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.


25: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will sound a whistle signal of __________.


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


43: INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What should be your next action?


263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing 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.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

339: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4010: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this is a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    Y c. vessel being towed (manned)
    N d. vessel being towed (unmanned)

4024: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The word "vessel", in the Rules, includes __________.

    N a. sailing ships
    N b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. seaplanes
    Y d. All of the above

4051: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. The lights __________.

    Y a. shall be displayed in restricted visibility during daylight hours
    N b. need not be displayed when no other vessels are in the area
    N c. shall be set at low power when used during daylight hours
    N d. need not be displayed by unmanned vessels

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

4120: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. two cones with bases together
    N c. a cone, apex downward
    Y d. two cones, apexes together

4131: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?

    N a. Two balls
    N b. Two diamonds
    N c. One ball
    Y d. One diamond

4216: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y b. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4266: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open waters, a power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. vessel on her port side that is crossing her course
    N b. vessel that is overtaking her
    N c. seaplane on the water
    Y d. sailing vessel

4334: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In narrow channels, vessels of less than what length shall not impede the safe passage of vessels which can navigate only inside that channel?

    Y a. 20 meters
    N b. 50 meters
    N c. 65 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4366: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules?

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

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

4560: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.

    N a. only the last barge on the tow must be lighted
    N b. only the first and the last barges in the tow must be lighted
    Y c. each barge in the tow must be lighted
    N d. only manned barges must be lighted

4567: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As shown, vessel "A", which is pushing ahead, and vessel "B" are crossing. Which is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 5 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is to port of vessel "B".
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because she is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because she is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel in this situation.

4624: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    Y b. underway and laying cable
    N c. at anchor and dredging
    N d. underway and carrying dangerous cargo

4628: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel displaying the day-shape shown is indicating that she is __________. (DIAGRAM 35 )

    Y a. being propelled by power as well as sail
    N b. on a starboard tack
    N c. close-hauled and has difficulty maneuvering
    N d. fishing as well as sailing

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

4732: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    Y c. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing
    N d. in a narrow channel

4734: 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
    Y c. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules
    N d. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land

4839: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is considered to be "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules if she is __________.

    N a. at anchor
    Y b. mineclearing
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. engaged in towing

4868: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    N a. The vessel making the most speed is the give-way vessel.
    Y b. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

6570: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is between the scheme and the nearest land
    N b. contains all the traffic moving in one direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    Y d. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction

8010: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. aground
    N c. dredging
    Y d. constrained by her draft

8057: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor and you can see that other vessels are approaching. You should sound __________.

    Y a. three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast only
    N d. the danger signal