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.


25: You are in LONG 144°E. The date is 6 February, and the zone time is 0800. The Greenwich date and time are __________.


25: You are in LONG 144°E. The date is 6 February, and the zone time is 0800. The Greenwich date and time are __________.


46: What wind reverses directions seasonally?


92: When utilizing a Pacific Coast chart, the reference plane of soundings is __________.

    N a. mean low water springs
    N b. mean low water
    Y c. mean lower low water
    N d. lowest normal low water

198: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 343°T at 92 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 9 knots?

    N a. 7h 44m
    N b. 7h 12m
    Y c. 6h 43m
    N d. 6h 08m

221: In United States waters, a buoy having red and white vertical stripes has a light characteristic of __________.

    N a. group occulting
    Y b. Morse (A)
    N c. interrupted quick flashing
    N d. quick flashing

338: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "N" represents __________. (D042NG )

    N a. hail
    N b. freezing rain
    Y c. rain
    N d. snow

356: When facing into the wind in the Northern Hemisphere the center of low pressure lies __________.

    N a. directly in front of you
    N b. directly behind you
    N c. to your left and behind you
    Y d. to your right and behind you

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)

358: What will be the set of the rotary current at Nantucket Shoals at 1245 (ZD +5) 14 January 1983?

    N a. 015°
    Y b. 125°
    N c. 162°
    N d. 225°

395: If the Sun's observed altitude is 27°12', the zenith distance is __________.

    Y a. 62°48'
    N b. 27°12'
    N c. 152°48'
    N d. 43°12'

419: The ocean bottom that extends from the shoreline out to an area where there is a marked change in slope to a greater depth is the __________.

    N a. abyssal plain
    Y b. continental shelf
    N c. borderland
    N d. offshore terrace

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

522: All straight lines represent great circle tracks on a chart based on a(n) __________.

    N a. Mercator projection
    N b. polyconic projection
    N c. orthographic projection
    Y d. gnomonic projection

568: The chart of a beach area shows a very steep slope to the underwater beach bottom. Which type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?

    Y a. Surging
    N b. Converging
    N c. Spilling
    N d. Plunging

568: The chart of a beach area shows a very steep slope to the underwater beach bottom. Which type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?

    Y a. Surging
    N b. Converging
    N c. Spilling
    N d. Plunging

575: The horizontal plane, perpendicular to the zenith-nadir axis, that intersects with the celestial sphere and is tangent to the earth is called the __________.

    N a. celestial horizon
    N b. sensible horizon
    N c. visible horizon
    Y d. geoidal horizon

586: The approximate distance to a storm center can be determined by noting the hourly rate of fall of the barometer. If the rate of fall is 0.08 - 0.12 inches, what is the approximate distance to the storm center?

    N a. 50 to 80 miles
    Y b. 80 to 100 miles
    N c. 100 to 150 miles
    N d. 150 to 250 miles

591: White lights may be found on __________.

    N a. special purpose buoys
    N b. preferred channel buoys
    Y c. information and regulatory buoys
    N d. numbered buoys

631: A light characteristic of composite group flashing indicates that there is a(n) __________.

    N a. sharp turn in the channel
    N b. narrowing in the channel at that point
    Y c. junction in the channel
    N d. obstruction that must be left to port

649: You are on course 226°T. In order to check the latitude of your vessel, you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    N a. 226°
    N b. 270°
    Y c. 000°
    N d. 026°

776: You are navigating in pilotage waters using running fixes. The maximum time between fixes should be about __________.

    N a. 4 hours
    N b. 1 hour
    Y c. 30 minutes
    N d. 5 minutes

785: An amplitude of the Sun in high latitudes __________.

    N a. is most accurate before sunrise
    N b. is most accurate after sunset
    N c. should only be observed when the Sun's lower limb is above the horizon
    Y d. is most accurate when the Sun's center is observed on the visible horizon

793: The permanent magnetism of a vessel may change in strength due to __________.

    N a. a collision with another vessel
    N b. being moored on a constant heading for a long period of time
    N c. being struck by lightning
    Y d. All of the above

809: The compass rose on a nautical chart indicates both variation and __________.

    N a. deviation
    Y b. annual rate of variation change
    N c. precession
    N d. compass error

825: While steering a course of 150°T, you wish to observe the Sun for a speed check. What would the azimuth have to be?

    N a. 000°T
    N b. 090°T
    Y c. 150°T
    N d. 240°T

835: When taking stars, those bodies to the east and west will __________.

    Y a. change altitude rapidly
    N b. change altitude slowly
    N c. remain in an almost fixed position
    N d. appear to be moving in the plane of the horizon

840: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?

    Y a. Estimated position
    N b. Set position
    N c. Leeway position
    N d. Dead reckoning position

879: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 346°T at 68 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    Y a. 328°
    N b. 323°
    N c. 318°
    N d. 314°

881: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to starboard may have a __________.

    N a. green light
    N b. long-flashing light characteristic
    Y c. square topmark
    N d. conical shape

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

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

1013: The purpose of the soft iron spheres mounted on arms on the binnacle is to compensate for __________.

    N a. the vertical component of the permanent magnetism of the vessel
    N b. the residual deviation
    N c. magnetic fields caused by electrical currents in the vicinity
    Y d. induced magnetism in the horizontal soft iron

1077: A current will develop between areas of different density in ocean waters. If you face in the same direction the current is flowing, the water of __________.

