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?


26: INLAND ONLY A law enforcement boat may display a __________.


78: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of a one short blast signal used when meeting another vessel?


79: INLAND ONLY On the Western Rivers, a power-driven vessel crossing a river must __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed as you have the right of way over all vessels
    N b. keep out of the way of any vessel descending the river
    Y c. keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river
    N d. None of the above

130: INLAND ONLY Your vessel must stay within a narrow channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You do NOT think she will pass safely. You are required to __________.

    N a. slow to bare steerageway
    N b. back down
    N c. sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    Y d. sound the danger signal

136: INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify __________.

    N a. a dredge pipeline on a trestle
    N b. the heads of tows being pushed ahead by tugboats
    N c. purse seiners
    Y d. a seaplane on the water

173: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch and sight a vessel showing only these lights. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. power-driven vessel
    N c. sailing vessel
    N d. vessel engaged in trawling

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.

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing 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.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

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

    N a. vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. law enforcement vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. vessel towing astern

4022: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway may exhibit __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4093: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels?

    Y a. A sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on her port side shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on the starboard side.
    N b. When both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel to leeward shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sail vessel with the wind abaft of the beam must keep out of the way of a vessel sailing into the wind.
    N d. None of the above

4140: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rule regarding look-outs applies __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. between dusk and dawn
    N c. in heavy traffic
    Y d. All of the above

4166: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.

    N a. three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead light
    Y b. two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of either the forward or after masthead lights
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. a small white light aft of the funnel

4191: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in the fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules require you to navigate with caution and, if danger of collision exists, __________.

    N a. slow to less than 2 knots
    N b. stop your engines
    Y c. reduce to bare steerageway
    N d. begin a radar plot

4265: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and pushing a barge ahead, your vessel enters a heavy rain storm. You should sound __________.

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

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

4363: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. broken down
    N b. anchored
    Y c. towing
    N d. fishing

4372: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    N b. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    Y d. the danger signal

4437: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?

    Y a. 50 meters
    N b. 100 meters
    N c. 150 meters
    N d. 200 meters

4464: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command, underway but not making way, would show __________.

    Y a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. sidelights
    N c. a stern light
    N d. All of the above

4494: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel on pilotage duty must show which light(s) at night?

    N a. A stern light only
    N b. Anchor lights only
    N c. A white light over a red light only
    Y d. A white light over a red light and anchor lights

4545: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel and are not sure whether danger of collision exists. You must assume __________.

    Y a. there is risk of collision
    N b. you are the give way vessel
    N c. the other vessel is also in doubt
    N d. All of the above are correct.

4603: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?

    Y a. A stern light
    N b. A masthead light
    N c. Not under command lights
    N d. Range lights

4636: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sailing shall keep out of the way of all of the following vessels except a vessel __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged on pilotage duty
    N c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. engaged in fishing

4870: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    N a. Any time the danger signal is sounded
    N b. When two power-driven vessels are crossing and it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y c. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on
    N d. All of the above

6500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to change course. When making way, the towing vessel will show ONLY __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light, and towing light
    Y d. All of the above.

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

8104: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is constrained by her draft and operating in a narrow channel. Another vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. You are in doubt as to her intentions. According to Rule 9, you __________.

    N a. should sound one short blast to indicate that you are holding course and speed
    N b. must sound one prolonged blast
    Y c. may sound the danger signal
    N d. are required to back down