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.


11: A buoy having red and green horizontal bands would have a light characteristic of __________.


19: You are approaching a swing bridge at night. You will know that the bridge is open for river traffic when __________.


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


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

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

94: When using a recording depth finder in the open ocean, what phenomena is most likely to produce a continuous trace that may not be from the actual ocean bottom?

    Y a. Echoes from a deep scattering layer
    N b. Echoes from schools of fish
    N c. Multiple returns reflected from the bottom to the surface and to the bottom again
    N d. Poor placement of the transducer on the hull

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

182: The scale on a chart is given as 1:5,000,000. This means that __________.

    N a. 1 inch is equal to 5,000 inches on the Earth's surface
    N b. 1 nautical mile on the chart is equal to 5,000 inches on the Earth's surface
    Y c. 1 inch is equal to 5,000,000 inches on the Earth's surface
    N d. 1 nautical mile on the chart is equal to 5,000,000 inches on the Earth's surface

284: The marine sextant is subject to seven different types of errors, four of which may be corrected by the navigator. An error NOT correctable by the navigator is __________.

    N a. index error
    Y b. prismatic error
    N c. perpendicularity of the horizon glass
    N d. perpendicularity of the index mirror

357: On 10 August 1983 you will dock near Days Point, Weehawken, on the Hudson River, at 1800 DST (ZD +4). The charted depth alongside the pier is 24 feet (7.3 meters). What will be the depth of water when you dock?

    N a. 23.5 feet (7.1 m)
    Y b. 23.9 feet (7.2 m)
    N c. 24.9 feet (7.5 m)
    N d. 26.3 feet (8.0 m)

371: Which buoy may be odd numbered?

    N a. Mid-channel buoy
    N b. Unlighted nun buoy
    Y c. Lighted green buoy
    N d. All of the above

371: Which buoy may be odd numbered?

    N a. Mid-channel buoy
    N b. Unlighted nun buoy
    Y c. Lighted green buoy
    N d. All of the above

397: The mean tide level at Peaks Island, ME, is __________.

    N a. 1.8 feet (0.5 meters)
    N b. 2.5 feet (0.8 meters)
    N c. 3.2 feet (1.0 meters)
    Y d. 4.5 feet (1.4 meters)

427: On 23 March 1983, at Kingston Point, NY, what is the earliest time after 1700 EST (ZD +5) that the predicted tide will be +2.0 feet?

    N a. 1730
    N b. 1800
    Y c. 1854
    N d. 2030

464: Prior to reading an aneroid barometer, you should tap the face lightly with your finger to __________.

    N a. expose any loose connections
    N b. demagnetize the metal elements
    Y c. bring the pointer to its true position
    N d. contract and expand the glass face

544: The instrument most commonly used to gather the data for determining the relative humidity is the __________.

    N a. hydrometer
    Y b. psychrometer
    N c. barometer
    N d. anemometer

580: On 21 January 1981, you observe a back sight of the Sun's lower limb. The sextant altitude (hs) is 121°31.5'. The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 31 feet (9.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 31°06.2'
    Y b. 58°53.1'
    N c. 58°12.2'
    N d. 58°03.2'

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

612: Which statement is TRUE concerning a Mercator projection?

    N a. Degrees of longitude decrease in length as latitude increases.
    Y b. The length of the meridians is increased to provide for equal expansion in all directions.
    N c. The mileage between the meridians is increased as the latitude increases.
    N d. All of the above

683: A radar contact will remain stationary on a relative motion radar display only when it is __________.

    N a. on the same course as your vessel
    N b. at the same speed as your vessel
    Y c. on the same course and speed as your vessel
    N d. on a reciprocal course at the same speed as your vessel

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

700: You are enroute to Savannah, GA, from Recife, Brazil. There is a strong N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter __________.

    N a. smoother seas and warmer water
    N b. long swells
    Y c. steeper waves, closer together
    N d. cirrus clouds

704: What is TRUE of the history display of a target's past positions on an ARPA?

