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.


57: INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. The blue light indicates a __________.


152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )


197: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.


197: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape when the length of the tow is 200 meters or less
    N b. diamond shape when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

216: INLAND ONLY Signals shall be sounded by a power-driven vessel intending to overtake __________.

    N a. any vessel when within half a mile of that vessel
    Y b. another power-driven vessel when both power-driven vessels are in sight of one another
    N c. any vessel when both are in sight of one another
    N d. another power-driven vessel only when within half a mile of that power-driven vessel

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

342: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y d. None of the above

3683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require that a stand-on vessel SHALL take action to avoid collision when she determines that __________.

    N a. risk of collision exists
    N b. the other vessel will cross ahead of her
    N c. the other vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y d. collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's maneuver alone

4026: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a distress signal?

    N a. Firing of green star shells
    N b. Sounding 5 short blasts on the whistle
    N c. Answering a one blast whistle signal with two blasts
    Y d. A flaming barrel of oil on deck

4076: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a rowboat underway does NOT show the lights specified for a sailing vessel underway, it shall show a __________.

    N a. white light from sunset to sunrise
    N b. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown from sunset to sunrise
    N c. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown in sufficient time to prevent collision
    Y d. white light shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

4090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. no vessels are in sight visually
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    Y c. you are in immediate danger
    N d. out of sight of land

4102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A distress signal __________.

    N a. consists of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    Y b. may be used separately or with other distress signals
    N c. consists of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    N d. is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

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

4121: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel engaged in fishing

4203: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you hear the firing of a gun at one minute intervals from another vessel, this indicates that __________.

    N a. the gun is being used to sound passing signals
    Y b. the vessel is in distress
    N c. all vessels are to clear the area
    N d. all is clear and it is safe to pass

4229: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a 15-meter vessel when you sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Yours is the give-way vessel because it is less than 30 meters long.
    Y b. You shall not impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

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

4443: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE in an overtaking situation?

    N a. An overtaking situation exists when one vessel is approaching another vessel from anywhere abaft the beam.
    N b. It is the duty of the vessel being overtaken to get out of the way.
    Y c. Any later change of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel.
    N d. All of the above

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4516: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. Sailing vessel
    N d. Vessel towing

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4574: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT show her sidelights?

    Y a. A fishing vessel that is not making way
    N b. A sailing vessel which is becalmed
    N c. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N d. A vessel that is not under command making way

4575: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she can see which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    Y a. Only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. One sidelight and a masthead light of the vessel
    N c. Only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. The masthead lights of the vessel

4608: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.

    Y a. diving operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance operations

4615: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.

    Y a. underway, but not making way
    N b. aground
    N c. being towed
    N d. not engaged in pilotage duty

4638: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel __________.

    Y a. must keep out of the way of sailing vessels
    N b. must sound a one prolonged, two short blasts signal in restricted visibility
    N c. is the stand-on vessel when overtaking power-driven vessels
    N d. All of the above

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

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

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area