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.


67: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


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?


131: INLAND ONLY You are navigating in a narrow channel and must remain in the channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel ahead of you from your starboard. You are doubtful of intention of the crossing vessel. You MUST __________.


133: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The downbound vessel has the right of way.
    N b. The upbound vessel must initiate the required maneuvering signals.
    N c. The upbound vessel must propose the manner of passing.
    N d. All of the above

133: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The downbound vessel has the right of way.
    N b. The upbound vessel must initiate the required maneuvering signals.
    N c. The upbound vessel must propose the manner of passing.
    N d. All of the above

134: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. Neither vessel has the right-of-way.
    Y b. She has the right-of-way only if she is power-driven.
    N c. She does not have the right-of-way, since the other vessel is not crossing the river.
    N d. She must wait for a whistle signal from the upbound vessel.

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

204: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are in a crossing situation on the high seas as shown. Vessel "B" sounds one short blast. What is the proper action for vessel "A" to take? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Answer with one blast and hold course and speed
    Y b. Hold course and speed
    N c. Answer with one blast and keep clear of vessel "B"
    N d. Sound danger signal

260: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

342: 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 leave you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y d. None of the above

370: INLAND ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, lights in addition to the towing identification lights must be shown. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    N c. towed astern
    Y d. All of the above

4020: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel must proceed at a safe speed __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. in congested waters
    N c. during darkness
    Y d. at all times

4056: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in restricted visibility. She should sound __________.

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

4065: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N c. fishing while making no way through the water
    N d. fishing in company with another vessel

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

4096: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, in fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal is sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. not under command
    N b. being towed
    N c. on pilotage duty
    N d. aground

4098: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You can indicate that your vessel is in distress by __________.

    N a. displaying a large red flag
    N b. displaying three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    Y d. continuously sounding the fog whistle

4137: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning lights and shapes for towing vessels?

    N a. If a tow exceeds 200 meters in length, the towing vessel will display a black ball during daylight.
    N b. When towing astern, a vessel will carry her identification lights at the masthead in addition to her regular masthead light.
    N c. When towing astern, the towing vessel may show either a stern light or a towing light, but not both.
    Y d. If the towing vessel is over 50 meters in length, she must carry forward and after masthead lights.

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4306: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is directed not to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

4373: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the two sidelights and stern light may be shown on a __________.

    Y a. 10-meter sailing vessel
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel engaged in trolling
    N d. 25-meter pilot vessel

4404: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to change course shall, when making way, exhibit __________.

    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

4458: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the lights shown as illustrated on your port bow. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 50 )

    Y a. hold course and speed
    N b. alter course to port
    N c. stop engines
    N d. sound the danger signal

4505: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels of less than what length may not impede the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. 10 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 30 meters
    N d. 40 meters

4599: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night you see the red sidelight of a vessel well off your port bow. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are required to alter course to the right.
    N b. You must stop engines.
    N c. You are on a collision course with the other vessel.
    Y d. You may maintain course and speed.

4631: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two barges are being pushed ahead by a tugboat. Which statement is TRUE concerning lights on the barges?

    N a. Each vessel should show sidelights.
    N b. Each vessel should show at least one white light.
    N c. The barges should be lighted as separate units.
    Y d. The barges should be lighted as one vessel.

4643: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night may show __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4651: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is the stand-on vessel when two vessels crossing in fog are NOT in sight of one another?

    N a. The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side
    N b. The vessel which has the other on her own port side
    N c. The one which hears the other's fog signal first
    Y d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

8074: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N b. anchored
    N c. engaged in mineclearance
    N d. engaged in fishing