    N a. high density will be on the left in the Northern Hemisphere
    N b. high density will be on the right in the Southern Hemisphere
    Y c. low density will be on the left in the Northern Hemisphere
    N d. low density will be on the left in the Southern Hemisphere

1195: A position that is obtained by applying estimated current and wind to your vessel's course and speed is a(n) __________.

    N a. dead reckoning position
    N b. fix
    Y c. estimated position
    N d. None of the above

1221: On a chart, the characteristic of the light on a lighthouse is shown as flashing white with a red sector. The red sector __________.

    N a. indicates the limits of the navigable channel
    Y b. indicates a danger area
    N c. is used to identify the characteristics of the light
    N d. serves no significant purpose

1231: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. How are the limits of a colored sector of light listed in the Light List?

    N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
    N b. True bearings as observed from the light toward a vessel
    Y c. True bearings as observed from a vessel toward the light
    N d. Bearings given in the Light List are always magnetic

1287: What will be the velocity of the tidal current 4.5 miles east of Smith Point, VA, at 0630 DST (ZD +4) on 6 May 1983?

    Y a. 0.3 knot
    N b. 0.5 knot
    N c. 0.7 knot
    N d. 1.0 knot

1328: What will be the velocity of the tidal current in Bolivar Roads, Texas, at a point 0.5 mile north of Ft. Point, on 23 November 1983 at 0330 CST (ZD +6)?

    Y a. Slack water
    N b. 0.8 kt
    N c. 1.2 kts
    N d. 3.4 kts

1378: The latitude of the upper vertex of a great circle is 36°N. What is the latitude of the lower vertex?

    N a. 36°N
    N b. 0°
    Y c. 36°S
    N d. Cannot be determined from the information given

1442: A great circle track provides the maximum saving in distance on __________.

    Y a. easterly courses in high latitudes
    N b. southerly courses in high latitudes
    N c. westerly courses in low latitudes
    N d. easterly courses in low latitudes that cross the equator

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

1595: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 8 miles and is 48 feet(14.6 meters) high. If the visibility is 6 miles and your height of eye is 35 feet(10.7 meters), at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 15.0 nm
    N b. 12.4 nm
    N c. 8.0 nm
    Y d. 5.9 nm

1685: Squall lines with an almost unbroken line of threatening dark clouds and sharp changes in wind direction, generally precede a(n) __________.

    N a. slow-moving warm front
    Y b. fast-moving cold front
    N c. stationary front
    N d. occluded front

1723: The intensity of a hurricane as it reaches higher latitudes and cooler waters __________.

    N a. Increases
    N b. remains the same
    Y c. decreases
    N d. None of the above

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

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

2008: What term is used to describe a tank barge constructed with the structural framing outside the cargo tank and the cargo tank plating separated from the shell plating?

    N a. Shell plated
    Y b. Double hull
    N c. Hopper type
    N d. Independent tank

2030: A vessel heading NE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 022.5°
    Y b. 045.0°
    N c. 067.5°
    N d. 090.0°

2167: Diagram number D037NG represents a movable dam. If there is high water and the wickets are down so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass through the dam, what light(s) will be shown at B if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

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

2518: In low latitudes, the full Moon will always rise at about __________.

    N a. sunrise
    N b. 1200 LMT
    Y c. sunset
    N d. 2400 LMT

2570: A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

    N a. the equator
    N b. a loxodromic curve
    N c. a small circle
    Y d. a meridian

2578: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 49°N to 53°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between latitude 49°N to 53°N is 16 inches, what is the distance between the meridians of 1° of longitude?

    N a. 2.12 inches
    N b. 2.33 inches
    Y c. 2.56 inches
    N d. 2.81 inches

2584: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 30" by 36". The area includes latitude 30°45'S to 37°15'S and longitude 004°00'E to 005°00'W. Allow a one inch neat line on all sides. What is the maximum distance between each degree of longitude that will permit the area of the plotting sheet to be drawn within the stated limitation?

    N a. 3.09 inches
    N b. 3.22 inches
    N c. 3.41 inches
    Y d. 3.58 inches

2682: Sidereal time is used by navigators when __________.

    N a. used with the equation of time
    Y b. used in the form of LHA Aries
    N c. calculating the time of moonrise
    N d. determining local apparent time

2910: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.

    N a. 60°
    N b. 45°
    Y c. 90°
    N d. 30°

3017: A rotary current sets through all directions of the compass. The time it takes to complete one of these cycles, in a locale off the East coast of the US, is approximately __________.

    N a. 3 hours
    N b. 6 1/4 hours
    Y c. 12 1/2 hours
    N d. 18 3/4 hours

3029: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Moon. The sextant altitude (hs) is 110°31.2'. The height of eye is 46 feet and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 70°11.8'
    Y b. 69°41.8'
    N c. 69°25.6'
    N d. 69°18.4'

3082: Which type of GPS receiver has at least four channels to process information from several satellites simultaneously?

    N a. Sequential
    Y b. Continuous
    N c. Multiplex
    N d. None of the above

3085: An ECDIS is required to display which information?

    N a. Water temperature
    N b. Climatology data
    N c. Speed of advance
    Y d. Depth contours