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.


4: Gyrocompass repeaters reproduce the indications of the master gyrocompass. They are __________.


22: Charts showing the coast of Mexico are produced by the United States __________.


84: When using an echo sounder in deep water, it is NOT unusual to __________.


100: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 080°T, 100 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265°T at 22 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?

    N a. 219°
    Y b. 208°
    N c. 199°
    N d. 190°

103: In Loran-C the high accuracy of atomic time and frequency controls allows each station to operate __________.

    N a. at higher frequencies
    Y b. on schedule, independently
    N c. at 1,975 kHz
    N d. in a multiplex phase

123: If the radio signal ground wave extends out for less distance than the minimum skywave distance, there is an area in which no signal is received. This is called the __________.

    Y a. skip zone
    N b. blackout zone
    N c. diffraction zone
    N d. shadow zone

191: Safe water buoys may show ONLY __________.

    N a. flashing red lights
    N b. flashing green lights
    Y c. white lights
    N d. yellow lights

202: On charts of U.S. waters, a magenta marking is NOT used for marking a __________.

    N a. radio beacon
    N b. lighted buoy
    N c. prohibited area
    Y d. 5-fathom curve

220: At 0000 you fix your position and plot a new DR track line. At 0200 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The current is westerly at 0.5 knot.
    N b. You must increase speed to compensate for the current.
    N c. The current cannot be determined.
    Y d. The drift is 0.25 knot.

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

256: The belt of light and variable winds between the westerly wind belt and the northeast trade winds is called the __________.

    Y a. subtropical high pressure belt
    N b. intertropical convergence zone
    N c. doldrum belt
    N d. polar frontal zone

282: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic describes the light?

    N a. It is visible 10 miles.
    N b. Its distinguishing number is "19M".
    N c. It has a radar reflector.
    Y d. None of the above

312: The depth of water on a chart is indicated as 23 meters. This is equal to __________.

    N a. 11.5 fathoms
    Y b. 12.6 fathoms
    N c. 69.0 feet
    N d. 78.6 feet

327: When daylight savings time is kept the times of tide and current calculations must be adjusted. One way of doing this is to __________.

    N a. subtract one hour from the times listed under the reference stations
    Y b. add one hour to the times listed under the reference stations
    N c. apply no correction, as the times in the reference stations are adjusted for daylight savings time
    N d. add 15° to the standard meridian when calculating the time difference

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

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

515: The small circle of the celestial sphere parallel to the celestial equator, and transcribed by the daily motion of the body, is called the __________.

    N a. hour circle of the body
    Y b. parallel of declination
    N c. vertical circle of the body
    N d. parallel of altitude

636: Tropical cyclones are classified by form and intensity. Which system does not have closed isobars?

    N a. Hurricane
    Y b. Tropical disturbance
    N c. Tropical depression
    N d. Cyclone

643: When using the radar for navigating __________.

    N a. the best fix is obtained by using a tangent bearing and a range
    N b. and using two radar ranges for a fix, the objects of the ranges should be close to reciprocal bearings
    Y c. and using ranges, the most rapidly changing range should be measured last
    N d. and crossing a radar range of one object with the visual bearing of a second object, the two objects should be 80° to 110° apart

684: The ARPA may swap targets when automatically tracking if two targets __________.

    N a. are tracked on reciprocal bearings
    N b. are tracked at the same range
    N c. are tracked on the same bearing
    Y d. pass close together

737: What describes an ebb current?

    N a. Horizontal movement of the water away from the land following low tide
    N b. Horizontal movement of the water toward the land following low tide
    Y c. Horizontal movement of the water away from the land following high tide
    N d. Horizontal movement of the water toward the land following high tide

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

808: On a working copy of a weather map, a stationary front is represented by which color line?

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

915: The Sun's center may be coincident with both the celestial equator and the observer's prime vertical circle when __________.

    N a. it crosses the December solstitial point
    N b. it crosses the June solstitial point
    N c. it is in upper transit
    Y d. its declination is zero

946: The wind circulation around a high pressure center in the Northern Hemisphere is __________.

