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.


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


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )


129: INLAND ONLY You are proceeding in a channel in inland waters and are meeting an outbound vessel. Your responsibilities include __________.


132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She shall not impede the upbound vessel.
    N b. She shall pass on the port side of the other.
    Y c. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N d. All of the above

195: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

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

247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. burdened vessel

370: INLAND ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, lights in addition to the towing identification lights must be shown. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    N c. towed astern
    Y d. All of the above

384: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

    N a. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. fishing vessel underway
    Y c. pilot vessel underway
    N d. vessel not under command

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

    N a. One long blast
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. One prolonged blast
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts

4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    Y a. Searchlight beam
    N b. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus
    N c. Burning barrel
    N d. Orange smoke signal

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

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

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4213: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning whistle signals is FALSE?

    N a. When a pushing vessel and a vessel pushed are connected in a composite unit, the unit sounds the fog signal of a power-driven vessel.
    N b. A vessel at anchor may sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast.
    N c. A pilot vessel may sound an identity signal on the whistle.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in towing in fog shall sound a fog signal at intervals of one minute.

4217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A man aboard a vessel, signaling by raising and lowering his outstretched arms to each side, is indicating __________.

    N a. danger, stay away
    N b. all is clear, it is safe to pass
    N c. the vessel is anchored
    Y d. a distress signal

4219: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. You must __________.

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

4229: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a 15-meter vessel when you sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Yours is the give-way vessel because it is less than 30 meters long.
    Y b. You shall not impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound __________.

    N a. one long blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. the danger signal
    N d. two short blasts

4340: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and making way your vessel enters fog. Which fog signal should you sound every two minutes?

    Y a. One prolonged blast
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. Three short blasts
    N d. A prolonged blast and three short blasts

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4443: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE in an overtaking situation?

    N a. An overtaking situation exists when one vessel is approaching another vessel from anywhere abaft the beam.
    N b. It is the duty of the vessel being overtaken to get out of the way.
    Y c. Any later change of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel.
    N d. All of the above

4528: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel, underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4596: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape is __________. (DIAGRAM 13 )

    N a. fishing
    N b. towing
    N c. being towed
    Y d. anchored

4628: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel displaying the day-shape shown is indicating that she is __________. (DIAGRAM 35 )

    Y a. being propelled by power as well as sail
    N b. on a starboard tack
    N c. close-hauled and has difficulty maneuvering
    N d. fishing as well as sailing

4694: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning fog signals?

    N a. All fog signals for sailing vessels are to be given at intervals of not more than one minute.
    Y b. A vessel aground may sound a whistle signal.
    N c. A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel towed.
    N d. The identity signal of a pilot vessel is the only fog signal sounded by such a vessel.

4708: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. at anchor
    N b. aground
    Y c. underway
    N d. 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.

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current