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.


14: INLAND ONLY You have made your vessel up to a tow and are moving from a pier out into the main channel. Your engines are turning ahead. What whistle signal should you sound?


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


90: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are in a starboard to starboard meeting situation and will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should each vessel take?

    N a. Sound a one blast whistle signal and turn to starboard.
    N b. Maintain course and sound no signal.
    Y c. Sound a two blast whistle signal and maintain course.
    N d. Sound a three blast whistle signal and turn to port.

103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    Y b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

133: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The downbound vessel has the right of way.
    N b. The upbound vessel must initiate the required maneuvering signals.
    N c. The upbound vessel must propose the manner of passing.
    N d. All of the above

179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a dredge underway and not dredging? (DIAGRAM 72 )

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

245: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound two short blasts
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. None of the above

245: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound two short blasts
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. None of the above

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. dredge pipeline

357: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I am intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I intend to intend to overtake you on your port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    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

4012: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which displays the day signal shown may be engaged in __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    Y a. submarine cable laying
    N b. pilotage duty
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance

4052: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights displayed would be shown by a vessel which is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

    Y a. aground
    N b. not under command and is dead in the water
    N c. not under command and is making way
    N d. laying or picking up navigation marks

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

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

4187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. power-driven vessel approaching on her starboard side
    N d. vessel fishing

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

4321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could mean all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. towing astern
    N c. fishing with trawls
    Y d. being towed

4376: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show her sidelights when __________.

    Y a. making headway
    N b. making no headway
    N c. moored to a buoy
    N d. at anchor

4409: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel or object being towed astern shall display a(n) __________.

    N a. forward masthead light
    N b. after masthead light
    Y c. stern light
    N d. All of the above

4421: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    Y a. south (180°)
    N b. east (090°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    N d. west (270°)

4478: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision exists when an approaching vessel has a(n) __________.

    Y a. generally steady bearing and decreasing range
    N b. generally steady range and increasing bearing
    N c. increasing range and bearing
    N d. decreasing bearing only

4496: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing is required to show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway
    N c. dead in the water
    Y d. underway and making way

4571: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision is considered to exist if __________.

    N a. four vessels are nearby
    N b. a vessel has a steady bearing at a constant range
    Y c. there is any doubt that a risk of collision exists
    N d. a special circumstance situation is apparent

4601: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing a barge astern would show, at the stern __________.

    N a. only a stern light
    Y b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. two white lights in a vertical line

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

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

8101: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. The term only applies to vessels in narrow channels.
    Y b. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.

8105: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    Y b. not impede the other vessel
    N c. exchange passing signals
    N d. sound the danger signal

8136: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will show sidelights, a stern light, and __________.

    N a. an all-round red light where it can best be seen
    N b. two yellow masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N d. a single white light forward