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.
56: A strong, often violent, northerly wind occurring on the Pacific coast of Mexico, particularly during the colder months, is called __________.
Y a. Tehuantepecer N b. Papagayo N c. Norther N d. Pampero 131: A vertically-striped buoy may be __________.
N a. striped black and green N b. striped black and yellow N c. lighted with a red light Y d. lighted with a white light 268: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "L" represents a __________. (D042NG )
N a. convergence line N b. maritime air mass N c. warm front Y d. convergence zone 292: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic does the light possess?
N a. It is visible two nautical miles. N b. Its distinguishing number is "19M". Y c. It has a red light. N d. It flashes once every ten seconds. 333: Loran-C stations transmit groups of pulses at specific times. The time interval between transmissions from the master station is the __________.
N a. coding delay Y b. group repetition interval N c. pulse interval N d. phase code 431: When a buoy marks a channel bifurcation, the preferred channel is NOT indicated by __________.
N a. the shape of an unlighted buoy N b. the light color of a lighted buoy N c. the color of the topmost band Y d. whether the number is odd or even 519: The chart of a beach area shows a very flat slope to the underwater beach bottom. What type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?
N a. Surging Y b. Spilling N c. Plunging N d. Converging 527: On 6 June 1983, at 1719 EST (ZD +5), what will be the predicted height of tide at Chester, PA?
N a. 0.8 feet( 0.2 meters) Y b. 1.1 feet (0.3 meters) N c. 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) N d. 4.7 feet (1.4 meters) 557: Your vessel has a draft of 23 feet. On 23 June 1983 you wish to pass over a temporary obstruction near Beaufort, SC, that has a charted depth of 22 feet. Allowing for a safety margin of 3 feet, what is the earliest time after 1600 DST (ZD +4) that this passage can be made?
Y a. 1750 N b. 1815 N c. 1855 N d. 1944 579: Low pressure disturbances, which travel along the intertropical convergence zone, are called __________.
N a. permanent waves N b. tidal waves Y c. tropical waves N d. tropical storms 688: In mid-ocean, the characteristics of a wave are determined by three factors. What is NOT one of these factors?
Y a. Effect of the moon's gravity N b. Fetch N c. Wind velocity N d. Length of time a wind has been blowing 728: In the Bay of Fundy, during twilight, you a take sight of Mars. The sextant altitude (hs) is 03°35.5'. Your height of eye is 32 feet and there is no index error. The air temperature is -10°C and the barometer reads 1010 millibars. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 03°14.5' Y b. 03°15.8' N c. 03°16.2' N d. 03°28.8' 773: What is the basic principle of the magnetic compass?
Y a. Magnetic materials of the same polarity repel each other and those of opposite polarity attract. N b. The Earth's magnetic lines of force are parallel to the surface of the Earth. N c. Magnetic meridians connect points of equal magnetic variation. N d. The compass needle(s) will, when properly compensated, lie parallel to the isogonic lines of the Earth. 813: At the magnetic equator there is no induced magnetism in the vertical soft iron because __________.
N a. the lines of force cross the equator on a 0°-180° alignment N b. the quadrantal error is 0° Y c. there is no vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field N d. the intercardinal headings have less than 1° error 889: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 6 miles and a height above water of 18 feet (5.5 meters). Your height of eye is 47 feet (14.3 meters) and the visibility is 1.5 miles. At what approximate range will you first sight the light?
N a. 1.5 miles Y b. 2.0 miles N c. 6.0 miles N d. 12.7 miles 898: At 1200 ZT, on 31 July, your position is LAT 24°33'N, LONG 173°05'W. You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form, B-80. How should you encode the first three groups after the call sign if you estimate the wind? (D041NG )
Y a. 01003, 99245, 71731 N b. 01243, 92433, 71731 N c. 31243, 99245, 71731 N d. 31003, 92433, 71730 901: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy indicating that the preferred channel is to port when entering from seaward, can have a __________.
N a. can shape N b. group-flashing (2) light N c. red-and-green vertical stripes Y d. green light 965: In order for a star to be used for a sight at lower transit, the star must __________.
