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.


4001: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The maximum length of a power-driven vessel which may show an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light, sidelights and a stern light is __________.


4108: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At specified intervals, a vessel towing in fog shall sound __________.


4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?


4128: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which display indicates a vessel conducting mineclearance operations?

    N a. Three balls in a vertical line
    N b. Two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. One ball near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm
    N d. One diamond near the foremast and one ball at each yardarm

4189: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying the day signal shown. The vessel may be __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. not under command
    N b. fishing with trawls
    Y c. laying cable
    N d. aground

4194: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you are towing a partly submerged vessel, 20 meters in length and 4 meters in breadth. What lights must you display on the towed vessel?

    N a. A white light at the stern
    N b. Two white lights side by side at the stern
    Y c. A white light at the forward end and a white light at the after end
    N d. Two red lights in a vertical line at the after end

4259: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the optional whistle signal which may be sounded by a vessel at anchor?

    N a. Two prolonged followed by one short blast
    N b. One short followed by two prolonged blasts
    Y c. One short, one prolonged, followed by one short blast
    N d. Four short blasts

4278: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal consisting 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"

4292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4297: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which requirement must be met in order for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision?

    Y a. Risk of collision must exist.
    N b. The give-way vessel must have taken action first.
    N c. The vessels must be within half a mile of each other.
    N d. There are no requirements to be met. The stand-on vessel may take action anytime.

4330: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a short blast, a prolonged blast, and a short blast of a whistle. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel towing in fog
    N b. sailboat underway in fog
    N c. vessel being towed in fog
    Y d. vessel anchored in fog

4354: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a power-driven vessel less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the normal navigation lights, show sidelights and one __________.

    Y a. white light
    N b. yellow light
    N c. flashing white light
    N d. flashing yellow light

4428: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal shall a power-driven vessel sound when making way in fog?

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

4428: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal shall a power-driven vessel sound when making way in fog?

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

4435: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which procedure(s) shall be used to determine risk of collision?

    N a. Watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel
    N b. Systematic observation of objects detected by radar
    N c. Long-range radar scanning
    Y d. All of the above

4446: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus
    N b. A signal sent by radiotelephone consisting of the spoken word "Mayday"
    N c. An International Code Signal of N.C.
    Y d. The firing of green star rockets or shells

4472: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning seaplanes on the water?

    N a. A seaplane must exhibit appropriate lights but need not exhibit shapes.
    N b. A seaplane should show 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.

4475: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.

    N a. not be required to show any lights
    N b. be required to show the lights characteristic of a dredge
    N c. be required to show the lights of a stationary dredge
    Y d. be required to show the lights of a power-driven vessel underway

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

4510: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a vessel dredging during the day and see two balls in a vertical line on the port side of the dredge. These shapes mean that __________.

    N a. you should pass on the port side of the dredge
    Y b. there is an obstruction on the port side of the dredge
    N c. the dredge is not under command
    N d. the dredge is moored

4526: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. Risk of collision never exists if the compass bearing of the other vessel is changing.
    Y b. Proper use shall be made of radar equipment to determine risk of collision.
    N c. Risk of collision must be determined before any action can be taken by a vessel.
    N d. Risk of collision exists if the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other.

4526: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning risk of collision?

    N a. Risk of collision never exists if the compass bearing of the other vessel is changing.
    Y b. Proper use shall be made of radar equipment to determine risk of collision.
    N c. Risk of collision must be determined before any action can be taken by a vessel.
    N d. Risk of collision exists if the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other.

4697: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three barges astern in restricted visibility. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged and two short blasts
    N b. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. no fog signal

4819: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which breadth shown represents the breadth as defined in the Rules? (DIAGRAM 87 )

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

4870: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    N a. Any time the danger signal is sounded
    N b. When two power-driven vessels are crossing and it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    Y c. When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on
    N d. All of the above

5300: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A traffic separation zone is that part of a traffic separation scheme which __________.

    N a. is located between the scheme and the nearest land
    Y b. separates traffic proceeding in one direction from traffic proceeding in the opposite direction
    N c. is designated as an anchorage area
    N d. contains all the traffic moving in the same direction

8016: INTERNATIONAL ONLY What whistle signal, if any, would be sounded when two vessels are meeting, but will pass clear starboard to starboard?

    N a. One short blast
    N b. Two short blasts
    N c. Five or more short blasts
    Y d. No signal is required.

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8081: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.

    N a. used when the whistle is broken
    Y b. a white light
    N c. used only at night
    N d. used prior to sounding the whistle

8088: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N b. a towing light above the stern light
    N c. two all-round red lights at the masthead
    Y d. two masthead lights in a vertical line