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.


33: INLAND ONLY For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "inland waters" includes __________.


140: INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is showing an alternating red and yellow light. Which action should you take?


150: INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?


170: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel and see ahead the lights shown. They indicate a __________. (DIAGRAM 59 )

    N a. vessel crossing from your starboard
    Y b. vessel crossing from your port
    N c. vessel being overtaken
    N d. vessel meeting head-on

244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 15-meter vessel "A" in a narrow channel as shown. Vessel "B", a large tanker which can safely navigate only within the channel, sounds five short and rapid blasts. You should __________. (DIAGRAM 32 )

    N a. sound one prolonged followed by two short blasts
    N b. not answer the whistle signal from vessel "B"
    N c. maintain course and speed
    Y d. not impede the passage of vessel "B"

263: INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a mile of your vessel. Which action should you take? (DIAGRAM 36 )

    N a. Hold course and speed without giving a signal.
    Y b. Change course or speed to avoid vessel "II".
    N c. Sound one short blast, and await a response.
    N d. Sound two short blasts, and await a response.

337: 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. Vessel "B" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 42 )

    Y a. one short blast
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. three short blasts

399: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lead vessel shown is a __________. (DIAGRAM 24 )

    N a. mineclearance vessel
    N b. survey vessel
    Y c. power-driven vessel towing astern
    N d. None of the above

4014: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?

    N a. One long blast
    Y b. Two prolonged blasts
    N c. One prolonged blast
    N d. One prolonged and two short blasts

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

4099: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.

    N a. two balls in a vertical line
    Y b. two diamonds in a vertical line
    N c. a single black ball
    N d. no shape is shown during the day

4159: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a __________.

    N a. vessel not under command
    N b. vessel engaged in fishing
    N c. sailing vessel
    Y d. All of the above

4169: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "head on" situation shall be deemed to exist at night when a power-driven vessel sees another power-driven vessel ahead and __________.

    N a. one sidelight and the masthead light are visible
    N b. the vessels will pass closer than half a mile
    N c. both vessels sound one prolonged blast
    Y d. both sidelights and masthead light(s) are visible

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

4219: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. You must __________.

    N a. hold course and speed
    N b. sound the danger signal
    N c. initiate an exchange of passing signals
    Y d. do not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel

4224: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is required to __________.

    N a. maintain course and speed
    Y b. keep clear
    N c. sound one blast and turn to starboard
    N d. stop her engines

4230: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, would sound a fog signal of __________.

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

4260: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The minimum length of a power-driven vessel that must show forward and after masthead lights is __________.

    N a. 30 meters
    Y b. 50 meters
    N c. 75 meters
    N d. 100 meters

4274: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

    N a. three shapes, the highest and lowest shall be red balls, and the middle shall be a white diamond
    N b. two black balls
    N c. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls, and the middle shall be a red diamond
    Y d. three shapes; the highest and lowest shall be black balls and the middle shall be a black diamond

4292: 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. being towed (manned)
    N c. under sail
    N d. at anchor

4397: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a vessel fishing must keep out of the way of a vessel which is __________.

    N a. under sail
    N b. towing
    Y c. restricted in her ability to maneuver
    N d. engaged in pilotage duty

4423: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning a "vessel engaged in fishing"?

    Y a. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls.
    N b. The vessel may be trolling.
    N c. The vessel shows 2 lights in a vertical line, white over red.
    N d. The vessel sounds the same fog signal as a vessel underway, making no way.

4429: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels are meeting head-on. How must the vessels pass?

    N a. One vessel must alter course while the other must continue on its course.
    N b. The vessels should determine which will alter course by sounding whistle signals.
    N c. Both vessels should alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard.
    Y d. Both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass port to port.

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

4467: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.

    N a. non-self-propelled raft
    N b. seaplanes
    N c. hovercrafts
    Y d. All of the above

4552: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning fog signals?

    N a. All fog signals for sailing vessels are to be given at intervals of not more than one minute.
    N b. A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel towed.
    N c. A pilot vessel underway and making way sounds the pilot identity signal and no other signal.
    Y d. A vessel aground may sound a whistle signal.

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

4704: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on a vessel __________.

    N a. less than 50 meters in length
    N b. less than 20 meters in length
    Y c. of special construction
    N d. engaged in trolling

4707: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?

    Y a. A stern light only
    N b. Two masthead lights
    N c. Both sidelights and the stern light
    N d. Sidelights only

4711: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would exhibit sidelights when underway and not making way?

    N a. A vessel trawling
    N b. A vessel not under command
    Y c. A pilot vessel
    N d. A vessel engaged in dredging