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.


64: INLAND ONLY At night, which lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


99: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Western Rivers (above the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River) shall exhibit __________.


107: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. What whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


118: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel. Which day-shape must you show in the direction of the outlying gear? (DIAGRAM 16 )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    Y d. D

152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day signal is __________. (DIAGRAM 22 )

    N a. A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations
    N b. A fishing vessel with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
    N c. A trawler shooting nets in the direction indicated
    Y d. A tug with a tow exceeding 200 meters unable to deviate from course

214: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 55 )

    N a. A vessel fishing at anchor
    Y b. A tug with a tow alongside
    N c. A tug not under command
    N d. A pipeline

242: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on Vessel "A" engaged in fishing as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" is a tanker proceeding in the channel. Vessel "B" sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

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

332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    Y a. red sidelight
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    N d. stern light

340: 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. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

349: 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 short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slow down
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. sound five or more short and rapid blasts

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

397: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal may be sounded ONLY by vessels in restricted visibility?

    N a. At least five short and rapid blasts
    Y b. Four short blasts
    N c. One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order
    N d. Two short blasts

4059: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must show appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should exhibit the lights for a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. In situations where a risk of collision exists, a seaplane should always give way.
    Y d. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels.

4154: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, is NOT required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4219: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. You must __________.

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

4244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, will sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. a 5 second ringing of a bell forward and a 5 second sounding of a gong aft at intervals of 1 minute
    Y b. one prolonged followed by two short blasts every 2 minutes
    N c. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every minute
    N d. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every 2 minutes

4259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the optional whistle signal which may be sounded by a vessel at anchor?

    N a. Two prolonged followed by one short blast
    N b. One short followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y c. One short, one prolonged, followed by one short blast
    N d. Four short blasts

4276: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel enters fog. You stop your engines and the vessel is dead in the water. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    N c. Three short blasts every two minutes
    N d. One prolonged and three short blasts every two minutes

4426: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway in fog but stopped and making no way through the water. What is the required fog signal?

    N a. One prolonged blast at not more than one-minute intervals
    N b. Two prolonged blasts at not more than one-minute intervals
    N c. One prolonged blast at not more than two-minute intervals
    Y d. Two prolonged blasts at not more than two-minute intervals

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4438: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog. The fog signal of a vessel underway has been steadily growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate the presence of your vessel?

    N a. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged.
    Y b. Three blasts on the whistle; one short, one prolonged, and one short.
    N c. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged followed by two short.
    N d. No signal other than your fog signal may be used.

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

    N a. in the middle of the channel
    Y b. to the starboard side of the channel
    N c. to the port side of the channel
    N d. to the side of the channel that has the widest bends

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

4550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning an overtaking situation is correct?

    N a. The overtaking vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N b. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N c. The overtaking vessel must maintain course and speed.
    Y d. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the other.

4568: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
    Y b. A purse seiner hauling her nets
    N c. A pilot vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel which has run aground

4605: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, each shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines
    Y b. alter course to starboard
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. back down

4695: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two short blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

    N a. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted
    Y b. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted
    N c. sound whistle signals only if you change course
    N d. sound two short blasts and change course to the left

4842: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
    Y b. A vessel engaged in towing, not making way
    N c. A pilot vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel which has run aground

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.