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.


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.


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 )


98: INLAND ONLY You are aboard the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You sound a one blast whistle signal. The give-way vessel answers with a two blast whistle signal. You should sound the danger signal and __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. come around sharply to port
    Y c. take precautionary action until a safe passing agreement is made
    N d. maneuver around the stern of the other vessel

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

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
    N b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
    Y c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light

235: INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    N d. no signal

246: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. If you are in agreement you should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    Y a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signals from vessel "B"
    N d. None of the above

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

297: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

312: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. What should you do? (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. Proceed at full see speed through the two sets of double red lights.
    N b. Stop the vessel and await the red lights to change to green.
    Y c. Slow down and pass between the two sets of double red lights.
    N d. None of the above

320: 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
    N b. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    Y c. two cones with apexes together
    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

363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    Y d. None of the above

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

4186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown. (DIAGRAM 1 )

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

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4280: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Vessel II is a power-driven vessel trawling. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 33 )

    Y a. Vessel I is to keep clear because the other vessel is fishing.
    N b. Vessel II is to keep clear because she is a power-driven vessel.
    N c. Vessel II is to keep clear because the other vessel is to its starboard.
    N d. Both vessels are to take action to stay clear of each other.

4289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a power-driven vessel in fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules require you to navigate with caution and, if danger of collision exists __________.

    N a. slow to less than 2 knots
    Y b. reduce to bare steerageway
    N c. stop your engines
    N d. initiate a radar plot

4398: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tugboat displaying the day-shape shown __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. is at anchor
    N b. is not under command
    Y c. has a tow that exceeds 200 meters in length
    N d. has a tow that is carrying dangerous cargo

4491: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night __________.

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

4512: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must sound her fog signal at intervals not to exceed one minute?

    N a. A power-driven vessel underway, not making way
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    Y d. A vessel aground

4584: INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A vessel that is not equipped with towing lights should show that it has a vessel in tow by_________________.

    N a. continuously sounding its horn
    N b. sounding one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    Y c. shining a searchlight on the towline of the towed vessel
    N d. None of the above; a vessel shall not engage in towing at night without proper navigation lights

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4595: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, would NOT be required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4602: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal consisting of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would indicate the presence of a __________.

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

4684: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. east (090°)
    Y c. southwest (225°)
    N d. west (270°)

4871: 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?

    Y a. Your vessel is obligated to stay out of the way.
    N b. The other vessel must give way, since your vessel is stopped.
    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.

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area

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

8098: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If at night a vessel displays three all-round red lights in a vertical line, during the day she may show __________.

    N a. two cones, base to base
    N b. three black balls in a vertical line
    Y c. a cylinder
    N d. a cone, apex downward