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.


21: INLAND ONLY The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation sounds one short blast of the whistle. This means that the vessel __________.


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


75: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 31 )


103: INLAND ONLY Which light display would mark the opening in a pipeline where vessels could pass through?

    N a. Three red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    Y b. Two red lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N c. Three white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening
    N d. Two white lights in a vertical line on each side of the opening

219: INLAND ONLY You are proceeding up a channel in Chesapeake Bay and are meeting an outbound vessel. There is no current. You MUST __________.

    N a. keep to that side of the channel which is on your vessel's port side
    N b. stop your vessel, letting the outbound vessel sound the signals for meeting and passing
    Y c. propose or answer one- or two-blast whistle signals given by the other vessel if passing within 1/2 mile
    N d. give the outbound vessel the right-of-way

255: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light on vessel "B" will you see if you are on vessel "A"? (DIAGRAM 41 )

    N a. special flashing yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. two yellow towing lights
    Y d. None of the above

266: INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes as shown. Vessel "A" is downbound with a following current. Vessel "B" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. propose the manner of passage
    N b. have the right of way
    N c. initiate the maneuvering signals
    Y d. None of the above

320: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown. (DIAGRAM 82 )

    N a. a cylinder
    N b. a ball, a diamond and another ball
    Y c. two cones with apexes together
    N d. a diamond

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

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

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

    N a. "I intend to overtake you on my starboard side"
    N b. "I am operating astern propulsion"
    Y c. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N d. None of the above

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

4010: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this is a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. sailing vessel
    Y c. vessel being towed (manned)
    N d. vessel being towed (unmanned)

4055: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed?

    N a. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way
    N b. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation
    Y c. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision
    N d. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart

4061: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels "A" and "B" are crossing as shown. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 26 )

    N a. The vessels should pass starboard to starboard.
    N b. Vessel "B" should pass under the stern of vessel "A".
    N c. Vessel "B" should alter course to the right.
    Y d. Vessel "A" must keep clear of vessel "B".

4148: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in restricted visibility and hear a fog signal forward of the beam. Nothing appears on your radar screen. You must __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    N b. sound two prolonged blasts of the whistle
    N c. sound the danger signal
    Y d. slow to bare steerageway

4179: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if __________.

    N a. she is showing sidelights
    N b. her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel
    N c. she is showing a stern light
    Y d. her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast

4209: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement concerning maneuvering in restricted visibility is FALSE?

    N a. A vessel which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with a vessel forward of her beam shall reduce her speed to bare steerageway.
    Y b. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of her beam shall stop her engines.
    N c. A vessel which hears a fog signal forward of the beam shall navigate with caution.
    N d. If a vessel determines by radar that a close-quarters situation is developing, she shall take avoiding action in ample time.

4249: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel equipped with operational radar?

    Y a. She must use this equipment to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
    N b. The use of a radar excuses a vessel from the need of a look-out.
    N c. The radar equipment is only required to be used in restricted visibility.
    N d. The safe speed of such a vessel will likely be greater than that of vessels without radar.

4270: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 70 )

    N a. pilot boat
    N b. sailboat
    Y c. fishing vessel
    N d. motorboat

4304: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed will show __________.

    N a. a forward masthead light
    Y b. sidelights and a stern light
    N c. a towing light
    N d. All of the above

4398: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tugboat displaying the day-shape shown __________. (DIAGRAM 10 )

    N a. is at anchor
    N b. is not under command
    Y c. has a tow that exceeds 200 meters in length
    N d. has a tow that is carrying dangerous cargo

4400: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided that __________.

    N a. it is done in a succession of small course changes
    N b. it is NOT done too early
    Y c. it is a large course change
    N d. the course change is to starboard

4437: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum length of an anchored vessel which is required to show a white light both forward and aft?

    Y a. 50 meters
    N b. 100 meters
    N c. 150 meters
    N d. 200 meters

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.

4445: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must show a towing light above the stern light?

    N a. A vessel pushing three barges ahead
    N b. A vessel towing alongside
    Y c. A vessel with a 150-meter tow astern
    N d. None of the above

4575: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she can see which light(s) of a vessel ahead?

    Y a. Only the stern light of the vessel
    N b. One sidelight and a masthead light of the vessel
    N c. Only a sidelight of the vessel
    N d. The masthead lights of the vessel

4579: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. seaplanes
    N b. nondisplacement craft
    N c. barges
    Y d. All of the above

8042: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    N a. A vessel constrained by her draft
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    Y c. A vessel on pilotage duty
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

8046: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds two short blasts. This signal indicates the vessel __________.

    N a. intends to alter course to port
    N b. intends to pass starboard to starboard
    Y c. is altering course to port
    N d. will alter course to port

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