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.


30: INLAND ONLY Which signal must a power-driven vessel give, in addition to one prolonged blast, when backing out of a berth with another vessel in sight?


61: INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake her on her starboard side. You should sound a whistle signal of __________.


104: INLAND ONLY Which light(s) shall be shown at night on a moored barge which reduces the navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters?


145: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be a(n) __________.

    Y a. all-round white or yellow light
    N b. all-round yellow light only
    N c. all-round white light only
    N d. 225° white light only

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

    Y a. vessel not under command
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel engaged in underwater operations

213: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You see the lights shown. This is a __________. (DIAGRAM 66 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a launch alongside
    N b. dredge working at anchor
    Y c. vessel towing a barge alongside
    N d. vessel pushing a barge ahead

228: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    N a. law enforcement
    Y b. patrolling a regatta
    N c. hauling in pairs
    N d. river bank protection

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

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

4063: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which, to the extent necessary to carry out their work, do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes. One of these is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing in a traffic lane
    Y b. servicing a submarine cable
    N c. towing another
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

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

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

4310: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to be regarded as a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel fishing with trawls
    N b. A vessel which has lost the use of her steering gear
    N c. A vessel with a draft of such depth that she cannot change her course
    Y d. A vessel engaged in mineclearing

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

4431: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 50 meters in length at anchor must sound which fog signal?

    Y a. 5-second ringing of a bell every minute
    N b. 5-second ringing of a bell every two minutes
    N c. 5-second sounding of a gong every minute
    N d. 5-second sounding of both a bell and gong every two minutes

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4448: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 5 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to the port side of vessel "B".
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4453: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 30 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass astern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4484: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel at anchor, not fishing or otherwise restricted in its ability to maneuver, sounds her fog signal at intervals of not __________.

    Y a. more than one minute
    N b. more than two minutes
    N c. more than three minutes
    N d. less than two minutes

4619: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate safely within a narrow channel?

    N a. Any vessel less than 20 meters in length
    N b. Any sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4621: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The steering and sailing rules for vessels in restricted visibility apply to vessels __________.

    N a. in sight of one another in fog
    Y b. navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility
    N c. only if they are showing special purpose lights
    N d. only if they have operational radar

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°)

4702: 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. southeast (135°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

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

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4829: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "restricted visibility", when used in the Rules, refers to __________.

    N a. situations when you can see vessels on radar that you cannot see visually
    N b. visibility of less than half a mile
    Y c. any condition where visibility is restricted
    N d. visibility where you cannot see shore

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

8068: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order is given by a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. in distress
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. being overtaken in a narrow channel

8096: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    N a. three all-round red lights instead of the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N b. the same lights as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. three all-round red lights in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N d. the lights for a power-driven vessel which is not under command

8129: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. A vessel constrained by her draft shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.