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.


125: INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


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


166: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )


200: INLAND ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel must show during the day one __________.

    Y a. diamond shape regardless of length of the tow
    N b. diamond shape only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length
    N c. black ball
    N d. black ball only when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters in length

249: INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that will pass within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    N b. Sound the danger signal and reduce speed.
    N c. Sound one short blast, reduce speed and turn to starboard.
    Y d. Sound one short blast and await response from the fishing vessel.

268: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown and will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. Two short blasts from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    Y a. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side."
    N b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I am altering my course to port."
    N d. "I am altering my course to starboard."

269: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes as shown. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. propose the manner of passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    Y d. All of the above

278: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    N b. more than 50 meters apart
    Y c. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

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

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

    N a. submarine on the surface
    Y b. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. vessel not under command

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

    N a. give-way vessel
    Y b. stand-on vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. burdened vessel

374: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 29 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile.
    N b. The vessels should exchange two blast whistle signals and pass port to port.
    Y c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are optional.
    N d. The vessels should pass port to port and must sound whistle signals only if either vessel changes course.

4000: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 75 meters in length and restricted in her ability to maneuver. Visibility is restricted. What signal do you sound if you are carrying out your work at anchor?

    N a. Five seconds ringing of a bell at intervals of not more than one minute
    Y b. One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle at intervals of not more than two minutes
    N c. Five seconds ringing of a bell and five second sounding of a gong at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. Four short blasts on the whistle at intervals of not more than two minutes

4141: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and towing, your vessel enters fog. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast
    N b. Two prolonged blasts
    Y c. One prolonged blast and two short blasts
    N d. Three distinct blasts

4236: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    N c. vessel in distress
    Y d. vessel being towed

4283: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog horn
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. A square flag and ball flown from the mast

4328: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. is at anchor
    N b. is not under command
    Y c. has a tow that exceeds 200 meters in length
    N d. has a tow that is carrying dangerous cargo

4342: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights prescribed by the Rules shall be exhibited __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. from sunset to sunrise, and at no other time
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

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

4460: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    Y a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4468: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights are red and the middle light is white. She is also showing a white light at the stern, which is lower than the forward light. It could be a __________.

    Y a. survey vessel
    N b. vessel not under command
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. pilot vessel with port side to you

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.

4608: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.

    Y a. diving operations
    N b. dredging
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance operations

4738: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to avoid collision, you should sound __________.

    N a. one short blast and maintain course
    Y b. five short and rapid blasts
    N c. no signal and maneuver at will
    N d. two short blasts, alter to port, and pass astern

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

8011: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel underway of less than 7 meters in length where its maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may show, as a minimum, __________.

    N a. sidelights and a stern light
    N b. the lights required for a vessel more than 7 meters in length
    N c. sidelights only
    Y d. one all-round white light

8092: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

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

8103: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is NOT "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel servicing an aid to navigation
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A towing vessel with tow, unable to deviate from its course
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging

8121: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    Y a. A vessel engaged in fishing while underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N c. A fishing vessel while underway has the right-of-way over a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.