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.
81: A buoy with a composite group-flashing light indicates a(n) __________.
Y a. bifurcation N b. fish net area N c. anchorage area N d. dredging area 111: Green lights may appear on __________.
Y a. horizontally banded buoys N b. vertically striped buoys N c. yellow buoys N d. spherical buoys 196: The area of strong westerly winds occurring between 40°S and 60°S latitude is called the __________.
N a. polar easterlies N b. prevailing westerlies Y c. roaring forties N d. jet streams 306: Weather conditions in the middle latitudes generally move __________.
Y a. eastward N b. westward N c. northward N d. southward 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 489: You are anchored in the Aleutian Island chain and receive word that a tsunami is expected to strike the islands in six hours. What is the safest action?
Y a. Get underway and be in deep, open-ocean water when the tsunami arrives. N b. Increase the scope of the anchor cable and drop the second anchor underfoot at short stay. N c. Get underway and be close inshore on the side of the island away from the tsunami. N d. Plant both anchors with about a 60° angle between them, and let out a long scope to each anchor. 490: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 10 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100°T, 90 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285°T at 19 knots. Which course should you steer at 10 knots to have the maximum CPA?
N a. 221° Y b. 226° N c. 233° N d. 238° 526: When a hurricane passes over colder water or land and loses its tropical characteristics, the storm becomes a(n) __________.
N a. high pressure area Y b. extratropical low-pressure system N c. tropical storm N d. easterly wave 533: You are using a radar in which your own ship is shown at the center, and the heading flash always points to 0°. If bearings are measured in relation to the flash, what type of bearings are produced?
Y a. Relative N b. True N c. Compass N d. Magnetic 682: Which table is NOT found in the U.S. Coast Pilots?
N a. Climatological table Y b. Luminous range table N c. Meteorological table N d. Coastwise distance table 704: What is TRUE of the history display of a target's past positions on an ARPA?
N a. It provides a graphic display to emphasize which vessel is on a collision course. Y b. In the true presentation, it provides a quick visual check to determine if a vessel has changed course. N c. The display is one of the primary inputs and must be in use when using the trial maneuver capability. N d. It provides a graphic display of a target vessel's relative course, speed, and CPA. 746: Lines drawn through points on the Earth having the same atmospheric pressure are known as __________.
N a. isothermal N b. millibars Y c. isobars N d. seismics 781: The IALA Buoyage Systems do NOT apply to __________.
N a. the sides and centerlines of navigable channels N b. natural dangers and other obstructions, such as wrecks Y c. lighthouses and lightships N d. areas in which navigation may be subject to regulation 786: The greater the pressure difference between a high and a low pressure center, the __________.
N a. dryer the air mass will be N b. cooler the temperature will be Y c. greater the force of the wind will be N d. warmer the temperature will be 811: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a green spar buoy with a triangular topmark would indicate that the buoy __________.
Y a. should be left to port when heading out to sea N b. may be left close aboard on either side N c. is on the north side of a point of interest N d. is marking the preferred channel 862: The U.S. Coast Guard publishes __________.
Y a. Light Lists N b. U.S. Coast Pilots N c. Radio Navigational Aids N d. All of the above 869: Tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to form in the Southern hemisphere during __________.
Y a. January through March N b. April through May N c. June through August N d. September through November 875: Sidereal hour angle is always __________.
N a. measured westward from the hour circle containing the first point of Aries N b. measured from the point on the celestial sphere occupied by the Sun at the vernal equinox N c. subtracted from the LHA of the star to obtain the LHA of Aries Y d. All of the above 899: A latitude line will be obtained by observing a body __________.
N a. on the prime vertical N b. on the celestial horizon Y c. at lower transit N d. on the Greenwich meridian 900: An orange and white buoy with a rectangle on it is a(n) __________.
Y a. informational buoy N b. junction buoy N c. safe water buoy N d. All of the above 922: How is the intensity of a light expressed in the Light Lists?
N a. Luminous range N b. Geographic range Y c. Nominal range N d. Meteorological range 1040: An occluded front is usually caused by a __________.
