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.


56: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must remain in a narrow channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel from your starboard. You do not think she will pass safely. You MUST __________.


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


225: 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?


279: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    Y b. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

283: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. seaplane
    N b. minesweeper
    Y c. dredge pipeline
    N d. vessel not under command

322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel whose lights are shown is navigating in a narrow channel. Which statement about this vessel is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. It shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within the channel or fairway.
    N b. It is the stand-on vessel
    N c. It may anchor in the channel or fairway
    N d. It shows two balls

347: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

348: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

1000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

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

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

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the light shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 46 )

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

4318: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. Flames on a vessel
    Y b. Vertical motion of a white lantern at night
    N c. Code flags "November" and "Charlie"
    N d. Dye marker on the water

4363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. broken down
    N b. anchored
    Y c. towing
    N d. fishing

4418: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two vessels are in immediate danger of collision, the stand-on vessel must __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    Y b. assist in taking whatever action is necessary to avoid collision
    N c. hold course and speed
    N d. sound a distress signal

4428: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal shall a power-driven vessel sound when making way in fog?

    N a. One short blast every two minutes
    Y b. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    N c. One prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. Three short blasts every two minutes

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

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

4474: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should normally __________.

    N a. take action to cross ahead of the other vessel
    N b. take action to pass astern of the other vessel
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. change course and increase speed

4508: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may carry her sidelights and stern light in a combined lantern on the mast?

    Y a. An 18-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 10-meter sailing vessel also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 25-meter sailing vessel
    N d. All of the above

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4551: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear when __________.

    N a. she is forward of the other vessel's beam
    N b. the overtaking situation becomes a crossing situation
    Y c. she is past and clear of the other vessel
    N d. the other vessel is no longer in sight

4579: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. seaplanes
    N b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. barges
    Y d. All of the above

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

4689: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

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

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

4724: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. trawling
    N b. not under command
    Y c. anchored
    N d. drifting

8012: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a signal of intent which must be answered by the other vessel, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. meeting another head-on
    N b. crossing the course of another
    Y c. overtaking another
    N d. Any of the above

8018: INTERNATIONAL ONLY On open water, a power-driven vessel coming up dead astern of another vessel and altering her course to starboard so as to pass on the starboard side of the vessel ahead would sound __________.

    N a. two short blasts
    Y b. one short blast
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    N d. one long and one short blast