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.


19: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?


27: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the rules, you should exchange __________.


162: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due south and see the lights shown one point on the port bow. This vessel could be heading ___________ . (DIAGRAM 51 )


204: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are in a crossing situation on the high seas as shown. Vessel "B" sounds one short blast. What is the proper action for vessel "A" to take? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Answer with one blast and hold course and speed
    Y b. Hold course and speed
    N c. Answer with one blast and keep clear of vessel "B"
    N d. Sound danger signal

210: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights, stern light and a special flashing light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

284: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. dredge pipeline

383: INLAND ONLY You are meeting "head on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do you see on the tug and tow combined?

    N a. One green and one red sidelight on the outside of the unit
    N b. One green and one red sidelight and a special flashing light
    N c. Only the green and red sidelights marking each vessel
    Y d. The green and red sidelights marking each vessel and a special flashing light

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

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

4020: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel must proceed at a safe speed __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. in congested waters
    N c. during darkness
    Y d. at all times

4081: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" , a power-driven vessel, on open waters and vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 27 )

    N a. Vessel "A" because it is towing
    N b. Vessel "A" because it is to starboard of vessel "B"
    Y c. Vessel "B" because it is sailing
    N d. Vessel "B" because it is to port of vessel "A"

4081: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" , a power-driven vessel, on open waters and vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 27 )

    N a. Vessel "A" because it is towing
    N b. Vessel "A" because it is to starboard of vessel "B"
    Y c. Vessel "B" because it is sailing
    N d. Vessel "B" because it is to port of vessel "A"

4129: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel MUST show two masthead lights in a vertical line?

    Y a. A power-driven vessel less than 50 meters in length with a 20-meter tow
    N b. A sailing vessel towing a small vessel astern
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging

4131: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?

    N a. Two balls
    N b. Two diamonds
    N c. One ball
    Y d. One diamond

4219: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. You must __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    N c. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y d. do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel

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

4234: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights, if any, would you exhibit at night if your vessel were broken down and being towed 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

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4339: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are in an overtaking situation. Which of the lights on the overtaken vessel will the overtaking vessel see?

    N a. Two masthead lights
    N b. One masthead light and a sidelight
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light only

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

4458: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the lights shown as illustrated on your port bow. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 50 )

    Y a. hold course and speed
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. stop engines
    N d. sound the danger signal

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

4738: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    Y b. five short and rapid blasts
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern

4833: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    N a. The vessel is classified as "restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N b. Her gear will not affect the vessel's maneuverability.
    Y c. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N d. She sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway but stopped and making no way.

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    Y b. take all way off, if necessary
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8087: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    Y a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
    N c. vessels towing astern
    N d. barges being towed astern

8097: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black diamond
    Y b. A cylinder
    N c. A black ball
    N d. A black cone, apex upward