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.


68: A position obtained by taking lines of position from one object at different times and advancing them to a common time is a(n) __________.


164: The part of a sextant mounted directly over the pivot of the index arm is the __________.


329: The symbols shown are used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which symbol indicates a weather boundary? (D042NG )


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

345: A navigator fixing a vessel's position by radar __________.

    N a. should never use radar bearings
    N b. should only use radar bearings when the range exceeds the distance to the horizon
    Y c. can use radar information from one object to fix the position
    N d. must use information from targets forward of the beam

359: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 264°T, 68 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 13 Knots?

    N a. 6h 31m
    N b. 6h 47m
    N c. 7h 03m
    Y d. 7h 34m

370: Prevailing winds between 30°N and 60°N latitude are from the __________.

    N a. north
    N b. south
    N c. east
    Y d. west

374: There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?

    Y a. Error of collimation
    N b. Prismatic error
    N c. Graduation error
    N d. Centering error

375: If the Sun's observed altitude is 47°50', the zenith distance is __________.

    Y a. 42°10'
    N b. 42°50'
    N c. 47°50'
    N d. 132°10'

378: A navigator fixing a vessel's position by radar __________.

    N a. should never use radar bearings
    Y b. can use radar information from one object to fix the position
    N c. should only use radar bearings when the range exceeds the distance to the horizon
    N d. must use information from targets forward of the beam

379: The steady current circling the globe at about 60°S is the __________.

    N a. Prevailing Westerly
    N b. Sub-Polar Flow
    Y c. West Wind Drift
    N d. Humboldt Current

458: The prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere blow 18-30 knots __________.

    Y a. all year long
    N b. during the summer months only
    N c. during the winter only
    N d. during spring only

460: When using horizontal sextant angles of three objects to fix your position, an indeterminate position will result in which situation?

    N a. The objects lie in a straight line.
    N b. The vessel is inside of a triangle formed by the objects.
    N c. The vessel is outside of a triangle formed by the objects.
    Y d. A circle will pass through your position and the three objects.

481: A special mark (yellow buoy), if lighted, may exhibit which light rhythm?

    Y a. Flashing
    N b. Morse "A"
    N c. Equal interval
    N d. Occulting

556: In a tropical cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, a vessel hove to with the wind shifting counterclockwise would be __________.

    Y a. in the navigable semicircle
    N b. in the dangerous semicircle
    N c. directly in the path of the center
    N d. ahead of the storm

585: What great circle is always needed to form the astronomical triangle?

    N a. Celestial Equator
    N b. Prime Meridian
    Y c. Celestial Meridian
    N d. Prime Vertical Circle

611: Information markers, when lighted, will display __________.

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

722: Which publication would describe the explosive anchorages in the ports on the east coast of the United States?

    N a. Sailing Directions
    N b. Pilot Rules for Inland Waters
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Notice to Mariners

779: Which sextant shown has an index error of 0'20" on the arc? (D050NG )

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

895: The ecliptic is __________.

    Y a. the path the Sun appears to take among the stars
    N b. the path the Earth appears to take among the stars
    N c. a diagram of the zodiac
    N d. a great circle on a gnomonic chart

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

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

952: What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?

    N a. Supplements to new editions are issued monthly by the U.S. Coast Guard.
    N b. New editions are published by the National Ocean Service.
    Y c. New editions are corrected through the date shown on the title page.
    N d. None of the above

1056: The steepness of a cold front depends on __________.

    N a. the direction of wind around the front
    Y b. its velocity
    N c. the temperature of the air behind the front
    N d. the precipitation generated by the front

1172: Which position shown would likely have stratus or stratocumulus clouds, occasional light drizzle, steady southerlies around 10 knots, and steady temperatures? (D049NG )

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

1206: Brief, violent showers frequently accompanied by thunder and lightning are usually associated with __________.

    N a. passage of a warm front
    Y b. passage of a cold front
    N c. winds shifting counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
    N d. stationary high pressure systems

1213: If the magnetic heading is greater than the compass heading, the deviation is __________.

    Y a. east
    N b. west
    N c. north
    N d. south

1233: Deviation is the angle between the __________.

    N a. true meridian and the axis of the compass card
    N b. true meridian and the magnetic meridian
    Y c. magnetic meridian and the axis of the compass card
    N d. axis of the compass card and the degaussing meridian

1275: How is variation indicated on a small-scale nautical chart?

    N a. Magnetic compass table
    N b. Magnetic meridians
    Y c. Isogonic lines
    N d. Variation is not indicated on small-scale nautical charts.

1314: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates hail? (D042NG )

    N a. N
    Y b. H
    N c. Q
    N d. F

1439: The symbols shown are used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "G" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    N a. weather boundary
    N b. thunderstorm
    N c. wide spread sandstorm
    Y d. severe, line squall

1484: You should plot your dead reckoning position at __________.

    N a. every fix or running fix
    N b. every course change
    N c. every speed change
    Y d. All of the above are correct.

1495: A great circle crosses the equator at 157°W. It will also cross the equator at what other longitude?

    N a. 157°E
    N b. 57°E
    Y c. 23°E
    N d. 57°W

1524: A barometric pressure reading of 29.92 inches of mercury is equivalent to __________.

