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.


7: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are crossing, a signal of one short blast by either vessel means __________.


52: INLAND ONLY Whistle signals shall be exchanged by vessels in sight of one another when __________.


85: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers, must keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel __________.


106: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.

    N a. pass the other vessel along her starboard side
    N b. sound five short and rapid blasts and pass along her starboard side
    Y c. not overtake the other vessel until both vessels exchange the same passing signal
    N d. not overtake the other vessel until she sounds another five short and rapid blast signal

252: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

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

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

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

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

4056: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in restricted visibility. She should sound __________.

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

4097: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When navigating in restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines when hearing a fog signal forward of her beam, even if risk of collision does not exist
    Y b. have her engines ready for immediate maneuver
    N c. when making way, sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. operate at a speed to be able to stop in the distance of her visibility

4111: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 50-meter vessel is towing astern and the length of the tow is 100 meters. In addition to sidelights, which lights may she show to fully comply with the Rules?

    N a. Two masthead lights forward, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    Y b. A masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N c. No masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N d. Three masthead lights forward, one masthead light aft, and two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

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

4173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4274: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

    N a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
    N b. two black balls
    N c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
    Y d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

4283: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    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. A square flag and ball flown from the mast

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

4352: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum vessel length which must show two white masthead lights, one forward and one aft, when underway at night?

    N a. 7 meters
    N b. 20 meters
    Y c. 50 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4357: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 15 meters in length which is proceeding under sail as well as being propelled by machinery shall exhibit during the daytime __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. a basket
    Y c. a cone with its apex downward
    N d. two cones with their apexes together

4447: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" may be shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. pulling a submarine cable
    Y b. engaged in diving operations
    N c. engaged in underway replenishment
    N d. transferring explosives

4453: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 30 )

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

4474: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should normally __________.

    N a. take action to cross ahead of the other vessel
    N b. take action to pass astern of the other vessel
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. change course and increase speed

4497: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a requirement for any action taken to avoid collision?

    N a. When in sight of another vessel, any action taken must be accompanied by sound signals.
    N b. The action taken must include changing the speed of the vessel.
    Y c. The action must be positive and made in ample time.
    N d. All of the above

4508: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may carry her sidelights and stern light in a combined lantern on the mast?

    Y a. An 18-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 10-meter sailing vessel also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 25-meter sailing vessel
    N d. All of the above

4535: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. May be sounded by the stand-on vessel only
    N b. Indicates that the vessel is in distress
    N c. Is used to indicate a course change
    Y d. May be supplemented by an appropriate light signal

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You need not sound any whistle signals.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    Y d. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.

4669: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

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

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

4865: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to starboard is within the channel and crossing your course. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the cargo vessel
    N d. do not cross the channel

4876: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
    Y b. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N c. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    N d. hold your course and speed if he is on your port bow

8007: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.

    N a. shown at the bow
    N b. white in color
    Y c. shown in addition to the stern light
    N d. an all-round light

8116: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above