    N a. It provides a graphic display to emphasize which vessel is on a collision course.
    Y b. In the true presentation, it provides a quick visual check to determine if a vessel has changed course.
    N c. The display is one of the primary inputs and must be in use when using the trial maneuver capability.
    N d. It provides a graphic display of a target vessel's relative course, speed, and CPA.

711: In the IALA Maritime Buoyage System, a red and white vertically-striped buoy is used as a(n) __________.

    Y a. safe water mark
    N b. cardinal mark
    N c. isolated danger mark
    N d. special mark not primarily used for navigation

804: A relative bearing is always measured from __________.

    N a. true north
    N b. magnetic north
    N c. the vessel's beam
    Y d. the vessel's head

817: Which current would you encounter on a direct passage from London, England, to Cape Town, South Africa?

    N a. Falkland Current
    N b. Brazil Current
    N c. Norway Current
    Y d. Benguela Current

866: Anticyclones are usually characterized by __________.

    Y a. dry, fair weather
    N b. high winds and cloudiness
    N c. gustiness and continuous precipitation
    N d. overcast skies

947: The cold ocean current which meets the warm Gulf Stream between latitudes 40° and 43°N to form the "cold wall" is called the __________.

    N a. North Cape Current
    Y b. Labrador Current
    N c. Greenland Current
    N d. North Atlantic Current

1004: A low, uniform layer of cloud resembling fog, but not resting on the ground, is called __________.

    N a. cumulus
    N b. nimbus
    Y c. stratus
    N d. cirrus

1021: You are underway in the North Sea on course 142°T when you sight a buoy bearing 105°T. The buoy's white light has a characteristic of continuous very-quick flashing. To ensure that your vessel remains in the best navigable water you would __________.

    N a. continue on course and ensure that the bearings change to the left
    N b. pass between the buoy and another buoy showing a fixed white light
    N c. alter course to port and pass the buoy close aboard to either side
    Y d. alter course to port and pass north of the buoy

1024: The dew point is reached when the __________.

    N a. temperature of the air equals the temperature of the seawater
    N b. atmospheric pressure is 14.7 lbs. per square inch
    N c. relative humidity reaches 50%
    Y d. air becomes saturated with water vapor

1179: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 3? (DO39NG )

    Y a. Cirrocumulus
    N b. Altocumulus
    N c. Nimbostratus
    N d. Cumulus

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

1309: When recording the wind direction in the weather log, you would report the __________.

    N a. direction the wind is blowing toward
    Y b. direction the wind is blowing from
    N c. duration of the maximum gust of wind
    N d. wind chill factor

1313: Variation in a compass is caused by __________.

    N a. worn gears in the compass housing
    Y b. magnetism from the earth's magnetic field
    N c. magnetism within the vessel
    N d. lack of oil in the compass bearings

1320: You are enroute to Savannah, GA, from Recife, Brazil. There is a strong N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter __________.

    Y a. steeper waves, closer together
    N b. smoother seas and warmer water
    N c. cirrus clouds
    N d. long swells

1342: An occluded front on a weather map is colored __________.

    N a. blue line
    Y b. purple line
    N c. dashed blue line
    N d. alternate red and blue line

1357: You will transit the Cape Cod Canal on 7 November 1983. If you arrive at the R R Bridge at 1655 EST (ZD +5), for what period of time during your transit will you have currents of not more than 0.5 knot?

    N a. 1631 to 1719
    N b. 1638 to 1655
    Y c. 1648 to 1702
    N d. 1655 to 1709

1444: Stratocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 4
    Y c. 6
    N d. 7

1447: What will be the velocity of the tidal current 6 miles south of Shoal Point, NY, at 1850 DST (ZD +4) on 9 July 1983?

    N a. 0.2 knot ebb
    Y b. 0.2 knot flood
    N c. 1.2 knot ebb
    N d. 1.4 knot flood

1510: During daylight savings time the meridian used for determining the time is located farther __________.

