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.


116: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter fishing vessel. Which day shape must you show while engaged in fishing? (DIAGRAM 16 )


145: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be a(n) __________.


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


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

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

198: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a vessel that cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?

    N a. The vessel must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.
    Y b. The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible, as determined by her government.
    N c. The vessel must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.
    N d. An all-round light should be substituted for the after masthead light and the stern light.

314: INLAND ONLY Identify the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. An aircraft carrier engaged in the launching and recovery of aircraft
    N b. A submarine engaged in underway replenishment at sea
    Y c. A dredge engaged in dredging operations
    N d. A vessel aground assisted by tugs

363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. burdened vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    Y d. None of the above

4060: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching your vessel from 235° relative is in what type of situation?

    N a. Meeting
    Y b. Overtaking
    N c. Crossing
    N d. Passing

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

4133: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE when you are towing more than one barge astern at night?

    N a. Only the last barge in the tow must be lighted.
    N b. Only the first and last barges in the tow must be lighted.
    Y c. All barges in the tow must be lighted.
    N d. All barges, except unmanned barges, must be lighted.

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

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

4212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel approaches a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the bend. You should __________.

    N a. keep to the starboard side of the channel and sound one short blast
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. sound one prolonged blast
    N d. slow your vessel to bare steerageway

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4305: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. two short blasts
    N b. three short blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged and three short blasts

4423: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    Y a. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N b. The vessel may be trolling.
    N c. The vessel shows 2 lights in a vertical line, white over red.
    N d. The vessel sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway, making no way.

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4444: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards?

    N a. A 10-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. A 15-meter vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 20-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above

4445: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a towing light above the stern light?

    N a. A vessel pushing three barges ahead
    N b. A vessel towing alongside
    Y c. A vessel with a 150-meter tow astern
    N d. None of the above

4506: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the sidelights and stern light MAY be shown on a __________.

    N a. sailing vessel of 25 meters in length
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel engaged in trolling
    Y d. 6-meter vessel under oars

4574: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT show her sidelights?

    Y a. A fishing vessel that is not making way
    N b. A sailing vessel which is becalmed
    N c. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N d. A vessel that is not under command making way

4605: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines
    Y b. alter course to starboard
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. back down

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.

5400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT __________.

    N a. cross a traffic lane
    N b. engage in fishing the separation zone
    Y c. proceed in an inappropriate traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone

5500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on a heading at as small an angle as is practical
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. use the separation zone for navigation through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

6520: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel towing
    N d. All of the above

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

8085: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length, with a maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, MUST show when underway at least __________.

    Y a. one white 360° light
    N b. a white light on the near approach of another vessel
    N c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. the lights required of a vessel less than 12 meters in length

8131: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    Y a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round white or yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.