100+ Free USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Exam

RVR04

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

Q396 Deck Gen/Safety Items

NMC RVR04 module list

90%

Rules & Chart Plot Pass

USCG Deck Guide / module standards

70%

Deck/Nav Module Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

$95

Exam Fee (Lower Level)

46 CFR 10.219

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

RVR04 Master or Mate Rivers less than 200 GRT is modular. Core modules include Inland Rules (50 at 90%), Deck General and Safety (70 at 70%), Navigation General Rivers (50 at 70%), and Chart Plot (10 at 90%), with Q400 for additional/raise paths. Lower-level original fees are about $100+$95+$45 under 46 CFR 10.219. Service follows 46 CFR 11.459(b) (same as corresponding GLI tonnage; Great Lakes service not required). This free bank is an English MCQ study aid focused on the assessable knowledge of the RVR04 path.

Sample USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1As defined in the Inland Navigation Rules, the term 'Western Rivers' covers:

A.The Mississippi River and its tributaries out to the navigational demarcation lines, together with the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route and specified parts of the Atchafalaya and Old Rivers

B.Every river in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains

C.Any waterway on which towboats operate, regardless of location

D.The Great Lakes connecting channels only

Explanation: The Rules define Western Rivers by naming specific waters—the Mississippi and its tributaries out to the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from inland waters, plus the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route and the specified reaches of the Atchafalaya and Old Rivers. The definition matters because several Inland Rules, including the downbound right-of-way in Rule 9(a)(ii) and the crossing rule in Rule 15(b), apply only on Western Rivers, the Great Lakes, and waters specified by the Secretary.

2Under Inland Rule 9(e), when a power-driven vessel intends to overtake another in a narrow channel and the vessel ahead agrees, the vessel being overtaken:

A.Sounds the same signal the overtaking vessel gave and may take steps to permit safe passing

B.Sounds one prolonged blast and holds her speed

C.Must sound the doubt signal in every case before agreeing

D.Is required to stop her engines until the other vessel is past

Explanation: Inland Rule 9(e) (33 CFR 83.09(e)) has the overtaking vessel signal her intention under Rule 34(c) and the vessel being overtaken, if in agreement, sound the same signal, taking steps to permit safe passing if specifically agreed. If she is in doubt she sounds the Rule 34(d) doubt signal instead. The rule expressly does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her Rule 13 duty to keep out of the way.

3A sternlight is a white light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of:

A.135 degrees, fixed to show 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side

B.112.5 degrees, matching the arc of a sidelight

C.225 degrees, matching the arc of a masthead light

D.360 degrees, like an all-round light

Explanation: Rule 21 defines a sternlight as a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern, showing an unbroken light over 135 degrees—67.5 degrees on each side of dead astern. The 135-degree sternlight arc plus the two 112.5-degree sidelight arcs make up the full circle, which is why a sidelight and the sternlight can never be seen at the same time.

4In restricted visibility, a pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty may sound an identity signal consisting of:

A.Four short blasts

B.Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts

C.One short, one prolonged, and one short blast

D.Five short and rapid blasts

Explanation: Rule 35(k) (33 CFR 83.35(k)) allows a pilot vessel on pilotage duty to sound an identity signal of four short blasts in addition to the signals she owes as a power-driven vessel underway or at anchor. Hearing four short blasts in fog therefore identifies a pilot boat rather than announcing a maneuver.

5Under Rule 36, signals used to attract the attention of another vessel must:

A.Not be capable of being mistaken for any authorized signal, and any light used must not embarrass another vessel

B.Always be a searchlight beam aimed at the other vessel's bridge

C.Be a rapid series of red flares fired toward the other vessel

D.Be any all-round green light, which is reserved for this purpose

Explanation: Rule 36 permits light or sound signals to attract attention provided they cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in the Rules, and any light used must be one that cannot be mistaken for an aid to navigation. The rule also warns against using high-intensity intermittent or revolving lights, and directs that a searchlight must not be used in a way that embarrasses another vessel.

6Three short blasts under the Inland Rules means:

A.I am operating astern propulsion

B.I intend to leave you on my port side

C.I am altering course to starboard

D.I require assistance

Explanation: Three short blasts mean 'I am operating astern propulsion' under Inland Rule 34—useful when backing clear of a lock approach or landing.

7A power-driven vessel underway at night shows sidelights and a sternlight. The minimum white masthead light requirement for a power-driven vessel under 50 meters is generally:

A.One masthead light forward

B.Two masthead lights in a vertical line always

C.No white light if sidelights are shown

D.A flashing yellow light only

Explanation: Power-driven vessels less than 50 m underway show one masthead light, sidelights, and a sternlight (Inland Rules Part C). Larger vessels may require a second masthead light.

8Under Inland Rule 30, a barge moored so that it reduces the available navigable width of a channel to less than 80 metres must display at night:

A.Two unobstructed all-round white lights visible for at least 1 nautical mile

B.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line

C.A single flashing yellow light at each corner

D.No lights at all, because a moored barge is not a vessel underway

Explanation: Inland Rule 30(h) and (i) (33 CFR 83.30) require certain moored barges—those projecting into a buoyed or restricted channel, reducing navigable width to less than 80 metres, moored in groups more than two barges wide or wider than 25 metres, or not moored parallel to the bank—to carry two unobstructed all-round white lights visible for at least 1 nautical mile. Barges in slips, behind pierheads, or in listed well-illuminated reaches are exempt.

