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.


23: INLAND ONLY Passing signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.


163: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.


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 )


253: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light(s) on the tug & barge will you see, if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. a special flashing light
    N b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. green sidelights
    Y d. All of the above

324: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a green sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

374: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are optional.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

4011: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty at night will show sidelights and a stern light __________.

    N a. when at anchor
    N b. only when making way
    Y c. at any time when underway
    N d. only when the identifying lights are not being shown

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°)

4063: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which, to the extent necessary to carry out their work, do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes. One of these is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing in a traffic lane
    Y b. servicing a submarine cable
    N c. towing another
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4138: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.

    N a. white lights are not used
    N b. red and green lights are not used
    N c. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone
    Y d. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules

4151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A vessel towing
    N b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel aground

4202: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the following signal: one short blast, one prolonged blast and one short blast in succession. Which of the following would it be?

    N a. A sailing vessel underway with the wind abaft the beam
    N b. A power-driven vessel underway and making way through the water
    Y c. A vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel towing

4221: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds which fog signal?

    N a. Two short blasts every one minute
    N b. One short blast every one minute
    N c. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y d. One prolonged blast every two minutes

4314: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a vessel to be "engaged in fishing" she must be __________.

    N a. underway
    N b. using gear which extends more than 50 meters outboard
    N c. using a seine of some type
    Y d. using gear which restricts her maneuverability

4315: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

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

4422: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is __________.

    N a. about one second
    N b. two to four seconds
    Y c. four to six seconds
    N d. eight to ten seconds

4472: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must exhibit appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should show the lights for a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. In situations where a risk of collision exists, a seaplane should always give way.
    Y d. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels.

4487: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. towing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. anchored
    N d. being towed

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

4632: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a seaplane shall __________.

    N a. not be regarded as a vessel
    Y b. in general, keep well clear of all vessels
    N c. proceed at a slower speed than surrounding vessels
    N d. when making way, show the lights for a vessel not under command

4678: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    Y a. Intermittent flashing amber (yellow) beacon for submarines
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights indicating mine clearance operations
    N c. Red-white-red lights in a vertical line for a carrier, launching aircraft
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4682: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N c. cannot be mistaken for the lights specified elsewhere in the Rules
    Y d. All of the above

4687: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. one prolonged and three short blasts at one minute intervals
    N b. a rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one minute intervals
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts at two minute intervals
    N d. a sounding of the bell and gong at one minute intervals

4693: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

    Y a. A whistle signal
    N b. A gong signal
    N c. A bell signal
    N d. All of the above are optional.

4723: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    N a. vessel engaged in fishing at anchor
    N b. pilot vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in launching or recovering aircraft
    Y d. power-driven vessel underway

4846: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In determining "safe speed", the Rules list all of the following as factors which must be taken into account EXCEPT the __________.

    N a. limitations of radar equipment
    N b. presence of background lights at night
    Y c. maximum horsepower of your vessel
    N d. maneuverability of your vessel

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

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command