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.


65: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. Which whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


84: INLAND ONLY You are in charge of a power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers. You must keep out of the way of a __________.


105: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your FIRST whistle signal should be __________.


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 )

    N a. SSW
    Y b. NW
    N c. NE
    N d. SE

163: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. alternately flashing blue and red light
    Y d. alternately flashing red and yellow 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."

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

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    Y b. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights
    N c. stop until the red lights turn green
    N d. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side

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

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

4178: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.

    Y a. towing
    N b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. aground in a fairway
    N d. stopped and making no way through the water

4235: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shapes shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 7 )

    Y a. broken down
    N b. fishing
    N c. a minesweeper
    N d. transferring dangerous cargo

4274: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

    N a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
    N b. two black balls
    N c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
    Y d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

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

4330: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a short blast, a prolonged blast, and a short blast of a whistle. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel towing in fog
    N b. sailboat underway in fog
    N c. vessel being towed in fog
    Y d. vessel anchored in fog

4336: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel crossing less than .5 mile away, you put your engines full speed astern. 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.

4348: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" pushing a barge ahead and meeting vessel "B" as shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels must alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels must alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should maintain course and vessel "B" alter course.
    N d. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.

4389: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation at night would be one in which one vessel sees which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    N a. Masthead lights and sidelights
    N b. One sidelight, the masthead lights and stern light
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light

4399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would display a cone, apex downward?

    N a. A fishing vessel with outlying gear
    Y b. A vessel proceeding under sail and machinery
    N c. A vessel engaged in diving operations
    N d. A vessel being towed

4490: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would be required to show a white light from a lantern exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision?

    N a. A 9-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A rowboat
    N c. A 6-meter motorboat
    N d. A small vessel fishing

4492: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You sight another power-driven vessel dead-ahead showing both the red and green sidelights. The required action to take would be to __________.

    N a. carefully watch his compass bearing
    N b. start a radar plot in order to ascertain his course
    N c. alter your course to port
    Y d. alter your course to starboard

4535: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. May be sounded by the stand-on vessel only
    N b. Indicates that the vessel is in distress
    N c. Is used to indicate a course change
    Y d. May be supplemented by an appropriate light signal

4538: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel underway in fog
    Y d. A vessel towing unable to deviate from her course

4547: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 10 meters in length?

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

4591: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. cross a traffic lane at as small an angle as possible
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. utilize the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is impeding other traffic due to her slower speed

4646: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By night, you sight the lights of a vessel engaged in underwater operations. If an obstruction exists on the port side of the vessel, it will be marked by __________.

    N a. a floodlight
    Y b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a single red light
    N d. any visible lights

4713: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    Y a. Whistle and bell only
    N b. Whistle only
    N c. Bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4832: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when she __________.

    N a. can be observed by radar
    N b. has determined that risk of collision exists
    N c. is sounding a fog signal which can be heard on the other vessel
    Y d. can be observed visually from the other vessel

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

4873: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. engaged in towing
    N d. fishing

8021: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black cylinder. What is your responsibility?

    N a. Hold your course and speed.
    N b. Sound the danger signal.
    N c. Begin an exchange of passing signals.
    Y d. Do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel.

8096: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.

    N a. three all-round red lights instead of the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N b. the same lights as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. three all-round red lights in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel of her class
    N d. the lights for a power-driven vessel which is not under command