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.
166: On the pole side of the high pressure belt in each hemisphere, the pressure diminishes. The winds along these gradients are diverted by the Earth's rotation toward the east and are known as the __________.
N a. geostrophic winds N b. doldrums N c. horse latitudes Y d. prevailing westerlies 195: The equation of time is 8m 00s. The mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are 2°W of the central meridian of your time zone, when will the apparent Sun cross your meridian?
Y a. 1216 N b. 1208 N c. 1200 N d. 1152 206: The winds you would expect to encounter in the North Atlantic between latitudes 5° and 30° are known as the __________.
N a. doldrums N b. westerlies Y c. trades N d. easterlies 213: When using GPS, how many theoretical position lines are required for a two-dimensional fix?
N a. 1 N b. 2 Y c. 3 N d. 4 215: The equation of time is 12m 00s and the mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are on the central meridian of your time zone, at what zone time will the apparent Sun cross the meridian?
N a. 1148 N b. 1200 Y c. 1212 N d. It cannot be determined from the information given. 259: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "Q" represents a __________. (D042NG )
N a. convergence zone N b. squall line Y c. convergence line N d. weather boundary 275: Which statement concerning illustration is correct? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )
Y a. The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or superstructure above the sounding datum. N b. There is a 12-meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just west of Beito Island. N c. The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of the star on the symbol's mast. N d. Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a 21-meter diameter. 310: Which sextant shown has an index error of 3'30" off the arc? (D050NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 344: A marine sextant has the index arm set at zero and the reflected image of the horizon forms a continuous line with the actual image. When the sextant is rotated about the line of sight the images separate. The sextant has __________.
N a. error of perpendicularity Y b. side error N c. prismatic error N d. centering error 351: Which buoy may be odd numbered?
N a. A spherical buoy Y b. An unlighted can buoy N c. A red buoy N d. A yellow buoy 355: During the month of October the Sun's declination is __________.
N a. north and increasing N b. north and decreasing Y c. south and increasing N d. south and decreasing 411: When entering from seaward, a buoy displaying a single-flashing red light would indicate __________.
N a. a junction with the preferred channel to the left N b. a sharp turn in the channel to the right Y c. the starboard side of the channel N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's port side 560: On 14 April 1981, a back sight is observed of the lower limb of the Sun. The height of eye is 45 feet. The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The sextant altitude (hs) is 117°14.6'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 63°01.9' N b. 63°03.4' N c. 63°07.4' Y d. 63°09.9' 578: At about GMT 1436, on 3 December 1981, the lower limb of the Moon is observed with a sextant having an index error of 2.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 32 feet. The sextant altitude (hs) is 3°38.8'. What is the observed altitude?
N a. Ho 4°18.6' Y b. Ho 4°29.1' N c. Ho 4°36.3' N d. Ho 4°42.2' 647: You will enter Argentia, Newfoundland, at 1200 on 5 October 1983, while keeping zone description +3 on the ship's clocks. What will be the height of tide at this time (based on the Canadian chart datum)?
N a. 0.5 feet N b. 1.2 feet Y c. 2.1 feet N d. 3.4 feet 721: Under the IALA Buoyage System, a red and white vertically-striped buoy would NOT indicate __________.
N a. a landfall Y b. the extreme end of an islet N c. a mid-channel N d. a center line 765: Diurnal aberration is due to __________.
N a. motion of the Earth in its orbit Y b. rotation of the Earth on its axis N c. the body's orbital motion during the time required for its light to reach the Earth N d. a false horizon 877: Cold water flowing southward through the western part of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia is joined by water circulating counterclockwise in the Bering Sea to form the __________.
N a. Alaska Current N b. Subarctic Current N c. Kuroshio Current Y d. Oyashio Current 885: The daily path of a celestial body that is parallel to the celestial equator is the __________.
N a. altitude circle N b. vertical circle Y c. diurnal circle N d. hour circle 973: The heading of a vessel is indicated by what part of the compass?
N a. Card N b. Needle Y c. Lubber's line N d. Gimbals 984: The bases of middle clouds are located at altitudes of between __________.
N a. 3,000 to 6,500 feet (914 to 1981 meters) Y b. 6,500 to 20,000 feet (1981 to 6096 meters) N c. 10,000 to 35,000 feet (3048 to 10,668 meters) N d. 20,000 to 60,000 feet (6096 to 18,288 meters) 1000: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T. The range appears as shown and is closing. Which action should you take? (D047NG )
Y a. Continue on course until the range is closed, then alter course to the right. N b. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line, then alter course to the left. N c. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line. N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T to bring the range in line. 1037: Generally speaking, a ship steaming across the North Pacific from Japan to Seattle is likely to experience __________.
N a. adverse currents for practically the entire crossing Y b. favorable currents for practically the entire crossing N c. favorable currents in the summer months and adverse currents in the winter months N d. variable currents having no significant effect on the total steaming time 1054: The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F (26°C) and the wet-bulb temperature is 68°F (20°C). What is the relative humidity?
N a. 10% N b. 24% N c. 56% Y d. 60% 1234: Which information does the outer ring of a compass rose on a nautical chart provide?
N a. Variation Y b. True directions N c. Magnetic directions N d. Annual rate of variation change 1274: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a sandstorm? (D042NG )
N a. H Y b. O N c. P N d. K 1343: Variation is a compass error that you __________.
N a. can correct by adjusting the compass card N b. can correct by adjusting the compensating magnets N c. can correct by changing the vessel's heading Y d. cannot correct 1350: You are running parallel to the coast and plotting running fixes using bearings of the same object. You are making more speed than assumed for the running fix. In relation to the position indicated by the fix you will be __________.
