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.
40: The predicted time that the flood begins at the entrance to Delaware Bay is 1526. You are anchored off Chestnut St. in Philadelphia. If you get underway bound for sea at 1600 and turn for 8 knots, at what point will you lose the ebb current?
N a. Billingsport N b. Marcus Hook Y c. Mile 63 N d. Mile 52 42: The datum used for soundings on charts of the East Coast of the United States is __________.
N a. mean low water springs N b. mean low water Y c. mean lower low water N d. half tide level 50: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.
N a. period Y b. range N c. distance N d. depth 98: A position that is obtained by applying estimated current and wind to your vessel's course and speed is a(n) __________.
N a. dead reckoning position Y b. estimated position N c. fix N d. None of the above 143: Under the IALA - A Buoyage System, a buoy used as a port hand mark would not show which light characteristic?
N a. Isophase N b. Quick flashing N c. Long flashing Y d. Group Flashing (2 + 1) 147: Which statement is TRUE concerning equatorial tides?
N a. They occur when the Sun is at minimum declination north or south. N b. They occur when the Moon is at maximum declination north or south. Y c. The difference in height between consecutive high or low tides is at a minimum. N d. They are used as the basis for the vulgar establishment of the port. 175: On 5 July 1981, at 1200 zone time, you cross the 180th meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?
N a. It is 1200, 4 July. N b. It is 1200, 5 July. Y c. It is 1200, 6 July. N d. It is 2400, 6 July. 277: Your vessel goes aground in soft mud. You would have the best chance of refloating it on the next tide if it grounded at __________.
N a. low water neap Y b. low water spring N c. high water neap N d. high water spring 285: The apparent wind is zero when the true wind is __________.
N a. zero N b. from ahead and equal to the ship's speed Y c. from astern and equal to the ship's speed N d. from astern and is twice the ship's speed 335: What is the geographic longitude of a body whose GHA is 232°27'?
Y a. 127°33'E N b. 52°27'E N c. 61°52'W N d. 61°52'E 349: The direction of the southeast trade winds is a result of the __________.
N a. equatorial current N b. humidity Y c. rotation of the earth N d. change of seasons 465: When applying a dip correction to the sighted sextant angle (hs), you always subtract the dip because you are correcting __________.
N a. hs to the visible horizon Y b. hs to the sensible horizon N c. hs to the celestial horizon N d. Ho to the celestial horizon 487: What will be the time after 0600 (ZD +3), on 6 March 1983, that the height of the tide at Puerto Rosales, Argentina, will be 9.0 feet (2.7 meters)?
N a. 0740 N b. 0754 N c. 0840 Y d. 0922 503: You are approaching a light fitted with a RACON. The light may be identified on the radar by __________.
N a. a dashed line running from the center of the scope to the light N b. an audible signal when the sweep crosses the light N c. a circle appearing on the scope surrounding the light Y d. a coded signal appearing on the same bearing at a greater range than the light 518: With regard to GPS, a civilian receiver may be capable of achieving the same accuracy as a military receiver if __________.
Y a. selective availability is set to zero N b. the satellites are all below 15° in elevation N c. your vessel is equipped with a Doppler receiver N d. the horizontal dilution of precision is high 564: A hygrometer is a device used for determining __________.
N a. the absolute temperature N b. atmospheric pressure N c. wind velocity Y d. relative humidity 572: You wish to measure the distance on a Mercator chart between a point in latitude 43°30'N and a point in latitude 40°30'N. To measure 30 miles at a time, you should set the points of the dividers at __________.
N a. 41°30' and 42°00' Y b. 41°45' and 42°15' N c. 42°00' and 42°30' N d. 42°15' and 42°45' 574: If your mercurial barometer reads 30.50 inches (1033 millibars) and the temperature is 56°F (13°C), what is the correct reading at 55°N, 150°W?
N a. 30.42 inches (1030 millibars) Y b. 30.45 inches (1031 millibars) N c. 30.50 inches (1032 millibars) N d. 30.53 inches (1033 millibars) 596: Which condition would NOT indicate the approach of a tropical storm?
N a. Long, high swells N b. Cirrus clouds N c. Halos about the Sun or Moon Y d. Decrease in wind velocity 625: The center of a circle of equal altitude, plotted on the surface of the Earth, is the __________.
N a. dead reckoning position of the observer N b. assumed position of the observer Y c. geographical position of the body N d. assumed position of the body 760: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.
N a. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port N b. also turns to starboard Y c. remains aligned with compass north N d. turns counterclockwise to port 769: What does not contribute to the commercial GPS receiver position error?
N a. Satellite clock Y b. Ship's speed N c. Atmospheric/Ionospheric propagation N d. Satellites' orbits 894: On a clear, warm day, you notice the approach of a tall cumulus cloud. The cloud top has hard well defined edges and rain is falling from the dark lower edge. Should this cloud pass directly overhead __________.
Y a. it will be preceded by a sudden increase in wind speed N b. it will be preceded by a sudden decrease in wind speed N c. the wind speed will not change as it passes N d. the wind will back rapidly to left in a counterclockwise direction as it passes 953: The magnetic compass operates on the principle that __________.
N a. like magnetic poles attract N b. unlike magnetic poles repel Y c. unlike poles attract N d. the poles of the compass line up with the geographic poles of the earth 986: A warm air mass is characterized by __________.
Y a. stability N b. instability N c. gusty winds N d. good visibility 1102: What is the approximate geographic range of Race Rock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 27 feet (8.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .
N a. 9.9 nm N b. 14.3 nm Y c. 15.7 nm N d. 17.4 nm 1196: In the Northern Hemisphere, gusty winds shifting clockwise, a rapid drop in temperature, thunderstorms or rain squalls in summer (frequent rain/snow squalls in winter) then a rise in pressure followed by clearing skies, indicate the passage of a(n) __________.
