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.


80: INLAND ONLY While underway at night, you see two yellow lights displayed in a vertical line. This should indicate to you a(n) __________.


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


218: INLAND ONLY Your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night. What light(s) should show aft on your vessel? DIAGRAMS60,75,46,70


236: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    N a. one short blast
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one prolonged blast
    Y d. no whistle signal

329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "C" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    N b. red sidelight
    N c. stern light
    Y d. None of the above

330: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "B" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    N a. white masthead light
    Y b. green sidelight
    N c. red sidelight
    N d. stern light

332: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Diagram "A" shows the arc of visibility of a __________. (DIAGRAM 23 )

    Y a. red sidelight
    N b. green sidelight
    N c. masthead light
    N d. stern light

351: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

354: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown. Vessel "A" sounds one short blast of the whistle. This signal means __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. "I intend to leave you on your starboard side"
    Y b. "I am altering my course to starboard"
    N c. "I am altering my course to port"
    N d. None of the above

4018: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a distress signal?

    N a. A triangular flag above or below a ball
    N b. The International Code Signal of distress indicated by "JV"
    N c. A green smoke signal
    Y d. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel

4047: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.

    N a. red light over a white light
    Y b. green light over a white light
    N c. yellow light over a red light
    N d. white light over a green light

4103: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is the danger signal?

    N a. A continuous sounding of the fog signal
    N b. Firing a gun every minute
    Y c. Five or more short rapid blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged blast on the whistle

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

4120: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show __________.

    N a. one black ball
    N b. two cones with bases together
    N c. a cone, apex downward
    Y d. two cones, apexes together

4240: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Systems of inbound and outbound lanes to promote the safe flow of vessel traffic in certain areas around the world are known as __________.

    N a. merchant vessel reporting systems
    Y b. traffic separation schemes
    N c. collision avoidance fairways
    N d. restricted maneuverability channels

4295: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.

    N a. replaces directional signals
    N b. makes the other vessel the stand-on vessel
    Y c. indicates doubt as to another vessels actions
    N d. is the same as a "MAYDAY" signal

4329: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 25 meters long and anchored in restricted visibility. You are required to sound the proper fog signal at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 30 seconds
    Y b. one minute
    N c. two minutes
    N d. three minutes

4349: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a vessel is engaged in fishing according to the definitions in the Rules, it will have __________.

    N a. gear extending from the side or stern
    Y b. gear that restricts maneuverability
    N c. less than 50 percent trolling lines
    N d. None of the above

4359: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway but stopped and making no way through the water when fog sets in. Which fog signal should you sound?

    N a. One prolonged blast on the whistle
    N b. One prolonged blast and two short blasts on the whistle
    Y c. Two prolonged blasts on the whistle
    N d. One short, one prolonged, and one short blast on the whistle

4360: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 6 )

    N a. Maintain course and speed
    N b. Provide assistance, the other vessel is in distress
    Y c. Stay clear, the other vessel is maneuvering with difficulty
    N d. Stop your vessel and sound passing signals

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.

4503: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a masthead light abaft of and higher than her identifying lights?

    N a. A 55-meter vessel fishing
    Y b. A 55-meter vessel trawling
    N c. A 100-meter vessel not under command
    N d. A 20-meter vessel engaged on pilotage duty

4545: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel and are not sure whether danger of collision exists. You must assume __________.

    Y a. there is risk of collision
    N b. you are the give way vessel
    N c. the other vessel is also in doubt
    N d. All of the above are correct.

4670: 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
    Y c. Whether the nature of the vessel's work limits maneuverability required by the Rules
    N d. Whether or not the vessel is the give-way vessel in a meeting situation

4687: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. one prolonged and three short blasts at one minute intervals
    N b. a rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds at one minute intervals
    Y c. one prolonged and two short blasts at two minute intervals
    N d. a sounding of the bell and gong at one minute intervals

4702: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. southeast (135°)
    N c. northeast (045°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

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

8013: INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another, all of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.

    N a. a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes
    Y b. four short whistle blasts
    N c. one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short whistle blasts
    N d. two short whistle blasts

8114: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a situation involving a fishing vessel and a vessel not under command?

    N a. They are required to communicate by radiotelephone.
    N b. If the vessel not under command is a power-driven vessel, she must keep clear of the fishing vessel.
    Y c. The fishing vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel not under command.
    N d. Both vessels are required to take action to stay clear of each other.

8136: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will show sidelights, a stern light, and __________.

    N a. an all-round red light where it can best be seen
    N b. two yellow masthead lights in a vertical line
    Y c. two masthead lights in a vertical line
    N d. a single white light forward