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.


4: INLAND ONLY A vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another vessel moving upstream. Which vessel has the right of way?


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 )


144: INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.


168: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel heading due north and see the lights shown one point on your port bow. This vessel could be heading __________. (DIAGRAM 51 )

    N a. NW
    N b. SW
    N c. NE
    Y d. SE

237: INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" should sound __________. (DIAGRAM 17 )

    Y a. no whistle signal
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
    N d. at least five short and rapid blasts

247: INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "I" and in sight of vessel "II" as shown. Vessel "II" sounds one short blast. If you agree, you should __________. (DIAGRAM 36 )

    Y a. sound one short blast and hold course and speed
    N b. hold course and speed and sound no signal
    N c. sound one short blast and slow down or turn to starboard
    N d. sound the danger signal and slow to moderate speed

262: INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.

    Y a. meeting or crossing within half a mile of each other
    N b. meeting within one mile of each other
    N c. meeting or crossing at any distance
    N d. crossing within one mile of each other

273: 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
    N b. stop until the red lights turn green
    N c. proceed leaving all the lights on your starboard side
    Y d. pass between the two sets of vertical red lights

371: INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, the towing vessel shall show lights in addition to her towing identification lights. These additional lights shall be shown if the tow is __________.

    N a. pushed ahead
    N b. towed alongside
    Y c. towed astern
    N d. All of the above

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

4083: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals EXCEPT __________.

    N a. the continuous sounding of any fog signal apparatus
    Y b. giving five or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle
    N c. firing a gun at intervals of about a minute
    N d. a barrel with burning oil in it, on deck

4089: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mineclearing shows special identity lights __________.

    N a. in addition to the lights required for a power-driven vessel
    N b. which mean that other vessels should not approach within 1000 meters of the mineclearing vessel
    N c. which are green and show all-round
    Y d. All of the above

4139: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?

    N a. Sailing
    Y b. Trawling
    N c. Minesweeping
    N d. Dredging

4231: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show __________.

    N a. sidelights, stern light, and a red light over a green light on the mast
    Y b. sidelights, and stern light, but they may be in a combined lantern on the mast
    N c. separate sidelights and stern light
    N d. sidelights only

4244: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, will sound a fog signal of __________.

    N a. a 5 second ringing of a bell forward and a 5 second sounding of a gong aft at intervals of 1 minute
    Y b. one prolonged followed by two short blasts every 2 minutes
    N c. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every minute
    N d. one prolonged followed by three short blasts every 2 minutes

4365: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An anchored vessel is servicing an aid to navigation and is restricted in her ability to maneuver. Which lights will she show?

    Y a. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white, and anchor lights
    N b. Three lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest red and the middle white, ONLY
    N c. Anchor lights ONLY
    N d. Anchor lights and sidelights ONLY

4412: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 44 )

    N a. towing
    N b. conducting underwater survey operations
    N c. drifting
    Y d. aground

4441: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, power-driven vessels less than 12 meters in length may, instead of the underway lights for vessels under 50 meters, show which lights?

    N a. Sidelights and stern light
    Y b. One all-round white light and sidelights
    N c. Masthead light only
    N d. Stern light only

4486: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?

    Y a. One black ball
    N b. Two black balls
    N c. Three black balls
    N d. No signal

4514: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading __________.

    N a. northwest (315°)
    N b. north (000°)
    N c. southeast (135°)
    Y d. southwest (225°)

4546: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may use the danger signal?

    N a. The vessel to starboard when two power-driven vessels are crossing
    N b. A vessel engaged in fishing, crossing the course of a sailing vessel
    N c. Either of two power-driven vessels meeting head-on
    Y d. All of the above

4561: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is aground in fog. In addition to the regular anchor signals, you will be sounding __________.

    N a. three strokes of the gong before and after the rapid ringing of the gong
    N b. a blast on the whistle
    Y c. three strokes of the bell before and after the rapid ringing of the bell
    N d. no additional signals

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

4647: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night a vessel displaying the lights shown is __________. (DIAGRAM 65 )

    N a. fishing
    Y b. anchored
    N c. being towed
    N d. drifting

4820: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are about to cross a narrow channel when you see an approaching vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. You should __________.

    N a. cross the channel as you are the stand-on vessel
    N b. cross only if the vessel in the channel is approaching on your port side
    Y c. not cross the channel if you might impede the other vessel
    N d. sound the danger signal

4847: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The rules require which factor to be taken into account when determining safe speed?

    N a. The construction of the vessel
    N b. The experience of the vessel's crew
    Y c. The location of vessels detected by radar
    N d. All of the above

4850: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist __________.

    N a. whenever two vessels are on opposite courses
    N b. whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
    Y c. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
    N d. if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking

4856: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When in sight of another vessel and there is sufficient sea room, any action taken to avoid collision must __________.

    N a. be accompanied by sound signals
    Y b. not result in another close quarters situation
    N c. include a speed change
    N d. All of the above

4858: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, you should if safe and practicable __________.

    N a. stay near the middle of the channel
    N b. keep to the starboard side of any vessels you meet
    N c. exchange whistle signals with any other vessels in the channel
    Y d. keep to the side of the channel which lies to your starboard

4871: BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Your vessel is obligated to stay out of the way.
    N b. The other vessel must give way, since your vessel is stopped.
    N c. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command.
    N d. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.