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.


16: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


43: INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What should be your next action?


85: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers, must keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel __________.


136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.

    N a. a dredge pipeline on a trestle
    N b. the heads of tows being pushed ahead by tugboats
    N c. purse seiners
    Y d. a seaplane on the water

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

273: 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
    N c. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side
    Y d. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights

351: 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. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

4016: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4050: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.

    N a. black diamond
    Y b. black cone
    N c. black ball
    N d. basket

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

4116: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The towing light is a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing amber light
    Y b. yellow light with the same characteristics as the stern light
    N c. all-round yellow light
    N d. yellow light with the same characteristics as the masthead light

4151: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a vessel sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. What does this signal indicate?

    Y a. A vessel towing
    N b. A vessel being towed
    N c. A pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel aground

4171: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, shall show __________.

    N a. an anchor light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being red, and the middle being white
    Y d. None of the above

4175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 57 )

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver and not making way
    N b. engaged in fishing and not making way
    N c. a pilot vessel underway and making way on pilotage duty
    N d. towing and making way

4198: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and approaching a bend in the channel where vessels approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one blast, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N b. three blasts, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N c. one continuous blast until you are able to see around the bend
    N d. one blast, 8 to 10 seconds in duration

4226: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape must be shown by a vessel 25 meters in length aground during daylight hours?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    Y c. Three black balls
    N d. Four black balls

4316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation take action to avoid the other vessel?

    N a. When a risk of collision exists
    Y b. When action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent a collision
    N c. When the bearing to give-way vessel becomes steady
    N d. When the vessels become less than 1/2 mile apart

4367: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What would NOT be a distress signal?

    N a. "MAYDAY" sent by radiotelephone
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog horn
    Y c. Green star shells fired from a launcher
    N d. Square flag and ball in a vertical line

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

4499: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown would indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 76 )

    Y a. trawling
    N b. laying submarine cable
    N c. towing astern
    N d. dredging

4531: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel enters fog. You stop your engines, and the vessel is dead in the water. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast every two minutes
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
    N c. Three short blasts every two minutes
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts every two minutes

4563: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" in DIAGRAM 32, and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating her intention to overtake you. You feel it is not safe for vessel "B" to overtake you at the present time. You should __________.

    Y a. sound five or more short rapid blasts
    N b. sound two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N d. sound three blasts of the whistle

4617: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel shall __________.

    N a. avoid crossing the channel at right angles
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    Y c. keep as near as safe and practicable to the limit of the channel on her starboard side
    N d. when nearing a bend in the channel, sound a long blast of the whistle

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. anchored
    N c. being towed
    N d. drifting

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

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

4675: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a meeting situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Stand-on vessel
    N b. Give-way vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

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

8070: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In addition to her running lights, an underway vessel constrained by her draft may carry in a vertical line __________.

    N a. a red light, a white light, and a red light
    N b. two red lights
    N c. two white lights
    Y d. three red lights

8082: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    N b. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    Y c. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N d. All of the above