    N a. counterclockwise and moving towards the high
    N b. counterclockwise and moving outward from the high
    N c. clockwise and moving towards the high
    Y d. clockwise and moving outward from the high

1030: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. The dry bulb thermometer reads 78°F, and the wet bulb thermometer reads 75°F. How would you encode the air temperature groups in the report? (D041NG )

    Y a. 10256, 2023/
    N b. 10780, 2074/
    N c. 00256, 0023/
    N d. 10256, 2074/

1036: A frontal thunderstorm is caused by __________.

    N a. pronounced local heating
    N b. wind being pushed up a mountain
    Y c. a warm air mass rising over a cold air mass
    N d. an increased lapse rate caused by advection of warm surface air

1063: When adjusting a magnetic compass using the fore-and-aft permanent magnets, you should __________.

    N a. use the magnets one at a time, putting one in one side and then one on the opposite side, one step higher.
    N b. use the magnets in pairs, starting at the top, with trays at the highest point of travel
    Y c. use the magnets in pairs, from the bottom up, with the trays at the lowest point of travel
    N d. fill all the trays with magnets, then remove them one-by-one until the deviation is removed

1099: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 343°T at 92 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 9 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 356°
    Y b. 003°
    N c. 022°
    N d. 038°

1194: In the Northern Hemisphere, an observer at point II in the weather system should experience a wind shift from the __________. (D014NG )

    Y a. southwest, clockwise to northwest
    N b. northeast, clockwise to west-southwest
    N c. northeast, counterclockwise to northwest
    N d. east, counterclockwise to south-southwest

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°

1240: Weather information is available from __________.

    N a. commercial radio broadcasts
    N b. the Coast Guard on scheduled marine information broadcasts
    N c. VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service
    Y d. All of the above

1305: Complete information on weather broadcasts throughout the world is contained in __________.

    Y a. Selected Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts
    N b. your local newspaper
    N c. the Notice to Mariners
    N d. the daily weather map

1389: A boundary between two air masses is a(n) __________.

    N a. lapse rate
    N b. isobar
    Y c. front
    N d. continent

1446: When compared to air temperature, which factor is most useful in predicting fog?

    N a. Vapor pressure
    Y b. Dew point
    N c. Barometric pressure
    N d. Absolute humidity

1460: What is the major advantage of a rhumb line track?

    Y a. The vessel can steam on a constant heading (disregarding wind, current, etc.).
    N b. The rhumb line is the shortest distance between the arrival and departure points.
    N c. It is easily plotted on a gnomonic chart for comparison with a great circle course.
    N d. It approximates a great circle on east-west courses in high latitudes.

1465: The planet Venus can be observed in the morning before sunrise if it is well to the __________.

    Y a. west of and higher than the Sun
    N b. west of and lower than the Sun
    N c. east of and higher than the Sun
    N d. east of and lower than the Sun

1467: Determine the time after 0730 EST (ZD +5) when the velocity of the current will be 2.1 knots on 26 March 1983, at Fort Pulaski, GA.

    N a. 0802
    N b. 0812
    N c. 0821
    Y d. 0840

1606: Aids to navigation marking the intracoastal waterway can be identified by __________.

    N a. the letters ICW after the aid's number or letter
    Y b. yellow stripes, squares, or triangles marked on them
    N c. white retroreflective material
    N d. the light characteristic and color for lighted aids

1642: Which type of cloud formation should be of immediate concern to small craft operators?

    N a. cirrus
    N b. altostratus
    N c. nimbostratus
    Y d. cumulonimbus

1696: Two well-developed high pressure areas may be separated by a __________.

    N a. hill of low pressure
    Y b. trough of low pressure
    N c. valley of low pressure
    N d. ridge of low pressure

1807: Which weather system produces strong cold winds called "Northers" during the winter months in the Gulf of Mexico?

