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.


95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114°W and one on 119°W is __________.


138: The path that a vessel is expected to follow, represented on a chart by a line drawn from the point of departure to the point of arrival, is the __________.


270: You are entering port and have been instructed to anchor, as your berth is not yet available. You are on a SW'ly heading, preparing to drop anchor, when you observe the range lights as shown on your starboard beam. You should __________. (D047NG )


277: Your vessel goes aground in soft mud. You would have the best chance of refloating it on the next tide if it grounded at __________.

    N a. low water neap
    Y b. low water spring
    N c. high water neap
    N d. high water spring

310: Which sextant shown has an index error of 3'30" off the arc? (D050NG )

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

333: Loran-C stations transmit groups of pulses at specific times. The time interval between transmissions from the master station is the __________.

    N a. coding delay
    Y b. group repetition interval
    N c. pulse interval
    N d. phase code

405: At upper transit, if the zenith distance is 34°, the geographical distance from the observer to a body's GP is __________.

    N a. 510 miles
    N b. 1220 miles
    Y c. 2040 miles
    N d. 2260 miles

542: The only cylindrical chart projection widely used for navigation is the __________.

    N a. Lambert conformal
    Y b. Mercator
    N c. azimuthal
    N d. gnomonic

683: A radar contact will remain stationary on a relative motion radar display only when it is __________.

    N a. on the same course as your vessel
    N b. at the same speed as your vessel
    Y c. on the same course and speed as your vessel
    N d. on a reciprocal course at the same speed as your vessel

704: What is TRUE of the history display of a target's past positions on an ARPA?

    N a. It provides a graphic display to emphasize which vessel is on a collision course.
    Y b. In the true presentation, it provides a quick visual check to determine if a vessel has changed course.
    N c. The display is one of the primary inputs and must be in use when using the trial maneuver capability.
    N d. It provides a graphic display of a target vessel's relative course, speed, and CPA.

732: What publication has information on the climate, distances, navigation regulations, outstanding landmarks, channels and anchorages of Long Island Sound?

    N a. Light List
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Pilot Chart

780: Apparent wind speed blowing across your vessel while underway can be measured by a(n) __________.

    N a. barometer
    N b. wind vane
    Y c. anemometer
    N d. thermometer

811: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a green spar buoy with a triangular topmark would indicate that the buoy __________.

    Y a. should be left to port when heading out to sea
    N b. may be left close aboard on either side
    N c. is on the north side of a point of interest
    N d. is marking the preferred channel

864: Uniform, grayish-white cloud sheets that cover large portions of the sky, and are responsible for a large percentage of the precipitation in the temperate latitudes, are called __________.

    Y a. altostratus
    N b. altocumulus
    N c. cirrostratus
    N d. cirrocumulus

865: The radius of a circle of equal altitude of a body is equal to the __________.

    Y a. coaltitude of the body
    N b. altitude of the body
    N c. codeclination of the body
    N d. polar distance

877: Cold water flowing southward through the western part of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia is joined by water circulating counterclockwise in the Bering Sea to form the __________.

    N a. Alaska Current
    N b. Subarctic Current
    N c. Kuroshio Current
    Y d. Oyashio Current

878: At 0600 ZT on 31 January, your position is LAT 00°49'S, LONG 84°27'E. You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. How should you encode the first three groups after the call sign if you estimate the wind? (D041NG )

    N a. 30243, 90008, 30848
    N b. 31003, 99049, 38427
    Y c. 31003, 99008, 30844
    N d. 31063, 99049, 58427

926: When a low pressure area is approaching, the weather generally __________.

    N a. improves
    Y b. worsens
    N c. remains the same
    N d. is unpredictable

969: The population of northern right whales, an endangered species, numbers approximately __________.

    Y a. 300
    N b. 5000
    N c. 100,000
    N d. 1,000,000

976: The atmosphere in the vicinity of a high pressure area is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. anticyclone
    N b. cold front
    N c. occluded front
    N d. cyclone

986: A warm air mass is characterized by __________.

    Y a. stability
    N b. instability
    N c. gusty winds
    N d. good visibility

1002: What publication contains information about the port facilities in Cadiz, Spain?

    Y a. World Port Index
    N b. United States Coast Pilot
    N c. Nautical Index
    N d. Sailing Directions

1015: Which statement about the time diagram shown is correct? (D005NG )

    N a. The Greenwich hour angle of the Sun is greater than 180°.
    N b. The meridian angle of the Sun is labeled west.
    N c. The date of Greenwich is the day after the date for observer at M.
    Y d. The Sun has already passed the lower branch of the observer's meridian.

1029: Which would be the subject of a NAVAREA warning?

    N a. A drifting buoy sighted in mid-ocean
    N b. Extinguishment of Wolf Trap Light located inside Chesapeake Bay
    N c. All military exercises on the high seas involving four or more vessels
    Y d. Off-air times of radio beacons when scheduled for routine maintenance

1038: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. The dry bulb thermometer reads 54°F, and the wet bulb thermometer reads 50°F. How would you encode the air temperature groups in the report? (D041NG )

    N a. 1054/, 2050/
    Y b. 10122, 2008/
    N c. 1054/, 2047/
    N d. 054//, 047//

1089: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5.5 knots on course 033°T, and bears 248°T at 64 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    Y a. 262°
    N b. 269°
    N c. 276°
    N d. 281°

1283: The error in a magnetic compass caused by the vessel's magnetism is called __________.

    N a. variation
    Y b. deviation
    N c. compass error
    N d. bearing error

1339: You are on course 303°T. To check the speed of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    N a. 000°
    N b. 090°
    Y c. 123°
    N d. 213°

1380: Which type of weather could you expect soon after seeing "hook" or "comma" shaped cirrus clouds?

