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.


36: INLAND ONLY Which type of vessel is NOT mentioned in the Inland Navigation Rules?


50: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )


68: INLAND ONLY Which is CORRECT regarding a "special flashing light"?


80: INLAND ONLY While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.

    N a. opening in a pipeline
    N b. vessel broken down
    Y c. vessel pushing ahead
    N d. vessel fishing

84: INLAND ONLY You are in charge of a power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers. You must keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. sail vessel descending the river
    N b. power-driven vessel ascending the river
    N c. sail vessel ascending the river
    Y d. All of the above

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

    Y a. vessel not under command
    N b. air-cushion vessel in the non-displacement mode
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel engaged in underwater operations

198: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a vessel that 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, as determined by her government.
    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.

222: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    N a. 1
    N b. 3
    N c. None
    Y d. 2

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass 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.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

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

4182: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

4259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the optional whistle signal which may be sounded by a vessel at anchor?

    N a. Two prolonged followed by one short blast
    N b. One short followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y c. One short, one prolonged, followed by one short blast
    N d. Four short blasts

4378: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While you are underway, navigation lights must be displayed on your vessel __________.

    Y a. during all periods of restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. at night only when other vessels may be in the area
    N d. at night only when vessels are detected on radar

4385: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" according to the Rules of the Road, a vessel must be __________.

    Y a. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability
    N b. using trolling lines
    N c. power-driven
    N d. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4387: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation would be one in which one vessel is approaching another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 10°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. None of the above

4389: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An overtaking situation at night would be one in which one vessel sees which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    N a. Masthead lights and sidelights
    N b. One sidelight, the masthead lights and stern light
    N c. Both sidelights
    Y d. Stern light

4405: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway but not making way and fishing other than trawling will show which lights?

    N a. A white light over a red light
    Y b. A red light over a white light
    N c. A white light over a red light, sidelights, and a stern light
    N d. A red light over a white light, sidelights, and a stern light

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

4508: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may carry her sidelights and stern light in a combined lantern on the mast?

    Y a. An 18-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 10-meter sailing vessel also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 25-meter sailing vessel
    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

4611: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which does not normally engage in towing operations, is towing a vessel in distress. She __________.

    Y a. need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so
    N b. may show the lights for a vessel not under command
    N c. must show a yellow light above the stern light
    N d. must show the lights for a vessel towing

4680: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes must be displayed __________.

    N a. between sunset and sunrise
    N b. only between 8 AM and 4 PM
    Y c. during daylight hours in any visibility
    N d. during daylight hours in unrestricted visibility only

4707: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

    Y a. A stern light only
    N b. Two masthead lights
    N c. Both sidelights and the stern light
    N d. Sidelights only

4837: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    N a. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    Y b. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. due to adverse weather conditions is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N d. has lost steering and is unable to maneuver

4868: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    N a. The vessel making the most speed is the give-way vessel.
    Y b. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

8022: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are approaching another vessel and will pass starboard to starboard without danger if no course changes are made. You should __________.

    N a. hold course and sound a two blast whistle signal
    Y b. hold course and sound no whistle signal
    N c. change course to the right and sound one blast
    N d. hold course and sound two prolonged and two short blasts

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command

8078: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. need not sound any whistle signals
    N b. should sound two short blasts
    N c. should sound the danger signal
    N d. should sound one long blast

8087: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    Y a. barges being pushed ahead
    N b. vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
    N c. vessels towing astern
    N d. barges being towed astern