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.


10: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?


90: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are in a starboard to starboard meeting situation and will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should each vessel take?


154: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway at night and you sight the lights shown. You know these lights indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 47 )


200: INLAND ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

337: 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 )

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

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

    Y a. under oars
    N b. on pilotage duty
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4080: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway, in fog, when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate a vessel __________.

    Y a. not under command
    N b. being towed
    N c. aground
    N d. All of the above

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4159: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4190: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds a fog signal of __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N b. two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N c. one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than one minute

4190: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds a fog signal of __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N b. two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N c. one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than one minute

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4257: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is required to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel, underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a power-driven vessel in fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules require you to navigate with caution and, if danger of collision exists __________.

    N a. slow to less than 2 knots
    Y b. reduce to bare steerageway
    N c. stop your engines
    N d. initiate a radar plot

4395: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights displayed indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 73 )

    N a. fishing vessel trolling
    N b. vessel laying submarine cable
    Y c. vessel towing astern
    N d. vessel dredging

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4466: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
    Y c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light

4473: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see dead ahead a vessel showing __________.

    N a. one sidelight
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light
    N c. one sidelight and two masthead lights
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel and her masthead light(s)

4503: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a masthead light abaft of and higher than her identifying lights?

    N a. A 55-meter vessel fishing
    Y b. A 55-meter vessel trawling
    N c. A 100-meter vessel not under command
    N d. A 20-meter vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4516: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    Y b. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. Sailing vessel
    N d. Vessel towing

4593: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision may be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does NOT appreciably change
    N b. even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a vessel at close range
    N c. if you observe both sidelights of a vessel ahead for an extended period of time
    Y d. All of the above

4652: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 18 )

    N a. towing astern with a tow greater than 200 meters in length
    N b. not under command
    Y c. dredging
    N d. carrying dangerous cargo

4655: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessels shall turn off their sidelights?

    N a. All vessels that are not under command
    Y b. All fishing vessels that are not making way
    N c. All sailing vessels which are becalmed
    N d. All vessels engaged in underwater operations

4736: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is _____________ .

    N a. the last vessel in the tow
    Y b. the last vessel in the tow and it is carrying a crew
    N c. manned, regardless of its position in the tow
    N d. None of the above are correct

4828: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are other vessels in the vicinity
    N b. operating in a traffic separation scheme
    N c. engaged in a situation involving more than two vessels
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

4853: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly
    N c. initiate a passing signal that will allow for a half mile clearance
    Y d. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary

5000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

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

8028: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a crossing situation on international waters, a short blast by the give-way vessel indicates that the vessel __________.

    N a. is holding course and speed
    Y b. is turning to starboard
    N c. intends to pass port to port
    N d. will keep out of the way of the stand-on vessel