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.


72: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown. This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )


96: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a sharp bend in a river. You have sounded a prolonged blast and it has been answered by a vessel on the other side of the bend. Which statement is TRUE?


105: 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 __________.


109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. In addition to a steady white light which other light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

140: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is showing an alternating red and yellow light. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Stand on.
    N b. Heave to.
    N c. Alter course to assist.
    N d. Yield the right-of-way.

176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    Y a. 40-meter tug with tow exceeding 200 meters
    N b. tug unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. range marking a channel beneath a drawbridge
    N d. 60-meter tug pushing a barge ahead

252: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

369: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. stand-on vessel
    N b. overtaking vessel
    Y c. give-way vessel
    N d. None of the above

4058: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which factor is listed in the Rules as one which must be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    Y b. The maneuverability of the vessel
    N c. The experience of vessel personnel
    N d. All of the above must be taken into account.

4084: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer with a signal of __________.

    N a. a short blast
    Y b. a prolonged blast
    N c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. a long blast

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4310: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to be regarded as a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel fishing with trawls
    N b. A vessel which has lost the use of her steering gear
    N c. A vessel with a draft of such depth that she cannot change her course
    Y d. A vessel engaged in mineclearing

4341: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing situation with a vessel sailing located on the fishing vessel's starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    N a. The fishing vessel because it is to port of the sailing vessel.
    Y b. The fishing vessel because it is fishing.
    N c. The sailing vessel because it is to starboard of the fishing vessel.
    N d. The sailing vessel because it is sailing.

4396: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Concerning the identification signal for a pilot vessel, in fog, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. When at anchor, the pilot vessel is only required to sound anchor signals.
    N b. The identification signal must be sounded any time the pilot vessel is underway.
    N c. The pilot vessel may only sound the identity signal when making way.
    N d. All of the above

4419: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 25 meters in length must have which sound signaling appliance onboard?

    N a. None is required
    N b. Whistle only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4431: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 50 meters in length at anchor must sound which fog signal?

    Y a. 5-second ringing of a bell every minute
    N b. 5-second ringing of a bell every two minutes
    N c. 5-second sounding of a gong every minute
    N d. 5-second sounding of both a bell and gong every two minutes

4477: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There is a provision to depart from the Rules, if necessary, to avoid __________.

    N a. a close-quarters situation
    N b. an overtaking situation
    Y c. immediate danger
    N d. Any of the above

4553: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

4553: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

4585: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. What lights would you expect to see?

    N a. Red and green sidelights
    N b. Two white lights
    N c. One white light and red and green sidelights
    Y d. One white light

4600: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. A sailing vessel becalmed

4608: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.

    Y a. diving operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance operations

4837: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    N a. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    Y b. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

6520: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel towing
    N d. All of the above

8074: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N b. anchored
    N c. engaged in mineclearance
    N d. engaged in fishing

8074: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N b. anchored
    N c. engaged in mineclearance
    N d. engaged in fishing

8087: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    Y a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
    N c. vessels towing astern
    N d. barges being towed astern

8100: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters
    N b. to any waters inside the territorial waters of the U.S.
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels