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.


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


72: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown. This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )


122: 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"?


136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.

    N a. a dredge pipeline on a trestle
    N b. the heads of tows being pushed ahead by tugboats
    N c. purse seiners
    Y d. a seaplane on the water

141: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing an alternately flashing red-and-yellow light. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to assist
    N b. Give-way
    Y c. Stand on
    N d. Heave to

370: INLAND ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, lights in addition to the towing identification lights must be shown. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    N c. towed astern
    Y d. All of the above

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

    Y a. under oars
    N b. on pilotage duty
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

4018: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a distress signal?

    N a. A triangular flag above or below a ball
    N b. The International Code Signal of distress indicated by "JV"
    N c. A green smoke signal
    Y d. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    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.

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4225: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A single towing light will be carried above a vessel's stern light __________.

    Y a. only if she is towing astern
    N b. only if the tow exceeds 200 meters
    N c. at any time when towing
    N d. if the towing vessel is part of a composite unit

4239: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approaching from the opposite direction. You should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. one long blast
    N d. five or more short blasts

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

4299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel on your 15-meter vessel. A deeply loaded cargo vessel is proceeding down the channel as shown. In this situation, which statement is correct? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because you are less than 65 feet in length.
    Y b. You cannot impede the passage of the cargo vessel.
    N c. The cargo vessel is the stand-on vessel because she is running with the current.
    N d. The Rule of Special Circumstances applies in this case.

4312: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show which lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Three red
    Y b. Two red
    N c. Two white
    N d. Three white

4360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed
    N b. Provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. Stay clear, the other vessel is maneuvering with difficulty
    N d. Stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would NOT be a distress signal?

    N a. "MAYDAY" sent by radiotelephone
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog horn
    Y c. Green star shells fired from a launcher
    N d. Square flag and ball in a vertical line

4426: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway in fog but stopped and making no way through the water. What is the required fog signal?

    N a. One prolonged blast at not more than one-minute intervals
    N b. Two prolonged blasts at not more than one-minute intervals
    N c. One prolonged blast at not more than two-minute intervals
    Y d. Two prolonged blasts at not more than two-minute intervals

4439: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Signals required for vessels aground include __________.

    N a. by night, the anchor lights for a vessel of her length, and three red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a short, a prolonged, and a short blast
    Y c. by day, three black balls in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

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

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.

    N a. only the last barge on the tow must be lighted
    N b. only the first and the last barges in the tow must be lighted
    Y c. each barge in the tow must be lighted
    N d. only manned barges must be lighted

4560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.

    N a. only the last barge on the tow must be lighted
    N b. only the first and the last barges in the tow must be lighted
    Y c. each barge in the tow must be lighted
    N d. only manned barges must be lighted

4609: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In determining "safe speed", all of the following must be taken into account EXCEPT the __________.

    Y a. maximum horsepower of your vessel
    N b. presence of background lights at night
    N c. draft of your vessel
    N d. maneuverability of your vessel

4624: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    Y b. underway and laying cable
    N c. at anchor and dredging
    N d. underway and carrying dangerous cargo

4626: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern, where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, will exhibit __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. a diamond shape where it can best be seen
    N c. a ball on each end of the tow
    N d. no day-shape

4640: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    Y a. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
    N b. The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
    N c. The larger vessel
    N d. The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal

4673: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Either vessel in a meeting situation
    N b. The give-way vessel in a crossing situation
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

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