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.


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 )


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?


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


221: 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"?

    N a. None
    N b. 3
    Y c. 2
    N d. 1

264: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I am altering my course to port."

272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "A" is a sailing vessel. Vessel "B" is a power-driven vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Vessel "B" sounds the danger signal. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N c. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. have the right of way

319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    Y b. two cones with apexes together
    N c. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    N d. a diamond

323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a red sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

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

346: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my port side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y d. None of the above

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

4018: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a distress signal?

    N a. A triangular flag above or below a ball
    N b. The International Code Signal of distress indicated by "JV"
    N c. A green smoke signal
    Y d. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel

4036: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are preparing to cross a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    Y a. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N b. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4072: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 30-meter tug is underway and NOT towing. At night, this vessel must show sidelights and __________.

    Y a. one masthead light and a stern light
    N b. two masthead lights and a stern light
    N c. three masthead lights and a stern light
    N d. a stern light ONLY

4135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is __________.

    N a. a "special circumstance" vessel
    N b. not covered under any category
    N c. a sail vessel
    Y d. a power-driven vessel

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.

4177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists, you must __________.

    N a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    Y c. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N d. alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side

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

4232: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the signal consisting of five or more short blasts on the ship's whistle __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the give-way vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to the other vessel's action
    N d. makes it necessary to slow or stop

4242: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All fog signals shall be sounded every two minutes with the exception of a vessel __________.

    N a. underway or making way
    N b. under sail or under tow
    Y c. anchored or aground
    N d. not under command or restricted in her ability to maneuver

4288: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is carrying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest of these are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is always TRUE?

    N a. During the day, she would display three balls in a vertical line.
    Y b. If making way, she would show masthead lights at night.
    N c. If at anchor, she need not show anchor lights while displaying identifying lights.
    N d. Her fog signal would consist of a rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds every minute.

4333: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The arc of visibility for sidelights is from right ahead to __________.

    Y a. 22.5° abaft the beam
    N b. abeam
    N c. 22.5° forward of the beam
    N d. 135° abaft the beam

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

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

4564: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    Y b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N d. A vessel not under command

4618: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    Y a. A vessel towing astern
    N b. A vessel trawling
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging operations

4859: 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 in the narrow channel. Which statement is TRUE?

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

4866: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?

    N a. The one with the wind closest abeam
    Y b. The one to windward
    N c. The one to leeward
    N d. The one that sounds the first whistle signal

5200: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    N a. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    Y c. at as small an angle as possible
    N d. only to anchor within the zone

8071: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT regarded as being "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N b. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N c. A towing vessel with tow unable to deviate from its course
    Y d. A vessel constrained by her draft

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.