    N a. A polar maritime air mass
    Y b. A high pressure system
    N c. A cyclone
    N d. A low pressure system

1822: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the port bow?

    Y a. 315°
    N b. 330°
    N c. 345°
    N d. 360°

1958: The spinning of a celestial body about its axis is known as __________.

    Y a. rotation
    N b. revolution
    N c. space motion
    N d. nutation

1964: The great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the zenith and the north and south poles is the __________.

    N a. hour circle
    N b. prime vertical
    Y c. principal vertical
    N d. ecliptic

1992: The parallel of latitude at 23°27'S is the __________.

    N a. Tropic of Cancer
    Y b. Tropic of Capricorn
    N c. Arctic Circle
    N d. ecliptic

2128: 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 B if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

2145: 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. Green over red
    N b. Red over blue
    N c. Green over amber (yellow)
    Y d. Red over amber (yellow)

2251: Which statement concerning the chartlet shown is TRUE? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )

    N a. Maury lightship is visible for 17 miles.
    N b. The bottom to the south-southeast of the lightship is soft coral.
    Y c. There is a dangerous eddy southeast of Beito Island.
    N d. There is a 12-meter deep west of Beito Island and inside the 5-meter line.

2316: Elongation becomes zero at __________.

    N a. opposition
    N b. west quadrature
    N c. apogee
    Y d. inferior conjunction

2387: You are on a voyage from New Orleans to Boston and navigating off the Florida coast. You will get the greatest benefit from the Gulf Stream if you navigate __________.

    N a. about 5 miles east of Cape Canaveral
    N b. about 15 miles east of Daytona
    N c. along the 50-fathom curve
    Y d. about 20 miles east of Jupiter Inlet

2434: 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 you should lower the fore-and-aft tray.
    Y b. If the red ends of the magnets are forward, and the fore-and-aft tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets.
    N c. If the red ends of the magnets are to port you should raise the athwartships tray.
    N d. If the red ends of the magnets are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.

2435: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?

    N a. A red and white octagon
    N b. Red and white retroreflective material
    N c. A sequential number
    Y d. A spherical topmark

2474: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 356°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should remove some of the magnets.
    Y b. If the blue ends of the magnets are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets.
    N c. If the red ends of the magnets are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should reverse the magnets.
    N d. If the blue ends of the magnets are to starboard, you should raise the athwartships tray.

2508: Normal pool elevation is the height in feet of the section of river above a dam. This height is measured from __________.

    N a. low steel on the Huey P. Long Bridge
    Y b. mean sea level
    N c. the local water table
    N d. the minimum dam control level

2536: A revised print of a chart is made __________.

    N a. after every major hydrographic survey of the area covered by the chart
    N b. when there are numerous corrections to be made or the corrections are extensive
    Y c. when a low-stock situation occurs and minor corrections are made
    N d. every two years to update the magnetic variation information

2587: Given are the courses and speeds of 4 vessels. The navigator of which vessel would be required to know the actual time of meridian transit in order to take an accurate observation at LAN?

    Y a. C 166°T, Sp 24 knots
    N b. C 013°T, Sp 7 knots
    N c. C 291°T, Sp 25 knots
    N d. C 112°T, Sp 4 knots

2590: A plane perpendicular to the polar axis will never form what line on the Earth's surface?

    N a. Great circle
    N b. Equator
    N c. Small circle
    Y d. Meridian

2896: You are navigating in pilotage waters. The maximum time between fixes should be about __________.

    N a. 5 minutes
    Y b. 30 minutes
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 4 hours

2961: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?

    N a. Dead reckoning positions
    Y b. Estimated positions
    N c. Leeway position
    N d. Set position

3106: What does an automatic identification system (AIS) transponder use to transmit and receive information broadcasts?

    N a. 3000 Mhz and 9200 Mhz
    N b. 2182 Khz and 2187.5 Khz
    Y c. 156.525 Mhz, 161.975 Mhz and 162.025 Mhz
    N d. 1575.42 Mhz and 1227.6 Mhz