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.


14: INLAND ONLY You have made your vessel up to a tow and are moving from a pier out into the main channel. Your engines are turning ahead. What whistle signal should you sound?


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


76: INLAND ONLY A special flashing light is used on a vessel(s) __________.


171: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel being overtaken
    N b. vessel meeting head-on
    N c. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y d. vessel crossing from your port

194: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" and proceeding down a narrow channel as shown. You can only navigate within the channel and vessel "B" is crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which action would be most prudent? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. Back down and allow vessel "B" to cross ahead.
    N b. Alter course to starboard to give him more room.
    N c. Maintain course and speed.
    Y d. Sound the danger signal and take evasive action.

217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. give-way vessel
    N b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaken vessel
    N d. None of the above

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

333: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "B" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. yellow flashing light
    N b. red sidelight
    Y c. green sidelight
    N d. stern light

372: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating his intentions to overtake you. You feel it is not safe for vessel "B" to overtake you at the present time. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

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

4004: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.

    N a. red and green sidelights only
    N b. a white stern light only
    Y c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. one all-round white light

4025: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. 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

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

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

4167: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules, is a vessel which is __________.

    Y a. mineclearing
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4211: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a stand-on vessel to take action in a situation, she must determine that the other vessel __________.

    N a. is restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. has sounded the danger signal
    Y c. is not taking appropriate action
    N d. has not changed course since risk of collision was determined

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

4321: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could mean all of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    N b. towing astern
    N c. fishing with trawls
    Y d. being towed

4390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights must sailboats show when underway at night?

    N a. One all-round white light
    N b. A stern light
    N c. Red and green sidelights
    Y d. Red and green sidelights and a stern light

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

4443: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE in an overtaking situation?

    N a. An overtaking situation exists when one vessel is approaching another vessel from anywhere abaft the beam.
    N b. It is the duty of the vessel being overtaken to get out of the way.
    Y c. Any later change of bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel.
    N d. All of the above

4497: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a requirement for any action taken to avoid collision?

    N a. When in sight of another vessel, any action taken must be accompanied by sound signals.
    N b. The action taken must include changing the speed of the vessel.
    Y c. The action must be positive and made in ample time.
    N d. All of the above

4524: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    N a. Whistle only
    N b. Bell only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4573: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel shows the same lights as a __________.

    N a. vessel engaged in towing, when not underway
    N b. vessel towing astern
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed, when they are rigidly connected in a composite unit

4623: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel 35 meters in length, with a tow 100 meters astern, must show a minimum of how many masthead lights?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 3
    N d. 4

4692: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel laying engaged in laying submarine cable
    N b. A vessel towing with limited maneuverability due to a large unwieldy tow
    Y c. A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    N d. A towing vessel underway with a fuel barge alongside and taking on fuel

4715: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    N b. A vessel fishing with a bottom trawl that must remain on course
    N c. A large tanker that is being towed as a dead ship to dry dock
    Y d. A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

4735: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.

    N a. red star shell
    Y b. searchlight
    N c. burning barrel
    N d. orange smoke signal

8048: 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. one short blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order

8113: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are approaching another vessel and will pass safely starboard to starboard without changing course. You should __________.

    Y a. hold course and sound no whistle signal
    N b. hold course and sound a two blast whistle signal
    N c. change course to starboard and sound one blast
    N d. hold course and sound one blast

8131: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    Y a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    N c. It must be an all-round white or yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.