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.


9: When displayed under a single-span fixed bridge, red lights indicate __________.


78: A single line of position combined with a dead-reckoning position results in a(n) __________.


87: A tide is called diurnal when __________.


138: The path that a vessel is expected to follow, represented on a chart by a line drawn from the point of departure to the point of arrival, is the __________.

    N a. DR plot
    Y b. track line
    N c. heading
    N d. estimated course

141: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 042°T, 105 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 10 knots?

    N a. 12h 30m
    N b. 12h 44m
    Y c. 12h 58m
    N d. 13h 22m

209: The West Wind Drift is located __________.

    Y a. near 60°S
    N b. on each side of the Equatorial Current
    N c. in the North Atlantic between Greenland and Europe
    N d. in the South Pacific near 5°S

399: Where will you find information about the duration of slack water?

    N a. American Practical Navigator
    N b. Sailing Directions
    N c. Tide Tables
    Y d. Tidal Current Tables

471: Yellow lights may appear on __________.

    Y a. special purpose buoys
    N b. vertically-striped buoys
    N c. horizontally-banded buoys
    N d. spherical buoys

504: Barometer readings in weather reports are given in terms of pressure at __________.

    Y a. sea level
    N b. Washington, D.C.
    N c. the weather station
    N d. the broadcasting station

511: A survey (special purpose mark) buoy __________.

    N a. must be lighted
    N b. may have a flashing red light
    N c. may have a fixed white light
    Y d. None of the above

601: White and orange buoys, if lighted, show which color light?

    Y a. White
    N b. Orange
    N c. Red
    N d. Alternating yellow and white

652: What agency of the U.S. Government issues charts of U.S. waters and Coast Pilots?

    Y a. National Ocean Service
    N b. National Imagery and Mapping Agency
    N c. U.S. Coast Guard
    N d. U.S. Naval Observatory

686: The pressure gradient between the horse latitudes and doldrums runs __________.

    N a. east to west
    Y b. north to south
    N c. northeast to southwest
    N d. northwest to southeast

735: The period of the Earth's revolution from perihelion to perihelion is the __________.

    N a. astronomical year
    Y b. anomalistic year
    N c. solar year
    N d. sidereal year

749: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 264°T at 68 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 249°
    Y b. 256°
    N c. 262°
    N d. 268°

750: On a working copy of a weather map, a cold front is represented by what color line?

    N a. Red
    Y b. Blue
    N c. Alternating red and blue
    N d. Purple

765: Diurnal aberration is due to __________.

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

781: The IALA Buoyage Systems do NOT apply to __________.

    N a. the sides and centerlines of navigable channels
    N b. natural dangers and other obstructions, such as wrecks
    Y c. lighthouses and lightships
    N d. areas in which navigation may be subject to regulation

917: As the South Equatorial Current approaches the east coast of Africa, it divides with the main part flowing south to form the warm __________.

    Y a. Agulhas Current
    N b. Canary Current
    N c. Benguela Current
    N d. Madagascar Current

1031: While steaming north of the Irish coast, you sight a buoy which shows the light rhythm shown in illustration D028NG. How would you pass this buoy? (D028NG )

    N a. North of the buoy
    Y b. East of the buoy
    N c. South of the buoy
    N d. West of the buoy

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

1041: You are steaming along the coast of Ireland in the Irish Sea. You sight a lighted buoy with a white flashing light showing a group of two flashes. The buoy indicates you __________.

    N a. must pass south of the buoy
    N b. must pass north of the buoy
    Y c. should pass well clear on either side of the buoy
    N d. must pass the buoy close to starboard

1126: When a warm air mass is adjacent to a cold air mass, the separation line between the two is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. front
    N b. isobar
    N c. isotherm
    N d. equipotential line

1135: A position on the Earth has a longitude of 74°10'E. Its celestial counterpart would have a __________.

    Y a. GHA of 285°50'
    N b. SHA of 74°10'
    N c. SHA of 285°50'
    N d. LHA of 74°10'E

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

1201: What is NOT true concerning color sectors of lights?

    Y a. Color sectors are expressed in degrees from the light toward the vessel.
    N b. Color sectors may indicate dangerous waters.
    N c. Color sectors may indicate the best water across a shoal.
    N d. Color sectors may indicate a turning point in a channel.

1234: Which information does the outer ring of a compass rose on a nautical chart provide?

    N a. Variation
    Y b. True directions
    N c. Magnetic directions
    N d. Annual rate of variation change

1250: Daylight savings time is a form of zone time that adopts the time __________.

    Y a. one zone to the east
    N b. one zone to the west
    N c. two zones to the east
    N d. two zones to the west

1255: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.

    N a. extension of the low pressure ridge
    N b. direction of circulation and pressure gradient
    N c. recurvature effect
    Y d. the wind circulation and forward motion of the storm

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

1530: In shallow water, waves that are too steep to be stable, causing the crests to move forward faster than the rest of the wave, are called __________.

    N a. rollers
    Y b. breakers
    N c. white caps
    N d. surfers

1542: To find a magnetic course from a true course you must apply __________.

