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.


157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown are exhibited by a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 49 )


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


190: INLAND ONLY At night, you see the lights shown. They are shown on a __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )


195: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. engaged in fishing and making way
    Y c. on pilotage duty and underway
    N d. not under command

243: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    Y b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. sound two short blasts and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts

280: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    N b. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    Y d. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility

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

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

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

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    Y d. None of the above

346: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my port side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y d. None of the above

350: 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 sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

4002: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. sailboat underway
    N b. vessel underway, towing
    Y c. power-driven vessel underway, making way
    N d. vessel being towed

4007: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you do NOT understand the course or intention of an approaching vessel you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    N b. one prolonged blast
    Y c. not less than five short blasts
    N d. not less than five prolonged blasts

4070: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and hear a vessel continuously sounding her fog whistle. This indicates the other vessel __________.

    N a. desires to communicate by radio
    N b. desires a pilot
    Y c. is in distress
    N d. is aground

4072: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 30-meter tug is underway and NOT towing. At night, this vessel must show sidelights and __________.

    Y a. one masthead light and a stern light
    N b. two masthead lights and a stern light
    N c. three masthead lights and a stern light
    N d. a stern light ONLY

4126: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, when it is impracticable for a small vessel engaged in diving operations to display the shapes for a vessel engaged in underwater operations, she shall display __________.

    N a. three black balls in a vertical line
    N b. two red balls in a vertical line
    N c. a black cylinder
    Y d. a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A"

4149: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 84 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. showing improper lights
    N c. towing
    N d. dredging

4319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about a 25-meter auxiliary sailboat is TRUE?

    N a. The sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern.
    N b. When operating under sail, her fog signal would consist of one prolonged blast.
    N c. She may show a green light over a red light at the masthead.
    Y d. She must show fixed sidelights.

4322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do you think a risk of collision exists?

    N a. A vessel is 22° on your port 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.
    N c. A vessel is 22° abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4334: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In narrow channels, vessels of less than what length shall not impede the safe passage of vessels which can navigate only inside that channel?

    Y a. 20 meters
    N b. 50 meters
    N c. 65 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4341: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing situation with a vessel sailing located on the fishing vessel's starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    N a. The fishing vessel because it is to port of the sailing vessel.
    Y b. The fishing vessel because it is fishing.
    N c. The sailing vessel because it is to starboard of the fishing vessel.
    N d. The sailing vessel because it is sailing.

4344: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND "safe speed" is defined as that speed where __________.

    N a. you can stop within your visibility range
    Y b. you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
    N c. you are traveling slower than surrounding vessels
    N d. no wake comes from your vessel

4517: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

    N a. A 200-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A 50-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. All of the above

4621: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The steering and sailing rules for vessels in restricted visibility apply to vessels __________.

    N a. in sight of one another in fog
    Y b. navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility
    N c. only if they are showing special purpose lights
    N d. only if they have operational radar

4622: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules state that a vessel shall be operated at a safe speed at all times so that she can be stopped within __________.

    N a. the distance of visibility
    N b. 1/2 the distance of visibility
    Y c. a distance appropriate to the existing circumstances and conditions
    N d. the distance that it would require for the propeller to go from full ahead to full astern

4627: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway you sight a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. contact the vessel on VHF radiotelephone
    N b. provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. stay clear, the other vessel cannot get out of the way
    N d. stop your vessel and sound passing signals

4724: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. trawling
    N b. not under command
    Y c. anchored
    N d. drifting

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

4858: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should if safe and practicable __________.

    N a. stay near the middle of the channel
    N b. keep to the starboard side of any vessels you meet
    N c. exchange whistle signals with any other vessels in the channel
    Y d. keep to the side of the channel which lies to your starboard

8071: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT regarded as being "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N b. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N c. A towing vessel with tow unable to deviate from its course
    Y d. A vessel constrained by her draft

8128: 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 vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.