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.


21: INLAND ONLY The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation sounds one short blast of the whistle. This means that the vessel __________.


46: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.


228: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    N a. law enforcement
    Y b. patrolling a regatta
    N c. hauling in pairs
    N d. river bank protection

325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "B" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    Y c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    Y c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

4035: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in restricted visibility, you might hear, at intervals of two minutes, any of the following fog signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. ringing of a bell for five seconds

4048: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If it becomes necessary for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision, she shall NOT, if possible, __________.

    N a. decrease speed
    N b. increase speed
    Y c. turn to port for a vessel on her own port side
    N d. turn to starboard for a vessel on her own port side

4156: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" under the Rules of the Road?

    N a. A vessel at anchor with the engine running
    N b. A vessel with a line led to a tree onshore
    Y c. A vessel drifting with the engine off
    N d. A vessel aground

4210: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern shall show at night __________.

    N a. the lights required for a power-driven vessel underway
    N b. only the required masthead lights
    N c. a stern light only
    Y d. sidelights and a stern light

4243: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In reduced visibility, you hear two prolonged blasts of a whistle. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel dead in the water
    N b. sailing vessel on the port tack
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel fishing with nets

4280: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Vessel II is a power-driven vessel trawling. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 33 )

    Y a. Vessel I is to keep clear because the other vessel is fishing.
    N b. Vessel II is to keep clear because she is a power-driven vessel.
    N c. Vessel II is to keep clear because the other vessel is to its starboard.
    N d. Both vessels are to take action to stay clear of each other.

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

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.

4367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would NOT be a distress signal?

    N a. "MAYDAY" sent by radiotelephone
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog horn
    Y c. Green star shells fired from a launcher
    N d. Square flag and ball in a vertical line

4388: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel is __________.

    N a. required to give way in a crossing situation
    N b. required to sound the first passing signal in a meeting situation
    N c. free to maneuver in any crossing or meeting situation as it has the right-of-way
    Y d. required to maintain course and speed in a crossing situation but may take action to avoid collision

4391: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a small motorboat. You sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because the tankship is to port.
    Y b. You cannot 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.

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4485: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of collision may exist. You should __________.

    N a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel
    Y b. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N c. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its portside

4494: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel on pilotage duty must show which light(s) at night?

    N a. A stern light only
    N b. Anchor lights only
    N c. A white light over a red light only
    Y d. A white light over a red light and anchor lights

4587: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel anchored in fog may warn an approaching vessel by sounding __________.

    N a. the whistle continuously
    Y b. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast of the whistle
    N c. five or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. three distinct strokes on the bell before and after sounding the anchor signal

4724: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. trawling
    N b. not under command
    Y c. anchored
    N d. drifting

4732: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    Y c. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing
    N d. in a narrow channel

4734: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.

    N a. white lights are not used
    N b. red and green lights are not used
    Y c. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules
    N d. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone

4841: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. in special circumstances
    N c. not under command
    N d. constrained by her draft

4865: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to starboard is within the channel and crossing your course. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the cargo vessel
    N d. do not cross the channel

4877: 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
    Y c. the danger signal
    N d. no signal and maneuver at will

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

8010: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. aground
    N c. dredging
    Y d. constrained by her draft

8101: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. The term only applies to vessels in narrow channels.
    Y b. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.