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.


16: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


44: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a barge being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit?


109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. In addition to a steady white light which other light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )


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

206: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What lights are required for a single barge being towed alongside?

    Y a. Sidelights and a stern light
    N 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

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

289: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is less than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by day from the vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. ball-diamond-ball on the towing vessel
    N b. diamond on the towing vessel
    N c. diamond on the last barge
    N d. None of the above

316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a pilot boat
    N b. sailing
    Y c. fishing
    N d. anchored

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

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

4031: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

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

4170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter vessel is towing another vessel astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the tow is 75 meters. How many white towing masthead lights shall the towing vessel show at night?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4214: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.

    N a. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. white masthead light
    N c. combined lantern
    Y d. stern light

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

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 53 )

    Y a. vessel engaged on pilotage duty underway
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. vessel under sail
    N d. power-driven vessel underway

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

4337: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a yellow light over a white light at night is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in piloting
    Y b. towing astern
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. in distress

4473: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see dead ahead a vessel showing __________.

    N a. one sidelight
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light
    N c. one sidelight and two masthead lights
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel and her masthead light(s)

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

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

4507: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights required by the Rules must be shown __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. ONLY from sunset to sunrise
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4513: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, you sight a vessel displaying three shapes in a vertical line. The top and bottom shapes are balls, and the middle shape is a diamond. It could be a __________.

    N a. vessel trolling
    N b. mineclearing vessel
    N c. trawler
    Y d. vessel engaged in replenishment at sea

4586: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What describes a head-on situation?

    N a. Seeing one red light of a vessel directly ahead
    N b. Seeing two forward white towing lights in a vertical line on a towing vessel directly ahead
    N c. Seeing both sidelights of a vessel directly off your starboard beam
    Y d. Seeing both sidelights of a vessel directly ahead

4597: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command shall display __________.

    Y a. two red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N b. two red lights at night and three black balls during daylight
    N c. three red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N d. three red lights at night and three black balls during daylight

4638: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel __________.

    Y a. must keep out of the way of sailing vessels
    N b. must sound a one prolonged, two short blasts signal in restricted visibility
    N c. is the stand-on vessel when overtaking power-driven vessels
    N d. All of the above

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. anchored
    N c. being towed
    N d. drifting

4682: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N c. cannot be mistaken for the lights specified elsewhere in the Rules
    Y d. All of the above

4736: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is _____________ .

    N a. the last vessel in the tow
    Y b. the last vessel in the tow and it is carrying a crew
    N c. manned, regardless of its position in the tow
    N d. None of the above are correct

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

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

8050: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, so as to pass on the power-driven vessel's port side. The overtaken vessel will have to move to facilitate passage. The sailing vessel is the __________.

    N a. stand-on vessel and would sound two short blasts
    N b. give-way vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    N c. stand-on vessel and would sound no whistle signal
    Y d. give-way vessel and would sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts