263: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. manned vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel underway trawling
    N c. pilot vessel underway making a special signal
    N d. vessel not under command

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4468: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights are red and the middle light is white. She is also showing a white light at the stern, which is lower than the forward light. It could be a __________.

    Y a. survey vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. pilot vessel with port side to you

4548: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for sound signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    N b. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    Y c. Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible.
    N d. Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.

4555: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N b. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the fishing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

4572: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals. What changes would you make in the fog signal immediately upon losing propulsion?

    N a. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    Y c. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4596: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape is __________. (DIAGRAM 13 )

    N a. fishing
    N b. towing
    N c. being towed
    Y d. anchored

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4674: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in fog. Which vessel is "in sight"?

    Y a. A vessel that you can see from the bridge
    N b. A radar target of which you have determined the course and speed
    N c. A vessel from which you can hear the fog signal
    N d. All of the above

4705: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In complying with the Rules, of what must the mariner take due regard?

    N a. Limited backing power of his vessel
    N b. Radar information about nearby vessels
    N c. The occupation of the other vessel, if known
    Y d. All of the above

4839: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is considered to be "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules if she is __________.

    N a. at anchor
    Y b. mineclearing
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. engaged in towing

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

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