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.


19: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?


34: 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"?


115: INLAND ONLY What is true of a "special flashing light"?


141: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing an alternately flashing red-and-yellow light. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to assist
    N b. Give-way
    Y c. Stand on
    N d. Heave to

248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "I" and "II" are power-driven vessels. You are on vessel "I" as shown. You are the __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

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

349: 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. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

350: 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. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

383: INLAND ONLY You are meeting "head on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do you see on the tug and tow combined?

    N a. One green and one red sidelight on the outside of the unit
    N b. One green and one red sidelight and a special flashing light
    N c. Only the green and red sidelights marking each vessel
    Y d. The green and red sidelights marking each vessel and a special flashing light

3683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require that a stand-on vessel SHALL take action to avoid collision when she determines that __________.

    N a. risk of collision exists
    N b. the other vessel will cross ahead of her
    N c. the other vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y d. collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's maneuver alone

4023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is overtaking a tug and tow as shown. Which statement is CORRECT? (DIAGRAM 43 )

    N a. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is overtaking.
    N b. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel because it is under sail.
    Y c. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is being overtaken.
    N d. The tug is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.

4066: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The wind is ESE, and a sailing vessel is steering NW. Which fog signal should she sound?

    N a. One blast at one-minute intervals
    N b. One blast at two-minute intervals
    N c. Two blasts at one-minute intervals
    Y d. One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals

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

4140: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rule regarding look-outs applies __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. between dusk and dawn
    N c. in heavy traffic
    Y d. All of the above

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

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation would risk of collision definitely exist?

    N a. A vessel is 22 degrees 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 degrees abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4341: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing situation with a vessel sailing located on the fishing vessel's starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    N a. The fishing vessel because it is to port of the sailing vessel.
    Y b. The fishing vessel because it is fishing.
    N c. The sailing vessel because it is to starboard of the fishing vessel.
    N d. The sailing vessel because it is sailing.

4383: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal
    Y c. take avoiding action only after providing the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avert collision

4475: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.

    N a. not be required to show any lights
    N b. be required to show the lights characteristic of a dredge
    N c. be required to show the lights of a stationary dredge
    Y d. be required to show the lights of a power-driven vessel underway

4493: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and hear one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in succession. What is the meaning of this signal?

    N a. A vessel is in distress and needs assistance.
    N b. A vessel is fishing, hauling nets.
    Y c. A vessel is at anchor, warning of her position.
    N d. A vessel is towing.

4569: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if __________.

    N a. she is the faster vessel
    Y b. the situation involves risk of collision
    N c. the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other
    N d. whistle signals have been sounded

4590: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. two short blasts
    N b. three short blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged and three short blasts

4670: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    Y c. Whether the nature of the vessel's work limits maneuverability required by the Rules
    N d. Whether or not the vessel is the give-way vessel in a meeting situation

4701: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway
    N c. fishing vessel trawling
    N d. vessel at anchor warning of her location

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

4869: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. when they are making more speed than the power-driven vessel
    Y c. when the sailing vessel is overtaking
    N d. on the Inland Waters of the United States

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

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"

8068: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order is given by a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. in distress
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. being overtaken in a narrow channel