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.


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"?


53: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on the starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals you should __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )


73: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


80: INLAND ONLY While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.

    N a. opening in a pipeline
    N b. vessel broken down
    Y c. vessel pushing ahead
    N d. vessel fishing

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"?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    Y c. Two
    N d. One, on the near approach of another vessel

138: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may show either a flashing blue light or __________.

    N a. two amber lights in a horizontal line
    Y b. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
    N d. a fixed green light over a red flashing light

143: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. alternating red and yellow light
    N b. alternating white and yellow light
    Y c. all-round white or yellow light
    N d. all-round white light only

265: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing. The vessels will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed.
    Y c. Sound one short blast, turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound one short blast and hold course and speed.

280: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    N b. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    Y d. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility

289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is less than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by day from the vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. ball-diamond-ball on the towing vessel
    N b. diamond on the towing vessel
    N c. diamond on the last barge
    N d. None of the above

299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    Y a. vessel towing astern
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel aground

319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    Y b. two cones with apexes together
    N c. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    N d. a diamond

356: 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 port side"
    N b. "I intend to intend to overtake you on your port side"
    Y c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N d. None of the above

4032: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel?

    Y a. A 16-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 25-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 28-meter sailing vessel
    N d. Any non-self-propelled vessel

4061: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 26 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass under the stern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4081: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" , a power-driven vessel, on open waters and vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 27 )

    N a. Vessel "A" because it is towing
    N b. Vessel "A" because it is to starboard of vessel "B"
    Y c. Vessel "B" because it is sailing
    N d. Vessel "B" because it is to port of vessel "A"

4164: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a whistle signal consisting of one prolonged blast followed immediately by two short blasts. This signal is sounded in fog by __________.

    N a. vessels at anchor, not engaged in fishing
    Y b. vessels underway and towing
    N c. vessels in danger
    N d. pilot vessels

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

4216: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y b. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4273: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT classified as "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel picking up a navigation mark
    N b. A vessel transferring cargo while underway
    Y c. A vessel whose anchor is fouled
    N d. A vessel in a towing operation that restricts the ability of the vessel and her tow to change their course

4536: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the other vessel
    N d. turn to port and come into the wind

4554: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must have a gong, or other equipment which will make the sound of a gong?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. Any vessel over 50 meters
    Y c. Any vessel over 100 meters
    N d. A power-driven vessel over 75 meters

4681: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. are not the same color as either side light
    N b. have a lesser range of visibility than the prescribed lights
    Y c. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

8009: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway on the high seas in restricted visibility. You hear a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could be any of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. minesweeping
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. constrained by her draft
    Y d. being towed

8014: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel leaving a quay or wharf must sound what signal?

    N a. Three short blasts
    N b. A long blast
    N c. A prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8052: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting. A two blast whistle signal by either vessel means __________.

    N a. "I intend to alter course to port"
    N b. "I desire to pass starboard to starboard"
    N c. "I desire to pass port to port"
    Y d. "I am altering course to port"

8089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A towing light __________.

    N a. flashes at regular intervals of 50-70 flashes per minute
    Y b. is yellow in color
    N c. shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above

8100: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters
    N b. to any waters inside the territorial waters of the U.S.
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

8102: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. She is hampered because of her work.
    N b. She is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance.
    N c. She may be a vessel being towed.
    Y d. She must be a power-driven vessel.

8127: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y b. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.