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.


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


30: INLAND ONLY Which signal must a power-driven vessel give, in addition to one prolonged blast, when backing out of a berth with another vessel in sight?


54: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long would be required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


124: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. Towing light
    Y b. Vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. In sight
    N d. Restricted visibility

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

188: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Yellow lights are NOT shown by __________.

    Y a. towing vessels pushing ahead
    N b. air cushion vessels in a nondisplacement mode
    N c. purse seiners
    N d. U.S. submarines

246: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. If you are in agreement you should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

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

247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

251: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    Y b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard
    N d. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

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

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

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

4004: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.

    N a. red and green sidelights only
    N b. a white stern light only
    Y c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. one all-round white light

4084: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer with a signal of __________.

    N a. a short blast
    Y b. a prolonged blast
    N c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. a long blast

4329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 25 meters long and anchored in restricted visibility. You are required to sound the proper fog signal at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 30 seconds
    Y b. one minute
    N c. two minutes
    N d. three minutes

4387: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 10°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. None of the above

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

4414: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel which is directed by these Rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid __________.

    Y a. crossing ahead of the other
    N b. crossing astern of the other
    N c. passing port to port
    N d. passing starboard to starboard

4429: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting head-on. How must the vessels pass?

    N a. One vessel must alter course while the other must continue on its course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

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

4580: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    Y a. pilot vessel less than 50 meters, underway and NOT engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. vessel aground less than 50 meters
    N d. vessel engaged in dredging at anchor with an obstruction on one side

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4620: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second 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 and two short blasts

4652: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 18 )

    N a. towing astern with a tow greater than 200 meters in length
    N b. not under command
    Y c. dredging
    N d. carrying dangerous cargo

4827: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the requirements of the Rules when __________.

    N a. operating in restricted visibility
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    Y c. necessary to avoid immediate danger
    N d. the Master enters it in the ship's log

4828: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are other vessels in the vicinity
    N b. operating in a traffic separation scheme
    N c. engaged in a situation involving more than two vessels
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

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.

5000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

    Y a. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted
    N b. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted
    N c. sound two blasts and change course to the left
    N d. sound whistle signals only if you change course

8041: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________.

    N a. should sound two short blasts
    N b. should sound the danger signal
    N c. should sound one long blast
    Y d. will not sound any whistle signals

8064: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in fog and hear a fog signal consisting of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could be any of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in mineclearance
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. constrained by her draft
    Y d. being towed

8121: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A fishing vessel while underway has the right-of-way over a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.