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.


6: Wind velocity varies __________.


74: When operated over a muddy bottom, a fathometer may indicate __________.


119: While proceeding along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, you sight the black and yellow buoy shown. Your course is 039°T, and the buoy bears 053°T. What action should you take? (D020NG )


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

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

269: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been south-southwesterly at an average velocity of 30 knots. The predicted set and drift of the rotary current are 232° at 0.8 knot. What current should you expect?

    N a. 065° at 1.2 knots
    N b. 092° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 139° at 0.6 knot
    Y d. 224° at 0.4 knot

328: The direction of prevailing winds in the Northern hemisphere is caused by the __________.

    N a. magnetic field at the North Pole
    N b. Gulf Stream
    Y c. Earth's rotation
    N d. Arctic cold fronts

448: Mean high water is the reference datum used to measure __________.

    N a. soundings on the east coast of the United States
    N b. soundings in European waters
    Y c. heights of topographical features in the United States
    N d. both heights and soundings worldwide

455: The height of eye correction is smaller than geometrical dip because of __________.

    N a. the angle between the horizontal and the line of sight to the visible horizon
    N b. index error
    N c. parallax
    Y d. terrestrial refraction

533: You are using a radar in which your own ship is shown at the center, and the heading flash always points to 0°. If bearings are measured in relation to the flash, what type of bearings are produced?

    Y a. Relative
    N b. True
    N c. Compass
    N d. Magnetic

752: Which publication would NOT be used on a voyage from Houston to New York?

    N a. Coast Pilot
    N b. Light List
    N c. Radio Navigational Aids
    Y d. Sailing Directions (Enroute)

784: Variation is the angular measurement between __________.

    N a. compass north and magnetic north
    N b. compass north and true north
    Y c. magnetic meridian and the geographic meridian
    N d. your vessel's heading and the magnetic meridian

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

866: Anticyclones are usually characterized by __________.

    Y a. dry, fair weather
    N b. high winds and cloudiness
    N c. gustiness and continuous precipitation
    N d. overcast skies

879: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 346°T at 68 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    Y a. 328°
    N b. 323°
    N c. 318°
    N d. 314°

936: A cyclone in its final stage of development is called a(n) __________.

    N a. tornado
    N b. anticyclone
    Y c. occluded cyclone or occluded front
    N d. polar cyclone

981: The characteristic of a lighted cardinal mark may be __________.

    Y a. very quick flashing
    N b. flashing
    N c. fixed
    N d. occulting

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

1045: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 15 miles and a height above water of 40 feet (12.2 meters). Your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters) and the visibility is 5 miles. At about what range will you FIRST sight the light?

    N a. 6.2 miles
    Y b. 9.5 miles
    N c. 12.9 miles
    N d. 14.2 miles

1071: A cardinal mark showing an uninterrupted quick-flashing white light indicates the deepest water in the area is on the __________.

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

1072: What is the approximate geographic range of Assateague Light, VA, if your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 14.1 nm
    N b. 21.8 nm
    Y c. 23.0 nm
    N d. 50.2 nm

1130: During daylight savings time the meridian used for determining the time is located farther __________.

    N a. west in west longitude and east in east longitude
    N b. east in west longitude and west in east longitude
    N c. west
    Y d. east

1281: The time required for a lighted aid to complete a full cycle of light changes is listed in the Light List as the __________.

    N a. set
    N b. frequency
    Y c. period
    N d. function

1322: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at Grant's Tomb, 123rd Street, NY, NY, at 1412 EST (ZD +5) on 22 March 1983?

    N a. 0.5 knot
    N b. 0.8 knot
    Y c. 1.1 knots
    N d. 1.3 knots

1325: You change course entering port and steady up on a range with the lights in line. After a few minutes you observe the range lights as shown. You should alter your heading to the __________. (D047NG )

    N a. left, and when the range lights are in line again, resume your original heading
    N b. right, and when the range lights are in line again, steer to keep them dead ahead
    Y c. left, and when the range lights are in line again, steer to keep them in line fine on the starboard bow
    N d. right, and when the range lights are in line again, steer to keep them in line fine on the port bow

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

1379: The lubber's line on a magnetic compass indicates __________.

    N a. compass north
    Y b. the direction of the vessel's head
    N c. magnetic north
    N d. a relative bearing taken with an azimuth circle

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

1497: When drawing a weather map and an isobar crosses a front, the isobar is drawn __________.

    N a. perpendicular to the front
    Y b. kinked and pointing away from the low
    N c. kinked and pointing towards the low
    N d. kinked and pointing towards the high for a warm front only

1498: A true bearing of a charted object, when plotted on a chart, will establish a __________.

    N a. fix
    Y b. line of position
    N c. relative bearing
    N d. range

1498: A true bearing of a charted object, when plotted on a chart, will establish a __________.

    N a. fix
    Y b. line of position
    N c. relative bearing
    N d. range

1511: When within 300 miles of a named tropical storm or hurricane, it is standard practice to send weather reports every __________.

