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.


28: When using a buoy as an aid to navigation which of the following should be considered?


62: Charted depth is the __________.


94: When using a recording depth finder in the open ocean, what phenomena is most likely to produce a continuous trace that may not be from the actual ocean bottom?


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

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

    N a. Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a 21-meter diameter.
    N b. The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of the star on the symbol's mast.
    N c. There is a 12 meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just west of Beito Island.
    Y d. The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or superstructure above the sounding datum.

351: Which buoy may be odd numbered?

    N a. A spherical buoy
    Y b. An unlighted can buoy
    N c. A red buoy
    N d. A yellow buoy

382: Which would you consult for information about the general current circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean?

    Y a. Pilot chart
    N b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Current Table
    N d. Climatological Atlas

395: If the Sun's observed altitude is 27°12', the zenith distance is __________.

    Y a. 62°48'
    N b. 27°12'
    N c. 152°48'
    N d. 43°12'

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

452: When navigating in high latitudes and using a chart based on a Lambert conformal projection, __________.

    Y a. a straight line drawn on the chart approximates a great circle
    N b. the chart should not be used outside of the standard parallels
    N c. the course angle is measured at the mid-longitude of the track line
    N d. distance cannot be measured directly from the chart

457: Find the height of the tide at Port Wentworth, GA, on 5 October 1983, at 1840 DST (ZD +4).

    N a. 3.0 feet
    N b. 3.5 feet
    N c. 4.0 feet
    Y d. 4.4 feet

530: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy with a spherical topmark marks __________.

    N a. the port side of the channel
    N b. the position of underwater cables
    Y c. safe water
    N d. a hazard to navigation

564: A hygrometer is a device used for determining __________.

    N a. the absolute temperature
    N b. atmospheric pressure
    N c. wind velocity
    Y d. relative humidity

667: The navigable semicircle of a typhoon in the Southern Hemisphere is the area __________.

    N a. behind the typhoon, measured from 90° to 180°From each side of the storm's track
    Y b. to the right of the storm's track
    N c. ahead of the typhoon, measured from the storm's track to 90° on each side
    N d. measured from due south, counterclockwise 180°

701: In the IALA Buoyage System, buoys with alternating red and green horizontal bands are used to indicate __________.

    N a. fishing areas
    N b. spoil grounds
    Y c. the preferred channel
    N d. isolated dangers

701: In the IALA Buoyage System, buoys with alternating red and green horizontal bands are used to indicate __________.

    N a. fishing areas
    N b. spoil grounds
    Y c. the preferred channel
    N d. isolated dangers

703: Which statement concerning the operation of radar in fog is TRUE?

    N a. Radar ranges are less accurate in fog.
    N b. Navigation buoys will always show up on radar.
    N c. A sandy beach will show up clearer on radar than a rocky cliff.
    Y d. Small wooden boats may not show up on radar.

720: Which change in the condition of the seas could indicate the formation of a tropical storm or hurricane several hundred miles from your location?

    Y a. A long swell from an unusual direction
    N b. A lengthy lull in the wind and seas
    N c. Large seas coming from different directions
    N d. A brisk chop from the southeast

812: You are informed of defects or changes in aids to navigation by __________.

    N a. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. Weekly Notice to Mariners
    N c. marine broadcasts
    Y d. All of the above

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

942: Light Lists for coastal waters are __________.

    N a. published every year and require no corrections
    N b. published every second year and must be corrected
    N c. published every five years and require no correction
    Y d. accurate thru NM number on title page and must be corrected

944: High clouds, composed of small white flakes or scaly globular masses, and often banded together to form a "mackerel sky", would be classified as __________.

    N a. cirrus
    Y b. cirrocumulus
    N c. altostratus
    N d. cumulonimbus

962: Chart legends which indicate a conspicuous landmark are printed in __________.

    N a. underlined letters
    N b. boldfaced print
    N c. italics
    Y d. capital letters

965: In order for a star to be used for a sight at lower transit, the star must __________.

    Y a. be circumpolar
    N b. have a declination equal to or greater than your latitude
    N c. have a GHA of 180°
    N d. have the SHA equal to or less than the LHA

977: In the Sargasso Sea there are large quantities of seaweed and no well defined currents. This area is located in the __________.

    Y a. Central North Atlantic Ocean
    N b. Caribbean Sea
    N c. Western North Pacific Ocean
    N d. area off the west coast of South America

1003: The quadrantal spheres are used to __________.

    Y a. remove deviation on the intercardinal headings
    N b. remove deviation on the cardinal compass headings
    N c. remove heeling error
    N d. compensate for induced magnetism in vertical soft iron

1042: What is the approximate geographic range of Shinnecock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 24 feet (7.3 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 8.7 nm
    N b. 9.9 nm
    N c. 14.4 nm
    Y d. 15.9 nm

1081: On a voyage along the coast of France, you sight a buoy with the top marks as shown. You are required to steer __________. (D026NG )

    N a. west of the buoy
    N b. east of the buoy
    Y c. south of the buoy
    N d. north of the buoy

1150: You are on course 312°T. To check the speed of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    Y a. 312°
    N b. 000°
    N c. 090°
    N d. 222°

1186: As a cold front passes an observer, pressure __________.

    N a. drops and winds become variable
    Y b. rises and winds become gusty
    N c. drops and winds become gusty
    N d. rises and winds become variable

1188: The magnitude of three stars is indicated. Which star is the brightest?

