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.


14: INLAND ONLY You have made your vessel up to a tow and are moving from a pier out into the main channel. Your engines are turning ahead. What whistle signal should you sound?


172: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )


212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This indicates a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )


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

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. vessel being overtaken
    N c. passing vessel
    N d. None of the above

241: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all cases when passing within one half mile of each other.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional, and the vessels should pass starboard to starboard as agreed.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.

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

261: INLAND ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel forward of your beam more than 0.5 mile away, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N 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.
    Y d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

264: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I am altering my course to port."

385: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a canal boat 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    Y a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    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.

392: 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
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

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

4060: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching your vessel from 235° relative is in what type of situation?

    N a. Meeting
    Y b. Overtaking
    N c. Crossing
    N d. Passing

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4277: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a fog when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could indicate all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    Y a. being towed
    N b. not under command
    N c. fishing with trawls
    N d. towing astern

4280: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Vessel II is a power-driven vessel trawling. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 33 )

    Y a. Vessel I is to keep clear because the other vessel is fishing.
    N b. Vessel II is to keep clear because she is a power-driven vessel.
    N c. Vessel II is to keep clear because the other vessel is to its starboard.
    N d. Both vessels are to take action to stay clear of each other.

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

4357: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 15 meters in length which is proceeding under sail as well as being propelled by machinery shall exhibit during the daytime __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. a basket
    Y c. a cone with its apex downward
    N d. two cones with their apexes together

4409: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel or object being towed astern shall display a(n) __________.

    N a. forward masthead light
    N b. after masthead light
    Y c. stern light
    N d. All of the above

4428: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal shall a power-driven vessel sound when making way in fog?

    N a. One short blast every two minutes
    Y b. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    N c. One prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. Three short blasts every two minutes

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

4490: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would be required to show a white light from a lantern exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision?

    N a. A 9-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A rowboat
    N c. A 6-meter motorboat
    N d. A small vessel fishing

4506: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the sidelights and stern light MAY be shown on a __________.

    N a. sailing vessel of 25 meters in length
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel engaged in trolling
    Y d. 6-meter vessel under oars

4513: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, you sight a vessel displaying three shapes in a vertical line. The top and bottom shapes are balls, and the middle shape is a diamond. It could be a __________.

    N a. vessel trolling
    N b. mineclearing vessel
    N c. trawler
    Y d. vessel engaged in replenishment at sea

4696: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in pair trawling
    N b. fishing while making no way through the water
    Y c. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4709: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. aground
    Y b. underway
    N c. at anchor
    N d. transferring dangerous cargo

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

5200: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a traffic separation scheme, when joining a traffic lane from the side, a vessel shall do so __________.

    N a. only in case of an emergency or to engage in fishing within the zone
    N b. as nearly as practical at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow
    Y c. at as small an angle as possible
    N d. only to anchor within the zone

5300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is located between the scheme and the nearest land
    Y b. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    N d. contains all the traffic moving in the same direction

8072: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blasts
    Y c. four short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts

8089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A towing light __________.

    N a. flashes at regular intervals of 50-70 flashes per minute
    Y b. is yellow in color
    N c. shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above