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.


21: Which buoy is NOT numbered?


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


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


245: Yesterday you took a time tick using the 1200 GMT broadcast, and the chronometer read 11h 59m 59s. Today at the 1200 GMT time tick the chronometer read 00h 00m 01s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. Gaining 2 seconds
    N b. Losing 2 seconds
    N c. Fast 2 seconds
    Y d. Fast 1 second

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

561: Buoys which mark dredging areas are painted __________.

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

613: Your radar indicates a target; however, there is no visible object at the point indicated. A large mountain, approximately 50 miles away on the same bearing as the target, is breaking the horizon. You should suspect the radar target is caused by __________.

    N a. a submerged submarine
    Y b. ducting
    N c. sub-refraction
    N d. ionospheric skip waves

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

762: Chart correction information is NOT disseminated through the __________.

    N a. Summary of Corrections
    N b. Local Notice to Mariners
    N c. Daily Memorandum
    Y d. Chart Correction Card

772: You are hove to in a hurricane on a heading of 328°T. The wind is from 030° true at 119 knots. How should this be encoded on the weather report form under Nddff. (D041NG )

    N a. 80312
    N b. 83011
    N c. 83099
    Y d. 80399

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

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

891: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to port would have __________.

    N a. an even number
    N b. an odd number
    N c. a pillar shape
    Y d. horizontal bands

911: Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, a buoy displaying a red light will __________.

    Y a. be left to starboard when entering from seaward
    N b. show a light characteristic of Morse Code "A"
    N c. be lettered
    N d. have a radar reflector

917: As the South Equatorial Current approaches the east coast of Africa, it divides with the main part flowing south to form the warm __________.

    Y a. Agulhas Current
    N b. Canary Current
    N c. Benguela Current
    N d. Madagascar Current

924: The form of cloud often known as "mackerel sky" which is generally associated with fair weather is __________.

    N a. nimbostratus
    N b. stratus
    Y c. cirrocumulus
    N d. cumulonimbus

926: When a low pressure area is approaching, the weather generally __________.

    N a. improves
    Y b. worsens
    N c. remains the same
    N d. is unpredictable

996: Warm air masses will generally have __________.

    N a. turbulence within the mass
    Y b. stratiform clouds
    N c. heavy precipitation
    N d. good visibility

1031: While steaming north of the Irish coast, you sight a buoy which shows the light rhythm shown in illustration D028NG. How would you pass this buoy? (D028NG )

    N a. North of the buoy
    Y b. East of the buoy
    N c. South of the buoy
    N d. West of the buoy

1032: What is the approximate geographic range of Point Judith Light, Rhode Island, if your height of eye is 62 feet (18.9 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 9.6 nm
    N b. 16.5 nm
    Y c. 18.6 nm
    N d. 20.7 nm

1036: A frontal thunderstorm is caused by __________.

    N a. pronounced local heating
    N b. wind being pushed up a mountain
    Y c. a warm air mass rising over a cold air mass
    N d. an increased lapse rate caused by advection of warm surface air

1131: On navigational aids, what does the light characteristic "Fl(2+1)" mean?

    N a. A flashing light combined with a fixed light of greater brightness
    Y b. Light flashes combined in groups, with a different number of flashes in each group
    N c. A light showing groups of two or more flashes at regular intervals
    N d. A fixed light varied at regular intervals by groups of two or more flashes of greater brightness

1136: When a warm air mass overtakes and replaces a cold air mass, the contact surface is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. warm front
    N b. cold front
    N c. line squall
    N d. occluded front

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

1204: Which of the symbols in illustration DO18NG designates a stationary front? (D018NG )

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

1277: The velocity and direction of the tidal current at Port Morris, NY, at 1135 DST (ZD +4) on 13 May 1983 will be __________.

    Y a. negligible at 220°T
    N b. 3.1 knots at 045°T
    N c. 1.2 knots at 220°T
    N d. 1.0 knot at 045°T

1296: After a cold front passes the barometric pressure usually __________.

    N a. fluctuates
    N b. remains the same
    N c. remains the same, with clouds forming rapidly
    Y d. rises, often quite rapidly, with clearing skies

1322: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at Grant's Tomb, 123rd Street, NY, NY, at 1412 EST (ZD +5) on 22 March 1983?

    N a. 0.5 knot
    N b. 0.8 knot
    Y c. 1.1 knots
    N d. 1.3 knots

1395: The lunar day is __________.

    Y a. longer than a solar day
    N b. shorter than a solar day
    N c. the same length as the solar day
    N d. longer than a solar day during the summer months and shorter in winter months

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

1438: In the Northern Hemisphere you are caught in the dangerous semicircle of a storm with plenty of sea room available. The best course of action is to bring the wind on the __________.

