200-Ton Master Rules of the Road Practice Questions

Sample questions — Rules of the Road

Drawn from the same bank used on USCG licensing exams. Correct answers and explanations are shown — read every explanation, even for questions you get right.

1. 1. 72 COLREGS apply to vessels upon which waters?

   • A.All vessels on the high seas and connected navigable waters✓
   • B.Only vessels on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles
   • C.Only vessels in international waters beyond 3 nautical miles
   • D.All vessels on the high seas and in U.S. inland waters

   Why: Rule 1(a) states the rules apply on the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels. This broad application covers coastal, port, and offshore waters unless a nation has established special inland rules for specific waters.

2. 2. Under Rule 9, a vessel proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway shall:

   • A.Keep to the center of the channel at all times
   • B.Keep as near to the outer limit of the channel on her starboard side as is safe and practicable✓
   • C.Give way to all vessels overtaking from astern
   • D.Sound one short blast to signal her intention to maintain course

   Why: Rule 9(a) requires vessels in a narrow channel to keep to the starboard side of the channel — not the center. This mirrors the road rule and ensures predictable traffic flow, reducing the risk of head-on encounters in confined waterways.

3. 3. Rule 15 adds that, where possible, the give-way vessel in a crossing situation shall avoid:

   • A.Reducing speed, which could confuse the stand-on vessel
   • B.Crossing ahead of the other vessel✓
   • C.Altering course to starboard when the other vessel is on her starboard side
   • D.Sounding any signal that could be misinterpreted

   Why: Rule 15 states that the give-way vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Passing astern is the preferred maneuver; crossing ahead risks collision if the give-way vessel underestimates the closing speed or the stand-on vessel maintains speed.

4. 4. Under Rule 9(f), a vessel approaching a bend or an area of a channel where other vessels may be obscured shall:

   • A.Stop engines and navigate with extreme caution
   • B.Sound five short blasts to alert approaching traffic
   • C.Navigate with particular alertness and caution and sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e)✓
   • D.Reduce to bare steerageway and post a bow lookout

   Why: Rule 9(f) requires particular alertness and caution when approaching a channel bend with obscured visibility, and requires sounding the signal prescribed in Rule 34(e) — one prolonged blast. Rule 34(e) prescribes the signal and Rule 9(f) mandates its use at bends. Five short blasts is the danger/doubt signal, not the bend signal.

5. 5. A sailing vessel underway at night shall show:

   • A.A tricolor light at the masthead only
   • B.Sidelights, a sternlight, and a white masthead light
   • C.Sidelights and a sternlight only✓
   • D.Sidelights, a sternlight, and two all-round lights (red over green) at the masthead

   Why: Rule 25(a) requires a sailing vessel underway to show sidelights and a sternlight only, so C is the mandatory minimum. The optional two all-round lights (red over green) at the masthead are authorized by Rule 25(c) — not 25(b), which is the combined tricolor lantern for vessels under 20m — and a white masthead light would falsely indicate a power-driven vessel.

6. 6. By day, a vessel not under command shall display:

   • A.A black cylinder
   • B.Ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line
   • C.A single black cone, apex up
   • D.Two black balls in a vertical line✓

   Why: Rule 27(a)(ii) requires a NUC vessel to show two black balls in a vertical line by day — the daytime equivalent of the two all-round red lights. Two balls means 'helpless'; three balls means 'at anchor.'

7. 7. Under Rule 20, which statement regarding the use of prescribed lights and shapes is CORRECT?

   • A.Shapes need only be displayed from sunrise to sunset✓
   • B.Lights may never be shown during daylight hours
   • C.Shapes shall be exhibited from sunrise to sunset and may be shown at night if necessary
   • D.Lights shall be shown at all times, including daylight hours

   Why: Rule 20(d) specifies that shapes shall be exhibited during daylight (sunrise to sunset). Rule 20(b) covers lights from sunset to sunrise and during restricted visibility. The two regimes are complementary: lights for darkness/poor visibility, shapes for daylight.

