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.


24: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially submerged vessel or object being towed less than 200 meters in length? (DIAGRAM 16 )


58: INLAND ONLY While underway, you sight the lights as shown, with the yellow lights flashing. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )


92: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Mississippi River, below the Huey P. Long Bridge, shall carry __________.

    N a. two masthead lights, sidelights and stern light
    Y b. two masthead lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. sidelights and two towing lights
    N d. one masthead light, sidelights and stern light

102: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown must you show when at anchor? (DIAGRAM 16 )

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

176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. This could indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 64 )

    Y a. 40-meter tug with tow exceeding 200 meters
    N b. tug unable to maneuver as required by the Rules
    N c. range marking a channel beneath a drawbridge
    N d. 60-meter tug pushing a barge ahead

244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 15-meter vessel "A" in a narrow channel as shown. Vessel "B", a large tanker which can safely navigate only within the channel, sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. maintain course and speed
    Y d. not impede the passage of vessel "B"

254: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights on vessel "B" that you will see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. red sidelight
    N b. yellow towing light
    Y c. special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

349: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blasts
    N b. one short blast
    N c. two short blasts
    Y d. None of the above

383: INLAND ONLY You are meeting "head on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do you see on the tug and tow combined?

    N a. One green and one red sidelight on the outside of the unit
    N b. One green and one red sidelight and a special flashing light
    N c. Only the green and red sidelights marking each vessel
    Y d. The green and red sidelights marking each vessel and a special flashing light

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.

4010: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this is a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    Y c. vessel being towed (manned)
    N d. vessel being towed (unmanned)

4045: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when she can see at night __________.

    Y a. only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. a sidelight and one masthead light of the vessel
    N c. only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. any lights except the masthead lights of the vessel

4066: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The wind is ESE, and a sailing vessel is steering NW. Which fog signal should she sound?

    N a. One blast at one-minute intervals
    N b. One blast at two-minute intervals
    N c. Two blasts at one-minute intervals
    Y d. One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals

4284: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    N a. The Master of the vessel must be on the bridge when the radar is in use.
    N b. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N c. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    Y d. This equipment must be used to obtain early warning of risk of collision.

4314: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In order for a vessel to be "engaged in fishing" she must be __________.

    N a. underway
    N b. using gear which extends more than 50 meters outboard
    N c. using a seine of some type
    Y d. using gear which restricts her maneuverability

4343: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision may exist __________.

    N a. if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does NOT appreciably change
    N b. even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a vessel at close range
    N c. if you observe both sidelights of a vessel ahead for an extended period of time
    Y d. All of the above

4350: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear the rapid ringing of a bell. What does this signal indicate?

    N a. A vessel backing down
    N b. A sailboat underway
    Y c. A vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel drifting

4352: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum vessel length which must show two white masthead lights, one forward and one aft, when underway at night?

    N a. 7 meters
    N b. 20 meters
    Y c. 50 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway but stopped and making no way through the water when fog sets in. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast on the whistle
    N b. One prolonged blast and two short blasts on the whistle
    Y c. Two prolonged blasts on the whistle
    N d. One short, one prolonged, and one short blast on the whistle

4371: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see __________.

    N a. one sidelight of a vessel ahead of you
    N b. one sidelight and a masthead light of a vessel ahead of you
    N c. one sidelight, a masthead light, and a range light of a vessel ahead of you
    Y d. both sidelights of a vessel dead ahead of you

4436: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A white masthead light shows through an arc of how many degrees?

    N a. 90°
    N b. 112.5°
    Y c. 225°
    N d. 360°

4588: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.

    N a. sound two blasts and change course to the left
    N b. sound whistle signals only if you change course
    Y c. sound only fog signals until the other vessel is sighted
    N d. not sound any whistle signals until the other vessel is sighted

4725: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum sound signaling equipment required aboard a vessel 24 meters in length?

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

4849: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND "safe speed" is defined as that speed where __________.

    N a. you can stop within your visibility range
    N b. the vessel is not subject to vibrations
    N c. you are traveling slower than surrounding vessels
    Y d. you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision

6510: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    Y a. take all way off, if necessary
    N b. stop your engines
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

6540: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may enter a traffic separation zone __________.

    N a. in an emergency
    N b. to engage in fishing within the zone
    N c. to cross the traffic separation scheme
    Y d. All of the above

8004: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. a long blast
    N c. a prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8028: INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a crossing situation on international waters, a short blast by the give-way vessel indicates that the vessel __________.

    N a. is holding course and speed
    Y b. is turning to starboard
    N c. intends to pass port to port
    N d. will keep out of the way of the stand-on vessel

8097: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?

    N a. A black diamond
    Y b. A cylinder
    N c. A black ball
    N d. A black cone, apex upward