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.


49: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


148: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, you are underway on vessel "A" and desire to overtake vessel "B". After you sound two short blasts on your whistle, vessel "B" sounds five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. You should __________.


185: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )


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.

287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. dredge
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. power-driven vessel pushing ahead
    Y d. None of the above

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

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

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

353: 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 overtake you on your starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    Y d. None of the above

366: 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. give-way vessel
    Y b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. burdened vessel

375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is made up of inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels and is 150 meters in length. The towed vessels are less than 25 meters in breadth and less than 100 meters in length. Which lights would be displayed from the towed vessels? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. Sidelights and stern light on each vessel towed
    N b. One all round white light at the after end of each vessel towed
    Y c. One all round white light at or near each end of each vessel towed
    N d. One all round white light at each end and one all round white light at the extremities of its breadth of each vessel towed

392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

4047: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.

    N a. red light over a white light
    Y b. green light over a white light
    N c. yellow light over a red light
    N d. white light over a green light

4111: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 50-meter vessel is towing astern and the length of the tow is 100 meters. In addition to sidelights, which lights may she show to fully comply with the Rules?

    N a. Two masthead lights forward, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    Y b. A masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N c. No masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N d. Three masthead lights forward, one masthead light aft, and two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    Y a. Searchlight beam
    N b. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus
    N c. Burning barrel
    N d. Orange smoke signal

4199: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing must 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

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4437: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?

    Y a. 50 meters
    N b. 100 meters
    N c. 150 meters
    N d. 200 meters

4447: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" may be shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. pulling a submarine cable
    Y b. engaged in diving operations
    N c. engaged in underway replenishment
    N d. transferring explosives

4452: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear three distinct bell strokes followed by five seconds of rapid bell ringing followed by three distinct bell strokes. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    Y a. aground
    N b. engaged in underwater construction
    N c. at anchor
    N d. in distress

4465: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes __________.

    N a. provide routing and scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N b. provide traffic patterns in congested areas, so that vessels can operate without having a separate lookout
    Y c. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargoes from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

4468: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights are red and the middle light is white. She is also showing a white light at the stern, which is lower than the forward light. It could be a __________.

    Y a. survey vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. pilot vessel with port side to you

4482: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side. If such an action appears dangerous you should sound __________.

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

4486: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?

    Y a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    N c. Three black balls
    N d. No signal

4492: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You sight another power-driven vessel dead-ahead showing both the red and green sidelights. The required action to take would be to __________.

    N a. carefully watch his compass bearing
    N b. start a radar plot in order to ascertain his course
    N c. alter your course to port
    Y d. alter your course to starboard

4532: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "power-driven vessel" refers to any vessel __________.

    N a. with propelling machinery onboard whether in use or not
    N b. making way against the current
    Y c. with propelling machinery in use
    N d. traveling at a speed greater than that of the current

4641: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after white masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4675: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a meeting situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Stand-on vessel
    N b. Give-way vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light, and towing light
    Y d. All of the above.

8009: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway on the high seas in restricted visibility. You hear a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could be any of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. minesweeping
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. constrained by her draft
    Y d. being towed

8014: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel leaving a quay or wharf must sound what signal?

    N a. Three short blasts
    N b. A long blast
    N c. A prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.