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.


20: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is proceeding down a channel, and can safely navigate only within the channel. Another vessel is crossing your bow from port to starboard, and you are in doubt as to her intentions. Which statement is TRUE?


102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown must you show when at anchor? (DIAGRAM 16 )


149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.


157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. engaged in fishing
    Y c. not under command
    N d. on pilotage duty

171: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel being overtaken
    N b. vessel meeting head-on
    N c. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y d. vessel crossing from your port

314: INLAND ONLY Identify the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. An aircraft carrier engaged in the launching and recovery of aircraft
    N b. A submarine engaged in underway replenishment at sea
    Y c. A dredge engaged in dredging operations
    N d. A vessel aground assisted by tugs

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

4032: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel?

    Y a. A 16-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 25-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 28-meter sailing vessel
    N d. Any non-self-propelled vessel

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4084: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer with a signal of __________.

    N a. a short blast
    Y b. a prolonged blast
    N c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. a long blast

4183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When anchoring a 25-meter vessel at night, you must show __________.

    Y a. one all-round white light
    N b. two all-round white lights
    N c. one all-round white light and the sidelights
    N d. the sidelights and a stern light

4212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel approaches a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the bend. You should __________.

    N a. keep to the starboard side of the channel and sound one short blast
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. sound one prolonged blast
    N d. slow your vessel to bare steerageway

4265: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and pushing a barge ahead, your vessel enters a heavy rain storm. You should sound __________.

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

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

4387: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 10°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. None of the above

4449: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Give-way vessel
    N b. Stand-on vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

4462: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel trawling
    N c. vessel at anchor warning of her location
    Y d. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway

4514: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. north (000°)
    N c. southeast (135°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4518: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, a towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

    N a. masthead light
    N b. all-round light
    N c. sidelight
    Y d. stern light

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning an overtaking situation is correct?

    N a. The overtaking vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N b. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N c. The overtaking vessel must maintain course and speed.
    Y d. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the other.

4610: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?

    Y a. Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
    N b. Make a large course change to starboard
    N c. Slow your vessel
    N d. Back your vessel

4623: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel 35 meters in length, with a tow 100 meters astern, must show a minimum of how many masthead lights?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4633: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If practical, when shall a manned vessel being towed sound her fog signal?

    N a. Immediately before the towing vessel sounds hers
    Y b. Immediately after the towing vessel sounds hers
    N c. As close to the mid-cycle of the towing vessel's signals as possible
    N d. At any time as long as the interval is correct

4696: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in pair trawling
    N b. fishing while making no way through the water
    Y c. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4717: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night MAY show __________.

    N a. a green light over a red light
    N b. a red light over a white light
    N c. two white lights at the stern
    Y d. None of the above

4721: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel when anchored at night, would not be required to show anchor lights?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N b. A vessel engaged in mine clearance
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in survey operations

4843: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, a vessels length is her __________.

    N a. length between the perpendiculars
    N b. length along the waterline
    Y c. length overall
    N d. registered length

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

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

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