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.


6: Wind velocity varies __________.


48: When should a navigator rely on the position of floating aids to navigation?


68: A position obtained by taking lines of position from one object at different times and advancing them to a common time is a(n) __________.


75: The zone time of LAN is 1152. Your longitude is 73°15'E. What time would you use to enter the Nautical Almanac to determine the declination of the Sun at LAN?

    Y a. 0659
    N b. 0652
    N c. 1859
    N d. 1852

100: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 080°T, 100 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265°T at 22 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?

    N a. 219°
    Y b. 208°
    N c. 199°
    N d. 190°

139: What is the geographic longitude of a body whose GHA is 215°15'?

    N a. 35°15'W
    N b. 35°15'E
    Y c. 144°45'E
    N d. 144°45'W

146: What change in the wind direction could be expected at position "D" if the low were moving northeasterly? (D049NG )

    Y a. Veering to the west
    N b. Backing to the north
    N c. Veering to the north
    N d. Backing to the east

208: The moon is full and at perigee on 20 January 1983. What is the maximum current you could expect at 2350 (ZD +5) at Nantucket Shoals?

    N a. 0.5 knot
    N b. 0.7 knot
    N c. 0.8 knot
    Y d. 1.0 knot

216: The prevailing winds in the band of latitude from approximately 5°N to 30°N are the __________.

    N a. prevailing westerlies
    Y b. northeast trade winds
    N c. southeast trade winds
    N d. doldrums

271: Your vessel is leaving New York harbor in dense fog. As the vessel slowly proceeds toward sea, you sight a green can buoy on the starboard bow. Which action should you take?

    N a. Turn hard right to get back into the channel.
    N b. Pass the buoy close to, leaving it to your port.
    N c. Stop and fix your position.
    Y d. Stand on, leaving the buoy to your starboard.

357: On 10 August 1983 you will dock near Days Point, Weehawken, on the Hudson River, at 1800 DST (ZD +4). The charted depth alongside the pier is 24 feet (7.3 meters). What will be the depth of water when you dock?

    N a. 23.5 feet (7.1 m)
    Y b. 23.9 feet (7.2 m)
    N c. 24.9 feet (7.5 m)
    N d. 26.3 feet (8.0 m)

441: A yellow buoy may exhibit a(n) __________.

    N a. fixed red light
    Y b. flashing light
    N c. white light
    N d. occulting light

471: Yellow lights may appear on __________.

    Y a. special purpose buoys
    N b. vertically-striped buoys
    N c. horizontally-banded buoys
    N d. spherical buoys

551: Spoil grounds, anchorage areas, cable areas, and military exercise areas are all marked by yellow buoys. Which special mark on the buoy will indicate the specific area you are in?

    N a. A topmark triangular in shape
    N b. A topmark spherical in shape
    Y c. Lettering on the buoy
    N d. A topmark consisting of two cones with the points up

587: Your vessel has a draft of 34 feet. On 8 October 1983 you wish to pass over an obstruction near Jaffrey Point, NH, that has a charted depth of 31 feet. Allowing for a safety margin of 3 feet, what is the earliest time after 0900 DST (ZD +4) that this passage can be made?

    N a. 0920
    Y b. 1029
    N c. 1120
    N d. 1159

657: Current refers to the __________.

    N a. vertical movement of the water
    Y b. horizontal movement of the water
    N c. density changes in the water
    N d. None of the above

665: 17 degrees of latitude is equal to __________.

    N a. 68 miles
    N b. 510 miles
    Y c. 1020 miles
    N d. 4080 miles

706: A steep barometric gradient indicates __________.

    N a. calms
    N b. light winds
    Y c. strong winds
    N d. precipitation

791: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, the topmark of a red and white vertically-striped buoy shall be __________.

    N a. X-shaped
    N b. two black spheres
    Y c. a single red sphere
    N d. a single red cone

907: In which month will the equatorial counter current be strongest?

    N a. January
    N b. April
    Y c. August
    N d. October

937: The north equatorial current flows to the __________.

    N a. east
    N b. northeast
    N c. southwest
    Y d. west

956: Good weather is usually associated with a region of __________.

