USCG General Navigation: 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.


272: What does the symbol shown indicate on a chart? (D033NG )


286: On the pole side of the trade wind belt, there is an area of high pressure with weak pressure gradients and light, variable winds. This area is called the __________.


427: On 23 March 1983, at Kingston Point, NY, what is the earliest time after 1700 EST (ZD +5) that the predicted tide will be +2.0 feet?


449: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5 knots on course 063°T, and bears 136°T at 78 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 340°
    N b. 295°
    N c. 158°
    Y d. 114°

468: Which of the symbols shown represents a cold front? (D018NG )

    N a. A
    Y b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

472: Which conic projection chart features straight lines which closely approximate a great circle?

    N a. Polyconic
    Y b. Lambert conformal
    N c. Orthographic
    N d. Stereographic

476: Tropical cyclones normally form within which of the following belts of latitude?

    Y a. 5° to 15°
    N b. 15° to 30°
    N c. 30° to 45°
    N d. 45° to 60°

479: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5 knots on course 063°T, and bears 136°T at 78 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    Y a. 114°
    N b. 158°
    N c. 295°
    N d. 340°

690: What level of development of a tropical cyclone has a hundred mile radius of circulation, gale force winds, less than 990 millibars of pressure and vertically formed cumulonimbus clouds?

    N a. A tropical disturbance
    N b. A tropical depression
    Y c. A tropical storm
    N d. A typhoon

697: The set of the current is the __________.

    N a. speed of the current at a particular time
    N b. maximum speed of the current
    N c. direction from which the current flows
    Y d. direction in which the current flows

726: Atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to __________.

    N a. 14.7 pounds per square inch
    N b. 29.92 inches of mercury
    N c. 1013.25 millibars
    Y d. All of the above

747: The movement of water away from the shore or downstream is called a(n) __________.

    N a. reversing current
    Y b. ebb current
    N c. flood current
    N d. slack current

761: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a safe water mark may NOT __________.

    N a. be spherical
    N b. display a white light
    N c. be lettered
    Y d. show a quick flashing light

829: You are plotting a running fix in an area where there is a determinable current. How should this current be treated in determining the position?

    N a. The drift should be added to the ship's speed.
    N b. The set should be applied to the second bearing.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    Y d. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.

851: You would expect to find channels marked with the IALA-A Buoyage System in __________.

    N a. the Philippines
    Y b. Australia
    N c. Republic of Korea
    N d. Chile

900: An orange and white buoy with a rectangle on it is a(n) __________.

    Y a. informational buoy
    N b. junction buoy
    N c. safe water buoy
    N d. All of the above

900: An orange and white buoy with a rectangle on it is a(n) __________.

    Y a. informational buoy
    N b. junction buoy
    N c. safe water buoy
    N d. All of the above

957: The Humboldt Current flows in which direction?

    Y a. North
    N b. South
    N c. East
    N d. West

961: In which country would you expect the channels to be marked with the IALA-B Buoyage System?

    Y a. Brazil
    N b. Tanzania
    N c. New Zealand
    N d. Norway

966: Most high pressure areas in the United States are accompanied by __________.

    N a. precipitation
    Y b. clear, cool weather
    N c. humid, sticky weather
    N d. cool fogs

979: Which kind of conditions would you observe as the eye of a storm passes over your vessel's position?

    Y a. Huge waves approaching from all directions, clearing skies, light winds, and an extremely low barometer
    N b. Flat calm seas, heavy rain, light winds, and an extremely low barometer
    N c. Flat calm seas, heavy rain, light winds, and high pressure
    N d. Huge waves approaching from all directions, clearing skies, light winds, and high pressure

1005: The refraction correction table given in the Nautical Almanac is based on a standard or average atmospheric density with a temperature of 50°F (10°C) and atmospheric pressure of __________.

    N a. 29.72 inches (1006 millibars)
    Y b. 29.83 inches (1010 millibars)
    N c. 29.89 inches (1012 millibars)
    N d. 29.93 inches (1014 millibars)

1047: Which is NOT a contributing cause of ocean currents?

    N a. Surface winds
    N b. Density differences in the water
    N c. Underwater topography
    Y d. Gravitational effects of celestial bodies

1176: After a cold front passes, the barometric pressure __________.

    N a. drops, and the temperature drops
    N b. drops, and the temperature rises
    Y c. rises, and the temperature drops
    N d. rises, and the temperature rises

1299: What will be the time (ZD +5) of the second high tide at Weymouth Fore River Bridge, MA, on 12 November 1983?

    N a. 1639
    N b. 1643
    N c. 1647
    Y d. 1650

1300: You are approaching a sea buoy which emits a racon signal. This signal is triggered by which type of radar?

    Y a. 3 cm
    N b. 10 cm
    N c. Both 3 cm and 10 cm
    N d. Signal does not depend on radar type.

1308: On a voyage from Cape Town to London, the favorable ocean current off the coast of Africa is the __________.

    N a. Canary Current
    Y b. Benguela Current
    N c. Agulhas Current
    N d. South Atlantic Current

1311: What is the characteristic of a quick light?

    N a. Shows groups of 2 or more flashes at regular intervals
    N b. Durations of light and darkness are equal
    Y c. Shows not less than 60 flashes per minute
    N d. Shows quick flashes for about 5 seconds followed by a 1 second dark period

1352: Weather observations provided by each weather station include all of the following except __________.

    N a. temperature
    N b. visibility
    Y c. predicted weather for the next twelve hours
    N d. barometric pressure and change in the last three hours

1482: Which statement concerning current is TRUE?

    N a. Current can be determined by measuring the direction and distance between simultaneous EP and DR positions.
    Y b. The drift of the current should be averaged out on a one hour basis.
    N c. After the current is determined, it should not be used for further plotting because it is an unknown variable.
    N d. The distance between a simultaneous DR position and fix is equal to the drift of the current.

1548: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "K" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    Y a. hurricane
    N b. thunderstorm
    N c. convergence zone
    N d. convergence line

1584: A decrease in barometric pressure is associated with all of the following except __________.

    N a. rising warm air
    N b. proximity to a low pressure area
    N c. inward spiraling circulation
    Y d. clear dry weather

1701: Which general weather conditions should you expect to find in a low pressure system?

    N a. Fair weather
    Y b. Precipitation and cloudiness
    N c. Scattered clouds at high elevations
    N d. Gradual clearing and cooler temperatures

1702: In a cyclone the lowest pressure is found in the __________.

    Y a. center
    N b. outer edge
    N c. warm front
    N d. cold front

1726: How can you estimate the position of a tropical storm's center?

    N a. With a radio weather bulletin or weather fax
    N b. using shipboard radar
    N c. observe the wind direction and apply Buys Ballot's law
    Y d. All of the above

1842: What is the major problem with taking high altitude observations?

    N a. Possible errors due to unusual refraction may exist.
    N b. The tables are not as accurate due to inherent errors in the spherical triangle at high altitudes.
    N c. Rapidly changing altitudes make it difficult to get an accurate altitude.
    Y d. It is difficult to establish the point where the sextant is vertical to the horizon.

1869: The illustration represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter B in the illustration? (D036NG )

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two green lights
    N c. Three green lights
    Y d. No light

1870: A vessel heading SW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    Y b. 225.0°
    N c. 247.5°
    N d. 270.0°

1902: Under the numbering system used by NGA (NIMA), a four digit number is used for __________.

    N a. large scale charts of infrequently navigated areas such as the polar regions
    N b. charts of rivers or canal systems such as the Ohio River or Erie Canal
    Y c. non-navigational materials, such as a chart correction template or maneuvering board
    N d. foreign charts reproduced by NGA (NIMA)

1987: An instrument useful in predicting fog is the __________.

    Y a. sling psychrometer
    N b. microbarograph
    N c. anemometer
    N d. aneroid barometer

2067: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 10 miles and is 11 feet high. If the visibility is 5 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    Y a. 6.3 miles
    N b. 7.4 miles
    N c. 8.4 miles
    N d. 9.0 miles

2243: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?

