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.


81: INLAND ONLY When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a current, which vessel shall sound the first passing signal?


88: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast by vessel "A" means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )


103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?


255: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light on vessel "B" will you see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    Y d. None of the above

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

315: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. fishing
    N b. sailing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel whose lights are shown is navigating in a narrow channel. Which statement about this vessel is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. It shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within the channel or fairway.
    N b. It is the stand-on vessel
    N c. It may anchor in the channel or fairway
    N d. It shows two balls

4063: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which, to the extent necessary to carry out their work, do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes. One of these is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing in a traffic lane
    Y b. servicing a submarine cable
    N c. towing another
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.

    N a. a masthead light forward, and two masthead lights in a vertical line aft
    Y b. three masthead lights forward and one aft
    N c. two masthead lights forward and no after masthead light
    N d. three masthead lights aft and none forward

4134: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 9 )

    N a. Vessel "A"
    Y b. Vessel "B"
    N c. Neither vessel
    N d. Both vessels must keep clear of the other.

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

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

4155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.

    N a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
    N b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
    N c. tow is less than 200 meters
    Y d. tow is greater than 200 meters

4232: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the signal consisting of five or more short blasts on the ship's whistle __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the give-way vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to the other vessel's action
    N d. makes it necessary to slow or stop

4237: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights would you see on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling?

    N a. Two red lights, one over the other
    N b. A green light over a red light
    Y c. A red light over a white light
    N d. A white light over a red light

4244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, will sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. a 5 second ringing of a bell forward and a 5 second sounding of a gong aft at intervals of 1 minute
    Y b. one prolonged followed by two short blasts every 2 minutes
    N c. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every minute
    N d. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every 2 minutes

4282: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 63 )

    Y a. towing astern
    N b. underway and more than 50 meters in length
    N c. broken down
    N d. fishing

4372: 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
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    Y d. the danger signal

4427: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light, according to the Rules, is a __________.

    N a. white light
    N b. red light
    Y c. yellow light
    N d. blue light

4429: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting head-on. How must the vessels pass?

    N a. One vessel must alter course while the other must continue on its course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

4453: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 30 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass astern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4681: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. are not the same color as either side light
    N b. have a lesser range of visibility than the prescribed lights
    Y c. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4685: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean?

    Y a. Greatest breadth
    N b. Molded breadth
    N c. Breadth on the main deck
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

4703: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

    N a. special flashing light
    N b. anchor light
    Y c. stern light
    N d. masthead light

4707: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

    Y a. A stern light only
    N b. Two masthead lights
    N c. Both sidelights and the stern light
    N d. Sidelights only

4844: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean in the Rules?

    N a. Breadth on the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Molded breadth
    Y c. Greatest breadth
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    Y b. take all way off, if necessary
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8021: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. What is your responsibility?

    N a. Hold your course and speed.
    N b. Sound the danger signal.
    N c. Begin an exchange of passing signals.
    Y d. Do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel.

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"