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.


16: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


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


186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

211: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights, stern light and a special flashing light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. sidelights and a stern light

226: INLAND ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel a mile ahead you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    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 need not sound any whistle signals.

234: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which color light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. Green
    Y b. White
    N c. Flashing red
    N d. Yellow over yellow

260: 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 __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

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

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel not under command

4008: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. At any time you feel it is appropriate
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    N c. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

4030: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The NAVIGATION RULES define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

4175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 57 )

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver and not making way
    N b. engaged in fishing and not making way
    N c. a pilot vessel underway and making way on pilotage duty
    N d. towing and making way

4214: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.

    N a. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. white masthead light
    N c. combined lantern
    Y d. stern light

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.

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

4384: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In DIAGRAM 8, vessel "A" and vessel "B" (which is pushing ahead) are meeting head-on as shown. How must the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 8 )

    N a. Vessel "A" must alter course while vessel "B" continues on its present course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by exchanging whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

4391: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a small motorboat. You sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because the tankship is to port.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4470: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal, and change course
    Y c. take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avoid collision

4475: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.

    N a. not be required to show any lights
    N b. be required to show the lights characteristic of a dredge
    N c. be required to show the lights of a stationary dredge
    Y d. be required to show the lights of a power-driven vessel underway

4498: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the daytime, you see a large sailing vessel on the beam. You know that she is also propelled by machinery if she shows __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. a black ball
    Y c. a black cone
    N d. two black cones

4511: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

    N a. It is mandatory to use such a light.
    N b. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    Y c. It is used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    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

4569: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if __________.

    N a. she is the faster vessel
    Y b. the situation involves risk of collision
    N c. the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other
    N d. whistle signals have been sounded

4578: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "short blast" on the whistle has a duration of __________.

    Y a. 1 second
    N b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 8 to 12 seconds
    N d. 12 to 15 seconds

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

4691: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    Y b. A whistle signal
    N c. A gong signal
    N d. All of the above are mandatory.

4720: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    N b. at anchor and dredging
    Y c. underway and engaged in surveying operations
    N d. not under command and making way

4730: INLAND ONLY Which of the following signals may be exhibited by a vessel trawling in close proximity to other fishing vessels?

    Y a. Two white lights in a vertical line
    N b. A red light over a white light in a vertical line
    N c. Two fixed yellow lights in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

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

8063: INTERNATIONAL ONLY On open water two vessels are in an overtaking situation. The overtaking vessel has just sounded one short blast on the whistle. What is the meaning of this whistle signal?

    N a. "I request permission to pass you on my port side."
    N b. "I will maintain course and speed and pass you on your starboard side."
    N c. "On which side should I pass?"
    Y d. "I am changing course to starboard."