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.


15: What is the length of a nautical mile?


62: Charted depth is the __________.


140: 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. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?


379: The steady current circling the globe at about 60°S is the __________.

    N a. Prevailing Westerly
    N b. Sub-Polar Flow
    Y c. West Wind Drift
    N d. Humboldt Current

428: A buoy bears 178°T at 3000 yards (2700 meters). What is the course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards (90 meters) to starboard?

    N a. 174°T
    Y b. 176°T
    N c. 178°T
    N d. 180°T

452: When navigating in high latitudes and using a chart based on a Lambert conformal projection, __________.

    Y a. a straight line drawn on the chart approximates a great circle
    N b. the chart should not be used outside of the standard parallels
    N c. the course angle is measured at the mid-longitude of the track line
    N d. distance cannot be measured directly from the chart

529: In some river mouths and estuaries the incoming high-tide wave crest overtakes the preceding low-tide trough. This results in a wall of water proceeding upstream, and is called a __________.

    N a. seiche
    Y b. bore
    N c. boundary wave
    N d. surge

542: The only cylindrical chart projection widely used for navigation is the __________.

    N a. Lambert conformal
    Y b. Mercator
    N c. azimuthal
    N d. gnomonic

604: Chronometer error may be found by __________.

    N a. radio time signal
    N b. comparison with a timepiece of known error
    N c. applying the prevailing chronometer rate to previous readings
    Y d. All of the above

747: The movement of water away from the shore or downstream is called a(n) __________.

    N a. reversing current
    Y b. ebb current
    N c. flood current
    N d. slack current

836: In North America the majority of the weather systems move from __________.

    N a. north to south
    N b. south to north
    N c. east to west
    Y d. west to east

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

935: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 5 miles and a height above water of 21 feet (6.4 meters). Your height of eye is 32 feet (9.8 meters) and the visibility is 1.0 mile. At what approximate range will you first sight the light?

    N a. 1.0 mile
    Y b. 1.5 miles
    N c. 5.0 miles
    N d. 11.7 miles

950: Where is the dangerous semicircle located on a hurricane in the Southern Hemisphere?

    Y a. To the left of the storm's track
    N b. To the right of the storm's track
    N c. In the high pressure area
    N d. On the south side

960: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 15 miles and a height above water of 29 feet (8.8 meters). Your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 meters) and visibility is 6.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?

    N a. 8.0 miles
    Y b. 11.0 miles
    N c. 14.5 miles
    N d. 16.0 miles

967: On an Atlantic Ocean voyage from New York to Durban, South Africa, you should expect the Agulhas Current to present a strong __________.

    N a. offshore set
    N b. onshore set
    Y c. head current
    N d. fair or following current

1014: Relative humidity is the percentage of water vapor that is in the air as compared to the maximum amount it can hold at __________.

    N a. a specific barometric pressure
    Y b. a specific temperature
    N c. a specific wind speed
    N d. any time

1040: An occluded front is usually caused by a __________.

    N a. cold front becoming stationary
    N b. warm front becoming stationary
    Y c. cold front overtaking a warm front
    N d. warm front dissipating

1072: What is the approximate geographic range of Assateague Light, VA, if your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 14.1 nm
    N b. 21.8 nm
    Y c. 23.0 nm
    N d. 50.2 nm

1077: A current will develop between areas of different density in ocean waters. If you face in the same direction the current is flowing, the water of __________.

    N a. high density will be on the left in the Northern Hemisphere
    N b. high density will be on the right in the Southern Hemisphere
    Y c. low density will be on the left in the Northern Hemisphere
    N d. low density will be on the left in the Southern Hemisphere

1090: What weather conditions would you expect to find at position A? (D049NG )

    Y a. Winds NW-W at 15 knots, partly cloudy, and slight seas
    N b. winds SW-S at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas
    N c. Winds calm, light rain, and calm seas
    N d. Winds NE-E at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas

1102: What is the approximate geographic range of Race Rock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 27 feet (8.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 9.9 nm
    N b. 14.3 nm
    Y c. 15.7 nm
    N d. 17.4 nm

1106: The legend/symbol which designates an occluded front is represented by a __________.

    N a. red line
    Y b. purple line
    N c. blue line
    N d. dashed blue line

1121: The articulated light is superior to other types of buoys because __________.

    N a. the radar reflectors reflect better signals
    N b. fog horn signals travel farther to sea
    N c. it is equipped with strobe lights
    Y d. it has a reduced watch circle

1145: The GHA of a star __________.

    Y a. increases at a rate of approximately 15° per hour
    N b. increases at a rate of approximately 4° per hour
    N c. decreases at a rate of approximately 15° per hour
    N d. decreases at a rate of approximately 4° per hour

1201: What is NOT true concerning color sectors of lights?

    Y a. Color sectors are expressed in degrees from the light toward the vessel.
    N b. Color sectors may indicate dangerous waters.
    N c. Color sectors may indicate the best water across a shoal.
    N d. Color sectors may indicate a turning point in a channel.

1207: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at New London Harbor Entrance, CT, at 1615 EST (ZD +5) on 26 December 1983?

    Y a. 0.2 knot
    N b. 0.4 knot
    N c. 0.7 knot
    N d. 0.9 knot

1240: Weather information is available from __________.

