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.


69: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


69: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


77: INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. What action should the vessels take? (DIAGRAM 41 )


122: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

    N a. None
    N b. One
    Y c. Two
    N d. One, on the near approach of another vessel

232: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. should change course to the right
    N b. should slow down until vessel "A" has passed
    Y c. should hold her course and speed
    N d. may steer various courses and vessel "A" must keep clear

258: 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 41 )

    N a. Whistle signals must be exchanged in all situations when passing within one half mile.
    Y b. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone, whistle signals are optional.
    N c. If a passing agreement is reached by radiotelephone whistle signals are still required.
    N d. None of the above

4002: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. sailboat underway
    N b. vessel underway, towing
    Y c. power-driven vessel underway, making way
    N d. vessel being towed

4022: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel underway may exhibit __________.

    Y a. a red light over a green light at the masthead
    N b. a green light over a red light at the masthead
    N c. two white lights in a vertical line at the stern
    N d. an all-round white light at the bow

4036: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are preparing to cross a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    Y a. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N b. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    N c. sound the danger signal
    N d. hold your course and speed

4114: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used with whistle signals?

    N a. Use of such a light is required.
    N b. The light shall have the same characteristics as a masthead light.
    Y c. It is only used to supplement short blasts of the whistle.
    N d. All of the above

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4184: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel at night. You can see both red and green sidelights and, above the level of the sidelights, three white lights in a vertical line. The vessel may be __________.

    N a. not under command
    Y b. towing a tow more than 200 meters astern
    N c. trawling
    N d. underway and dredging

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

4224: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is required to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

4227: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An orange flag showing a black circle and square is a __________.

    N a. signal indicating a course change
    Y b. distress signal
    N c. signal of asking to communicate with another vessel
    N d. signal indicating danger

4228: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a stand-on vessel FIRST allowed by the Rules to take action in order to avoid collision?

    N a. When the two vessels are less than half a mile from each other.
    Y b. When the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action to avoid collision.
    N c. When collision is imminent.
    N d. The stand-on vessel is never allowed to take action.

4260: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The minimum length of a power-driven vessel that must show forward and after masthead lights is __________.

    N a. 30 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 75 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4398: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tugboat 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

4419: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 25 meters in length must have which sound signaling appliance onboard?

    N a. None is required
    N b. Whistle only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4484: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel at anchor, not fishing or otherwise restricted in its ability to maneuver, sounds her fog signal at intervals of not __________.

    Y a. more than one minute
    N b. more than two minutes
    N c. more than three minutes
    N d. less than two minutes

4486: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?

    Y a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    N c. Three black balls
    N d. No signal

4533: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do the Rules require both vessels to change course?

    Y a. Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    N b. Two power-driven vessels crossing when it is apparent to the stand-on vessel that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
    N c. Two sailing vessels crossing with the wind on the same side
    N d. All of the above

4574: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall NOT show her sidelights?

    Y a. A fishing vessel that is not making way
    N b. A sailing vessel which is becalmed
    N c. A vessel engaged in underwater operations
    N d. A vessel that is not under command making way

4587: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel anchored in fog may warn an approaching vessel by sounding __________.

    N a. the whistle continuously
    Y b. one short, one prolonged, and one short blast of the whistle
    N c. five or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N d. three distinct strokes on the bell before and after sounding the anchor signal

4624: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    Y b. underway and laying cable
    N c. at anchor and dredging
    N d. underway and carrying dangerous cargo

4714: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel not under command
    Y b. A vessel pushing ahead
    N c. A vessel engaged in dredging
    N d. A vessel trawling

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal

4838: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    N c. Whether the vessel is operating in a narrow channel
    Y d. The nature of the vessel's work, limiting maneuverability required by the Rules

8005: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in charge of a 250-meter freight vessel constrained by her draft proceeding down a narrow channel. There is a vessel engaged in fishing on your starboard bow half a mile away. According to Rule 9, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are not to impede the fishing vessel.
    Y b. If you are in doubt as to the fishing vessel's intentions you may sound at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle.
    N c. You are to slow to bare steerageway until clear of the fishing vessel.
    N d. You must sound one prolonged blast to alert the fishing vessel.