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.


125: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


125: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


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


241: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all cases when passing within one half mile of each other.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional, and the vessels should pass starboard to starboard as agreed.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

269: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes as shown. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. propose the manner of passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    Y d. All of the above

384: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

    N a. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. fishing vessel underway
    Y c. pilot vessel underway
    N d. vessel not under command

401: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. take action to permit safe passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    N d. None of the above

4008: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. At any time you feel it is appropriate
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    N c. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. 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

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

4028: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?

    N a. The one with the wind closest abeam
    N b. The one with the wind closest astern
    N c. The one to leeward
    Y d. The one to windward

4069: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights are shown by a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver to indicate that the vessel is making way?

    Y a. Masthead lights, sidelights and stern light
    N b. Masthead lights and sidelights only
    N c. Sidelights and stern light only
    N d. Sidelights only

4186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown. (DIAGRAM 1 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

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

4287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog bell signals for vessels at anchor or aground shall be sounded at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 15 minutes
    N b. 5 minutes
    N c. 2 minutes
    Y d. 1 minutes

4366: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules?

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

4391: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in a small motorboat. You sight a tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because the tankship is to port.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of your vessel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

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

4484: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel at anchor, not fishing or otherwise restricted in its ability to maneuver, sounds her fog signal at intervals of not __________.

    Y a. more than one minute
    N b. more than two minutes
    N c. more than three minutes
    N d. less than two minutes

4502: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    N c. in a narrow channel
    Y d. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing

4507: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights required by the Rules must be shown __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. ONLY from sunset to sunrise
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

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

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4554: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must have a gong, or other equipment which will make the sound of a gong?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. Any vessel over 50 meters
    Y c. Any vessel over 100 meters
    N d. A power-driven vessel over 75 meters

4587: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel anchored in fog may warn an approaching vessel by sounding __________.

    N a. the whistle continuously
    Y b. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast of the whistle
    N c. five or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. three distinct strokes on the bell before and after sounding the anchor signal

4608: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.

    Y a. diving operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance operations

4699: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the identity signal which may be sounded by a vessel engaged on pilotage duty in fog?

    N a. 2 short blasts
    N b. 3 short blasts
    Y c. 4 short blasts
    N d. 5 short blasts

4818: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shows special identity lights __________.

    N a. instead of the masthead lights
    Y b. which mean that other vessels should not approach within 1000 meters
    N c. that are 225° green lights
    N d. All of the above

8029: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. A black cone, apex downward
    N c. Two vertical black balls
    Y d. A cylinder

8072: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short whistle blasts
    Y c. four short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts