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.


3: INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, you are underway on vessel "A" and desire to overtake vessel "B". After you sound two short blasts on your whistle, vessel "B" sounds five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. You should __________.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


87: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used for maneuvering signals?

    N a. It must be synchronized with the whistle.
    N b. It may be white or yellow.
    N c. It must be an all-round light.
    Y d. All of the above

163: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    N a. flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. alternately flashing blue and red light
    Y d. alternately flashing red and yellow light

186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown. It could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 54 )

    N a. pilot vessel with a motor launch alongside
    N b. fishing vessel adrift and fishing with handlines
    Y c. fishing vessel making way
    N d. dredge making way

188: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Yellow lights are NOT shown by __________.

    Y a. towing vessels pushing ahead
    N b. air cushion vessels in a nondisplacement mode
    N c. purse seiners
    N d. U.S. submarines

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.

270: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 37 )

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

379: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A seagoing tug has a tow greater than 200 meters as shown and is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which lights would be displayed from the towing vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    Y a. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N b. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all-round lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. Three white masthead lights, two all-round red lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N d. None of the above

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

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    N c. vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. sailing vessel

4003: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is used to show the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?

    N a. A diamond shape on the towed object
    N b. An all-round light at each end of the towed object
    N c. A searchlight from the towing vessel in the direction of the tow
    Y d. All of the above

4049: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped.
    Y b. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

4082: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit three white masthead lights in a vertical line?

    N a. Any vessel towing astern
    Y b. A vessel whose tow exceeds 200 meters astern
    N c. A vessel not under command, at anchor
    N d. A vessel being towed

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

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.

4231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show __________.

    N a. sidelights, stern light, and a red light over a green light on the mast
    Y b. sidelights, and stern light, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast
    N c. separate sidelights and stern light
    N d. sidelights only

4253: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.

    N a. at any time while underway
    N b. while at anchor
    N c. while alongside a vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4261: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What light(s), if any, would you show at night if your vessel was broken down and being towed astern by another vessel?

    N a. None
    N b. Same lights as for a power-driven vessel underway
    N c. A white light forward and a white light aft
    Y d. The colored sidelights and a white stern light

4267: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is __________.

    N a. underway and dredging
    N b. pushing ahead or towing alongside
    Y c. towing astern
    N d. a pilot vessel

4281: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 30 meters in length and aground would display a day-shape consisting of __________.

    N a. a cylinder
    N b. one black ball
    N c. two black balls in a vertical line
    Y d. three black balls in a vertical line

4355: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in an 18-meter tug when you sight a loaded tankship off your port bow coming up the channel. Which statement is correct?

    N a. Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel because the tankship is crossing.
    Y b. You cannot impede the safe passage of the tankship.
    N c. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is in the channel.
    N d. The tankship is the stand-on vessel because it is the larger of the two vessels.

4409: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel or object being towed astern shall display a(n) __________.

    N a. forward masthead light
    N b. after masthead light
    Y c. stern light
    N d. All of the above

4595: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel, when anchored at night, would NOT be required to show anchor lights?

    N a. A power-driven vessel
    N b. A vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. A vessel dredging
    N d. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4611: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which does not normally engage in towing operations, is towing a vessel in distress. She __________.

    Y a. need not show the lights for a vessel engaged in towing, if it is impractical to do so
    N b. may show the lights for a vessel not under command
    N c. must show a yellow light above the stern light
    N d. must show the lights for a vessel towing

4641: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must exhibit forward and after white masthead lights when making way?

    Y a. A 75-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. A 100-meter sailing vessel
    N c. A 150-meter vessel engaged in fishing
    N d. A 45-meter vessel engaged in towing

4827: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that vessels may depart from the requirements of the Rules when __________.

    N a. operating in restricted visibility
    N b. operating in a narrow channel
    Y c. necessary to avoid immediate danger
    N d. the Master enters it in the ship's log

8004: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.

    N a. three short blasts
    N b. a long blast
    N c. a prolonged blast
    Y d. No signal is required.

8054: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?

    Y a. She is severely restricted in her ability to change her course because of her draft in relation to the available depth of water.
    N b. The term applies only to vessels in marked channels.
    N c. She is designated as a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver".
    N d. The vessel must be over 100 meters in length.

8100: INTERNATIONAL ONLY The International Rules of the Road apply __________.

    N a. to all waters
    N b. to any waters inside the territorial waters of the U.S.
    N c. only to waters where foreign vessels travel
    Y d. upon the high seas and connecting waters navigable by seagoing vessels