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.


3: Blinking of a Loran-C signal indicates __________.


6: Wind velocity varies __________.


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


296: The wind flow from the horse latitudes to the doldrums is deflected due to __________.

    Y a. Coriolis force
    N b. the mid-latitude, semi-permanent high
    N c. differing atmospheric pressures
    N d. the prevailing westerlies

348: When using a radar in an unstabilized mode, fixes are determined most easily from __________.

    N a. center bearings
    N b. tangent bearings
    N c. objects that are close aboard
    Y d. ranges

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

417: On 6 July 1983, at 1830 DST (ZD +4), what will be the predicted height of tide at Newburgh, NY?

    N a. 3.3 feet
    N b. 2.6 feet
    N c. 2.4 feet
    Y d. 2.0 feet

424: For an accurate barometer check, you would __________.

    N a. check it with a barometer on another vessel
    N b. take readings from several barometers and average them
    N c. check it with the barometer at the ship chandlery
    Y d. check it against radio or National Weather Service reports of the immediate vicinity

436: A wind vane on a moving vessel shows __________.

    N a. dead reckoning wind direction
    N b. true wind direction
    Y c. apparent wind direction
    N d. estimated wind direction

496: Severe tropical cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons) occur in all warm-water oceans except the __________.

    N a. Indian Ocean
    N b. North Pacific Ocean
    N c. South Pacific Ocean
    Y d. South Atlantic Ocean

566: You are attempting to locate your position relative to a hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere. If the wind direction remains steady, but with diminishing velocity, you are most likely __________.

    N a. in the right semicircle
    N b. in the left semicircle
    N c. on the storm track ahead of the center
    Y d. on the storm track behind the center

600: The dangerous semicircle of a typhoon in the Southern Hemisphere is that area __________.

    N a. measured from due south clockwise 180°
    N b. measured from due south counterclockwise 180°
    Y c. to the left of the storm's track
    N d. ahead of the typhoon measured from the storm's track to 90° on each side

623: An indirect radar echo is caused by a reflection of the main lobe of the radar beam off the observer's vessel. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of indirect echoes?

    N a. Their bearing is almost constant, even when the true bearing of the contact changes appreciably.
    Y b. They always appear on a bearing of 90°From the true bearing of the contact.
    N c. The indirect echoes usually appear in shadow sectors.
    N d. When plotted, their movements are usually abnormal.

739: The upper vertex of a great circle track is in LONG 156°00'E. Sailing eastward, the great circle track will cross the equator in LONG __________.

    Y a. 114°00'W
    N b. 110°00'W
    N c. 66°00'W
    N d. 66°00'E

770: 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?

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

771: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a spherical buoy will mark the __________.

    Y a. safe water
    N b. port side of the channel
    N c. a hazard to navigation
    N d. the position of an underwater cable

785: An amplitude of the Sun in high latitudes __________.

    N a. is most accurate before sunrise
    N b. is most accurate after sunset
    N c. should only be observed when the Sun's lower limb is above the horizon
    Y d. is most accurate when the Sun's center is observed on the visible horizon

786: The greater the pressure difference between a high and a low pressure center, the __________.

    N a. dryer the air mass will be
    N b. cooler the temperature will be
    Y c. greater the force of the wind will be
    N d. warmer the temperature will be

868: Your ship received a HYDROLANT advising of a special warning to mariners from the Department of State for ships in the Persian Gulf. You are 400 miles south of, and bound for, the Persian Gulf. What action should you take?

    N a. Continue on course as the warning is advisory in nature only.
    Y b. Send an AMVER report and acknowledge receipt of the warning.
    N c. Remain a minimum of 500 miles outside the Persian Gulf and maintain radio silence.
    N d. Send a MERWARN message advising your position, course, speed and intentions.

871: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy marking the starboard side of the channel when approaching from seaward must have a(n) __________.

    N a. pillar shape
    Y b. green color
    N c. square topmark
    N d. even number

882: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?

    N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
    Y b. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light
    N c. An outline of the area of the sector
    N d. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship

892: When a buoy is in position only during a certain period of the year, where may the dates when the buoy is in position be found?

    Y a. Light List
    N b. Notice to Mariners
    N c. On the chart
    N d. Coast Pilot

1050: The passing of a low pressure system can be determined by periodically checking the __________.

    N a. thermometer
    N b. hygrometer
    Y c. barometer
    N d. anemometer

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

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

1226: Cumulonimbus clouds are most likely to accompany a(n) __________.

    N a. high pressure system
    Y b. cold front
    N c. warm front
    N d. occluded front

1358: Despite weather predictions for continued good weather, a prudent mariner should be alert for all of the following, EXCEPT a sudden __________.