Y a. be circumpolar N b. have a declination equal to or greater than your latitude N c. have a GHA of 180° N d. have the SHA equal to or less than the LHA 992: Which publication contains information on Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) in time of emergency or war?
Y a. Pub. 117, Radio Navigational Aids N b. Appropriate volume of the Sailing Directions N c. Pub. 102, International Code of Signals N d. Light List 1010: What is a characteristic of a rhumb line?
N a. It is the shortest distance between two points on the Earth. N b. It plots as a straight line on a Lambert conformal chart. Y c. It cuts each meridian at the same angle. N d. The course angle constantly changes to form the loxodromic curve. 1047: Which is NOT a contributing cause of ocean currents?
N a. Surface winds N b. Density differences in the water N c. Underwater topography Y d. Gravitational effects of celestial bodies 1086: When crossing a front isobars tend to __________.
Y a. change from smooth curves within the air mass to sharp bends at the front N b. change from sharp bends within the air mass to smooth curves at the front N c. pass smoothly across the front with no change N d. become closer together at the front and pass through in straight lines 1149: You are entering port and have been instructed to anchor, as your berth is not yet available. You are on a SW'ly heading, preparing to drop anchor, when you observe the range lights, as shown, on your starboard beam. You should __________. (D047NG )
Y a. ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the range while at anchor N b. drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area free of obstructions N c. drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of the range lights will be an indication of dragging anchor N d. NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line 1150: You are on course 312°T. To check the speed of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?
Y a. 312° N b. 000° N c. 090° N d. 222° 1158: What type of cloud is indicated by the number 5 in illustration D039NG? (D039NG )
N a. Cirrostratus N b. Cirrocumulus Y c. Altocumulus N d. Nimbostratus 1189: Concerning a celestial observation, the azimuth angle is measured from the principal vertical circle to the ____________ .
N a. Greenwich celestial meridian N b. hour circle of the body N c. local celestial meridian Y d. vertical circle of the body 1254: Lighted white and orange buoys must show which color light?
N a. Orange Y b. White N c. Red N d. Alternating yellow and white 1301: The four standard light colors used for lighted aids to navigation are red, green, white, and __________.
N a. purple N b. orange N c. blue Y d. yellow 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 1389: A boundary between two air masses is a(n) __________.
N a. lapse rate N b. isobar Y c. front N d. continent 1427: Determine the duration of the first PM slack water on 3 March 1983, east of the Statue of Liberty, when the current is less than 0.1 knot?
N a. 10 minutes Y b. 13 minutes N c. 16 minutes N d. 19 minutes 1528: Cirrostratus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )
N a. 1 Y b. 2 N c. 8 N d. 9 1539: You are steaming in the open ocean of the North Pacific between the Aleutian Chain and Hawaii. A warning broadcast indicates that an earthquake has occurred in the Aleutians and has generated a tsunami that is predicted to hit Hawaii. What action is necessary for the ship's safety?
N a. Calculate the tsunami's ETA at your position and turn to a course that will head into the Tsunami. N b. Securely stow all loose gear, check deck lashings, and prepare for extreme rolls. Y c. No special action as tsunamis are inconspicuous in the open ocean N d. Prepare for sudden, high-velocity wind gusts from rapidly changing directions. 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 1608: When using a buoy as an aid to navigation which of the following should be considered?
N a. If the light is flashing the buoy should be considered to be in the charted location. Y b. The buoy may not be in the charted position. N c. The buoy should be considered to be in the charted position if it has been freshly painted. N d. The buoy should be considered to always be in the charted position. 1730: If you observe the point of cloud convergence shifting to the right and the "bar" of the storm appears to move along the horizon __________.
Y a. the center of the storm will by-pass you N b. the storm will strike you on the starboard side N c. you are in the direct path of the storm and should take immediate steps to batten down loose gear N d. the storm is starting to break up 1789: 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? (D036NG )
Y a. One red light N b. Two green lights N c. Three green lights N d. No light(s) 1806: Sometimes foreign charts are reproduced by NGA (NIMA). On such a chart a wire dragged (swept) area may be shown in purple or __________.