    N a. Antares + 1.2
    N b. Altair + 0.9
    Y c. Vega + 0.1
    N d. Cannot be determined; magnitude indicates size not brightness

1240: Weather information is available from __________.

    N a. commercial radio broadcasts
    N b. the Coast Guard on scheduled marine information broadcasts
    N c. VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service
    Y d. All of the above

1342: An occluded front on a weather map is colored __________.

    N a. blue line
    Y b. purple line
    N c. dashed blue line
    N d. alternate red and blue line

1406: What will act to dissipate fog?

    N a. Upwelling cold water
    N b. Advection of warm air over a colder surface
    N c. Rain that is warmer than air
    Y d. Downslope motion of an air mass along a coast

1483: The most accurate method of determining gyrocompass error while underway is by __________.

    Y a. comparing the gyro azimuth of a celestial body with the computed azimuth of the body
    N b. comparing the gyro heading with the magnetic compass heading
    N c. determining from the chart the course made good between celestial fixes
    N d. It cannot be determined accurately at sea due to drift of unknown currents.

1495: A great circle crosses the equator at 157°W. It will also cross the equator at what other longitude?

    N a. 157°E
    N b. 57°E
    Y c. 23°E
    N d. 57°W

1505: At 0000 you fix your position and change course to 090°T. At 0030 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The current is easterly.
    N b. The drift is 0.5 knot.
    N c. You should alter course to the right to regain the track line.
    N d. The current is perpendicular to your track line.

1513: Scales on aneroid barometers are usually graduated in inches of mercury in the general range of __________.

    N a. 26 to 29 inches
    Y b. 28 to 31 inches
    N c. 30 to 33 inches
    N d. 32 to 35 inches

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

1581: Shown are the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "I" represents __________. (D042NG )

    N a. rain showers
    Y b. thunderstorms
    N c. snow storms
    N d. sand storms

1626: Which instrument is used to measure the relative humidity of the air?

    N a. A hydrometer
    Y b. A hygrometer
    N c. A spectrometer
    N d. A barograph

1696: Two well-developed high pressure areas may be separated by a __________.

    N a. hill of low pressure
    Y b. trough of low pressure
    N c. valley of low pressure
    N d. ridge of low pressure

1698: When a high pressure system is centered north of your vessel in the Northern Hemisphere __________.

    N a. you should experience hot, moist, clear weather
    Y b. the wind direction is generally easterly
    N c. the winds should be from the southwest at your location
    N d. the winds should be brisk

1701: Which general weather conditions should you expect to find in a low pressure system?

    N a. Fair weather
    Y b. Precipitation and cloudiness
    N c. Scattered clouds at high elevations
    N d. Gradual clearing and cooler temperatures

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

1887: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 10 miles and is 11 feet high. If the visibility is 15 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 12.0 miles
    N b. 11.0 miles
    N c. 10.0 miles
    Y d. 9.0 miles

1904: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the parallels of declination of the celestial equator system?

    N a. Vertical circles
    Y b. Parallels of altitude
    N c. Zenith distance
    N d. Azimuth angle

1954: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the poles on the Earth?

    N a. Celestial poles
    Y b. Zenith, nadir
    N c. Ecliptic poles
    N d. Nodes

2048: You are upbound approaching a lock and dam and see two green lights in a vertical line. This indicates __________.

    Y a. the downstream end of an intermediate wall
    N b. that a double lockage is in progress
    N c. the downstream end of the land wall
    N d. the navigable pass of a fixed weir dam

2214: By convention, the Earth's south magnetic pole is colored __________.

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

2262: The Milky Way is an example of a __________.

    N a. cluster
    Y b. galaxy
    N c. nova
    N d. nebula

2322: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic north but the compass reads 356°. Which action should be taken?

    N a. Use the fore-and-aft magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 358°.
    Y b. Use the athwartships magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 358°.
    N c. Use the fore-and-aft magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 000°.
    N d. Use the quadrantal spheres and adjust the compass until it reads 000°.

2386: The path that the Sun appears to take among the stars is the __________.

    N a. zodiac
    N b. Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere
    Y c. ecliptic
    N d. line of apsides

2392: The point where the Sun is at maximum declination north or south is __________.

    N a. aphelion
    N b. perihelion
    N c. an equinox
    Y d. a solstice

2470: You are on course 344°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 090°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?

    N a. 016°
    Y b. 074°
    N c. 254°
    N d. 270°

2478: On 23 August 1981 you observe a back sight of the lower limb of the Sun. The sextant altitude (hs) is 116°42.8'. The height of eye is 56 feet and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 63°42.0'
    N b. 63°38.0'
    N c. 63°19.4'
    N d. 62°49.6'

2596: The abbreviation L.W.R.P. on the navigation maps means __________.

    Y a. low water reference plane
    N b. low winter runoff point
    N c. least water river plane
    N d. land wall reference point

2703: Which publication indicates the HYDROLANTS or HYDROPACS issued since the previous working day?

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

2869: A pillar buoy is indicated by which letter shown in the illustration? (D044NG )

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

2878: 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 356°T, Sp 5 knots
    N b. C 099°T, Sp 17 knots
    Y c. C 192°T, Sp 23 knots
    N d. C 278°T, Sp 6 knots