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.


43: INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What should be your next action?


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.


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?


78: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of a one short blast signal used when meeting another vessel?

    N a. "I am turning to starboard."
    N b. "I am turning to port."
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side."
    Y d. "I intend to leave you on my port side."

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

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. power-driven vessel
    N c. sailing vessel
    N d. vessel engaged in trawling

236: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    Y d. no whistle signal

4036: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are preparing to cross a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    Y a. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N b. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4043: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the watch officer on a power-driven vessel and notice a large sailing vessel approaching from astern. You should __________.

    N a. slow down
    N b. sound one short blast and change course to starboard
    N c. sound two short blasts and change course to port
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4056: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in restricted visibility. She should sound __________.

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

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.

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

4193: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter sailing vessel underway must exhibit a __________.

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

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

4272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel, when towing another vessel astern shall show the light(s) in Diagram __________. (DIAGRAMS 46, 54, 60 )

    N a. 75
    Y b. 60
    N c. 54
    N d. 46

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

4385: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" according to the Rules of the Road, a vessel must be __________.

    Y a. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability
    N b. using trolling lines
    N c. power-driven
    N d. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4407: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in restricted visibility. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4412: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

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

4425: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel exhibits the same lights as a __________.

    N a. vessel towing, when not underway
    N b. vessel towing astern
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are in a composite unit

4433: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to be regarded as "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel transferring provisions while underway
    Y b. A pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed when connected in a composite unit
    N c. A vessel servicing a navigation mark
    N d. A vessel launching aircraft

4433: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to be regarded as "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel transferring provisions while underway
    Y b. A pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed when connected in a composite unit
    N c. A vessel servicing a navigation mark
    N d. A vessel launching aircraft

4434: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement correctly applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?

    N a. The power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
    N b. A "special circumstance" situation exists.
    Y c. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the power- driven vessel.
    N d. The vessel which has the other vessel to the right must keep out of the way.

4460: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    Y a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4499: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 76 )

    Y a. trawling
    N b. laying submarine cable
    N c. towing astern
    N d. dredging

4581: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines, if necessary, to __________.

    N a. avoid collision
    N b. allow more time to assess the situation
    N c. be stopped in an appropriate distance
    Y d. All of the above

4649: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may carry her sidelights and stern light in one combined lantern?

    N a. A 10-meter power-driven vessel
    N b. A 15-meter vessel propelled by sail and machinery
    Y c. A 10-meter sailing vessel
    N d. All of the above

4851: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND. In which situation would you consider a risk of collision to exist?

    N a. A vessel is one point on your starboard 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.
    Y c. A vessel is two points abaft your port beam, range decreasing, bearing constant.
    N d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range increasing, bearing is constant.

8007: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.

    N a. shown at the bow
    N b. white in color
    Y c. shown in addition to the stern light
    N d. an all-round light

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

8102: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. She is hampered because of her work.
    N b. She is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance.
    N c. She may be a vessel being towed.
    Y d. She must be a power-driven vessel.