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.


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 __________.


51: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the Inland Navigation Rules?


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )

    N a. alter course to the left
    N b. slow your vessel until vessel "B" has passed
    Y c. hold course and speed
    N d. alter course to the left to give vessel "B" more sea room

163: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. alternately flashing blue and red light
    Y d. alternately flashing red and yellow light

170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y b. vessel crossing from your port
    N c. vessel being overtaken
    N d. vessel meeting head-on

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

375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is made up of inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels and is 150 meters in length. The towed vessels are less than 25 meters in breadth and less than 100 meters in length. Which lights would be displayed from the towed vessels? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. Sidelights and stern light on each vessel towed
    N b. One all round white light at the after end of each vessel towed
    Y c. One all round white light at or near each end of each vessel towed
    N d. One all round white light at each end and one all round white light at the extremities of its breadth of each vessel towed

4038: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A bell is used to sound a fog signal for a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. sailing vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel not under command

4086: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and approaching vessel "B" as shown. You are not sure whether your vessel is crossing or overtaking vessel "B". You should __________. (DIAGRAM 15 )

    N a. change course to make the situation definitely either crossing or overtaking
    N b. consider it to be a crossing situation
    Y c. consider it to be an overtaking situation
    N d. consider it a crossing situation if you can cross ahead safely

4090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. no vessels are in sight visually
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    Y c. you are in immediate danger
    N d. out of sight of land

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

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

4261: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What light(s), if any, would you show at night if your vessel was broken down and being towed astern 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

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

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

4399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would display a cone, apex downward?

    N a. A fishing vessel with outlying gear
    Y b. A vessel proceeding under sail and machinery
    N c. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N d. A vessel being towed

4482: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side. If such an action appears dangerous you should sound __________.

    Y a. five short and rapid blasts
    N b. three short and rapid blasts
    N c. one prolonged followed by one short blast
    N d. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order

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

4537: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is on course 000°T. Vessel "B" is on a course such that she is involved in a head-on situation and is bearing 355°T, 2 miles away from vessel "A". To ensure a safe passing, vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. maintain course
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. alter course to ensure a starboard to starboard passing
    Y d. maneuver to ensure a port to port passing

4550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning an overtaking situation is correct?

    N a. The overtaking vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N b. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N c. The overtaking vessel must maintain course and speed.
    Y d. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the other.

4613: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Working lights shall be used to illuminate the decks of a vessel __________.

    Y a. over 100 meters at anchor
    N b. not under command
    N c. constrained by her draft
    N d. Any of the above

4615: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.

    Y a. underway, but not making way
    N b. aground
    N c. being towed
    N d. not engaged in pilotage duty

4618: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    Y a. A vessel towing astern
    N b. A vessel trawling
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging operations

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4658: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 60-meter vessel which is trawling is required to show how many white masthead lights at night?

    Y a. 1
    N b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4714: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A vessel pushing ahead
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N d. A vessel trawling

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

5400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT __________.

    N a. cross a traffic lane
    N b. engage in fishing the separation zone
    Y c. proceed in an inappropriate traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone

8076: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

    N a. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. one short blast
    N d. two prolonged blasts

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, you put your engines full speed astern. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

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