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.


3: 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 __________.


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.


88: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast by vessel "A" means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )


122: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    Y c. Two
    N d. One, on the near approach of another vessel

160: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )

    Y a. vessel not under command
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel engaged in underwater operations

172: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. sailing vessel
    N b. vessel engage in trawling
    Y c. power-driven vessel
    N d. mineclearance vessel

379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A seagoing tug has a tow greater than 200 meters as shown and is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which lights would be displayed from the towing vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N b. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. Three white masthead lights, two all-round red lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N d. None of the above

386: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a barge 35 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    N a. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    Y b. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

4031: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    Y a. engaged in fishing
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel signals her distress by means of a gun or other explosive signal, the firing should be at intervals of approximately __________.

    N a. 10 minutes
    Y b. 1 minute
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 3 minutes

4181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing a navigation marker
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    N d. A vessel dredging

4211: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a stand-on vessel to take action in a situation, she must determine that the other vessel __________.

    N a. is restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. has sounded the danger signal
    Y c. is not taking appropriate action
    N d. has not changed course since risk of collision was determined

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

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.

4374: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground would show the same day-shape as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing a submerged object
    N b. dredge underway and dredging
    N c. hydrographic survey vessel at anchor and surveying
    Y d. None of the above

4391: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a small motorboat. You sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because the tankship is to port.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4463: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "B" approaching vessel "A", as shown. You are unable to see any sidelights on vessel "A". This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )

    N a. meeting situation
    N b. crossing situation
    Y c. overtaking situation
    N d. special circumstances situation

4540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 58 )

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length
    N c. fishing vessel at anchor
    N d. sailboat

4577: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about the Navigation Rules is TRUE?

    N a. The rules require vessels to comply with Traffic Separation Scheme regulations.
    N b. The rules use the term "safe speed."
    N c. The Rules permit a stand-on vessel to take action prior to being in extremis.
    Y d. All of the above are correct.

4615: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.

    Y a. underway, but not making way
    N b. aground
    N c. being towed
    N d. not engaged in pilotage duty

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

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

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4780: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    Y a. the danger signal
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. one short blast and maintain course

4780: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    Y a. the danger signal
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. one short blast and maintain course

8017: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a vessel trying to overtake another on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle signal of __________.

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

8101: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. The term only applies to vessels in narrow channels.
    Y b. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.