    N a. commercial radio broadcasts
    N b. the Coast Guard on scheduled marine information broadcasts
    N c. VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service
    Y d. All of the above

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

1303: Compass deviation is caused by __________.

    N a. magnetism from the earth's magnetic field
    N b. misalignment of the compass
    Y c. magnetism within the vessel
    N d. a dirty compass housing

1346: Cirrus clouds followed by cirrostratus then altostratus, stratus, and occasionally nimbostratus indicate the approach of a(n) __________.

    N a. cold front
    Y b. warm front
    N c. tropical front
    N d. occluded front

1354: A ship is in longitude 54°00'W on a true course of 090°. The ship's clocks are on the proper time zone. At what longitude should the clocks be changed to maintain the proper zone time?

    N a. 45°00'W
    Y b. 52°30'W
    N c. 60°00'W
    N d. 67°30'W

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

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

1426: Fog is most commonly associated with a(n) __________.

    Y a. warm front at night
    N b. low pressure area
    N c. anticyclone
    N d. cold front in the spring

1435: Inferior conjunction is possible for __________.

    N a. Mars
    Y b. Venus
    N c. Saturn
    N d. Jupiter

1467: Determine the time after 0730 EST (ZD +5) when the velocity of the current will be 2.1 knots on 26 March 1983, at Fort Pulaski, GA.

    N a. 0802
    N b. 0812
    N c. 0821
    Y d. 0840

1486: Which condition would most likely result in fog?

    Y a. Warm moist air blowing over cold water
    N b. Airborne dust particles
    N c. Warm moist air blowing over warm water
    N d. Dew point falling below the air temperature

1492: You are planning a voyage from San Francisco to Japan. Which publication contains information on the ocean routes?

    N a. Coast Pilot
    Y b. Sailing Directions (Planning Guide)
    N c. Sailing Directions (Enroute)
    N d. World Port Index

1637: Which of the following is NOT a form of precipitation?

    N a. rain
    Y b. frost
    N c. sleet
    N d. snow

1680: A weather front exists when __________.

    N a. air masses of the same temperature meet
    Y b. air masses of different temperatures meet
    N c. many clouds create a differential in air density
    N d. two lows are separated by a ridge of higher pressure

1691: Which of the following is associated with consistently high barometric pressure?

    Y a. The horse latitudes
    N b. The doldrums
    N c. The prevailing westerlies
    N d. The trade winds

1708: What generally occurs when the land is cooler than the nearby water?

    Y a. A land breeze
    N b. A sea breeze
    N c. A norther
    N d. A prevailing westerly

1715: The hurricane season generally occurs from __________.

    N a. August to January
    N b. July to December
    Y c. June to November
    N d. January to June

1717: A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that generates winds of __________.

    N a. between 20 and 33 knots
    Y b. between 34 and 63 knots
    N c. over 63 knots
    N d. None of the above

1778: Illustration D037NG represents a movable dam. If the wickets are down and there are open weirs due to high water, what light(s) will be shown at A 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 green light

1798: The climate of the northern Gulf coast __________.

    N a. is humid and subtropical throughout the year
    N b. has an east coast marine type of climate
    Y c. is a warm marine type of climate
    N d. varies from warm to subtropical

1799: The letter D in illustration D006NG represents the __________.

    N a. celestial horizon
    N b. visible horizon
    Y c. geometrical horizon
    N d. geoidal horizon

1818: In order to utilize the capacity of a lock to its maximum, pleasure craft are locked through with all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. coal barges
    Y b. oil barges
    N c. sand barges
    N d. cement barges

1866: What term is used to describe a tank barge constructed with the structural framing inside the cargo tank and the side shell plating containing the cargo?

    Y a. Single hull
    N b. Shell plated
    N c. Hopper type
    N d. Independent tank

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.

1968: The Earth has the shape of a(n) __________.

    N a. sphere
    Y b. oblate spheroid
    N c. spheroid of revolution
    N d. oblate eggoid

1992: The parallel of latitude at 23°27'S is the __________.

    N a. Tropic of Cancer
    Y b. Tropic of Capricorn
    N c. Arctic Circle
    N d. ecliptic

2020: A vessel heading ENE is on a course of __________.

    N a. 022.5°
    N b. 045.0°
    Y c. 067.5°
    N d. 090.0°

2369: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) CANNOT be set on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    Y a. Heeling magnet
    N b. Flinders bar
    N c. Fore-and-aft magnets
    N d. All of the above can be set on magnetic east or magnetic west headings.

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

2560: A plane that cuts the Earth's surface at any angle and passes through the center will always form __________.

    N a. the equator
    Y b. a great circle
    N c. a small circle
    N d. a meridian

2579: A phase correction may be applicable to correct the sextant altitude correction of __________.

    N a. any star
    N b. the Sun
    N c. third magnitude stars only
    Y d. some planets

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

2804: The altitude at LAN may be observed by starting several minutes in advance and continuing until a maximum altitude occurs. This procedure should not be used __________.

    N a. when the declination and latitude are of different names
    N b. when the declination is greater than and the same name as the latitude
    N c. if the vessel is stopped or making bare steerageway
    Y d. on a fast vessel on northerly or southerly headings

2966: You take a bearing of 264° of a lighthouse. Which bearing of another object would give the best fix?

    N a. 291°
    N b. 059°
    Y c. 182°
    N d. 239°