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.


124: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?


128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a sailing vessel. While under sail you decide to use your engine to assist in propulsion. Which day signal would you show? (DIAGRAM 16 )


181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown. They indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 74 )


216: INLAND ONLY Signals shall be sounded by a power-driven vessel intending to overtake __________.

    N a. any vessel when within half a mile of that vessel
    Y b. another power-driven vessel when both power-driven vessels are in sight of one another
    N c. any vessel when both are in sight of one another
    N d. another power-driven vessel only when within half a mile of that power-driven vessel

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

258: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile.
    Y b. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional.
    N c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are still required.
    N d. None of the above

290: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is greater than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by day from the vessel(s)? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. ball-diamond-ball on the towing vessel
    N b. diamond on the towing vessel
    N c. diamond on the barges
    Y d. All of the above

324: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a green sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

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

4003: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is used to show the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A diamond shape on the towed object
    N b. An all-round light at each end of the towed object
    N c. A searchlight from the towing vessel in the direction of the tow
    Y d. All of the above

4004: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.

    N a. red and green sidelights only
    N b. a white stern light only
    Y c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. one all-round white light

4072: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 30-meter tug is underway and NOT towing. At night, this vessel must show sidelights and __________.

    Y a. one masthead light and a stern light
    N b. two masthead lights and a stern light
    N c. three masthead lights and a stern light
    N d. a stern light ONLY

4136: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power-driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horizon?

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4160: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.

    Y a. vessel at anchor
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel towing
    N d. All of the above

4187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. power-driven vessel approaching on her starboard side
    N d. vessel fishing

4198: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and approaching a bend in the channel where vessels approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one blast, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N b. three blasts, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N c. one continuous blast until you are able to see around the bend
    N d. one blast, 8 to 10 seconds in duration

4203: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you hear the firing of a gun at one minute intervals from another vessel, this indicates that __________.

    N a. the gun is being used to sound passing signals
    Y b. the vessel is in distress
    N c. all vessels are to clear the area
    N d. all is clear and it is safe to pass

4349: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a vessel is engaged in fishing according to the definitions in the Rules, it will have __________.

    N a. gear extending from the side or stern
    Y b. gear that restricts maneuverability
    N c. less than 50 percent trolling lines
    N d. None of the above

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

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.

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

4524: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    N a. Whistle only
    N b. Bell only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4598: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    Y a. one prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals
    N b. one prolonged and three short blasts at two-minute intervals
    N c. a rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one-minute intervals
    N d. a sounding of the bell and gong at one-minute intervals

4606: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power driven vessel when towing and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit during daylight hours where they can best be seen which of the following shapes?

    Y a. a diamond shape
    N b. two cones, apexes together
    N c. a black ball
    N d. one cone, apex upward

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

4630: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. reduce speed to bare steerageway
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

4671: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

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

4728: 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.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y c. 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 d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4733: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A distress signal __________.

    N a. consists of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    N b. consists of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    Y c. may be used separately or with other distress signals
    N d. is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

4738: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    Y b. five short and rapid blasts
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern

8023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel is approaching a vessel not under command. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    N c. They must exchange whistle signals.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.