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.


15: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of the two short blasts signal used when meeting another vessel?


26: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement boat may display a __________.


34: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.

    N a. required
    Y b. not required, but may be sounded
    N c. required if crossing within half a mile
    N d. required when crossing within one mile

87: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used for maneuvering signals?

    N a. It must be synchronized with the whistle.
    N b. It may be white or yellow.
    N c. It must be an all-round light.
    Y d. All of the above

90: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are in a starboard to starboard meeting situation and will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should each vessel take?

    N a. Sound a one blast whistle signal and turn to starboard.
    N b. Maintain course and sound no signal.
    Y c. Sound a two blast whistle signal and maintain course.
    N d. Sound a three blast whistle signal and turn to port.

123: INLAND ONLY What is not contained in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. An inconspicuous, partly submerged object
    N b. Lights on pipelines
    Y c. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N d. An air-cushion vessel

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

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

334: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. yellow flashing light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

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

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

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

4044: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel's green sidelight bearing due east from you. The vessel might be heading __________.

    N a. east (090°)
    N b. northeast (045°)
    N c. northwest (315°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4065: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N c. fishing while making no way through the water
    N d. fishing in company with another vessel

4068: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the situation illustrated, vessel I is a power-driven vessel. Vessel II is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Which statement about this situation is correct? (DIAGRAM 2 )

    Y a. Vessel I should keep out of the way of Vessel II.
    N b. Vessel II should keep out of the way of Vessel I.
    N c. Vessel II would normally be the stand-on vessel, but should stay out of the way in this particular situation.
    N d. The Rules of Special Circumstances applies, and neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    Y a. Searchlight beam
    N b. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus
    N c. Burning barrel
    N d. Orange smoke signal

4179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if __________.

    N a. she is showing sidelights
    N b. her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel
    N c. she is showing a stern light
    Y d. her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

4404: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to change course shall, when making way, exhibit __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light and towing light
    Y d. All of the above

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".

4537: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is on course 000°T. Vessel "B" is on a course such that she is involved in a head-on situation and is bearing 355°T, 2 miles away from vessel "A". To ensure a safe passing, vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. maintain course
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. alter course to ensure a starboard to starboard passing
    Y d. maneuver to ensure a port to port passing

4560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.

    N a. only the last barge on the tow must be lighted
    N b. only the first and the last barges in the tow must be lighted
    Y c. each barge in the tow must be lighted
    N d. only manned barges must be lighted

4604: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. being towed

4672: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N b. Radio transmissions may be used in place of the danger signal.
    Y c. A vessel in doubt as to the other vessel's intentions must sound the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 5 or more prolonged blasts of the whistle.

4730: INLAND ONLY Which of the following signals may be exhibited by a vessel trawling in close proximity to other fishing vessels?

    Y a. Two white lights in a vertical line
    N b. A red light over a white light in a vertical line
    N c. Two fixed yellow lights in a vertical line
    N d. All of the above

4835: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The word "vessel", in the Rules, includes __________.

    N a. a barge permanently affixed to the shore
    Y b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. a drilling unit attached to the Outer Continental Shelf
    N d. All of the above

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4857: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching a narrow channel shall __________.

    Y a. avoid crossing the channel if it impedes another vessel navigating in the channel
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    N c. keep as close as possible to the edge of the channel on her port side
    N d. anchor only in the middle of the channel

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

8004: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. a long blast
    N c. a prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8100: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters
    N b. to any waters inside the territorial waters of the U.S.
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels