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.
5: A vessel is steaming in east longitude on January 25 and crosses the International Date Line on an eastbound course at 0900 zone time. What is the date and time at Greenwich when the vessel crosses the line?
N a. 0900, 24 January Y b. 2100, 24 January N c. 2100, 25 January N d. 0900, 26 January 119: While proceeding along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, you sight the black and yellow buoy shown. Your course is 039°T, and the buoy bears 053°T. What action should you take? (D020NG )
N a. Alter course to 053°T and pass the buoy close aboard on either side N b. Alter course to 060° and ensure that the bearings decrease Y c. Maintain course and ensure that the bearings increase N d. Alter course towards the buoy and leave the buoy well clear on either side 220: At 0000 you fix your position and plot a new DR track line. At 0200 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. The current is westerly at 0.5 knot. N b. You must increase speed to compensate for the current. N c. The current cannot be determined. Y d. The drift is 0.25 knot. 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 341: Buoys which only mark the left or right side of the channel will never exhibit a light with which characteristic?
N a. Flashing N b. Quick flashing Y c. Composite group flashing N d. Equal interval (isophase) 411: When entering from seaward, a buoy displaying a single-flashing red light would indicate __________.
N a. a junction with the preferred channel to the left N b. a sharp turn in the channel to the right Y c. the starboard side of the channel N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's port side 470: You are underway on course 120°T and can make 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 150°T at 120 miles. The hurricane is on course 295° at 20 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?
N a. 312° N b. 330° Y c. 348° N d. 001° 494: Aneroid barometers are usually calibrated to indicate atmospheric pressure in __________.
N a. inches of mercury and centimeters N b. feet of mercury and millibars N c. inches of mercury and millimeters Y d. inches of mercury and millibars 503: You are approaching a light fitted with a RACON. The light may be identified on the radar by __________.
N a. a dashed line running from the center of the scope to the light N b. an audible signal when the sweep crosses the light N c. a circle appearing on the scope surrounding the light Y d. a coded signal appearing on the same bearing at a greater range than the light 596: Which condition would NOT indicate the approach of a tropical storm?
N a. Long, high swells N b. Cirrus clouds N c. Halos about the Sun or Moon Y d. Decrease in wind velocity 643: When using the radar for navigating __________.
N a. the best fix is obtained by using a tangent bearing and a range N b. and using two radar ranges for a fix, the objects of the ranges should be close to reciprocal bearings Y c. and using ranges, the most rapidly changing range should be measured last N d. and crossing a radar range of one object with the visual bearing of a second object, the two objects should be 80° to 110° apart 679: A tropical wave is usually preceded by __________.
N a. tropical storms Y b. good weather N c. heavy rain and cloudiness N d. heavy seas 751: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a yellow buoy may mark __________.
N a. fish net areas N b. spoil areas N c. military exercise zones Y d. All of the above 833: The magnetic compass magnets are acted on by the horizontal component of the Earth's total magnetic force. This magnetic force is GREATEST at the __________.
N a. north magnetic pole N b. south magnetic pole N c. magnetic prime vertical meridian Y d. magnetic equator 865: The radius of a circle of equal altitude of a body is equal to the __________.
Y a. coaltitude of the body N b. altitude of the body N c. codeclination of the body N d. polar distance 873: Compass error is equal to the __________.
N a. deviation minus variation N b. variation plus compass course Y c. combined variation and deviation N d. difference between true and magnetic heading 880: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.
N a. 60° Y b. 90° N c. 45° N d. 30° 934: Clouds that form as small white flakes or scaly globular masses covering either small or large portions of the sky are __________.
N a. cirrus N b. cirrostratus N c. altostratus Y d. cirrocumulus 986: A warm air mass is characterized by __________.
Y a. stability N b. instability N c. gusty winds N d. good visibility 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 1162: A line connecting all possible positions of your vessel at any given time is a __________.
N a. longitude line N b. latitude line Y c. line of position N d. fix 1221: On a chart, the characteristic of the light on a lighthouse is shown as flashing white with a red sector. The red sector __________.
N a. indicates the limits of the navigable channel Y b. indicates a danger area N c. is used to identify the characteristics of the light N d. serves no significant purpose 1231: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. How are the limits of a colored sector of light listed in the Light List?
N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector N b. True bearings as observed from the light toward a vessel Y c. True bearings as observed from a vessel toward the light N d. Bearings given in the Light List are always magnetic 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 1282: Entering from sea, a daymark on the port side of the channel would be indicated on a chart by a __________.
N a. red triangle with the letter R N b. white triangle with the letters RG Y c. green square with the letter G N d. white square with the letters GR 1397: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at Port Jefferson Harbor Entrance, NY, at 1600 EST (ZD +5) on 23 December 1983?
N a. 0.9 knot Y b. 1.1 knots N c. 1.6 knots N d. 2.0 knots 1411: The nominal range of a light may be accurately defined as the maximum distance at which a light may be seen __________.
N a. under existing visibility conditions N b. under perfect visibility Y c. with ten miles visibility N d. with fifteen miles visibility 1432: What benefit is a weather bulletin to a mariner?
N a. It provides a legal reason to cancel a projected voyage. N b. It allows the mariner to make long term weather forecasts. N c. It is of little benefit since the weather changes frequently and rapidly. Y d. It gives the mariner time to prepare for weather changes. 1433: A system of reservoirs and connecting tubes in a gyro compass is called a __________.
N a. spider element Y b. mercury ballistic N c. gyrotron N d. rotor 1473: Which statement about gyrocompass error is TRUE?
