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.


27: Spring tides are tides that __________.


50: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.


95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114°W and one on 119°W is __________.


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

155: The velocity of the current in large coastal harbors is __________.

    Y a. predicted in Tidal Current Tables
    N b. unpredictable
    N c. generally constant
    N d. generally too weak to be of concern

175: On 5 July 1981, at 1200 zone time, you cross the 180th meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?

    N a. It is 1200, 4 July.
    N b. It is 1200, 5 July.
    Y c. It is 1200, 6 July.
    N d. It is 2400, 6 July.

258: 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. cirrus clouds
    N b. long swells
    N c. smoother seas and warmer water
    Y d. steeper waves, closer together

313: The Loran-C receiver __________.

    N a. is not affected by interference
    N b. can be used at any distance with accuracy
    Y c. can be affected by interference
    N d. is reliable only from sunrise to sunset

317: The time meridian used for tide computations in New York Harbor is __________.

    N a. 52°30'W
    N b. 60°00'W
    Y c. 75°00'W
    N d. 82°30'W

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

427: On 23 March 1983, at Kingston Point, NY, what is the earliest time after 1700 EST (ZD +5) that the predicted tide will be +2.0 feet?

    N a. 1730
    N b. 1800
    Y c. 1854
    N d. 2030

429: A great circle crosses the equator at 127°W. It will also cross the equator at what other longitude?

    N a. 127°E
    Y b. 53°E
    N c. 27°E
    N d. 27°W

451: Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?

    Y a. Fixed
    N b. Occulting
    N c. Equal interval
    N d. Quick flashing

560: On 14 April 1981, a back sight is observed of the lower limb of the Sun. The height of eye is 45 feet. The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The sextant altitude (hs) is 117°14.6'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 63°01.9'
    N b. 63°03.4'
    N c. 63°07.4'
    Y d. 63°09.9'

580: On 21 January 1981, you observe a back sight of the Sun's lower limb. The sextant altitude (hs) is 121°31.5'. The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 31 feet (9.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 31°06.2'
    Y b. 58°53.1'
    N c. 58°12.2'
    N d. 58°03.2'

590: On 16 January 1981, you take a sight of a star. The sextant altitude (hs) is 4°33.0'. The temperature is -10°C, and the barometer reads 992 millibars. The height of eye is 42 feet. The index error is 1.9' off the arc. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 4°10.2'
    N b. 4°14.3'
    Y c. 4°17.0'
    N d. 4°24.1'

606: Early indications of the approach of a hurricane may be all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. short confused swells
    N b. gradually increasing white clouds (mare's tails)
    N c. pumping barometer
    N d. continuous fine mist-like rain

614: A marine chronometer should be rewound once every __________.

    N a. 12 hours
    Y b. day
    N c. 3 days
    N d. week

646: You have determined that you are in the right semicircle of a tropical cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere. What action should you take to avoid the storm?

    N a. Place the wind on the starboard quarter and hold that course.
    N b. Place the wind on the port quarter and hold that course.
    N c. Place the wind on the port bow and hold that course.
    Y d. Place the wind on the starboard bow and hold that course.

711: In the IALA Maritime Buoyage System, a red and white vertically-striped buoy is used as a(n) __________.

    Y a. safe water mark
    N b. cardinal mark
    N c. isolated danger mark
    N d. special mark not primarily used for navigation

725: The First Point of Aries is the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere on or about __________.

    Y a. March 21
    N b. June 21
    N c. September 21
    N d. December 21

732: What publication has information on the climate, distances, navigation regulations, outstanding landmarks, channels and anchorages of Long Island Sound?

    N a. Light List
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Pilot Chart

759: At 0000 you fix your position and plot a new DR track line. At 0200 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile west of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The set is 090°, drift 0.5 knot.
    Y b. The set is 270°, drift 0.25 knot.
    N c. The set is 270°, drift 0.5 knot.
    N d. The set is 270°, drift 1.0 knot.

829: 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 set should be applied to the second bearing.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    Y d. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.

877: Cold water flowing southward through the western part of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia is joined by water circulating counterclockwise in the Bering Sea to form the __________.

    N a. Alaska Current
    N b. Subarctic Current
    N c. Kuroshio Current
    Y d. Oyashio Current

899: A latitude line will be obtained by observing a body __________.

    N a. on the prime vertical
    N b. on the celestial horizon
    Y c. at lower transit
    N d. on the Greenwich meridian

908: From LAT 07°12'N, LONG 80°00'W, to LAT 47°12'S, LONG 169°18'E, the initial great circle course angle is 137.25°. How would you name this course?

    N a. N 137.25°E
    N b. S 137.25°E
    Y c. N 137.25°W
    N d. S 137.25°W

950: Where is the dangerous semicircle located on a hurricane in the Southern Hemisphere?