N a. cold front becoming stationary N b. warm front becoming stationary Y c. cold front overtaking a warm front N d. warm front dissipating 1057: One of the causes of ocean currents is density differences in the water. This is true because __________.
N a. in an area of high density the water's surface is lower than in an area of low density Y b. surface water flows from an area of high density to one of low density N c. the lesser the density gradient the freer the water is to move N d. it is the density differences that cause the currents to stay in the troughs 1063: When adjusting a magnetic compass using the fore-and-aft permanent magnets, you should __________.
N a. use the magnets one at a time, putting one in one side and then one on the opposite side, one step higher. N b. use the magnets in pairs, starting at the top, with trays at the highest point of travel Y c. use the magnets in pairs, from the bottom up, with the trays at the lowest point of travel N d. fill all the trays with magnets, then remove them one-by-one until the deviation is removed 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 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 1319: The Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) contain information on all of the following EXCEPT __________.
Y a. coastal features N b. ocean basin environment N c. ocean routes N d. military operating areas 1363: True heading differs from magnetic heading by __________.
N a. deviation Y b. variation N c. compass error N d. northerly error 1403: Which statement about the gyrocompass is FALSE?
Y a. Its accuracy remains the same at all latitudes. N b. It seeks the true meridian. N c. It can be used near the Earth's magnetic poles. N d. If an error exists, it is the same on all headings. 1448: Spring tides occur when the __________.
N a. Moon is in its first quarter or third quarter phase N b. Sun and Moon are in quadrature N c. Moon's declination is maximum and opposite to that of the Sun Y d. Moon is new or full 1478: Altostratus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )
N a. 1 Y b. 4 N c. 7 N d. 8 1483: The most accurate method of determining gyrocompass error while underway is by __________.
Y a. comparing the gyro azimuth of a celestial body with the computed azimuth of the body N b. comparing the gyro heading with the magnetic compass heading N c. determining from the chart the course made good between celestial fixes N d. It cannot be determined accurately at sea due to drift of unknown currents. 1623: Which of the following statements is FALSE?
N a. An anemometer measures wind speed. N b. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. N c. A thermometer measures temperature. Y d. A psychrometer measures wind pressure. 1634: A lighted buoy to be left to starboard, when entering a U.S. port from seaward, shall have a __________.
Y a. red light N b. white light N c. green light N d. light characteristic of Morse (A) 1639: Sextant D reads __________. (D043NG )
N a. 30°47.5' N b. 29°47.5' Y c. 29°42.5' N d. 29°41.6' 1762: In high latitudes, celestial observations can be made over a horizon covered with pack ice by bringing the sun tangent to the ice and __________.
N a. adding 30° of arc to the sight Y b. using a dip correction based on the height of eye above the ice N c. doubling the semidiameter correction N d. using a dip correction from table 22 in Bowditch Vol. II 1765: Which meteorological feature controls the climate of the Gulf and the Gulf Coast area during late spring and summer?
Y a. The Bermuda High N b. The doldrums N c. The horse latitudes N d. Tropical cyclones 1802: What is the major advantage of high altitude observations?
N a. Errors due to unusual parallax are eliminated. Y b. The same body can be used for a fix from observations separated by several minutes. N c. The declination is the only information needed from the almanac. N d. The semidiameter correction of the sextant altitude is eliminated. 1804: Magnetic information on a chart may be __________.
N a. found in the center(s) of the compass rose(s) N b. indicated by isogonic lines N c. found in a note on the chart Y d. All of the above 1922: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 9 flashes every 15 seconds. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to the buoy? (D030NG )
N a. A N b. B Y c. C N d. D 1979: The principal vertical circle is that great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the __________.
N a. zenith and the celestial body Y b. zenith and the north and south poles N c. poles and Greenwich N d. zenith and is parallel to the horizon 2001: You have changed course and steadied up on a range. Your heading is 285°T, same as the charted range, and it appears as in illustration D048NG. After several minutes the range appears as in illustration D047NG and your heading is still 285°T. This indicates a __________. (D047NG )
N a. south-setting current Y b. north-setting current N c. leeway caused by a NE'ly wind N d. course made good to the left of the DR track 2166: 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 B if the lock walls and piers are not awash?
