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.


19: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current on the Great Lakes or Western Rivers is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


49: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as 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

58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as 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

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

116: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter fishing vessel. Which day shape must you show while engaged in fishing? (DIAGRAM 16 )

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

218: INLAND ONLY Your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night. What light(s) should show aft on your vessel? DIAGRAMS60,75,46,70

    N a. The light(s) in Diagram 60.
    Y b. The light(s) in Diagram 75.
    N c. The light(s) in Diagram 46.
    N d. The light(s) in Diagram 70.

277: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    Y a. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N b. visible for at least one mile
    N c. more than 50 meters apart
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. dredge
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. power-driven vessel pushing ahead
    Y d. None of the above

338: 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 )

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

396: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. submarine on the surface
    N c. vessel engaged in trawling
    Y d. vessel under oars

4074: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel of 75 meters in length, at anchor?

    N a. She must show an all-round white light forward.
    N b. She must show a second all-round white light aft.
    N c. She may use her working lights to illuminate her decks.
    Y d. All of the above

4098: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You can indicate that your vessel is in distress by __________.

    N a. displaying a large red flag
    N b. displaying three black balls in a vertical line
    N c. sounding four or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    Y d. continuously sounding the fog whistle

4120: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. two cones with bases together
    N c. a cone, apex downward
    Y d. two cones, apexes together

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

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

4241: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The first 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

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation take action to avoid the other vessel?

    N a. When a risk of collision exists
    Y b. When action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent a collision
    N c. When the bearing to give-way vessel becomes steady
    N d. When the vessels become less than 1/2 mile apart

4354: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the normal navigation lights, show sidelights and one __________.

    Y a. white light
    N b. yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing yellow light

4490: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would be required to show a white light from a lantern exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision?

    N a. A 9-meter sailing vessel
    Y b. A rowboat
    N c. A 6-meter motorboat
    N d. A small vessel fishing

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

4597: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command shall display __________.

    Y a. two red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N b. two red lights at night and three black balls during daylight
    N c. three red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N d. three red lights at night and three black balls during daylight

4722: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, is not required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel engaged in survey operations
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    Y d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4864: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. A vessel dredging
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    N d. All of the above

8012: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a signal of intent which must be answered by the other vessel, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. meeting another head-on
    N b. crossing the course of another
    Y c. overtaking another
    N d. Any of the above

8025: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle is to be __________.

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

8116: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above