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.


52: INLAND ONLY Whistle signals shall be exchanged by vessels in sight of one another when __________.


128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a sailing vessel. While under sail you decide to use your engine to assist in propulsion. Which day signal would you show? (DIAGRAM 16 )


132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


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

    N a. fishing vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. trawler dragging nets
    Y c. sailing vessel
    N d. dredge at work

179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a dredge underway and not dredging? (DIAGRAM 72 )

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

208: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

219: INLAND ONLY You are proceeding up a channel in Chesapeake Bay and are meeting an outbound vessel. There is no current. You MUST __________.

    N a. keep to that side of the channel which is on your vessel's port side
    N b. stop your vessel, letting the outbound vessel sound the signals for meeting and passing
    Y c. propose or answer one- or two-blast whistle signals given by the other vessel if passing within 1/2 mile
    N d. give the outbound vessel the right-of-way

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

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

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

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

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.

4013: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 11 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

4084: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer with a signal of __________.

    N a. a short blast
    Y b. a prolonged blast
    N c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. a long blast

4174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.

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

4208: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is __________.

    Y a. in doubt that another vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid a collision
    N b. altering course to starboard
    N c. altering course to port
    N d. the stand-on vessel and will maintain course and speed

4214: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.

    N a. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. white masthead light
    N c. combined lantern
    Y d. stern light

4234: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights, if any, would you exhibit at night if your vessel were broken down and being towed by another vessel?

    N a. None
    N b. Same lights as for a power-driven vessel underway
    N c. A white light forward and a white light aft
    Y d. The colored sidelights and a white stern light

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

4378: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While you are underway, navigation lights must be displayed on your vessel __________.

    Y a. during all periods of restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. at night only when other vessels may be in the area
    N d. at night only when vessels are detected on radar

4393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225° white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 135° white light
    Y c. Any available working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the fore part of the vessel, a 135° white light

4527: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are fishing at night, and you sight a vessel showing three lights in a vertical line. The upper and lower lights are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must keep out of the way of the other vessel.
    N b. The other vessel is responsible to keep out of your way.
    N c. The other vessel is at anchor.
    N d. The rule of special circumstances applies.

4530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a partly submerged vessel being towed?

    N a. It must show a yellow light at each end.
    N b. It will show red lights along its length.
    Y c. A diamond shape will be carried at the aftermost extremity of the tow.
    N d. All of the above

4544: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant and is presently on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then 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 to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, accompanied by the appropriate whistle signal, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4591: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. cross a traffic lane at as small an angle as possible
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. utilize the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is impeding other traffic due to her slower speed

4657: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close quarters situation is developing or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    N b. when taking action, make only course changes
    Y c. avoid altering course toward a vessel abaft the beam
    N d. All of the above

4661: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a towing vessel which, due to the nature of her work, is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. By day, she shall carry a black cylinder shape.
    N b. By day, she shall carry two black balls in a vertical line.
    N c. By night, she would show the same lights as a vessel not under command.
    Y d. By day, she would show the same shapes as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 135.0°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 67.5°
    N d. 22.5°

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

4837: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    N a. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    Y b. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

8050: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, so as to pass on the power-driven vessel's port side. The overtaken vessel will have to move to facilitate passage. The sailing vessel is the __________.

    N a. stand-on vessel and would sound two short blasts
    N b. give-way vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    N c. stand-on vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    Y d. give-way vessel and would sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

8131: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

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