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.


32: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as shown, with the yellow lights flashing. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )


119: INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?


141: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing an alternately flashing red-and-yellow light. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to assist
    N b. Give-way
    Y c. Stand on
    N d. Heave to

252: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    Y a. The vessels should continue on course and pass without sounding any whistle signals.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. The vessels should exchange one blast whistle signals and pass starboard to starboard.
    N d. The vessel with the tow should initiate the whistle signals.

260: INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a vessel engaged in __________.

    Y a. search and rescue
    N b. restricted in ability to maneuver
    N c. not under command
    N d. river bank protection

283: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. seaplane
    N b. minesweeper
    Y c. dredge pipeline
    N d. vessel not under command

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

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

365: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "B" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

377: 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
    Y b. SE
    N c. SW
    N d. NW

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

    N a. One long blast
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. One prolonged blast
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts

4082: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit three white masthead lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Any vessel towing astern
    Y b. A vessel whose tow exceeds 200 meters astern
    N c. A vessel not under command, at anchor
    N d. A vessel being towed

4095: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should keep to the __________.

    N a. middle of the channel
    Y b. starboard side of the channel
    N c. port side of the channel
    N d. side of the channel that has the widest turns

4175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 57 )

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver and not making way
    N b. engaged in fishing and not making way
    N c. a pilot vessel underway and making way on pilotage duty
    N d. towing and making way

4201: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing astern shall show __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light in a vertical line above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in addition to the stern light
    N d. a small white light in lieu of the stern light

4236: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. vessel being towed

4239: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approaching from the opposite direction. You should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. one long blast
    N d. five or more short blasts

4278: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal consisting of three flashes means __________.

    N a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
    N b. "My engines are full speed astern"
    N c. "I desire to overtake you"
    Y d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

4309: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown on a partly submerged vessel which is being towed?

    Y a. A diamond
    N b. A cone
    N c. One black ball
    N d. Two black balls in a vertical line

4431: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 50 meters in length at anchor must sound which fog signal?

    Y a. 5-second ringing of a bell every minute
    N b. 5-second ringing of a bell every two minutes
    N c. 5-second sounding of a gong every minute
    N d. 5-second sounding of both a bell and gong every two minutes

4529: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    Y a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. are not the color of either sidelight
    N c. have a lesser range than the prescribed lights
    N d. All of the above

4546: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may use the danger signal?

    N a. The vessel to starboard when two power-driven vessels are crossing
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing, crossing the course of a sailing vessel
    N c. Either of two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    Y d. All of the above

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4651: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is the stand-on vessel when two vessels crossing in fog are NOT in sight of one another?

    N a. The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side
    N b. The vessel which has the other on her own port side
    N c. The one which hears the other's fog signal first
    Y d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4677: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A", as shown and hear vessel "B" sound a signal indicating his intention 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
    Y b. sound five or more short and rapid blasts
    N c. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N d. sound three blasts of the whistle

4683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 135.0°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 67.5°
    N d. 22.5°

4683: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

    N a. 135.0°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 67.5°
    N d. 22.5°

4717: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway at night MAY show __________.

    N a. a green light over a red light
    N b. a red light over a white light
    N c. two white lights at the stern
    Y d. None of the above

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8136: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will show sidelights, a stern light, and __________.

    N a. an all-round red light where it can best be seen
    N b. two yellow masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N d. a single white light forward