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.


57: INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. The blue light indicates a __________.


101: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel on her starboard side. Your first whistle signal should be __________.


110: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a sailing vessel 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?


112: 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

132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She shall not impede the upbound vessel.
    N b. She shall pass on the port side of the other.
    Y c. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N d. All of the above

132: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She shall not impede the upbound vessel.
    N b. She shall pass on the port side of the other.
    Y c. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N d. All of the above

209: INLAND ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    N b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    Y d. a special flashing light, sidelights, and a stern light

236: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

289: 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? (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. None of the above

357: 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 )

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

386: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a barge 35 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    N a. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    Y b. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

4087: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light", by the definition given in the rules, is a light that __________.

    N a. is red in color
    N b. is visible over an arc of the horizon of 360°
    Y c. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N d. All of the above

4145: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a 120-meter power-driven vessel at anchor in fog, sounding the required anchor signals. You hear the fog signal of a vessel underway off your port bow. You may sound __________.

    N a. at least five short and rapid blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    Y c. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N d. three short blasts

4204: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.

    N a. only on the approach of another vessel
    N b. only when vessels are in sight of each other
    N c. at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y d. at intervals of not more than two minutes

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

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

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

4453: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 30 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass astern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

4518: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, a towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.

    N a. masthead light
    N b. all-round light
    N c. sidelight
    Y d. stern light

4519: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and making way in fog shall sound every two minutes __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast and three short blasts
    N d. three distinct blasts

4556: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes MUST be shown __________.

    Y a. during daylight hours
    N b. during daylight hours except in restricted visibility
    N c. ONLY between 8 AM and 4 PM daily
    N d. between sunset and sunrise

4595: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, would NOT be required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4670: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    Y c. Whether the nature of the vessel's work limits maneuverability required by the Rules
    N d. Whether or not the vessel is the give-way vessel in a meeting situation

4848: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. One of the factors is the __________.

    N a. radio communications that are available
    N b. maximum speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    Y d. current

5150: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are two classes of vessels which do not have to comply with the rule regarding traffic separation schemes, to the extent necessary to carry out their work. One of those is a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. towing another
    Y c. servicing a navigational aid
    N d. on pilotage duty

8047: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel __________.

    N a. intends to alter course to starboard
    N b. intends to pass starboard to starboard
    Y c. is altering course to starboard
    N d. intends to pass port to port

8053: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. a single white light forward
    Y b. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. two all-round red lights where they can best be seen

8077: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not sound any whistle signals
    N d. sound one long blast