N a. warm front N b. tropical cyclone N c. anticyclone Y d. cold front 1253: The horizontal angle between the magnetic meridian and the north-south line of the magnetic compass is __________.
Y a. deviation N b. variation N c. compass error N d. dip 1347: What will be the velocity of the tidal current south of Doubling Point, ME, at 1357 EST (ZD +5) on 3 April 1983?
N a. 0.9 knot N b. 1.3 knots Y c. 2.0 knots N d. 2.6 knots 1363: True heading differs from magnetic heading by __________.
N a. deviation Y b. variation N c. compass error N d. northerly error 1370: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 8? (D039NG )
N a. Cumulonimbus N b. Altostratus N c. Cirrostratus Y d. Nimbostratus 1489: Cumulonimbus clouds can produce __________.
N a. dense fog and high humidity Y b. gusty winds, thunder, rain or hail, and lightning N c. clear skies with the approach of a cold front N d. a rapid drop in barometric pressure followed by darkness 1598: A slow, gradual fall of the barometer indicates approaching __________.
N a. gale force winds within 12 hours N b. blizzard conditions Y c. deteriorating or unsettled weather N d. heavy, wind driven rain 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 1682: Which of the listed properties does warm air possess?
N a. It rises above cooler air and cools as it rises. N b. Atmospheric pressure drops as warm air rises. N c. Moisture in warm air condenses as the air is cooled. Y d. All of the above 1690: In regions near the poles, the winds are generally described as __________.
N a. westerlies Y b. easterlies N c. northerlies N d. southerlies 1730: If you observe the point of cloud convergence shifting to the right and the "bar" of the storm appears to move along the horizon __________.
Y a. the center of the storm will by-pass you N b. the storm will strike you on the starboard side N c. you are in the direct path of the storm and should take immediate steps to batten down loose gear N d. the storm is starting to break up 1764: What natural feature is responsible for the rather even climate found on the Florida peninsula throughout the year?
N a. Strong masses of continental air Y b. The Gulf Stream N c. The Bermuda high N d. The cool waters of the Sargasso sea 1804: Magnetic information on a chart may be __________.
N a. found in the center(s) of the compass rose(s) N b. indicated by isogonic lines N c. found in a note on the chart Y d. All of the above 1824: 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 C in the illustration? (DO36NG )
N a. One red light N b. Two green lights Y c. Three green lights N d. No light 1826: 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 D in the illustration? (D036NG )
N a. One red light Y b. Two green lights N c. Three green lights N d. No light 2044: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the port quarter?
N a. 195° Y b. 225° N c. 240° N d. 265° 2080: You are on course 030°T. The relative bearing of a lighthouse is 45°. What is the true bearing?
N a. 015° Y b. 075° N c. 255° N d. 345° 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 2092: Descending boats, while awaiting their turn to enter a lock, shall NOT block traffic from the lock. They shall be above the lock by at LEAST __________.
N a. 100 feet N b. 200 feet N c. 300 feet Y d. 400 feet 2158: Permanent magnetism is caused by __________.
N a. operation of electrical equipment and generators on board ship Y b. the earth's magnetic field affecting the ship's hard iron during construction N c. the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field acting on the horizontal soft iron N d. the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field acting on the vertical soft iron 2178: The Flinders bar and the quadrantal spheres should be tested for permanent magnetism at what interval?
N a. They are not subject to permanent magnetism; no check is necessary. N b. Semiannually Y c. Annually N d. Every five years 2259: A vessel is heading magnetic northwest and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 317°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. N b. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible remove one of the spheres. N c. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. Y d. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible, move the quadrantal spheres in. 2269: One of the factors which affects the circulation of ocean currents is __________.
N a. humidity Y b. varying densities of water N c. vessel traffic N d. the jet stream 2304: The Moon is subject to four types of libration. Which of the following is NOT one of these types of libration?
N a. Libration in longitude N b. Diurnal libration Y c. Vertical libration N d. Libration in latitude 2316: Elongation becomes zero at __________.
N a. opposition N b. west quadrature N c. apogee Y d. inferior conjunction 2329: In low latitudes, a last quarter moon will always rise at about __________.
N a. sunrise N b. 1200 LMT N c. sunset Y d. 2400 LMT 2574: What is the equivalent of 2°52' in time units?
N a. 9 min. 23 sec. Y b. 11 min. 28 sec. N c. 11 min. 56 sec. N d. 12 min. 18 sec. 2675: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the upper light is in line above the lower light, you should __________.
N a. come left Y b. continue on the present course N c. come right N d. wait until the lights are no longer in a vertical line 2800: Where is the pivot point of a towboat with a tow ahead?
N a. One-third the length of the combined unit forward of the towboat Y b. One-third the length of the combined unit back from the head N c. At the head of the towboat N d. One-half the length of the combined unit 2904: Your radar displays your ship off center. As you proceed on your course, your ship's marker moves on the PPI scope while echoes from land masses remain stationary. What is this display called?
N a. Off center Y b. True motion N c. Stabilized N d. Head up 2980: What volume of the Coast Guard Light List is used for the Mississippi River system?
N a. I N b. II N c. IV Y d. V 2986: Some places maintain a zone time of -13. What are the time and date at Greenwich if the zone time and date are 2152, 10 January?
N a. 1052, 9 January Y b. 0852, 10 January N c. 1052, 10 January N d. 1052, 11 January 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 3037: The letter H in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
Y a. visible horizon N b. celestial horizon N c. geoidal horizon N d. refractive horizon