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.


25: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will sound a whistle signal of __________.


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


120: INLAND ONLY What shall be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


138: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may show either a flashing blue light or __________.

    N a. two amber lights in a horizontal line
    Y b. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N c. a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
    N d. a fixed green light over a red flashing light

149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
    N b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
    Y c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light

211: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

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

258: 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 41 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile.
    Y b. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional.
    N c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are still required.
    N d. None of the above

327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    Y c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

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

4091: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An authorized light to assist in the identification of submarines operating on the surface is a(n) __________.

    N a. blue rotating light
    Y b. intermittent flashing amber/yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing sidelight

4094: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" which is towing on open waters when vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on? (DIAGRAM 20 )

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

4146: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When taking action to avoid collision, you should __________.

    Y a. make sure the action is taken in enough time
    N b. not make any large course changes
    N c. not make any large speed changes
    N d. All of the above

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4163: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 22° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists you must __________.

    Y a. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N c. alter the course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its port side

4169: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "head on" situation shall be deemed to exist at night when a power-driven vessel sees another power-driven vessel ahead and __________.

    N a. one sidelight and the masthead light are visible
    N b. the vessels will pass closer than half a mile
    N c. both vessels sound one prolonged blast
    Y d. both sidelights and masthead light(s) are visible

4265: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and pushing a barge ahead, your vessel enters a heavy rain storm. You should sound __________.

    N a. a prolonged blast every two minutes
    N b. two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes
    N d. one prolonged and three short blasts every two minutes

4303: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, you hear apparently forward of your beam a fog signal of 2 prolonged blasts in succession every two minutes. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel making way through the water
    N b. vessel being pushed ahead
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y d. power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water

4331: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the lights shown. What would it be? (DIAGRAM 77 )

    N a. A vessel pushing barges ahead
    Y b. A vessel towing barges astern
    N c. A pipeline
    N d. A stationary dredge

4382: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound four short blasts in succession. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A pilot vessel
    N b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A vessel fishing
    N d. A sailboat

4393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225° white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 135° white light
    Y c. Any available working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the fore part of the vessel, a 135° white light

4402: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor will show a __________.

    Y a. ball
    N b. cone
    N c. cylinder
    N d. double cone, apexes together

4438: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog. The fog signal of a vessel underway has been steadily growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate the presence of your vessel?

    N a. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged.
    Y b. Three blasts on the whistle; one short, one prolonged, and one short.
    N c. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged followed by two short.
    N d. No signal other than your fog signal may be used.

4459: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Three short blasts of the whistle means __________.

    N a. "danger"
    N b. "I am in distress"
    N c. the vessel is not under command (broken down)
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4479: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What signal indicates doubt that sufficient action is being taken by another vessel to avoid collision?

    Y a. Five short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N b. Three long blasts of the whistle
    N c. Three short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast followed by three short blasts of the whistle

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

4514: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. north (000°)
    N c. southeast (135°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4523: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she approaches another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 11.25°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. 45.0°

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    Y a. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical
    N c. only anchor in the separation zone
    N d. use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

8048: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

    N a. one short blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order

8089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A towing light __________.

    N a. flashes at regular intervals of 50-70 flashes per minute
    Y b. is yellow in color
    N c. shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above