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.


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.


46: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.


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 __________.


74: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT used in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel towing
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is indicated by the day signal shown? (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A dredge indicating the side with the obstruction
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    Y c. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters which limits her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel engaged in underwater operations with a diver down

200: INLAND ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

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

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

353: 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 overtake you on your starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    Y d. None 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

4030: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The NAVIGATION RULES define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

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

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display indicates a vessel conducting mineclearance operations?

    N a. Three balls in a vertical line
    N b. Two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. One ball near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm
    N d. One diamond near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm

4134: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 9 )

    N a. Vessel "A"
    Y b. Vessel "B"
    N c. Neither vessel
    N d. Both vessels must keep clear of the other.

4236: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. vessel being towed

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4296: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which power-driven vessel is NOT required to carry a light in the position of the after masthead light?

    N a. A pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, in a composite unit and 100 meters in length
    N b. A vessel of 60 meters in length towing astern
    Y c. A vessel of 45 meters in length trolling
    N d. Any vessel constrained by her draft

4303: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, you hear apparently forward of your beam a fog signal of 2 prolonged blasts in succession every two minutes. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel making way through the water
    N b. vessel being pushed ahead
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y d. power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water

4304: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed will show __________.

    N a. a forward masthead light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a towing light
    N d. All of the above

4399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would display a cone, apex downward?

    N a. A fishing vessel with outlying gear
    Y b. A vessel proceeding under sail and machinery
    N c. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N d. A vessel being towed

4445: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a towing light above the stern light?

    N a. A vessel pushing three barges ahead
    N b. A vessel towing alongside
    Y c. A vessel with a 150-meter tow astern
    N d. None of the above

4553: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

4555: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N b. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the fishing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

4568: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
    Y b. A purse seiner hauling her nets
    N c. A pilot vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel which has run aground

4595: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, would NOT be required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

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

4635: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.

    N a. three balls in a vertical line
    N b. two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. one ball near the foremast and one ball at each fore yard
    N d. one diamond near the foremast head and one ball at each fore yard

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal