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.


155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 47 )


173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )


215: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 66 )


218: INLAND ONLY Your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night. What light(s) should show aft on your vessel? DIAGRAMS60,75,46,70

    N a. The light(s) in Diagram 60.
    Y b. The light(s) in Diagram 75.
    N c. The light(s) in Diagram 46.
    N d. The light(s) in Diagram 70.

315: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. fishing
    N b. sailing
    N c. a pilot boat
    N d. anchored

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

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

340: 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 sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

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

389: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. not under command
    N b. engaged in fishing
    Y c. under oars
    N d. towing

4033: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of a prolonged blast of the whistle is __________.

    N a. 2 to 4 seconds
    Y b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 6 to 8 seconds
    N d. 8 to 10 seconds

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

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

4196: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights must be shown on a barge being towed astern at night?

    N a. A white light at each corner
    N b. A white light fore and aft
    Y c. Sidelights and a stern light
    N d. A stern light only

4221: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds which fog signal?

    N a. Two short blasts every one minute
    N b. One short blast every one minute
    N c. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y d. One prolonged blast every two minutes

4390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights must sailboats show when underway at night?

    N a. One all-round white light
    N b. A stern light
    N c. Red and green sidelights
    Y d. Red and green sidelights and a stern light

4415: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may be used by a vessel that is in doubt as to whether sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

4484: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel at anchor, not fishing or otherwise restricted in its ability to maneuver, sounds her fog signal at intervals of not __________.

    Y a. more than one minute
    N b. more than two minutes
    N c. more than three minutes
    N d. less than two minutes

4489: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel of 150 meters in length, at anchor?

    N a. She may show an all-round white light where it can best be seen.
    Y b. She must show all-round white lights forward and aft.
    N c. The showing of working lights is optional.
    N d. None of the above

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°)

4522: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel sounds three short blasts on the whistle, this indicates that __________.

    N a. danger is ahead
    Y b. her engines are going astern
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    N d. all other vessels should stand clear

4534: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing where the tow prevents her from changing course shall carry __________.

    N a. only the lights for a vessel towing
    N b. only the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel not under command

4558: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 22.5°
    Y b. 67.5°
    N c. 112.5°
    N d. 135.0°

4621: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The steering and sailing rules for vessels in restricted visibility apply to vessels __________.

    N a. in sight of one another in fog
    Y b. navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility
    N c. only if they are showing special purpose lights
    N d. only if they have operational radar

4622: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within __________.

    N a. the distance of visibility
    N b. 1/2 the distance of visibility
    Y c. a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
    N d. the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

4686: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals, what changes would you make in the fog signal IMMEDIATELY upon losing the power plant and propulsion?

    Y a. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N c. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4701: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway
    N c. fishing vessel trawling
    N d. vessel at anchor warning of her location

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

4838: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    N c. Whether the vessel is operating in a narrow channel
    Y d. The nature of the vessel's work, limiting maneuverability required by the Rules

8111: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor. Visibility is restricted. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast only
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N d. the danger signal