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.


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) __________.


116: Which wind results from a land mass cooling more quickly at night than an adjacent water area?


118: What describes an accurate position that is NOT based on any prior position?


135: The standard meridian for the time zone +1 is __________.

    N a. 0°
    N b. 7 1/2°W
    Y c. 15°W
    N d. 7 1/2°E

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

223: In the Loran-C configuration shown, the stations located at X, Y, and Z are called __________. (D003NG )

    N a. repeater stations
    Y b. secondary stations
    N c. composite stations
    N d. alternate stations

279: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    Y a. remains aligned with compass north
    N b. also turns to starboard
    N c. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N d. turns counterclockwise to port

409: On November 1st the zone time is 1700 EST (ZD +5) in LONG 75°W. What is the corresponding zone time and date in LONG 135°E?

    Y a. 0700, November 2nd
    N b. 0700, November 1st
    N c. 2200, November 1st
    N d. 2200, October 31st

469: Where are the prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere located?

    N a. Between the Equator and 10° latitude
    N b. Between 10° and 20° latitude
    Y c. Between 30° and 60° latitude
    N d. Between 60° and 90° latitude

472: Which conic projection chart features straight lines which closely approximate a great circle?

    N a. Polyconic
    Y b. Lambert conformal
    N c. Orthographic
    N d. Stereographic

507: What will be the time after 1000 EST (ZD +5), on 4 March 1983, that the height of the tide at City Island, NY, will be 2.4 feet?

    Y a. 1228
    N b. 1240
    N c. 1244
    N d. 1248

547: On 2 November 1983, at 1630 EST (ZD +5), what will be the predicted height of tide at Fulton, FL?

    Y a. 2.8 feet (0.8 meters)
    N b. 3.4 feet (1.0 meters)
    N c. 4.2 feet (1.3 meters)
    N d. 5.6 feet (1.7 meters)

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

647: You will enter Argentia, Newfoundland, at 1200 on 5 October 1983, while keeping zone description +3 on the ship's clocks. What will be the height of tide at this time (based on the Canadian chart datum)?

    N a. 0.5 feet
    N b. 1.2 feet
    Y c. 2.1 feet
    N d. 3.4 feet

675: 15° of latitude is equal to __________.

    N a. 600 miles
    Y b. 900 miles
    N c. 1200 miles
    N d. 1500 miles

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

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

876: A generally circular low pressure area is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. cyclone
    N b. anticyclone
    N c. cold front
    N d. occluded front

938: If within 500 yards (460m) of a Northern Right Whale you are lawfully obligated to __________.

    N a. turn away from the whale and leave at full speed
    Y b. turn away from the whale and leave at slow speed
    N c. slow to bare steerageway until the whale swims away
    N d. stop the vessel and sound repeated blasts on the ship's whistle to scare the whale away

941: While preparing to enter a Brazilian port, you see ahead a red and green horizontally-striped buoy. The upper band is red. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to leave the buoy to port.
    Y b. Alter course to leave the buoy to starboard.
    N c. Pass the buoy close aboard on either side.
    N d. Pass the buoy well clear on either side.

943: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.

    N a. when you obtain an estimated position
    N b. ONLY in piloting waters
    Y c. at every speed change
    N d. All of the above are correct.

967: On an Atlantic Ocean voyage from New York to Durban, South Africa, you should expect the Agulhas Current to present a strong __________.

    N a. offshore set
    N b. onshore set
    Y c. head current
    N d. fair or following current

1024: The dew point is reached when the __________.

    N a. temperature of the air equals the temperature of the seawater
    N b. atmospheric pressure is 14.7 lbs. per square inch
    N c. relative humidity reaches 50%
    Y d. air becomes saturated with water vapor

1052: What is the approximate geographic range of Southwest Ledge Light, Connecticut, if your height of eye is 32 feet (9.8 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    Y a. 15.5 nm
    N b. 13.4 nm
    N c. 8.7 nm
    N d. 6.9 nm

1099: 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 course to steer at 9 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 356°
    Y b. 003°
    N c. 022°
    N d. 038°

1206: Brief, violent showers frequently accompanied by thunder and lightning are usually associated with __________.

    N a. passage of a warm front
    Y b. passage of a cold front
    N c. winds shifting counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
    N d. stationary high pressure systems

1241: Which picture shows a fixed and flashing light? (D034NG )

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

1258: You should log all barometer readings taken at sea __________.

    N a. regularly
    N b. at least once during each watch
    N c. more often under changeable weather conditions
    Y d. All of the above

1271: Which word indicates color variation in the characteristics of a light?

