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.


6: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying a flashing blue light is __________.


54: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long would be required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?


109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. In addition to a steady white light which other light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )


200: INLAND ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "I" and "II" are power-driven vessels. You are on vessel "I" as shown. You are the __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

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

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

361: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    Y c. sound five or more short and rapid blasts
    N d. None of the above

4021: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal 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"

4060: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching your vessel from 235° relative is in what type of situation?

    N a. Meeting
    Y b. Overtaking
    N c. Crossing
    N d. Passing

4147: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would have no white lights visible when meeting her head-on?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    Y d. A vessel not under command

4147: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would have no white lights visible when meeting her head-on?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    Y d. A vessel not under command

4174: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel sounding a fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the vessel is __________.

    N a. fishing
    N b. in distress
    Y c. at anchor
    N d. not under command

4188: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog on a 120-meter power-driven vessel. You hear the fog signal of a vessel approaching off your port bow. You may sound __________.

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

4250: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 60 )

    Y a. towing
    N b. being towed
    N c. broken down
    N d. fishing

4286: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 69 )

    Y a. engaged in trawling
    N b. minesweeping
    N c. under sail
    N d. a pilot boat

4390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What lights must sailboats show when underway at night?

    N a. One all-round white light
    N b. A stern light
    N c. Red and green sidelights
    Y d. Red and green sidelights and a stern light

4402: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor will show a __________.

    Y a. ball
    N b. cone
    N c. cylinder
    N d. double cone, apexes together

4418: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two vessels are in immediate danger of collision, the stand-on vessel must __________.

    N a. abandon ship
    Y b. assist in taking whatever action is necessary to avoid collision
    N c. hold course and speed
    N d. sound a distress signal

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4538: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a vessel "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel underway in fog
    Y d. A vessel towing unable to deviate from her course

4619: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate safely within a narrow channel?

    N a. Any vessel less than 20 meters in length
    N b. Any sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

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.

4714: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A vessel pushing ahead
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N d. A vessel trawling

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land

4828: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the Rules when __________.

    N a. there are other vessels in the vicinity
    N b. operating in a traffic separation scheme
    N c. engaged in a situation involving more than two vessels
    Y d. necessary to avoid immediate danger

4833: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    N a. The vessel is classified as "restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N b. Her gear will not affect the vessel's maneuverability.
    Y c. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N d. She sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway but stopped and making no way.

4850: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels are on opposite courses
    N b. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    Y c. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

8047: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel __________.

    N a. intends to alter course to starboard
    N b. intends to pass starboard to starboard
    Y c. is altering course to starboard
    N d. intends to pass port to port

8056: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A whistle signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor
    N b. towing a submerged object
    Y c. being overtaken in a narrow channel
    N d. in distress

8075: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal your intention?

    N a. Two short blasts followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y b. Two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts only
    N d. Two short blasts only