N a. One amber light Y b. Three red lights N c. Two red lights N d. One red light 2189: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the blue ends are to port and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should add some more magnets. N b. If the blue ends are to port and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should add some more magnets. N c. If the red ends are to port, you should lower the athwartships tray. Y d. If the red ends are to port and the tray is at the bottom, you should raise the tray. 2194: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the red ends of the magnets are forward you should lower the fore-and-aft magnets. N b. If the blue ends of the magnets are forward you should lower the fore-and-aft magnets. Y c. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port and the athwartships tray is at the bottom you should reverse the magnets. N d. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port and the athwartships tray is at the top you should add some magnets. 2277: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 20 miles and is 52 feet high. If the visibility is 12.0 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?
N a. 21.5 miles N b. 20.0 miles Y c. 13.7 miles N d. 12.0 miles 2506: Which is TRUE on the Western Rivers when a vessel downbound with a following current is meeting an upbound vessel?
Y a. She has the right of way only if she is a power-driven vessel. N b. She has the right of way only if she has a tow. N c. She does not have the right of way, since the other vessel is not crossing the river. N d. She must wait for a whistle signal from the upbound vessel. 2509: All persons or vessels within the lock area, including the lock approach channels, come under the authority of the __________.
N a. dockmaster N b. dock captain Y c. lockmaster N d. lock foreman 2526: What is the equivalent of 10 min. 52 sec. in arc units?
N a. 0°47' N b. 1°12' Y c. 2°43' N d. 3°52' 2587: Given are the courses and speeds of 4 vessels. The navigator of which vessel would be required to know the actual time of meridian transit in order to take an accurate observation at LAN?
Y a. C 166°T, Sp 24 knots N b. C 013°T, Sp 7 knots N c. C 291°T, Sp 25 knots N d. C 112°T, Sp 4 knots 2589: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick white light showing 6 flashes followed by one long flash indicates that the safest water is on the __________.
N a. north side of the mark N b. west side of the mark N c. east side of the mark Y d. south side of the mark 2596: The abbreviation L.W.R.P. on the navigation maps means __________.
Y a. low water reference plane N b. low winter runoff point N c. least water river plane N d. land wall reference point 2820: A towboat is pushing barges ahead at a dangerously fast speed when __________.
N a. the towboat vibrates when backing down N b. the roostertail exceeds the height of the main deck N c. a strain is placed on the face wires Y d. water comes over the foredeck of the lead barges 2830: The proper way to approach a downstream lock where there is an outdraft is to be __________.
N a. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times N b. wide out from the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times Y c. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern in at all times N d. close in to the land wall, keeping the stern out at all times 2923: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.
N a. from every estimated position Y b. from every fix or running fix N c. every three minutes in pilotage waters N d. only in pilotage waters 2937: The depth of the water is indicated on a chart as 32 meters. This is equal to __________.
N a. 11.50 fathoms N b. 12.62 fathoms Y c. 17.50 fathoms N d. 104.99 fathoms 2982: You take a bearing of 142° and 259° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best fix? -
Y a. 019° N b. 084° N c. 166° N d. 281° 3029: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Moon. The sextant altitude (hs) is 110°31.2'. The height of eye is 46 feet and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 70°11.8' Y b. 69°41.8' N c. 69°25.6' N d. 69°18.4' 3085: An ECDIS is required to display which information?
N a. Water temperature N b. Climatology data N c. Speed of advance Y d. Depth contours 3125: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?
N a. AIS is designed to replace ARPA, maneuvering boards, and visual bearings as a means to ascertain the risk of collision. Y b. AIS provides near real-time information regarding another vessel's speed over ground and heading regardless of visibility. N c. AIS will not provide information on another vessel if that vessel is indistinguishable in radar sea clutter. N d. AIS can be relied upon as the sole means to determine course changes due to other AIS equipped traffic.