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.


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


175: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. They indicate a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 71 )


207: INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a single barge being towed alongside?


316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights as shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a pilot boat
    N b. sailing
    Y c. fishing
    N d. anchored

375: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown is made up of inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels and is 150 meters in length. The towed vessels are less than 25 meters in breadth and less than 100 meters in length. Which lights would be displayed from the towed vessels? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. Sidelights and stern light on each vessel towed
    N b. One all round white light at the after end of each vessel towed
    Y c. One all round white light at or near each end of each vessel towed
    N d. One all round white light at each end and one all round white light at the extremities of its breadth of each vessel towed

379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A seagoing tug has a tow greater than 200 meters as shown and is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which lights would be displayed from the towing vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N b. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. Three white masthead lights, two all-round red lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N d. None of the above

385: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a canal boat 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?

    Y a. The vessel is not required to sound a fog signal.
    N b. The vessel shall ring a bell for 5 seconds every minute.
    N c. The vessel shall sound one blast of the whistle every 2 minutes.
    N d. The vessel shall sound three blasts on the whistle every 2 minutes.

727: INLAND ONLY Maneuvering signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.

    N a. all vessels when meeting, crossing, or overtaking and in sight of one another
    N b. all vessels meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and not in sight of one another
    Y c. power-driven vessels overtaking and in sight of one another
    N d. power-driven vessels crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other and NOT in sight of one another

4088: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "restricted visibility" as used in the Rules refers __________.

    N a. only to fog
    N b. only to visibility of less than one-half of a mile
    N c. to visibility where you cannot see shore
    Y d. to any condition where visibility is restricted

4089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearing shows special identity lights __________.

    N a. in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel
    N b. which mean that other vessels should not approach within 1000 meters of the mineclearing vessel
    N c. which are green and show all-round
    Y d. All of the above

4100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.

    N a. a masthead light forward, and two masthead lights in a vertical line aft
    Y b. three masthead lights forward and one aft
    N c. two masthead lights forward and no after masthead light
    N d. three masthead lights aft and none forward

4130: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of each blast of the whistle signals used in meeting and crossing situations is __________.

    Y a. about 1 second
    N b. 2 or 4 seconds
    N c. 4 to 6 seconds
    N d. 8 to 10 seconds

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4406: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is sounding the danger signal
    Y c. is backing engines
    N d. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel

4408: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 67 )

    N a. anchored
    N b. underway but not fishing
    N c. tending a small fishing boat
    Y d. fishing by trawling

4483: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.

    Y a. turn off her sidelights when not making way
    N b. when operating in restricted visibility, sound a whistle signal of two prolonged and one short blast
    N c. show a day-shape of two diamonds in a vertical line
    N d. keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing

4500: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is stopped and making no way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4569: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if __________.

    N a. she is the faster vessel
    Y b. the situation involves risk of collision
    N c. the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other
    N d. whistle signals have been sounded

4668: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the whistle. This signal means that vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. intends to hold course and speed
    N b. is uncertain about the actions of "B"
    N c. proposes to cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. is backing engines

4686: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals, what changes would you make in the fog signal IMMEDIATELY upon losing the power plant and propulsion?

    Y a. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N c. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4696: 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. engaged in pair trawling
    N b. fishing while making no way through the water
    Y c. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4705: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In complying with the Rules, of what must the mariner take due regard?

    N a. Limited backing power of his vessel
    N b. Radar information about nearby vessels
    N c. The occupation of the other vessel, if known
    Y d. All of the above

4731: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for vessels __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. engaged in fishing
    N c. engaged in towing
    N d. under sail

4825: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a light signal authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as an additional navigational light for a ship of war?

    N a. Two yellow lights in a vertical line for a carrier launching aircraft
    N b. Green masthead and yardarm lights for a vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y c. Flashing amber beacon for submarines
    N d. Yellow flares indicating torpedo firing exercises

5350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall __________.

    Y a. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
    N b. avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical
    N c. only anchor in the separation zone
    N d. use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed

8073: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to PASS on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    Y c. two prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. two short blasts

8076: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper signal indicating his intention to pass your vessel on your starboard side, you signal your agreement by sounding __________.

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

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

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.