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.
72: The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are reckoned in the tide tables is __________.
N a. mean low water Y b. the same as that used for the charts of the locality N c. the highest possible level N d. given in table three of the tide tables 161: How is a safe water mark, that can be passed close aboard on either side, painted and lighted?
N a. Black and white stripes with an interrupted quick flashing light N b. Black and red stripes with a Morse (A) light N c. Black and red stripes with an interrupted quick flashing light Y d. Red and white stripes with a Morse (A) light 184: When the index and horizon mirrors of a properly adjusted sextant are at an angle of 45° to each other, the arc reads __________.
N a. 22 1/2° N b. 45° N c. 60° Y d. 90° 228: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a convergence line? (D042NG )
N a. L N b. F N c. M Y d. Q 234: When the declination of the Moon is 0°12.5'S, you can expect some tidal currents in Gulf Coast ports to __________.
N a. exceed the predicted velocities N b. become reversing currents N c. have either a double ebb or a double flood Y d. become weak and variable 267: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T and have the range in sight as shown. The range continues to open. What action should you take? (D047NG )
N a. Alter course to the right to 309°T or more to bring the range in line. Y b. Alter course to the left until the range closes, then steer to the left of 306°T. N c. Alter course to the left to close the range, then alter course to 309°T. N d. Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as you get close. 317: The time meridian used for tide computations in New York Harbor is __________.
N a. 52°30'W N b. 60°00'W Y c. 75°00'W N d. 82°30'W 454: On what does the operation of an aneroid barometer depend?
Y a. Thin, metal, air tight cell N b. Curved tube containing alcohol N c. Column of mercury supported by atmospheric pressure N d. Expansion of mercury in a closed tube 505: The error in the measurement of the altitude of a celestial body, caused by refraction, increases as the __________.
N a. horizontal parallax decreases N b. observer's height above sea level increases N c. humidity of the atmosphere decreases Y d. altitude of the body decreases 633: You have another ship overtaking you close aboard to starboard. You have 3 radar targets bearing 090° relative at ranges of .5 mile, 1 mile, and 1.5 miles. In this case, the unwanted echoes are called __________.
Y a. multiple echoes N b. spoking N c. indirect echoes N d. side-lobe echoes 668: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 042° at 105 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 10 knots to intercept vessel A?
N a. 063° N b. 068° N c. 073° Y d. 079° 693: Which general statement concerning radar is FALSE?
N a. Raising the antenna height increases the radar range. Y b. The ability of radar to detect objects is unaffected by weather conditions. N c. Radar bearings are less accurate than radar ranges. N d. Radar should be checked regularly during clear weather to ensure that it is operating properly. 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 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 876: A generally circular low pressure area is called a(n) __________.
Y a. cyclone N b. anticyclone N c. cold front N d. occluded front 881: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to starboard may have a __________.
N a. green light N b. long-flashing light characteristic Y c. square topmark N d. conical shape 923: A magnetic compass card is marked in how many degrees?
N a. 90 N b. 180 Y c. 360 N d. 400 978: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.
N a. recurvature effect N b. extension of the low pressure ridge Y c. wind circulation and forward motion of the storm N d. direction of circulation and pressure gradient 1011: You are underway in the North Sea on course 127°T. You sight a buoy with the topmarks shown bearing two points on the starboard bow. Which action must be taken? (D025NG )
N a. Alter course to starboard until the buoy is at least two points on the port bow, then hold course. N b. Alter course to port until the buoy is broad on the starboard quarter, then hold course. N c. Change course to have the buoy close aboard either side. Y d. Ensure the bearings change to the right. 1025: A first magnitude star is __________.
Y a. 2.5 times as bright as a second magnitude star N b. 3 times as bright as a second magnitude star N c. 5 times as bright as a second magnitude star N d. 10 times as bright as a second magnitude star 1037: Generally speaking, a ship steaming across the North Pacific from Japan to Seattle is likely to experience __________.
N a. adverse currents for practically the entire crossing Y b. favorable currents for practically the entire crossing N c. favorable currents in the summer months and adverse currents in the winter months N d. variable currents having no significant effect on the total steaming time 1104: Which condition(s) is(are) necessary for the formation of dew?
