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.


14: INLAND ONLY You have made your vessel up to a tow and are moving from a pier out into the main channel. Your engines are turning ahead. What whistle signal should you sound?


48: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?


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


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

140: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is showing an alternating red and yellow light. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Stand on.
    N b. Heave to.
    N c. Alter course to assist.
    N d. Yield the right-of-way.

141: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing an alternately flashing red-and-yellow light. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to assist
    N b. Give-way
    Y c. Stand on
    N d. Heave to

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

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.

229: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

288: 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(s)? (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. All of the above

321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    N b. a diamond
    N c. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    Y d. two cones with apexes together

327: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. green sidelight
    Y c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

350: 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. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one prolonged blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

402: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. sailboat making way
    N b. power-driven vessel making way, towing
    Y c. power-driven vessel making way
    N d. vessel being towed

4048: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If it becomes necessary for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision, she shall NOT, if possible, __________.

    N a. decrease speed
    N b. increase speed
    Y c. turn to port for a vessel on her own port side
    N d. turn to starboard for a vessel on her own port side

4139: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing
    Y b. Trawling
    N c. Minesweeping
    N d. Dredging

4140: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rule regarding look-outs applies __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. between dusk and dawn
    N c. in heavy traffic
    Y d. All of the above

4149: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 84 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. showing improper lights
    N c. towing
    N d. dredging

4315: INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    Y a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    N d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

4335: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

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

4441: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, power-driven vessels less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the underway lights for vessels under 50 meters, show which lights?

    N a. Sidelights and stern light
    Y b. One all-round white light and sidelights
    N c. Masthead light only
    N d. Stern light only

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

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

4552: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning fog signals?

    N a. All fog signals for sailing vessels are to be given at intervals of not more than one minute.
    N b. A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel towed.
    N c. A pilot vessel underway and making way sounds the pilot identity signal and no other signal.
    Y d. A vessel aground may sound a whistle signal.

4554: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must have a gong, or other equipment which will make the sound of a gong?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. Any vessel over 50 meters
    Y c. Any vessel over 100 meters
    N d. A power-driven vessel over 75 meters

4578: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "short blast" on the whistle has a duration of __________.

    Y a. 1 second
    N b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 8 to 12 seconds
    N d. 12 to 15 seconds

4672: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N b. Radio transmissions may be used in place of the danger signal.
    Y c. A vessel in doubt as to the other vessel's intentions must sound the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 5 or more prolonged blasts of the whistle.

4819: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which breadth shown represents the breadth as defined in the Rules? (DIAGRAM 87 )

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

4827: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the requirements of the Rules when __________.

    N a. operating in restricted visibility
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    Y c. necessary to avoid immediate danger
    N d. the Master enters it in the ship's log

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above