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.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


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


140: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is showing an alternating red and yellow light. Which action should you take?


142: INLAND ONLY The special light for a vessel engaged in public safety activities must __________.

    N a. be on top of the mast or highest structure of the vessel
    Y b. not interfere with the visibility of the navigation lights
    N c. be as far forward as possible
    N d. not be visible more than 22 1/2 degrees abaft the beam

256: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. If you are on vessel "A", in addition to the sidelight, which other light(s) will you see on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    Y b. two white masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    N d. None of the above

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

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

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    Y c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N d. None of the above

4017: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    N b. A gong signal
    Y c. A whistle signal
    N d. All of the above

4038: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A bell is used to sound a fog signal for a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel underway
    Y b. sailing vessel at anchor
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. vessel not under command

4101: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    Y a. When any vessel fails to understand the intentions of an approaching vessel she must sound the danger signal.
    N b. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N c. Distress signals may be used in place of the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 4 or more short blasts of the whistle.

4111: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 50-meter vessel is towing astern and the length of the tow is 100 meters. In addition to sidelights, which lights may she show to fully comply with the Rules?

    N a. Two masthead lights forward, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    Y b. A masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N c. No masthead light forward, two masthead lights aft, a stern light, and a towing light above the stern light
    N d. Three masthead lights forward, one masthead light aft, and two towing lights in a vertical line at the stern

4183: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When anchoring a 25-meter vessel at night, you must show __________.

    Y a. one all-round white light
    N b. two all-round white lights
    N c. one all-round white light and the sidelights
    N d. the sidelights and a stern light

4187: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. power-driven vessel approaching on her starboard side
    N d. vessel fishing

4198: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and approaching a bend in the channel where vessels approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one blast, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N b. three blasts, 4 to 6 seconds in duration
    N c. one continuous blast until you are able to see around the bend
    N d. one blast, 8 to 10 seconds in duration

4215: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object being towed, where the length of tow is 100 meters, shall show __________.

    N a. yellow lights at each end
    N b. two red lights in a vertical line
    N c. a black ball
    Y d. a diamond shape

4216: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y b. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show __________.

    N a. sidelights, stern light, and a red light over a green light on the mast
    Y b. sidelights, and stern light, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast
    N c. separate sidelights and stern light
    N d. sidelights only

4302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound __________.

    N a. one long blast
    Y b. one prolonged blast
    N c. the danger signal
    N d. two short blasts

4332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.

    N a. the other vessel takes necessary action
    N b. the other vessel gets to within half a mile of your vessel
    Y c. action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent collision
    N d. the other vessel gets to within a quarter mile of your vessel

4523: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she approaches another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 11.25°
    Y c. 22.5°
    N d. 45.0°

4580: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    Y a. pilot vessel less than 50 meters, underway and NOT engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. vessel aground less than 50 meters
    N d. vessel engaged in dredging at anchor with an obstruction on one side

4591: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    N a. only anchor in the separation zone
    N b. cross a traffic lane at as small an angle as possible
    Y c. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N d. utilize the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is impeding other traffic due to her slower speed

4597: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command shall display __________.

    Y a. two red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N b. two red lights at night and three black balls during daylight
    N c. three red lights at night and two black balls during daylight
    N d. three red lights at night and three black balls during daylight

4633: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If practical, when shall a manned vessel being towed sound her fog signal?

    N a. Immediately before the towing vessel sounds hers
    Y b. Immediately after the towing vessel sounds hers
    N c. As close to the mid-cycle of the towing vessel's signals as possible
    N d. At any time as long as the interval is correct

4656: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing at night, with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outwards, will show in the direction of the gear __________.

    Y a. one white light
    N b. two vertical white lights
    N c. one yellow light
    N d. two vertical yellow lights

4665: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 10 meters in length?

    Y a. Any means of making an efficient sound signal
    N b. A bell only
    N c. A whistle only
    N d. A bell and a whistle

4734: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.

    N a. white lights are not used
    N b. red and green lights are not used
    Y c. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules
    N d. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone

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

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel

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