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.
131: A vertically-striped buoy may be __________.
N a. striped black and green N b. striped black and yellow N c. lighted with a red light Y d. lighted with a white light 163: How many fixed objects are needed to plot a running fix?
N a. None Y b. One N c. Two N d. Three 193: In using Loran-C, skywave reception gives greater range but is __________.
N a. only accurate during daylight hours Y b. much less accurate N c. only accurate at twilight N d. more accurate than using ground waves 212: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?
N a. Radar station N b. Radar transponder beacon N c. Radio beacon Y d. Aero light 216: The prevailing winds in the band of latitude from approximately 5°N to 30°N are the __________.
N a. prevailing westerlies Y b. northeast trade winds N c. southeast trade winds N d. doldrums 236: The winds with the greatest effect on the set, drift, and depth of the equatorial currents are the __________.
N a. doldrums N b. horse latitudes Y c. trade winds N d. prevailing westerlies 265: It is 1200 local time for an observer at 54°E longitude. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. It is afternoon at Greenwich. N b. It is midnight at 126°E longitude. Y c. The observer is in time zone -4. N d. All of the above are true. 396: Your vessel is on course 150°T, speed 17 knots. The apparent wind is from 40° off the starboard bow, speed 15 knots. What is the speed of the true wind?
N a. 9.0 knots N b. 10.2 knots Y c. 11.0 knots N d. 12.0 knots 402: All of the following can be found on a Pilot Chart EXCEPT information concerning the __________.
N a. percentage of frequency of wave heights N b. percentage of poor visibility conditions N c. sea surface temperatures Y d. amounts of precipitation 408: A buoy bears 176°T at 3000 yards. What is the course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards to port?
N a. 174°T N b. 176°T Y c. 178°T N d. 180°T 431: When a buoy marks a channel bifurcation, the preferred channel is NOT indicated by __________.
N a. the shape of an unlighted buoy N b. the light color of a lighted buoy N c. the color of the topmost band Y d. whether the number is odd or even 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 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 568: The chart of a beach area shows a very steep slope to the underwater beach bottom. Which type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?
Y a. Surging N b. Converging N c. Spilling N d. Plunging 588: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 10 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100°T, 90 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285°T at 19 knots. If you maneuver at 10 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
N a. 39 miles N b. 45 miles Y c. 53 miles N d. 59 miles 641: Buoys which mark isolated dangers are painted with alternating _____________ .
Y a. red and black bands N b. green and black bands N c. red and white stripes N d. green and white bands 689: What is the index error of sextant C? (D050NG )
Y a. 0'20" on the arc N b. 1'00" on the arc N c. 2'00" on the arc N d. 5'10" on the arc 702: Which publication contains information on navigation regulations, landmarks, channels, anchorages, tides, currents, and clearances of bridges for Chesapeake Bay?
Y a. Coast Pilot N b. Light List N c. Sailing Directions N d. Pilot Charts 709: A sea breeze is a wind __________.
N a. that blows towards the sea at night Y b. that blows towards an island during the day N c. caused by cold air descending a coastal incline N d. caused by the distant approach of a hurricane 768: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.
Y a. wind circulation and forward motion of the storm N b. extension of the low pressure ridge N c. recurvature effect N d. direction of circulation and pressure gradient 780: Apparent wind speed blowing across your vessel while underway can be measured by a(n) __________.
N a. barometer N b. wind vane Y c. anemometer N d. thermometer 859: At 1800 ZT on 31 October, your position is LAT 24°50'N, LONG 92°37'W. You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. How should you encode the first three groups after the call sign if you estimate the wind? (D041NG )
N a. 31123, 99929, 70249 N b. 31183, 99249, 79237 N c. 31243, 99249, 70926 Y d. 01003, 99248, 70926 943: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.
N a. when you obtain an estimated position N b. ONLY in piloting waters Y c. at every speed change N d. All of the above are correct. 1035: The approximate positions of the stars are based on sidereal time, which is based upon rotation of the Earth relative to __________.
N a. winter solstice N b. autumnal equinox N c. summer solstice Y d. vernal equinox 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 1082: Northern right whales can be identified by __________.
N a. whitish patches of skin on top of the head N b. "V" shaped blow easily visible from ahead or behind N c. no dorsal fin on the back Y d. All of the above 1124: The region containing 3/4 of the mass of the atmosphere and the region to which are confined such phenomena as clouds, storms, precipitation and changing weather conditions is called __________.
N a. stratosphere Y b. troposphere N c. stratopause N d. tropopause 1219: Which sextant in illustration D043NG reads 29°42.5'? (D043NG )
N a. A N b. B N c. C Y d. D 1239: While taking weather observations, you determine that the wind is blowing from the northeast. You would record the wind direction in the weather log as __________.
Y a. 045° N b. 090° N c. 135° N d. 225° 1274: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a sandstorm? (D042NG )
N a. H Y b. O N c. P N d. K 1346: Cirrus clouds followed by cirrostratus then altostratus, stratus, and occasionally nimbostratus indicate the approach of a(n) __________.
N a. cold front Y b. warm front N c. tropical front N d. occluded front 1373: The reaction of a gyrocompass to an applied force is known as __________.
Y a. precession N b. earth rate N c. gyroscopic inertia N d. gravity effect 1405: After Venus passes the point of greatest elongation east in its orbit, the first position in which the elongation will be zero is __________.