Y a. green N b. red N c. magenta N d. yellow 1885: Under the Uniform State Waterway Marking System a mooring buoy is painted __________.
Y a. white with a blue band N b. yellow N c. any color that does not conflict with the lateral system N d. white with a green top 1956: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 6 flashes, followed by one long flash at 15 second intervals. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to this buoy? (D030NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 1964: The great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the zenith and the north and south poles is the __________.
N a. hour circle N b. prime vertical Y c. principal vertical N d. ecliptic 2072: The Illustration represents a movable dam. If a bear trap is open what will be displayed at the lock to indicate this condition? (D037NG )
Y a. An amber light under a red light N b. A white square N c. A green triangle N d. A yellow pentagon 2088: 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 N b. Light List Vol. V N c. U.S. Coast Pilot Y d. Broadcast Notice to Mariners 2163: The letter C in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
N a. visible horizon N b. geoidal horizon Y c. celestial horizon N d. sensible horizon 2164: The line connecting the points of the earth's surface where there is no dip is the __________.
N a. agonic line Y b. magnetic equator N c. isodynamic N d. isopor 2252: The vertical angle between the horizontal and the magnetic line of force is the __________.
N a. elevation N b. magnetic angle N c. vertical angle Y d. dip 2279: Antares is found in what constellation?
Y a. Scorpio N b. Corvus N c. Libra N d. Corona Borealis 2336: The period of revolution of the Moon is __________.
N a. 24 hours Y b. about 27.3 days N c. 365 days N d. about 19 years 2400: You are in a channel in U.S. waters near an industrial plant with a load/discharge facility for barges. You see an emergency rotating flashing light on the facility light up. What does this indicate?
N a. A barge at the facility has commenced transferring a hazardous cargo. N b. A barge carrying a hazardous cargo is mooring or unmooring at the facility. N c. The facility is warning a barge to shut down transfer operations due to weather conditions (electrical storm, tornado, hurricane, etc.). Y d. There is danger at the facility due to a fire or cargo release. 2542: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) CANNOT be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic north or magnetic south?
N a. Athwartships magnets N b. Heeling magnet Y c. Flinders bar N d. All of the above can be set on magnetic north or magnetic south headings. 2574: What is the equivalent of 2°52' in time units?
N a. 9 min. 23 sec. Y b. 11 min. 28 sec. N c. 11 min. 56 sec. N d. 12 min. 18 sec. 2628: A drawbridge may use visual signals to acknowledge a vessel's request to open the draw. Which signal indicates that the draw will NOT be opened immediately?
N a. A flashing amber light Y b. A fixed red light N c. A white flag raised and lowered vertically N d. A flashing white light 2688: The 10-cm radar as compared to a 3-cm radar of similar specifications will __________.
N a. be more suitable for river and harbor navigation N b. provide better range performance on low lying targets during good weather and calm seas Y c. have a wider horizontal beam width N d. have more sea return during rough sea conditions 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 2870: Steam fog is most likely to occur on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in __________.
N a. spring, around late evening N b. spring, around early evening Y c. fall, around early morning N d. fall, around midday 3000: All aids to navigation listed in the Mississippi River System Light List are shown as miles from a reference point and on the __________.
N a. east or west bank Y b. left or right descending bank N c. port or starboard side of the vessel N d. left or right ascending bank 3009: "Proceeding from seaward" for the purpose of the direction of buoying offshore, lateral system buoys would be proceeding __________.
N a. northerly on the Atlantic Coast N b. easterly on the Gulf Coast Y c. northerly on the Pacific Coast N d. None of the above 3075: Chart information details to be used in ECDIS should be the latest edition of information originated by a government-authorized hydrographic office and conform to the standards of (the) __________.
N a. International Maritime Organization Y b. International Hydrographic Organization N c. NASA N d. US Coast Guard 3089: As a licensed Merchant Marine Officer you are expected to __________.
N a. obtain a weather forecast before setting out from port N b. listen to weather forecasts on the radio while enroute N c. understand all broadcast weather warning information Y d. All of the above 3094: ECDIS must have the capability to preserve the record of the track for the previous __________.
Y a. 12 hours N b. 24 hours N c. 48 hours N d. 72 hours