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.


8: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the upper light is above the lower light you should __________.


222: Which statement concerning the illustration is correct? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )


246: The consistent winds blowing from the horse latitudes to the doldrums are called the __________.


253: Loran-C is which type of system?

    N a. Reflected electron
    N b. Electrical radiation
    N c. Quarterpoint electrical navigation
    Y d. Hyperbolic radio navigation

272: What does the symbol shown indicate on a chart? (D033NG )

    N a. A sunken vessel marked by a buoy
    Y b. A safe water beacon
    N c. A red and white can buoy
    N d. A can buoy with a rotating white light

305: IN REGION A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the port side of a channel would be marked by a __________.

    Y a. red can buoy
    N b. black can buoy
    N c. red conical buoy
    N d. black conical buoy

329: The symbols shown are used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which symbol indicates a weather boundary? (D042NG )

    N a. I
    N b. H
    N c. G
    Y d. F

337: To predict the actual depth of water using the Tide Tables, the number obtained from the Tide Tables is __________.

    N a. the actual depth
    Y b. added to or subtracted from the charted depth
    N c. multiplied by the charted depth
    N d. divided by the charted depth

372: You would find the variation on a polyconic projection chart __________.

    Y a. on the compass rose
    N b. on the mileage scale
    N c. written on the chart title
    N d. at each line of longitude

392: A pilot chart does NOT contain information about __________.

    N a. average wind conditions
    Y b. tidal currents
    N c. magnetic variation
    N d. average limits of field ice

458: The prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere blow 18-30 knots __________.

    Y a. all year long
    N b. during the summer months only
    N c. during the winter only
    N d. during spring only

514: What instrument measures wind velocity?

    N a. Hydrometer
    N b. Barometer
    N c. Psychrometer
    Y d. Anemometer

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)

572: You wish to measure the distance on a Mercator chart between a point in latitude 43°30'N and a point in latitude 40°30'N. To measure 30 miles at a time, you should set the points of the dividers at __________.

    N a. 41°30' and 42°00'
    Y b. 41°45' and 42°15'
    N c. 42°00' and 42°30'
    N d. 42°15' and 42°45'

587: Your vessel has a draft of 34 feet. On 8 October 1983 you wish to pass over an obstruction near Jaffrey Point, NH, that has a charted depth of 31 feet. Allowing for a safety margin of 3 feet, what is the earliest time after 0900 DST (ZD +4) that this passage can be made?

    N a. 0920
    Y b. 1029
    N c. 1120
    N d. 1159

624: When using a mechanical (windup type) marine chronometer, how often should it be reset?

    Y a. Only when it is overhauled
    N b. Whenever the chronometer error exceeds approximately four minutes
    N c. At the start of each voyage
    N d. If the chronometer rate changes from gaining to losing or vice versa

660: What is the length of a nautical mile?

    N a. 1,850 meters
    N b. 5,280 feet
    N c. 1,760 yards
    Y d. 6,076 feet

674: When using an ARPA, what should you consider in order to evaluate the information displayed?

    N a. The target vessel's generated course and speed are based solely on radar inputs.
    Y b. Navigational constraints may require a target vessel to change course.
    N c. The trial maneuver feature will automatically determine a course that will clear all targets.
    N d. You cannot determine if a small target has been lost due to sea return.

702: Which publication contains information on navigation regulations, landmarks, channels, anchorages, tides, currents, and clearances of bridges for Chesapeake Bay?

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

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

783: Magnetism which is present only when the material is under the influence of an external field is called __________.

    N a. permanent magnetism
    Y b. induced magnetism
    N c. residual magnetism
    N d. terrestrial magnetism

797: Which statement is TRUE concerning the current of the Gulf Stream?

    N a. It reaches its daily maximum speed a few hours before the transit of the Moon.
    N b. It is slower at the time of neap tides than at spring tides.
    N c. When the Moon is at its maximum declination the stream is narrower than when the Moon is on the equator.
    Y d. Variations in the trade winds affect the current.

867: Which ocean current is "warm" based on the latitude in which it originates and on the effect it has on climate?

    Y a. Kuroshio Current
    N b. Benguela Current
    N c. Peru Current
    N d. California Current

995: What is the equivalent of 83°29.6' in time units?

    N a. 5h 47m 34.8s
    N b. 5h 18m 22.7s
    N c. 5h 01m 42.3s
    Y d. 5h 33m 58.4s

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°

1127: In a river subject to tidal currents, the best time to dock a ship without the assistance of tugs is __________.

    Y a. at slack water
    N b. at flood tide
    N c. when there is a following current
    N d. at high water

1141: What is characteristic of an isophase light?

    N a. 4 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse, 3 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse
    N b. 2 sec. flash, 5 sec. eclipse
    Y c. 1 sec. flash, 1 sec. eclipse
    N d. 6 sec. flash, 3 sec. eclipse

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

1184: Your position X is at LAT 35°S. Which winds are you experiencing? (D009NG )

    Y a. Northeasterly
    N b. Northwesterly
    N c. Southeasterly
    N d. Southwesterly

1211: Red sectors of navigation lights warn mariners of __________.

    N a. floating debris
    N b. heavily trafficked areas
    N c. recently sunken vessels
    Y d. shoals or nearby land

1243: Magnetic heading differs from compass heading by __________.

    N a. compass error
    N b. true heading
    N c. variation
    Y d. deviation

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

1289: A body can only be observed at lower transit when __________.

    N a. the declination is the opposite name to the latitude
    N b. the algebraic sum of the colatitude and declination exceeds 90°
    N c. the observer is in high latitudes above either polar circle
    Y d. the body is circumpolar

1304: The distance to the nearest vertex from any point on a great circle track cannot exceed __________.

    Y a. 5400 nautical miles
    N b. 5840 nautical miles
    N c. 6080 nautical miles
    N d. 10,800 nautical miles

1355: The parallax of the Moon is greatest when the Moon is __________.

    N a. in the zenith at perigee
    N b. on the horizon at apogee
    N c. at its maximum altitude at apogee
    Y d. on the horizon at perigee

1404: A great circle will intersect the equator at how many degrees of longitude apart?

    N a. 0°
    N b. 45°
    N c. 90°
    Y d. 180°

1453: Indications of the master gyrocompass are sent to remote repeaters by the __________.

    N a. follow-up system
    Y b. transmitter
    N c. phantom element
    N d. azimuth motor

1463: If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

    Y a. The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N b. The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true
    N c. The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N d. The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

1499: You are scanning the radar screen for a buoy fitted with racon. How should this signal appear on the PPI display?

    Y a. Starting with a dash and extending radially outward from the target
    N b. As a broken line from center of PPI to the target
    N c. Starting with a dot and extending radially inward from the target
    N d. Starting with a dash and extending to the right of the target

1507: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the upper light is above the lower light you should __________.

    N a. come right
    N b. come left
    N c. wait until the lights are no longer in a vertical line
    Y d. continue on the present course

1509: Your facsimile prognostic chart indicates that you will cross the cold front of a low pressure system in about 24 hours. You should __________.

    N a. expect to see cirrus clouds followed by altostratus and nimbostratus clouds
    N b. alter course to remain in the navigable semicircle
    Y c. prepare for gusty winds, thunderstorms, and a sudden wind shift
    N d. expect clear weather, with steady winds and pressure, until the front passes

1583: The angle measured from the observer's meridian, clockwise or counterclockwise up to 180°, to the vertical circle of the body is the __________.

    N a. local hour angle
    Y b. azimuth angle
    N c. meridian angle
    N d. observer's longitude

1656: Which instrument is most useful in forecasting fog?

    N a. A barometer
    N b. An anemometer
    Y c. A sling psychrometer
    N d. A pyrometer

1769: Under the numbering system used by NGA (NIMA), a three digit number may be used for __________.

    Y a. a small scale chart depicting a major portion of an ocean basin or a position plotting sheet
    N b. non-navigational materials such as radar plotting sheets
    N c. products issued periodically such as the Notice to Mariners
    N d. large scale charts of areas that are infrequently used for navigation such as the headwaters of rivers

1774: Restricted areas at locks and dams are indicated by __________.

    N a. flashing red lights upstream and fixed red lights downstream
    N b. yellow unlighted buoys
    Y c. signs and/or flashing red lights
    N d. red daymarks upstream and green daymarks downstream

1875: The position labeled "E" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. a dead reckoning position is plotted within a half-hour of each course change
    N b. the position is a running fix
    Y c. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each speed change
    N d. the vessel's position was fixed at 1145

1942: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the declination of the equator system?

    N a. Nadir
    N b. Azimuth angle
    Y c. Altitude
    N d. Zenith distance

1960: Astronomical refraction causes a celestial body to appear __________.

    N a. to the left of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere
    N b. to the right of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
    Y c. higher than its actual position
    N d. lower than its actual position

2080: You are on course 030°T. The relative bearing of a lighthouse is 45°. What is the true bearing?

    N a. 015°
    Y b. 075°
    N c. 255°
    N d. 345°

2274: A vessel is heading magnetic east and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 086°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends of the magnets are to port you should lower the athwartships tray.
    N b. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.
    N c. If the red ends of the magnet are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the top, you should add some more magnets.
    Y d. If the red ends of the magnets are aft you should lower the fore-and-aft tray.

2369: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) CANNOT be set on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    Y a. Heeling magnet
    N b. Flinders bar
    N c. Fore-and-aft magnets
    N d. All of the above can be set on magnetic east or magnetic west headings.

2387: You are on a voyage from New Orleans to Boston and navigating off the Florida coast. You will get the greatest benefit from the Gulf Stream if you navigate __________.

    N a. about 5 miles east of Cape Canaveral
    N b. about 15 miles east of Daytona
    N c. along the 50-fathom curve
    Y d. about 20 miles east of Jupiter Inlet

2534: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 26" by 30". The area includes latitude 28°15'N to 35°45'N and longitude 174°00'E to 178°00'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. 2.76 inches
    N b. 2.92 inches
    Y c. 3.06 inches
    N d. 3.19 inches

2546: A structure, usually made of stone, or cement pilings, which extends from the bank at approximately right angles to the current is called a __________.

    Y a. dike
    N b. revetment
    N c. cutoff
    N d. crib

2690: Right ascension is primarily used by the navigator for __________.

    N a. calculating amplitudes
    N b. calculating great circle sailings by the Ageton method
    N c. entering the Air Navigation Tables (Selected Stars) Pub 249
    Y d. plotting on star finders

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.

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

2923: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.

    N a. from every estimated position
    Y b. from every fix or running fix
    N c. every three minutes in pilotage waters
    N d. only in pilotage waters

2924: You take a bearing of 264° of a lighthouse. What bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 289°
    Y b. 350v
    N c. 081°
    N d. 120°

2981: The maritime radio system consisting of a series of coast stations transmitting coastal warnings is called __________.

    Y a. NAVTEX
    N b. HYDROLANT/HYDROPAC
    N c. NAVAREA
    N d. SAFESEA