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.


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


103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?


105: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel and leave her on your starboard side. Your FIRST whistle signal should be __________.


117: INLAND ONLY Which is a characteristic of a "special flashing light"?

    N a. It is required for all vessels being pushed ahead as part of a composite unit.
    Y b. It must show through an arc of not less than 180° nor more than 225°.
    N c. It must be of the same character and construction as the masthead light.
    N d. All of the above

139: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape must you show on the forward end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed more than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. D
    N d. No day-shape must be shown.

212: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This indicates a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    Y a. engaged in fishing, making way
    N b. engaged in fishing, at anchor
    N c. engaged in trawling, making way
    N d. on pilotage duty, making way

229: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

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

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

299: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    Y a. vessel towing astern
    N b. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. vessel aground

324: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a green sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and 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
    N c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    Y d. None of the above

4035: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in restricted visibility, you might hear, at intervals of two minutes, any of the following fog signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. ringing of a bell for five seconds

4059: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must show appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should exhibit the lights for a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. In situations where a risk of collision exists, a seaplane should always give way.
    Y d. A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels.

4065: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N c. fishing while making no way through the water
    N d. fishing in company with another vessel

4078: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are making headway in fog and hear a fog signal of two prolonged blasts on your starboard quarter. You should __________.

    N a. stop your vessel
    N b. change course to the left
    N c. change course to the right
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4093: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels?

    Y a. A sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on her port side shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel with the wind forward of the beam on the starboard side.
    N b. When both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel to leeward shall keep out of the way.
    N c. A sail vessel with the wind abaft of the beam must keep out of the way of a vessel sailing into the wind.
    N d. None of the above

4125: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you saw flames aboard a vessel but could see the vessel was not on fire, you would know that the __________.

    N a. crew was trying to get warm
    Y b. vessel required immediate assistance
    N c. vessel was attempting to attract the attention of a pilot boat
    N d. vessel was being illuminated for identification by aircraft

4134: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 9 )

    N a. Vessel "A"
    Y b. Vessel "B"
    N c. Neither vessel
    N d. Both vessels must keep clear of the other.

4155: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the __________.

    N a. towing vessel is less than 50 meters
    N b. towing vessel is greater than 50 meters
    N c. tow is less than 200 meters
    Y d. tow is greater than 200 meters

4494: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel on pilotage duty must show which light(s) at night?

    N a. A stern light only
    N b. Anchor lights only
    N c. A white light over a red light only
    Y d. A white light over a red light and anchor lights

4672: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?

    N a. Only the stand-on vessel can sound the danger signal.
    N b. Radio transmissions may be used in place of the danger signal.
    Y c. A vessel in doubt as to the other vessel's intentions must sound the danger signal.
    N d. The danger signal consists of 5 or more prolonged blasts of the whistle.

4722: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, is not required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel engaged in survey operations
    N c. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty
    Y d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4835: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The word "vessel", in the Rules, includes __________.

    N a. a barge permanently affixed to the shore
    Y b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. a drilling unit attached to the Outer Continental Shelf
    N d. All of the above

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

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

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

8057: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor and you can see that other vessels are approaching. You should sound __________.

    Y a. three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast only
    N d. the danger signal

8077: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should __________.

    N a. sound two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. not sound any whistle signals
    N d. sound one long blast

8082: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning light signals?

    N a. The time between flashes shall be about five seconds.
    N b. The light signals are to be used when not using sound signals.
    Y c. The time between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds.
    N d. All of the above