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.


34: The Local Notice to Mariners is usually published __________.


43: A buoy with a composite group-flashing light indicates a(n) __________.


91: A preferred-channel buoy will show a __________.


123: If the radio signal ground wave extends out for less distance than the minimum skywave distance, there is an area in which no signal is received. This is called the __________.

    Y a. skip zone
    N b. blackout zone
    N c. diffraction zone
    N d. shadow zone

180: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?

    Y a. A spherical topmark
    N b. Red and white retroreflective material
    N c. A sequential number
    N d. A red and white octagon

241: A spherical buoy may be __________.

    N a. numbered
    Y b. lettered
    N c. green
    N d. red

246: The consistent winds blowing from the horse latitudes to the doldrums are called the __________.

    N a. prevailing westerlies
    N b. polar easterlies
    Y c. trade winds
    N d. roaring forties

283: Loran-C operates on a single frequency centered on __________.

    Y a. 100 kHz
    N b. 500 kHz
    N c. 1,850 kHz
    N d. 1,950 kHz

321: Which buoy may be even numbered?

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

354: In order to remove side error from a sextant, you should adjust the __________.

    N a. horizon glass to make it parallel to the horizon mirror with the index set at zero
    N b. horizon glass to make it perpendicular to the index mirror with the index set at zero
    Y c. horizon glass to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame
    N d. telescope to make it parallel to the sextant frame

384: Which is a nonadjustable error of the sextant?

    N a. Error of perpendicularity
    N b. Side error
    N c. Error of collimation
    Y d. Centering error

407: What would be the height of the tide at Crisfield, MD, at 0310 DST (ZD +4) on 6 May 1983?

    N a. 0.1 foot
    Y b. 0.5 foot
    N c. 1.1 feet
    N d. 1.6 feet

568: The chart of a beach area shows a very steep slope to the underwater beach bottom. Which type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?

    Y a. Surging
    N b. Converging
    N c. Spilling
    N d. Plunging

593: Radar makes the most accurate determination of the __________.

    N a. direction of a target
    Y b. distance to a target
    N c. size of a target
    N d. shape of a target

725: The First Point of Aries is the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere on or about __________.

    Y a. March 21
    N b. June 21
    N c. September 21
    N d. December 21

747: The movement of water away from the shore or downstream is called a(n) __________.

    N a. reversing current
    Y b. ebb current
    N c. flood current
    N d. slack current

812: You are informed of defects or changes in aids to navigation by __________.

    N a. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. Weekly Notice to Mariners
    N c. marine broadcasts
    Y d. All of the above

864: Uniform, grayish-white cloud sheets that cover large portions of the sky, and are responsible for a large percentage of the precipitation in the temperate latitudes, are called __________.

    Y a. altostratus
    N b. altocumulus
    N c. cirrostratus
    N d. cirrocumulus

999: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Three-quarters of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 226° relative at 17.7 knots. You are on course 020°T at 8 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )

    N a. 80208
    N b. 72218
    N c. 72318
    Y d. 62324

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

1067: The two most effective generating forces of surface ocean currents are __________.

    N a. temperature and salinity differences in the water
    Y b. wind and density differences in the water
    N c. water depth and underwater topography
    N d. rotation of the Earth and continental interference

1095: The celestial coordinate of a star that is relatively constant in value is the __________.

    N a. Greenwich hour angle
    N b. local hour angle
    Y c. sidereal hour angle
    N d. meridian angle

1193: If a ship is proceeding towards the magnetic equator, the uncorrected deviation due to permanent magnetism __________.

    N a. increases
    N b. remains the same
    Y c. decreases
    N d. is unimportant and may be neglected

1200: You want to transit Pollock Rip Channel, MA, on 6 April 1983. What is the period of time around the 0955 (ZD +5) slack in which the current does not exceed 0.3 knot?

    N a. 0911 to 0955
    N b. 0940 to 1010
    N c. 0955 to 1044
    Y d. 0935 to 1017

1225: The term "Western Rivers," when it refers to regulations requiring towing vessels to carry navigational-safety equipment, charts or maps, and publications, includes the _____________ .

    N a. Mississippi River and its tributaries
    N b. Port Allen - Morgan City Alternate Route
    N c. Red River and the Old River
    Y d. All of the above

1245: You can follow the approach of a dangerous cyclonic storm by inspecting __________.

    Y a. a newspaper, a weather map, a weather fax, or a weather forecast
    N b. the National Weather Service Observing Handbook No.1, Marine Surface Observations
    N c. the Coast Pilot or Sailing Directions
    N d. the sky overhead

1260: On 26 February 1983, at 1750 EST (ZD +5) what will be the predicted height of tide at New Haven (city dock), CT?

    N a. -.3 foot (-0.1 meter)
    Y b. -.6 foot (-0.2 meter)
    N c. 1.3 feet (0.4 meter)
    N d. 1.6 feet (0.5 meter)

1330: You are located within a stationary high pressure area. Your aneroid barometer is falling very slowly. This indicates a(n) __________.

    N a. wind shift of 180°
    N b. large increase in wind velocity
    Y c. decrease in the pressure of the system
    N d. increase in the intensity of the system

1347: What will be the velocity of the tidal current south of Doubling Point, ME, at 1357 EST (ZD +5) on 3 April 1983?

    N a. 0.9 knot
    N b. 1.3 knots
    Y c. 2.0 knots
    N d. 2.6 knots

1366: Clouds appearing in the following order: cirrus, cirrostratus, altostratus, stratus, and nimbostratus usually indicate the approach of a(n) __________.

