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.


117: Mean high water is the average height of __________.


158: Discounting slip, if your vessel is turning RPM for 10 knots and making good a speed of 10 knots, the current could be __________.


170: Which of the buoy symbols in illustration D032NG indicates a safe water mark?


197: Chart legends printed in capital letters show that the associated landmark is __________.

    Y a. conspicuous
    N b. inconspicuous
    N c. a government facility or station
    N d. a radio transmitter

205: The difference between local apparent time (LAT) and local mean time (LMT) is indicated by the __________.

    Y a. equation of time
    N b. difference of longitude between the local and central meridian in time units
    N c. longitude in time units
    N d. zone description

239: As you enter a channel from seaward in a U.S. port, the numbers on the starboard side buoys __________.

    N a. decrease and the buoys are black
    N b. increase and the buoys are green
    N c. decrease and the buoys are red
    Y d. increase and the buoys are red

240: In a river subject to tidal currents, the best time to dock a ship without the assistance of tugs is __________.

    N a. at high water
    N b. when there is a following current
    Y c. at slack water
    N d. at flood

292: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic does the light possess?

    N a. It is visible two nautical miles.
    N b. Its distinguishing number is "19M".
    Y c. It has a red light.
    N d. It flashes once every ten seconds.

297: The tides in Boston Harbor generally __________.

    N a. are diurnal in nature
    N b. have their variations caused by the changing declination of the Moon
    Y c. have a greater range than the tides in Gulf Coast ports
    N d. All of the above

359: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 264°T, 68 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 13 Knots?

    N a. 6h 31m
    N b. 6h 47m
    N c. 7h 03m
    Y d. 7h 34m

391: When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicates __________.

    N a. a junction with the preferred channel to the left
    N b. a sharp turn in the channel to the right
    Y c. the port side of the channel
    N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side

394: An instrument designed to maintain a continuous record of atmospheric pressure is a(n) __________.

    N a. mercurial barometer
    N b. aneroid barometer
    Y c. barograph
    N d. thermograph

420: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T and have the range in sight as shown. The range continues to open. What action should you take? (D047NG )

    Y a. Alter course to the left until the range closes then steer to the left of 306°T.
    N b. Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as you get close.
    N c. Alter course to the left to close the range, then alter course to 309°T.
    N d. Alter course to the right to 309°T or more to bring the range in line.

442: In very high latitudes, the most practical chart projection is the __________.

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

483: Coral atolls, or a chain of islands at right angles to the radar beam, may show as a long line rather than as individual targets due to __________.

    Y a. the effects of beam width
    N b. limitations on range resolution
    N c. the pulse length of the radar
    N d. the multiple-target resolution factor

497: What will be the time after 0300 (ZD +4), on 5 March 1983, when the height of the tide at Port of Spain, Trinidad, will be 2.5 feet (.76 meters) ?

    N a. 0548
    Y b. 0602
    N c. 0618
    N d. 0634

514: What instrument measures wind velocity?

    N a. Hydrometer
    N b. Barometer
    N c. Psychrometer
    Y d. Anemometer

570: Chart legends printed in capital letters show that the associated landmark is __________.

    N a. inconspicuous
    Y b. conspicuous
    N c. a government facility or station
    N d. a radio transmitter

609: A tropical wave is located 200 miles due west of your position, which is north of the equator. Where will the wave be in 24 hours?

    Y a. Farther away to the west
    N b. Farther away to the east
    N c. In the same place
    N d. Closer and to the west

650: What classification of tropical cyclone would have closed isobars, counter clockwise rotary circulation, and sustained winds between 34 and 63 knots?

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

662: What publication contains descriptions of the coast line, buoyage systems, weather conditions, port facilities, and navigation instructions for the United States and its possessions?

    Y a. Coast Pilots
    N b. Sailing Directions
    N c. Port Index
    N d. Light List

676: If you are caught in the left semicircle of a tropical storm, in the Southern Hemisphere, you should bring the wind __________.

    N a. on the starboard quarter, hold course and make as much way as possible
    N b. 2 points on the port quarter, and make as much way as possible
    Y c. on the port bow, and make as much way as possible
    N d. dead ahead and heave to

693: Which general statement concerning radar is FALSE?

