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.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


10: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?


62: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


88: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast by vessel "A" means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "My intention is to hold course and speed"
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side"

177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    N a. dredge working at anchor
    N b. dredge restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. 55-meter tug towing astern, length of tow exceeds 200 meters
    Y d. 65-meter tug towing astern, length of tow 150 meters

199: INLAND ONLY You are on a vessel that the Secretary has determined cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?

    N a. The vessel must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.
    Y b. The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible.
    N c. The vessel must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.
    N d. An all-round light should be substituted for the after masthead light and the stern light.

212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This indicates a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    Y a. engaged in fishing, making way
    N b. engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N c. engaged in trawling, making way
    N d. on pilotage duty, making way

218: INLAND ONLY Your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night. What light(s) should show aft on your vessel? DIAGRAMS60,75,46,70

    N a. The light(s) in Diagram 60.
    Y b. The light(s) in Diagram 75.
    N c. The light(s) in Diagram 46.
    N d. The light(s) in Diagram 70.

218: INLAND ONLY Your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night. What light(s) should show aft on your vessel? DIAGRAMS60,75,46,70

    N a. The light(s) in Diagram 60.
    Y b. The light(s) in Diagram 75.
    N c. The light(s) in Diagram 46.
    N d. The light(s) in Diagram 70.

335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "C" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    Y d. None of the above

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

    N a. maintain course and speed without sounding any signals
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    Y c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

4202: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the following signal: one short blast, one prolonged blast and one short blast in succession. Which of the following would it be?

    N a. A sailing vessel underway with the wind abaft the beam
    N b. A power-driven vessel underway and making way through the water
    Y c. A vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel towing

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

4258: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a broken down vessel being towed would show the same lights as __________.

    N a. a power-driven vessel underway
    N b. the towing vessel
    Y c. a barge
    N d. a vessel at anchor

4288: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is carrying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest of these are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is always TRUE?

    N a. During the day, she would display three balls in a vertical line.
    Y b. If making way, she would show masthead lights at night.
    N c. If at anchor, she need not show anchor lights while displaying identifying lights.
    N d. Her fog signal would consist of a rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds every minute.

4379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. The stand-on vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel when risk of collision exists.
    N b. Risk of collision always exists when two vessels pass within one mile of each other.
    N c. Risk of collision always exists when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel changes appreciably.
    Y d. Risk of collision may exist when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel is changing appreciably.

4408: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 67 )

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway but not fishing
    N c. tending a small fishing boat
    Y d. fishing by trawling

4430: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N b. A sailing vessel
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4460: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    Y a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4469: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal in fog if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. no longer on pilotage duty

4553: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

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

4832: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when she __________.

    N a. can be observed by radar
    N b. has determined that risk of collision exists
    N c. is sounding a fog signal which can be heard on the other vessel
    Y d. can be observed visually from the other vessel

4838: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    N c. Whether the vessel is operating in a narrow channel
    Y d. The nature of the vessel's work, limiting maneuverability required by the Rules

4864: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N d. All of the above

6550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    Y a. at as small an angle as possible
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    N c. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N d. never

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8043: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel would NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel sailing

8067: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above