N a. closer to the coast Y b. farther from the coast N c. on the track line ahead of the fix N d. on the track line behind the fix 1356: The first indications a mariner will have of the approach of a warm front will be __________.
N a. large cumulonimbus (thunderclouds) building up Y b. high cirrus clouds gradually changing to cirrostratus and then to altostratus N c. fog caused by the warm air passing over the cooler water N d. low dark clouds accompanied by intermittent rain 1442: A great circle track provides the maximum saving in distance on __________.
Y a. easterly courses in high latitudes N b. southerly courses in high latitudes N c. westerly courses in low latitudes N d. easterly courses in low latitudes that cross the equator 1493: You are running parallel to the coast and estimate that the current is against you. In plotting a running fix using bearings from the same object on the coast, the greatest safety margin from inshore dangers will result if what speed is used to determine the fix?
Y a. Minimum speed estimate N b. Maximum speed estimate N c. Average speed estimate N d. A running fix should not be used under these conditions. 1516: Which correction(s) must be applied to an aneroid barometer?
Y a. Instrument error and height error N b. Instrument error only N c. Height error only N d. Instrument error and latitude correction 1518: Which publication requires infrequent corrections?
N a. List of Lights N b. Coast Pilot Y c. Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) N d. Radio Navigational Aids 1649: If you count 20 seconds between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder, how far is the storm away from you?
N a. 2 miles Y b. 4 miles N c. 6 miles N d. 8 miles 1693: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.
N a. the "trade winds" N b. a low front or an occluded front Y c. a high pressure area; an anticyclone; or a "high" N d. the "doldrums" 1695: Compared to a low pressure system, generally the air in a high is __________.
N a. warmer, less dense, and less stable Y b. cool, more dense, and drier N c. muggy and cloudy N d. extremely moist with high relative humidity 1725: Your present weather is sunny with a steady barometer. A low swell approaches your vessel from the south with crests passing at relatively long periods of about four per minute. This usually indicates __________.
N a. a warm front from the south Y b. a tropical cyclone south of your vessel N c. a hurricane about 100 miles south of your vessel and heading in your direction N d. an extra-tropical cyclone 1764: What natural feature is responsible for the rather even climate found on the Florida peninsula throughout the year?
N a. Strong masses of continental air Y b. The Gulf Stream N c. The Bermuda high N d. The cool waters of the Sargasso sea 1869: 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 B in the illustration? (D036NG )
N a. One red light N b. Two green lights N c. Three green lights Y d. No light 1990: The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the celestial equator system, the other system is the __________.
N a. terrestrial system Y b. horizon system N c. astronomical system N d. ecliptic system 2042: At morning stars, the last stars that should be observed are those with an azimuth in which quadrant?
N a. Eastern N b. Southern Y c. Western N d. Northern 2068: 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 )
Y a. One red light N b. Two red lights N c. Three red lights N d. One amber light 2078: If a towboat requires a double lockage it shall give which sound signal at a distance of not more than one mile from the lock?
N a. One short blast followed by two long blasts N b. One long blast followed by one short blast N c. Two long blasts followed by one short blast Y d. One long blast followed by two short blasts 2084: You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.
Y a. hold your position and not attempt to enter the lock N b. approach the lock slowly under full control N c. proceed at normal speed to enter the lock N d. None of the above 2084: You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.
Y a. hold your position and not attempt to enter the lock N b. approach the lock slowly under full control N c. proceed at normal speed to enter the lock N d. None of the above 2187: The diagram 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. No lights N b. Three red lights N c. Two red lights Y d. One red lights 2324: Deneb is found in what constellation?
Y a. Cygnus N b. Pegasus N c. Ursa Major N d. Andromeda 2345: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.
N a. from every estimated position N b. every three minutes in pilotage waters N c. only in pilotage waters Y d. from every fix or running fix 2362: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic north but the compass reads 004°. Which action should be taken?
N a. Use the Flinders bar and adjust the compass until it reads 002°. N b. Use the fore-and-aft magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 000°. Y c. Use the athwartships magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 002°. N d. Use the athwartships magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 000°. 2539: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with quick white light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds indicates that the safest water in the area is on the __________.
N a. north side of the mark N b. west side of the mark Y c. east side of the mark N d. south side of the mark 2592: A deadhead is a(n) __________.
Y a. tree or log awash in a nearly vertical position N b. crew member who refuses to work N c. upstream end of a land wall N d. buoy that is adrift 2618: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 38°N to 43°N and longitudes 179°E to 178°W. If the distance between each degree of longitude is 5 inches, what is the distance between latitude 38°N and latitude 43°N?
N a. 29.0 inches N b. 29.6 inches N c. 32.1 inches Y d. 32.8 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 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 2752: A daymark used to indicate the safe water in a channel will have which of the shapes shown? (D045NG )
N a. A N b. B Y c. C N d. D 2890: While passing through Memphis, the weather report on the TV news indicates that a cold front is crossing western Kentucky and Tennessee. Tomorrow's weather will be dominated by a high pressure area. What weather should you expect tomorrow?
N a. Light, southerly winds; high humidity and possibly fog Y b. Moderate winds from the northwest, clear visibility and cooler temperatures N c. Low overcast; mild temperatures with light, steady rain or drizzle N d. Scattered clouds with light, southeasterly winds; high humidity and possibly fog 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 2977: Which symbol represents a 2-fathom curve?
N a. -- -- -- N b. .. ____ .. ____ .. ____ N c. ____ . ____ . ____ . Y d. .. .. .. .. .. 3031: Which symbol would indicate a large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have replaced some lightships? (D015NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 3104: In general, on how many radio channels will an automatic identification system (AIS) operate?
Y a. 3 N b. 5 N c. 7 N d. 9