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.


114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


147: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?


183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show an after masthead light, if over 50 meters in length?


274: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    N b. stop until the red lights turn green
    Y c. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights
    N d. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side

324: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a green sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

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

349: 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 short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

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

4032: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may combine her sidelights and stern light in one lantern on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel?

    Y a. A 16-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 25-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 28-meter sailing vessel
    N d. Any non-self-propelled vessel

4034: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is one which __________.

    Y a. from the nature of her work is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N b. through some exceptional circumstance 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

4105: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    Y a. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N b. When each is on a different tack, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

4144: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel which is less than 7 meters in length and anchored in an area where other vessels do not normally navigate is __________.

    Y a. not required to show any anchor lights
    N b. required to show a flare-up light
    N c. required to show one white light
    N d. required to show sidelights and a stern light

4169: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "head on" situation shall be deemed to exist at night when a power-driven vessel sees another power-driven vessel ahead and __________.

    N a. one sidelight and the masthead light are visible
    N b. the vessels will pass closer than half a mile
    N c. both vessels sound one prolonged blast
    Y d. both sidelights and masthead light(s) are visible

4285: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear another vessel sounding two prolonged blasts every two minutes. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. making way through the water
    N b. towing
    Y c. drifting
    N d. anchored

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

4318: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. Flames on a vessel
    Y b. Vertical motion of a white lantern at night
    N c. Code flags "November" and "Charlie"
    N d. Dye marker on the water

4319: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement about a 25-meter auxiliary sailboat is TRUE?

    N a. The sidelights and stern light may be combined in one lantern.
    N b. When operating under sail, her fog signal would consist of one prolonged blast.
    N c. She may show a green light over a red light at the masthead.
    Y d. She must show fixed sidelights.

4416: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

    N a. must be displayed when day signals are being used
    N b. must be displayed when moored to a pier
    N c. may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
    Y d. may be displayed during daylight

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

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

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4544: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant and is presently on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, accompanied by the appropriate whistle signal, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4629: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision she shall, if possible, NOT __________.

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

4645: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is required of a vessel navigating near an area of restricted visibility?

    N a. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.
    N b. She must sound appropriate sound signals.
    N c. If she detects another vessel by radar, she shall determine if risk of collision exists.
    Y d. All of the above

4654: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.

    N a. under sail
    Y b. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. crossing a channel
    N d. All of the above

4689: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel sounds the same fog signal when underway or at anchor?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. A vessel not under command

4830: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Navigation Rules define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    N b. does not have a proper look-out
    N c. by taking action contrary to the Rules has created a special circumstance situation
    Y d. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules

4870: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    N a. Any time the danger signal is sounded
    N b. When two power-driven vessels are crossing and it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y c. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on
    N d. All of the above

8014: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel leaving a quay or wharf must sound what signal?

    N a. Three short blasts
    N b. A long blast
    N c. A prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8016: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What whistle signal, if any, would be sounded when two vessels are meeting, but will pass clear starboard to starboard?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Two short blasts
    N c. Five or more short blasts
    Y d. No signal is required.

8043: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel would NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel sailing