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.
37: What does the term "tide" refer to?
N a. Horizontal movement of the water Y b. Vertical movement of the water N c. Mixing tendency of the water N d. Salinity content of the water 42: The datum used for soundings on charts of the East Coast of the United States is __________.
N a. mean low water springs N b. mean low water Y c. mean lower low water N d. half tide level 71: A preferred-channel buoy may be __________.
Y a. lettered N b. spherical N c. showing a white light N d. All of the above 96: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence veering. In the Northern Hemisphere this indicates that the wind will __________.
Y a. shift in a clockwise manner N b. shift in a counterclockwise manner N c. continue blowing from the same direction N d. increase in velocity 116: Which wind results from a land mass cooling more quickly at night than an adjacent water area?
N a. Coastal breeze N b. Sea breeze Y c. Land breeze N d. Mistral 150: An alternating light __________.
N a. shows a light with varying lengths of the lighted period Y b. shows a light that changes color N c. marks an alternate lesser-used channel N d. is used as a replacement for another light 175: On 5 July 1981, at 1200 zone time, you cross the 180th meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?
N a. It is 1200, 4 July. N b. It is 1200, 5 July. Y c. It is 1200, 6 July. N d. It is 2400, 6 July. 218: Lines of position may be __________.
N a. hyperbolas N b. straight lines N c. arcs Y d. All of the above 224: A sextant having an index error that is "off the arc" has a __________.
Y a. positive correction N b. dip error N c. negative correction N d. semidiameter error 276: The region of high pressure extending around the Earth at about 35°N latitude is called the __________.
N a. prevailing westerlies Y b. horse latitudes N c. troposphere N d. doldrums 282: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic describes the light?
N a. It is visible 10 miles. N b. Its distinguishing number is "19M". N c. It has a radar reflector. Y d. None of the above 287: The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are reckoned in the tide tables is the same as that used for the charts of the locality. The depression of the datum below mean sea level for Hampton Roads, Virginia is __________.
N a. between -.7 and +.5 feet N b. between 1.9 and 3.2 feet N c. 4.1 feet Y d. 1.2 feet 304: In order to remove index error from a sextant, you should adjust the __________.
N a. index mirror to make it parallel to the horizon glass with the index set at zero Y b. horizon glass to make it parallel to the index mirror with the index set at zero N c. horizon glass to make it parallel to the sextant frame N d. telescope to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame 331: What indicates a buoy that should be left to port when entering from seaward? (U.S. Aids to Navigation System)
N a. White light N b. Group flashing characteristic N c. Nun shape Y d. Odd number 399: Where will you find information about the duration of slack water?
N a. American Practical Navigator N b. Sailing Directions N c. Tide Tables Y d. Tidal Current Tables 405: At upper transit, if the zenith distance is 34°, the geographical distance from the observer to a body's GP is __________.
N a. 510 miles N b. 1220 miles Y c. 2040 miles N d. 2260 miles 451: Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?
Y a. Fixed N b. Occulting N c. Equal interval N d. Quick flashing 537: What will be the height of tide at Gargathy Neck, VA, at 1800 DST (ZD +4), on 16 August 1983?
N a. 2.3 feet Y b. 2.9 feet N c. 3.3 feet N d. 3.6 feet 547: On 2 November 1983, at 1630 EST (ZD +5), what will be the predicted height of tide at Fulton, FL?
Y a. 2.8 feet (0.8 meters) N b. 3.4 feet (1.0 meters) N c. 4.2 feet (1.3 meters) N d. 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) 617: You are bound for the Chelsea docks in the Hudson River. The Captain wants to arrive at the docks at the first slack water on 28 July 1983. You are keeping daylight saving time. What time should you be at the docks?
Y a. 0215 N b. 0530 N c. 0811 N d. 0911 648: Weather systems in the middle latitudes generally travel from __________.
N a. north to south Y b. west to east N c. east to west N d. None of the above 696: The diurnal pressure variation is most noticeable in the __________.
N a. polar regions N b. horse latitudes N c. roaring forties Y d. doldrums 750: On a working copy of a weather map, a cold front is represented by what color line?
N a. Red Y b. Blue N c. Alternating red and blue N d. Purple 828: The true wind has been determined to be from 210°T, speed 12 knots. You desire the apparent wind to be 30 knots from 10° on the port bow. What course must you steer, and what speed must you make for this to occur?
Y a. 235°T, 18.6 knots N b. 245°T, 20.0 knots N c. 325°T, 22.4 knots N d. 335°T, 23.6 knots 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 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 911: Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, a buoy displaying a red light will __________.
Y a. be left to starboard when entering from seaward N b. show a light characteristic of Morse Code "A" N c. be lettered N d. have a radar reflector 1136: When a warm air mass overtakes and replaces a cold air mass, the contact surface is called a(n) __________.
Y a. warm front N b. cold front N c. line squall N d. occluded front 1229: The initial great circle course angle between LAT 23°00'S, LONG 42°00'W and LAT 34°00'S, LONG 18°00'E is 063.8°. What is the true course?
N a. 063.8°T Y b. 116.2°T N c. 243.8°T N d. 296.2°T 1326: A cloud sequence of cirrus, cirrostratus, and altostratus clouds followed by rain usually signifies the approach of a(n) __________.
N a. occluded front N b. stationary front Y c. warm front N d. cold front 1335: Plain language is usually used on marine weather __________.