    N a. magnetic anomalies (local disturbances)
    N b. deviation
    Y c. variation
    N d. deviation and variation

1569: Three or four feet of the total height of a storm surge in a hurricane can be attributed to __________.

    N a. an increase in temperature
    N b. an increase in the wave period
    N c. the wind velocity
    Y d. the decrease in atmospheric pressure

1658: Fog forms when the air temperature is at or below __________.

    N a. 32° F
    N b. the wet bulb temperature
    Y c. the dew point
    N d. the dry bulb temperature

1759: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic north or magnetic south?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    Y b. Heeling magnets
    N c. Flinders bar
    N d. Fore-and-aft magnets

1806: Sometimes foreign charts are reproduced by NGA (NIMA). On such a chart a wire dragged (swept) area may be shown in purple or __________.

    Y a. green
    N b. red
    N c. magenta
    N d. yellow

1818: In order to utilize the capacity of a lock to its maximum, pleasure craft are locked through with all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. coal barges
    Y b. oil barges
    N c. sand barges
    N d. cement barges

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

1976: The Moon is nearest to the Earth at __________.

    Y a. perigee
    N b. the vernal equinox
    N c. the new Moon
    N d. the full Moon

2016: Which statement about the Flinders bar of the magnetic compass is CORRECT?

    Y a. It compensates for the error caused by the vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field.
    N b. It compensates for error caused by the heeling of a vessel.
    N c. It compensates for quadrantal deviation.
    N d. It is only needed in equatorial waters.

2050: The point where the vertical rise or fall of tide has stopped is referred to as __________.

    N a. slack water
    N b. the rip tide
    Y c. the stand of the tide
    N d. the reverse of the tide

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°

2099: 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.
    Y b. Continue on course until the range is closed, then alter course to the right.
    N c. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line.
    N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T.

2103: The description "Racon" beside an illustration on a chart would mean a __________.

    N a. radar calibration beacon
    N b. circular radio beacon
    N c. radar conspicuous beacon
    Y d. radar transponder beacon

2142: Which lights would you see on the Illinois waterway 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. Green over amber (yellow)
    Y b. Red over amber (yellow)
    N c. Red over blue
    N d. Green over red

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

2366: The major problem with Moon sights is the __________.

    N a. rapid changes in GHA and declination introduce errors into the calculations
    Y b. lack of a well defined limb during certain phases and positions in the sky
    N c. approximations used in the solution caused by the variable horizontal parallax
    N d. augmentation effect caused by the relatively short distance to the Moon

2380: The navigation regulations applicable to a U.S. inland waterway can be found in the __________.

    N a. Notices to Mariners
    N b. Channel Reports
    N c. Sailing Directions
    Y d. Coast Pilots

2394: A vessel is heading magnetic east and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 093°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends of the magnets are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the top, you should remove some magnets.
    N b. If the red ends of the magnet are aft, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the bottom, you should reverse the magnets.
    Y c. If the red ends of the magnets are aft you should raise the fore-and-aft tray.
    N d. If the blue ends of the magnets are forward you should remove some magnets from the fore-and-aft tray.

2397: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents the __________.

    N a. sensible horizon
    N b. celestial horizon
    N c. visible horizon
    Y d. geometrical horizon

2450: You are on course 180°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 225°. What is the true bearing of the lighthouse?

    Y a. 045°
    N b. 135°
    N c. 180°
    N d. 270°

2500: When correcting the sextant altitude to apparent altitude you are correcting for inaccuracies in the reading and __________.

    Y a. for inaccuracies in the reference level
    N b. the equivalent reading at the center of the body
    N c. the equivalent reading from the center of the Earth
    N d. the bending of the rays of light from the body

2510: When correcting apparent altitude to observed altitude, you do NOT apply a correction for __________.

    N a. the equivalent reading to the center of the body
    N b. the equivalent reading from the center of the Earth
    N c. the bending of the rays of light from the body
    Y d. inaccuracies in the reference level

2546: A structure, usually made of stone, or cement pilings, which extends from the bank at approximately right angles to the current is called a __________.

    Y a. dike
    N b. revetment
    N c. cutoff
    N d. crib

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

2724: Which condition indicates that your radar needs maintenance?

    Y a. Serrated range rings
    N b. Indirect echoes
    N c. Multiple echoes
    N d. Blind sector

2788: The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type KGW. You should __________.

    N a. see a green and white diamond
    N b. leave it to port when southbound on the Atlantic Coast ICW
    N c. pass it close aboard on either side
    Y d. look for another daymark to form the range

2812: A line of position from a celestial observation is a segment of a __________.

    Y a. circle of equal altitude
    N b. parallel of declination
    N c. parallel of altitude
    N d. vertical circle

3017: 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. 3 hours
    N b. 6 1/4 hours
    Y c. 12 1/2 hours
    N d. 18 3/4 hours

3091: Which of the following must an ECDIS system be able to perform?

    N a. Conversion of "graphical coordinates" to "display coordinates"
    N b. Transformation of local datum to WGS-'84 datum
    N c. Calculation of true azimuth and distance between two geographical points
    Y d. All of the above