N a. Clear skies N b. Calm air N c. Earth's surface cooler than the dew point of the air Y d. All of the above 1203: If the compass heading and the magnetic heading are the same then __________.
N a. the deviation has been offset by the variation N b. there is something wrong with the compass N c. the compass is being influenced by nearby metals Y d. there is no deviation on that heading 1220: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy with a spherical topmark marks __________.
N a. the position of underwater cables N b. a hazard to navigation N c. the port side of the channel Y d. safe water 1246: What weather change accompanies the passage of a cold front in the Northern Hemisphere?
N a. Wind shift from northeast clockwise to southwest N b. Steady dropping of barometric pressure N c. Steady precipitation, gradually increasing in intensity Y d. A line of cumulonimbus clouds 1279: For 3 November 1983, at 0830 EST (ZD +5) at Catskill, NY, what is the predicted height of tide?
N a. +0.1 foot (+0.0 m) Y b. -0.6 foot (-0.2 m) N c. +0.9 foot (+0.3 m) N d. -1.3 feet (-0.4 m) 1385: What is the length of the lunar day?
Y a. 24h 50m 00s N b. 24h 00m 00s N c. 23h 56m 04s N d. 23h 03m 56s 1391: When a light is first seen on the horizon it will disappear again if the height of eye is immediately lowered several feet. When the eye is raised to its former height the light will again be visible. This process is called __________.
N a. checking a light N b. raising a light N c. obscuring a light Y d. bobbing a light 1405: After Venus passes the point of greatest elongation east in its orbit, the first position in which the elongation will be zero is __________.
N a. superior conjunction Y b. inferior conjunction N c. opposition N d. None of the above; the elongation will never be zero 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 1450: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum is the __________.
N a. range of tide N b. charted depth Y c. height of tide N d. actual water depth 1459: In a tropical cyclone, in the Northern Hemisphere, a vessel hove to with the wind shifting counterclockwise is __________.
N a. ahead of the storm center N b. in the dangerous semicircle Y c. in the navigable semicircle N d. directly in the approach path of the storm 1512: You are plotting a running fix. The LOP to be run forward is an arc from a radar range, what technique should be used?
N a. The arc should be converted into a straight line using offsets and then run forward. N b. An arc should never be run forward. Y c. The position of the object observed should be advanced to the new time and a new arc swung using the radius of the old arc. N d. The distance between LOP's should be added to the radar range and a new arc swung. 1545: The change in the length of day becomes greater as latitude increases because of the __________.
N a. inclination of the diurnal circle to the equator N b. decreasing distance between the terrestrial meridians Y c. increased obliquity of the celestial sphere N d. changing distance between the earth and the sun 1618: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 4 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?
Y a. 7.5 miles N b. 9.6 miles N c. 11.2 miles N d. 14.0 miles 1672: Data relating to the direction and velocity of rotary tidal currents can be found in the __________.
N a. Mariner's Guide Y b. Tidal Current Tables N c. Nautical Almanac N d. Tide Tables 1693: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.
N a. the "trade winds" N b. a low front or an occluded front Y c. a high pressure area; an anticyclone; or a "high" N d. the "doldrums" 1744: Which condition suggests that your present position lies in the navigable semicircle of a tropical storm?
Y a. A backing wind N b. A veering wind N c. Sustained gale force winds N d. A strong wind that maintains a constant speed and direction 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 1982: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the Greenwich hour angle of the celestial equator system?
N a. Zenith distance N b. Coaltitude N c. Altitude Y d. Azimuth 2052: Under the chart numbering system used by NGA (NIMA), the first digit of a multi-digit number indicates __________.
Y a. the general geographic area N b. the general scale of the chart N c. whether it is a major or minor chart N d. the projection used to construct the chart 2114: Vessels regularly navigating rivers above Cairo, Illinois, shall at all times have on board a copy of __________.
N a. Sailing Directions N b. Nautical Almanac for the year N c. U.S. Coast Pilot Y d. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulations (Blue Book) 2134: The Moon and Sun are in line over your meridian. Tomorrow when the Sun is over your meridian, the Moon will be __________.
