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.


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


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


55: INLAND ONLY The lights shown are those of a __________. (DIAGRAM 75 )


59: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.

    Y a. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N b. "I intend to hold course and speed"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I request a departure from the rules"

111: INLAND ONLY Which light display marks the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    Y a. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N b. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Two yellow lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?

    N a. All-round yellow lights placed at the corners of each barge in the group
    N b. Two yellow lights in a vertical line at the corner extremities of the group
    Y c. Two unobstructed all-round white lights
    N d. Two unobstructed all-round red lights

169: 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
    N b. SW
    Y c. SE
    N d. NE

176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    Y a. 40-meter tug with tow exceeding 200 meters
    N b. tug unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. range marking a channel beneath a drawbridge
    N d. 60-meter tug pushing a barge ahead

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

    N a. vessel aground
    N b. mine clearance vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. dredge pipeline

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

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

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

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

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

4137: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning lights and shapes for towing vessels?

    N a. If a tow exceeds 200 meters in length, the towing vessel will display a black ball during daylight.
    N b. When towing astern, a vessel will carry her identification lights at the masthead in addition to her regular masthead light.
    N c. When towing astern, the towing vessel may show either a stern light or a towing light, but not both.
    Y d. If the towing vessel is over 50 meters in length, she must carry forward and after masthead lights.

4146: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When taking action to avoid collision, you should __________.

    Y a. make sure the action is taken in enough time
    N b. not make any large course changes
    N c. not make any large speed changes
    N d. All of the above

4276: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel enters fog. You stop your engines and the vessel is dead in the water. Which fog signal should you sound?

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

4347: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use __________.

    N a. radar scanning
    N b. radar plotting
    N c. compass bearings
    Y d. All of the above

4351: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. The vessel which has the other on her own port side shall keep out of the way.
    Y b. If the stand-on vessel takes action, she shall avoid changing course to port.
    N c. If the give-way vessel takes action, she shall avoid changing course to starboard.
    N d. The give-way vessel should keep the other vessel to her starboard.

4385: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" according to the Rules of the Road, a vessel must be __________.

    Y a. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability
    N b. using trolling lines
    N c. power-driven
    N d. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4476: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying one green light. This light could indicate a __________.

    N a. vessel drifting
    N b. vessel at anchor
    N c. small motorboat underway
    Y d. sailboat underway

4487: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. towing
    Y b. fishing
    N c. anchored
    N d. being towed

4502: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    N c. in a narrow channel
    Y d. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4612: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.

    N a. vessel laying cable
    N b. vessel towing a submerged object
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. air cushion vessel

4620: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second 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 and two short blasts

4626: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern, where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, will exhibit __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. a diamond shape where it can best be seen
    N c. a ball on each end of the tow
    N d. no day-shape

4653: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing this day-shape __________. (DIAGRAM 34 )

    N a. has a tow which exceeds 200 meters in length
    N b. is engaged in surveying or underwater work
    N c. is not under command
    Y d. is fishing

4678: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    Y a. Intermittent flashing amber (yellow) beacon for submarines
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights indicating mine clearance operations
    N c. Red-white-red lights in a vertical line for a carrier, launching aircraft
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

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°

4713: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

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

8126: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round white or yellow light
    N b. all-round yellow light only
    Y c. all-round white light only
    N d. Any colored light is acceptable.