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.


2: INLAND ONLY What is the required whistle signal for a power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth?


46: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.


70: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Three short blasts
    Y c. One prolonged blast
    N d. Three prolonged blasts

103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    Y b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

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 __________.

    N a. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. two short blasts

120: INLAND ONLY What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A black cone, apex downward
    Y b. An all-round white light at each end of the tow
    N c. A flare-up light
    N d. All of the above

136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.

    N a. a dredge pipeline on a trestle
    N b. the heads of tows being pushed ahead by tugboats
    N c. purse seiners
    Y d. a seaplane on the water

152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    N c. A trawler shooting nets in the direction indicated
    Y d. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters unable to deviate from course

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

194: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and proceeding down a narrow channel as shown. You can only navigate within the channel and vessel "B" is crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which action would be most prudent? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. Back down and allow vessel "B" to cross ahead.
    N b. Alter course to starboard to give him more room.
    N c. Maintain course and speed.
    Y d. Sound the danger signal and take evasive action.

225: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    N a. One
    N b. None
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    Y d. Two

235: INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    N d. no signal

329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "C" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

336: 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. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed without sounding any signals
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    Y c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

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

359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

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

4061: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 26 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass under the stern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4081: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" , a power-driven vessel, on open waters and vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 27 )

    N a. Vessel "A" because it is towing
    N b. Vessel "A" because it is to starboard of vessel "B"
    Y c. Vessel "B" because it is sailing
    N d. Vessel "B" because it is to port of vessel "A"

4125: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you saw flames aboard a vessel but could see the vessel was not on fire, you would know that the __________.

    N a. crew was trying to get warm
    Y b. vessel required immediate assistance
    N c. vessel was attempting to attract the attention of a pilot boat
    N d. vessel was being illuminated for identification by aircraft

4171: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, shall show __________.

    N a. an anchor light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
    Y d. None of the above

4175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 57 )

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver and not making way
    N b. engaged in fishing and not making way
    N c. a pilot vessel underway and making way on pilotage duty
    N d. towing and making way

4178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.

    Y a. towing
    N b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. aground in a fairway
    N d. stopped and making no way through the water

4220: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.

    N a. masthead lights
    Y b. sidelights
    N c. a special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

4414: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel which is directed by these Rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid __________.

    Y a. crossing ahead of the other
    N b. crossing astern of the other
    N c. passing port to port
    N d. passing starboard to starboard

4436: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A white masthead light shows through an arc of how many degrees?

    N a. 90°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225°
    N d. 360°

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°)

4664: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You MUST __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. initiate an exchange of passing signals

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land