    N a. Raising the antenna height increases the radar range.
    Y b. The ability of radar to detect objects is unaffected by weather conditions.
    N c. Radar bearings are less accurate than radar ranges.
    N d. Radar should be checked regularly during clear weather to ensure that it is operating properly.

736: A line on a weather chart connecting places which have the same barometric pressure is called an __________.

    N a. isotherm
    N b. isallobar
    Y c. isobar
    N d. isotope

792: Information about temporary, short term changes affecting the safety of navigation in U.S. waters is distributed to navigational interests by the __________.

    N a. Daily Memorandum
    N b. HYDROLANT or HYDROPAC broadcasts
    Y c. Local Notice to Mariners
    N d. Summary of Corrections

819: Which sextant has an index error of 4'20" off the arc? (D050NG )

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

856: The flow of air around an anticyclone in the Southern Hemisphere is __________.

    N a. clockwise and outward
    Y b. counterclockwise and outward
    N c. clockwise and inward
    N d. counterclockwise and inward

947: The cold ocean current which meets the warm Gulf Stream between latitudes 40° and 43°N to form the "cold wall" is called the __________.

    N a. North Cape Current
    Y b. Labrador Current
    N c. Greenland Current
    N d. North Atlantic Current

1004: A low, uniform layer of cloud resembling fog, but not resting on the ground, is called __________.

    N a. cumulus
    N b. nimbus
    Y c. stratus
    N d. cirrus

1055: The radius of a circle of equal altitude for a body equals the body's __________.

    N a. declination
    N b. polar distance
    N c. altitude
    Y d. zenith distance

1078: The description "Racon" beside an illustration on a chart would mean a __________.

    N a. radar conspicuous beacon
    Y b. radar transponder beacon
    N c. radar calibration beacon
    N d. circular radio beacon

1152: When using GPS without Selective Availability, you may expect your horizontal accuracy to be better than __________.

    N a. 3 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 100 meters
    N d. 200 meters

1166: A series of brief showers accompanied by strong, shifting winds may occur along or some distance ahead of a(n) __________.

    N a. upper front aloft
    N b. cyclone
    N c. occluded front
    Y d. cold front

1333: If a magnetic compass is not affected by any magnetic field other than the Earth's, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. Compass error and variation are equal.
    N b. Compass north will be true north.
    N c. Variation will equal deviation.
    N d. There will be no compass error.

1368: What area of the earth cannot be shown on a standard Mercator chart?

    N a. Equator
    N b. Areas including both North and South latitudes
    Y c. North and South Poles
    N d. A narrow band along the central meridian.

1425: Which is an inferior planet?

    N a. Mars
    Y b. Venus
    N c. Neptune
    N d. Pluto

1440: A mercurial barometer at sea is subject to rapid variations in height ("pumping") due to the pitch and roll of the vessel. To avoid this error, measurements of atmospheric pressure at sea are usually measured with a(n) __________.

    N a. syphon barometer
    N b. cistern barometer
    Y c. aneroid barometer
    N d. fortin barometer

1471: A mountain peak charted at 700 feet breaks the horizon, and your height of eye is 12 feet. What is your approximate distance off (choose closest answer)?

    Y a. 34.7 nm
    N b. 40.3 nm
    N c. 55.3 nm
    N d. 61.6 nm

1544: The height of a tide can be increased by __________.

    Y a. a storm surge
    N b. a high pressure area
    N c. the jet stream
    N d. a cold front

1564: What is a characteristic of cardinal marks?

    Y a. Light rhythms indicating directional orientation
    N b. Vertical stripes
    N c. Square or triangular topmarks
    N d. Number-letter combinations for identification

1565: Determine the approximate geographic visibility of an object, with a height above the water of 85 feet (25.9 meters), for an observer with a height of eye of 60 feet (18.3 meters).

    N a. 18.4 nm
    Y b. 19.9 nm
    N c. 20.8 nm
    N d. 21.5 nm

1589: You are enroute to Savannah, GA, from Recife, Brazil. There is a strong N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter __________.

