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.


61: Red lights may appear on __________.


77: When there are small differences between the heights of two successive high tides or two low tides, in a tidal day, the tides are called __________.


189: While steering a course of 150°T, you wish to observe the Sun for a speed check. What would the azimuth have to be?


248: What is the index error of sextant A in illustration D050NG? (D050NG )

    N a. 0° 10' off the arc
    N b. 0° 10' on the arc
    N c. 3° 00' off the arc
    Y d. 4° 20' off the arc

254: The range of tide is the __________.

    Y a. difference between the heights of high and low tide
    N b. distance the tide moves out from the shore
    N c. duration of time between high and low tide
    N d. maximum depth of the water at high tide

302: Which symbol represents a 20-fathom curve?

    Y a. -..-..-..-..-
    N b. - - - - - - - -
    N c. - - . - - . - - . - - .
    N d. - - - - - - - -

309: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 120°T, 110 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285°T at 25 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?

    N a. 332°
    N b. 339°
    Y c. 346°
    N d. 357°

476: Tropical cyclones normally form within which of the following belts of latitude?

    Y a. 5° to 15°
    N b. 15° to 30°
    N c. 30° to 45°
    N d. 45° to 60°

531: You have been informed that dredging operations may be underway in your vicinity. Which buoy indicates the dredging area?

    N a. White buoy with a green top
    N b. White and international orange buoy
    Y c. Yellow buoy
    N d. Yellow and black vertically-striped buoy

536: You are enroute from Puerto Rico to New York. A hurricane makes up and is approaching. If the wind veers steadily, this indicates that your vessel is __________.

    Y a. in the dangerous semicircle
    N b. in the navigable semicircle
    N c. directly in the path of the storm
    N d. in the storm center

600: The dangerous semicircle of a typhoon in the Southern Hemisphere is that area __________.

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

800: You are to sail from Elizabethport, NJ, on 17 November 1983 with a maximum draft of 27 feet. You will pass over an obstruction in the channel near Sandy Hook that has a charted depth of 26 feet. The steaming time from Elizabethport to the obstruction is 1h 50m. What is the earliest time (ZD +5) you can sail on 17 November and pass over the obstruction with 2 feet of clearance?

    Y a. 0056
    N b. 0124
    N c. 0154
    N d. 0218

856: The flow of air around an anticyclone in the Southern Hemisphere is __________.

    N a. clockwise and outward
    Y b. counterclockwise and outward
    N c. clockwise and inward
    N d. counterclockwise and inward

1024: The dew point is reached when the __________.

    N a. temperature of the air equals the temperature of the seawater
    N b. atmospheric pressure is 14.7 lbs. per square inch
    N c. relative humidity reaches 50%
    Y d. air becomes saturated with water vapor

1049: At 0000 you fix your position and change course to 270°T. At 0030 you again fix your position, and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?

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

1139: A star is observed at lower transit. The line of position derived from this sight is __________.

    N a. on the prime vertical
    Y b. a latitude line
    N c. a longitude line
    N d. of no special significance

1153: Heeling error is defined as the change of deviation for a heel of __________.

    N a. 2°While the vessel is on an intercardinal heading
    Y b. 1°While the vessel is on a compass heading of 000°
    N c. 2° and is constant on all headings
    N d. 1° while the vessel is on a compass heading of 180°

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

1255: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.

    N a. extension of the low pressure ridge
    N b. direction of circulation and pressure gradient
    N c. recurvature effect
    Y d. the wind circulation and forward motion of the storm

1263: The compass deviation changes as the vessel changes __________.

    N a. geographical position
    N b. speed
    Y c. heading
    N d. longitude

1267: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at Coxsackie, NY, at 0945 EST (ZD +5) on 11 March 1983?

    N a. 0.3 knot
    Y b. 0.7 knot
    N c. 1.2 knots
    N d. 1.9 knots

1295: The best estimate of the wind direction at sea level can be obtained from observing the direction of the __________.

    N a. cloud movement
    N b. vessel heading
    Y c. waves
    N d. swells

1310: An urgent marine storm warning message would be broadcast on __________.

