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.


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


94: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboard side. If the other vessel answers your signal with five short and rapid blasts, you should __________.


129: INLAND ONLY You are proceeding in a channel in inland waters and are meeting an outbound vessel. Your responsibilities include __________.


149: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, above the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light
    N b. two masthead lights, sidelights, and two towing lights
    Y c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights, and stern light

168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. NW
    N b. SW
    N c. NE
    Y d. SE

179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display of lights shown indicates a dredge underway and not dredging? (DIAGRAM 72 )

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

227: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    Y a. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

270: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile of each other.
    Y b. If agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are optional.
    N c. If agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals must still be exchanged.
    N d. None of the above

302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. dredging
    N c. engaged in launching or recovery of aircraft
    Y d. towing astern

316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a pilot boat
    N b. sailing
    Y c. fishing
    N d. anchored

370: INLAND ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, lights in addition to the towing identification lights must be shown. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    N c. towed astern
    Y d. All of the above

4103: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is the danger signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog signal
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

4135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is __________.

    N a. a "special circumstance" vessel
    N b. not covered under any category
    N c. a sail vessel
    Y d. a power-driven vessel

4214: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.

    N a. red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. white masthead light
    N c. combined lantern
    Y d. stern light

4290: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes of the bell. This signal is made by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor and giving warning
    Y b. aground
    N c. at anchor and greater than 100 meters in length
    N d. not under command and at anchor

4383: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal
    Y c. take avoiding action only after providing the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avert collision

4454: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.

    Y a. turning to port
    N b. turning to starboard
    N c. decreasing speed
    N d. increasing speed

4487: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

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

4530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a partly submerged vessel being towed?

    N a. It must show a yellow light at each end.
    N b. It will show red lights along its length.
    Y c. A diamond shape will be carried at the aftermost extremity of the tow.
    N d. All of the above

4575: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she can see which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    Y a. Only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. One sidelight and a masthead light of the vessel
    N c. Only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. The masthead lights of the vessel

4578: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "short blast" on the whistle has a duration of __________.

    Y a. 1 second
    N b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 8 to 12 seconds
    N d. 12 to 15 seconds

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

4657: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close quarters situation is developing or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    N b. when taking action, make only course changes
    Y c. avoid altering course toward a vessel abaft the beam
    N d. All of the above

4680: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes must be displayed __________.

    N a. between sunset and sunrise
    N b. only between 8 AM and 4 PM
    Y c. during daylight hours in any visibility
    N d. during daylight hours in unrestricted visibility only

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

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

5300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is located between the scheme and the nearest land
    Y b. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    N d. contains all the traffic moving in the same direction

8029: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black cone, apex upward
    N b. A black cone, apex downward
    N c. Two vertical black balls
    Y d. A cylinder

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

8135: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light used to indicate passing intentions have?

    N a. It must be an all-round red light.
    Y b. It must be an all-round white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It can be either an all-round white or yellow light.