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.


119: INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is indicated by the day signal shown? (DIAGRAM 22 )


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


181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown. They indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 74 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. 8-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. 12-meter fishing vessel

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

314: INLAND ONLY Identify the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 85 )

    N a. An aircraft carrier engaged in the launching and recovery of aircraft
    N b. A submarine engaged in underway replenishment at sea
    Y c. A dredge engaged in dredging operations
    N d. A vessel aground assisted by tugs

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

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

346: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my port side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y d. None of the above

362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slow down
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. sound five or more short and rapid blasts

390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

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

4022: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway may exhibit __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4050: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.

    N a. black diamond
    Y b. black cone
    N c. black ball
    N d. basket

4077: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor shall display, between sunrise and sunset, on the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen __________.

    Y a. one black ball
    N b. two black balls
    N c. one red ball
    N d. two orange and white balls

4119: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining a vessel's navigation lights may be shown on a __________.

    Y a. 15-meter sailing vessel
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel trolling
    N d. 25-meter pilot vessel

4170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter vessel is towing another vessel astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the tow is 75 meters. How many white towing masthead lights shall the towing vessel show at night?

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

4185: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, should exhibit __________.

    N a. an anchor light
    N b. sidelights and stern light
    N c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
    Y d. None of the above

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4241: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The first vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged blast

4293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the light shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 46 )

    Y a. sailing
    N b. fishing and making way
    N c. a pilot boat making way
    N d. fishing and anchored

4356: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing underway sounds the same fog signal as a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel stopped and making no way through the water
    N b. vessel being towed
    Y c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver at anchor
    N d. sailing vessel at anchor

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

4392: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A sailing vessel

4432: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 61 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. a pilot vessel at anchor
    N c. a fishing vessel aground
    N d. fishing and hauling her nets

4474: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should normally __________.

    N a. take action to cross ahead of the other vessel
    N b. take action to pass astern of the other vessel
    Y c. maintain course and speed
    N d. change course and increase speed

4479: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What signal indicates doubt that sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    Y a. Five short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N b. Three long blasts of the whistle
    N c. Three short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast followed by three short blasts of the whistle

4488: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. You should __________.

    N a. stop engines and navigate with caution
    N b. stay in the middle of the channel
    N c. sound passing signals to any other vessel that may be on the other side of the bend
    Y d. sound a whistle blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration

4631: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two barges are being pushed ahead by a tugboat. Which statement is TRUE concerning lights on the barges?

    N a. Each vessel should show sidelights.
    N b. Each vessel should show at least one white light.
    N c. The barges should be lighted as separate units.
    Y d. The barges should be lighted as one vessel.

4862: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in thick fog. You have not determined if risk of collision exists. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Your speed must be reduced to bare steerageway.
    N b. A look-out is not required if the radar is on.
    N c. Fog signals are only required when a vessel is detected by radar.
    N d. The radar should always be kept on a short-range scale.