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.


74: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT used in the Inland Navigation Rules?


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


145: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be a(n) __________.


146: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    N a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    Y c. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.

209: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. a special flashing light, sidelights, and a stern light

221: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long would be required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

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

284: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. dredge pipeline

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

    N a. One long blast
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. One prolonged blast
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts

4054: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "engaged in fishing" when __________.

    N a. her gear extends more than 100 meters from the vessel
    N b. she is using any type of gear, other than lines
    Y c. she is using fishing apparatus which restricts her maneuverability
    N d. she has any fishing gear on board

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

4106: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel showing two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing vessel
    Y b. Vessel trawling
    N c. Mineclearing
    N d. Dredge

4106: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel showing two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing vessel
    Y b. Vessel trawling
    N c. Mineclearing
    N d. Dredge

4110: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Continuous sounding of a fog whistle by a vessel is a signal __________.

    N a. that the vessel is anchored
    N b. to request the draw span of a bridge to be opened
    Y c. of distress
    N d. that the vessel is broken down and drifting

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

4128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display indicates a vessel conducting mineclearance operations?

    N a. Three balls in a vertical line
    N b. Two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. One ball near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm
    N d. One diamond near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4353: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel that is to keep out of the way of another vessel must take positive early action to comply with this obligation and must __________.

    Y a. avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel
    N b. avoid passing astern of the other vessel
    N c. sound one prolonged blast to indicate compliance
    N d. alter course to port for a vessel on her port side

4398: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tugboat displaying the day-shape shown __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. is at anchor
    N b. is not under command
    Y c. has a tow that exceeds 200 meters in length
    N d. has a tow that is carrying dangerous cargo

4407: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4451: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel should at all times proceed at a "safe speed". "Safe speed" is defined as that speed where __________.

    N a. you can stop within your visibility range
    Y b. you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
    N c. you are traveling slower than surrounding vessels
    N d. no wake comes from your vessel

4544: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant and is presently on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, accompanied by the appropriate whistle signal, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4603: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?

    Y a. A stern light
    N b. A masthead light
    N c. Not under command lights
    N d. Range lights

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.

4684: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. east (090°)
    Y c. southwest (225°)
    N d. west (270°)

4714: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A vessel pushing ahead
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N d. A vessel trawling

4843: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, a vessels length is her __________.

    N a. length between the perpendiculars
    N b. length along the waterline
    Y c. length overall
    N d. registered length

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel

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

8111: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor. Visibility is restricted. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast only
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N d. the danger signal