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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


22: INLAND ONLY You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern of the other vessel. You MUST __________.


60: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than half a mile apart. In this situation whistle signals __________.


104: INLAND ONLY Which light(s) shall be shown at night on a moored barge which reduces the navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters?

    Y a. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
    N b. Two yellow lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N c. A red light placed on all four corners
    N d. A red light placed on the two corners farthest from the bank

130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.

    N a. slow to bare steerageway
    N b. back down
    N c. sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    Y d. sound the danger signal

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

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

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

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. 8-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. 12-meter fishing vessel

207: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a single barge being towed alongside?

    N a. Sidelights and a stern light
    Y b. Sidelights, a special flashing light, and a stern light
    N c. Sidelights and a special flashing light
    N d. Sidelights, a towing light, and a stern light

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

262: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.

    Y a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
    N b. meeting within one mile of each other
    N c. meeting or crossing at any distance
    N d. crossing within one mile of each other

347: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

385: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a canal boat 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    Y a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

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

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

4003: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is used to show the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A diamond shape on the towed object
    N b. An all-round light at each end of the towed object
    N c. A searchlight from the towing vessel in the direction of the tow
    Y d. All of the above

4086: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and approaching vessel "B" as shown. You are not sure whether your vessel is crossing or overtaking vessel "B". You should __________. (DIAGRAM 15 )

    N a. change course to make the situation definitely either crossing or overtaking
    N b. consider it to be a crossing situation
    Y c. consider it to be an overtaking situation
    N d. consider it a crossing situation if you can cross ahead safely

4181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Rules, which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing a navigation marker
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    N d. A vessel dredging

4342: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights prescribed by the Rules shall be exhibited __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. from sunset to sunrise, and at no other time
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4406: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is sounding the danger signal
    Y c. is backing engines
    N d. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel

4452: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear three distinct bell strokes followed by five seconds of rapid bell ringing followed by three distinct bell strokes. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    Y a. aground
    N b. engaged in underwater construction
    N c. at anchor
    N d. in distress

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4464: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command, underway but not making way, would show __________.

    Y a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. sidelights
    N c. a stern light
    N d. All of the above

4498: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the daytime, you see a large sailing vessel on the beam. You know that she is also propelled by machinery if she shows __________.

    N a. a basket
    N b. a black ball
    Y c. a black cone
    N d. two black cones

4501: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For identification purposes at night, U.S. Navy submarines on the surface may display an intermittent flashing light of which color?

    Y a. Amber (yellow)
    N b. White
    N c. Blue
    N d. Red

4511: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

    N a. It is mandatory to use such a light.
    N b. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    Y c. It is used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N d. All of the above

4532: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "power-driven vessel" refers to any vessel __________.

    N a. with propelling machinery onboard whether in use or not
    N b. making way against the current
    Y c. with propelling machinery in use
    N d. traveling at a speed greater than that of the current

4675: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a meeting situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Stand-on vessel
    N b. Give-way vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

6520: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel towing
    N d. All of the above

8062: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If you sighted three red lights in a vertical line on another vessel at night, it would be a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. constrained by her draft
    N c. dredging
    N d. moored over a wreck

8083: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel, 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.

8101: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    N a. The term only applies to vessels in narrow channels.
    Y b. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.