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.
86: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence backing. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would indicate that it will __________.
N a. shift in a clockwise manner Y b. shift in a counterclockwise manner N c. continue blowing from the same direction N d. decrease in velocity 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 179: You are proceeding up a channel at night. It is marked by a range which bears 185°T. You steady up on a compass course of 180° with the range in line dead ahead. This indicates that you(r) __________.
N a. must come right to get on the range N b. course is in error Y c. compass has some easterly error N d. are being affected by a southerly current 235: When the equation of time is taken from the Nautical Almanac for use in celestial navigation, it is used to determine __________.
N a. zone time N b. sunrise Y c. time of local apparent noon N d. local mean time 376: According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the Northern Hemisphere experiences a northeast wind the center of low pressure is located to the __________.
N a. northeast N b. west-southwest N c. northwest Y d. south-southeast 430: The southeast trade winds actually blow toward the __________.
N a. southeast N b. south N c. east Y d. northwest 489: You are anchored in the Aleutian Island chain and receive word that a tsunami is expected to strike the islands in six hours. What is the safest action?
Y a. Get underway and be in deep, open-ocean water when the tsunami arrives. N b. Increase the scope of the anchor cable and drop the second anchor underfoot at short stay. N c. Get underway and be close inshore on the side of the island away from the tsunami. N d. Plant both anchors with about a 60° angle between them, and let out a long scope to each anchor. 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 627: You are on a coastwise voyage bound for Marcus Hook, PA. Your speed is 15 knots. You wish to use the flood tide to facilitate docking starboard side to, heading seaward. To have the most favorable tide throughout, you should time your arrival at the entrance to Delaware Bay __________.
N a. for 1 hour before flood begins N b. for 1 hour after flood begins Y c. for 3 hours after flood begins N d. for 1 hour before ebb begins 663: You are underway at 10 knots. At 1800 you note a radar contact dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. At 1812 the contact is dead ahead at a range of 8 miles. The estimated speed of the contact is __________.
Y a. dead in the water N b. 5 knots N c. 10 knots N d. 15 knots 742: You are preparing to take a tow from San Diego to Portland, OR. Good seamanship would require that you have on board, available for reference and use, all of the following EXCEPT the __________.
N a. Coast Pilot N b. harbor and coastal charts for ports of refuge enroute Y c. Sailing Directions (Enroute) N d. Light List 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. 830: The highest frequency of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean occurs during __________.
N a. January, February and March N b. April, May and June Y c. August, September and October N d. July, November and December 903: Eight points of a compass are equal to how many degrees?
N a. 45 Y b. 90 N c. 180 N d. 360 954: A thin, whitish, high cloud popularly known as "mares' tails" is __________.
N a. altostratus N b. stratus N c. cumulus Y d. cirrus 988: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. One-half of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 340° relative at 14 knots. You are on course 307°T at 12.6 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )
N a. 53414 N b. 54013 Y c. 42205 N d. 43013 989: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 18 miles and a height above water of 22 feet (6.7 meters). Your height of eye is 16 feet (4.9 meters) and the visibility is 2.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?
N a. 2.0 miles N b. 2.7 miles N c. 4.2 miles Y d. 5.8 miles 1054: The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F (26°C) and the wet-bulb temperature is 68°F (20°C). What is the relative humidity?
N a. 10% N b. 24% N c. 56% Y d. 60% 1089: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5.5 knots on course 033°T, and bears 248°T at 64 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?
Y a. 262° N b. 269° N c. 276° N d. 281° 1091: The cardinal mark topmark shown in illustration D024NG represents which quadrant? (D024NG )
N a. Northern N b. Eastern N c. Southern Y d. Western 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 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 1171: A light that has a light period shorter than its dark period is described as __________.
Y a. flashing N b. pulsating N c. occulting N d. alternating 1189: Concerning a celestial observation, the azimuth angle is measured from the principal vertical circle to the ____________ .
N a. Greenwich celestial meridian N b. hour circle of the body N c. local celestial meridian Y d. vertical circle of the body 1203: If the compass heading and the magnetic heading are the same then __________.
N a. the deviation has been offset by the variation N b. there is something wrong with the compass N c. the compass is being influenced by nearby metals Y d. there is no deviation on that heading 1284: The Sailing Directions (Enroute) contain information on all of the following EXCEPT __________.
Y a. ocean currents N b. outer dangers to navigation N c. tidal currents N d. major port anchorages 1298: The vertex of a great circle track is in LONG 109°E. An eastbound vessel would cross the equator in LONG __________.
Y a. 161°W N b. 161°E N c. 19°E N d. 19°W 1331: When trying to sight a lighthouse you notice a glare from a town in the background. The range at which the light may be sighted due to this glare is __________.
Y a. considerably reduced N b. increased slightly due to extra lighting N c. unchanged N d. increased if the light is red or green due to contrast with the glare 1444: Stratocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )
N a. 1 N b. 4 Y c. 6 N d. 7 1508: A line of position is __________.
N a. a line connecting two charted objects Y b. a line on some point of which the vessel may be presumed to be located N c. the position of your vessel N d. not used in a running fix 1534: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Your position is LAT 22°31'S, LONG 138°19'W. How would this be encoded? (D041NG )
N a. LAT 22.5°S, LONG 138.3°W Y b. 99225, 51383 N c. L2231, 53819 N d. 2231S, 5383W 1559: You are underway in the North Sea on course 216°T when you sight a buoy bearing 021° relative. Under the IALA Buoyage System, you are in the best navigable water if the buoy __________.
