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.


57: INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. The blue light indicates a __________.


101: INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to overtake the other vessel on her starboard side. Your first whistle signal should be __________.


109: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating in the nondisplacement mode. In addition to a steady white light which other light will vessel "A" observe on vessel "B"? (DIAGRAM 17 )


124: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT defined in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. Towing light
    Y b. Vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. In sight
    N d. Restricted visibility

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

    Y a. diamond shape when the length of the tow is 200 meters or less
    N b. diamond shape 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

313: INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown while proceeding in a channel. Where should you pass? (DIAGRAM 85 )

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

365: 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 )

    Y a. stand-on vessel
    N b. give-way vessel
    N c. overtaking vessel
    N d. None of the above

4104: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when __________.

    N a. she can be observed by radar
    Y b. she can be observed visually from the other vessel
    N c. she can be plotted on radar well enough to determine her heading
    N d. her fog signal can be heard

4192: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel fishing with nets shall sound at intervals of two minutes __________.

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

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

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

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

4256: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Traffic separation schemes established by the International Maritime Organization __________.

    Y a. provide inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic
    N b. provide vessel reporting systems to assist in search and rescue in the event of a vessel casualty
    N c. provide routing and vessel scheduling procedures to reduce shipping delays
    N d. prohibit vessels carrying hazardous cargos from entering waters that are environmentally sensitive

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

4272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel, when towing another vessel astern shall show the light(s) in Diagram __________. (DIAGRAMS 46, 54, 60 )

    N a. 75
    Y b. 60
    N c. 54
    N d. 46

4298: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit __________.

    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

4385: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" according to the Rules of the Road, a vessel must be __________.

    Y a. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability
    N b. using trolling lines
    N c. power-driven
    N d. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225° white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 135° white light
    Y c. Any available working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the fore part of the vessel, a 135° white light

4414: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel which is directed by these Rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid __________.

    Y a. crossing ahead of the other
    N b. crossing astern of the other
    N c. passing port to port
    N d. passing starboard to starboard

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

4507: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights required by the Rules must be shown __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. ONLY from sunset to sunrise
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4525: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are stand-on over power-driven vessels except __________.

    N a. in a crossing situation
    N b. in a meeting situation
    Y c. when they are the overtaking vessel
    N d. on the inland waters of the U.S.

4582: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 52 )

    N a. pushing ahead
    Y b. underway
    N c. towing a submerged object
    N d. engaged in dredging

4610: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?

    Y a. Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel
    N b. Make a large course change to starboard
    N c. Slow your vessel
    N d. Back your vessel

4635: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.

    N a. three balls in a vertical line
    N b. two balls in a vertical line
    Y c. one ball near the foremast and one ball at each fore yard
    N d. one diamond near the foremast head and one ball at each fore yard

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

8032: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Under what circumstances would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?

    N a. When overtaking in restricted visibility
    Y b. When overtaking in a narrow channel
    N c. When overtaking on open waters
    N d. When no other vessels are in the immediate area

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.

8098: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If at night a vessel displays three all-round red lights in a vertical line, during the day she may show __________.

    N a. two cones, base to base
    N b. three black balls in a vertical line
    Y c. a cylinder
    N d. a cone, apex downward

8099: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel displaying three red lights in a vertical line is __________.

    N a. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N b. not under command
    N c. engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y d. constrained by her draft