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.


13: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as shown, with the yellow lights flashing. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )


62: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?


72: INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown. This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )

    N a. meeting head-on situation
    N b. crossing situation
    Y c. overtaking situation
    N d. special circumstance situation

223: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    Y a. Two
    N b. One
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    N d. None

228: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    N a. law enforcement
    Y b. patrolling a regatta
    N c. hauling in pairs
    N d. river bank protection

250: 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. You sound one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "II" does not sound any signal. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound two short blasts and change course to port.

367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. give-way vessel
    N b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

372: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating his intentions to overtake you. You feel it is not safe for vessel "B" to overtake you at the present time. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound one prolonged followed by three short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    Y d. None of the above

4031: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

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

4047: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.

    N a. red light over a white light
    Y b. green light over a white light
    N c. yellow light over a red light
    N d. white light over a green light

4073: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. manned being towed
    N c. unmanned being towed
    N d. at anchor

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4115: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

    N a. A bell only
    N b. A whistle only
    Y c. A bell and a whistle
    N d. Any means of making an efficient sound signal

4123: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A vessel towing
    N b. A vessel engaged in pilotage duty
    N c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel aground

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

4220: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.

    N a. masthead lights
    Y b. sidelights
    N c. a special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4273: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT classified as "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel picking up a navigation mark
    N b. A vessel transferring cargo while underway
    Y c. A vessel whose anchor is fouled
    N d. A vessel in a towing operation that restricts the ability of the vessel and her tow to change their course

4315: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel you put your engines on astern propulsion. 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.

4362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and fishing shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel sailing
    N d. vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4378: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While you are underway, navigation lights must be displayed on your vessel __________.

    Y a. during all periods of restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. at night only when other vessels may be in the area
    N d. at night only when vessels are detected on radar

4517: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

    N a. A 200-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A 50-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. All of the above

4546: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may use the danger signal?

    N a. The vessel to starboard when two power-driven vessels are crossing
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing, crossing the course of a sailing vessel
    N c. Either of two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    Y d. All of the above

4589: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are operating in restricted visibility and hear a signal of a rapidly ringing bell followed by the rapid sounding of a gong. It could be a __________.

    N a. 30-meter sail vessel at anchor
    N b. 150-meter power-driven vessel aground
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. 300-meter power-driven vessel at anchor

4869: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. when they are making more speed than the power-driven vessel
    Y c. when the sailing vessel is overtaking
    N d. on the Inland Waters of the United States

5150: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes, to the extent necessary to carry out their work. One of those is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. towing another
    Y c. servicing a navigational aid
    N d. on pilotage duty

8000: INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.

    Y a. three 360° red lights
    N b. two 225° red lights
    N c. three 360° blue lights
    N d. two 225° blue lights

8023: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel is approaching a vessel not under command. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The fishing vessel must keep clear of the vessel not under command.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    N c. They must exchange whistle signals.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.

8026: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in sight of another vessel in a crossing situation, and the other vessel sounds one short blast. You are going to hold course and speed. You should __________.

    N a. answer with one short blast
    N b. answer with two short blasts
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. sound no whistle signal