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.


11: INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.


29: INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?


48: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the Secretary?


227: INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) __________.

    Y a. alternately flashing red and yellow light
    N b. flashing blue light
    N c. flashing yellow light
    N d. alternately flashing blue and red light

272: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting as shown in a narrow channel. Vessel "A" is a sailing vessel. Vessel "B" is a power-driven vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Vessel "B" sounds the danger signal. Vessel "A" shall __________. (DIAGRAM 37 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. not impede the passage of vessel "B"
    N c. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N d. have the right of way

275: INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown with the yellow lights flashing, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 81 )

    N a. wait until the vessel ahead crosses your bow
    Y b. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights
    N c. stop until the red lights turn green
    N d. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side

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

394: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown. This could be a __________. (DIAGRAM 80 )

    N a. law enforcement vessel
    N b. vessel on pilotage duty
    Y c. sailing vessel
    N d. power-driven vessel

4012: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which displays the day signal shown may be engaged in __________. (DIAGRAM 6 )

    Y a. submarine cable laying
    N b. pilotage duty
    N c. fishing
    N d. mineclearance

4075: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross ahead of you. She then sounds a whistle signal of five short blasts. You should __________.

    N a. answer the signal and hold course and speed
    N b. reduce speed slightly to make sure she will have room to pass
    Y c. make a large course change, and slow down if necessary
    N d. wait for another whistle signal from the other vessel

4087: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light", by the definition given in the rules, is a light that __________.

    N a. is red in color
    N b. is visible over an arc of the horizon of 360°
    Y c. flashes at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute
    N d. All of the above

4194: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you are towing a partly submerged vessel, 20 meters in length and 4 meters in breadth. What lights must you display on the towed vessel?

    N a. A white light at the stern
    N b. Two white lights side by side at the stern
    Y c. A white light at the forward end and a white light at the after end
    N d. Two red lights in a vertical line at the after end

4207: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is underway when you sight a sailing vessel on your port bow. Which vessel is the "stand-on" vessel?

    N a. The sailboat, because it is to port of your vessel
    Y b. The sailboat, because it is under sail
    N c. Your vessel, because it is a power-driven vessel
    N d. Your vessel, because it is to starboard of the sailboat

4269: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. International Code Signal "AA"
    N b. orange-colored smoke
    N c. red flares
    N d. the repeated raising and lowering of outstretched arms

4313: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night, you sight a vessel ahead displaying the lights shown. How should the vessels pass? (DIAGRAM 71 )

    Y a. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.
    N b. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    N c. Your vessel should hold course and speed and the other vessel should keep clear.
    N d. You should sound an appropriate overtaking signal.

4322: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In which situation do you think a risk of collision exists?

    N a. A vessel is 22° 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° abaft your port beam, range increasing, bearing is constant.
    Y d. A vessel is on your starboard quarter, range decreasing, bearing is constant.

4330: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a short blast, a prolonged blast, and a short blast of a whistle. This signal indicates a __________.

    N a. vessel towing in fog
    N b. sailboat underway in fog
    N c. vessel being towed in fog
    Y d. vessel anchored in fog

4524: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?

    N a. Whistle only
    N b. Bell only
    Y c. Whistle and bell only
    N d. Whistle, bell, and gong

4554: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel must have a gong, or other equipment which will make the sound of a gong?

    N a. A sailing vessel
    N b. Any vessel over 50 meters
    Y c. Any vessel over 100 meters
    N d. A power-driven vessel over 75 meters

4569: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other to starboard must keep out of the way if __________.

    N a. she is the faster vessel
    Y b. the situation involves risk of collision
    N c. the vessels will pass within half a mile of each other
    N d. whistle signals have been sounded

4572: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in low visibility and sounding fog signals. What changes would you make in the fog signal immediately upon losing propulsion?

    N a. Begin sounding two prolonged blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N b. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    Y c. Begin sounding one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at two-minute intervals.
    N d. No change should be made in the fog signal.

4667: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and in sight of another vessel, less than one half mile away, you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals is TRUE?

    N a. You need not sound any whistle signals.
    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 must sound three short blasts on the whistle.

4718: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. fishing at anchor
    Y b. dredging while underway
    N c. transferring dangerous cargo at a berth
    N d. restricted in her ability to maneuver, underway but not making way

4720: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown could be a vessel __________. (DIAGRAM 56 )

    N a. towing a barge alongside
    N b. at anchor and dredging
    Y c. underway and engaged in surveying operations
    N d. not under command and making way

4834: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To be considered "engaged in fishing" under the Rules, a vessel must be __________.

    N a. power-driven
    N b. showing lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
    N c. using nets
    Y d. using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability

4836: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is, by definition, unable to keep out of the way of another vessel?

    N a. Vessel engaged in fishing
    N b. Vessel not making way
    N c. Vessel sailing
    Y d. Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

4868: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two sailing vessels approaching each other?

    N a. The vessel making the most speed is the give-way vessel.
    Y b. A sailing vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel.
    N c. A sailing vessel seeing another to leeward on an undetermined tack shall hold her course.
    N d. All of the above

8027: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which could be sounded by a __________.

    N a. fishing vessel
    N b. vessel anchored
    N c. mineclearing vessel
    Y d. vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel

8030: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in towing
    N b. constrained by her draft
    N c. under sail
    Y d. All of the above

8069: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which signal is sounded ONLY by a vessel in sight of another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility?

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