    N a. west
    Y b. east
    N c. east in west longitude and west in east longitude
    N d. west in west longitude and east in east longitude

1738: In the Northern Hemisphere, the right half of the storm is known as the dangerous semicircle because __________.

    N a. The wind speed is greater here since the wind is traveling in the same general direction as the storm's track
    N b. the direction of the wind and seas might carry a vessel into the path of the storm
    N c. the seas are higher because of greater wind speed
    Y d. All of the above

1796: Which weather element cannot be measured accurately while on board a moving vessel?

    N a. Relative humidity
    N b. Atmospheric pressure
    N c. Temperature
    Y d. Wave period

1886: What is the relative bearing of an object dead astern?

    N a. 000°
    N b. 090°
    Y c. 180°
    N d. 270°

1994: Fomalhaut is found in what constellation?

    N a. Leo
    N b. Taurus
    Y c. Pisces
    N d. Canis Major

2054: The diagram is of a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter B? (D038NG )

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

2085: Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be obtained from the __________.

    Y a. Broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N b. Light List Vol. V
    N c. U.S. Coast Pilot
    N d. Sailing Directions

2188: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    Y a. If the red ends are to starboard the athwartships magnets should be lowered.
    N b. If the blue ends are forward the fore-and-aft magnets should be raised.
    N c. If the red ends are to starboard and the tray is at the top add some athwartships magnets.
    N d. If the blue ends are aft the fore-and-aft magnets should be raised.

2222: By convention, the south pole of a magnet is painted __________.

    N a. red
    Y b. blue
    N c. white
    N d. black

2224: By convention, the north seeking ends of a compass' magnets are colored __________.

    N a. black
    N b. blue
    Y c. red
    N d. white

2255: The height of tide is the __________.

    N a. depth of water at a specific time due to tidal effect
    N b. difference between the depth of the water at high tide and the depth of the water at low tide
    N c. difference between the depth of the water and the high water tidal level
    Y d. difference between the depth of the water and the area's tidal datum

2279: Antares is found in what constellation?

    Y a. Scorpio
    N b. Corvus
    N c. Libra
    N d. Corona Borealis

2286: Which light signal indicates that you have permission to enter a lock on the Ohio River?

    N a. Steady red
    N b. Flashing amber
    N c. Steady green
    Y d. Flashing green

2338: A group of stars which appear close together and form a striking configuration such as a person or animal is a __________.

    N a. cluster
    N b. shower
    Y c. constellation
    N d. galaxy

2514: Sidereal time is NOT used __________.

    N a. as the basis for star charts
    N b. to enter a star finder
    N c. in sight reduction using Pub 249
    Y d. in sight reductions of planet observations

2516: Apparent time is based on __________.

    N a. a fictitious sun moving along the celestial equator
    Y b. the visible sun moving along the ecliptic
    N c. the Moon's motion in relation to the Sun
    N d. the movement of the first point of Aries

2644: The sidereal day begins __________.

    N a. when the sun is over the first point of Aries
    N b. when the first point of Aries is over 180° longitude
    Y c. when the first point of Aries is over the upper branch of the reference meridian
    N d. at 0000 on 1 January (Sidereal Date)

2689: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents __________. (D006NG )

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

2937: The depth of the water is indicated on a chart as 32 meters. This is equal to __________.

    N a. 11.50 fathoms
    N b. 12.62 fathoms
    Y c. 17.50 fathoms
    N d. 104.99 fathoms

2981: The maritime radio system consisting of a series of coast stations transmitting coastal warnings is called __________.

    Y a. NAVTEX
    N b. HYDROLANT/HYDROPAC
    N c. NAVAREA
    N d. SAFESEA

2998: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ships fog horn 3 1/2 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

    Y a. 640 yards
    N b. 480 yards
    N c. 315 yards
    N d. 143 yards