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.


37: INLAND ONLY You are operating a vessel through a narrow channel and your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port, and you are in doubt as to her intentions. You __________.


40: INLAND ONLY The light used to signal passing intentions is a(n) __________.


51: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the Inland Navigation Rules?


178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a 65-meter tug towing a barge astern, length of tow 120 meters? (DIAGRAM 72 )

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

190: INLAND ONLY At night, you see the lights shown. They are shown on a __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )

    N a. barge being pushed ahead
    N b. barge being towed astern
    Y c. tug pushing a barge ahead
    N d. tug towing a barge astern

198: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a vessel that cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?

    N a. The vessel must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.
    Y b. The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible, as determined by her government.
    N c. The vessel must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.
    N d. An all-round light should be substituted for the after masthead light and the stern light.

241: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all cases when passing within one half mile of each other.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional, and the vessels should pass starboard to starboard as agreed.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

267: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. Two short blasts from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

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

272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "A" is a sailing vessel. Vessel "B" is a power-driven vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Vessel "B" sounds the danger signal. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N c. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. have the right of way

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

342: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y d. None of the above

4039: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see another vessel approaching, and its compass bearing does not significantly change. This would indicate that __________.

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

4047: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.

    N a. red light over a white light
    Y b. green light over a white light
    N c. yellow light over a red light
    N d. white light over a green light

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

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.

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel on your 15-meter vessel. A deeply loaded cargo vessel is proceeding down the channel as shown. In this situation, which statement is correct? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because you are less than 65 feet in length.
    Y b. You cannot impede the passage of the cargo vessel.
    N c. The cargo vessel is the stand-on vessel because she is running with the current.
    N d. The Rule of Special Circumstances applies in this case.

4352: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum vessel length which must show two white masthead lights, one forward and one aft, when underway at night?

    N a. 7 meters
    N b. 20 meters
    Y c. 50 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A sailing vessel

4422: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is __________.

    N a. about one second
    N b. two to four seconds
    Y c. four to six seconds
    N d. eight to ten seconds

4438: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog. The fog signal of a vessel underway has been steadily growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate the presence of your vessel?

    N a. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged.
    Y b. Three blasts on the whistle; one short, one prolonged, and one short.
    N c. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged followed by two short.
    N d. No signal other than your fog signal may be used.

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4444: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards?

    N a. A 10-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. A 15-meter vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 20-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above

4581: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines, if necessary, to __________.

    N a. avoid collision
    N b. allow more time to assess the situation
    N c. be stopped in an appropriate distance
    Y d. All of the above

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4670: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    Y c. Whether the nature of the vessel's work limits maneuverability required by the Rules
    N d. Whether or not the vessel is the give-way vessel in a meeting situation

4693: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

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

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light, and towing light
    Y d. All of the above.

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

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