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.
44: The speed of sound through ocean water is nearly always __________.
Y a. faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer N b. the same speed as the speed of calibration for the fathometer N c. slower than the speed of calibration for the fathometer N d. faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer, unless the water is very warm 50: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.
N a. period Y b. range N c. distance N d. depth 64: Mean lower low water is the reference plane used for __________.
N a. all vertical measurements N b. heights above water for lights, mountains, etc. Y c. soundings on the U.S. east and west coasts N d. water depths on the U.S. east coast only 67: What is the definition of height of tide?
Y a. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time N b. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water N c. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom N d. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor 113: The type of transmission used in Loran-C is a __________.
N a. single pulse N b. wide pulse Y c. multipulse N d. narrow pulse 124: An electronic depth finder operates on the principle that __________.
N a. radio signals reflect from a solid surface Y b. sound waves travel at a constant speed through water N c. radar signals travel at a constant speed through water N d. pressure increases with depth 125: The GMT is 0445 and your zone description is +1. Your zone time is __________.
N a. 0445 Y b. 0345 N c. 0545 N d. 1545 154: Which factor has the greatest effect on the amount of gain required to obtain a fathometer reading?
N a. Salinity of water N b. Temperature of water N c. Atmospheric pressure Y d. Type of bottom 158: Discounting slip, if your vessel is turning RPM for 10 knots and making good a speed of 10 knots, the current could be __________.
N a. with you at 10 knots N b. against you at 10 knots Y c. slack N d. with you at 2 knots 165: On 6 July 1981, at 1000 zone time, you cross the 180th meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?
N a. It is 1000, 5 July. N b. It is 1000, 6 July. N c. It is 2200, 7 July. Y d. It is 1000, 7 July. 174: The position labeled D is a(n) __________. (D051NG )
N a. fix N b. running fix N c. estimated position Y d. dead reckoning position 177: How many high waters usually occur each day on the East Coast of the United States?
N a. One Y b. Two N c. Three N d. Four 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 360: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "M" represents __________. (D042NG )
N a. rain Y b. snow N c. hail N d. ice 464: Prior to reading an aneroid barometer, you should tap the face lightly with your finger to __________.
N a. expose any loose connections N b. demagnetize the metal elements Y c. bring the pointer to its true position N d. contract and expand the glass face 498: What is an advantage of the magnetic compass aboard vessels?
N a. Compass error is negligible at or near the earth's magnetic poles. N b. It does not have to be checked as often. Y c. It is reliable due to it's essential simplicity. N d. All points on the compass rose are readily visible. 530: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy with a spherical topmark marks __________.
N a. the port side of the channel N b. the position of underwater cables Y c. safe water N d. a hazard to navigation 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 604: Chronometer error may be found by __________.
N a. radio time signal N b. comparison with a timepiece of known error N c. applying the prevailing chronometer rate to previous readings Y d. All of the above 661: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, safe water marks may show a __________.
N a. composite group-flashing, Fl(2 + 1), red light N b. composite group-flashing, Fl(2 + 1), green light N c. quick-flashing, Q(9)15s, white light Y d. white Morse (A) light 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 777: With respect to a reversing current, slack water occurs when there is __________.
Y a. little or no horizontal motion of the water N b. little or no vertical motion of the water N c. a weak ebb or flood current N d. when winds cause water to back up in a river mouth 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 805: If the right ascension of a body is 9 hours, it also __________.
Y a. is 135° N b. corresponds to an SHA for the body of 45° N c. means that the GP of the body is in the western hemisphere N d. All of the above 862: The U.S. Coast Guard publishes __________.
Y a. Light Lists N b. U.S. Coast Pilots N c. Radio Navigational Aids N d. All of the above 896: The wind direction around a low pressure area in the Northern Hemisphere is __________.
N a. clockwise and inward N b. clockwise and outward Y c. counterclockwise and inward N d. counterclockwise and outward 953: The magnetic compass operates on the principle that __________.
N a. like magnetic poles attract N b. unlike magnetic poles repel Y c. unlike poles attract N d. the poles of the compass line up with the geographic poles of the earth 978: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.
N a. recurvature effect N b. extension of the low pressure ridge Y c. wind circulation and forward motion of the storm N d. direction of circulation and pressure gradient 1108: Preferred channel buoys indicate the preferred channel to transit by __________.
N a. odd or even numbers Y b. the color of their top band N c. the location of the buoy in the channel junction N d. the buoy's light rhythms 1119: The position labeled "D" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )
N a. the vessel's speed changed at 1125 N b. a dead reckoning position is plotted within 30 minutes of a running fix Y c. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each course change N d. All of the above 1147: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at which time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?
N a. One hour after N b. At the predicted time Y c. 30 minutes before N d. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb 1161: What is characteristic of an occulting light?
