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.


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?


130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.


187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel making way in dense fog. You observe what appears to be another vessel on radar half a mile distant on your port bow and closing. You must __________.


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

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

351: 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 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

4078: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are making headway in fog and hear a fog signal of two prolonged blasts on your starboard quarter. You should __________.

    N a. stop your vessel
    N b. change course to the left
    N c. change course to the right
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4125: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you saw flames aboard a vessel but could see the vessel was not on fire, you would know that the __________.

    N a. crew was trying to get warm
    Y b. vessel required immediate assistance
    N c. vessel was attempting to attract the attention of a pilot boat
    N d. vessel was being illuminated for identification by aircraft

4133: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE when you are towing more than one barge astern at night?

    N a. Only the last barge in the tow must be lighted.
    N b. Only the first and last barges in the tow must be lighted.
    Y c. All barges in the tow must be lighted.
    N d. All barges, except unmanned barges, must be lighted.

4231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show __________.

    N a. sidelights, stern light, and a red light over a green light on the mast
    Y b. sidelights, and stern light, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast
    N c. separate sidelights and stern light
    N d. sidelights only

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4269: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. International Code Signal "AA"
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

4311: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would show 3 day-shapes in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle shape being a diamond?

    N a. Vessel not under command
    N b. Vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. Vessel minesweeping
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

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

4421: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    Y a. south (180°)
    N b. east (090°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    N d. west (270°)

4481: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for about five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for about five seconds. This signal came from a __________.

    N a. vessel engaged in fishing at anchor
    N b. sailing vessel at anchor
    Y c. vessel 150 meters in length at anchor
    N d. vessel aground

4501: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For identification purposes at night, U.S. Navy submarines on the surface may display an intermittent flashing light of which color?

    Y a. Amber (yellow)
    N b. White
    N c. Blue
    N d. Red

4519: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and making way in fog shall sound every two minutes __________.

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

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.

4534: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing where the tow prevents her from changing course shall carry __________.

    N a. only the lights for a vessel towing
    N b. only the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. the lights for a towing vessel and the lights for a vessel not under command

4557: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Rule 14 describes the action to be taken by vessels meeting head-on. Which of the following conditions must exist in order for this rule to apply?

    N a. Both vessels must be power-driven.
    N b. They must be meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses.
    N c. The situation must involve risk of collision.
    Y d. All of the above

4607: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of vessels required to show two anchor lights?

    N a. 40 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 60 meters
    N d. 70 meters

4610: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?

    Y a. Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
    N b. Make a large course change to starboard
    N c. Slow your vessel
    N d. Back your vessel

4644: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in trawling will show identification lights of __________.

    N a. a red light over a white light
    N b. a white light over a red light
    Y c. a green light over a white light
    N d. two red lights in a vertical line

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. anchored
    N c. being towed
    N d. drifting

4688: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the fog signal for a vessel 75 meters in length, restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor?

    Y a. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N b. Five second ringing of a bell at intervals of not more than one minute
    N c. Four short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N d. Five second ringing of a bell and five second sounding of a gong at intervals of not more than one minute

4857: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching a narrow channel shall __________.

    Y a. avoid crossing the channel if it impedes another vessel navigating in the channel
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    N c. keep as close as possible to the edge of the channel on her port side
    N d. anchor only in the middle of the channel

8043: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel would NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel sailing

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

8105: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed
    Y b. not impede the other vessel
    N c. exchange passing signals
    N d. sound the danger signal