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.


37: INLAND ONLY You are operating a vessel through a narrow channel and your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port, and you are in doubt as to her intentions. You __________.


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )


323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a red sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

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

    N a. white masthead light
    Y b. red sidelight
    N c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

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

4003: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is used to show the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A diamond shape on the towed object
    N b. An all-round light at each end of the towed object
    N c. A searchlight from the towing vessel in the direction of the tow
    Y d. All of the above

4012: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which displays the day signal shown may be engaged in __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    Y a. submarine cable laying
    N b. pilotage duty
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance

4045: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when she can see at night __________.

    Y a. only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. a sidelight and one masthead light of the vessel
    N c. only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. any lights except the masthead lights of the vessel

4070: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and hear a vessel continuously sounding her fog whistle. This indicates the other vessel __________.

    N a. desires to communicate by radio
    N b. desires a pilot
    Y c. is in distress
    N d. is aground

4130: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of each blast of the whistle signals used in meeting and crossing situations is __________.

    Y a. about 1 second
    N b. 2 or 4 seconds
    N c. 4 to 6 seconds
    N d. 8 to 10 seconds

4147: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would have no white lights visible when meeting her head-on?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    Y d. A vessel not under command

4149: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 84 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. showing improper lights
    N c. towing
    N d. dredging

4152: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel with a 150-meter stern tow shall display __________.

    N a. three masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. a red light over a white light at the masthead

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

    Y a. mineclearing
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4251: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, if you see a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown you should __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. provide assistance as the vessel is in distress
    N b. stay clear as the vessel is transferring dangerous cargo
    Y c. stay clear as the vessel is fishing
    N d. change course to the right as the vessel is crossing your bow

4358: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel should not impede the navigation of a power-driven vessel?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. A sailing vessel
    Y d. A seaplane

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

4505: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels of less than what length may not impede the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. 10 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 30 meters
    N d. 40 meters

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

4717: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night MAY show __________.

    N a. a green light over a red light
    N b. a red light over a white light
    N c. two white lights at the stern
    Y d. None of the above

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

4737: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    Y a. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N b. hold your course and speed if she is on your port bow
    N c. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    N d. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land

5100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    N a. barges being towed astern
    N b. vessels not under command
    Y c. vessels pushing ahead
    N d. All of the above

8012: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a signal of intent which must be answered by the other vessel, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. meeting another head-on
    N b. crossing the course of another
    Y c. overtaking another
    N d. Any of the above

8057: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor and you can see that other vessels are approaching. You should sound __________.

    Y a. three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast only
    N d. the danger signal

8084: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway at night, a power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters in length, whose maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, may show __________.

    N a. sidelights combined in a single lantern, only
    N b. an all-round flashing yellow light, only
    Y c. one all-round white light, only
    N d. a lantern showing a white light exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, only

8104: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is constrained by her draft and operating in a narrow channel. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You are in doubt as to her intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

    N a. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N b. must sound one prolonged blast
    Y c. may sound the danger signal
    N d. are required to back down