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.


9: When displayed under a single-span fixed bridge, red lights indicate __________.


25: You are in LONG 144°E. The date is 6 February, and the zone time is 0800. The Greenwich date and time are __________.


47: The range of tide is the __________.


80: When the moon is at first quarter or third quarter phase, what type of tides will occur?

    N a. Apogean
    N b. Perigean
    Y c. Neap
    N d. Spring

155: The velocity of the current in large coastal harbors is __________.

    Y a. predicted in Tidal Current Tables
    N b. unpredictable
    N c. generally constant
    N d. generally too weak to be of concern

274: Which of the four adjustable errors in the sextant causes side error?

    Y a. Horizon glass not being perpendicular to the frame
    N b. Index mirror not being perpendicular to the frame
    N c. Telescope not being parallel to the frame
    N d. Elliptical centering error

314: Which of these sextant errors is nonadjustable?

    N a. Prismatic error
    N b. Graduation error
    N c. Centering error
    Y d. All of the above

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

390: During the winter months, the southeast trade winds are __________.

    Y a. stronger than during the summer months
    N b. weaker than during the summer months
    N c. drier than during the summer months
    N d. wetter than during the summer months

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

501: Which of the buoys listed below could be used to mark an anchorage?

    N a. White buoy numbered "3"
    N b. White buoy with a green top
    N c. White buoy with orange bands
    Y d. Yellow buoy lettered "N"

559: A great circle crosses the equator at 162°E. It will also cross the equator at what other longitude?

    N a. 62°E
    N b. 126°W
    N c. 162°W
    Y d. 18°W

691: Of the four light characteristics shown which one does NOT represent a safe water mark of the IALA Buoyage System? (D019NG )

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

782: Mariners are FIRST warned of serious defects or important changes to aids to navigation by means of __________.

    Y a. marine broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N b. Weekly Notices to Mariners
    N c. corrected editions of charts
    N d. Light Lists

853: The standard magnetic compass heading differs from the true heading by __________.

    Y a. compass error
    N b. latitude
    N c. variation
    N d. deviation

857: The current that, in many respects, is similar to the Gulf Stream is the __________.

    Y a. Kuroshio
    N b. California Current
    N c. Oyashio
    N d. Benguela Current

890: If several navigational lights are visible at the same time, each one may be positively identified by checking all of the following EXCEPT what against the Light List?

    N a. Rhythm
    N b. Period
    Y c. Intensity
    N d. Color

919: You are plotting a running fix in an area where there is a determinable current. How should this current be treated in determining the position?

    N a. The drift should be added to the ship's speed.
    Y b. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    N d. The set should be applied to the second bearing.

941: While preparing to enter a Brazilian port, you see ahead a red and green horizontally-striped buoy. The upper band is red. What action should you take?

    N a. Alter course to leave the buoy to port.
    Y b. Alter course to leave the buoy to starboard.
    N c. Pass the buoy close aboard on either side.
    N d. Pass the buoy well clear on either side.

972: In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?

    N a. Chart No. 1
    Y b. Catalog of Charts
    N c. American Practical Navigator
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard Light List

1006: An air mass is termed "warm" if __________.

    N a. it is above 70°F
    Y b. the ground over which it moves is cooler than the air
    N c. it originated in a high pressure area
    N d. it originated in a low pressure area

1028: At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

    N a. About 90°
    N b. About 50°
    N c. About 25°
    Y d. About 15°

1050: The passing of a low pressure system can be determined by periodically checking the __________.

    N a. thermometer
    N b. hygrometer
    Y c. barometer
    N d. anemometer

1069: What do the numbers on isobars indicate?

    Y a. barometric pressure
    N b. temperature
    N c. rain in inches
    N d. wind speed

1085: A chart position enclosed by a semi-circle is a(n) __________.

    N a. fix
    N b. estimated position
    Y c. dead reckoning position
    N d. running fix

1101: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing an uninterrupted quick-flashing white light. Which of the four topmarks shown will this buoy be fitted with under the IALA Buoyage system? (D031NG )

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

1113: A single vertical magnet placed underneath the compass in the binnacle is used to compensate for __________.

    N a. the horizontal component of the permanent magnetism
    Y b. deviation caused by the vessel's inclination from the vertical
    N c. induced magnetism in the horizontal soft iron
    N d. induced magnetism in the vertical soft iron

1153: Heeling error is defined as the change of deviation for a heel of __________.

    N a. 2°While the vessel is on an intercardinal heading
    Y b. 1°While the vessel is on a compass heading of 000°
    N c. 2° and is constant on all headings
    N d. 1° while the vessel is on a compass heading of 180°

1202: As shown in the illustration, which wind speeds are reported at position A? (D049NG )

    N a. 10 knots
    Y b. 15 knots
    N c. 20 knots
    N d. 25 knots

1340: The annual change in variation for an area can be found in __________.

    N a. the handbook for Magnetic Compass Adjustment, Pub 226
    Y b. the center of the compass rose on a chart of the area
    N c. the compass deviation table
    N d. Variation does not change.

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

1480: What is the definition of height of tide?

    N a. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water
    N b. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom
    N c. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor
    Y d. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time

1526: A single barometric pressure reading of 28.60 indicates __________.