    Y a. Rain with the approach of a warm front
    N b. Clearing with the approach of a cold front
    N c. Continuing fog and rain
    N d. The formation of a tropical depression

1393: The directive force of a gyrocompass __________.

    N a. increases with latitude, being maximum at the geographic poles
    Y b. decreases with latitude, being maximum at the geographic equator
    N c. is greatest when a vessel is near the Earth's magnetic equator
    N d. remains the same at all latitudes

1401: The maximum distance at which a light may be seen under existing visibility conditions is called __________.

    N a. nominal range
    Y b. luminous range
    N c. charted range
    N d. geographic range

1402: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    N a. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N b. also turns to starboard
    N c. turns counterclockwise to port
    Y d. remains aligned with compass north

1406: What will act to dissipate fog?

    N a. Upwelling cold water
    N b. Advection of warm air over a colder surface
    N c. Rain that is warmer than air
    Y d. Downslope motion of an air mass along a coast

1414: You are planning a voyage from New York to Norway via the English Channel. Which publication contains information on the dangers to navigation in the English Channel?

    N a. Channel Pilot's Guide
    N b. World Port Index
    N c. Coast Pilot
    Y d. Sailing Directions (Enroute)

1426: Fog is most commonly associated with a(n) __________.

    Y a. warm front at night
    N b. low pressure area
    N c. anticyclone
    N d. cold front in the spring

1448: Spring tides occur when the __________.

    N a. Moon is in its first quarter or third quarter phase
    N b. Sun and Moon are in quadrature
    N c. Moon's declination is maximum and opposite to that of the Sun
    Y d. Moon is new or full

1514: The compass error of a magnetic compass that has no deviation is __________.

    N a. zero
    Y b. equal to variation
    N c. eliminated by adjusting the compass
    N d. constant at any geographical location

1522: The pressure-sensitive element of an aneroid barometer is called a __________.

    N a. pressure bellows
    Y b. sylphon cell
    N c. column of mercury
    N d. constant pressure capsule

1550: Cirrus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    Y a. 1
    N b. 4
    N c. 5
    N d. 7

1606: Aids to navigation marking the intracoastal waterway can be identified by __________.

    N a. the letters ICW after the aid's number or letter
    Y b. yellow stripes, squares, or triangles marked on them
    N c. white retroreflective material
    N d. the light characteristic and color for lighted aids

1641: The low, dark, sheet-like cloud which is associated with continuous precipitation for many hours is a __________.

    N a. cirrus cloud
    N b. cumulus cloud
    N c. cumulonimbus cloud
    Y d. nimbostratus cloud

1703: In the Northern Hemisphere, when the wind at your location is northerly, the low pressure center causing the wind is located to your __________.

    N a. NNW
    N b. WSW
    Y c. ESE
    N d. SSW

1734: The eye of the hurricane has __________.

    N a. very high barometric pressure
    N b. average barometric pressure
    Y c. the lowest barometric pressure
    N d. no change in barometric pressure

1766: You are approaching a lock and see a flashing amber light located on the lock wall. You should __________.

    N a. stand clear of the lock entrance
    Y b. approach the lock under full control
    N c. enter the lock as quickly as possible
    N d. hang off your tow on the lock wall

1779: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 14 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at which approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 7.5 miles
    Y b. 11.2 miles
    N c. 14.0 miles
    N d. 18.1 miles

1808: A white buoy with an open-faced orange diamond on it indicates __________.

    Y a. danger
    N b. vessels are excluded from the area
    N c. the buoy is a mooring buoy
    N d. operating restrictions are in effect

1836: At evening stars, the first stars that should be observed are those with an azimuth in what quadrant?

    N a. Southern
    N b. Western
    N c. Northern
    Y d. Eastern

1944: In the horizon system of coordinates what is the equivalent to the celestial equator of the celestial equator system?

    Y a. Horizon
    N b. Prime vertical circle
    N c. Prime meridian
    N d. Principal vertical circle

1974: Ocean currents are well defined and __________.

    N a. create large waves in the direction of the current
    N b. change direction 360° during a 24 hour period
    Y c. remain fairly constant in direction and velocity throughout the year
    N d. are characterized by a light green color

2269: One of the factors which affects the circulation of ocean currents is __________.

    N a. humidity
    Y b. varying densities of water
    N c. vessel traffic
    N d. the jet stream

2324: Deneb is found in what constellation?

    Y a. Cygnus
    N b. Pegasus
    N c. Ursa Major
    N d. Andromeda

2498: The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers for lights on __________.

    Y a. the right descending bank
    N b. the left descending bank
    N c. preferred channel buoys
    N d. daymarks with no lateral significance

2695: 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 current should be ignored.
    Y c. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.
    N d. The set should be applied to the second bearing.

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

2772: The direction in which a vessel should be steered between two points is the __________.

    Y a. course
    N b. heading
    N c. bearing
    N d. course over the ground

2774: Your radar is set on a true motion display. Which of the following will NOT appear to move across the PPI scope?

    Y a. Echoes from a buoy
    N b. Own ship's marker
    N c. Echo from a ship on the same course at the same speed
    N d. Echo from a ship on a reciprocal course at the same speed

2899: You take a bearing of 043° and 169° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best fix?

    N a. 356°
    N b. 073°
    N c. 192°
    Y d. 309°

3083: Which theoretical minimum number of measurements from satellites does a GPS receiver need in order to provide an exact three-dimensional position?

    N a. Five
    Y b. Four
    N c. Three
    N d. Two

3086: Which data must ECDIS be able to record at one-minute intervals?

    Y a. Course made good history
    N b. Estimated time of arrival
    N c. Speed through the water
    N d. Shaft RPM

3117: 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. IMO number
    N c. Type of vessel
    N d. Vessel's maximum displacement