N a. 1 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse, 1 sec. flash, 5 sec. eclipse N b. 5 sec. flash, 5 sec. eclipse Y c. 4 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse, 3 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse N d. 6 sec. flash, 6 sec. eclipse 1164: The largest waves (heaviest chop) will usually develop where the wind blows __________.
N a. at right angles to the flow of the current Y b. against the flow of the current N c. in the same direction as the flow of the current N d. over slack water 1214: The letter B in the diagram represents the __________. (D006NG )
N a. sensible horizon N b. visible horizon N c. celestial horizon Y d. geoidal horizon 1288: Your vessel will be docking at Chester, PA, during the evening of 22 April 1983. The chart shows a depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) at the pier. What will be the depth of water available at 2310 EST (ZD +5)?
N a. 19.2 feet (5.9 meters) N b. 20.8 feet (6.3 meters) Y c. 24.7 feet (7.5 meters) N d. 25.8 feet (7.9 meters). 1420: the position labeled "E" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )
N a. the vessel's position was fixed at 1145 N b. a dead reckoning position is plotted within a half-hour of each course change N c. the position is a running fix Y d. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each speed change 1561: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. The buoy is off station and should be ignored as a navigational mark. N b. The waterway in that area has shoaled and the available depth of water is less than the project depth. N c. ICW traffic should not proceed beyond the buoy unless the crossing waterway is clear of all traffic. Y d. You should leave the buoy to port. 1692: The force resulting from the earth's rotation that causes winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere is called __________.
N a. pressure gradient Y b. Coriolis effect N c. aurora borealis N d. ballistic deflection 1713: When a tornado moves over the water from land it is called a __________.
N a. tornado Y b. waterspout N c. hurricane N d. cyclone 1751: A tsunami is caused by a(n) __________.
N a. tidal wave N b. storm surge caused by a hurricane or tropical storm Y c. earthquake on the ocean's floor N d. tornado 1755: Which weather system produces strong cold winds called "Northers" during the winter months in the Gulf of Mexico?
N a. An anticyclone N b. A high pressure system N c. A cyclone Y d. Both A and B 1756: Where would you expect to find climatological and meteorological tables for the Gulf Coast area?
N a. In the publication entitled Radio Aids to Navigation Y b. In the back of Coast Pilot #5 N c. In any Coast Pilot volume N d. Only at the National Weather Service office 1868: Illustration D036NG represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter A in the illustration? (D036NG )
Y a. One red light N b. Two red lights N c. Two green lights N d. Three green lights 2072: The Illustration represents a movable dam. If a bear trap is open what will be displayed at the lock to indicate this condition? (D037NG )
Y a. An amber light under a red light N b. A white square N c. A green triangle N d. A yellow pentagon 2166: 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 amber light Y b. Three red lights N c. Two red lights N d. One red light 2171: 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 amber light N b. One red light N c. Two red lights Y d. Three red lights 2190: Clouds are classified according to their __________.
N a. size N b. moisture content Y c. altitude and how they were formed N d. location in a front 2268: What condition exists at perigee?
N a. The Earth is farthest from the Sun. N b. The Earth, Sun, and Moon are in line. N c. The Earth, Sun, and Moon are at right angles. Y d. The Moon is closest to the Earth. 2289: The constellation that contains the pointer stars is __________.
N a. Orion Y b. Ursa Major N c. the Southern Cross N d. Pegasus 2392: The point where the Sun is at maximum declination north or south is __________.
N a. aphelion N b. perihelion N c. an equinox Y d. a solstice 2450: You are on course 180°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 225°. What is the true bearing of the lighthouse?
Y a. 045° N b. 135° N c. 180° N d. 270° 2464: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to port may display which topmark shown? (D046NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 2532: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 28" by 32". The area includes latitude 32°S to 39°S and longitude 005°E to 003°W. Allow a one-half 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 limitations?
Y a. 3.38 inches N b. 3.62 inches N c. 3.79 inches N d. 3.95 inches 2692: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -2 and -3 is __________.
N a. 15°30'E N b. 30°00'E Y c. 37°30'E N d. 45°00'E 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. 2936: Information on search and rescue procedures and special, local communications used in Mexican waters will be found in the __________.
N a. World Port Index N b. International Code of Signals (Pub 102) Y c. Sailing Directions (Planning Guides) N d. International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual 3019: Where would you find information about the time of high tide at a specific location on a particular day of the year?
Y a. Tide Tables N b. Tidal Current Tables N c. Coast Pilot N d. Nautical Almanac 3071: The level of database information which cannot be removed from the ECDIS display and consists of information which is required at all times in all geographic areas and under all circumstances is the __________.
Y a. display base information N b. standard display information N c. system electronic nautical chart N d. chart display information 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 3116: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is expected to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?
N a. Name of ship Y b. Ship's heading N c. IMO number N d. Vessel's draft