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.


30: When taking an amplitude, the Sun's center should be observed on the visible horizon when __________.


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?


112: Which chart number indicates an NGA (NIMA) chart designed for inshore coastwise navigation?


188: Off Barnegat, NJ, with the wind coming out of the east, the wind-driven current will be flowing approximately __________.

    N a. 286°
    Y b. 254°
    N c. 106°
    N d. 016°

214: A sextant having an index error that is "on the arc" has a __________.

    N a. positive correction
    N b. dip error
    Y c. negative correction
    N d. semidiameter error

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

334: The index error is determined by adjusting the __________.

    N a. sextant frame
    N b. horizon glass
    N c. index mirror
    Y d. micrometer drum

365: The Sun at a maximum declination north would be approximately at __________.

    Y a. aphelion
    N b. perihelion
    N c. autumnal equinox
    N d. first point of Aries

398: The velocity of the apparent wind can be less than the true wind and from the same direction, if certain conditions are present. One condition is that the __________.

    N a. ship's speed is more than the true wind velocity
    Y b. true wind is from dead astern
    N c. true wind is on the beam
    N d. true wind is from dead ahead

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

492: Which type of projection is formed if a plane is tangent to the Earth, and points are projected geometrically from the center of the Earth?

    N a. Lambert conformal
    Y b. Oblique gnomonic
    N c. Mercator
    N d. Transverse conic

632: You must construct a Mercator projection for an area bounded by latitudes 40° - 47°N and longitudes 176°E to 176°W on a paper 28 X 36 inches. Allow a neat line of one inch. What will be the separation between meridians?

    N a. 3.190 inches
    Y b. 3.249 inches
    N c. 3.529 inches
    N d. 3.714 inches

646: You have determined that you are in the right semicircle of a tropical cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere. What action should you take to avoid the storm?

    N a. Place the wind on the starboard quarter and hold that course.
    N b. Place the wind on the port quarter and hold that course.
    N c. Place the wind on the port bow and hold that course.
    Y d. Place the wind on the starboard bow and hold that course.

800: You are to sail from Elizabethport, NJ, on 17 November 1983 with a maximum draft of 27 feet. You will pass over an obstruction in the channel near Sandy Hook that has a charted depth of 26 feet. The steaming time from Elizabethport to the obstruction is 1h 50m. What is the earliest time (ZD +5) you can sail on 17 November and pass over the obstruction with 2 feet of clearance?

    Y a. 0056
    N b. 0124
    N c. 0154
    N d. 0218

818: Ocean swells originating from a typhoon can move ahead of it at speeds near __________.

    N a. 10 knots
    N b. 20 knots
    N c. 30 knots
    Y d. 50 knots

878: At 0600 ZT on 31 January, your position is LAT 00°49'S, LONG 84°27'E. 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. 30243, 90008, 30848
    N b. 31003, 99049, 38427
    Y c. 31003, 99008, 30844
    N d. 31063, 99049, 58427

903: Eight points of a compass are equal to how many degrees?

    N a. 45
    Y b. 90
    N c. 180
    N d. 360

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

919: You are plotting a running fix in an area where there is a determinable current. How should this current be treated in determining the position?

    N a. The drift should be added to the ship's speed.
    Y b. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    N d. The set should be applied to the second bearing.

1006: An air mass is termed "warm" if __________.

    N a. it is above 70°F
    Y b. the ground over which it moves is cooler than the air
    N c. it originated in a high pressure area
    N d. it originated in a low pressure area

1048: The velocity of the current in large coastal harbors is __________.

    N a. unpredictable
    N b. generally too weak to be of concern
    Y c. predicted in Tidal Current Tables
    N d. generally constant

1054: The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F (26°C) and the wet-bulb temperature is 68°F (20°C). What is the relative humidity?

    N a. 10%
    N b. 24%
    N c. 56%
    Y d. 60%

1060: Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting __________.

    N a. temperature
    N b. dew point
    Y c. wind velocity
    N d. relative humidity

1078: The description "Racon" beside an illustration on a chart would mean a __________.

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

1092: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.

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

1148: The numeral in the center of a wind rose circle on a pilot chart indicates the __________.

    N a. total number of observations
    N b. average wind force on the Beaufort scale
    N c. average wind force in knots
    Y d. percentage of calms

1173: When adjusting a magnetic compass for error, a deviation table should be made __________.

    N a. before correcting for any deviation
    N b. after correcting for variation
    Y c. after adjusting the fore-and-aft and athwartships permanent magnets
    N d. before the quadrantal correctors are placed on the compass

1190: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 2? (D039NG )

    N a. Cumulus
    Y b. Cirrostratus
    N c. Stratocumulus
    N d. Altostratus

1278: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.

    N a. depth
    N b. distance
    Y c. range
    N d. period

1302: What feature(s) of a daymark is (are) used to identify the beacon upon which it is mounted?

    Y a. Color and shape
    N b. Size
    N c. Method of construction
    N d. Signal characteristics

1339: You are on course 303°T. To check the speed of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    N a. 000°
    N b. 090°
    Y c. 123°
    N d. 213°

1417: Determine the first time after 1200 EST (ZD +5) when the velocity of the current will be 0.5 knot on 18 November 1983, at Marcus Hook, PA.

