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.


37: INLAND ONLY You are operating a vessel through a narrow channel and 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 her intentions. You __________.


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


105: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your FIRST whistle signal should be __________.


132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She shall not impede the upbound vessel.
    N b. She shall pass on the port side of the other.
    Y c. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N d. All of the above

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

183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show an after masthead light, if over 50 meters in length?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. A vessel at anchor
    N c. A vessel not under command
    Y d. A vessel trawling

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

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

358: 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. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    Y d. None of the above

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4116: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The towing light is a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing amber light
    Y b. yellow light with the same characteristics as the stern light
    N c. all-round yellow light
    N d. yellow light with the same characteristics as the masthead light

4198: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and approaching a bend in the channel where vessels approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one blast, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N b. three blasts, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N c. one continuous blast until you are able to see around the bend
    N d. one blast, 8 to 10 seconds in duration

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

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

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".

4479: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What signal indicates doubt that sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    Y a. Five short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N b. Three long blasts of the whistle
    N c. Three short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast followed by three short blasts of the whistle

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

4529: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    Y a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. are not the color of either sidelight
    N c. have a lesser range than the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4541: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are no other vessels around
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    N c. the Master enters it in the ship's log
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

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

4599: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night you see the red sidelight of a vessel well off your port bow. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are required to alter course to the right.
    N b. You must stop engines.
    N c. You are on a collision course with the other vessel.
    Y d. You may maintain course and speed.

4617: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel shall __________.

    N a. avoid crossing the channel at right angles
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    Y c. keep as near as safe and practicable to the limit of the channel on her starboard side
    N d. when nearing a bend in the channel, sound a long blast of the whistle

4618: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    Y a. A vessel towing astern
    N b. A vessel trawling
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging operations

4631: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two barges are being pushed ahead by a tugboat. Which statement is TRUE concerning lights on the barges?

    N a. Each vessel should show sidelights.
    N b. Each vessel should show at least one white light.
    N c. The barges should be lighted as separate units.
    Y d. The barges should be lighted as one vessel.

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

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4869: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. when they are making more speed than the power-driven vessel
    Y c. when the sailing vessel is overtaking
    N d. on the Inland Waters of the United States

8076: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

    N a. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. one short blast
    N d. two prolonged blasts

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft

8118: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of intent must be sounded in international waters by __________.

    N a. a vessel meeting another head-on
    Y b. a vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N c. a vessel crossing the course of another
    N d. the give-way vessel in a crossing situation