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.


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )


150: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?


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


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.

365: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. stand-on vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

368: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. stand-on vessel
    Y b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

4111: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 50-meter vessel is towing astern and the length of the tow is 100 meters. In addition to sidelights, which lights may she show to fully comply with the Rules?

    N a. Two masthead lights forward, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    Y b. A masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N c. No masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N d. Three masthead lights forward, one masthead light aft, and two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

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

4247: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape is to be shown by a vessel aground?

    N a. A cylinder
    N b. Two cones with their apexes together
    N c. Two black balls in a vertical line
    Y d. Three black balls in a vertical line

4260: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The minimum length of a power-driven vessel that must show forward and after masthead lights is __________.

    N a. 30 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 75 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4416: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

    N a. must be displayed when day signals are being used
    N b. must be displayed when moored to a pier
    N c. may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
    Y d. may be displayed during daylight

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

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

4505: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels of less than what length may not impede the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. 10 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 30 meters
    N d. 40 meters

4539: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. a green star signal
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

4540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 58 )

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length
    N c. fishing vessel at anchor
    N d. sailboat

4589: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are operating in restricted visibility and hear a signal of a rapidly ringing bell followed by the rapid sounding of a gong. It could be a __________.

    N a. 30-meter sail vessel at anchor
    N b. 150-meter power-driven vessel aground
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. 300-meter power-driven vessel at anchor

4630: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. reduce speed to bare steerageway
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. anchored
    N c. being towed
    N d. drifting

4661: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a towing vessel which, due to the nature of her work, is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. By day, she shall carry a black cylinder shape.
    N b. By day, she shall carry two black balls in a vertical line.
    N c. By night, she would show the same lights as a vessel not under command.
    Y d. By day, she would show the same shapes as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4665: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 10 meters in length?

    Y a. Any means of making an efficient sound signal
    N b. A bell only
    N c. A whistle only
    N d. A bell and a whistle

4708: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. at anchor
    N b. aground
    Y c. underway
    N d. dredging

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

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

4844: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean in the Rules?

    N a. Breadth on the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Molded breadth
    Y c. Greatest breadth
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

8020: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

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

8023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel is approaching a vessel not under command. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    N c. They must exchange whistle signals.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft

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