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.


28: INLAND ONLY A vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel, and wishing to pass on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle signal of __________.


52: INLAND ONLY Whistle signals shall be exchanged by vessels in sight of one another when __________.


156: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a(n) _________________________ (DIAGRAM 47 )


210: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights, stern light and a special flashing light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

290: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is greater than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by day from the vessel(s)? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. ball-diamond-ball on the towing vessel
    N b. diamond on the towing vessel
    N c. diamond on the barges
    Y d. All of the above

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

    N a. white masthead light
    Y b. green sidelight
    N c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    Y d. None of the above

361: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    Y c. sound five or more short and rapid blasts
    N d. None of the above

371: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, the towing vessel shall show lights in addition to her towing identification lights. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    Y c. towed astern
    N d. All of the above

4045: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when she can see at night __________.

    Y a. only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. a sidelight and one masthead light of the vessel
    N c. only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. any lights except the masthead lights of the vessel

4062: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel navigating at night. You sight the red sidelight of another vessel on your port bow. The other vessel's after masthead light is to the right of her forward masthead light. You should __________.

    Y a. hold course and speed
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. stop engines
    N d. sound the danger signal

4067: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. One white light
    Y d. Two green lights

4086: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and approaching vessel "B" as shown. You are not sure whether your vessel is crossing or overtaking vessel "B". You should __________. (DIAGRAM 15 )

    N a. change course to make the situation definitely either crossing or overtaking
    N b. consider it to be a crossing situation
    Y c. consider it to be an overtaking situation
    N d. consider it a crossing situation if you can cross ahead safely

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

4137: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning lights and shapes for towing vessels?

    N a. If a tow exceeds 200 meters in length, the towing vessel will display a black ball during daylight.
    N b. When towing astern, a vessel will carry her identification lights at the masthead in addition to her regular masthead light.
    N c. When towing astern, the towing vessel may show either a stern light or a towing light, but not both.
    Y d. If the towing vessel is over 50 meters in length, she must carry forward and after masthead lights.

4377: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of __________.

    N a. two to four seconds duration
    Y b. four to six seconds duration
    N c. six to eight seconds duration
    N d. eight to ten seconds duration

4470: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal, and change course
    Y c. take avoiding action only after giving the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avoid collision

4489: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel of 150 meters in length, at anchor?

    N a. She may show an all-round white light where it can best be seen.
    Y b. She must show all-round white lights forward and aft.
    N c. The showing of working lights is optional.
    N d. None of the above

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.

4559: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground at night is required to show two red lights in a vertical line as well as __________.

    N a. not under command lights
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver lights
    Y c. anchor lights
    N d. sidelights and a stern light

4563: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" in DIAGRAM 32, and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating her intention to overtake you. You feel it is not safe for vessel "B" to overtake you at the present time. You should __________.

    Y a. sound five or more short rapid blasts
    N b. sound two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N d. sound three blasts of the whistle

4591: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. cross a traffic lane at as small an angle as possible
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. utilize the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is impeding other traffic due to her slower speed

4622: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within __________.

    N a. the distance of visibility
    N b. 1/2 the distance of visibility
    Y c. a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
    N d. the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

4638: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel __________.

    Y a. must keep out of the way of sailing vessels
    N b. must sound a one prolonged, two short blasts signal in restricted visibility
    N c. is the stand-on vessel when overtaking power-driven vessels
    N d. All of the above

4640: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    Y a. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
    N b. The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
    N c. The larger vessel
    N d. The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal

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

4873: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. engaged in towing
    N d. fishing

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.

8040: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel may NOT exhibit two red lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A trawler fishing in close proximity to other trawlers
    N c. A vessel aground
    N d. A dredge

8080: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is sounded ONLY by a vessel in sight of another?

    Y a. One short blast on the whistle
    N b. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N c. One prolonged blast on the whistle
    N d. One short, one prolonged, and one short blast on the whistle