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.


11: A buoy having red and green horizontal bands would have a light characteristic of __________.


65: The LMT of LAN is 1210. Your longitude is 70°30'E. Which time would you use to enter the Nautical Almanac to determine the declination of the Sun at LAN?


86: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence backing. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would indicate that it will __________.


186: In the doldrums you will NOT have __________.

    N a. high relative humidity
    N b. frequent showers and thunderstorms
    Y c. steep pressure gradients
    N d. frequent calms

235: When the equation of time is taken from the Nautical Almanac for use in celestial navigation, it is used to determine __________.

    N a. zone time
    N b. sunrise
    Y c. time of local apparent noon
    N d. local mean time

240: In a river subject to tidal currents, the best time to dock a ship without the assistance of tugs is __________.

    N a. at high water
    N b. when there is a following current
    Y c. at slack water
    N d. at flood

266: The horse latitudes are characterized by __________.

    Y a. weak pressure gradients and light, variable winds
    N b. the formation of typhoons or hurricanes in certain seasons
    N c. steady winds in one direction for six months followed by wind reversal for the next six months
    N d. steady winds generally from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere

268: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "L" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    N a. convergence line
    N b. maritime air mass
    N c. warm front
    Y d. convergence zone

279: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.

    Y a. remains aligned with compass north
    N b. also turns to starboard
    N c. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
    N d. turns counterclockwise to port

444: A sylphon cell is a part of a __________.

    N a. maximum thermometer
    Y b. barograph
    N c. thermograph
    N d. hygrometer

469: Where are the prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere located?

    N a. Between the Equator and 10° latitude
    N b. Between 10° and 20° latitude
    Y c. Between 30° and 60° latitude
    N d. Between 60° and 90° latitude

541: A yellow buoy may mark a(n) __________.

    N a. wreck
    N b. shoal area
    Y c. anchorage area
    N d. middle ground

561: Buoys which mark dredging areas are painted __________.

    N a. black
    Y b. yellow
    N c. green
    N d. red

591: White lights may be found on __________.

    N a. special purpose buoys
    N b. preferred channel buoys
    Y c. information and regulatory buoys
    N d. numbered buoys

643: When using the radar for navigating __________.

    N a. the best fix is obtained by using a tangent bearing and a range
    N b. and using two radar ranges for a fix, the objects of the ranges should be close to reciprocal bearings
    Y c. and using ranges, the most rapidly changing range should be measured last
    N d. and crossing a radar range of one object with the visual bearing of a second object, the two objects should be 80° to 110° apart

683: A radar contact will remain stationary on a relative motion radar display only when it is __________.

    N a. on the same course as your vessel
    N b. at the same speed as your vessel
    Y c. on the same course and speed as your vessel
    N d. on a reciprocal course at the same speed as your vessel

687: The drift and set of tidal, river, and ocean currents refer to the __________.

    N a. position and area of the current
    Y b. speed and direction toward which the current flows
    N c. type and characteristic of the current's flow
    N d. None of the above

691: Of the four light characteristics shown which one does NOT represent a safe water mark of the IALA Buoyage System? (D019NG )

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

693: Which general statement concerning radar is FALSE?

    N a. Raising the antenna height increases the radar range.
    Y b. The ability of radar to detect objects is unaffected by weather conditions.
    N c. Radar bearings are less accurate than radar ranges.
    N d. Radar should be checked regularly during clear weather to ensure that it is operating properly.

700: You are enroute to Savannah, GA, from Recife, Brazil. There is a strong N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter __________.

    N a. smoother seas and warmer water
    N b. long swells
    Y c. steeper waves, closer together
    N d. cirrus clouds

919: 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.
    Y b. The course and speed made good should be determined and used to advance the LOP.
    N c. The current should be ignored.
    N d. The set should be applied to the second bearing.

924: The form of cloud often known as "mackerel sky" which is generally associated with fair weather is __________.

    N a. nimbostratus
    N b. stratus
    Y c. cirrocumulus
    N d. cumulonimbus

964: The thin, whitish, high clouds composed of ice crystals, popularly known as "mares' tails" are __________.

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

972: In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?

    N a. Chart No. 1
    Y b. Catalog of Charts
    N c. American Practical Navigator
    N d. U.S. Coast Guard Light List

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

1174: Your vessel is enroute from Japan to Seattle and is located at position I on the weather map. You should experience which weather condition? (D013NG )

    N a. Clear skies with warm temperatures
    N b. Steady precipitation
    N c. Overcast skies with rising temperature
    Y d. Thundershowers

1210: 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. The range continues to open. What action should you take? (D047NG )

    N a. Alter course to the right to 309°T or more to bring the range in line.
    N b. Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as you get close.
    Y c. Alter course to the left until the range closes, then steer to the left of 306°T.
    N d. Alter course to the left to close the range, then alter course to 309°T.

