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.


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.


62: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


86: INLAND ONLY What is the whistle signal used to indicate a power-driven vessel leaving a dock?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Three short blasts
    Y c. One prolonged blast
    N d. Three prolonged blasts

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

    N a. sailing vessel
    N b. vessel engage in trawling
    Y c. power-driven vessel
    N d. mineclearance vessel

209: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. a special flashing light, sidelights, and a stern light

227: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    Y a. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

265: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing. The vessels will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed.
    Y c. Sound one short blast, turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound one short blast and hold course and speed.

341: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4011: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty at night will show sidelights and a stern light __________.

    N a. when at anchor
    N b. only when making way
    Y c. at any time when underway
    N d. only when the identifying lights are not being shown

4029: INLAND ONLY The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a power-driven vessel __________.

    N a. less than 20 meters in length
    Y b. less than 12 meters in length
    N c. which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth
    N d. engaged in fishing

4093: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels?

    Y a. A sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on her port side shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on the starboard side.
    N b. When both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel to leeward shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sail vessel with the wind abaft of the beam must keep out of the way of a vessel sailing into the wind.
    N d. None of the above

4106: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel showing two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing vessel
    Y b. Vessel trawling
    N c. Mineclearing
    N d. Dredge

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4213: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning whistle signals is FALSE?

    N a. When a pushing vessel and a vessel pushed are connected in a composite unit, the unit sounds the fog signal of a power-driven vessel.
    N b. A vessel at anchor may sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast.
    N c. A pilot vessel may sound an identity signal on the whistle.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in towing in fog shall sound a fog signal at intervals of one minute.

4234: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights, if any, would you exhibit at night if your vessel were broken down and being towed by another vessel?

    N a. None
    N b. Same lights as for a power-driven vessel underway
    N c. A white light forward and a white light aft
    Y d. The colored sidelights and a white stern light

4247: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape is to be shown by a vessel aground?

    N a. A cylinder
    N b. Two cones with their apexes together
    N c. Two black balls in a vertical line
    Y d. Three black balls in a vertical line

4302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound __________.

    N a. one long blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. the danger signal
    N d. two short blasts

4306: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is directed not to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4391: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a small motorboat. You sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because the tankship is to port.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4470: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal, and change course
    Y c. take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avoid collision

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

    N a. in the middle of the channel
    Y b. to the starboard side of the channel
    N c. to the port side of the channel
    N d. to the side of the channel that has the widest bends

4546: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may use the danger signal?

    N a. The vessel to starboard when two power-driven vessels are crossing
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing, crossing the course of a sailing vessel
    N c. Either of two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    Y d. All of the above

4668: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is uncertain about the actions of "B"
    N c. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. is backing engines

4705: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In complying with the Rules, of what must the mariner take due regard?

    N a. Limited backing power of his vessel
    N b. Radar information about nearby vessels
    N c. The occupation of the other vessel, if known
    Y d. All of the above

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

4875: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a signal of __________.

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

5100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    N a. barges being towed astern
    N b. vessels not under command
    Y c. vessels pushing ahead
    N d. All of the above

8016: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What whistle signal, if any, would be sounded when two vessels are meeting, but will pass clear starboard to starboard?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Two short blasts
    N c. Five or more short blasts
    Y d. No signal is required.

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