Y a. has a light characteristic of Q(6) + L Fl 15s N b. is horizontally banded yellow, black, yellow N c. has a double cone topmark with both points up N d. has a continuous very quick light 1560: Under the IALA-A and B Buoyage Systems, a buoy with alternating red and white vertical stripes indicates __________.
Y a. that there is navigable water all around N b. an isolated danger exists N c. that the preferred channel is to port N d. that the preferred channel is to starboard 1610: When the navigational channel passes under a fixed bridge, the edges of the channel are marked on the bridge with what lights?
Y a. Red lights N b. Three white lights in a vertical line N c. Red lights on the LDB and green lights on the RDB N d. Yellow lights 1717: A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that generates winds of __________.
N a. between 20 and 33 knots Y b. between 34 and 63 knots N c. over 63 knots N d. None of the above 1800: In order to insure that a RACON signal is displayed on the radar, you should __________.
N a. increase the brilliance of the PPI scope Y b. turn off the interference controls on the radar N c. use the maximum available range setting N d. increase the radar signal output 1805: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.
N a. the "trade winds" N b. a low front or an occluded front N c. the doldrums Y d. a "high" 1908: What is the brightest navigational planet?
N a. Saturn N b. Jupiter N c. Mars Y d. Venus 2002: What term is used to describe a river barge designed to carry coal or any similar cargo not requiring weather protection?
N a. Single skin N b. Double skin Y c. Open hopper N d. Deck barge 2043: Stormy weather is usually associated with regions of __________.
N a. changing barometric pressure N b. high barometric pressure N c. steady barometric pressure Y d. low barometric pressure 2082: You are holding position above Gallipolis Lock and Dam when you hear two long blasts of the horn from the lock. This indicates that you should __________.
Y a. enter the riverward lock N b. hold position until two more upbound tows have locked through N c. enter the landward lock N d. hold position until the lower gates are closed 2174: By convention, the Earth's north magnetic pole is colored __________.
N a. red N b. white Y c. blue N d. black 2175: 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, which light(s) will be shown at D if the lock walls and piers are not awash?
N a. One amber light Y b. One red light N c. Two red lights N d. Three red lights 2179: A vessel is heading magnetic northwest and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 312°. The quadrantal spheres are arranged athwartships. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the quadrantal spheres are all of the way in, replace them with larger ones. N b. If the quadrantal spheres are all of the way out, remove one of the spheres. N c. If the quadrantal spheres are all of the way out, move the spheres in. Y d. If the quadrantal spheres are all of the way out, replace them with smaller spheres. 2191: The chart indicates the variation was 3°45'E 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'E N b. 3°27'W N c. 3°45'E Y d. 4°03'E 2250: The most important information to be obtained from a barometer is the __________.
N a. difference between the reading of the two pointers, which shows wind direction N b. last two figures of the reading of the pointer, such as .87, .76, or .92 Y c. present reading of the pressure, combined with the changes in pressure observed in the recent past N d. weather indications printed on the dial (such as "cold, wet, etc.") under the pointer 2349: The summer solstice is the point where the Sun is at __________.
Y a. maximum declination north N b. maximum declination south N c. 0° declination going to northerly declinations N d. 0° declination going to southerly declinations 2404: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions +7 and +8 is __________.
N a. 105°00'W Y b. 112°30'W N c. 117°00'W N d. 120°30'W 2409: You are approaching the first of two drawbridges that span a narrow channel. The second drawbridge is close to the first. Which signals should you sound?
N a. Sound the request-for-opening signal for the first bridge only, who will notify the second bridge of your approach N b. Sound the request-for-opening signal twice in succession to indicate you must pass through both bridges N c. Sound the request-for-opening signal, pause for about 10 seconds, then sound two prolonged blasts. Y d. Sound the request-for-opening signal and, after the bridge acknowledges it, sound the request-for-opening signal for the second bridge. 2459: The controlling depth of the river is __________.
N a. the minimum depth of the river prescribed in the channel maintenance program N b. the edge of a dredged channel N c. the highest level to which the river may rise without flooding Y d. the least available water in a channel which limits the draft of boats and tows 2504: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to starboard may display which topmark shown? (D046NG )
N a. A N b. B Y c. C N d. D 2612: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -7 and -8 is __________.
Y a. 112°30'E N b. 118°30'E N c. 120°00'E N d. 116°30'W 2654: What is the equivalent of 5°54' in time units?
N a. 20 min. 16 sec. Y b. 23 min. 36 sec. N c. 25 min. 54 sec. N d. 30 min. 27 sec. 2689: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents __________. (D006NG )
Y a. geometrical horizon N b. visible horizon N c. celestial horizon N d. sensible horizon 2706: The following types of vessels are awaiting lockage on the upper Mississippi. Which type of vessel is normally passed through the lock first?
N a. Pleasure craft N b. Commercial towboats Y c. Commercial passenger vessels N d. Commercial fishing vessels 2706: The following types of vessels are awaiting lockage on the upper Mississippi. Which type of vessel is normally passed through the lock first?
N a. Pleasure craft N b. Commercial towboats Y c. Commercial passenger vessels N d. Commercial fishing vessels 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 3029: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper 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' on the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 70°11.8' Y b. 69°41.8' N c. 69°25.6' N d. 69°18.4' 3075: Chart information details to be used in ECDIS should be the latest edition of information originated by a government-authorized hydrographic office and conform to the standards of (the) __________.
N a. International Maritime Organization Y b. International Hydrographic Organization N c. NASA N d. US Coast Guard 3093: ECDIS must have the capability to preserve the record of the track for the previous __________.
N a. 4 hours N b. 6 hours Y c. 12 hours N d. 24 hours