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.


80: INLAND ONLY While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.


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


189: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" towing a barge alongside and meeting vessel "B" as shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 39 )


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

283: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. seaplane
    N b. minesweeper
    Y c. dredge pipeline
    N d. vessel not under command

293: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. a vessel not under command
    N d. a submarine on the surface

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

    N a. vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. law enforcement vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. vessel towing astern

322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel whose lights are shown is navigating in a narrow channel. Which statement about this vessel is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 82 )

    Y a. It shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within the channel or fairway.
    N b. It is the stand-on vessel
    N c. It may anchor in the channel or fairway
    N d. It shows two balls

368: 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
    Y b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

397: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal may be sounded ONLY by vessels in restricted visibility?

    N a. At least five short and rapid blasts
    Y b. Four short blasts
    N c. One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order
    N d. Two short blasts

4004: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.

    N a. red and green sidelights only
    N b. a white stern light only
    Y c. sidelights and a stern light
    N d. one all-round white light

4043: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the watch officer on a power-driven vessel and notice a large sailing vessel approaching from astern. You should __________.

    N a. slow down
    N b. sound one short blast and change course to starboard
    N c. sound two short blasts and change course to port
    Y d. hold your course and speed

4126: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, when it is impracticable for a small vessel engaged in diving operations to display the shapes for a vessel engaged in underwater operations, she shall display __________.

    N a. three black balls in a vertical line
    N b. two red balls in a vertical line
    N c. a black cylinder
    Y d. a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A"

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

4201: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing astern shall show __________.

    N a. two towing lights in a vertical line
    Y b. a towing light in a vertical line above the stern light
    N c. two towing lights in addition to the stern light
    N d. a small white light in lieu of the stern light

4248: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. Red flares or red rockets
    N b. Continuous sounding of fog signaling apparatus
    N c. International Code Flags "November" and "Charlie"
    Y d. Basket hanging in the rigging

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"

4454: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.

    Y a. turning to port
    N b. turning to starboard
    N c. decreasing speed
    N d. increasing speed

4454: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.

    Y a. turning to port
    N b. turning to starboard
    N c. decreasing speed
    N d. increasing speed

4505: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels of less than what length may not impede the passage of other vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway?

    N a. 10 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 30 meters
    N d. 40 meters

4527: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are fishing at night, and you sight a vessel showing three lights in a vertical line. The upper and lower lights are red and the middle light is white. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You must keep out of the way of the other vessel.
    N b. The other vessel is responsible to keep out of your way.
    N c. The other vessel is at anchor.
    N d. The rule of special circumstances applies.

4575: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she can see which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    Y a. Only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. One sidelight and a masthead light of the vessel
    N c. Only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. The masthead lights of the vessel

4580: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying ONLY the lights shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 45 )

    Y a. pilot vessel less than 50 meters, underway and NOT engaged on pilotage duty
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. vessel aground less than 50 meters
    N d. vessel engaged in dredging at anchor with an obstruction on one side

4662: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" (towing) and vessel "B" are meeting as shown. In this situation, which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 12 )

    Y a. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Vessel "A" should hold course while vessel "B" alters course to starboard.
    N d. Vessel "A" is the stand-on in this situation.

4687: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. one prolonged and three short blasts at one minute intervals
    N b. a rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one minute intervals
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts at two minute intervals
    N d. a sounding of the bell and gong at one minute intervals

4841: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring cargo while underway is classified by the Rules as a vessel __________.

    Y a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. in special circumstances
    N c. not under command
    N d. constrained by her draft

8042: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. A vessel on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

8043: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel would NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    N b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    Y c. A vessel being towed
    N d. A vessel sailing

8058: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    Y c. A vessel engaged in trawling
    N d. A vessel not under command

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