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.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as shown, with the yellow lights flashing. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )


70: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE concerning whistle signals between the vessels? (DIAGRAM 29 )


72: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown. This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )


97: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a passing agreement made by radiotelephone?

    N a. Such an agreement is prohibited by the Rules.
    N b. A vessel which has made such an agreement must also sound whistle signals.
    N c. Whistle signals must still be exchanged when passing within half a mile of each other.
    Y d. If agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional.

103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    Y b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

209: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. a special flashing light, sidelights, and a stern light

243: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

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

275: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    Y b. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights
    N c. stop until the red lights turn green
    N d. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side

293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. a vessel not under command
    N d. a submarine on the surface

337: 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 )

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

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

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

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

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

    N a. One long blast
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. One prolonged blast
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts

4090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. no vessels are in sight visually
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    Y c. you are in immediate danger
    N d. out of sight of land

4100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.

    N a. a masthead light forward, and two masthead lights in a vertical line aft
    Y b. three masthead lights forward and one aft
    N c. two masthead lights forward and no after masthead light
    N d. three masthead lights aft and none forward

4105: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    Y a. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N b. When each is on a different tack, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

4183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When anchoring a 25-meter vessel at night, you must show __________.

    Y a. one all-round white light
    N b. two all-round white lights
    N c. one all-round white light and the sidelights
    N d. the sidelights and a stern light

4223: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show three lights in a vertical line, the top and bottom being red and the middle being white?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N b. A pilot vessel
    N c. A vessel trawling
    N d. All of the above

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

4319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about a 25-meter auxiliary sailboat is TRUE?

    N a. The sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern.
    N b. When operating under sail, her fog signal would consist of one prolonged blast.
    N c. She may show a green light over a red light at the masthead.
    Y d. She must show fixed sidelights.

4329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 25 meters long and anchored in restricted visibility. You are required to sound the proper fog signal at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 30 seconds
    Y b. one minute
    N c. two minutes
    N d. three minutes

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

4356: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing underway sounds the same fog signal as a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel stopped and making no way through the water
    N b. vessel being towed
    Y c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver at anchor
    N d. sailing vessel at anchor

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

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

4524: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

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

4542: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is towing and carrying the required lights on the masthead. What is the visibility arc of these lights?

    N a. 112.5°
    N b. 135.0°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4706: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light" is a light that __________.

    Y a. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N b. is yellow in color
    N c. is visible over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above