    N a. Opposing
    N b. Changing
    N c. Reversing
    Y d. Alternating

1423: Quadrantal error in a gyrocompass has its GREATEST effect __________.

    N a. in high latitudes
    N b. near the equator
    N c. on north or south headings
    Y d. on intercardinal headings

1437: Determine the time after 0300 CST (ZD +6) when the velocity of the tidal current will be 0.5 knot on 16 April 1983, at Port Arthur Canal Entrance, TX.

    N a. 0436
    Y b. 0507
    N c. 0538
    N d. 0554

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

1450: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum is the __________.

    N a. range of tide
    N b. charted depth
    Y c. height of tide
    N d. actual water depth

1469: The charted channel depth at Eastport, ME, is 28 feet. You are drawing 31.5 feet and wish 2 feet clearance under the keel. What is the earliest time after 1700 (ZD +4) on 6 September 1983 that you can enter the channel?

    N a. 1825
    N b. 1903
    Y c. 1915
    N d. 2003

1535: When observing a rapid rise in barometric pressure, you may expect __________.

    N a. clear weather with no wind, but the possibility of rain or snow within 24 hours
    N b. deteriorating weather with rain or snow
    N c. heavy rain or severe thundershowers
    Y d. clearing weather, possibly accompanied by high winds

1568: You are approaching a vertical lift bridge. You know the span is fully open when __________.

    N a. three white lights in a vertical line are lit
    N b. a red light starts to flash at about 60 times a minute
    N c. a yellow light is illuminated on the bridge pier
    Y d. there is a range of green lights under the lift span

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

1616: Which picture in illustration D034NG shows a Morse (A) light? (D034NG )

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

1671: Cirrus clouds are composed primarily of __________.

    Y a. ice crystals
    N b. water droplets
    N c. snow crystals
    N d. nitrogen

1850: A vessel heading WNW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 270.0°
    Y b. 292.5°
    N c. 315.0°
    N d. 337.5°

1873: Lighted information markers show __________.

    N a. green lights
    N b. red lights
    N c. yellow lights
    Y d. white lights

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

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

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

2329: In low latitudes, a last quarter moon will always rise at about __________.

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

2346: The first point of Aries is the point where the Sun is at __________.

    N a. maximum declination north
    N b. maximum declination south
    Y c. 0° declination going to northerly declinations
    N d. 0° declination going to southerly declinations

2356: As observed from the Earth, the angle between lines from the Earth to the Sun and the Earth to an inferior planet is known as __________.

    Y a. elongation
    N b. conjunction
    N c. opposition
    N d. quadrature

2380: The navigation regulations applicable to a U.S. inland waterway can be found in the __________.

    N a. Notices to Mariners
    N b. Channel Reports
    N c. Sailing Directions
    Y d. Coast Pilots

2396: Perihelion is the point where the Sun __________.

    Y a. is nearest to the Earth
    N b. is farthest from the Earth
    N c. is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Moon
    N d. and Moon and Earth are in line

2494: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 24" by 30". The area includes latitude 28°N to 35°N and longitude 175°E to 178°W. Allow a three-quarter 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. 3.40 inches
    Y b. 3.22 inches
    N c. 3.03 inches
    N d. 2.91 inches

2526: What is the equivalent of 10 min. 52 sec. in arc units?

    N a. 0°47'
    N b. 1°12'
    Y c. 2°43'
    N d. 3°52'

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.

2627: Stormy weather is usually associated with regions of __________.

    N a. high barometric pressure
    Y b. low barometric pressure
    N c. steady barometric pressure
    N d. changing barometric pressure

2651: Low pressure disturbances which travel along the intertropical convergence zone are called __________.

    Y a. tropical waves
    N b. tropical disturbances
    N c. permanent waves
    N d. tidal waves

2778: A special daymark is a __________.

    N a. red-and-white octagon
    N b. daymark with a yellow stripe on it
    N c. green square
    Y d. yellow diamond

2900: Who should be consulted for changing conditions of controlling depths in major channels?

    N a. U.S. Coast Guard
    N b. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
    N c. National Ocean Service
    Y d. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

2979: You take a bearing of 356° of a lighthouse. What bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 013°
    Y b. 082°
    N c. 176°
    N d. 201°

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

3091: Which of the following must an ECDIS system be able to perform?

    N a. Conversion of "graphical coordinates" to "display coordinates"
    N b. Transformation of local datum to WGS-'84 datum
    N c. Calculation of true azimuth and distance between two geographical points
    Y d. All of the above

3107: Automatic identification systems (AIS) are expected to broadcast all of the following information EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. Port of origin
    N b. Name of vessel
    N c. Course and speed over ground
    N d. Draft of vessel