    N a. 2670 KHz
    N b. 156.80 MHz (VHF-FM Ch. 16)
    Y c. 157.10 MHz (VHF-FM Ch. 22A)
    N d. None of the above

1340: The annual change in variation for an area can be found in __________.

    N a. the handbook for Magnetic Compass Adjustment, Pub 226
    Y b. the center of the compass rose on a chart of the area
    N c. the compass deviation table
    N d. Variation does not change.

1345: A large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have replaced some lightships, would be shown on a chart by which symbol in illustration D015NG?

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

1387: You will be entering the Mystic River in Connecticut. What is the current at the Highway Bridge at 1900 EST (ZD +5) on 24 January 1983?

    N a. 2.2 knots flooding
    N b. Slack water
    Y c. Slight ebb
    N d. 2.5 knots ebbing

1414: You are planning a voyage from New York to Norway via the English Channel. Which publication contains information on the dangers to navigation in the English Channel?

    N a. Channel Pilot's Guide
    N b. World Port Index
    N c. Coast Pilot
    Y d. Sailing Directions (Enroute)

1426: Fog is most commonly associated with a(n) __________.

    Y a. warm front at night
    N b. low pressure area
    N c. anticyclone
    N d. cold front in the spring

1434: What is NOT a characteristic of cardinal marks?

    N a. Yellow and black bands
    N b. White lights
    Y c. Square or triangular topmarks
    N d. Directional orientation to a hazard

1441: Your height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters). What is the approximate geographical distance at which Ambrose Light, NY, could be visible? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS".

    N a. 18.3 nm
    N b. 19.5 nm
    Y c. 21.0 nm
    N d. 22.8 nm

1502: You are running parallel to the coast and take a running fix using bearings of the same object. If you are making less speed than used for the running fix, in relation to the position indicated by the fix, you will be __________.

    Y a. closer to the coast
    N b. farther from the coast
    N c. on the track line ahead of the fix
    N d. on the track line behind the fix

1544: The height of a tide can be increased by __________.

    Y a. a storm surge
    N b. a high pressure area
    N c. the jet stream
    N d. a cold front

1615: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which symbol indicates snow? (D042NG )

    N a. G
    N b. H
    Y c. M
    N d. N

1620: You are at anchor in the anchorage at the entrance to Delaware Bay. If you weigh anchor at 1445 DST (ZD +4) on 24 July 1983 and proceed northbound enroute to Philadelphia at a speed of 10 knots, you will have __________.

    N a. a flood current the entire trip
    N b. a flood current from Ship John Shoal Lt. to Philadelphia
    N c. an ebb current north of New Castle, DE
    Y d. a weak flood between Reedy Island and Edgemoor

1628: As the temperature of the air reaches the dew point, __________.

    N a. rain must develop
    Y b. fog may form
    N c. it begins to snow
    N d. water freezes

1629: Air temperature varies with __________.

    N a. the altitude above sea level
    N b. the season of the year
    N c. the latitude or distance from the equator
    Y d. All of the above

1639: Sextant D reads __________. (D043NG )

    N a. 30°47.5'
    N b. 29°47.5'
    Y c. 29°42.5'
    N d. 29°41.6'

1648: A sign of thunderstorm development is a cumulus cloud __________.

    N a. darkening, growing in size and forming an anvil top
    N b. that shows extensive vertical development
    N c. creating cold downdrafts that are felt on the ground
    Y d. All of the above

1649: If you count 20 seconds between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder, how far is the storm away from you?

    N a. 2 miles
    Y b. 4 miles
    N c. 6 miles
    N d. 8 miles

1707: "Surface circulation" is another term for __________.

    N a. cyclones
    N b. air in motion at all levels of the atmosphere
    Y c. wind in the lower troposphere
    N d. ocean currents

1735: A vessel entering the eye of a hurricane should expect __________.

    N a. moderating winds and heavy confused seas to strike his vessel from all directions
    N b. the winds to increase to hurricane force and strike from a different direction as the eye passes
    N c. the barometer to reach the lowest point
    Y d. All of the above

1827: The position labeled "D" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. a dead reckoning position is plotted within 30 minutes of a running fix
    Y b. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each course change
    N c. the vessel's speed changed at 1125
    N d. All of the above

1986: The Moon is farthest from the Earth at __________.

