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.


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


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 __________.


137: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying an alternating red and yellow light is __________.


247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

277: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    Y a. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N b. visible for at least one mile
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    Y b. two cones with apexes together
    N c. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    N d. a diamond

345: 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 )

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

392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. power-driven vessel

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

4040: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown indicates a vessel with a tow exceeding 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )

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

4067: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. One white light
    Y d. Two green lights

4112: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall exhibit __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, two all-round red lights, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4223: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show three lights in a vertical line, the top and bottom being red and the middle being white?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N b. A pilot vessel
    N c. A vessel trawling
    N d. All of the above

4417: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What describes a head-on situation?

    N a. Seeing a vessel displaying both sidelights ONLY dead ahead
    N b. Seeing two forward white towing identification lights in a vertical line on a towing vessel directly ahead
    N c. Seeing both sidelights of a vessel directly off your starboard beam
    Y d. Seeing both sidelights and masthead light(s) of a vessel dead ahead

4490: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would be required to show a white light from a lantern exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision?

    N a. A 9-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A rowboat
    N c. A 6-meter motorboat
    N d. A small vessel fishing

4561: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is aground in fog. In addition to the regular anchor signals, you will be sounding __________.

    N a. three strokes of the gong before and after the rapid ringing of the gong
    N b. a blast on the whistle
    Y c. three strokes of the bell before and after the rapid ringing of the bell
    N d. no additional signals

4641: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after white masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4686: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals, what changes would you make in the fog signal IMMEDIATELY upon losing the power plant and propulsion?

    Y a. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N c. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4692: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel laying engaged in laying submarine cable
    N b. A vessel towing with limited maneuverability due to a large unwieldy tow
    Y c. A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    N d. A towing vessel underway with a fuel barge alongside and taking on fuel

4700: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "length" refer to?

    N a. Length between the perpendiculars
    Y b. Length overall
    N c. Waterline length
    N d. Registered length

4709: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. aground
    Y b. underway
    N c. at anchor
    N d. transferring dangerous cargo

4863: 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?

    N a. The fishing vessel must sound the danger signal.
    Y b. The fishing vessel shall not impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Both vessels should be displaying the signal for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4870: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    N a. Any time the danger signal is sounded
    N b. When two power-driven vessels are crossing and it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y c. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on
    N d. All of the above

4877: 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
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    Y c. the danger signal
    N d. no signal and maneuver at will

5200: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    N a. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    Y c. at as small an angle as possible
    N d. only to anchor within the zone

8060: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are operating a vessel in a narrow channel. Your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port, and you are in doubt as to his intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

    Y a. may sound the danger signal
    N b. must sound one prolonged and two short blasts
    N c. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N d. are required to back down

8074: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N b. anchored
    N c. engaged in mineclearance
    N d. engaged in fishing

8087: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    Y a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
    N c. vessels towing astern
    N d. barges being towed astern