    Y a. warm front
    N b. occluded front
    N c. medium front
    N d. cold front

1382: The chart indicates the variation was 3°45'W in 1988, and the annual change is increasing 6'. If you use the chart in 1991 how much variation should you apply?

    N a. 3°27'W
    N b. 3°27'E
    Y c. 4°03'W
    N d. 4°03'E

1395: The lunar day is __________.

    Y a. longer than a solar day
    N b. shorter than a solar day
    N c. the same length as the solar day
    N d. longer than a solar day during the summer months and shorter in winter months

1455: Inferior conjunction is possible for __________.

    Y a. Mercury
    N b. Saturn
    N c. Mars
    N d. Jupiter

1462: Altocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 1
    N b. 3
    N c. 4
    Y d. 5

1498: A true bearing of a charted object, when plotted on a chart, will establish a __________.

    N a. fix
    Y b. line of position
    N c. relative bearing
    N d. range

1528: Cirrostratus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 1
    Y b. 2
    N c. 8
    N d. 9

1551: In order to get the maximum benefit from the Gulf Stream, on a voyage between Houston and Philadelphia, you should navigate __________.

    Y a. about 75 miles east of Ormond Beach, FL
    N b. close inshore between Jupiter Inlet and Fowey Rocks, FL
    N c. along the 50-fathom curve while off the east coast of Florida
    N d. about 10 miles east of Cape Canaveral, FL

1598: A slow, gradual fall of the barometer indicates approaching __________.

    N a. gale force winds within 12 hours
    N b. blizzard conditions
    Y c. deteriorating or unsettled weather
    N d. heavy, wind driven rain

1602: Most modern Loran-C receivers automatically detect secondary station blink which __________.

    N a. indicates the station is transmitting normally
    N b. automatically shuts down the receiver
    Y c. triggers alarm indicators to warn the operator
    N d. causes the receiver to shift automatically to another Loran chain

1711: An instrument that indicates wind direction is known as a(n) __________.

    Y a. weather vane, wind vane or wind sock
    N b. hydrometer
    N c. hygrometer
    N d. sling psychrometer

1753: On a weather map, a large letter "H" means __________.

    Y a. a high pressure area with cool, dry air, and fair weather
    N b. a high pressure area with warm, moist air, and inclement weather
    N c. horse latitudes, with rough seas and strong winds
    N d. a heavy squall line near the "H"

1875: The position labeled "E" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. a dead reckoning position is plotted within a half-hour of each course change
    N b. the position is a running fix
    Y c. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each speed change
    N d. the vessel's position was fixed at 1145

1882: The GP of a body for a high altitude sight is determined from the Greenwich hour angle and the __________.

    N a. circle of equal altitude
    N b. zenith distance
    N c. azimuth angle
    Y d. declination

1961: What kind of pressure systems travel in tropical waves?

    N a. Subsurface pressure
    N b. Terrastatic pressure
    N c. High pressure
    Y d. Low pressure

1987: An instrument useful in predicting fog is the __________.

    Y a. sling psychrometer
    N b. microbarograph
    N c. anemometer
    N d. aneroid barometer

2060: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the starboard quarter?

    N a. 045°
    N b. 090°
    Y c. 135°
    N d. 225°

2187: The 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. No lights
    N b. Three red lights
    N c. Two red lights
    Y d. One red lights

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

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

2330: You are heading in a northerly direction when you come across an easterly current. Your vessel will __________.

    Y a. be pushed to starboard
    N b. be pushed to port
    N c. decrease in engine speed
    N d. remain on course

2348: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick light showing 9 flashes every 15 seconds indicates that the safest water is on the __________.

    N a. north side of the mark
    Y b. west side of the mark
    N c. east side of the mark
    N d. south side of the mark

2376: A large group of stars revolving around a center is known as a __________.

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

2438: The radar control that reduces weak echoes out to a limited distance from the ship is the __________.

    Y a. sensitivity time control (sea-clutter control)
    N b. receiver gain control
    N c. brilliance control
    N d. fast time constant (differentiator)

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

2794: The standard atmospheric pressure in millibars is __________.

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

2842: The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with __________.

    N a. two white lights
    Y b. a yellow diamond
    N c. flashing blue lights
    N d. three red lights on each side of the draw

2890: While passing through Memphis, the weather report on the TV news indicates that a cold front is crossing western Kentucky and Tennessee. Tomorrow's weather will be dominated by a high pressure area. What weather should you expect tomorrow?

    N a. Light, southerly winds; high humidity and possibly fog
    Y b. Moderate winds from the northwest, clear visibility and cooler temperatures
    N c. Low overcast; mild temperatures with light, steady rain or drizzle
    N d. Scattered clouds with light, southeasterly winds; high humidity and possibly fog

2941: During daylight savings time the meridian used for determining the time is located farther __________.

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

2970: The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the left bank. This means that the light can be seen on the port side of a vessel __________.

    N a. ascending the river
    Y b. descending the river
    N c. crossing the river
    N d. proceeding from seaward

3072: ECDIS must give an alarm for which of the following cases?

    N a. When the specified limit for deviation from the planned route is exceeded
    N b. If the ship, within a specified time set by the watch officer, is going to cross a safety contour
    N c. If the ship, within a specified time set by the watch officer, is going to cross the boundary of a prohibited area
    Y d. All of the above

3114: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is expected to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?

    N a. Rate of turn
    N b. Latitude and longitude
    N c. Navigational status
    Y d. All of the above