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.


62: Charted depth is the __________.


172: A chart with a scale of 1:45,000 is a __________.


249: When using GPS, how many theoretical position lines are required for a three-dimensional fix that takes into account altitude?


316: According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the Northern Hemisphere experiences a northwest wind, the center of low pressure is located to the __________.

    Y a. northeast
    N b. west-southwest
    N c. northwest
    N d. south-southeast

339: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been north-northeasterly at an average velocity of 30 knots. The predicted set and drift of the rotary current are 355° at 0.8 knot. What current should you expect?

    N a. 010° at 1.1 knots
    N b. 047° at 0.3 knot
    Y c. 325° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 279° at 1.0 knot

388: You are underway on course 120°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 150°T, 120 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 295°T at 20 knots. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?

    N a. 89 miles
    N b. 96 miles
    N c. 105 miles
    Y d. 117 miles

407: What would be the height of the tide at Crisfield, MD, at 0310 DST (ZD +4) on 6 May 1983?

    N a. 0.1 foot
    Y b. 0.5 foot
    N c. 1.1 feet
    N d. 1.6 feet

535: The tropical year differs from which year by 20 minutes?

    N a. Astronomical year
    N b. Natural year
    N c. Equinoctial year
    Y d. Sidereal year

549: On a working copy of a weather map, an occluded front is represented by which color line?

    N a. Red
    N b. Blue
    N c. Alternating red and blue
    Y d. Purple

561: Buoys which mark dredging areas are painted __________.

    N a. black
    Y b. yellow
    N c. green
    N d. red

688: In mid-ocean, the characteristics of a wave are determined by three factors. What is NOT one of these factors?

    Y a. Effect of the moon's gravity
    N b. Fetch
    N c. Wind velocity
    N d. Length of time a wind has been blowing

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.

707: Set of the current is __________.

    N a. its velocity in knots
    N b. direction from which it flows
    N c. estimated current
    Y d. direction towards which it flows

714: When using the ARPA in heavy rain, which action should you take?

    N a. Increase the radar gain to pick up weak echoes through the rain.
    N b. Increase the STC setting to reduce close-in spurious signals.
    Y c. Navigate as though the effective range of the radar has been reduced.
    N d. Increase the range of the inner and outer guard rings.

775: A sidereal day is shorter than a solar day. This difference is due to __________.

    N a. irregularities in the daily rotational rate of the Sun
    N b. the space motion of the solar system
    N c. the precession of the equinoxes
    Y d. the use of different reference points

786: The greater the pressure difference between a high and a low pressure center, the __________.

    N a. dryer the air mass will be
    N b. cooler the temperature will be
    Y c. greater the force of the wind will be
    N d. warmer the temperature will be

798: A HYDROLANT warning would normally be sent for all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. extinguishment of Robbins Reef Light in New York City's Upper Bay
    N b. unexploded ordinance in ocean waters at a depth of 78 fathoms (143 meters)
    N c. the presence of a large unwieldy tow in congested offshore water
    N d. a report of an overdue ship

858: Your ship is proceeding on course 320°T at a speed of 25 knots. The apparent wind is from 30° off the starboard bow, speed 32 knots. What is the relative direction, true direction and speed of the true wind?

    Y a. Relative 80°true 040°T, 16.2 knots
    N b. Relative 40°true 080°T, 16.4 knots
    N c. Relative 80° true 060°T, 15.2 knots
    N d. Relative 60°true 040°T, 18.6 knots

897: What current flows southward along the west coast of the United States and causes extensive fog in that area?

    N a. Davidson Current
    N b. North Pacific Current
    N c. Alaska Current
    Y d. California Current

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

1042: What is the approximate geographic range of Shinnecock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 24 feet (7.3 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 8.7 nm
    N b. 9.9 nm
    N c. 14.4 nm
    Y d. 15.9 nm

1060: Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting __________.

    N a. temperature
    N b. dew point
    Y c. wind velocity
    N d. relative humidity

1120: You are on course 042°T. To check the course of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    N a. 090°
    Y b. 132°
    N c. 180°
    N d. 222°

1150: You are on course 312°T. To check the speed of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    Y a. 312°
    N b. 000°
    N c. 090°
    N d. 222°

1155: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?

    N a. Radar station
    Y b. Aero light
    N c. Radio beacon
    N d. Radar transponder beacon

1193: If a ship is proceeding towards the magnetic equator, the uncorrected deviation due to permanent magnetism __________.

    N a. increases
    N b. remains the same
    Y c. decreases
    N d. is unimportant and may be neglected

1213: If the magnetic heading is greater than the compass heading, the deviation is __________.

    Y a. east
    N b. west
    N c. north
    N d. south

1260: On 26 February 1983, at 1750 EST (ZD +5) what will be the predicted height of tide at New Haven (city dock), CT?

    N a. -.3 foot (-0.1 meter)
    Y b. -.6 foot (-0.2 meter)
    N c. 1.3 feet (0.4 meter)
    N d. 1.6 feet (0.5 meter)

1266: A line of clouds, sharp changes in wind direction, and squalls are most frequently associated with a(n) __________.

    N a. occluded front
    N b. warm front
    Y c. cold front
    N d. warm sector

1343: Variation is a compass error that you __________.

    N a. can correct by adjusting the compass card
    N b. can correct by adjusting the compensating magnets
    N c. can correct by changing the vessel's heading
    Y d. cannot correct

1447: What will be the velocity of the tidal current 6 miles south of Shoal Point, NY, at 1850 DST (ZD +4) on 9 July 1983?

