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.
77: When there are small differences between the heights of two successive high tides or two low tides, in a tidal day, the tides are called __________.
N a. diurnal Y b. semidiurnal N c. solar N d. mixed 94: When using a recording depth finder in the open ocean, what phenomena is most likely to produce a continuous trace that may not be from the actual ocean bottom?
Y a. Echoes from a deep scattering layer N b. Echoes from schools of fish N c. Multiple returns reflected from the bottom to the surface and to the bottom again N d. Poor placement of the transducer on the hull 100: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 080°T, 100 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265°T at 22 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?
N a. 219° Y b. 208° N c. 199° N d. 190° 139: What is the geographic longitude of a body whose GHA is 215°15'?
N a. 35°15'W N b. 35°15'E Y c. 144°45'E N d. 144°45'W 190: You are enroute to Jacksonville, FL, from San Juan, P.R. There is a fresh N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter __________.
Y a. steeper waves, closer together N b. long swells N c. cirrus clouds N d. smoother seas and warmer water 234: When the declination of the Moon is 0°12.5'S, you can expect some tidal currents in Gulf Coast ports to __________.
N a. exceed the predicted velocities N b. become reversing currents N c. have either a double ebb or a double flood Y d. become weak and variable 252: A large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have replaced some lightships, would be shown on a chart by which symbol? (D015NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 365: The Sun at a maximum declination north would be approximately at __________.
Y a. aphelion N b. perihelion N c. autumnal equinox N d. first point of Aries 376: According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the Northern Hemisphere experiences a northeast wind the center of low pressure is located to the __________.
N a. northeast N b. west-southwest N c. northwest Y d. south-southeast 398: The velocity of the apparent wind can be less than the true wind and from the same direction, if certain conditions are present. One condition is that the __________.
N a. ship's speed is more than the true wind velocity Y b. true wind is from dead astern N c. true wind is on the beam N d. true wind is from dead ahead 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 436: A wind vane on a moving vessel shows __________.
N a. dead reckoning wind direction N b. true wind direction Y c. apparent wind direction N d. estimated wind direction 464: Prior to reading an aneroid barometer, you should tap the face lightly with your finger to __________.
N a. expose any loose connections N b. demagnetize the metal elements Y c. bring the pointer to its true position N d. contract and expand the glass face 520: On charts of U.S. waters, a magenta marking is NOT used for marking a __________.
Y a. 5-fathom curve N b. prohibited area N c. lighted buoy N d. radio beacon 612: Which statement is TRUE concerning a Mercator projection?
N a. Degrees of longitude decrease in length as latitude increases. Y b. The length of the meridians is increased to provide for equal expansion in all directions. N c. The mileage between the meridians is increased as the latitude increases. N d. All of the above 619: According to Buys Ballot's Law, when an observer in the Southern Hemisphere experiences a northwest wind, the center of the low pressure is located to the __________.
N a. east-northeast Y b. south-southwest N c. east-southeast N d. west-southwest 723: If there is any doubt as to the proper operation of a radar, which statement is TRUE?
N a. Only a radar expert can determine if the radar is operating. N b. All radars have indicator lights and alarms to signal improper operation. Y c. A radar range compared to the actual range of a known object can be used to check the operation of the radar. N d. The radar resolution detector must be energized to check the radar. 757: The term "flood current" refers to that time when the water __________.
Y a. is flowing towards the land N b. is moving towards the ocean N c. level is not changing N d. level is rising because of heavy rains 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 821: In addition to monitoring channel 16, all Corps of Engineer locks may use as working channels __________.
N a. 06, 12 and 22A N b. 01A, 05A and 07A Y c. 12, 13 and 14 N d. 14, 24 and 28 826: In the U.S., in which direction do air masses usually move?
Y a. Easterly N b. Southerly N c. Northerly N d. Southwesterly 876: A generally circular low pressure area is called a(n) __________.
Y a. cyclone N b. anticyclone N c. cold front N d. occluded front 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 1029: Which would be the subject of a NAVAREA warning?
N a. A drifting buoy sighted in mid-ocean N b. Extinguishment of Wolf Trap Light located inside Chesapeake Bay N c. All military exercises on the high seas involving four or more vessels Y d. Off-air times of radio beacons when scheduled for routine maintenance 1082: Northern right whales can be identified by __________.
N a. whitish patches of skin on top of the head N b. "V" shaped blow easily visible from ahead or behind N c. no dorsal fin on the back Y d. All of the above 1129: The motion of celestial bodies relative to other celestial bodies is known as __________.
Y a. space motion N b. apparent motion N c. diurnal motion N d. actual motion 1147: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at which time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?
N a. One hour after N b. At the predicted time Y c. 30 minutes before N d. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb 1196: In the Northern Hemisphere, gusty winds shifting clockwise, a rapid drop in temperature, thunderstorms or rain squalls in summer (frequent rain/snow squalls in winter) then a rise in pressure followed by clearing skies, indicate the passage of a(n) __________.
N a. warm front N b. tropical cyclone N c. anticyclone Y d. cold front 1248: On 6 July 1983, at 1520 DST (ZD +4) what will be the predicted height of tide at Newburgh, NY?
