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.


46: What wind reverses directions seasonally?


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?


235: When the equation of time is taken from the Nautical Almanac for use in celestial navigation, it is used to determine __________.


259: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "Q" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    N a. convergence zone
    N b. squall line
    Y c. convergence line
    N d. weather boundary

381: A nun buoy will __________.

    N a. be green in color
    Y b. have an even number
    N c. be left to port when entering from seaward
    N d. be cylindrical in shape

401: You are steaming in a westerly direction along the Gulf Coast. You see ahead of you a lighted buoy showing a red isophase light. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Alter course to port and leave the buoy to starboard.
    N b. Alter course to starboard and leave the buoy to port.
    N c. Alter course and leave the buoy near by on either side.
    N d. Alter course and pass the buoy well-off on either side.

404: An aneroid barometer is an instrument __________.

    N a. used to measure the speed of wind
    Y b. in which the pressure of the air is measured
    N c. that tells which direction a storm is coming from
    N d. used to measure the height of waves

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

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

492: Which type of projection is formed if a plane is tangent to the Earth, and points are projected geometrically from the center of the Earth?

    N a. Lambert conformal
    Y b. Oblique gnomonic
    N c. Mercator
    N d. Transverse conic

535: The tropical year differs from which year by 20 minutes?

    N a. Astronomical year
    N b. Natural year
    N c. Equinoctial year
    Y d. Sidereal year

538: Which symbol shown represents a stationary front? (D018NG )

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

539: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 13 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 120°T, 100 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265°T at 25 knots. What course should you steer at 13 knots to have the maximum CPA?

    Y a. 324°T
    N b. 306°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 276°T

584: The correction(s) which must be applied to an aneroid barometer reading include(s) __________.

    Y a. height error
    N b. gravity error
    N c. temperature error
    N d. All of the above

593: Radar makes the most accurate determination of the __________.

    N a. direction of a target
    Y b. distance to a target
    N c. size of a target
    N d. shape of a target

602: Between the equator and the 46th parallel of latitude, there are 3099 meridional parts. How many degrees of equatorial longitude does 3099 meridional parts represent?

    N a. 35°52'45"
    Y b. 51°39'00"
    N c. 74°21'11"
    N d. 82°36'12"

763: Time signals broadcast by WWV and WWVH are transmitted __________.

    N a. every 15 minutes
    N b. every 30 minutes
    N c. every hour
    Y d. continuously throughout day

789: The dangerous semicircle of a hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere is that area of the storm __________.

    Y a. to the right of the storm's track
    N b. measured from true north clockwise to 180°T
    N c. measured from true north counterclockwise to 180°T
    N d. between the ship's heading and the bearing to the eye

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

952: What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?

    N a. Supplements to new editions are issued monthly by the U.S. Coast Guard.
    N b. New editions are published by the National Ocean Service.
    Y c. New editions are corrected through the date shown on the title page.
    N d. None of the above

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

1062: What is the approximate geographic range of Horton Point Light, NY, if your height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 18.8 nm
    Y b. 19.3 nm
    N c. 20.3 nm
    N d. 24.8 nm

1144: Freezing salt water spray should be anticipated when the air temperature drops below what temperature?

    N a. 32°F (0.0°C)
    Y b. 28°F (-2.2°C)
    N c. 0°F (-17.8°C)
    N d. -40°F (-28.9°C)

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

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

1204: Which of the symbols in illustration DO18NG designates a stationary front? (D018NG )

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

1210: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T and have the range in sight as shown. The range continues to open. What action should you take? (D047NG )

    N a. Alter course to the right to 309°T or more to bring the range in line.
    N b. Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as you get close.
    Y c. Alter course to the left until the range closes, then steer to the left of 306°T.
    N d. Alter course to the left to close the range, then alter course to 309°T.

1361: The luminous range of a light takes into account the __________.

    N a. glare from background lighting
    Y b. existing visibility conditions
    N c. elevation of the light
    N d. observer's height of eye

1362: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 7 in illustration D039NG? (D039NG )

    N a. Cirrostratus
    N b. Altocumulus
    Y c. Cumulus
    N d. Cumulonimbus

1412: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum is the __________.

    N a. actual water depth
    N b. range of tide
    N c. charted depth
    Y d. height of tide

1415: Planetary aberration is due, in part, to __________.

    N a. refraction of light as it enters the Earth's atmosphere
    N b. rotation of the Earth on it's axis
    Y c. the body's orbital motion during the time required for its light to reach Earth
    N d. a false horizon

1535: When observing a rapid rise in barometric pressure, you may expect __________.

    N a. clear weather with no wind, but the possibility of rain or snow within 24 hours
    N b. deteriorating weather with rain or snow
    N c. heavy rain or severe thundershowers
    Y d. clearing weather, possibly accompanied by high winds

1552: Which sextant in illustration D043NG reads 30°42.5'? (D043NG )

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

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

1708: What generally occurs when the land is cooler than the nearby water?

