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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


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


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


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

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

356: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I am intend to leave you on my port side"
    N b. "I intend to intend to overtake you on your port side"
    Y c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N d. None of the above

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

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

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. sailing vessel
    N d. power-driven vessel

4021: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal of three flashes means __________.

    N a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
    N b. "My engines are full speed astern"
    N c. "I desire to overtake you"
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4082: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit three white masthead lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Any vessel towing astern
    Y b. A vessel whose tow exceeds 200 meters astern
    N c. A vessel not under command, at anchor
    N d. A vessel being towed

4121: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.

    Y a. power-driven vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel engaged in fishing

4195: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following vessels are "restricted in their ability to maneuver" EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. laying a pipeline
    N b. dredging
    N c. mineclearing
    Y d. not under command

4197: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall show two red lights in a vertical line and __________.

    N a. during the day, three balls in a vertical line
    N b. during the day, three shapes, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle being a diamond
    Y c. when making way at night, sidelights and a stern light
    N d. when making way at night, masthead lights, sidelights, and a stern light

4233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you must __________.

    Y a. slow to bare steerageway and navigate with caution
    N b. sound three short blasts and back your engines
    N c. stop your engines and navigate with caution
    N d. continue on your course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

4294: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead show three flashes of a white light. This signal indicates that the vessel ahead is __________.

    N a. in distress
    N b. approaching a bend in the channel
    Y c. operating astern propulsion
    N d. intending to overtake another vessel

4312: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show which lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Three red
    Y b. Two red
    N c. Two white
    N d. Three white

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4336: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel crossing less than .5 mile away, 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.

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4491: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night __________.

    Y a. must be lighted at all times
    N b. must be lighted only if manned
    N c. must be lighted only if towed astern
    N d. need not be lighted

4499: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 76 )

    Y a. trawling
    N b. laying submarine cable
    N c. towing astern
    N d. dredging

4499: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 76 )

    Y a. trawling
    N b. laying submarine cable
    N c. towing astern
    N d. dredging

4526: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. Risk of collision never exists if the compass bearing of the other vessel is changing.
    Y b. Proper use shall be made of radar equipment to determine risk of collision.
    N c. Risk of collision must be determined before any action can be taken by a vessel.
    N d. Risk of collision exists if the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other.

4536: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the other vessel
    N d. turn to port and come into the wind

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4689: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel not under command

4715: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    N b. A vessel fishing with a bottom trawl that must remain on course
    N c. A large tanker that is being towed as a dead ship to dry dock
    Y d. A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

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

4844: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "breadth" mean in the Rules?

    N a. Breadth on the uppermost continuous deck
    N b. Molded breadth
    Y c. Greatest breadth
    N d. Breadth at the load waterline

8007: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.

    N a. shown at the bow
    N b. white in color
    Y c. shown in addition to the stern light
    N d. an all-round light

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above