8. 8. You hear one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts in fog. What type of vessel is most likely producing this signal?

   • A.A vessel at anchor
   • B.A vessel being towed, or the last vessel in a tow if manned✓
   • C.A pilot vessel on duty
   • D.A power-driven vessel making way

   Why: Rule 35(d) assigns one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts to the vessel being towed, or if more than one vessel is being towed, the last vessel in the tow if manned. This allows other vessels to determine the length of the tow ahead. It is sounded after the towing vessel's signal if practicable.

9. 9. Which of the following is listed as a recognized distress signal in Annex IV of the COLREGS?

   • A.Orange smoke floating on the water✓
   • B.A green flare fired aloft
   • C.A single white flare
   • D.A blue strobe light

   Why: The keyed answer is correct: 'a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke' is a recognized distress signal under COLREGS Annex IV, paragraph 1(j) (not 1(k); paragraph 1(k) is slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side). The distractors are not Annex IV distress signals: Annex IV pyrotechnic distress signals are red (red rockets/parachute flares and red stars), so a green flare and a single white flare do not qualify, and a blue strobe/light is associated with law-enforcement and government vessels rather than distress.

10. 10. A vessel transiting from the open ocean across the COLREGS Demarcation Line into a harbor must:

    • A.Switch from 72 COLREGS to U.S. Inland Rules at the demarcation line✓
    • B.Continue using 72 COLREGS until anchored
    • C.Apply Great Lakes Rules inside the harbor
    • D.Request a waiver from the Coast Guard before switching rules

    Why: The moment a vessel crosses the COLREGS Demarcation Line from seaward to the harbor side, 72 COLREGS no longer apply and the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules govern. No waiver or notification is required.

11. 11. What is the characteristics of the 'special flashing light' under Inland Rule 24(i)?

    • A.A yellow light flashing at 50 to 70 flashes per minute✓
    • B.A white light flashing at 120 flashes per minute
    • C.An amber light occulting once every 4 seconds
    • D.A yellow light flashing at 2 flashes every 5 seconds

    Why: The special flashing light prescribed under Inland Rule 24(i) is a yellow light flashing at 50 to 70 flashes per minute, fitted as far forward as practicable on the pushed vessel. It has no equivalent under 72 COLREGS.

12. 12. Distress signals under the Inland Rules are listed in Annex IV. Compared to 72 COLREGS Annex IV, the Inland list:

    • A.Adds the high-intensity white light signal not found in COLREGS
    • B.Omits the SOS Morse code signal
    • C.Adds a continuous sounding of any fog signaling apparatus
    • D.Is essentially the same as COLREGS Annex IV✓

    Why: The distress signal lists in Inland Annex IV and 72 COLREGS Annex IV are substantially the same. Both include parachute flares, smoke signals, SOS by any means, Mayday by radio, flames, and the continuous sounding of fog apparatus, among others.

13. 13. Rule 2(b) of the COLREGS states that in construing and complying with the rules, due regard shall be had to:

    • A.All dangers of navigation and collision and any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved✓
    • B.The size and speed of each vessel involved in a potential collision situation
    • C.The flag state regulations of each vessel and local port authority requirements
    • D.Weather conditions only, as all other factors are covered by other rules

    Why: Rule 2(b) is the 'general prudential rule,' requiring mariners to consider all dangers of navigation and collision and any special circumstances, including vessel limitations, that may make departure from the rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

14. 14. Under the 2001 amendments to COLREGS, a Wing-In-Ground (WIG) craft is defined as:

    • A.A multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action✓
    • B.A hovercraft that rides on a cushion of air generated by lift fans
    • C.A high-speed ferry that uses underwater foils to lift the hull clear of the water
    • D.An aircraft with retractable floats that can operate both on water and in the air

    Why: Rule 3(m), added by the 2001 amendment, defines WIG craft as a multimodal craft that in its main operational mode flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action — distinguishing it from hovercraft and hydrofoils.