    N a. low barometric pressure
    Y b. high barometric pressure
    N c. falling barometric pressure
    N d. pumping barometric pressure

1032: What is the approximate geographic range of Point Judith Light, Rhode Island, if your height of eye is 62 feet (18.9 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 9.6 nm
    N b. 16.5 nm
    Y c. 18.6 nm
    N d. 20.7 nm

1051: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a cardinal mark may NOT be used to __________.

    N a. indicate that the deepest water in an area is on the named side of the mark
    N b. indicate the safe side on which to pass a danger
    N c. draw attention to a feature in the channel such as a bend, junction, bifurcation, or end of a shoal
    Y d. indicate the port and starboard sides of well-defined channels

1057: One of the causes of ocean currents is density differences in the water. This is true because __________.

    N a. in an area of high density the water's surface is lower than in an area of low density
    Y b. surface water flows from an area of high density to one of low density
    N c. the lesser the density gradient the freer the water is to move
    N d. it is the density differences that cause the currents to stay in the troughs

1122: A barometer showing falling pressure indicates the approach of a __________.

    N a. high pressure system
    Y b. low pressure system
    N c. high dew point
    N d. low dew point

1137: When the declination of the Moon is 0°12.5'S, you can expect some tidal currents in Gulf Coast ports to __________.

    Y a. become weak and variable
    N b. exceed the predicted velocities
    N c. become reversing currents
    N d. have either a double ebb or a double flood

1203: If the compass heading and the magnetic heading are the same then __________.

    N a. the deviation has been offset by the variation
    N b. there is something wrong with the compass
    N c. the compass is being influenced by nearby metals
    Y d. there is no deviation on that heading

1268: On a nautical chart, the inner ring of a compass rose indicates __________.

    N a. true directions
    N b. compass error
    N c. deviation
    Y d. magnetic directions

1345: A large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have replaced some lightships, would be shown on a chart by which symbol in illustration D015NG?

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

1386: The FIRST indications a mariner will have of the approach of a warm front will be __________.

    N a. large cumulonimbus clouds building up
    N b. low dark clouds with intermittent rain
    N c. fog caused by the warm air passing over the cooler water
    Y d. high clouds gradually followed by lower thicker clouds

1398: Nimbostratus clouds are indicated by what number in illustration D039NG? (D039NG )

    Y a. 8
    N b. 6
    N c. 4
    N d. 1

1463: If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

    Y a. The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N b. The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true
    N c. The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N d. The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

1474: You are on course 061°T. To check the longitude of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    Y a. 090°
    N b. 180°
    N c. 241°
    N d. 061°

1475: Which type of cloud is the classic "thunderhead"?

    Y a. Cumulonimbus
    N b. Stratus
    N c. Cirrus
    N d. Altostratus

1519: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Your position is LAT 10°38'S, LONG 00°14'E. How would this be encoded? (D041NG )

    N a. LAT 10.6°S, LONG 00.2°E
    N b. L106S, 30002
    N c. 10385, 0014E
    Y d. 99106, 30002

1571: Which sextant in illustration D043NG reads 29°42.7'? (D043NG )

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

1620: You are at anchor in the anchorage at the entrance to Delaware Bay. If you weigh anchor at 1445 DST (ZD +4) on 24 July 1983 and proceed northbound enroute to Philadelphia at a speed of 10 knots, you will have __________.

    N a. a flood current the entire trip
    N b. a flood current from Ship John Shoal Lt. to Philadelphia
    N c. an ebb current north of New Castle, DE
    Y d. a weak flood between Reedy Island and Edgemoor

1675: 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 )

    N a. NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line
    Y b. ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the range while at anchor
    N c. drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area free of obstructions
    N d. drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of the range lights will always be an indication of dragging anchor

1698: When a high pressure system is centered north of your vessel in the Northern Hemisphere __________.

    N a. you should experience hot, moist, clear weather
    Y b. the wind direction is generally easterly
    N c. the winds should be from the southwest at your location
    N d. the winds should be brisk

1704: If the center of low pressure is due west of you in the Northern Hemisphere, which wind direction should you expect?