    Y a. A land breeze
    N b. A sea breeze
    N c. A norther
    N d. A prevailing westerly

1869: The illustration represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter B in the illustration? (D036NG )

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

1972: The point on the celestial sphere that is directly over the observer is the __________.

    N a. node
    N b. pole
    Y c. zenith
    N d. nadir

2024: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy with a quick light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds. Which topmark in illustration D030NG would be fitted to this buoy under the IALA Buoyage Systems? (D030NG )

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

2058: Illustration D038NG represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter D in the illustration? (D038NG )

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

2120: If a chart indicates the depth of water to be 6 fathoms and your draft is 6.0 feet, what is the depth of the water under your keel? (Assume the actual depth and charted depth to be the same)

    N a. 6.0 feet
    N b. 26.5 feet
    Y c. 30.0 feet
    N d. 56.5 feet

2141: What lights would you see on the Illinois water way when any wickets of the dam or bear traps are open, or partially open, which may cause a set in the current conditions in the upper lock approach?

    N a. Red over green
    N b. Green over red
    Y c. Red over amber (yellow)
    N d. Green over amber (yellow)

2169: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at what time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?

    Y a. 30 minutes before the predicted time
    N b. One hour after the predicted time
    N c. At the predicted time
    N d. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after ebb

2186: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic west but the compass reads 266°. What action should be taken?

    N a. Adjust the compass with the athwartships magnets until the compass reads 268°.
    N b. Adjust the compass with the fore-and-aft magnets until the compass reads 270°.
    N c. Adjust the compass with the quadrantal spheres until the compass reads 274°.
    Y d. Adjust the compass with the fore-and-aft magnets until the compass reads 268°.

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

2390: You are in a channel in U.S. waters near an industrial plant with a load/discharge facility for barges. You hear a siren being sounded at the facility. What does this indicate?

    Y a. There is danger at the facility due to a fire or cargo release.
    N b. A towboat with a hazardous cargo barge is being moved to or from the facility.
    N c. The facility is warning a barge to shut down transfer operations due to weather conditions (electrical storms, tornado, etc.).
    N d. A barge at the facility has commenced loading or discharging operations.

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

2400: You are in a channel in U.S. waters near an industrial plant with a load/discharge facility for barges. You see an emergency rotating flashing light on the facility light up. What does this indicate?

    N a. A barge at the facility has commenced transferring a hazardous cargo.
    N b. A barge carrying a hazardous cargo is mooring or unmooring at the facility.
    N c. The facility is warning a barge to shut down transfer operations due to weather conditions (electrical storm, tornado, hurricane, etc.).
    Y d. There is danger at the facility due to a fire or cargo release.

2527: In the doldrums you can expect __________.

    N a. steady, constant winds
    Y b. frequent rain showers and thunderstorms
    N c. steep pressure gradients
    N d. low relative humidity

2662: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 24" by 28". The area includes latitude 37°S to 42°S and longitude 175°E to 179°W. Allow a one 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 limitations?

    N a. 3.33 inches
    N b. 3.41 inches
    Y c. 3.67 inches
    N d. 3.82 inches

2668: You are approaching a drawbridge and have sounded the request-for-opening signal. The bridge has responded with five short blasts. What reply should you sound?

    N a. None; No reply is required
    Y b. Five short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts
    N d. One prolonged, one short blast

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

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

2770: What is most likely to happen when you push a multiple tow into a countercurrent?

    N a. Going upstream you will make better speed with no danger involved.
    N b. Going downstream you will be slowed down but will keep control of the tow.
    Y c. There is a good chance you will break up the tow.
    N d. No danger exists as long as you steer a straight course through the eddy.

2836: The correction tables in the front of the Nautical Almanac for use with sun sights do NOT include the effects of __________.

    N a. mean refraction
    N b. parallax
    N c. semidiameter
    Y d. irradiation

2838: You take a bearing of 191° and 313° to two objects. Which bearing of a third object will give the best fix?

    N a. 001°
    Y b. 069°
    N c. 209°
    N d. 356°

2895: A white buoy with an orange rectangle on it is a(n) __________.

    N a. junction buoy
    N b. safe water buoy
    Y c. informational buoy
    N d. All of the above

2991: When using a radar in an unstabilized mode, fixes are determined most easily from __________.

    N a. objects that are close aboard
    Y b. ranges
    N c. tangent bearings
    N d. center bearings

3000: All aids to navigation listed in the Mississippi River System Light List are shown as miles from a reference point and on the __________.

    N a. east or west bank
    Y b. left or right descending bank
    N c. port or starboard side of the vessel
    N d. left or right ascending bank

3007: A rotary current sets through all directions of the compass. The time it takes to complete one of these cycles, in a locale off the East coast of the US, is approximately __________.

    N a. 2 1/2 hours
    N b. 3 1/2 hours
    N c. 6 1/4 hours
    Y d. 12 1/2 hours

3012: The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with __________.

    Y a. a yellow light showing Morse Code (B)
    N b. a yellow and white diamond
    N c. flashing blue lights
    N d. three red lights on each side of the draw