    N a. 1221
    N b. 1226
    Y c. 1239
    N d. 1312

1563: Neap tides occur only __________.

    N a. at a new or full Moon
    N b. when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in line
    N c. at approximately 28-day intervals
    Y d. when the Moon is at quadrature

1585: The sidereal day begins when the __________.

    Y a. first point of Aries is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N b. Sun is over the lower branch of the reference meridian
    N c. Sun is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N d. first point of Aries is over the lower branch of the reference meridian

1599: The time interval between successive wave crests is called the __________.

    N a. trough
    Y b. period
    N c. frequency
    N d. epoch

1629: Air temperature varies with __________.

    N a. the altitude above sea level
    N b. the season of the year
    N c. the latitude or distance from the equator
    Y d. All of the above

1643: Cumulus clouds that have undergone vertical development and have become cumulonimbus in form, indicate __________.

    N a. clearing weather
    N b. that a warm front has passed
    Y c. probable thunderstorm activity
    N d. an approaching hurricane or typhoon

1661: Advection fog may be formed by warm moist air passing over a __________.

    N a. warmer sea surface
    Y b. cooler sea surface
    N c. dry coastal plain
    N d. polar land mass

1676: Lighted information markers show __________.

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

1719: What is the direction of rotation of tropical cyclones, tropical storms and hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere?

    N a. Clockwise and outward
    Y b. Counterclockwise and inward
    N c. Counterclockwise and outward
    N d. Clockwise and inward

1798: The climate of the northern Gulf coast __________.

    N a. is humid and subtropical throughout the year
    N b. has an east coast marine type of climate
    Y c. is a warm marine type of climate
    N d. varies from warm to subtropical

1811: To find a magnetic compass course from a true course you must apply __________.

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

1890: A vessel heading SSE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 112.5°
    N b. 135.0°
    Y c. 157.5°
    N d. 180.0°

1900: A parallax correction is NOT applied to observations of the __________.

    Y a. stars
    N b. Moon
    N c. Sun
    N d. Planets

1906: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to latitude on the Earth?

    Y a. Altitude
    N b. Zenith
    N c. Declination
    N d. Zenith distance

1956: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 6 flashes, followed by one long flash at 15 second intervals. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to this buoy? (D030NG )

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

2002: What term is used to describe a river barge designed to carry coal or any similar cargo not requiring weather protection?

    N a. Single skin
    N b. Double skin
    Y c. Open hopper
    N d. Deck barge

2167: 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?

    N a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    Y c. Three red lights
    N d. One amber light

2190: Clouds are classified according to their __________.

    N a. size
    N b. moisture content
    Y c. altitude and how they were formed
    N d. location in a front

2288: A mean sun is used as the reference for solar time for three reasons. Which reason is NOT a cause for use of a mean sun?

    N a. The motion of the apparent sun is along the ecliptic.
    Y b. Measurement of time is along the celestial equator.
    N c. The speed of the Earth's revolution is not constant.
    N d. There are variations in the Earth's rotational speed.

2289: The constellation that contains the pointer stars is __________.

    N a. Orion
    Y b. Ursa Major
    N c. the Southern Cross
    N d. Pegasus

2486: What is the equivalent of 23 min. 20 sec. in arc units?

    N a. 16°40'
    N b. 12°32'
    N c. 9°28'
    Y d. 5°50'

2609: The letter A in illustration D006NG represents the __________. (D006NG )

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

2656: What is the equivalent of 0 min. 16 sec. in arc units?

    N a. 0°32'
    N b. 0°16'
    Y c. 0°04'
    N d. 0°01'

2700: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the meridian angle of the celestial equator system?

    Y a. Azimuth angle
    N b. Zenith distance
    N c. Colatitude
    N d. Altitude

2740: When one upbound vessel is overtaking another vessel and both are pushing a tow ahead, what reaction may you expect?

    N a. Both towheads will tend to drift apart, and the overtaking vessel will be slowed down.
    N b. Both towheads will tend to drift together, and the overtaking vessel will be slowed down.
    Y c. Both towheads will tend to drift apart, and the overtaken vessel will be slowed down.
    N d. Both towheads will tend to drift together, and the overtaken vessel will be slowed down.

2979: You take a bearing of 356° of a lighthouse. What bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 013°
    Y b. 082°
    N c. 176°
    N d. 201°

3068: Which of the following data layer categories is NOT displayed on ECDIS?

    N a. Notice to Mariners information
    N b. ECDIS warnings and messages
    Y c. Ship hydrodynamic information
    N d. Hydrographic Office data

3075: Chart information details to be used in ECDIS should be the latest edition of information originated by a government-authorized hydrographic office and conform to the standards of (the) __________.

    N a. International Maritime Organization
    Y b. International Hydrographic Organization
    N c. NASA
    N d. US Coast Guard

3130: When may the automatic identification system (AIS) be switched off?

    N a. At anytime as long as it is properly logged.
    Y b. At the Master's professional judgment.
    N c. Only when the vessel is at anchor or in port.
    N d. Under no circumstance.