    N a. 8 hours
    N b. 6 hours
    Y c. 3 hours
    N d. hour

1529: Widely spaced isobars on a weather map indicate __________.

    N a. high winds
    Y b. gentle breezes
    N c. ice, snow or frozen rain
    N d. probability of tornados

1555: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a yellow buoy is a __________.

    N a. safe water buoy
    N b. junction buoy
    N c. cardinal mark
    Y d. special purpose mark

1576: You are entering an east coast port and see a buoy with a yellow triangle painted on it. This indicates __________.

    Y a. you are in the vicinity of the ICW
    N b. the buoy is a special mark
    N c. the buoy is off station
    N d. the buoy designates a sharp turn in the channel

1694: In the Southern Hemisphere the wind circulation in a high pressure system rotates __________.

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

1709: The Beaufort scale is used to estimate the __________.

    N a. wind direction
    N b. percentage of cloud cover
    Y c. wind speed
    N d. barometric pressure

1711: An instrument that indicates wind direction is known as a(n) __________.

    Y a. weather vane, wind vane or wind sock
    N b. hydrometer
    N c. hygrometer
    N d. sling psychrometer

1752: What is the major limitation in using the Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation Volume I (Pub. No. 249) for star sights?

    N a. More accuracy is needed for celestial observations on board ship than what is tabulated.
    N b. Sights must be made at even time increments to benefit from the tables.
    Y c. Only certain stars are included and sights must be limited to those stars.
    N d. Only first magnitude stars are tabulated.

1753: On a weather map, a large letter "H" means __________.

    Y a. a high pressure area with cool, dry air, and fair weather
    N b. a high pressure area with warm, moist air, and inclement weather
    N c. horse latitudes, with rough seas and strong winds
    N d. a heavy squall line near the "H"

1838: The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the left bank. This means that the light can be seen on the starboard side of a vessel __________.

    Y a. ascending the river
    N b. descending the river
    N c. crossing the river
    N d. proceeding towards sea

1844: What is the relative bearing of an object sighted dead ahead?

    N a. 180°
    N b. 090°
    N c. 015°
    Y d. 000°

1922: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 9 flashes every 15 seconds. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to the buoy? (D030NG )

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

1923: Little or no change in the barometric reading over a twelve hour period indicates __________.

    N a. stormy weather is imminent
    Y b. that present weather conditions will continue
    N c. a defect in the barometer
    N d. increasing wind strength

2040: A vessel heading NNE is on a course of __________.

    Y a. 022.5°
    N b. 045.0°
    N c. 067.5°
    N d. 090.0°

2083: Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be obtained by consulting the __________.

    N a. U.S. Coast Pilot
    Y b. Broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Light List Vol. V

2174: By convention, the Earth's north magnetic pole is colored __________.

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

2183: 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 D if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

2274: A vessel is heading magnetic east and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 086°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends of the magnets are to port you should lower the athwartships tray.
    N b. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.
    N c. If the red ends of the magnet are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the top, you should add some more magnets.
    Y d. If the red ends of the magnets are aft you should lower the fore-and-aft tray.

2300: When a magnetic compass is not in use for a prolonged period of time it should __________.

    Y a. be shielded from direct sunlight
    N b. be locked into a constant heading
    N c. have any air bubbles replaced with nitrogen
    N d. have the compensating magnets removed

2319: In low latitudes, the new Moon will always rise at about __________.

    Y a. sunrise
    N b. 1200 LMT
    N c. sunset
    N d. 2400 LMT

2364: The immediate surroundings of what constellation contain the most first magnitude stars?

    N a. Libra
    N b. Cassiopeia
    N c. Pegasus
    Y d. Orion

2446: What is the equivalent of 47 min. 20 sec. in arc units?

    N a. 8°27'
    Y b. 11°50'
    N c. 13°42'
    N d. 13°56'

2576: What is the equivalent of 8 min. 56 sec. in arc units?

    N a. 0°28'
    N b. 0°46'
    N c. 1°12'
    Y d. 2°14'

2634: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a preferred-channel buoy is __________.

    Y a. horizontally-banded red and green
    N b. vertically-striped red and white
    N c. solid red
    N d. solid green

2664: The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the right bank. This means that the light can be seen on the port side of a vessel __________.

    N a. crossing the river
    N b. descending the river
    Y c. ascending the river
    N d. proceeding towards sea

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

2730: When attempting an upstream landing while pushing empty barges ahead in a hard onshore wind, the approach is best made __________.

    Y a. with bow out, stern in
    N b. with bow in, stern out
    N c. parallel to the dock, as close in as possible
    N d. parallel to the dock, as far out as possible

2830: The proper way to approach a downstream lock where there is an outdraft is to be __________.

    N a. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times
    N b. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times
    Y c. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times
    N d. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times

2947: A position obtained by crossing lines of position taken at different times and advanced to a common time is a(n) __________.

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

3108: Automatic identification systems (AIS) are expected to broadcast all of the following information EXCEPT __________.

    N a. navigation status
    N b. ship's heading
    Y c. port of origin
    N d. time stamp