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.


66: INLAND ONLY A towing vessel pushing ahead on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long bridge must show __________.


102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown must you show when at anchor? (DIAGRAM 16 )


139: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape must you show on the forward end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed more than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. power-driven vessel
    N c. sailing vessel
    N d. vessel engaged in trawling

199: INLAND ONLY You are on a vessel that the Secretary has determined cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?

    N a. The vessel must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.
    Y b. The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible.
    N c. The vessel must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.
    N d. An all-round light should be substituted for the after masthead light and the stern light.

246: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. If you are in agreement you should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    Y a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signals from vessel "B"
    N d. None of the above

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

294: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    N a. a submarine on the surface
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. a vessel not under command
    Y d. None of the above

355: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

362: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the right or slow down
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. sound five or more short and rapid blasts

821: INLAND ONLY One and two short blast signals must be sounded on inland waters when __________.

    N a. two sailing vessels are in sight of one another and meeting at a distance of one quarter mile
    N b. two power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and will cross at a distance of one mile
    N c. two power-driven vessels are crossing within half a mile of each other and NOT in sight of each other
    Y d. Two power-driven vessel are in sight of one another and are meeting at a distance of one half mile

4015: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 95-meter vessel aground sounds which fog signal?

    N a. A rapid ringing of a bell for 5 seconds every two minutes
    N b. A whistle signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. A prolonged blast of the whistle at intervals not to exceed one minute
    Y d. A rapid ringing of a bell for 5 seconds, preceded and followed by three separate and distinct strokes on the bell

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

4228: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a stand-on vessel FIRST allowed by the Rules to take action in order to avoid collision?

    N a. When the two vessels are less than half a mile from each other.
    Y b. When the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action to avoid collision.
    N c. When collision is imminent.
    N d. The stand-on vessel is never allowed to take action.

4318: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. Flames on a vessel
    Y b. Vertical motion of a white lantern at night
    N c. Code flags "November" and "Charlie"
    N d. Dye marker on the water

4338: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel hearing a fog signal forward of her beam has not determined if risk of collision exists. She shall reduce speed to __________.

    N a. moderate speed
    N b. safe speed
    N c. half speed
    Y d. bare steerageway

4413: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a 75-meter power-driven vessel underway at night?

    N a. She must exhibit an all-round white light at the stern.
    Y b. She must exhibit forward and after masthead lights.
    N c. She must exhibit only a forward masthead light.
    N d. She may exhibit a red light over a green light forward.

4463: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "B" approaching vessel "A", as shown. You are unable to see any sidelights on vessel "A". This is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 38 )

    N a. meeting situation
    N b. crossing situation
    Y c. overtaking situation
    N d. special circumstances situation

4471: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, when making way, show __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light and towing light
    Y d. All of the above

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

4493: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and hear one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in succession. What is the meaning of this signal?

    N a. A vessel is in distress and needs assistance.
    N b. A vessel is fishing, hauling nets.
    Y c. A vessel is at anchor, warning of her position.
    N d. A vessel is towing.

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4603: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?

    Y a. A stern light
    N b. A masthead light
    N c. Not under command lights
    N d. Range lights

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

4863: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is proceeding along a narrow channel and can safely navigate ONLY inside the channel. The sailing vessel approaches a vessel engaged in fishing. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The fishing vessel must sound the danger signal.
    Y b. The fishing vessel shall not impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Both vessels should be displaying the signal for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

5400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT __________.

    N a. cross a traffic lane
    N b. engage in fishing the separation zone
    Y c. proceed in an inappropriate traffic lane
    N d. enter the separation zone

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

8010: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. aground
    N c. dredging
    Y d. constrained by her draft

8024: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is required to be sounded by a power-driven vessel ONLY?

    Y a. A signal meaning, "I am altering my course to starboard."
    N b. A signal meaning, "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side."
    N c. A signal meaning that the vessel sounding it is in doubt as to the other vessel's actions.
    N d. A signal sounded when approaching a bend.

8038: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area