    N a. the full Moon
    Y b. apogee
    N c. the lunar solstice
    N d. quadrature

1989: In the horizon system of coordinates what is the equivalent to the meridians on the Earth?

    N a. Horizon
    N b. Hour circle
    Y c. Vertical circles
    N d. Celestial meridians

2008: What term is used to describe a tank barge constructed with the structural framing outside the cargo tank and the cargo tank plating separated from the shell plating?

    N a. Shell plated
    Y b. Double hull
    N c. Hopper type
    N d. Independent tank

2089: Permission to leave the riverward chamber of twin locks is given by the lockmaster and consists of which sound signal?

    N a. One short blast
    Y b. Two short blasts
    N c. One long blast
    N d. Two long blasts

2127: Diagram number D037NG represents a movable dam. If there is high water and the wickets are down so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass through the dam, what light(s) will be shown at B if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

2144: Yesterday your chronometer read 02h 59m 58s at the 1500 GMT time tick. Today the chronometer reads 03h 00m 02s at the 1500 GMT time tick. What is the chronometer error?

    Y a. 02s fast
    N b. 03h 00m 02s fast
    N c. +3s
    N d. -3s

2251: Which statement concerning the chartlet shown is TRUE? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )

    N a. Maury lightship is visible for 17 miles.
    N b. The bottom to the south-southeast of the lightship is soft coral.
    Y c. There is a dangerous eddy southeast of Beito Island.
    N d. There is a 12-meter deep west of Beito Island and inside the 5-meter line.

2317: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 13 miles and is 36 feet high (11.0 meters). If the visibility is 7.0 miles and your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters), at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    Y a. 10.0 miles
    N b. 12.9 miles
    N c. 14.2 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles

2508: Normal pool elevation is the height in feet of the section of river above a dam. This height is measured from __________.

    N a. low steel on the Huey P. Long Bridge
    Y b. mean sea level
    N c. the local water table
    N d. the minimum dam control level

2522: The letter H in illustration D006NG represents the __________. (D006NG )

    N a. celestial horizon
    N b. geoidal horizon
    Y c. visible horizon
    N d. refractive horizon

2579: A phase correction may be applicable to correct the sextant altitude correction of __________.

    N a. any star
    N b. the Sun
    N c. third magnitude stars only
    Y d. some planets

2649: The letter C in illustration D006NG represents the __________. (D006NG )

    N a. geoidal horizon
    Y b. celestial horizon
    N c. visible horizon
    N d. sensible horizon

2802: The pictures shown represent the geographic location of a vessel and the radar presentation at the same time. Which statement is TRUE? (D011NG )

    N a. Ship No. 1 does not paint as an individual target due to the effect of pulse length.
    Y b. The small island is not detected due to shadow effect of the mountain.
    N c. A target bearing of the headland to the south-southeast is corrected by adding one-half of the beam width.
    N d. Ship No. 2 is not detected due to the reflective mass of the mountain overpowering the ship's reflective signals.

2832: The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type MR. You should __________.

    Y a. leave it on either side
    N b. look for the other dayboard forming the range
    N c. look for an all red daymark
    N d. check to enter the correct channel at this junction daymark

2874: What daymark has NO lateral significance?

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Red triangle with a green horizontal stripe
    Y c. Green and white diamond
    N d. Green square

2960: What is NOT found in the Mississippi River System Light List?

    Y a. Distance that a lighted aid to navigation can be seen at night
    N b. Distance between major points on the Mississippi River
    N c. A color plate showing the details of the aids to navigation used on the Mississippi River
    N d. Times of Coast Guard broadcasts concerning river stages

2989: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the lower limb of the Moon. The sextant altitude (hs) is 110°31.2'. The height of eye is 46 feet and the index error is 2.0' off the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 70°41.4
    N b. 70°15.4'
    Y c. 70°11.4'
    N d. 70°02.2

3028: The channel under a bridge is marked with aids from the lateral system. The centerline of the channel is marked on the bridge with __________.

    N a. a yellow triangle
    N b. three white lights
    N c. a black-and-white diamond
    Y d. a red-and-white octagon