15. 15. You observe a vessel on your radar at a constant bearing with decreasing range. Under Rule 7, you should:

    • A.Deem that risk of collision exists and take appropriate action✓
    • B.Wait until the vessel is within half a mile before acting
    • C.Sound one prolonged blast to alert the other vessel
    • D.Maintain course and speed since the burdened vessel must give way

    Why: A constant compass bearing with decreasing range is the classic CBDR case, and Rule 7(d)(i) provides that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change. Rule 7(a) reinforces this by requiring that if there is any doubt, risk shall be deemed to exist, so the prudent action is to assume risk exists and take early, appropriate action.

16. 16. The officer of the watch on a vessel at sea decides that the helmsman can also serve as the sole lookout in clear weather. Under Rule 5, this arrangement is:

    • A.Potentially acceptable in certain circumstances but requires careful assessment of conditions✓
    • B.Always acceptable as long as radar is operational
    • C.Never acceptable under any circumstances at sea
    • D.Acceptable only in waters where a vessel traffic service is operating

    Why: While Rule 5 requires a proper lookout at all times, the IMO has acknowledged in guidance that in certain circumstances, such as clear conditions with good visibility, the helmsman may serve as the lookout. However, this requires careful assessment and the OOW must remain vigilant. The standard is full situational awareness, not a rigid crew count.

17. 17. In restricted visibility, a vessel at anchor that wishes to warn an approaching vessel of her position may optionally sound which signal?

    • A.Two prolonged blasts
    • B.Five short blasts
    • C.One short, one prolonged, and one short blast✓
    • D.One prolonged blast

    Why: Rule 35(g) permits a vessel at anchor to additionally sound one short, one prolonged, and one short blast to warn approaching vessels of her position, in addition to the mandatory bell-ringing signal.

18. 18. A power-driven vessel towing astern where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit how many masthead lights forward?

    • A.Three masthead lights in a vertical line✓
    • B.Two masthead lights in a vertical line
    • C.One masthead light
    • D.Two masthead lights arranged horizontally

    Why: Rule 24(a)(i) specifies that when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, the towing vessel must exhibit three masthead lights in a vertical line forward, distinguishing it from vessels with tows of 200 meters or less which show only two masthead lights.

19. 19. A vessel not under command that is making way through the water at night shall exhibit which lights?

    • A.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line, sidelights, and a stern light✓
    • B.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line only
    • C.Two all-round red lights, masthead lights, and sidelights
    • D.Three all-round red lights in a vertical line

    Why: Rule 27(b) requires a NUC vessel making way to exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line plus sidelights and a stern light, while a NUC vessel not making way shows only the two red lights without sidelights or stern light.

20. 20. A vessel at anchor in restricted visibility must sound which signal at intervals of not more than one minute?

    • A.One prolonged blast
    • B.Rapid ringing of the bell for about five seconds✓
    • C.Three strokes on the bell before and after rapid ringing
    • D.Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast

    Why: Rule 35(g) requires a vessel at anchor to ring a bell rapidly for about five seconds at intervals of not more than one minute. The bell is rung in the fore part of the vessel to indicate anchored position.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rules of the Road on the 200-Ton Master exam?

Yes — Rules of the Road is one of the tested modules on the 200-Ton Master licensing exam. Candidates must score 90% on Rules of the Road (the only 90% module) to pass.

How many Rules of the Road questions are on the 200-Ton Master exam?

The USCG draws from a bank of 322 Rules of the Road questions across all exams. The exact number on any single sitting varies, but Rules of the Road is typically the largest module and has the highest passing threshold (90%).

What is the best way to study Rules of the Road for the 200-Ton Master exam?

Work through the practice questions in this bank until you can answer them consistently above the passing threshold. Review every explanation — understanding why the wrong answers are wrong matters more than memorizing facts. Start with the steering and sailing rules (crossing, overtaking, head-on), then work through lights and signals.