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.


21: INLAND ONLY The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation sounds one short blast of the whistle. This means that the vessel __________.


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


42: INLAND ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and are being overtaken by another power-driven vessel. The overtaking vessel sounds the signal indicating his intention to pass you on your starboard side. You signal your agreement by sounding __________.


45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.

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

45: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. You will sound a whistle signal of __________.

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

73: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.

    N a. sound one short blast
    N b. sound four short blasts
    N c. overtake her without sounding whistle signals
    Y d. attempt to contact her on the radiotelephone to arrange for the passage

144: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round yellow light only
    N b. all-round white light only
    N c. alternating red and yellow light
    Y d. all-round white or yellow light

226: INLAND ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel a mile ahead you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    Y d. You need not sound any whistle signals.

369: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast on the whistle. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

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

4009: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter tug is underway and crossing a deep and narrow channel. A large container vessel is off your port bow on a steady bearing. Which statement is TRUE concerning this situation?

    N a. You should maintain course and speed.
    N b. The container vessel is the stand-on as it is the larger vessel.
    Y c. You are not to impede the safe passage of the container vessel in the channel.
    N d. None of the above

4024: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The word "vessel", in the Rules, includes __________.

    N a. sailing ships
    N b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. seaplanes
    Y d. All of the above

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

4087: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light", by the definition given in the rules, is a light that __________.

    N a. is red in color
    N b. is visible over an arc of the horizon of 360°
    Y c. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N d. All of the above

4124: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown. Which vessel is the stand-on vessel? (DIAGRAM 28 )

    N a. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is to port.
    N b. Vessel "A" is the stand-on vessel because it is pushing ahead.
    Y c. Vessel "B" is the stand-on vessel because it is to starboard of vessel "A".
    N d. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel.

4147: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would have no white lights visible when meeting her head-on?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel mineclearing
    Y d. A vessel not under command

4255: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel in a crossing situation is allowed to take action when __________.

    N a. on a collision course
    N b. the vessels will pass within one mile
    Y c. it becomes apparent to her that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N d. the relative speed of the vessels indicates collision in less than six minutes

4316: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation take action to avoid the other vessel?

    N a. When a risk of collision exists
    Y b. When action by the give-way vessel alone will not prevent a collision
    N c. When the bearing to give-way vessel becomes steady
    N d. When the vessels become less than 1/2 mile apart

4346: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed at night must show __________.

    N a. a white all-round light, only
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a flashing yellow light, only
    N d. forward and after masthead lights

4424: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels approach from opposite directions
    Y b. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N c. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

4485: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of collision may exist. You should __________.

    N a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel
    Y b. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N c. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    N d. alter course to port to pass the other vessel on its portside

4509: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be hidden by an obstruction shall __________.

    N a. sound the danger signal
    Y b. sound a prolonged blast
    N c. take all way off
    N d. post a look-out

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You need not sound any whistle signals.
    N b. You must sound one blast if backing to starboard.
    N c. You must sound whistle signals only if the vessels are meeting.
    Y d. You must sound three short blasts on the whistle.

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.

4676: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal indicating her intention to pass you on your starboard side. If such an action appears dangerous, you should sound __________.

    N a. one prolonged followed by one short blast
    N b. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast in that order
    Y c. five short and rapid blasts
    N d. three short and rapid blasts

4682: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.

    N a. do not interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out
    N b. do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of the prescribed lights
    N c. cannot be mistaken for the lights specified elsewhere in the Rules
    Y d. All of the above

4708: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. at anchor
    N b. aground
    Y c. underway
    N d. dredging

4745: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. You should __________.

    N a. hold your course and speed if he is on your port bow
    N b. sound three short blasts, and take all way off your vessel
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

8039: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to port"
    N c. "I intend to change course to starboard"
    N d. "I intend to change course to port"

8041: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________.

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

8053: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.

    N a. a single white light forward
    Y b. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N c. two towing lights in a vertical line
    N d. two all-round red lights where they can best be seen