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.


9: INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning narrow channels?


35: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "B" and vessel "A" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown. After the vessels have exchanged one blast signals, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 9 )


59: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.


98: INLAND ONLY You are aboard the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You sound a one blast whistle signal. The give-way vessel answers with a two blast whistle signal. You should sound the danger signal and __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. come around sharply to port
    Y c. take precautionary action until a safe passing agreement is made
    N d. maneuver around the stern of the other vessel

225: INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long, at anchor in a "special anchorage area designated by the Secretary", is required to show how many white anchor lights?

    N a. One
    N b. None
    N c. One, on the near approach of another vessel
    Y d. Two

292: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tug shown is greater than 50 meters and severely restricted in her ability to deviate from her course. Which lights would be displayed from the towing vessel? (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. Two white masthead lights, red-white-red all round lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    N b. Three white masthead lights, red-white-red all round lights, sidelights and two towing lights
    N c. Three white masthead lights, two all round red lights, sidelights, stern light and a towing light
    Y d. None of the above

4029: INLAND ONLY The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a power-driven vessel __________.

    N a. less than 20 meters in length
    Y b. less than 12 meters in length
    N c. which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth
    N d. engaged in fishing

4030: 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
    Y b. through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the rules
    N c. by taking action contrary to the rules has created a special circumstance situation
    N d. is moored, aground or anchored in a fairway

4035: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in restricted visibility, you might hear, at intervals of two minutes, any of the following fog signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. one prolonged blast
    N b. two prolonged blasts
    N c. one prolonged and two short blasts
    Y d. ringing of a bell for five seconds

4051: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. The lights __________.

    Y a. shall be displayed in restricted visibility during daylight hours
    N b. need not be displayed when no other vessels are in the area
    N c. shall be set at low power when used during daylight hours
    N d. need not be displayed by unmanned vessels

4073: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for a vessel __________.

    N a. towing
    Y b. manned being towed
    N c. unmanned being towed
    N d. at anchor

4133: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE when you are towing more than one barge astern at night?

    N a. Only the last barge in the tow must be lighted.
    N b. Only the first and last barges in the tow must be lighted.
    Y c. All barges in the tow must be lighted.
    N d. All barges, except unmanned barges, must be lighted.

4143: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a towing light when a towing vessel is towing astern?

    N a. When a towing light is shown, no stern light is necessary.
    N b. When a stern light is shown, no towing light is necessary.
    N c. The towing light is shown below the stern light.
    Y d. The towing light is shown above the stern light.

4157: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?

    N a. A trawler
    N b. A fishing vessel
    N c. A tug
    Y d. None of the above

4191: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in the fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules require you to navigate with caution and, if danger of collision exists, __________.

    N a. slow to less than 2 knots
    N b. stop your engines
    Y c. reduce to bare steerageway
    N d. begin a radar plot

4245: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 62 )

    N a. engaged in fishing
    N b. mine sweeping
    N c. a pilot boat
    Y d. under sail

4280: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft. Vessel II is a power-driven vessel trawling. Which statement is TRUE? (DIAGRAM 33 )

    Y a. Vessel I is to keep clear because the other vessel is fishing.
    N b. Vessel II is to keep clear because she is a power-driven vessel.
    N c. Vessel II is to keep clear because the other vessel is to its starboard.
    N d. Both vessels are to take action to stay clear of each other.

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

4345: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a green light over a white light in a vertical line above the level of the sidelights is __________.

    N a. engaged in underwater construction
    N b. under sail and power
    N c. a pilot vessel
    Y d. trawling

4403: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown by a vessel over 20 meters fishing which has gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outward from it?

    N a. One black ball
    N b. One diamond shape
    Y c. One cone with its apex upwards
    N d. One basket

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

4454: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her own port side shall, if possible, avoid __________.

    Y a. turning to port
    N b. turning to starboard
    N c. decreasing speed
    N d. increasing speed

4507: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights required by the Rules must be shown __________.

    Y a. from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility
    N b. at all times
    N c. ONLY from sunset to sunrise
    N d. whenever a look-out is posted

4568: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

    N a. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
    Y b. A purse seiner hauling her nets
    N c. A pilot vessel at anchor
    N d. A vessel which has run aground

4620: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.

    Y a. no fog signal
    N b. one short blast
    N c. one prolonged and three short blasts
    N d. one prolonged and two short blasts

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

4829: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "restricted visibility", when used in the Rules, refers to __________.

    N a. situations when you can see vessels on radar that you cannot see visually
    N b. visibility of less than half a mile
    Y c. any condition where visibility is restricted
    N d. visibility where you cannot see shore

6530: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You MUST __________.

    N a. stop your engines
    Y b. take all way off, if necessary
    N c. begin a radar plot
    N d. All of the above

8118: INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of intent must be sounded in international waters by __________.

    N a. a vessel meeting another head-on
    Y b. a vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel
    N c. a vessel crossing the course of another
    N d. the give-way vessel in a crossing situation