N a. over the meridian too Y b. about 12°East of the meridian N c. about 6°West of the meridian N d. about 11° west of the meridian 2254: A rock and sand structure extending from the bank of the river toward the channel is known as a __________.
Y a. wingdam N b. towhead N c. cutoff N d. landwall 2294: What celestial body may sometimes be observed in daylight?
N a. New Moon N b. Saturn N c. Sirius Y d. Venus 2310: Which weather instrument measures atmospheric pressure?
N a. Beaufort scale N b. Anemometer N c. Sling psychrometer Y d. Barometer 2340: What is a "Special Warning"?
N a. An urgent message concerning a vessel in distress N b. A weather advisory about unusual meteorological or oceanographic phenomena hazardous to vessels Y c. A broadcast disseminating an official government proclamation affecting shipping N d. A radio navigational warning concerning a particularly hazardous condition affecting navigation 2345: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.
N a. from every estimated position N b. every three minutes in pilotage waters N c. only in pilotage waters Y d. from every fix or running fix 2410: A facility used for the discharge of a cargo of a particular hazard, such as chlorine, butane or ethane, must have what to warn water traffic of an immediate danger during fire or cargo release?
N a. An emergency boat and crew Y b. A siren or rotating flashing light N c. Flashing red lights located one-half mile upstream and downstream of the facility N d. Buoys with flashing lights controlled from shore, located one-half mile upstream and downstream of the facility 2446: What is the equivalent of 47 min. 20 sec. in arc units?
N a. 8°27' Y b. 11°50' N c. 13°42' N d. 13°56' 2544: At McAlpine L & D, normal upper pool elevation is 420.0 feet MSL, equal to 12.0 feet on the upper gage. The vertical clearance at the Clark Memorial Highway bridge is 72.6 feet above normal pool. What is the clearance if the gage reads 27.2 feet?
N a. 25.4 feet Y b. 57.4 feet N c. 60.6 feet N d. 72.6 feet 2596: The abbreviation L.W.R.P. on the navigation maps means __________.
Y a. low water reference plane N b. low winter runoff point N c. least water river plane N d. land wall reference point 2730: When attempting an upstream landing while pushing empty barges ahead in a hard onshore wind, the approach is best made __________.
Y a. with bow out, stern in N b. with bow in, stern out N c. parallel to the dock, as close in as possible N d. parallel to the dock, as far out as possible 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. 2945: A position that is obtained by applying estimated current and wind to your vessel's course and speed is a(n) __________.
Y a. estimated position N b. dead reckoning position N c. fix N d. None of the above 2956: On 23 August 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Sun. The sextant altitude (hs) is 116°42.8'. The height of eye is 56 feet and the index error is 2.0' off the arc. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 63°42.0' N b. 63°38.0' N c. 63°19.4' Y d. 63°06.2' 3025: You determine your vessel's position by taking a range and bearing to a buoy. Your position will be plotted as a(n) __________.
Y a. estimated position N b. dead-reckoning position N c. fix N d. running fix 3078: Which data must ECDIS be able to record at one-minute intervals?
N a. Position N b. Electronic navigational chart source N c. Course made good history Y d. All of the above 3092: ECDIS must be able to perform all of the following EXCEPT __________.
N a. determine true bearing and distance between two geographical points Y b. determine magnetic compass deviation N c. transform a local datum to the WGS-'84 datum N d. convert "graphical coordinates" to "display coordinates" 3128: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?
N a. AIS may be used to make passing arrangements via ship-to-ship text messaging thus relieving a vessel operator from sounding whistle signals or making contact via radiotelephone. Y b. AIS may be used to make passing arrangements via ship-to-ship text messaging but a vessel operator is still required to sound whistle signals unless the arrangement is made via radiotelephone. N c. AIS cannot be used to make passing arrangements because the system does not have the ability to communicate from ship-to-ship in this manner. N d. AIS cannot be used to make passing arrangements because the use of the ship-to-ship text messaging feature in this way is prohibited.