    Y a. 1013.25 millibars
    N b. 29.92 feet of water
    N c. 766 millimeters of mercury
    N d. 76 centimeters of water

1547: Which light combination does NOT indicate a navigational channel passing under a fixed bridge?

    Y a. Red lights on the LDB and green lights on the RDB
    N b. Three white lights in a vertical line
    N c. Two green lights in a range under the span
    N d. A fixed red light on each pier at the channel edge

1581: Shown are the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "I" represents __________. (D042NG )

    N a. rain showers
    Y b. thunderstorms
    N c. snow storms
    N d. sand storms

1611: What indicates a dual purpose buoy?

    N a. Red buoy with a horizontal yellow band
    N b. Red and white vertically-striped buoy with a vertical yellow stripe
    N c. Red and white vertically-striped buoy with a red spherical topmark
    Y d. Green buoy with a yellow square

1648: A sign of thunderstorm development is a cumulus cloud __________.

    N a. darkening, growing in size and forming an anvil top
    N b. that shows extensive vertical development
    N c. creating cold downdrafts that are felt on the ground
    Y d. All of the above

1785: Which factor(s) is/are used to develop the charted information of a lighthouse?

    N a. Height of the light and the observer
    Y b. Height and brightness of the light
    N c. Brightness of the light and height of the observer
    N d. Height of the light only

1801: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.

    N a. the "trade winds"
    Y b. an anticyclone
    N c. a low front or an occluded front
    N d. the "doldrums"

1844: What is the relative bearing of an object sighted dead ahead?

    N a. 180°
    N b. 090°
    N c. 015°
    Y d. 000°

1944: In the horizon system of coordinates what is the equivalent to the celestial equator of the celestial equator system?

    Y a. Horizon
    N b. Prime vertical circle
    N c. Prime meridian
    N d. Principal vertical circle

2030: A vessel heading NE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 022.5°
    Y b. 045.0°
    N c. 067.5°
    N d. 090.0°

2062: 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 F in the illustration? (D038NG )

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

2141: 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. Red over green
    N b. Green over red
    Y c. Red over amber (yellow)
    N d. Green over amber (yellow)

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)

2219: A vessel is heading magnetic northwest and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 317°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    Y a. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible replace them with larger spheres.
    N b. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres.
    N c. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible move the quadrantal spheres out.
    N d. If the spheres are in as far as possible remove one of the spheres.

2284: Bellatrix is found in what constellation?

    N a. Canis Minor
    N b. Gemini
    N c. Taurus
    Y d. Orion

2378: Which light signal indicates that you may approach the lock?

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

2404: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions +7 and +8 is __________.

    N a. 105°00'W
    Y b. 112°30'W
    N c. 117°00'W
    N d. 120°30'W

2440: You are on course 357°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 180°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?

    N a. 003°
    N b. 227°
    Y c. 177°
    N d. 363°

2482: When a vessel changes course from one cardinal heading to another cardinal heading while adjusting the compass, which action should be taken?

    N a. The course change should be made rapidly to prevent transient induced magnetism while passing the intercardinal headings.
    Y b. After the new heading is reached, the vessel should steam on that course for at least two minutes before the adjustment.
    N c. During the course change, you should gently tap the compass to remove any error caused by friction on the pivot bearing.
    N d. After steadying on the new heading, the compass card should be slewed by a magnet and allowed to oscillate freely to remove any gaussin error.

2505: At the approaches to Savannah, GA, with the wind coming out of the west, the wind-driven current will be flowing approximately __________.

    N a. 280°
    N b. 260°
    N c. 100°
    Y d. 080°

2618: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 38°N to 43°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between each degree of longitude is 5 inches, what is the distance between latitude 38°N and latitude 43°N?

    N a. 29.0 inches
    N b. 29.6 inches
    N c. 32.1 inches
    Y d. 32.8 inches

2690: Right ascension is primarily used by the navigator for __________.

    N a. calculating amplitudes
    N b. calculating great circle sailings by the Ageton method
    N c. entering the Air Navigation Tables (Selected Stars) Pub 249
    Y d. plotting on star finders

2696: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 52°S to 56°S and longitudes 179°W to 175°E. If the distance between latitude 52°S to 56°S is 24 inches, what is the distance between the meridians of 1° of longitude?

    N a. 3.2 inches
    Y b. 3.5 inches
    N c. 4.0 inches
    N d. 4.2 inches

2702: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 46°N to 48°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between each degree of longitude is 2 7/8 inches, what is the distance between latitude 46°N and 48°N?

    Y a. 8.4 inches
    N b. 8.1 inches
    N c. 7.9 inches
    N d. 7.7 inches

2710: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the local hour angle of the celestial equator system?

    N a. Altitude
    Y b. Azimuth
    N c. Zenith distance
    N d. Colongitude

2738: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 3 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

    N a. 1100 yards
    N b. 872 yards
    Y c. 550 yards
    N d. 792 yards

2750: When pushing a tow and approaching barges tied off to the shore, you should __________.

    N a. increase speed so you will pass faster
    Y b. decrease speed while passing so you won't create a suction
    N c. do nothing different as the barges should be tied off properly
    N d. move to the opposite side of the channel from the barges and increase speed

2940: On the Corps of Engineer's Navigation Maps, the channel is __________.

    N a. midway between the banks
    N b. indicated by depths (in feet)
    Y c. indicated by a broken line
    N d. not indicated