    N a. rapidly improving weather
    N b. deteriorating weather
    Y c. a severe low pressure system
    N d. fair weather and calm

1563: Neap tides occur only __________.

    N a. at a new or full Moon
    N b. when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in line
    N c. at approximately 28-day intervals
    Y d. when the Moon is at quadrature

1570: The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the horizon system and the other is the __________.

    N a. terrestrial system
    N b. astronautical system
    Y c. celestial equator system
    N d. ecliptic system

1643: Cumulus clouds that have undergone vertical development and have become cumulonimbus in form, indicate __________.

    N a. clearing weather
    N b. that a warm front has passed
    Y c. probable thunderstorm activity
    N d. an approaching hurricane or typhoon

1724: What is the first visible indication of the presence of a tropical cyclone or hurricane?

    N a. Stratocumulus clouds or strange birds
    N b. Rain and increasing winds
    Y c. An exceptionally long swell
    N d. Dark clouds and the "bar" of the storm

1870: A vessel heading SW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    Y b. 225.0°
    N c. 247.5°
    N d. 270.0°

1883: Pressure gradient is a measure of __________.

    N a. a high-pressure area
    Y b. pressure difference over horizontal distance
    N c. pressure difference over time
    N d. vertical pressure variation

1884: If a sound signal is emitted from the oscillator of a fathometer, and two seconds elapse before the returning signal is picked up, what depth of water is indicated?

    N a. 1648 fathoms
    N b. 1248 fathoms
    N c. 1048 fathoms
    Y d. 824 fathoms

1908: What is the brightest navigational planet?

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

1972: The point on the celestial sphere that is directly over the observer is the __________.

    N a. node
    N b. pole
    Y c. zenith
    N d. nadir

1994: Fomalhaut is found in what constellation?

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

2211: What is the length of a nautical mile?

    N a. 1,850 meters
    Y b. 6,076 feet
    N c. 5,280 feet
    N d. 2,000 yards

2288: A mean sun is used as the reference for solar time for three reasons. Which reason is NOT a cause for use of a mean sun?

    N a. The motion of the apparent sun is along the ecliptic.
    Y b. Measurement of time is along the celestial equator.
    N c. The speed of the Earth's revolution is not constant.
    N d. There are variations in the Earth's rotational speed.

2316: Elongation becomes zero at __________.

    N a. opposition
    N b. west quadrature
    N c. apogee
    Y d. inferior conjunction

2332: Magnetic dip is a measurement of the angle between the __________.

    N a. geographic pole and the magnetic pole
    N b. lubber's line and true north
    Y c. horizontal and the magnetic line of force
    N d. compass heading and the magnetic heading

2532: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 28" by 32". The area includes latitude 32°S to 39°S and longitude 005°E to 003°W. Allow a one-half inch neat line on all sides. What is the maximum distance between each degree of longitude that will permit the area of the plotting sheet to be drawn within the stated limitations?

    Y a. 3.38 inches
    N b. 3.62 inches
    N c. 3.79 inches
    N d. 3.95 inches

2672: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the upper light is in line above the lower light, you should __________.

    Y a. continue on the present course
    N b. come left
    N c. come right
    N d. wait until the lights are no longer in a vertical line

2683: A vessel's position should be plotted using bearings of __________.

    N a. buoys close at hand
    Y b. fixed known objects on shore
    N c. fixed objects
    N d. All of the above

2720: When pushing barges ahead close to a steep revetment where there is no current, what is MOST likely to occur?

    N a. The stern of the towboat will tend to sheer away from the revetment.
    N b. Your speed over the ground will increase.
    Y c. The head of the tow will tend to sheer away from the revetment.
    N d. All of the above

2774: Your radar is set on a true motion display. Which of the following will NOT appear to move across the PPI scope?

    Y a. Echoes from a buoy
    N b. Own ship's marker
    N c. Echo from a ship on the same course at the same speed
    N d. Echo from a ship on a reciprocal course at the same speed

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

2828: The daily recurring pattern of pressure changes most noticeable in low latitudes is the __________.

    N a. daily lapse reading
    Y b. diurnal variation of pressure
    N c. pressure tendency
    N d. synoptic pressure

2849: You take a bearing of 086° of a lighthouse. What bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    Y a. 000°
    N b. 066°
    N c. 112°
    N d. 271°

2944: The height of a wave is the vertical distance __________.

    N a. from the still water plane to the crest
    N b. from the still water plane to the trough
    Y c. from crest to trough
    N d. between water levels at one-quarter of the wave's length

3013: A white buoy with an orange rectangle on it displays __________.

    Y a. directions
    N b. dangers
    N c. exclusion areas
    N d. All of the above

3018: You take a bearing of 356° of a lighthouse. Which bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 013°
    N b. 178°
    Y c. 256°
    N d. 342°

3026: A compass card without north-seeking capability that is used for relative bearings is a(n) __________.

    N a. bearing circle
    Y b. pelorus
    N c. bearing bar
    N d. alidade

3077: ECDIS must have the capability to preserve the record of the voyage track for the previous __________.

    N a. 4 hours
    N b. 6 hours
    Y c. 12 hours
    N d. 24 hours