9A vessel is overtaking when she is coming up with another vessel from a direction more than:

A.22.5° abaft her beam

B.45° abaft her beam

C.Dead ahead only

D.10° on either bow

Explanation: Inland Rule 13: a vessel is overtaking when coming up with another from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam—i.e., in such a position that at night she would see only the sternlight.

10The overtaking vessel under the Inland Rules shall:

A.Keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken

B.Expect the vessel ahead to always give way first

C.Cut close under the stern without signals

D.Ignore Rule 13 once within half a mile

Explanation: Rule 13 places the duty to keep out of the way on the overtaking vessel until she is finally past and clear. River traffic often involves overtaking on narrow channels—plan early.

About the USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Exam

The USCG Master or Mate of Less Than 200 GRT — Rivers examination (NMC exam code RVR04) is the national deck knowledge path for limited 200 GRT officer service on rivers under 46 CFR 11.459. Core modules include Inland Rules of the Road (Q300), combined Deck General and Safety (Q396), Navigation General Rivers (Q397), and Chart Plot (Q398), with Q400 available for additional or raise-of-grade paths and Q399 reserved for renewal open-book exercises.

Assessment

RVR04: Q300 Rules of the Road Inland (50, 90%); Q396 Deck General and Safety (70, 70%); Q397 Navigation General Rivers (50, 70%); Q398 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q400 Navigation and Deck General Safety (50, 70%) for additional/raise paths as assigned; Q399 Master/Mate LT 200 GRT Renewal Open Book Exercise (renewal only).

Time Limit

Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week

Passing Score

70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road, and 90% on any chart-plot module assigned to the path requested

Exam Fee

$95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Exam Content Outline

~25%

Rules of the Road Inland

Inland Rules with Western Rivers special provisions for 200 GRT river officers.

~35%

Deck General and Safety

Seamanship, watchkeeping, stability, firefighting, and emergencies.

~30%

Navigation General Rivers

River navigation, aids, currents, locks, and piloting.

~10%

Chart Plot

Plotting and calculation problems scored at 90%.

How to Pass the USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road, and 90% on any chart-plot module assigned to the path requested
Assessment: RVR04: Q300 Rules of the Road Inland (50, 90%); Q396 Deck General and Safety (70, 70%); Q397 Navigation General Rivers (50, 70%); Q398 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q400 Navigation and Deck General Safety (50, 70%) for additional/raise paths as assigned; Q399 Master/Mate LT 200 GRT Renewal Open Book Exercise (renewal only).
Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week
Exam fee: $95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Overprepare for Inland Rules of the Road because Q300 requires 90% to pass.

2Master Western Rivers/Inland special rules: downbound privilege, river-crossing duties, and Inland Rule 34 intention/agreement signals.

3Drill lights and shapes for power-driven vessels, towing vessels, and barges—core river traffic pictures.

4Practice lock procedures, current effects on tows, and bank/channel awareness for Navigation General Rivers.

5Drill chart-plot routines: speed-time-distance, set and drift, and compass error arithmetic until automatic under time pressure.

6Take timed sets of 50–70 questions to match REC deck and navigation module length (Q396 is 70 items).

7Review stability, damage control, firefighting, and abandon-ship procedures for deck safety content in Q396.

8Study barge and small-tow seamanship, line handling, and watchkeeping for less-than-200 GRT river operations.

9Confirm your application path is RVR04 (rivers) rather than GLI05 (Great Lakes and Inland) so you prepare the correct nav module.

10Know that Q399 is renewal open book only—do not confuse it with original-module prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG RVR04 exam?

RVR04 is modular for Master or Mate less than 200 GRT on rivers. Published modules include Rules of the Road Inland (50), Deck General and Safety (70), Navigation General Rivers (50), Chart Plot (10), and Navigation and Deck General Safety (50) when assigned for additional or raise paths. Exact totals vary by path.

What passing score do I need?

Most modules require 70%. Rules of the Road Inland (Q300) requires 90%. Chart plot (Q398) requires 90% when assigned.

How much does the exam cost?

Under 46 CFR 10.219, a typical original lower-level officer path is about $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance. Medical, drug testing, and training costs are separate. Pay via Pay.gov.

Can I take the exam remotely?

No. These deck officer modules are administered in person at U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers (RECs). There is no approved remote-testing option for these endorsements.

How do river service requirements differ from Great Lakes and Inland?

Under 46 CFR 11.459(b), Master or Mate of river self-propelled vessels (25–1,600 GRT limitations) must meet the same service requirements as the corresponding tonnage Great Lakes and inland self-propelled endorsement, but Great Lakes service is not required.

Are open-book renewal exercises the same as the original modules?

No. Q399 Master/Mate LT 200 GRT Renewal Open Book Exercise is separate from original RVR04 knowledge modules (Q300, Q396–Q398, and Q400 when assigned). This bank focuses on original-module knowledge.

What calculator can I bring?

The NMC policy letter of December 2, 2024 superseded the earlier TI-30XIIS-only rule. At a Regional Exam Center you may use a programmable calculator with memory if all programs and memory are cleared before entry and you can demonstrate clearing with the manufacturer's instructions. If the examiner cannot confirm the device is cleared, a TI-30XIIS is provided instead. Only one calculator is allowed; other electronics including smart watches are not permitted.

Is this free practice bank an official Coast Guard exam?

No. This is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation for exam prep. Official modules are administered by the Coast Guard at RECs and may include chart-plot and calculation items that this bank approximates with knowledge and calculation MCQs.

100+ Free USCG Master/Mate Rivers 200 Practice Questions

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