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.


26: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement boat may display a __________.


31: INLAND ONLY At night, a light signal consisting of two flashes by a vessel indicates __________.


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )


130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.

    N a. slow to bare steerageway
    N b. back down
    N c. sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    Y d. sound the danger signal

244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 15-meter vessel "A" in a narrow channel as shown. Vessel "B", a large tanker which can safely navigate only within the channel, sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. maintain course and speed
    Y d. not impede the passage of vessel "B"

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

284: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. dredge pipeline

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

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

343: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N d. None of the above

401: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "B" should __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. take action to permit safe passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    N d. None of the above

4094: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard vessel "A" which is towing on open waters when vessel "B", a sailing vessel, is sighted off your port bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on? (DIAGRAM 20 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is towing.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "B".
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is sailing.
    N d. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port of vessel "A".

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

4153: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. in special circumstances
    Y c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. constrained by her draft

4236: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. vessel being towed

4237: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights would you see on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling?

    N a. Two red lights, one over the other
    N b. A green light over a red light
    Y c. A red light over a white light
    N d. A white light over a red light

4337: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a yellow light over a white light at night is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in piloting
    Y b. towing astern
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. in distress

4344: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND "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

4345: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a green light over a white light in a vertical line above the level of the sidelights is __________.

    N a. engaged in underwater construction
    N b. under sail and power
    N c. a pilot vessel
    Y d. trawling

4376: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show her sidelights when __________.

    Y a. making headway
    N b. making no headway
    N c. moored to a buoy
    N d. at anchor

4421: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    Y a. south (180°)
    N b. east (090°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    N d. west (270°)

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4466: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a 200-meter vessel exhibit when at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225-degree white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light
    Y c. Working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the forepart of the vessel, a 112.5-degree white light

4517: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after masthead lights when underway?

    N a. A 200-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A 50-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. A 100-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. All of the above

4545: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel and are not sure whether danger of collision exists. You must assume __________.

    Y a. there is risk of collision
    N b. you are the give way vessel
    N c. the other vessel is also in doubt
    N d. All of the above are correct.

4639: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying a single green light. This is a __________.

    N a. vessel at anchor
    N b. small motorboat underway
    N c. vessel drifting
    Y d. sailing vessel

4659: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel servicing a pipeline during the day shall display __________.

    Y a. three black shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest are balls, and the middle one is a diamond
    N b. three shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest are red balls, and the middle one is a white diamond
    N c. three black balls in a vertical line
    N d. two black balls in a vertical line

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

4850: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels are on opposite courses
    N b. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    Y c. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel

8074: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.

    Y a. overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N b. anchored
    N c. engaged in mineclearance
    N d. engaged in fishing