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.


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


59: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.


67: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


222: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    N a. 1
    N b. 3
    N c. None
    Y d. 2

313: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. Where should you pass? (DIAGRAM 85 )

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

4008: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. At any time you feel it is appropriate
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    N c. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

4119: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining a vessel's navigation lights may be shown on a __________.

    Y a. 15-meter sailing vessel
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel trolling
    N d. 25-meter pilot vessel

4139: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing
    Y b. Trawling
    N c. Minesweeping
    N d. Dredging

4217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A man aboard a vessel, signaling by raising and lowering his outstretched arms to each side, is indicating __________.

    N a. danger, stay away
    N b. all is clear, it is safe to pass
    N c. the vessel is anchored
    Y d. a distress signal

4233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you must __________.

    Y a. slow to bare steerageway and navigate with caution
    N b. sound three short blasts and back your engines
    N c. stop your engines and navigate with caution
    N d. continue on your course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

4256: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes established by the International Maritime Organization __________.

    Y a. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N b. provide vessel reporting systems to assist in search and rescue in the event of a vessel casualty
    N c. provide routing and vessel scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargos from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

4342: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights prescribed by the Rules shall be exhibited __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. from sunset to sunrise, and at no other time
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway but stopped and making no way through the water when fog sets in. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast on the whistle
    N b. One prolonged blast and two short blasts on the whistle
    Y c. Two prolonged blasts on the whistle
    N d. One short, one prolonged, and one short blast on the whistle

4382: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound four short blasts in succession. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A pilot vessel
    N b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel fishing
    N d. A sailboat

4396: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Concerning the identification signal for a pilot vessel, in fog, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When at anchor, the pilot vessel is only required to sound anchor signals.
    N b. The identification signal must be sounded any time the pilot vessel is underway.
    N c. The pilot vessel may only sound the identity signal when making way.
    N d. All of the above

4542: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is towing and carrying the required lights on the masthead. What is the visibility arc of these lights?

    N a. 112.5°
    N b. 135.0°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4549: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two sailing vessels are approaching each other as shown. Which statement is correct? (DIAGRAM 3 )

    N a. Vessel "I" should stand on because she has the wind on her port side.
    Y b. Vessel "II" should stand on because she has the wind on her starboard side.
    N c. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel because they are meeting head-on.
    N d. Vessel "I" should stand on because she is close-hauled.

4584: INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A vessel that is not equipped with towing lights should show that it has a vessel in tow by_________________.

    N a. continuously sounding its horn
    N b. sounding one prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    Y c. shining a searchlight on the towline of the towed vessel
    N d. None of the above; a vessel shall not engage in towing at night without proper navigation lights

4591: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. cross a traffic lane at as small an angle as possible
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. utilize the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is impeding other traffic due to her slower speed

4668: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is uncertain about the actions of "B"
    N c. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. is backing engines

4668: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is uncertain about the actions of "B"
    N c. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. is backing engines

4717: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night MAY show __________.

    N a. a green light over a red light
    N b. a red light over a white light
    N c. two white lights at the stern
    Y d. None of the above

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

5400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT __________.

    N a. cross a traffic lane
    N b. engage in fishing the separation zone
    Y c. proceed in an inappropriate traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone

8007: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.

    N a. shown at the bow
    N b. white in color
    Y c. shown in addition to the stern light
    N d. an all-round light

8008: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to pass on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. two prolonged followed by two short blasts

8041: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________.

    N a. should sound two short blasts
    N b. should sound the danger signal
    N c. should sound one long blast
    Y d. will not sound any whistle signals

8071: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT regarded as being "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N b. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N c. A towing vessel with tow unable to deviate from its course
    Y d. A vessel constrained by her draft

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