N a. superior conjunction Y b. inferior conjunction N c. opposition N d. None of the above; the elongation will never be zero 1420: the position labeled "E" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )
N a. the vessel's position was fixed at 1145 N b. a dead reckoning position is plotted within a half-hour of each course change N c. the position is a running fix Y d. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each speed change 1474: You are on course 061°T. To check the longitude of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?
Y a. 090° N b. 180° N c. 241° N d. 061° 1686: Which of the following statements concerning frontal movements is TRUE?
N a. The temperature rises after a cold front passes. N b. The barometric pressure rises when a warm front passes. Y c. A cold front generally passes faster than a warm front. N d. A warm front usually has more violent weather associated with it than a cold front. 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 1799: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
N a. celestial horizon N b. visible horizon Y c. geometrical horizon N d. geoidal horizon 1830: A vessel heading NNW is on a course of __________.
N a. 274.5° N b. 292.0° N c. 315.5° Y d. 337.5° 1884: If a sound signal is emitted from the oscillator of a fathometer, and two seconds elapse before the returning signal is picked up, what depth of water is indicated?
N a. 1648 fathoms N b. 1248 fathoms N c. 1048 fathoms Y d. 824 fathoms 1898: The subregions of the United States Gulf and East Coasts are numbered 11, 12 and 13 within the chart numbering system. Which chart number indicates a chart for either the Gulf or East coast?
N a. 14312 N b. 25134 N c. 21105 Y d. 11032 2088: 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. Sailing Directions N b. Light List Vol. V N c. U.S. Coast Pilot Y d. Broadcast Notice to Mariners 2130: You are underway and pass by a lighthouse. Its light, which was white since you first sighted it, changes to red. This means __________.
N a. the light is characterized as alternately flashing N b. the lighthouse has lost power and has switched to emergency lighting N c. it is the identifying light characteristic of the lighthouse Y d. you have entered an area of shoal water or other hazard 2164: The line connecting the points of the earth's surface where there is no dip is the __________.
N a. agonic line Y b. magnetic equator N c. isodynamic N d. isopor 2284: Bellatrix is found in what constellation?
N a. Canis Minor N b. Gemini N c. Taurus Y d. Orion 2444: What is the equivalent of 0°48' in time units?
N a. 2 min. 12 sec. N b. 2 min. 42 sec. N c. 3 min. 02 sec. Y d. 3 min. 12 sec. 2462: Under ideal viewing conditions, the dimmest star that can be seen with the unaided eye is of what magnitude?
N a. First N b. Third N c. Fourth Y d. Sixth 2494: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 24" by 30". The area includes latitude 28°N to 35°N and longitude 175°E to 178°W. Allow a three-quarter 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 limitation?
N a. 3.40 inches Y b. 3.22 inches N c. 3.03 inches N d. 2.91 inches 2636: You are ascending a river and exchanging navigational information via radiotelephone with a descending vessel. If the descending vessel advises you to "watch for the set" above point X, what would you expect to encounter above point X?
N a. An increase in current velocity N b. Slack water N c. Shallow water Y d. A sideways movement of your vessel 2658: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 45°N to 49°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between each degree of longitude is 5 3/4 inches, what is the distance between latitude 45°N and latitude 49°N?
N a. 33.1 inches N b. 33.3 inches Y c. 33.6 inches N d. 33.9 inches 2720: When pushing barges ahead close to a steep revetment where there is no current, what is MOST likely to occur?
N a. The stern of the towboat will tend to sheer away from the revetment. N b. Your speed over the ground will increase. Y c. The head of the tow will tend to sheer away from the revetment. N d. All of the above 2841: You are required to enter a lock on your voyage. Information on the lock regulations, signals, and radio communications can be found in __________.
Y a. Coast Pilot N b. Corps of Engineer Information Bulletin N c. Bowditch N d. the publication "Key to the Locks" 2842: The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with __________.
N a. two white lights Y b. a yellow diamond N c. flashing blue lights N d. three red lights on each side of the draw 2844: The signal from a ramark will show on the PPI as a __________.
N a. coded signal on the same bearing and at a greater range then the transponder N b. circle surrounding the transponder Y c. radial line from the transponder to the center of the PPI N d. dashed circle at the same range as the transponder 2945: A position that is obtained by applying estimated current and wind to your vessel's course and speed is a(n) __________.
Y a. estimated position N b. dead reckoning position N c. fix N d. None of the above 2950: On an Army Corps of Engineers navigation map, each mile A.H.P. on the Lower Mississippi River is marked by a __________.
N a. dashed red line N b. number showing mileage N c. navigation light Y d. red circle 2954: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T. The range appears as shown and is closing. Which action should you take? (D047NG )
N a. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line then alter course to the left. N b. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line. Y c. Continue on course until the range is closed, then alter course to the right. N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T. 3030: Isogonic lines are lines on a chart indicating __________.
Y a. points of equal variation N b. points of zero variation N c. the magnetic latitude N d. magnetic dip 3074: ECDIS must give an alarm for which of the following cases?
N a. When the speed of a dangerous target exceeds a set limit Y b. When the specified limit for deviation from the planned route is exceeded N c. If the ship's ETA has changed beyond the set limit N d. None of the above 3090: NOAA VHF weather reports are continuously broadcast on VHF channels WX-1, WX-2 and WX-3 on a frequency of __________.
N a. 156.8, 157.1, 162.55 MHz N b. 162.55, 162.00, 171.5 KHz Y c. 162.55, 162.40, 162.475 MHz N d. 2182, 2638, 2670 KHz