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.


38: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the rules, you should exchange __________.


77: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. What action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )


77: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. What action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )


170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y b. vessel crossing from your port
    N c. vessel being overtaken
    N d. vessel meeting head-on

244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 15-meter vessel "A" in a narrow channel as shown. Vessel "B", a large tanker which can safely navigate only within the channel, sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. maintain course and speed
    Y d. not impede the passage of vessel "B"

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

364: 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
    Y c. stand-on vessel
    N d. overtaking vessel

4032: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel?

    Y a. A 16-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 25-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 28-meter sailing vessel
    N d. Any non-self-propelled vessel

4057: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying the code flag "LIMA" below which is a red ball. The vessel is __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. getting ready to receive aircraft
    N c. aground
    Y d. in distress

4158: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 25-meter vessel trawling will show the dayshape(s) consisting of __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. two balls
    Y c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. a cone, apex downward

4197: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall show two red lights in a vertical line and __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, sidelights and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

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

4236: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. vessel being towed

4294: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead show three flashes of a white light. This signal indicates that the vessel ahead is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. approaching a bend in the channel
    Y c. operating astern propulsion
    N d. intending to overtake another vessel

4342: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights prescribed by the Rules shall be exhibited __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. from sunset to sunrise, and at no other time
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4364: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The whistle signal for a vessel operating astern propulsion is __________.

    N a. one long blast
    N b. one prolonged blast
    Y c. three short blasts
    N d. four or more short blasts

4394: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A partly submerged vessel or object being towed, which is not readily noticeable, shall show __________.

    N a. yellow lights at each end
    N b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a black ball
    Y d. a diamond shape

4517: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

    N a. A 200-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A 50-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. All of the above

4528: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel, underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a partly submerged vessel being towed?

    N a. It must show a yellow light at each end.
    N b. It will show red lights along its length.
    Y c. A diamond shape will be carried at the aftermost extremity of the tow.
    N d. All of the above

4620: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged and two short blasts

4643: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night may show __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4646: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By night, you sight the lights of a vessel engaged in underwater operations. If an obstruction exists on the port side of the vessel, it will be marked by __________.

    N a. a floodlight
    Y b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a single red light
    N d. any visible lights

4676: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal indicating her intention to pass you on your starboard side. If such an action appears dangerous, you should sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by one short blast
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order
    Y c. five short and rapid blasts
    N d. three short and rapid blasts

4707: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

    Y a. A stern light only
    N b. Two masthead lights
    N c. Both sidelights and the stern light
    N d. Sidelights only

4713: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    Y a. Whistle and bell only
    N b. Whistle only
    N c. Bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4858: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should if safe and practicable __________.

    N a. stay near the middle of the channel
    N b. keep to the starboard side of any vessels you meet
    N c. exchange whistle signals with any other vessels in the channel
    Y d. keep to the side of the channel which lies to your starboard

8000: INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.

    Y a. three 360° red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three 360° blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights

8026: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in sight of another vessel in a crossing situation, and the other vessel sounds one short blast. You are going to hold course and speed. You should __________.

    N a. answer with one short blast
    N b. answer with two short blasts
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. sound no whistle signal

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel