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.


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


44: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a barge being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit?


168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )


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

178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a 65-meter tug towing a barge astern, length of tow 120 meters? (DIAGRAM 72 )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

219: INLAND ONLY You are proceeding up a channel in Chesapeake Bay and are meeting an outbound vessel. There is no current. You MUST __________.

    N a. keep to that side of the channel which is on your vessel's port side
    N b. stop your vessel, letting the outbound vessel sound the signals for meeting and passing
    Y c. propose or answer one- or two-blast whistle signals given by the other vessel if passing within 1/2 mile
    N d. give the outbound vessel the right-of-way

252: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

274: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    N b. stop until the red lights turn green
    Y c. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights
    N d. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side

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

    N a. white masthead light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

376: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show forward and after masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4020: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel must proceed at a safe speed __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. in congested waters
    N c. during darkness
    Y d. at all times

4078: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are making headway in fog and hear a fog signal of two prolonged blasts on your starboard quarter. You should __________.

    N a. stop your vessel
    N b. change course to the left
    N c. change course to the right
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4080: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway, in fog, when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate a vessel __________.

    Y a. not under command
    N b. being towed
    N c. aground
    N d. All of the above

4224: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is required to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4286: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 69 )

    Y a. engaged in trawling
    N b. minesweeping
    N c. under sail
    N d. a pilot boat

4355: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in an 18-meter tug when you sight a loaded tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is correct?

    N a. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel because the tankship is crossing.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is in the channel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4356: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing underway sounds the same fog signal as a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel stopped and making no way through the water
    N b. vessel being towed
    Y c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver at anchor
    N d. sailing vessel at anchor

4388: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel is __________.

    N a. required to give way in a crossing situation
    N b. required to sound the first passing signal in a meeting situation
    N c. free to maneuver in any crossing or meeting situation as it has the right-of-way
    Y d. required to maintain course and speed in a crossing situation but may take action to avoid collision

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

4435: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which procedure(s) shall be used to determine risk of collision?

    N a. Watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel
    N b. Systematic observation of objects detected by radar
    N c. Long-range radar scanning
    Y d. All of the above

4476: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying one green light. This light could indicate a __________.

    N a. vessel drifting
    N b. vessel at anchor
    N c. small motorboat underway
    Y d. sailboat underway

4581: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines, if necessary, to __________.

    N a. avoid collision
    N b. allow more time to assess the situation
    N c. be stopped in an appropriate distance
    Y d. All of the above

4633: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If practical, when shall a manned vessel being towed sound her fog signal?

    N a. Immediately before the towing vessel sounds hers
    Y b. Immediately after the towing vessel sounds hers
    N c. As close to the mid-cycle of the towing vessel's signals as possible
    N d. At any time as long as the interval is correct

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4672: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N b. Radio transmissions may be used in place of the danger signal.
    Y c. A vessel in doubt as to the other vessel's intentions must sound the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 5 or more prolonged blasts of the whistle.

4718: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. fishing at anchor
    Y b. dredging while underway
    N c. transferring dangerous cargo at a berth
    N d. restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway but not making way

4738: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    Y b. five short and rapid blasts
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern

4845: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What represents the length of a vessel as defined by the Rules? (DIAGRAM 86 )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light, and towing light
    Y d. All of the above.