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.


73: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


78: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of a one short blast signal used when meeting another vessel?


94: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.


131: INLAND ONLY You are navigating in a narrow channel and must remain in the channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel ahead of you from your starboard. You are doubtful of intention of the crossing vessel. You MUST __________.

    N a. stop your vessel, since the other vessel has the right of way
    Y b. sound the danger signal
    N c. contact him on the radiotelephone to make a passing agreement
    N d. stop your engines until you have slowed to bare steerageway

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

    Y a. all-round white or yellow light
    N b. all-round yellow light only
    N c. all-round white light only
    N d. 225° white light only

212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This indicates a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    Y a. engaged in fishing, making way
    N b. engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N c. engaged in trawling, making way
    N d. on pilotage duty, making way

248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "I" and "II" are power-driven vessels. You are on vessel "I" as shown. You are the __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

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

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. only if manned
    N c. only if towed astern
    N d. Need not be lighted

354: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on your starboard side"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

4052: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights displayed would be shown by a vessel which is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

    Y a. aground
    N b. not under command and is dead in the water
    N c. not under command and is making way
    N d. laying or picking up navigation marks

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

4102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A distress signal __________.

    N a. consists of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    Y b. may be used separately or with other distress signals
    N c. consists of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    N d. is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

4115: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

    N a. A bell only
    N b. A whistle only
    Y c. A bell and a whistle
    N d. Any means of making an efficient sound signal

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4185: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, should exhibit __________.

    N a. an anchor light
    N b. sidelights and stern light
    N c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
    Y d. None of the above

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4290: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes of the bell. This signal is made by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor and giving warning
    Y b. aground
    N c. at anchor and greater than 100 meters in length
    N d. not under command and at anchor

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

4463: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "B" approaching vessel "A", as shown. You are unable to see any sidelights on vessel "A". This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )

    N a. meeting situation
    N b. crossing situation
    Y c. overtaking situation
    N d. special circumstances situation

4476: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying one green light. This light could indicate a __________.

    N a. vessel drifting
    N b. vessel at anchor
    N c. small motorboat underway
    Y d. sailboat underway

4603: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?

    Y a. A stern light
    N b. A masthead light
    N c. Not under command lights
    N d. Range lights

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

4633: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If practical, when shall a manned vessel being towed sound her fog signal?

    N a. Immediately before the towing vessel sounds hers
    Y b. Immediately after the towing vessel sounds hers
    N c. As close to the mid-cycle of the towing vessel's signals as possible
    N d. At any time as long as the interval is correct

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

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

4710: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    Y d. A power-driven vessel

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

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

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

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

8076: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

    N a. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. one short blast
    N d. two prolonged blasts