    N a. port quarter and make as much headway as possible
    N b. starboard quarter and make as much headway as possible
    Y c. starboard bow and make as much headway as possible
    N d. port bow and make as much headway as possible

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

1464: A line of position derived from a loran reading is a section of a(n) __________.

    N a. straight line
    N b. arc
    N c. parabola
    Y d. hyperbola

1478: Altostratus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 1
    Y b. 4
    N c. 7
    N d. 8

1510: During daylight savings time the meridian used for determining the time is located farther __________.

    N a. west
    Y b. east
    N c. east in west longitude and west in east longitude
    N d. west in west longitude and east in east longitude

1540: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a green can buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. You should pass the buoy close aboard on either side.
    N b. The buoy marks the end of the ICW in that area.
    Y c. You should leave the buoy to port.
    N d. The yellow square is retroreflective material used to assist in sighting the buoy at night.

1634: A lighted buoy to be left to starboard, when entering a U.S. port from seaward, shall have a __________.

    Y a. red light
    N b. white light
    N c. green light
    N d. light characteristic of Morse (A)

1653: In a weather report, the term "visibility" expresses __________.

    N a. how far you can see with the "naked eye"
    N b. how far you can see with a telescope or binoculars
    N c. how well you can identify an object at night
    Y d. the distance in miles at which prominent objects are identifiable

1664: Ascending and descending air masses with different temperatures is part of an important heat transmitting process in our atmosphere called __________.

    N a. conduction
    N b. radiation
    Y c. convection
    N d. barometric inversion

1779: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 14 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at which approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 7.5 miles
    Y b. 11.2 miles
    N c. 14.0 miles
    N d. 18.1 miles

1824: The illustration represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter C in the illustration? (DO36NG )

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two green lights
    Y c. Three green lights
    N d. No light

1828: When entering from seaward, a buoy displaying a single-flashing red light indicates __________.

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

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

2098: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    N b. Heeling magnets
    Y c. Fore-and-aft magnets
    N d. Athwartships magnets

2100: You are underway in a vessel with a draft of 7.0 feet (2.1 meters). The charted depth for your position is 9 fathoms. You compute the height of tide to be +3.0 feet (0.9 meters). You determine the depth of the water beneath your keel to be __________.

    N a. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N b. 41 feet (12.6 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.3 meters)
    N d. 64 feet (19.6 meters)

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

2414: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 20" by 28". The area includes latitude 38°S to 43°S and longitude 178°E to 175°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?

    N a. 2.6 inches
    Y b. 2.9 inches
    N c. 3.2 inches
    N d. 3.5 inches

2444: What is the equivalent of 0°48' in time units?

    N a. 2 min. 12 sec.
    N b. 2 min. 42 sec.
    N c. 3 min. 02 sec.
    Y d. 3 min. 12 sec.

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

2498: The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers for lights on __________.

    Y a. the right descending bank
    N b. the left descending bank
    N c. preferred channel buoys
    N d. daymarks with no lateral significance

2525: Daylight savings time is a form of zone time that adopts the time __________.

    N a. two zones to the west
    N b. two zones to the east
    N c. one zone to the west
    Y d. one zone to the east

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

2587: Given are the courses and speeds of 4 vessels. The navigator of which vessel would be required to know the actual time of meridian transit in order to take an accurate observation at LAN?

    Y a. C 166°T, Sp 24 knots
    N b. C 013°T, Sp 7 knots
    N c. C 291°T, Sp 25 knots
    N d. C 112°T, Sp 4 knots

2654: What is the equivalent of 5°54' in time units?

    N a. 20 min. 16 sec.
    Y b. 23 min. 36 sec.
    N c. 25 min. 54 sec.
    N d. 30 min. 27 sec.

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

2788: The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type KGW. You should __________.

    N a. see a green and white diamond
    N b. leave it to port when southbound on the Atlantic Coast ICW
    N c. pass it close aboard on either side
    Y d. look for another daymark to form the range

2882: While upbound through Memphis, the weather report on TV news indicates that a warm front is stationary over the Kentucky - Missouri - Tennessee areas. What weather conditions should you expect?

    N a. Strong, gusting winds from the NW with thundershowers
    N b. Light winds from the northeast with clear skies
    N c. A "blue norther"
    Y d. Southerly winds with steady rain; fog or overcast

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°

2961: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?

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

3112: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS) which of the following information is broadcast every one to ten seconds?

    N a. Vessel's draft
    N b. Air Draft
    Y c. Navigational status
    N d. Dimensions of vessel