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.


15: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of the two short blasts signal used when meeting another vessel?


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


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 __________.


171: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel being overtaken
    N b. vessel meeting head-on
    N c. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y d. vessel crossing from your port

183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show an after masthead light, if over 50 meters in length?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. A vessel at anchor
    N c. A vessel not under command
    Y d. A vessel trawling

313: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. Where should you pass? (DIAGRAM 85 )

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

388: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those in international waters for __________.

    N a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels being towed alongside
    N c. vessels pushing ahead
    Y d. All of the above

4114: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

    N a. Use of such a light is required.
    N b. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    Y c. It is only used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N d. All of the above

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

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

4166: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

    N a. three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead light
    Y b. two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. a small white light aft of the funnel

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4304: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed will show __________.

    N a. a forward masthead light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a towing light
    N d. All of the above

4319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about a 25-meter auxiliary sailboat is TRUE?

    N a. The sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern.
    N b. When operating under sail, her fog signal would consist of one prolonged blast.
    N c. She may show a green light over a red light at the masthead.
    Y d. She must show fixed sidelights.

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

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

4417: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What describes a head-on situation?

    N a. Seeing a vessel displaying both sidelights ONLY dead ahead
    N b. Seeing two forward white towing identification lights in a vertical line on a towing vessel directly ahead
    N c. Seeing both sidelights of a vessel directly off your starboard beam
    Y d. Seeing both sidelights and masthead light(s) of a vessel dead ahead

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4590: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. two short blasts
    N b. three short blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged and three short blasts

4597: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command shall display __________.

    Y a. two red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N b. two red lights at night and three black balls during daylight
    N c. three red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N d. three red lights at night and three black balls during daylight

4614: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A fishing vessel
    N b. A pilot vessel
    N c. A mineclearance vessel
    Y d. None of the above

4644: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in trawling will show identification lights of __________.

    N a. a red light over a white light
    N b. a white light over a red light
    Y c. a green light over a white light
    N d. two red lights in a vertical line

4681: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. are not the same color as either side light
    N b. have a lesser range of visibility than the prescribed lights
    Y c. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4706: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light" is a light that __________.

    Y a. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N b. is yellow in color
    N c. is visible over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above

4707: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

    Y a. A stern light only
    N b. Two masthead lights
    N c. Both sidelights and the stern light
    N d. Sidelights only

4720: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    N b. at anchor and dredging
    Y c. underway and engaged in surveying operations
    N d. not under command and making way

4834: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" under the Rules, a vessel must be __________.

    N a. power-driven
    N b. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. using nets
    Y d. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"

8135: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an all-round red light.
    Y b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It can be either an all-round white or yellow light.