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.


16: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes __________.


18: INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?


38: INLAND ONLY Your vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the rules, you should exchange __________.


74: INLAND ONLY Which term is NOT used in the Inland Navigation Rules?

    N a. A vessel engaged in mineclearing operations
    Y b. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. A vessel towing
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

100: INLAND ONLY Only law enforcement vessels are permitted to show __________.

    N a. two red lights in a vertical line
    N b. a flashing yellow light
    N c. an alternately flashing red and yellow light
    Y d. a flashing blue light

198: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a vessel that cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?

    N a. The vessel must carry only the lights that comply with the rules; the others may be omitted.
    Y b. The vessel's lights must comply as closely as possible, as determined by her government.
    N c. The vessel must be altered to permit full compliance with the rules.
    N d. An all-round light should be substituted for the after masthead light and the stern light.

217: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown. Vessel "A" is the __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

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

257: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown. One short blast from either vessel means __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. "I am altering my course to starboard."
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side."
    N c. "I intend to hold course and speed."
    N d. "I intend to pass on your starboard side."

297: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown could represent a __________. (DIAGRAM 48 )

    Y a. tug and a barge being towed astern
    N b. vessel constrained by her draft
    N c. vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N d. vessel not under command

4008: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation, you may take action to avoid collision by your maneuver alone. When may this action be taken?

    N a. At any time you feel it is appropriate
    N b. Only when you have reached extremis
    N c. When you determine that your present course will cross ahead of the other vessel
    Y d. When it becomes apparent to you that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action

4020: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel must proceed at a safe speed __________.

    N a. in restricted visibility
    N b. in congested waters
    N c. during darkness
    Y d. at all times

4046: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "A" and sight vessel "B" which is a vessel underway and fishing as shown. Which statement is true? (DIAGRAM 14 )

    N a. Vessel "A" must keep out of the way of vessel "B" because "B" is to port.
    Y b. Vessel "A" must keep out of the way of vessel "B" because "B" is fishing.
    N c. Vessel "B" must keep out of the way of vessel "A" because "A" is to starboard.
    N d. In this case, both vessels are required by the Rules to keep clear of each other.

4060: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching your vessel from 235° relative is in what type of situation?

    N a. Meeting
    Y b. Overtaking
    N c. Crossing
    N d. Passing

4138: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.

    N a. white lights are not used
    N b. red and green lights are not used
    N c. the vessel signals such intentions over the radiotelephone
    Y d. the signal cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized by the Rules

4182: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Distress signals may be __________.

    N a. red flares
    N b. smoke signals
    N c. sound signals
    Y d. Any of the above

4220: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.

    N a. masthead lights
    Y b. sidelights
    N c. a special flashing light
    N d. All of the above

4287: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog bell signals for vessels at anchor or aground shall be sounded at intervals of not more than __________.

    N a. 15 minutes
    N b. 5 minutes
    N c. 2 minutes
    Y d. 1 minutes

4305: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. two short blasts
    N b. three short blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. one prolonged and three short blasts

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

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

4451: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel should at all times proceed at a "safe speed". "Safe speed" is defined as that speed where __________.

    N a. you can stop within your visibility range
    Y b. you can take proper and effective action to avoid collision
    N c. you are traveling slower than surrounding vessels
    N d. no wake comes from your vessel

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

4639: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying a single green light. This is a __________.

    N a. vessel at anchor
    N b. small motorboat underway
    N c. vessel drifting
    Y d. sailing vessel

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

4691: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel is aground in fog. Which signal is optional?

    N a. A bell signal
    Y b. A whistle signal
    N c. A gong signal
    N d. All of the above are mandatory.

4699: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the identity signal which may be sounded by a vessel engaged on pilotage duty in fog?

    N a. 2 short blasts
    N b. 3 short blasts
    Y c. 4 short blasts
    N d. 5 short blasts

4826: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND According to the Navigation Rules, you may depart from the Rules when __________.

    Y a. you do so to avoid immediate danger
    N b. no vessels are visible on radar
    N c. you are in a close quarters situation
    N d. out of sight of land

4851: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND. In which situation would you consider a risk of collision to exist?

    N a. A vessel is one point on your starboard 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.
    Y c. A vessel is two points abaft your port beam, range decreasing, bearing constant.
    N d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range increasing, bearing is constant.

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

8009: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway on the high seas in restricted visibility. You hear a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could be any of the following EXCEPT a vessel __________.

    N a. minesweeping
    N b. engaged in fishing
    N c. constrained by her draft
    Y d. being towed