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.


73: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


98: INLAND ONLY You are aboard the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You sound a one blast whistle signal. The give-way vessel answers with a two blast whistle signal. You should sound the danger signal and __________.


114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. NW
    N b. SW
    N c. NE
    Y d. SE

295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel not under command

301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. engaged in submarine operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. engaged in fishing
    Y d. towing astern

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

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

    Y a. red sidelight
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    N d. stern light

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

339: 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. two short blasts
    Y c. one short blast
    N 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

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

380: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    Y a. dredge pipeline
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. vessel not under command

4013: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 11 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

4069: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights are shown by a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver to indicate that the vessel is making way?

    Y a. Masthead lights, sidelights and stern light
    N b. Masthead lights and sidelights only
    N c. Sidelights and stern light only
    N d. Sidelights only

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4455: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" within the meaning of the Rules?

    N a. A vessel at anchor with the engine turning
    N b. A vessel tied to an offshore mooring buoy
    N c. A vessel aground with the engine turning
    Y d. A vessel drifting with the engine stopped

4475: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.

    N a. not be required to show any lights
    N b. be required to show the lights characteristic of a dredge
    N c. be required to show the lights of a stationary dredge
    Y d. be required to show the lights of a power-driven vessel underway

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

4527: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are fishing at night, and you sight a vessel showing three lights in a vertical line. The upper and lower lights are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must keep out of the way of the other vessel.
    N b. The other vessel is responsible to keep out of your way.
    N c. The other vessel is at anchor.
    N d. The rule of special circumstances applies.

4590: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

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

4600: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. A sailing vessel becalmed

4601: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing a barge astern would show, at the stern __________.

    N a. only a stern light
    Y b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. two white lights in a vertical line

4620: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.

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

4650: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights would be shown at night by a vessel which is restricted in her ability to deviate from her course?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line
    N b. Three white lights in a vertical line
    N c. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest white and the middle red
    Y d. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white

4663: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for bell & gong signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    Y b. Manual sounding of the signals must always be possible.
    N c. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    N d. Signals must be able to be sounded manually and automatically.

8045: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. No signal is necessary.
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. Two short blasts
    Y d. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command

8070: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In addition to her running lights, an underway vessel constrained by her draft may carry in a vertical line __________.

    N a. a red light, a white light, and a red light
    N b. two red lights
    N c. two white lights
    Y d. three red lights