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.


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 )


60: INLAND ONLY Two vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than half a mile apart. In this situation whistle signals __________.


87: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used for maneuvering signals?


124: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. Towing light
    Y b. Vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. In sight
    N d. Restricted visibility

235: INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    N d. no signal

4009: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter tug is underway and crossing a deep and narrow channel. A large container vessel is off your port bow on a steady bearing. Which statement is TRUE concerning this situation?

    N a. You should maintain course and speed.
    N b. The container vessel is the stand-on as it is the larger vessel.
    Y c. You are not to impede the safe passage of the container vessel in the channel.
    N d. None of the above

4136: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power-driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horizon?

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225.0°
    N d. 360.0°

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4196: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights must be shown on a barge being towed astern at night?

    N a. A white light at each corner
    N b. A white light fore and aft
    Y c. Sidelights and a stern light
    N d. A stern light only

4257: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is required to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel, underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4354: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the normal navigation lights, show sidelights and one __________.

    Y a. white light
    N b. yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing yellow light

4355: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in an 18-meter tug when you sight a loaded tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is correct?

    N a. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel because the tankship is crossing.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is in the channel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4422: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is __________.

    N a. about one second
    N b. two to four seconds
    Y c. four to six seconds
    N d. eight to ten seconds

4422: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is __________.

    N a. about one second
    N b. two to four seconds
    Y c. four to six seconds
    N d. eight to ten seconds

4422: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not making way, is __________.

    N a. about one second
    N b. two to four seconds
    Y c. four to six seconds
    N d. eight to ten seconds

4429: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting head-on. How must the vessels pass?

    N a. One vessel must alter course while the other must continue on its course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

4437: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?

    Y a. 50 meters
    N b. 100 meters
    N c. 150 meters
    N d. 200 meters

4451: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel should at all times proceed at a "safe speed". "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

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

4506: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the sidelights and stern light MAY be shown on a __________.

    N a. sailing vessel of 25 meters in length
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel engaged in trolling
    Y d. 6-meter vessel under oars

4530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a partly submerged vessel being towed?

    N a. It must show a yellow light at each end.
    N b. It will show red lights along its length.
    Y c. A diamond shape will be carried at the aftermost extremity of the tow.
    N d. All of the above

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4541: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are no other vessels around
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    N c. the Master enters it in the ship's log
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

4555: 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?

    Y a. The fishing vessel is directed not to impede the passage of the sailing vessel.
    N b. The sailing vessel must keep out of the way of the fishing vessel.
    N c. Each vessel should move to the edge of the channel on her port side.
    N d. Each vessel should be displaying signals for a vessel constrained by her draft.

4604: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. being towed

4669: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

    N a. Use of such a light is required.
    Y b. Its purpose is to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N c. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

4726: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three unmanned barges astern in fog. The third vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged blast

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

8089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND A towing light __________.

    N a. flashes at regular intervals of 50-70 flashes per minute
    Y b. is yellow in color
    N c. shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180° nor more than 225°
    N d. All of the above

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

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