Y a. forecasts N b. observations N c. analyses N d. reports 1456: The fog produced by warm moist air passing over a cold surface is called __________.
N a. conduction fog N b. radiation fog N c. frontal fog Y d. advection fog 1463: If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?
Y a. The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true N b. The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true N c. The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true N d. The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true 1487: At the approaches to Savannah, GA, with the wind coming out of the west, the wind-driven current will be flowing approximately __________.
Y a. 080° N b. 100° N c. 260° N d. 280° 1500: In what order should the following sextant adjustments be made? I. Make telescope parallel to frame of sextant. II. Set horizon glass perpendicular to frame of sextant. III. Make index mirror and horizon glass parallel when index arm is set at zero. IV. Set index mirror perpendicular to frame of sextant.
N a. I, II, III, IV N b. I, IV, II, III N c. III, II, IV, I Y d. IV, II, III, I 1520: The diurnal inequality of the tides is caused by __________.
Y a. the declination of the Moon N b. changing weather conditions N c. the Moon being at apogee N d. the Moon being at perigee 1619: Sextant A reads __________. (D043NG )
Y a. 29°42.7' N b. 29°45.7' N c. 29°51.8' N d. 30°47.2' 1620: You are at anchor in the anchorage at the entrance to Delaware Bay. If you weigh anchor at 1445 DST (ZD +4) on 24 July 1983 and proceed northbound enroute to Philadelphia at a speed of 10 knots, you will have __________.
N a. a flood current the entire trip N b. a flood current from Ship John Shoal Lt. to Philadelphia N c. an ebb current north of New Castle, DE Y d. a weak flood between Reedy Island and Edgemoor 1727: What enables you to estimate the bearing of a storm's center?
Y a. Buys Ballot's Law N b. An educated guess N c. Pascal's Law N d. The left-hand rule 1750: Clearance gauges at bridges indicate __________.
N a. the height of the tide N b. depth of water under the bridge N c. charted vertical clearance at mean low water Y d. distance from the water to low steel of the bridge 1752: What is the major limitation in using the Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation Volume I (Pub. No. 249) for star sights?
N a. More accuracy is needed for celestial observations on board ship than what is tabulated. N b. Sights must be made at even time increments to benefit from the tables. Y c. Only certain stars are included and sights must be limited to those stars. N d. Only first magnitude stars are tabulated. 1757: Where would you obtain data on currents for areas of the world not covered by the U.S. National Ocean Service?
N a. In the Coast Pilot N b. In the Nautical Almanac N c. In the List of Lights Y d. In the Sailing Directions 1815: Which weather system produces strong cold winds called "Northers" during the winter months in the Gulf of Mexico?
Y a. An anticyclone N b. A polar maritime air mass N c. A cyclone N d. A low pressure system 1886: What is the relative bearing of an object dead astern?
N a. 000° N b. 090° Y c. 180° N d. 270° 1974: Ocean currents are well defined and __________.
N a. create large waves in the direction of the current N b. change direction 360° during a 24 hour period Y c. remain fairly constant in direction and velocity throughout the year N d. are characterized by a light green color 2040: A vessel heading NNE is on a course of __________.
Y a. 022.5° N b. 045.0° N c. 067.5° N d. 090.0° 2114: Vessels regularly navigating rivers above Cairo, Illinois, shall at all times have on board a copy of __________.
N a. Sailing Directions N b. Nautical Almanac for the year N c. U.S. Coast Pilot Y d. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulations (Blue Book) 2181: 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?
Y a. One red light N b. Two red lights N c. Three red lights N d. No lights 2203: You get underway from the shipyard in Chester, PA, at 1515 DST (ZD +4) on 6 August 1983, enroute to sea. You will be turning for eight knots. What current can you expect at Fourteen Foot Bank Light?
N a. Slack Y b. 1.3 knots ebbing N c. 1.7 knots ebbing N d. 0.5 knot ebbing 2259: A vessel is heading magnetic northwest and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 317°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. N b. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible remove one of the spheres. N c. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. Y d. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible, move the quadrantal spheres in. 2488: In which publication could you find information concerning the minimum lighting required for bridges on U.S. waters?
N a. Chart No. 1. Y b. Code of Federal Regulations N c. Mississippi River Systems Light List N d. Notice to Mariners 2639: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System used on the Western Rivers, aids to navigation lights on the right descending bank show __________.
Y a. white or green lights N b. white or red lights N c. green lights only N d. white lights only 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 2772: The direction in which a vessel should be steered between two points is the __________.
Y a. course N b. heading N c. bearing N d. course over the ground 2868: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T and have the range in sight as shown. Which action should you take? (D048NG )
N a. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line then alter course to the right. Y b. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line. N c. Immediately alter course to the left to bring the range in line. N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T if the range is closing. 2900: Who should be consulted for changing conditions of controlling depths in major channels?
N a. U.S. Coast Guard N b. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency N c. National Ocean Service Y d. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2973: You should plot a dead reckoning position after every __________.
N a. course change N b. speed change N c. fix or running fix Y d. All of the above 3041: The letter H in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
N a. refractive horizon N b. geoidal horizon N c. celestial horizon Y d. visible horizon 3042: How long would a steady wind need to blow in order to create a wind driven current?
N a. 2 hours N b. 6 hours Y c. 12 hours N d. 18 hours 3056: A position obtained by applying ONLY your vessel's course and speed to a known position is a __________.
N a. fix Y b. dead-reckoning position N c. running fix N d. probable position