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.


40: INLAND ONLY The light used to signal passing intentions is a(n) __________.


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.


83: INLAND ONLY If your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night and it is not a composite unit, which light(s) should show aft on your vessel?


165: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due south and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. SE
    N b. NE
    N c. SW
    Y d. NW

230: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

317: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a pilot boat
    N b. sailing
    N c. anchored
    Y d. fishing

360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and 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 at least five short and rapid blasts

4035: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in restricted visibility, you might hear, at intervals of two minutes, any of the following fog signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. ringing of a bell for five seconds

4058: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which factor is listed in the Rules as one which must be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    Y b. The maneuverability of the vessel
    N c. The experience of vessel personnel
    N d. All of the above must be taken into account.

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

4213: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning whistle signals is FALSE?

    N a. When a pushing vessel and a vessel pushed are connected in a composite unit, the unit sounds the fog signal of a power-driven vessel.
    N b. A vessel at anchor may sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast.
    N c. A pilot vessel may sound an identity signal on the whistle.
    Y d. A vessel engaged in towing in fog shall sound a fog signal at intervals of one minute.

4221: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds which fog signal?

    N a. Two short blasts every one minute
    N b. One short blast every one minute
    N c. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y d. One prolonged blast every two minutes

4243: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In reduced visibility, you hear two prolonged blasts of a whistle. This signal is sounded by a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel dead in the water
    N b. sailing vessel on the port tack
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel fishing with nets

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

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

4419: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 25 meters in length must have which sound signaling appliance onboard?

    N a. None is required
    N b. Whistle only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4430: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N b. A sailing vessel
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4477: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There is a provision to depart from the Rules, if necessary, to avoid __________.

    N a. a close-quarters situation
    N b. an overtaking situation
    Y c. immediate danger
    N d. Any of the above

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

4512: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must sound her fog signal at intervals not to exceed one minute?

    N a. A power-driven vessel underway, not making way
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing, at anchor
    Y d. A vessel aground

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

4534: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing where the tow prevents her from changing course shall carry __________.

    N a. only the lights for a vessel towing
    N b. only the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel not under command

4543: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which situation would be a "special circumstance" under the Rules?

    N a. Vessel at anchor
    Y b. More than two vessels meeting
    N c. Speed in fog
    N d. Two vessels crossing

4599: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night you see the red sidelight of a vessel well off your port bow. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are required to alter course to the right.
    N b. You must stop engines.
    N c. You are on a collision course with the other vessel.
    Y d. You may maintain course and speed.

4638: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel __________.

    Y a. must keep out of the way of sailing vessels
    N b. must sound a one prolonged, two short blasts signal in restricted visibility
    N c. is the stand-on vessel when overtaking power-driven vessels
    N d. All of the above

4671: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

    Y a. It is only used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N b. It is mandatory to use such a light.
    N c. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

5500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on a heading at as small an angle as is practical
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. use the separation zone for navigation through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A towing vessel with tow, unable to deviate from its course
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging

8116: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above