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.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


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


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


172: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. sailing vessel
    N b. vessel engage in trawling
    Y c. power-driven vessel
    N d. mineclearance vessel

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

287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. dredge
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. power-driven vessel pushing ahead
    Y d. None of the above

347: 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. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

355: 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 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N 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

4091: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An authorized light to assist in the identification of submarines operating on the surface is a(n) __________.

    N a. blue rotating light
    Y b. intermittent flashing amber/yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing sidelight

4104: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when __________.

    N a. she can be observed by radar
    Y b. she can be observed visually from the other vessel
    N c. she can be plotted on radar well enough to determine her heading
    N d. her fog signal can be heard

4107: 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 to __________.

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

4108: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At specified intervals, a vessel towing in fog shall sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts in succession
    N d. one prolonged and three short blasts in succession

4112: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall exhibit __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, two all-round red lights, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.

    N a. fishing
    N b. in distress
    Y c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4242: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All fog signals shall be sounded every two minutes with the exception of a vessel __________.

    N a. underway or making way
    N b. under sail or under tow
    Y c. anchored or aground
    N d. not under command or restricted in her ability to maneuver

4279: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are watching another vessel approach and her compass bearing is not changing. This means that __________.

    N a. you are the stand-on vessel
    Y b. a risk of collision exists
    N c. a special circumstances situation exists
    N d. the other vessel is dead in the water

4293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

    N a. in the middle of the channel
    Y b. to the starboard side of the channel
    N c. to the port side of the channel
    N d. to the side of the channel that has the widest bends

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

4652: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 18 )

    N a. towing astern with a tow greater than 200 meters in length
    N b. not under command
    Y c. dredging
    N d. carrying dangerous cargo

4665: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 10 meters in length?

    Y a. Any means of making an efficient sound signal
    N b. A bell only
    N c. A whistle only
    N d. A bell and a whistle

4671: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

    Y a. It is only used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N b. It is mandatory to use such a light.
    N c. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

4683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 135.0°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 67.5°
    N d. 22.5°

4690: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. All of the above

4694: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning fog signals?

    N a. All fog signals for sailing vessels are to be given at intervals of not more than one minute.
    Y b. A vessel aground may sound a whistle signal.
    N c. A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel towed.
    N d. The identity signal of a pilot vessel is the only fog signal sounded by such a vessel.

4713: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    Y a. Whistle and bell only
    N b. Whistle only
    N c. Bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4868: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    N a. The vessel making the most speed is the give-way vessel.
    Y b. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

8013: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another, all of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    Y b. four short whistle blasts
    N c. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts