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.


2: On an isomagnetic chart, the line of zero variation is the __________.


83: All Loran-C transmitting stations are equipped with cesium frequency standards which permit __________.


108: A position that is obtained by using two or more intersecting lines of position taken at nearly the same time, is a(n) __________.


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

129: In working out a local apparent noon sight for your latitude, you subtract the Ho from 90°. The 90° represents the angular distance from __________.

    N a. the equator to the elevated pole
    Y b. your horizon to your zenith
    N c. your zenith to the elevated pole
    N d. the geographical position of the Sun to the elevated pole

162: A chart with a scale of 1:80,000 would fall into the category of a __________.

    N a. sailing chart
    N b. general chart
    Y c. coastal chart
    N d. harbor chart

195: The equation of time is 8m 00s. The mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are 2°W of the central meridian of your time zone, when will the apparent Sun cross your meridian?

    Y a. 1216
    N b. 1208
    N c. 1200
    N d. 1152

205: The difference between local apparent time (LAT) and local mean time (LMT) is indicated by the __________.

    Y a. equation of time
    N b. difference of longitude between the local and central meridian in time units
    N c. longitude in time units
    N d. zone description

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

283: Loran-C operates on a single frequency centered on __________.

    Y a. 100 kHz
    N b. 500 kHz
    N c. 1,850 kHz
    N d. 1,950 kHz

304: In order to remove index error from a sextant, you should adjust the __________.

    N a. index mirror to make it parallel to the horizon glass with the index set at zero
    Y b. horizon glass to make it parallel to the index mirror with the index set at zero
    N c. horizon glass to make it parallel to the sextant frame
    N d. telescope to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame

396: Your vessel is on course 150°T, speed 17 knots. The apparent wind is from 40° off the starboard bow, speed 15 knots. What is the speed of the true wind?

    N a. 9.0 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    Y c. 11.0 knots
    N d. 12.0 knots

422: If you are sailing from the East Coast of the United States to the Caribbean Sea, which publication would contain information on weather, currents, and storms?

    N a. Sailing Charts of the Caribbean Sea
    Y b. Pilot Charts of the North Atlantic
    N c. Light Lists, Atlantic and Gulf Coast
    N d. Tidal Current Tables

465: When applying a dip correction to the sighted sextant angle (hs), you always subtract the dip because you are correcting __________.

    N a. hs to the visible horizon
    Y b. hs to the sensible horizon
    N c. hs to the celestial horizon
    N d. Ho to the celestial horizon

526: When a hurricane passes over colder water or land and loses its tropical characteristics, the storm becomes a(n) __________.

    N a. high pressure area
    Y b. extratropical low-pressure system
    N c. tropical storm
    N d. easterly wave

604: Chronometer error may be found by __________.

    N a. radio time signal
    N b. comparison with a timepiece of known error
    N c. applying the prevailing chronometer rate to previous readings
    Y d. All of the above

607: The charted depth alongside the south face of Mystic Pier, Charlestown, MA, is 35 feet. Your maximum draft is 38 feet. You wish to have 2 feet under the bottom, on a rising tide, when you go alongside to discharge a heavy lift. What is the earliest time after 0900 EST (ZD +5), on 2 February 1983, that you can dock?

    N a. 1020
    N b. 1050
    N c. 1127
    Y d. 1137

645: The arc of an hour circle between the celestial equator and a point on the celestial sphere, measured northward or southward through 90°, is the __________.

    N a. altitude
    Y b. declination
    N c. latitude
    N d. azimuth angle

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

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.

835: When taking stars, those bodies to the east and west will __________.

    Y a. change altitude rapidly
    N b. change altitude slowly
    N c. remain in an almost fixed position
    N d. appear to be moving in the plane of the horizon

890: If several navigational lights are visible at the same time, each one may be positively identified by checking all of the following EXCEPT what against the Light List?

