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.


41: INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone as to the intentions of the other. In this situation, whistle signals are __________.


68: INLAND ONLY Which is CORRECT regarding a "special flashing light"?


81: INLAND ONLY When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a current, which vessel shall sound the first passing signal?


208: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.

    N a. one all-round white light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. only the outboard sidelight and a stern light
    N d. a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light

215: INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night you sight the lights shown. What do the lights indicate? (DIAGRAM 66 )

    N a. Two vessels pair trawling
    Y b. A tug with a tow alongside
    N c. A ship being assisted by a tug
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

262: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.

    Y a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
    N b. meeting within one mile of each other
    N c. meeting or crossing at any distance
    N d. crossing within one mile of each other

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

    N a. maintain course and speed without sounding any signals
    N b. alter course to the right or slowdown
    Y c. sound one short blast and maintain course and speed
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

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

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

390: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. not under command
    Y b. under oars
    N c. engaged in fishing
    N d. towing

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

4030: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The NAVIGATION RULES define a "vessel not under command" as a vessel which __________.

    N a. from the nature of her work is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

4058: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which factor is listed in the Rules as one which must be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    Y b. The maneuverability of the vessel
    N c. The experience of vessel personnel
    N d. All of the above must be taken into account.

4097: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When navigating in restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel shall __________.

    N a. stop her engines when hearing a fog signal forward of her beam, even if risk of collision does not exist
    Y b. have her engines ready for immediate maneuver
    N c. when making way, sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than one minute
    N d. operate at a speed to be able to stop in the distance of her visibility

4119: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining a vessel's navigation lights may be shown on a __________.

    Y a. 15-meter sailing vessel
    N b. 20-meter vessel engaged in fishing and making way
    N c. 25-meter power-driven vessel trolling
    N d. 25-meter pilot vessel

4176: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.

    N a. being towed
    N b. pushing a barge ahead
    N c. at anchor
    Y d. not under command

4182: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4251: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, if you see a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown you should __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. provide assistance as the vessel is in distress
    N b. stay clear as the vessel is transferring dangerous cargo
    Y c. stay clear as the vessel is fishing
    N d. change course to the right as the vessel is crossing your bow

4262: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.

    N a. two all-round red lights in a vertical line
    N b. anchor lights and sidelights
    N c. two all-round white lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a stern light
    Y d. two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light

4433: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to be regarded as "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A vessel transferring provisions while underway
    Y b. A pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed when connected in a composite unit
    N c. A vessel servicing a navigation mark
    N d. A vessel launching aircraft

4442: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

    Y a. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
    N b. A vessel not under command
    N c. A vessel engaged in surveying
    N d. All of the above

4446: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus
    N b. A signal sent by radiotelephone consisting of the spoken word "Mayday"
    N c. An International Code Signal of N.C.
    Y d. The firing of green star rockets or shells

4502: INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals described in Annex II to the Rules when they are __________.

    N a. trolling
    N b. fishing in a traffic separation zone
    N c. in a narrow channel
    Y d. in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing

4684: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. east (090°)
    Y c. southwest (225°)
    N d. west (270°)

4691: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    Y b. A whistle signal
    N c. A gong signal
    N d. All of the above are mandatory.

4729: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in fishing shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.
    Y b. 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 c. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N d. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.

4855: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, any vessel may slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines to __________.

    N a. create a crossing situation
    Y b. allow more time to assess the situation
    N c. attract the attention of another vessel
    N d. All of the above

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

8056: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A whistle signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, is sounded by a vessel __________.

    N a. at anchor
    N b. towing a submerged object
    Y c. being overtaken in a narrow channel
    N d. in distress

8090: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light is ____________ .

    N a. shown below the stern light
    N b. white in color
    N c. displayed at the masthead
    Y d. a yellow light having the same characteristics as the stern light

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.