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.


22: INLAND ONLY You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern of the other vessel. You MUST __________.


107: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. What whistle signal should be sounded in order to state this intention?


114: INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?


116: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter fishing vessel. Which day shape must you show while engaged in fishing? (DIAGRAM 16 )

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

181: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown. They indicate a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 74 )

    Y a. sailing vessel
    N b. 8-meter power-driven vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    N d. 12-meter fishing vessel

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

298: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a(n) __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. law enforcement vessel
    N c. vessel not under command
    Y d. vessel towing astern

302: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 79 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. dredging
    N c. engaged in launching or recovery of aircraft
    Y d. towing astern

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

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

4066: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The wind is ESE, and a sailing vessel is steering NW. Which fog signal should she sound?

    N a. One blast at one-minute intervals
    N b. One blast at two-minute intervals
    N c. Two blasts at one-minute intervals
    Y d. One prolonged and two short blasts at two-minute intervals

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

4113: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which signal, other than a distress signal, can be used by a vessel to attract attention?

    Y a. Searchlight beam
    N b. Continuous sounding of a fog signal apparatus
    N c. Burning barrel
    N d. Orange smoke signal

4135: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is being propelled both by sail and by engines. Under the Rules, the vessel is __________.

    N a. a "special circumstance" vessel
    N b. not covered under any category
    N c. a sail vessel
    Y d. a power-driven vessel

4169: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "head on" situation shall be deemed to exist at night when a power-driven vessel sees another power-driven vessel ahead and __________.

    N a. one sidelight and the masthead light are visible
    N b. the vessels will pass closer than half a mile
    N c. both vessels sound one prolonged blast
    Y d. both sidelights and masthead light(s) are visible

4233: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you must __________.

    Y a. slow to bare steerageway and navigate with caution
    N b. sound three short blasts and back your engines
    N c. stop your engines and navigate with caution
    N d. continue on your course and speed until the other vessel is sighted

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

4325: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground in fog shall sound, in addition to the proper anchor signal, which of the following?

    N a. Three strokes on the gong before and after sounding the anchor signal
    Y b. Three strokes on the bell before and after the anchor signal
    N c. Four short blasts on the whistle
    N d. One prolonged and one short blast on the whistle

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.

4404: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to change course shall, when making way, exhibit __________.

    N a. the masthead lights for a towing vessel
    N b. the lights for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. sidelights, stern light and towing light
    Y d. All of the above

4438: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog. The fog signal of a vessel underway has been steadily growing louder and the danger of collision appears to exist. In addition to your fog signal, what signal may be used to indicate the presence of your vessel?

    N a. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged, one short, and one prolonged.
    Y b. Three blasts on the whistle; one short, one prolonged, and one short.
    N c. Three blasts on the whistle; one prolonged followed by two short.
    N d. No signal other than your fog signal may be used.

4449: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, which vessel may sound the danger signal?

    N a. Give-way vessel
    N b. Stand-on vessel
    Y c. Either vessel
    N d. Neither vessel

4461: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.

    N a. a black ball
    Y b. a diamond shape
    N c. two cones, apexes together
    N d. one cone, apex upward

4511: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the light used to accompany whistle signals?

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

4581: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel shall slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines, if necessary, to __________.

    N a. avoid collision
    N b. allow more time to assess the situation
    N c. be stopped in an appropriate distance
    Y d. All of the above

4637: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel under oars?

    N a. She must show a stern light.
    Y b. She is allowed to show the same lights as a sailing vessel.
    N c. She must show a fixed all-round white light.
    N d. She must show a day-shape of a black cone.

4645: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is required of a vessel navigating near an area of restricted visibility?

    N a. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.
    N b. She must sound appropriate sound signals.
    N c. If she detects another vessel by radar, she shall determine if risk of collision exists.
    Y d. All of the above

8078: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. need not sound any whistle signals
    N b. should sound two short blasts
    N c. should sound the danger signal
    N d. should sound one long blast

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

8129: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel not under command shall keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
    N b. A vessel not under command shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft.
    N c. A vessel constrained by her draft shall keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing.
    Y d. 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.