    N a. smoother seas and warmer water
    Y b. steeper waves, closer together
    N c. long swells
    N d. cirrus clouds

2083: Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be obtained by consulting the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Pilot
    Y b. Broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Light List Vol. V

2089: Permission to leave the riverward chamber of twin locks is given by the lockmaster and consists of which sound signal?

    N a. One short blast
    Y b. Two short blasts
    N c. One long blast
    N d. Two long blasts

2124: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 45°N to 49°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between latitude 45°N to 49°N is 20 inches, what is the distance between the meridians of 1° of longitude?

    N a. 2.9 inches
    N b. 3.2 inches
    Y c. 3.4 inches
    N d. 3.7 inches

2126: Your chart indicates that there is an isolated rock and names the rock using vertical letters. This indicates the __________.

    N a. rock is visible at low water springs only
    N b. rock is a hazard to deep draft vessels only
    Y c. rock is dry at high water
    N d. exact position of the rock is doubtful

2147: What lights would you see on the Illinois waterway when any wickets of the dam or bear traps are open, or partially open, which may cause a set in the current conditions in the upper lock approach?

    N a. Green over blue
    Y b. Red over amber (yellow)
    N c. Red over green
    N d. None of the above

2191: The chart indicates the variation was 3°45'E in 1988, and the annual change is increasing 6'. If you use the chart in 1991 how much variation should you apply?

    N a. 3°27'E
    N b. 3°27'W
    N c. 3°45'E
    Y d. 4°03'E

2236: Which is TRUE of a downbound power-driven vessel, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?

    N a. She has the right of way.
    N b. She shall propose the manner of passage.
    N c. She shall initiate the maneuvering signals.
    Y d. All of the above

2258: The primary use of apparent time in marine navigation is to __________.

    N a. calculate sunrise or sunset
    N b. determine zone time
    N c. enter an almanac
    Y d. determine the time of meridian transit

2272: Mars will not be visible __________.

    N a. at elongation angles near 180°
    N b. from quadrature to opposition
    Y c. at conjunction
    N d. at opposition

2505: At the approaches to Savannah, GA, with the wind coming out of the west, the wind-driven current will be flowing approximately __________.

    N a. 280°
    N b. 260°
    N c. 100°
    Y d. 080°

2540: The distance between any two meridians measured along a parallel of latitude and expressed in miles is the __________.

    N a. difference in longitude
    N b. mid-longitude
    Y c. departure
    N d. meridian angle

2854: The distance in miles between the circle of equal altitude for the observed altitude (Ho) and the circle of equal altitude for the computed altitude (Hc) is the __________.

    N a. equation of time
    N b. zenith distance
    Y c. intercept
    N d. zenith angle

2875: A harbor chart could have a scale of __________.

    N a. not more than 1:25,000
    Y b. 1:35,000
    N c. 1:150,000
    N d. not less than 1:500,000

2891: Twenty-three meters equals __________.

    N a. 17.50 feet
    Y b. 75.46 feet
    N c. 96.00 feet
    N d. 104.99 feet

2947: A position obtained by crossing lines of position taken at different times and advanced to a common time is a(n) __________.

    N a. fix
    N b. dead-reckoning position
    Y c. running fix
    N d. estimated position

2960: What is NOT found in the Mississippi River System Light List?

    Y a. Distance that a lighted aid to navigation can be seen at night
    N b. Distance between major points on the Mississippi River
    N c. A color plate showing the details of the aids to navigation used on the Mississippi River
    N d. Times of Coast Guard broadcasts concerning river stages

2977: Which symbol represents a 2-fathom curve?

    N a. -- -- --
    N b. .. ____ .. ____ .. ____
    N c. ____ . ____ . ____ .
    Y d. .. .. .. .. ..

3035: A major advantage of the NAVTEX system when compared to other systems is that __________.

    N a. the information can be received on an ordinary FM radio
    Y b. warnings are printed out for reading when convenient
    N c. broadcasts are at scheduled times
    N d. a low frequency band is used for long distance transmission