    N a. drop in barometric pressure
    Y b. drop in temperature
    N c. wind shift
    N d. squall line

1392: Cumulonimbus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    Y a. 9
    N b. 7
    N c. 5
    N d. 3

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

1429: A celestial body will cross the prime vertical circle when the latitude is numerically __________.

    Y a. greater than the declination and both are of the same name
    N b. less than the declination and both are of the same name
    N c. greater than the declination and both are of contrary name
    N d. less than the declination and both are of contrary name

1480: What is the definition of height of tide?

    N a. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water
    N b. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom
    N c. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor
    Y d. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time

1516: Which correction(s) must be applied to an aneroid barometer?

    Y a. Instrument error and height error
    N b. Instrument error only
    N c. Height error only
    N d. Instrument error and latitude correction

1534: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Your position is LAT 22°31'S, LONG 138°19'W. How would this be encoded? (D041NG )

    N a. LAT 22.5°S, LONG 138.3°W
    Y b. 99225, 51383
    N c. L2231, 53819
    N d. 2231S, 5383W

1631: Which picture shows an occulting light? (D034NG )

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

1655: Yesterday your chronometer read 11h 59m 59s at the 1200 GMT time tick. Today the chronometer reads 11h 59m 57s at the 1200 time tick. What is the chronometer rate?

    N a. +2s
    Y b. -2s
    N c. -3s
    N d. +3s

1665: Air circulation is caused or affected by __________.

    N a. the rotation of the earth on its axis
    N b. convection currents caused by differences in radiant heating between equatorial and polar regions
    N c. mountain ranges
    Y d. All of the above

1673: Information about currents on the Pacific Coast of the U. S. is found in the __________.

    N a. Nautical Almanac
    Y b. Tidal Current Tables
    N c. Ocean Current Tables
    N d. Tide Tables

1685: Squall lines with an almost unbroken line of threatening dark clouds and sharp changes in wind direction, generally precede a(n) __________.

    N a. slow-moving warm front
    Y b. fast-moving cold front
    N c. stationary front
    N d. occluded front

1803: The difference between the DR position and a fix, both of which have the same time, is caused by __________.

    N a. variation
    N b. deviation
    Y c. current
    N d. leeway

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

1887: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 10 miles and is 11 feet high. If the visibility is 15 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 12.0 miles
    N b. 11.0 miles
    N c. 10.0 miles
    Y d. 9.0 miles

1926: The prime vertical is the great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the __________.

    N a. celestial poles and the zenith
    Y b. zenith, nadir and the east point of the horizon
    N c. celestial poles and the celestial body
    N d. zenith, nadir and celestial body

1936: The parallel of latitude at 66°33'N is the __________.

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

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

2170: The temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapor and below which condensation of water vapor will occur is referred to as the __________.

    N a. precipitation point
    N b. vapor point
    Y c. dew point
    N d. absolute humidity

2177: This diagram 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 D if the lock walls and piers are not awash? (D037NG )

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

2373: The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water is the __________.

    N a. actual water depth
    N b. range of tide
    N c. charted depth
    Y d. height of tide

2381: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.

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

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.

2468: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, the buoys marking the starboard side of the channel when going upstream will be __________.

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

2512: In the time diagram shown __________. (D005NG )

    Y a. you are in east longitude
    N b. your time is about 1000
    N c. your date is a day earlier than the date at Greenwich
    N d. you must be in the Northern Hemisphere for it to be accurate

2512: In the time diagram shown __________. (D005NG )

    Y a. you are in east longitude
    N b. your time is about 1000
    N c. your date is a day earlier than the date at Greenwich
    N d. you must be in the Northern Hemisphere for it to be accurate

2620: The navigator is concerned with three systems of coordinates. Which system is not of major concern?

    N a. Terrestrial
    Y b. Ecliptic
    N c. Celestial horizon
    N d. Celestial equator

2794: The standard atmospheric pressure in millibars is __________.

    N a. 760.0
    N b. 938.9
    N c. 1000.0
    Y d. 1013.2

2974: What daymark shape is used in the lateral system?

    N a. Semicircle
    Y b. Triangle
    N c. Pentagon
    N d. Diamond

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°

2982: You take a bearing of 142° and 259° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best fix? -

    Y a. 019°
    N b. 084°
    N c. 166°
    N d. 281°

3067: Which of the following are data layer categories to be displayed on ECDIS?

    N a. ECDIS warnings and messages
    N b. Hydrographic Office data
    N c. Notice to Mariners information
    Y d. All of the above

3085: An ECDIS is required to display which information?

    N a. Water temperature
    N b. Climatology data
    N c. Speed of advance
    Y d. Depth contours

3101: The typical operating range of automatic identification systems (AIS) at sea is nominally __________.

    N a. 2 nm
    N b. 8 nm
    Y c. 20 nm
    N d. 40 nm