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.


8: INLAND ONLY If you were coming up on another power-driven vessel from dead astern and desired to overtake on the other vessel's starboard side, which whistle signal would you sound?


102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown must you show when at anchor? (DIAGRAM 16 )


181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown. They indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 74 )


223: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    Y a. Two
    N b. One
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    N d. None

246: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. If you are in agreement you should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    Y a. sound two short blasts
    N b. sound two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signals from vessel "B"
    N d. None of the above

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

265: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing. The vessels will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed.
    Y c. Sound one short blast, turn to starboard.
    N d. Sound one short blast and hold course and speed.

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

    Y a. one short blast
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. three short blasts

342: 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"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion port side"
    N c. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y d. None of the above

397: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal may be sounded ONLY by vessels in restricted visibility?

    N a. At least five short and rapid blasts
    Y b. Four short blasts
    N c. One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order
    N d. Two short blasts

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.

4091: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An authorized light to assist in the identification of submarines operating on the surface is a(n) __________.

    N a. blue rotating light
    Y b. intermittent flashing amber/yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing sidelight

4102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A distress signal __________.

    N a. consists of 5 or more short blasts of the fog signal apparatus
    Y b. may be used separately or with other distress signals
    N c. consists of the raising and lowering of a large white flag
    N d. is used to indicate doubt about another vessel's intentions

4182: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4218: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day signal shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 7 )

    Y a. not under command
    N b. a dredge underway and dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. a hydrographic survey vessel underway

4271: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The third vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    N a. no fog signal
    N b. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged, one short and one prolonged blast

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

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

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.

4535: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. May be sounded by the stand-on vessel only
    N b. Indicates that the vessel is in distress
    N c. Is used to indicate a course change
    Y d. May be supplemented by an appropriate light signal

4635: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.

    N a. three balls in a vertical line
    N b. two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. one ball near the foremast and one ball at each fore yard
    N d. one diamond near the foremast head and one ball at each fore yard

4726: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three unmanned barges astern in fog. The third vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged blast

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    Y a. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical
    N c. only anchor in the separation zone
    N d. use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

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

8068: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order is given by a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. in distress
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. being overtaken in a narrow channel

8076: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

    N a. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast
    N c. one short blast
    N d. two prolonged blasts

8081: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    Y b. a white light
    N c. used only at night
    N d. used prior to sounding the whistle

8097: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black diamond
    Y b. A cylinder
    N c. A black ball
    N d. A black cone, apex upward