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.


6: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying a flashing blue light is __________.


30: INLAND ONLY Which signal must a power-driven vessel give, in addition to one prolonged blast, when backing out of a berth with another vessel in sight?


102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown must you show when at anchor? (DIAGRAM 16 )


149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
    N b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
    Y c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light

199: INLAND ONLY You are on a vessel that the Secretary has determined 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.
    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.

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

288: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is less 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 )

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

350: 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. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

365: 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 )

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

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

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

4163: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 22° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists you must __________.

    Y a. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N c. alter the course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

    Y a. mineclearing
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4222: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are towing two barges astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the tug to the stern of the last barge is 150 meters. How many white towing identification lights should be displayed on the tugboat at night?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

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

4279: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are watching another vessel approach and her compass bearing is not changing. This means that __________.

    N a. you are the stand-on vessel
    Y b. a risk of collision exists
    N c. a special circumstances situation exists
    N d. the other vessel is dead in the water

4374: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground would show the same day-shape as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing a submerged object
    N b. dredge underway and dredging
    N c. hydrographic survey vessel at anchor and surveying
    Y d. None of the above

4379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. The stand-on vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel when risk of collision exists.
    N b. Risk of collision always exists when two vessels pass within one mile of each other.
    N c. Risk of collision always exists when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel changes appreciably.
    Y d. Risk of collision may exist when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel is changing appreciably.

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

4474: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should normally __________.

    N a. take action to cross ahead of the other vessel
    N b. take action to pass astern of the other vessel
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. change course and increase speed

4496: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing is required to show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway
    N c. dead in the water
    Y d. underway and making way

4548: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for sound signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    N b. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    Y c. Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible.
    N d. Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.

4552: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning fog signals?

    N a. All fog signals for sailing vessels are to be given at intervals of not more than one minute.
    N b. A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel towed.
    N c. A pilot vessel underway and making way sounds the pilot identity signal and no other signal.
    Y d. A vessel aground may sound a whistle signal.

4596: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape is __________. (DIAGRAM 13 )

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

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4841: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. in special circumstances
    N c. not under command
    N d. constrained by her draft

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

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

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

8075: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. Two short blasts followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y b. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts only
    N d. Two short blasts only

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft