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.


94: 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 __________.


100: INLAND ONLY Only law enforcement vessels are permitted to show __________.


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )


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

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

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

229: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. overtaken vessel
    Y b. give-way vessel
    N c. stand-on vessel
    N d. None of the above

246: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. If you are in agreement you should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    Y a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signals from vessel "B"
    N d. None of the above

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

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

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

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

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

4034: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    Y a. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

4070: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and hear a vessel continuously sounding her fog whistle. This indicates the other vessel __________.

    N a. desires to communicate by radio
    N b. desires a pilot
    Y c. is in distress
    N d. is aground

4075: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4163: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 22° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists you must __________.

    Y a. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N c. alter the course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side

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

4220: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.

    N a. masthead lights
    Y b. sidelights
    N c. a special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do you think a risk of collision exists?

    N a. A vessel is 22° on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22° abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and fishing shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel sailing
    N d. vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A sailing vessel

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.

4572: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals. What changes would you make in the fog signal immediately upon losing propulsion?

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

4646: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By night, you sight the lights of a vessel engaged in underwater operations. If an obstruction exists on the port side of the vessel, it will be marked by __________.

    N a. a floodlight
    Y b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a single red light
    N d. any visible lights

4706: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light" is a light that __________.

    Y a. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N b. is yellow in color
    N c. is visible over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above

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

8082: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    N b. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    Y c. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N d. All of the above

8105: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    Y b. not impede the other vessel
    N c. exchange passing signals
    N d. sound the danger signal