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.


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.


108: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your first whistle signal should be __________.


128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a sailing vessel. While under sail you decide to use your engine to assist in propulsion. Which day signal would you show? (DIAGRAM 16 )


138: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may show either a flashing blue light or __________.

    N a. two amber lights in a horizontal line
    Y b. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
    N d. a fixed green light over a red flashing light

156: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a(n) _________________________ (DIAGRAM 47 )

    N a. vessel towing astern
    Y b. sailing vessel
    N c. submarine operating on the surface
    N d. vessel pushing a barge ahead

161: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due south and see the lights shown one point on the port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    Y a. NW
    N b. SW
    N c. NE
    N d. SE

250: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. You sound one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "II" does not sound any signal. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound two short blasts and change course to port.

256: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. If you are on vessel "A", in addition to the sidelight, which other light(s) will you see on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    Y b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    N d. None of the above

4001: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The maximum length of a power-driven vessel which may show an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light, sidelights and a stern light is __________.

    N a. 6.9 meters
    N b. 9.9 meters
    Y c. 11.9 meters
    N d. 19.9 meters

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

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

4069: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights are shown by a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver to indicate that the vessel is making way?

    Y a. Masthead lights, sidelights and stern light
    N b. Masthead lights and sidelights only
    N c. Sidelights and stern light only
    N d. Sidelights only

4088: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "restricted visibility" as used in the Rules refers __________.

    N a. only to fog
    N b. only to visibility of less than one-half of a mile
    N c. to visibility where you cannot see shore
    Y d. to any condition where visibility is restricted

4126: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, when it is impracticable for a small vessel engaged in diving operations to display the shapes for a vessel engaged in underwater operations, she shall display __________.

    N a. three black balls in a vertical line
    N b. two red balls in a vertical line
    N c. a black cylinder
    Y d. a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A"

4136: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power-driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horizon?

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation would risk of collision definitely exist?

    N a. A vessel is 22 degrees on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22 degrees abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4406: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is sounding the danger signal
    Y c. is backing engines
    N d. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel

4412: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater survey operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4611: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which does not normally engage in towing operations, is towing a vessel in distress. She __________.

    Y a. need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so
    N b. may show the lights for a vessel not under command
    N c. must show a yellow light above the stern light
    N d. must show the lights for a vessel towing

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

4711: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

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

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

5200: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    N a. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    Y c. at as small an angle as possible
    N d. only to anchor within the zone

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.

8006: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters which are not inland waters
    N b. only to waters outside the territorial waters of the United States
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels

8088: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two all-round red lights at the masthead
    Y d. two masthead lights in a vertical line