N a. 2.1 feet N b. 1.7 feet N c. 1.2 feet Y d. 0.6 foot 1268: On a nautical chart, the inner ring of a compass rose indicates __________.
N a. true directions N b. compass error N c. deviation Y d. magnetic directions 1293: Deviation is caused by __________.
N a. changes in the earth's magnetic field N b. nearby magnetic land masses or mineral deposits Y c. magnetic influence inherent to that particular vessel N d. the magnetic lines of force not coinciding with the lines of longitude 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 1505: At 0000 you fix your position and change course to 090°T. At 0030 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?
Y a. The current is easterly. N b. The drift is 0.5 knot. N c. You should alter course to the right to regain the track line. N d. The current is perpendicular to your track line. 1588: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
Y a. geometrical horizon N b. geoidal horizon N c. celestial horizon N d. visible horizon 1657: Fog is formed when __________.
N a. the moisture in the air is condensed into small droplets N b. air is cooled to its dew point N c. the base of a cloud is on the ground Y d. All of the above 1733: An instrument which maintains a continuous record of temperature changes is called a __________.
N a. thermometer N b. barometer Y c. thermograph N d. hygrograph 1767: Which statement describes the prevailing wind direction in mid-winter in the Gulf Coast area?
Y a. 30% to 40% of mid-winter winds are from a northern quadrant. N b. 40% to 50% of mid-winter winds are from a southern quadrant. N c. the winds are variable in speed, but strongest in March. N d. None of the above 1946: When making landfall at night, you can determine if a light is a major light or an offshore buoy by __________.
N a. the intensity of the light Y b. checking the period and characteristics against the Light List N c. the color, because the buoy will have only a red or a green light N d. Any of the above can be used to identify the light. 1996: When approaching a lock entrance, the visual signal displayed when a single lock is ready for entrance is a flashing __________.
N a. red light Y b. green light N c. amber light N d. white light 2053: When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicates __________.
N a. a sharp turn in the channel to the right Y b. the port side of the channel N c. a junction with the preferred channel to the left N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side 2069: Illustration D037NG represents a moveable dam. If a bear trap is open what will be displayed at the lock to indicate this condition? (D037NG )
N a. A flashing amber light Y b. A white circular disc N c. A red diamond N d. Two amber lights 2141: What lights would you see on the Illinois water way 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. Red over green N b. Green over red Y c. Red over amber (yellow) N d. Green over amber (yellow) 2174: By convention, the Earth's north magnetic pole is colored __________.
N a. red N b. white Y c. blue N d. black 2176: The illustration 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? (D037NG )
N a. Three red lights N b. Two red lights Y c. One red light N d. One amber light 2271: What is the definition of height of tide?
N a. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor Y b. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time N c. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom N d. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water 2300: When a magnetic compass is not in use for a prolonged period of time it should __________.
Y a. be shielded from direct sunlight N b. be locked into a constant heading N c. have any air bubbles replaced with nitrogen N d. have the compensating magnets removed 2326: A double star is a star that __________.
N a. has a declination equal to twice that of the Sun Y b. comprises two stars that appear close together N c. is twice as bright as a single star N d. suddenly becomes much brighter and then fades 2349: The summer solstice is the point where the Sun is at __________.
Y a. maximum declination north N b. maximum declination south N c. 0° declination going to northerly declinations N d. 0° declination going to southerly declinations 2350: The principal advantage of NAVTEX radio warnings is that __________.
Y a. they can be used by mariners who do not know Morse code N b. only an ordinary FM radio is necessary to receive these warnings N c. information on a given topic is only broadcast at specified times N d. they cover a broad spectrum of the radio band allowing reception on almost any type of receiver 2424: Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to starboard may display which of the topmarks shown? (D046NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 2662: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 24" by 28". The area includes latitude 37°S to 42°S and longitude 175°E to 179°W. Allow a one 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?
N a. 3.33 inches N b. 3.41 inches Y c. 3.67 inches N d. 3.82 inches 2712: A bold reef is a reef __________.
N a. with part of it extending above the water Y b. that can be detected by water turbulence N c. that drops off sharply N d. perpendicular to the current 2812: A line of position from a celestial observation is a segment of a __________.
Y a. circle of equal altitude N b. parallel of declination N c. parallel of altitude N d. vertical circle 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 2877: Class I and II private aids to navigation in or along navigable waters of the United States are listed in the __________.
N a. Sailing Directions Y b. Light List N c. List of Private Aids N d. Aids to Navigation Manual 2877: Class I and II private aids to navigation in or along navigable waters of the United States are listed in the __________.
N a. Sailing Directions Y b. Light List N c. List of Private Aids N d. Aids to Navigation Manual 2962: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 4 1/2 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?
N a. 405 yards N b. 628 yards N c. 730 yards Y d. 825 yards 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 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 3123: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?
N a. AIS is a global tracking system that relies upon INMARSAT C service to communicate vessel position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. N b. AIS is a short-range 3 cm X-band radar system that automatically sends a vessel's position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. Y c. AIS is a short-range VHF-FM system that automatically broadcasts a vessel's position and other safety related information frequently to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. N d. AIS is a one-way centrally managed system that requires the local VTS to send commands to instruct each vessel to broadcast position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area.