    N a. Rhythm
    N b. Period
    Y c. Intensity
    N d. Color

1012: General information about the location, characteristics, facilities, and services for U.S. and foreign ports may be obtained from which publication?

    Y a. World Port Index
    N b. Sailing Directions
    N c. Distances Between Ports
    N d. Coast Pilot

1056: The steepness of a cold front depends on __________.

    N a. the direction of wind around the front
    Y b. its velocity
    N c. the temperature of the air behind the front
    N d. the precipitation generated by the front

1082: Northern right whales can be identified by __________.

    N a. whitish patches of skin on top of the head
    N b. "V" shaped blow easily visible from ahead or behind
    N c. no dorsal fin on the back
    Y d. All of the above

1093: The Flinders bar on a magnetic compass compensates for the __________.

    Y a. induced magnetism in vertical soft iron
    N b. induced magnetism in horizontal soft iron
    N c. permanent magnetism in ship's steel
    N d. vessel's inclination from the vertical

1094: A light, feathery deposit of ice caused by the sublimation of water vapor directly into the crystalline form, on objects whose temperatures are below freezing, is called __________.

    N a. dew
    Y b. frost
    N c. glaze
    N d. snow

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

1149: You are entering port and have been instructed to anchor, as your berth is not yet available. You are on a SW'ly heading, preparing to drop anchor, when you observe the range lights, as shown, on your starboard beam. You should __________. (D047NG )

    Y a. ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the range while at anchor
    N b. drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area free of obstructions
    N c. drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of the range lights will be an indication of dragging anchor
    N d. NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line

1367: You want to transit Hell Gate, NY on 23 July 1983. What is the period of time around the AM (ZD +4) slack before ebb when the current will be less than 0.3 knot?

    N a. 0939 to 0957
    Y b. 0943 to 0953
    N c. 0844 to 0852
    N d. 0348 to 0356

1375: The Moon rises earlier on succeeding days when the __________.

    N a. retardation effect of the revolution of the Moon is greater than the effect due to change of declination
    Y b. effect due to change of declination is larger than that due to revolution
    N c. the revolution effect and the declination effect act in the same direction
    N d. the Moon is on the equator and the revolution effect is at a maximum

1382: The chart indicates the variation was 3°45'W in 1988, and the annual change is increasing 6'. If you use the chart in 1991 how much variation should you apply?

    N a. 3°27'W
    N b. 3°27'E
    Y c. 4°03'W
    N d. 4°03'E

1397: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at Port Jefferson Harbor Entrance, NY, at 1600 EST (ZD +5) on 23 December 1983?

    N a. 0.9 knot
    Y b. 1.1 knots
    N c. 1.6 knots
    N d. 2.0 knots

1417: Determine the first time after 1200 EST (ZD +5) when the velocity of the current will be 0.5 knot on 18 November 1983, at Marcus Hook, PA.

    N a. 1221
    N b. 1226
    Y c. 1239
    N d. 1312

1418: Static on your AM radio may be __________.

    Y a. an indication of nearby thunderstorm activity
    N b. an indication of "clearing" weather
    N c. of no meteorological significance
    N d. a sign of strong winds

1425: Which is an inferior planet?

    N a. Mars
    Y b. Venus
    N c. Neptune
    N d. Pluto

1456: The fog produced by warm moist air passing over a cold surface is called __________.

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

1554: A slow rise in the barometric pressure forecasts __________.

    N a. rainy weather for the next 48 hours
    N b. high seas
    Y c. improving weather conditions
    N d. deteriorating weather conditions

1564: What is a characteristic of cardinal marks?

    Y a. Light rhythms indicating directional orientation
    N b. Vertical stripes
    N c. Square or triangular topmarks
    N d. Number-letter combinations for identification

1570: The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the horizon system and the other is the __________.

    N a. terrestrial system
    N b. astronautical system
    Y c. celestial equator system
    N d. ecliptic system

1584: A decrease in barometric pressure is associated with all of the following except __________.

