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.


61: INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake her on her starboard side. You should sound a whistle signal of __________.


67: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


88: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast by vessel "A" means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )


152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    N c. A trawler shooting nets in the direction indicated
    Y d. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters unable to deviate from course

165: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due south and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. SE
    N b. NE
    N c. SW
    Y d. NW

223: 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?

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

252: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "A" is a sailing vessel. Vessel "B" is a power-driven vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Vessel "B" sounds the danger signal. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N c. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. have the right of way

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

4058: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which factor is listed in the Rules as one which must be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    Y b. The maneuverability of the vessel
    N c. The experience of vessel personnel
    N d. All of the above must be taken into account.

4174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.

    N a. fishing
    N b. in distress
    Y c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4226: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape must be shown by a vessel 25 meters in length aground during daylight hours?

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

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

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

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

4462: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    N b. fishing vessel trawling
    N c. vessel at anchor warning of her location
    Y d. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway

4466: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
    Y c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light

4480: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

    N a. a small white light abaft the funnel
    N b. three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    N d. two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

4501: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For identification purposes at night, U.S. Navy submarines on the surface may display an intermittent flashing light of which color?

    Y a. Amber (yellow)
    N b. White
    N c. Blue
    N d. Red

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

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

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

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

5150: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes, to the extent necessary to carry out their work. One of those is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. towing another
    Y c. servicing a navigational aid
    N d. on pilotage duty

5300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is located between the scheme and the nearest land
    Y b. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    N d. contains all the traffic moving in the same direction

6550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    Y a. at as small an angle as possible
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    N c. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N d. never

8047: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel __________.

    N a. intends to alter course to starboard
    N b. intends to pass starboard to starboard
    Y c. is altering course to starboard
    N d. intends to pass port to port

8062: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If you sighted three red lights in a vertical line on another vessel at night, it would be a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. constrained by her draft
    N c. dredging
    N d. moored over a wreck

8104: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is constrained by her draft and operating in a narrow channel. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You are in doubt as to her intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

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