USCG General Navigation: Master's License

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.


51: In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, red and green horizontally-banded buoys mark __________.


117: Mean high water is the average height of __________.


347: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates rain? (D042NG )


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

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

472: Which conic projection chart features straight lines which closely approximate a great circle?

    N a. Polyconic
    Y b. Lambert conformal
    N c. Orthographic
    N d. Stereographic

502: A gnomonic projection is based on a(n) __________.

    Y a. plane tangent at one point
    N b. cylinder tangent at the equator
    N c. cone tangent at one parallel
    N d. infinite series of cones tangent at selected parallels

634: What will cause the ARPA to emit a visual alarm, audible alarm, or both?

    N a. An acquired target entering into a guard zone
    N b. A tracked target lost for one radar scan
    Y c. A tracked target entering your preset CPA-TCPA limits
    N d. A target being initially detected within a guard zone

712: Information about the pilotage available at Miami harbor may best be obtained from which publication?

    N a. World Port Index
    N b. Sailing Directions
    N c. Pilot Chart
    Y d. United States Coast Pilot

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

791: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, the topmark of a red and white vertically-striped buoy shall be __________.

    N a. X-shaped
    N b. two black spheres
    Y c. a single red sphere
    N d. a single red cone

791: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, the topmark of a red and white vertically-striped buoy shall be __________.

    N a. X-shaped
    N b. two black spheres
    Y c. a single red sphere
    N d. a single red cone

793: The permanent magnetism of a vessel may change in strength due to __________.

    N a. a collision with another vessel
    N b. being moored on a constant heading for a long period of time
    N c. being struck by lightning
    Y d. All of the above

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

829: You are plotting a running fix in an area where there is a determinable current. How should this current be treated in determining the position?

    N a. The drift should be added to the ship's speed.
    N b. The set should be applied to the second bearing.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    Y d. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.

834: In many areas "atoll" clouds (clouds of vertical development) are produced over small islands. These are the result of __________.

    Y a. rising air currents produced by the warm islands
    N b. warm air from the sea rising over higher land areas
    N c. cool land air mixing with warm sea air
    N d. descending air over the islands

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

882: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?

    N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
    Y b. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light
    N c. An outline of the area of the sector
    N d. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship

969: The population of northern right whales, an endangered species, numbers approximately __________.

    Y a. 300
    N b. 5000
    N c. 100,000
    N d. 1,000,000

969: The population of northern right whales, an endangered species, numbers approximately __________.

    Y a. 300
    N b. 5000
    N c. 100,000
    N d. 1,000,000

988: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. One-half of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 340° relative at 14 knots. You are on course 307°T at 12.6 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )

    N a. 53414
    N b. 54013
    Y c. 42205
    N d. 43013

1031: While steaming north of the Irish coast, you sight a buoy which shows the light rhythm shown in illustration D028NG. How would you pass this buoy? (D028NG )

    N a. North of the buoy
    Y b. East of the buoy
    N c. South of the buoy
    N d. West of the buoy

1049: At 0000 you fix your position and change course to 270°T. At 0030 you again fix your position, and it is 0.5 mile east of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The set is 090°, drift 0.5 knot.
    Y b. The set is 090°, drift 1.0 knot.
    N c. The set is 270°, drift 0.5 knot.
    N d. The set is 270°, drift 1.0 knot.

1083: Magnets are placed in horizontal trays in the compass binnacle to compensate for the __________.

    N a. induced magnetism in the vessel's horizontal soft iron
    N b. change in the magnetic field when the vessel inclines from vertical
    Y c. permanent magnetism of the vessel
    N d. magnetic fields caused by electrical currents in the vicinity

1111: Black double-cone topmarks are the most important feature, by day, of cardinal marks. Which of the four topmarks shown indicates the best navigable water lies to the west of the buoy? (D030NG )

    N a. A
    N b. B
    Y c. C
    N d. D

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

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

1359: The distance in longitude from the intersection of a great circle and the equator to the lower vertex is how many degrees of longitude?

    N a. 45°
    Y b. 90°
    N c. 135°
    N d. 180°

1362: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 7 in illustration D039NG? (D039NG )

    N a. Cirrostratus
    N b. Altocumulus
    Y c. Cumulus
    N d. Cumulonimbus

1392: Cumulonimbus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    Y a. 9
    N b. 7
    N c. 5
    N d. 3

1416: Radiation fog __________.

    N a. always forms over water
    Y b. is formed by a temperature inversion
    N c. is thinnest at the surface
    N d. dissipates during the evening

1480: What is the definition of height of tide?

    N a. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water
    N b. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom
    N c. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor
    Y d. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time

1502: You are running parallel to the coast and take a running fix using bearings of the same object. If you are making less speed than used for the running fix, in relation to the position indicated by the fix, you will be __________.

    Y a. closer to the coast
    N b. farther from the coast
    N c. on the track line ahead of the fix
    N d. on the track line behind the fix

1512: You are plotting a running fix. The LOP to be run forward is an arc from a radar range, what technique should be used?

