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.


6: INLAND ONLY A vessel displaying a flashing blue light is __________.


17: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel crossing a river on the Western Rivers has the right of way over __________.


28: INLAND ONLY A vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel, and wishing to pass on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle signal of __________.


43: INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short blasts. What should be your next action?

    N a. Pass on the other vessel's starboard side.
    Y b. Sound the danger signal.
    N c. Pass astern of the other vessel.
    N d. Hold your course and speed.

49: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.

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

134: INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a vessel downbound with a following current when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. Neither vessel has the right-of-way.
    Y b. She has the right-of-way only if she is power-driven.
    N c. She does not have the right-of-way, since the other vessel is not crossing the river.
    N d. She must wait for a whistle signal from the upbound vessel.

146: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?

    N a. It must be an all-round white light.
    N b. It must be an alternating blue and white light.
    Y c. It must be either an all-round white or an all-round yellow light.
    N d. It must be an alternating red and yellow light.

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.

278: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should be __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. visible for at least one mile
    N b. more than 50 meters apart
    Y c. visible at night and during periods of restricted visibility
    N d. flashing at intervals of 120 flashes per minute

282: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed are from a __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. dredge pipeline
    N c. vessel aground
    N d. vessel engaged in fishing

323: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which diagram shows the arc of visibility of a red sidelight? (DIAGRAM 23 )

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

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

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

4033: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of a prolonged blast of the whistle is __________.

    N a. 2 to 4 seconds
    Y b. 4 to 6 seconds
    N c. 6 to 8 seconds
    N d. 8 to 10 seconds

4168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When a vessel signals her distress by means of a gun or other explosive signal, the firing should be at intervals of approximately __________.

    N a. 10 minutes
    Y b. 1 minute
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 3 minutes

4186: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown. (DIAGRAM 1 )

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

4258: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a broken down vessel being towed would show the same lights as __________.

    N a. a power-driven vessel underway
    N b. the towing vessel
    Y c. a barge
    N d. a vessel at anchor

4301: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation would risk of collision definitely exist?

    N a. A vessel is 22 degrees on your port bow, range increasing, bearing changing slightly to the right.
    N b. A vessel is broad on your starboard beam, range decreasing, bearing changing rapidly to the right.
    N c. A vessel is 22 degrees abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4303: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, you hear apparently forward of your beam a fog signal of 2 prolonged blasts in succession every two minutes. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. power-driven vessel making way through the water
    N b. vessel being pushed ahead
    N c. vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y d. power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water

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.

4536: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot tell whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, she shall __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    Y c. keep out of the way of the other vessel
    N d. turn to port and come into the wind

4592: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A proper look-out shall be maintained __________.

    N a. only at night
    N b. only during restricted visibility
    N c. at night and during restricted visibility
    Y d. at all times

4594: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Those factors include __________.

    Y a. state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards
    N b. maximum attainable speed of your vessel
    N c. temperature
    N d. aids to navigation that are available

4671: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

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

4701: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.

    N a. vessel being towed
    Y b. power-driven pilot vessel on station underway
    N c. fishing vessel trawling
    N d. vessel at anchor warning of her location

4830: 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
    N b. does not have a proper look-out
    N c. by taking action contrary to the Rules has created a special circumstance situation
    Y d. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules

4832: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is "in sight" of another vessel when she __________.

    N a. can be observed by radar
    N b. has determined that risk of collision exists
    N c. is sounding a fog signal which can be heard on the other vessel
    Y d. can be observed visually from the other vessel

4860: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shows special identity lights __________.

    Y a. in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel
    N b. which means that other vessels should not approach closer than 500 meters on either side of the vessel
    N c. that are green and show through an arc of the horizon of 225°
    N d. All of the above

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

8120: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.

    N a. all-round yellow light only
    Y b. all-round white light only
    N c. all-round blue light only
    N d. alternating red and yellow light