Y a. The amount of the error and the sign will generally be the same on all headings. N b. The sign (E or W) of the error will change with different headings of the ship. N c. Any error will remain constant unless the compass is stopped and restarted. N d. Any error shown by a gyro repeater will be the same as the error of the master compass. 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 1548: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "K" represents a __________. (D042NG )
Y a. hurricane N b. thunderstorm N c. convergence zone N d. convergence line 1662: Fog generally clears when the __________.
N a. wind speed increases N b. wind direction changes N c. temperature increases Y d. All of the above 1696: Two well-developed high pressure areas may be separated by a __________.
N a. hill of low pressure Y b. trough of low pressure N c. valley of low pressure N d. ridge of low pressure 1766: You are approaching a lock and see a flashing amber light located on the lock wall. You should __________.
N a. stand clear of the lock entrance Y b. approach the lock under full control N c. enter the lock as quickly as possible N d. hang off your tow on the lock wall 1772: The GP of a body for a high altitude sight is determined from the declination and the __________.
Y a. Greenwich hour angle N b. azimuth N c. zenith distance N d. right ascension 1812: The line of position should be plotted as a circle around the GP of the body when the Ho exceeds what minimum value?
N a. 80° N b. 83° N c. 85° Y d. 87° 1842: What is the major problem with taking high altitude observations?
N a. Possible errors due to unusual refraction may exist. N b. The tables are not as accurate due to inherent errors in the spherical triangle at high altitudes. N c. Rapidly changing altitudes make it difficult to get an accurate altitude. Y d. It is difficult to establish the point where the sextant is vertical to the horizon. 1920: Because the actual center of some planets may differ from the observed center, the navigator applies a correction known as the __________.
Y a. phase correction N b. refraction correction N c. semidiameter correction N d. augmentation correction 1958: The spinning of a celestial body about its axis is known as __________.
Y a. rotation N b. revolution N c. space motion N d. nutation 1970: The azimuth angle of a sun sight is always measured from the __________.
N a. Greenwich meridian N b. prime vertical circle Y c. principal vertical circle N d. first point of Aries 2061: Fog is likely to occur when there is little difference between the dew point and the __________.
N a. relative humidity Y b. air temperature N c. barometric pressure N d. absolute humidity 2097: Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be obtained by consulting the __________.
N a. Sailing Directions Y b. Broadcast Notice to Mariners N c. Light List Vol. V N d. None of the above 2142: Which lights would you see on the Illinois waterway 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 amber (yellow) Y b. Red over amber (yellow) N c. Red over blue N d. Green over red 2161: Yesterday your chronometer read 03h 01m 56s at the 1500 GMT time tick. Today your chronometer read 03h 01m 58s at the 1500 GMT time tick. What is the chronometer error?
N a. 03h 01m 58s fast Y b. 01m 58s fast N c. +2s N d. -2s 2183: Diagram number D037NG 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?
N a. Three red lights N b. Two red lights Y c. One red light N d. No light 2200: Cloud formations are minimal when the __________.
Y a. surface temperature and temperature aloft are equal N b. surface temperature and temperature aloft differ greatly N c. barometric pressure is very low N d. relative humidity is very high 2289: The constellation that contains the pointer stars is __________.
N a. Orion Y b. Ursa Major N c. the Southern Cross N d. Pegasus 2382: What causes geocentric parallax?
N a. The varying distance between the Earth and Moon. Y b. The change in the Moon's position relative to the stars when viewed from the Earth's surface, as compared to the Earth's center. N c. The rapid change in declination of the Moon causes a rotational oscillation of its axis. N d. The nearness of the Moon causes an apparent increase in diameter as its altitude increases. 2406: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions +4 and +5 is __________.
Y a. 67°30'W N b. 90°00'W N c. 67°30'E N d. 75°00'E 2499: The "head of the bend" is the __________.
Y a. top or upstream beginning of a bend N b. bottom or downstream beginning of a bend N c. midpoint or center radius of a bend N d. center line or apex of a bend 2718: A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel with a following current, on the Western Rivers, is meeting an upbound vessel. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. The downbound vessel has the right-of-way. N b. The downbound vessel must initiate the required maneuvering signals. N c. The downbound vessel must propose the manner and place of passage. Y d. All of the above 2777: A sailing chart could have a scale of __________.
N a. not more than 1:25,000 N b. 1:35,000 N c. 1:100,000 Y d. 1:700,000 2819: The time interval between successive wave crests is called __________.
Y a. wave period N b. wavelength N c. frequency N d. significant wave height 2889: On 29 June 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Moon. The sextant altitude (hs) is 114°16.9'. The height of eye is 36 feet, and the index error is 2.0' off the arc. The horizontal parallax is 60.5'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 66°23.8' N b. 66°04.4' N c. 66°00.4' Y d. 65°53.8' 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 2984: What two shapes shown are used to indicate a preferred channel? (D045NG )
N a. A and B N b. B and C N c. C and D Y d. A and D 3010: A white buoy with a blue band is __________.
N a. an isolated danger mark N b. a hydrographic data collection buoy Y c. a mooring buoy N d. marking a restricted area 3019: Where would you find information about the time of high tide at a specific location on a particular day of the year?
Y a. Tide Tables N b. Tidal Current Tables N c. Coast Pilot N d. Nautical Almanac 3116: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is expected to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?
N a. Name of ship Y b. Ship's heading N c. IMO number N d. Vessel's draft