    N a. The arc should be converted into a straight line using offsets and then run forward.
    N b. An arc should never be run forward.
    Y c. The position of the object observed should be advanced to the new time and a new arc swung using the radius of the old arc.
    N d. The distance between LOP's should be added to the radar range and a new arc swung.

1536: What will NOT induce errors into a Doppler sonar log?

    Y a. Increased draft
    N b. Pitch
    N c. Roll
    N d. Change in trim

1548: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "K" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    Y a. hurricane
    N b. thunderstorm
    N c. convergence zone
    N d. convergence line

1583: The angle measured from the observer's meridian, clockwise or counterclockwise up to 180°, to the vertical circle of the body is the __________.

    N a. local hour angle
    Y b. azimuth angle
    N c. meridian angle
    N d. observer's longitude

1642: Which type of cloud formation should be of immediate concern to small craft operators?

    N a. cirrus
    N b. altostratus
    N c. nimbostratus
    Y d. cumulonimbus

1687: Which statement is TRUE when comparing cold and warm fronts?

    Y a. Cold fronts are more violent and of shorter duration.
    N b. Cold fronts are milder and last longer.
    N c. They are very similar with the exception of wind direction.
    N d. Warm fronts are more violent and of longer duration.

1960: Astronomical refraction causes a celestial body to appear __________.

    N a. to the left of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere
    N b. to the right of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
    Y c. higher than its actual position
    N d. lower than its actual position

2059: Illustration D038NG represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter E in the illustration? (D038NG )

    Y a. One red light
    N b. Two red lights
    N c. Two green lights
    N d. Three green lights

2097: 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
    Y b. Broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N c. Light List Vol. V
    N d. None of the above

2100: You are underway in a vessel with a draft of 7.0 feet (2.1 meters). The charted depth for your position is 9 fathoms. You compute the height of tide to be +3.0 feet (0.9 meters). You determine the depth of the water beneath your keel to be __________.

    N a. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N b. 41 feet (12.6 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.3 meters)
    N d. 64 feet (19.6 meters)

2175: 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, which light(s) will be shown at D if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

    N a. One amber light
    Y b. One red light
    N c. Two red lights
    N d. Three red lights

2222: By convention, the south pole of a magnet is painted __________.

    N a. red
    Y b. blue
    N c. white
    N d. black

2356: As observed from the Earth, the angle between lines from the Earth to the Sun and the Earth to an inferior planet is known as __________.

    Y a. elongation
    N b. conjunction
    N c. opposition
    N d. quadrature

2435: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?

    N a. A red and white octagon
    N b. Red and white retroreflective material
    N c. A sequential number
    Y d. A spherical topmark

2476: At meridian transit, the diagram used by a navigator to illustrate the angles involved is based on the __________.

    N a. celestial equator as observed from above the south celestial pole
    N b. celestial equator as observed from above the north celestial pole
    Y c. plane of the observer's meridian
    N d. plane of the Greenwich meridian

2479: The equation of time measures the __________.

    N a. difference between local apparent time and Greenwich apparent time
    N b. longitude in time units
    N c. difference between sidereal time and local time at the Greenwich meridian
    Y d. time between the passage of the mean sun and the apparent sun over a meridian

2518: In low latitudes, the full Moon will always rise at about __________.

    N a. sunrise
    N b. 1200 LMT
    Y c. sunset
    N d. 2400 LMT

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

2588: You are approaching an open drawbridge and sound the proper signal. You receive no acknowledgment from the bridge. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Approach with caution and proceed through the open draw.
    N b. Approach under full control to a position no closer than 400 yards from the bridge and await a signal from the bridge.
    N c. Hold in the channel as a vessel is closing the bridge from the other direction.
    N d. Resound the opening signal and do not pass through the bridge until signals have been exchanged.

2624: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 30" by 32". The area includes latitudes 31°10'S to 37°40'S and longitudes 007°00'W to 001°00'E. Allow a one-half 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 limitation?

    Y a. 3.69 inches
    N b. 3.52 inches
    N c. 3.38 inches
    N d. 3.26 inches

2704: The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the right bank. This means that the light can be seen on the starboard side of a vessel __________.

    N a. proceeding from seaward
    N b. crossing the river
    N c. ascending the river
    Y d. descending the river

2724: Which condition indicates that your radar needs maintenance?

    Y a. Serrated range rings
    N b. Indirect echoes
    N c. Multiple echoes
    N d. Blind sector

2952: The channel under a bridge is marked with lights of the lateral system. The centerline of the channel shall be marked on the bridge by __________.

    Y a. an occulting white light
    N b. a yellow light
    N c. three fixed white lights
    N d. a flashing blue light

2965: Which symbol represents a 10-fathom curve?

    N a. ____ ____ ____
    N b. ... ____ ... ____
    Y c. ____ . _____ . ____ . ____
    N d. ........

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°

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

3090: NOAA VHF weather reports are continuously broadcast on VHF channels WX-1, WX-2 and WX-3 on a frequency of __________.

    N a. 156.8, 157.1, 162.55 MHz
    N b. 162.55, 162.00, 171.5 KHz
    Y c. 162.55, 162.40, 162.475 MHz
    N d. 2182, 2638, 2670 KHz