    Y a. To the left of the storm's track
    N b. To the right of the storm's track
    N c. In the high pressure area
    N d. On the south side

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

999: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Three-quarters of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 226° relative at 17.7 knots. You are on course 020°T at 8 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )

    N a. 80208
    N b. 72218
    N c. 72318
    Y d. 62324

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

1126: When a warm air mass is adjacent to a cold air mass, the separation line between the two is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. front
    N b. isobar
    N c. isotherm
    N d. equipotential line

1253: The horizontal angle between the magnetic meridian and the north-south line of the magnetic compass is __________.

    Y a. deviation
    N b. variation
    N c. compass error
    N d. dip

1254: Lighted white and orange buoys must show which color light?

    N a. Orange
    Y b. White
    N c. Red
    N d. Alternating yellow and white

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

1329: Yesterday your chronometer read 03h 01m 56s at the 1500 GMT time tick. Today your chronometer read 03h 01m 54s at the 1500 GMT time tick. What is the chronometer rate?

    N a. 1m 54s fast
    N b. 2s fast
    Y c. -2s
    N d. +2s

1369: Which of the following is the most useful factor for predicting weather?

    N a. The present reading of the barometer
    N b. The previous reading of the barometer
    N c. The difference in the barometric readings within the past 24 hours
    Y d. The rate and direction of change of barometric readings

1390: The fog most commonly encountered at sea is called __________.

    N a. conduction fog
    N b. radiation fog
    N c. frontal fog
    Y d. advection fog

1445: The planet Mars will have its greatest magnitude when at __________.

    N a. conjunction
    Y b. opposition
    N c. east quadrature
    N d. west quadrature

1652: Small, visible mound-like protuberances on the bottom of cumulonimbus clouds, that are potential breeding grounds for waterspouts and tornadoes, are called __________.

    N a. thunderheads
    Y b. mamma
    N c. rime
    N d. ice prisms

1744: Which condition suggests that your present position lies in the navigable semicircle of a tropical storm?

    Y a. A backing wind
    N b. A veering wind
    N c. Sustained gale force winds
    N d. A strong wind that maintains a constant speed and direction

1753: On a weather map, a large letter "H" means __________.

    Y a. a high pressure area with cool, dry air, and fair weather
    N b. a high pressure area with warm, moist air, and inclement weather
    N c. horse latitudes, with rough seas and strong winds
    N d. a heavy squall line near the "H"

1801: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.

    N a. the "trade winds"
    Y b. an anticyclone
    N c. a low front or an occluded front
    N d. the "doldrums"

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

1987: An instrument useful in predicting fog is the __________.

    Y a. sling psychrometer
    N b. microbarograph
    N c. anemometer
    N d. aneroid barometer

2111: Vessels regularly navigating Ohio and Mississippi rivers above Cairo, Illinois, and their tributaries, shall at all times have on board a copy of __________.

    N a. Tide Tables
    N b. U.S. Coast Pilot
    Y c. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Regulations (Blue Book)
    N d. Sailing Directions

2164: The line connecting the points of the earth's surface where there is no dip is the __________.

    N a. agonic line
    Y b. magnetic equator
    N c. isodynamic
    N d. isopor

2243: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?

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

2254: A rock and sand structure extending from the bank of the river toward the channel is known as a __________.

    Y a. wingdam
    N b. towhead
    N c. cutoff
    N d. landwall

2294: What celestial body may sometimes be observed in daylight?

    N a. New Moon
    N b. Saturn
    N c. Sirius
    Y d. Venus

2560: A plane that cuts the Earth's surface at any angle and passes through the center will always form __________.

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

2572: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -4 and -5 is __________.

    N a. 60°00'E
    Y b. 67°30'E
    N c. 75°00'E
    N d. 60°00'W

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

2876: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the lower limb of the Sun. The sextant altitude (hs) is 109°23.6'. The height of eye is 66 feet, and the index error is 2.0' off the arc. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 71°01.2'
    Y b. 70°57.2'
    N c. 70°45.4
    N d. 70°26.4'

2949: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Sun. The sextant altitude (hs) is 109°26.3'. The height of eye is 66 feet, and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. What is the observed altitude (HO)?

    N a. 70°56.6'
    N b. 70°38.0'
    Y c. 70°27.2'
    N d. 70°23.2'

3024: 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 ?

    N a. C 018°T, Sp 6 knots
    N b. C 079°T, Sp 24 knots
    N c. C 101°T, Sp 7 knots
    Y d. C 349°T, Sp 25 knots

3052: The Sailing Directions contain information on __________.

    N a. required navigation lights
    N b. lifesaving equipment standards
    N c. casualty reporting procedures
    Y d. currents in various locations

3104: In general, on how many radio channels will an automatic identification system (AIS) operate?

    Y a. 3
    N b. 5
    N c. 7
    N d. 9

3109: While underway, a vessel over 100,000 gross tons with an automatic identification systems (AIS) is expected to broadcast all of the following information every 1 to 10 seconds EXCEPT __________.

    N a. rate of turn
    Y b. name of vessel
    N c. navigational status
    N d. ship's heading

3130: When may the automatic identification system (AIS) be switched off?

    N a. At anytime as long as it is properly logged.
    Y b. At the Master's professional judgment.
    N c. Only when the vessel is at anchor or in port.
    N d. Under no circumstance.