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.


30: INLAND ONLY Which signal must a power-driven vessel give, in addition to one prolonged blast, when backing out of a berth with another vessel in sight?


146: INLAND ONLY What characteristic must a light have if used to signal passing intentions?


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 )


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

361: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown. Vessel "A" sounds two short blasts on the whistle. You are on vessel "B" and are in doubt that sufficient action is being taken by vessel "A" to avoid collision. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    N a. maintain course and speed
    N b. alter course to the left and increase speed
    Y c. sound five or more short and rapid blasts
    N d. None of the above

378: 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 am altering my course to starboard"
    Y b. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
    N c. "I intend to overtake you on your port side"
    N d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

383: INLAND ONLY You are meeting "head on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do you see on the tug and tow combined?

    N a. One green and one red sidelight on the outside of the unit
    N b. One green and one red sidelight and a special flashing light
    N c. Only the green and red sidelights marking each vessel
    Y d. The green and red sidelights marking each vessel and a special flashing light

4117: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    Y b. air cushion vessel in the nondisplacement mode
    N c. vessel towing a submerged object
    N d. vessel engaged in diving operations

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.

4177: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists, you must __________.

    N a. alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern
    N b. slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you
    Y c. reduce your speed to bare steerageway
    N d. alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side

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.

4383: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

    N a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
    N b. immediately sound the danger signal
    Y c. take avoiding action only after providing the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
    N d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avert collision

4393: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?

    N a. In the forepart of the vessel, a 225° white light
    N b. In the after part of the vessel, a 135° white light
    Y c. Any available working lights to illuminate the decks
    N d. In the fore part of the vessel, a 135° white light

4460: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?

    Y a. A sailing vessel
    N b. A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N c. A vessel not under command
    N d. A vessel engaged in fishing

4469: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal in fog if she is __________.

    N a. aground
    Y b. at anchor
    N c. not under command
    N d. no longer on pilotage duty

4619: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is NOT to impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate safely within a narrow channel?

    N a. Any vessel less than 20 meters in length
    N b. Any sailing vessel
    N c. A vessel engaged in fishing
    Y d. All of the above

4659: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel servicing a pipeline during the day shall display __________.

    Y a. three black shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest are balls, and the middle one is a diamond
    N b. three shapes in a vertical line; the highest and lowest are red balls, and the middle one is a white diamond
    N c. three black balls in a vertical line
    N d. two black balls in a vertical line

4666: 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
    N c. A power driven vessel over 75 meters
    Y d. Any vessel over 100 meters

4670: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What determines if a vessel is "restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. Whether or not all of the vessel's control equipment is in working order
    N b. The vessel's draft in relation to the available depth of water
    Y c. Whether the nature of the vessel's work limits maneuverability required by the Rules
    N d. Whether or not the vessel is the give-way vessel in a meeting situation

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

4696: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for five seconds. This signal indicates a vessel __________.

    N a. engaged in pair trawling
    N b. fishing while making no way through the water
    Y c. more than 100 meters in length, at anchor
    N d. engaged on pilotage duty

4700: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does the word "length" refer to?

    N a. Length between the perpendiculars
    Y b. Length overall
    N c. Waterline length
    N d. Registered length

4715: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is a "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver"?

    N a. A deep-draft vessel that can only navigate in a dredged channel
    N b. A vessel fishing with a bottom trawl that must remain on course
    N c. A large tanker that is being towed as a dead ship to dry dock
    Y d. A vessel laying revetment mats to provide bank protection along a channel

4724: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. trawling
    N b. not under command
    Y c. anchored
    N d. drifting

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

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

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.

4857: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel approaching a narrow channel shall __________.

    Y a. avoid crossing the channel if it impedes another vessel navigating in the channel
    N b. not overtake any vessels within the channel
    N c. keep as close as possible to the edge of the channel on her port side
    N d. anchor only in the middle of the channel

5100: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.

    N a. barges being towed astern
    N b. vessels not under command
    Y c. vessels pushing ahead
    N d. All of the above

8111: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor. Visibility is restricted. You should sound __________.

    Y a. one prolonged blast only
    N b. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when the last line is taken aboard
    N c. one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts when leaving the slip
    N d. the danger signal