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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


107: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. What whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


144: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.


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

348: 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" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

4084: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer with a signal of __________.

    N a. a short blast
    Y b. a prolonged blast
    N c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. a long blast

4098: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You can indicate that your vessel is in distress by __________.

    N a. displaying a large red flag
    N b. displaying three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    Y d. continuously sounding the fog whistle

4121: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel engaged in fishing

4147: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would have no white lights visible when meeting her head-on?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    Y d. A vessel not under command

4156: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" under the Rules of the Road?

    N a. A vessel at anchor with the engine running
    N b. A vessel with a line led to a tree onshore
    Y c. A vessel drifting with the engine off
    N d. A vessel aground

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

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 53 )

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

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

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

4405: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway but not making way and fishing other than trawling will show which lights?

    N a. A white light over a red light
    Y b. A red light over a white light
    N c. A white light over a red light, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. A red light over a white light, sidelights, and a stern light

4406: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is sounding the danger signal
    Y c. is backing engines
    N d. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel

4414: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel which is directed by these Rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid __________.

    Y a. crossing ahead of the other
    N b. crossing astern of the other
    N c. passing port to port
    N d. passing starboard to starboard

4455: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" within the meaning of the Rules?

    N a. A vessel at anchor with the engine turning
    N b. A vessel tied to an offshore mooring buoy
    N c. A vessel aground with the engine turning
    Y d. A vessel drifting with the engine stopped

4570: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may at some time be exhibited by a vessel trawling?

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

4690: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of a bell for 5 seconds?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N b. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y c. A sailing vessel, at anchor
    N d. All of the above

4718: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. fishing at anchor
    Y b. dredging while underway
    N c. transferring dangerous cargo at a berth
    N d. restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway but not making way

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.

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    Y b. take all way off, if necessary
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8081: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    Y b. a white light
    N c. used only at night
    N d. used prior to sounding the whistle