    N a. Radar station
    N b. Radar transponder beacon
    Y c. Aero light
    N d. Radio beacon

2298: The period of rotation of the Moon on its axis is __________.

    N a. about 19 years
    N b. 365 days
    Y c. about 27.3 days
    N d. 24 hours

2314: A vessel is heading magnetic east and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 086°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the blue ends of the magnets are forward you should raise the fore-and-aft tray.
    N b. If the blue ends of the magnets are aft you should lower the fore-and-aft tray.
    Y c. If the blue ends of the magnets are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the top, you should add some magnets.
    N d. If the blue ends of the magnets are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the bottom, you should reverse the magnets.

2320: The type of current which will have the greatest effect on the course made good for your vessel is __________.

    N a. one flowing in the same direction as your course steered
    N b. one flowing in the opposite direction as your course steered
    Y c. one that flows at nearly right angles to your course steered
    N d. a rotary current in which the direction of current flow constantly changes

2396: Perihelion is the point where the Sun __________.

    Y a. is nearest to the Earth
    N b. is farthest from the Earth
    N c. is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Moon
    N d. and Moon and Earth are in line

2420: You are on course 355°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 275°. What is the true bearing of the lighthouse?

    N a. 080°
    N b. 085°
    N c. 280°
    Y d. 270°

2462: Under ideal viewing conditions, the dimmest star that can be seen with the unaided eye is of what magnitude?

    N a. First
    N b. Third
    N c. Fourth
    Y d. Sixth

2574: What is the equivalent of 2°52' in time units?

    N a. 9 min. 23 sec.
    Y b. 11 min. 28 sec.
    N c. 11 min. 56 sec.
    N d. 12 min. 18 sec.

2574: What is the equivalent of 2°52' in time units?

    N a. 9 min. 23 sec.
    Y b. 11 min. 28 sec.
    N c. 11 min. 56 sec.
    N d. 12 min. 18 sec.

2750: When pushing a tow and approaching barges tied off to the shore, you should __________.

    N a. increase speed so you will pass faster
    Y b. decrease speed while passing so you won't create a suction
    N c. do nothing different as the barges should be tied off properly
    N d. move to the opposite side of the channel from the barges and increase speed

2760: You are pushing a tow ahead, at high speed, near the right hand bank of a canal. The forces affecting your towboat and tow will tend to __________.

    N a. push both the head of the tow and the stern of the towboat away from the right hand bank
    Y b. push the head of the tow away from, and pull the stern of the towboat into, the right hand bank
    N c. pull both the head of the tow and the stern of the towboat into the right hand bank
    N d. pull the head of the tow into, and push the stern of the towboat away from, the right hand bank

2780: You are pushing a tow ahead and passing close to another towboat which is pushing ahead in the same direction (you are overtaking). After the towheads pass close alongside __________.

    N a. you will gain speed
    N b. both boats will gain speed
    N c. the tows will tend to drift apart
    Y d. the tows will tend to drift together

2830: The proper way to approach a downstream lock where there is an outdraft is to be __________.

    N a. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times
    N b. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times
    Y c. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times
    N d. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times

2850: What is used to help prevent damage to barges, locks, and landings when you are locking or landing a tow?

    N a. Dock cushions
    N b. Springers
    N c. Landing bars
    Y d. Bumpers (fenders)

2959: Vessels required to have an Automatic Radar Plotting Aid must have a device to indicate the __________.

    N a. time of the next navigational satellite
    N b. distance to the next port
    Y c. speed of the vessel over the ground or through the water
    N d. None of the above

2966: You take a bearing of 264° of a lighthouse. Which bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 291°
    N b. 059°
    Y c. 182°
    N d. 239°

2972: You are in a channel inbound from sea. A daymark used to mark a channel junction when the preferred channel is to starboard will have the shape indicated by what letter in illustration D045NG?

    Y a. A
    N b. B
    N c. C
    N d. D

3115: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is required to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?

    Y a. Time stamp
    N b. Destination
    N c. Location of antenna
    N d. None of the above

3115: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is required to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?

    Y a. Time stamp
    N b. Destination
    N c. Location of antenna
    N d. None of the above