    N a. rising warm air
    N b. proximity to a low pressure area
    N c. inward spiraling circulation
    Y d. clear dry weather

1585: The sidereal day begins when the __________.

    Y a. first point of Aries is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N b. Sun is over the lower branch of the reference meridian
    N c. Sun is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N d. first point of Aries is over the lower branch of the reference meridian

1599: The time interval between successive wave crests is called the __________.

    N a. trough
    Y b. period
    N c. frequency
    N d. epoch

1611: What indicates a dual purpose buoy?

    N a. Red buoy with a horizontal yellow band
    N b. Red and white vertically-striped buoy with a vertical yellow stripe
    N c. Red and white vertically-striped buoy with a red spherical topmark
    Y d. Green buoy with a yellow square

1627: An instrument that maintains a continuous record of humidity changes is called a __________.

    N a. thermometer
    N b. barometer
    Y c. hygrograph
    N d. thermograph

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

1692: The force resulting from the earth's rotation that causes winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere is called __________.

    N a. pressure gradient
    Y b. Coriolis effect
    N c. aurora borealis
    N d. ballistic deflection

1884: If a sound signal is emitted from the oscillator of a fathometer, and two seconds elapse before the returning signal is picked up, what depth of water is indicated?

    N a. 1648 fathoms
    N b. 1248 fathoms
    N c. 1048 fathoms
    Y d. 824 fathoms

1925: Above-normal tides near the center of a hurricane may be caused by the __________.

    N a. high barometric pressure
    N b. jet stream
    Y c. storm surge
    N d. torrential rains

2170: The temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapor and below which condensation of water vapor will occur is referred to as the __________.

    N a. precipitation point
    N b. vapor point
    Y c. dew point
    N d. absolute humidity

2203: You get underway from the shipyard in Chester, PA, at 1515 DST (ZD +4) on 6 August 1983, enroute to sea. You will be turning for eight knots. What current can you expect at Fourteen Foot Bank Light?

    N a. Slack
    Y b. 1.3 knots ebbing
    N c. 1.7 knots ebbing
    N d. 0.5 knot ebbing

2222: By convention, the south pole of a magnet is painted __________.

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

2351: A position obtained by applying ONLY your vessel's course and speed to a known position is a __________.

    N a. running fix
    N b. probable position
    N c. fix
    Y d. dead-reckoning position

2708: You are approaching a drawbridge and have sounded the proper whistle signal requesting it to open. You hear a signal of one prolonged and one short blast from the bridge. Which action should you take?

    N a. Anchor or use an alternate route because the bridge is out of service for an extended period of time.
    N b. Approach to a point not closer than 400 yards (360 meters) from the bridge and await further signals.
    N c. Hold in the channel as the bridge will open within 15 minutes.
    Y d. Approach under full control to pass through the bridge.

2750: When pushing a tow and approaching barges tied off to the shore, you should __________.

    N a. increase speed so you will pass faster
    Y b. decrease speed while passing so you won't create a suction
    N c. do nothing different as the barges should be tied off properly
    N d. move to the opposite side of the channel from the barges and increase speed

2809: The diurnal variation of pressure is not visible in the middle latitudes in winter because __________.

    Y a. it is masked by the pressure changes of moving weather systems
    N b. the decreased gravitational effect from the sun causes the variation to fade
    N c. the decreased average temperature is less than the critical temperature
    N d. the increased Coriolis force disperses the pressure variation

2858: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ships fog horn 2 1/2 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

    N a. 225 yards
    Y b. 460 yards
    N c. 750 yards
    N d. 910 yards

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

2969: A red triangular daymark marks __________.

    N a. the centerline of a navigable channel
    Y b. the starboard side of a channel
    N c. a prominent object of navigational interest that has no lateral significance
    N d. an area of a channel where passing another vessel is permitted

3103: In general, on how many radio channels will an automatic identification system (AIS) operate?

    N a. 1
    Y b. 3
    N c. 4
    N d. 12