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.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


60: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than half a mile apart. In this situation whistle signals __________.


74: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT used in the Inland Navigation Rules?


117: INLAND ONLY Which is a characteristic of a "special flashing light"?

    N a. It is required for all vessels being pushed ahead as part of a composite unit.
    Y b. It must show through an arc of not less than 180° nor more than 225°.
    N c. It must be of the same character and construction as the masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

137: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying an alternating red and yellow light is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. enforcing the law
    Y c. engaged in public safety activities
    N d. restricted in its ability to maneuver

147: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.
    N b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    Y d. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.

255: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light on vessel "B" will you see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    Y d. None of the above

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

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

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

358: 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" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4046: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "A" and sight vessel "B" which is a vessel underway and fishing as shown. Which statement is true? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Vessel "A" must keep out of the way of vessel "B" because "B" is to port.
    Y b. Vessel "A" must keep out of the way of vessel "B" because "B" is fishing.
    N c. Vessel "B" must keep out of the way of vessel "A" because "A" is to starboard.
    N d. In this case, both vessels are required by the Rules to keep clear of each other.

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

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

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

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel approaches a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the bend. You should __________.

    N a. keep to the starboard side of the channel and sound one short blast
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. sound one prolonged blast
    N d. slow your vessel to bare steerageway

4286: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 69 )

    Y a. engaged in trawling
    N b. minesweeping
    N c. under sail
    N d. a pilot boat

4322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do you think a risk of collision exists?

    N a. A vessel is 22° on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22° abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. The stand-on vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel when risk of collision exists.
    N b. Risk of collision always exists when two vessels pass within one mile of each other.
    N c. Risk of collision always exists when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel changes appreciably.
    Y d. Risk of collision may exist when the compass bearing of an approaching vessel is changing appreciably.

4418: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two vessels are in immediate danger of collision, the stand-on vessel must __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    Y b. assist in taking whatever action is necessary to avoid collision
    N c. hold course and speed
    N d. sound a distress signal

4523: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she approaches another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 11.25°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. 45.0°

4548: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for sound signals?

    N a. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.
    N b. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
    Y c. Manual sounding of the bell and gong must always be possible.
    N d. Automatic sounding of the signals is not permitted.

4570: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal may at some time be exhibited by a vessel trawling?

    N a. Two white lights in a vertical line
    N b. A white light over a red light in a vertical line
    N c. Two red lights in a vertical line
    Y d. All of the above

4617: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel shall __________.

    N a. avoid crossing the channel at right angles
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    Y c. keep as near as safe and practicable to the limit of the channel on her starboard side
    N d. when nearing a bend in the channel, sound a long blast of the whistle

4622: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within __________.

    N a. the distance of visibility
    N b. 1/2 the distance of visibility
    Y c. a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
    N d. the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

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

4716: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?

    N a. A cone, apex downward
    N b. A cone, apex upward
    Y c. A diamond
    N d. A ball

8023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel is approaching a vessel not under command. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    N c. They must exchange whistle signals.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command

8096: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    N a. three all-round red lights instead of the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N b. the same lights as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. three all-round red lights in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N d. the lights for a power-driven vessel which is not under command