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.


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


25: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will sound a whistle signal of __________.


35: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "B" and vessel "A" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 9 )


47: INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify __________.

    Y a. law enforcement vessels
    N b. U.S. submarines
    N c. air-cushion vessels in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. dredge pipelines on trestles

48: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    Y a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the foghorn every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

113: INLAND ONLY At night, a barge moored in a slip used primarily for mooring purposes shall __________.

    N a. show a flashing yellow light at each corner
    N b. show a white light at each corner
    N c. show a red light at the bow and stern
    Y d. not be required to be lighted

186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

193: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "B" and crossing a narrow channel. Vessel "A", who can only navigate within the channel, is on your port bow and crossing as shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed as the ship is on your port bow.
    Y b. Give way to the other vessel.
    N c. Increase speed and cross his bow.
    N d. Sound the danger signal.

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night must exhibit navigation lights __________.

    Y a. at all times
    N b. only if manned
    N c. only if towed astern
    N d. Need not be lighted

351: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

384: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown. This would indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 78 )

    N a. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. fishing vessel underway
    Y c. pilot vessel underway
    N d. vessel not under command

386: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a barge 35 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    N a. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    Y b. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

4053: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to __________.

    Y a. alter course to starboard and pass port to port
    N b. alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
    N c. decide on which side the passage will occur by matching whistle signals
    N d. slow to bare steerageway

4160: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.

    Y a. vessel at anchor
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel towing
    N d. All of the above

4293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A sailing vessel underway
    N c. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, at anchor
    Y d. All of the above

4299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel on your 15-meter vessel. A deeply loaded cargo vessel is proceeding down the channel as shown. In this situation, which statement is correct? (DIAGRAM 40 )

    N a. You are the stand-on vessel because you are less than 65 feet in length.
    Y b. You cannot impede the passage of the cargo vessel.
    N c. The cargo vessel is the stand-on vessel because she is running with the current.
    N d. The Rule of Special Circumstances applies in this case.

4341: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND On open water, a vessel fishing is in a crossing situation with a vessel sailing located on the fishing vessel's starboard side. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel?

    N a. The fishing vessel because it is to port of the sailing vessel.
    Y b. The fishing vessel because it is fishing.
    N c. The sailing vessel because it is to starboard of the fishing vessel.
    N d. The sailing vessel because it is sailing.

4460: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    Y a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4504: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a narrow channel, a vessel should stay __________.

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

4508: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may carry her sidelights and stern light in a combined lantern on the mast?

    Y a. An 18-meter sailing vessel
    N b. A 10-meter sailing vessel also being propelled by machinery
    N c. A 25-meter sailing vessel
    N d. All of the above

4550: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning an overtaking situation is correct?

    N a. The overtaking vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N b. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.
    N c. The overtaking vessel must maintain course and speed.
    Y d. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the other.

4559: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground at night is required to show two red lights in a vertical line as well as __________.

    N a. not under command lights
    N b. restricted in her ability to maneuver lights
    Y c. anchor lights
    N d. sidelights and a stern light

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4745: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed if he is on your port bow
    N b. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal

4854: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you but she sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. sound a signal of one prolonged blast
    Y b. make a large course change
    N c. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

8028: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a crossing situation on international waters, a short blast by the give-way vessel indicates that the vessel __________.

    N a. is holding course and speed
    Y b. is turning to starboard
    N c. intends to pass port to port
    N d. will keep out of the way of the stand-on vessel

8067: 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 fishing vessel
    N c. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. All of the above

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