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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


23: INLAND ONLY Passing signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.


39: INLAND ONLY Which indicates the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


62: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    Y a. She has the right-of-way only if she is a power-driven vessel.
    N b. She has the right-of-way only if she has a tow.
    N c. She does not have the right-of-way, since the other vessel is not crossing the river.
    N d. She must wait for a whistle signal from the upbound vessel.

84: INLAND ONLY You are in charge of a power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers. You must keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. sail vessel descending the river
    N b. power-driven vessel ascending the river
    N c. sail vessel ascending the river
    Y d. All of the above

159: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel not under command

211: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights, stern light and a special flashing light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. sidelights and a stern light

318: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. two cones with apexes together
    N b. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    N c. a cylinder
    N d. a diamond

4053: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to __________.

    Y a. alter course to starboard and pass port to port
    N b. alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
    N c. decide on which side the passage will occur by matching whistle signals
    N d. slow to bare steerageway

4076: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a rowboat underway does NOT show the lights specified for a sailing vessel underway, it shall show a __________.

    N a. white light from sunset to sunrise
    N b. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown from sunset to sunrise
    N c. combined lantern showing green to starboard and red to port and shown in sufficient time to prevent collision
    Y d. white light shown in sufficient time to prevent collision

4129: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel MUST show two masthead lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A power-driven vessel less than 50 meters in length with a 20-meter tow
    N b. A sailing vessel towing a small vessel astern
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging

4130: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of each blast of the whistle signals used in meeting and crossing situations is __________.

    Y a. about 1 second
    N b. 2 or 4 seconds
    N c. 4 to 6 seconds
    N d. 8 to 10 seconds

4161: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A continuous sounding of a fog-signal apparatus indicates __________.

    Y a. the vessel is in distress
    N b. the vessel has completed loading dangerous cargo
    N c. it is safe to pass
    N d. the vessel is anchored

4182: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown. (DIAGRAM 1 )

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

4239: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approaching from the opposite direction. You should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. one long blast
    N d. five or more short blasts

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

4425: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel exhibits the same lights as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing, when not underway
    N b. vessel towing astern
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are in a composite unit

4469: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal in fog if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. no longer on pilotage duty

4514: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. north (000°)
    N c. southeast (135°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

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

4624: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    Y b. underway and laying cable
    N c. at anchor and dredging
    N d. underway and carrying dangerous cargo

4673: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Either vessel in a meeting situation
    N b. The give-way vessel in a crossing situation
    N c. A vessel at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4674: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in fog. Which vessel is "in sight"?

    Y a. A vessel that you can see from the bridge
    N b. A radar target of which you have determined the course and speed
    N c. A vessel from which you can hear the fog signal
    N d. All of the above

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

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

4852: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is TRUE when operating in fog and other vessels are detected by radar?

    N a. You should make an ample change to port for a vessel crossing on the starboard bow.
    Y b. You should maneuver in ample time if a close-quarters situation is developing.
    N c. You should determine the course and speed of all radar contacts at six minute intervals.
    N d. Long-range scanning will provide early warning of ALL other vessels within the radar's range.

8000: INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.

    Y a. three 360° red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three 360° blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights

8031: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement(s) is(are) TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    Y b. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N c. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    N d. All of the above

8063: INTERNATIONAL ONLY On open water two vessels are in an overtaking situation. The overtaking vessel has just sounded one short blast on the whistle. What is the meaning of this whistle signal?

    N a. "I request permission to pass you on my port side."
    N b. "I will maintain course and speed and pass you on your starboard side."
    N c. "On which side should I pass?"
    Y d. "I am changing course to starboard."