    N a. South to west
    Y b. South to east
    N c. West to north
    N d. North to east

1956: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 6 flashes, followed by one long flash at 15 second intervals. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to this buoy? (D030NG )

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

2062: 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 F in the illustration? (D038NG )

    Y a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. Two green lights
    N d. Three green lights

2080: You are on course 030°T. The relative bearing of a lighthouse is 45°. What is the true bearing?

    N a. 015°
    Y b. 075°
    N c. 255°
    N d. 345°

2100: You are underway in a vessel with a draft of 7.0 feet (2.1 meters). The charted depth for your position is 9 fathoms. You compute the height of tide to be +3.0 feet (0.9 meters). You determine the depth of the water beneath your keel to be __________.

    N a. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N b. 41 feet (12.6 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.3 meters)
    N d. 64 feet (19.6 meters)

2178: The Flinders bar and the quadrantal spheres should be tested for permanent magnetism at what interval?

    N a. They are not subject to permanent magnetism; no check is necessary.
    N b. Semiannually
    Y c. Annually
    N d. Every five years

2270: The lubber's line of a magnetic compass __________.

    N a. always shows true north direction
    Y b. indicates the vessel's heading
    N c. is always parallel to the vessel's transom
    N d. is located on the compass card

2289: The constellation that contains the pointer stars is __________.

    N a. Orion
    Y b. Ursa Major
    N c. the Southern Cross
    N d. Pegasus

2341: Which statement concerning illustration D010NG is correct? (Soundings and heights are in meters)

    N a. Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a 21-meter diameter.
    N b. The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of the star on the symbol's mast.
    Y c. The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or superstructure above the sounding datum.
    N d. There is a 12-meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just west of Beito Island.

2348: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick light showing 9 flashes every 15 seconds indicates that the safest water is on the __________.

    N a. north side of the mark
    Y b. west side of the mark
    N c. east side of the mark
    N d. south side of the mark

2369: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) CANNOT be set on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    Y a. Heeling magnet
    N b. Flinders bar
    N c. Fore-and-aft magnets
    N d. All of the above can be set on magnetic east or magnetic west headings.

2430: You are on course 222°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 025°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?

    N a. 197°
    Y b. 247°
    N c. 315°
    N d. 335°

2459: The controlling depth of the river is __________.

    N a. the minimum depth of the river prescribed in the channel maintenance program
    N b. the edge of a dredged channel
    N c. the highest level to which the river may rise without flooding
    Y d. the least available water in a channel which limits the draft of boats and tows

2524: What is the equivalent of 2° 35' in time units?

    Y a. 10 min. 20 sec.
    N b. 9 min. 10 sec.
    N c. 7 min. 06 sec.
    N d. 6 min. 43 sec.

2588: You are approaching an open drawbridge and sound the proper signal. You receive no acknowledgment from the bridge. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Approach with caution and proceed through the open draw.
    N b. Approach under full control to a position no closer than 400 yards from the bridge and await a signal from the bridge.
    N c. Hold in the channel as a vessel is closing the bridge from the other direction.
    N d. Resound the opening signal and do not pass through the bridge until signals have been exchanged.

2644: The sidereal day begins __________.

    N a. when the sun is over the first point of Aries
    N b. when the first point of Aries is over 180° longitude
    Y c. when the first point of Aries is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N d. at 0000 on 1 January (Sidereal Date)

2779: The buoy indicated by the letter B in illustration D044NG is a __________.

    N a. nun
    N b. can
    Y c. spar
    N d. pillar

2831: A coastal chart could have a scale of __________.

    N a. not more than 1:25,000
    N b. 1:35,000
    Y c. 1:100,000
    N d. 1:500,000

2990: In which source could you find the vertical clearance of a bridge on the Ohio River?

    N a. Notice to Mariners
    Y b. Light List of the Mississippi River System
    N c. Great Lakes Pilot
    N d. Coast Pilot of the Gulf of Mexico

3077: ECDIS must have the capability to preserve the record of the voyage track for the previous __________.

    N a. 4 hours
    N b. 6 hours
    Y c. 12 hours
    N d. 24 hours