    N a. 0.2 knot ebb
    Y b. 0.2 knot flood
    N c. 1.2 knot ebb
    N d. 1.4 knot flood

1462: Altocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 3
    N c. 4
    Y d. 5

1494: Cirrocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 7
    N b. 5
    Y c. 3
    N d. 1

1537: Which sextant in illustration D043NG reads 29°47.5'? (D043NG )

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

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

1597: The dense black cumulonimbus clouds surrounding the eye of a hurricane are called __________.

    N a. spiral rainbands
    Y b. cloud walls
    N c. funnel clouds
    N d. cyclonic spirals

1673: Information about currents on the Pacific Coast of the U. S. is found in the __________.

    N a. Nautical Almanac
    Y b. Tidal Current Tables
    N c. Ocean Current Tables
    N d. Tide Tables

1681: You can expect frontal activity when two air masses collide and __________.

    N a. their barometric pressures and temperatures are the same
    N b. there are differences in how they track along the jet stream
    N c. there are no significant differences between their temperatures and moisture content
    Y d. there are significant differences between the temperature of each air mass

1725: Your present weather is sunny with a steady barometer. A low swell approaches your vessel from the south with crests passing at relatively long periods of about four per minute. This usually indicates __________.

    N a. a warm front from the south
    Y b. a tropical cyclone south of your vessel
    N c. a hurricane about 100 miles south of your vessel and heading in your direction
    N d. an extra-tropical cyclone

1923: Little or no change in the barometric reading over a twelve hour period indicates __________.

    N a. stormy weather is imminent
    Y b. that present weather conditions will continue
    N c. a defect in the barometer
    N d. increasing wind strength

2014: Which stock number indicates an NGA (NIMA) chart designed for navigation outside of outlying reefs and shoals?

    N a. 19BCO19243
    Y b. WOPGN530
    N c. LCORR5873
    N d. 14XCO14902

2184: By convention, the south seeking ends of a compass' magnets are colored __________.

    Y a. blue
    N b. red
    N c. white
    N d. black

2232: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. Which action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends are to starboard you should raise the athwartships tray.
    Y b. If the red ends are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets.
    N c. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.
    N d. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should lower the tray.

2232: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. Which action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends are to starboard you should raise the athwartships tray.
    Y b. If the red ends are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets.
    N c. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.
    N d. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should lower the tray.

2288: A mean sun is used as the reference for solar time for three reasons. Which reason is NOT a cause for use of a mean sun?

    N a. The motion of the apparent sun is along the ecliptic.
    Y b. Measurement of time is along the celestial equator.
    N c. The speed of the Earth's revolution is not constant.
    N d. There are variations in the Earth's rotational speed.

2312: Mars is only seen at two phases, one of which __________.

    Y a. is the full phase
    N b. is conjunction
    N c. occurs only at sunset or sunrise
    N d. occurs at or near 0° elongation

2338: A group of stars which appear close together and form a striking configuration such as a person or animal is a __________.

    N a. cluster
    N b. shower
    Y c. constellation
    N d. galaxy

2406: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions +4 and +5 is __________.

    Y a. 67°30'W
    N b. 90°00'W
    N c. 67°30'E
    N d. 75°00'E

2589: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick white light showing 6 flashes followed by one long flash indicates that the safest water is on the __________.

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

2618: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 38°N to 43°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between each degree of longitude is 5 inches, what is the distance between latitude 38°N and latitude 43°N?

    N a. 29.0 inches
    N b. 29.6 inches
    N c. 32.1 inches
    Y d. 32.8 inches

2818: You take bearings of 313°T and 076°T on two objects. Which bearing of a third object will give the best fix?

    N a. 048°T
    N b. 101°T
    N c. 142°T
    Y d. 187°T

2877: Class I and II private aids to navigation in or along navigable waters of the United States are listed in the __________.

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Light List
    N c. List of Private Aids
    N d. Aids to Navigation Manual

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

2972: You are in a channel inbound from sea. A daymark used to mark a channel junction when the preferred channel is to starboard will have the shape indicated by what letter in illustration D045NG?

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

2989: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the lower 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' off the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 70°41.4
    N b. 70°15.4'
    Y c. 70°11.4'
    N d. 70°02.2

3004: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 4 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

    N a. 209 yards
    N b. 363 yards
    N c. 480 yards
    Y d. 730 yards

3039: As you enter a U.S. channel from seaward the numbers on the buoys __________.

    N a. increase with the can buoys being even numbered
    Y b. increase with the can buoys being odd numbered
    N c. decrease with the can buoys being even numbered
    N d. increase in channels going to the north or west, and decrease in channels going to the south or east

3062: If the electronic chart is part of an ECDIS, it must display the minimum data required by IMO/IHO, to include all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. hydrography
    N b. aids to navigation
    Y c. tidal currents
    N d. regulatory boundaries

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

3125: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?

    N a. AIS is designed to replace ARPA, maneuvering boards, and visual bearings as a means to ascertain the risk of collision.
    Y b. AIS provides near real-time information regarding another vessel's speed over ground and heading regardless of visibility.
    N c. AIS will not provide information on another vessel if that vessel is indistinguishable in radar sea clutter.
    N d. AIS can be relied upon as the sole means to determine course changes due to other AIS equipped traffic.