1299: What will be the time (ZD +5) of the second high tide at Weymouth Fore River Bridge, MA, on 12 November 1983?

    N a. 1639
    N b. 1643
    N c. 1647
    Y d. 1650

1384: Which type of cloud is indicated by number 9? (D039NG )

    N a. Cumulus
    Y b. Cumulonimbus
    N c. Altostratus
    N d. Stratocumulus

1408: An occluded front is caused by a(n) __________.

    N a. low pressure area
    N b. high pressure area
    N c. area of calm air
    Y d. cold front overtaking a warm front

1468: What is NOT an advantage of the rhumb line track over a great circle track?

    N a. Easily plotted on a Mercator chart
    N b. Negligible increase in distance on east-west courses near the equator
    N c. Does not require constant course changes
    Y d. Plots as a straight line on Lambert conformal charts

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.

1537: Which sextant in illustration D043NG reads 29°47.5'? (D043NG )

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

1710: A gale is characterized by a wind speed of __________.

    N a. 10 to 20 knots
    Y b. 34 to 47 knots
    N c. 48 to 63 knots
    N d. 64 to 83 knots

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.

1782: You are on course 027°T and take a relative bearing to a lighthouse of 220°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?

    N a. 113°
    N b. 193°
    Y c. 247°
    N d. 279°

1812: The line of position should be plotted as a circle around the GP of the body when the Ho exceeds what minimum value?

    N a. 80°
    N b. 83°
    N c. 85°
    Y d. 87°

1831: IN REGION A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the port side of a channel would be marked by a __________.

    N a. red conical buoy
    N b. black can buoy
    Y c. red can buoy
    N d. black conical buoy

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

2099: 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 )

    N a. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line, then alter course to the left.
    Y b. Continue on course until the range is closed, then alter course to the right.
    N c. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line.
    N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T.

2202: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic west but the compass reads 276°. What action should be taken?

    N a. Adjust the compass with the athwartships magnets until the compass reads 264°.
    Y b. Adjust the compass with the fore-and-aft magnets until the compass reads 273°.
    N c. Adjust the compass with the quadrantal spheres until the compass reads 270°.
    N d. Adjust the compass with the athwartships magnets until the compass reads 273°.

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

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

2296: A variable star is one that __________.

    Y a. exhibits a change in magnitude
    N b. has a changing declination
    N c. is increasing in SHA
    N d. is also known as a red giant

2338: A group of stars which appear close together and form a striking configuration such as a person or animal is a __________.

    N a. cluster
    N b. shower
    Y c. constellation
    N d. galaxy

2348: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick light showing 9 flashes every 15 seconds indicates that the safest water is on the __________.

    N a. north side of the mark
    Y b. west side of the mark
    N c. east side of the mark
    N d. south side of the mark

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

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.

2572: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -4 and -5 is __________.

    N a. 60°00'E
    Y b. 67°30'E
    N c. 75°00'E
    N d. 60°00'W

2583: You are in the Northern Hemisphere and a tropical wave is located 200 miles due west of your position. Where will the wave be located 24 hours later?

    N a. In the same place
    N b. Closer and to the west
    N c. Closer and to the east
    Y d. Farther away to the west

2600: A parallel of latitude other than the equator is a __________.

    N a. great circle
    N b. loxodromic curve
    Y c. small circle
    N d. gnomonic curve

2612: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -7 and -8 is __________.

    Y a. 112°30'E
    N b. 118°30'E
    N c. 120°00'E
    N d. 116°30'W

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

2721: You are plotting a running fix. How many fixed objects are needed to take your lines of position from?

    Y a. One
    N b. Two
    N c. Three
    N d. None

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

2829: A spar buoy is indicated by which letter in illustration D044NG?

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

2850: What is used to help prevent damage to barges, locks, and landings when you are locking or landing a tow?

    N a. Dock cushions
    N b. Springers
    N c. Landing bars
    Y d. Bumpers (fenders)

2896: You are navigating in pilotage waters. The maximum time between fixes should be about __________.

    N a. 5 minutes
    Y b. 30 minutes
    N c. 1 hour
    N d. 4 hours

2913: The Daily Memorandum contains information on __________.

    N a. active weather disturbances such as hurricanes or tropical storms
    Y b. the latest navigational warnings
    N c. scheduled vessel arrivals and departures for a 24-hour period
    N d. water levels at river ports where run-off affects tidal heights

3036: Which daymark has no lateral significance?

    N a. Square; top half green and bottom half red
    Y b. Black and white diamond
    N c. Red triangle
    N d. Green square

3060: What information is NOT found in the chart title?

    N a. Survey information
    N b. Scale
    Y c. Date of first edition
    N d. Projection