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.


6: Wind velocity varies __________.


58: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.


127: Mean low water is the average height of __________.


138: The path that a vessel is expected to follow, represented on a chart by a line drawn from the point of departure to the point of arrival, is the __________.

    N a. DR plot
    Y b. track line
    N c. heading
    N d. estimated course

157: Tropic tides are caused by the __________.

    Y a. Moon being at its maximum declination
    N b. Moon crossing the equator
    N c. Sun and Moon both being near 0° declination
    N d. Moon being at perigee

196: The area of strong westerly winds occurring between 40°S and 60°S latitude is called the __________.

    N a. polar easterlies
    N b. prevailing westerlies
    Y c. roaring forties
    N d. jet streams

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

232: Which statement concerning the chartlet is TRUE? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )

    N a. Maury lightship is visible for 17 miles.
    N b. The bottom to the south-southeast of the lightship is soft coral.
    N c. There is a 12-meter deep west of Beito Island and inside the 5-meter line.
    Y d. There is a dangerous eddy southeast of Beito Island.

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

260: The National Ocean Service publishes the __________.

    N a. Light Lists
    Y b. Coast Pilots
    N c. pilot charts
    N d. Sailing Directions

276: The region of high pressure extending around the Earth at about 35°N latitude is called the __________.

    N a. prevailing westerlies
    Y b. horse latitudes
    N c. troposphere
    N d. doldrums

324: Index error of a sextant is primarily caused by __________.

    N a. improperly correcting the other errors in a sextant
    N b. the horizon glass not being parallel to the horizon mirror
    Y c. the horizon glass not being parallel to the index mirror
    N d. human error in taking a celestial observation

367: What will be the time after 0800 EST (ZD +5) that the height of the tide at South Freeport, ME, will be 6.0 feet (1.8 meters) on 7 November 1983?

    N a. 0936
    N b. 0942
    Y c. 0951
    N d. 1001

445: The values of the Greenwich hour angle and declination, tabulated in all almanacs, are for the __________.

    N a. upper limb of a celestial body
    N b. lower limb of a celestial body
    Y c. centers of the various celestial bodies
    N d. lower limb of the Sun and Moon; center of the stars and planets

448: Mean high water is the reference datum used to measure __________.

    N a. soundings on the east coast of the United States
    N b. soundings in European waters
    Y c. heights of topographical features in the United States
    N d. both heights and soundings worldwide

448: Mean high water is the reference datum used to measure __________.

    N a. soundings on the east coast of the United States
    N b. soundings in European waters
    Y c. heights of topographical features in the United States
    N d. both heights and soundings worldwide

796: Cyclones tend to move __________.

    N a. perpendicular to the isobars in their warm sectors
    Y b. parallel to the isobars in their warm sectors
    N c. parallel to the line of the cold front
    N d. perpendicular to the line of the cold front

816: Cyclones that have warm sectors usually move __________.

    N a. westerly
    Y b. parallel to the isobars in the warm sector
    N c. toward the nearest high pressure area
    N d. faster than the accompanying cold front

845: During one synodic rotation, a body makes one complete turn relative to the __________.

    N a. Earth
    Y b. Sun
    N c. stars
    N d. vernal equinox

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

932: To find the specific phase characteristic of a lighthouse on a sound of the United States you would use the __________.

    N a. American Practical Navigator
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Nautical Chart Catalog
    N d. U.S. Coast Pilot

932: To find the specific phase characteristic of a lighthouse on a sound of the United States you would use the __________.

    N a. American Practical Navigator
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Nautical Chart Catalog
    N d. U.S. Coast Pilot

1025: A first magnitude star is __________.

    Y a. 2.5 times as bright as a second magnitude star
    N b. 3 times as bright as a second magnitude star
    N c. 5 times as bright as a second magnitude star
    N d. 10 times as bright as a second magnitude star

1035: The approximate positions of the stars are based on sidereal time, which is based upon rotation of the Earth relative to __________.

    N a. winter solstice
    N b. autumnal equinox
    N c. summer solstice
    Y d. vernal equinox

1091: The cardinal mark topmark shown in illustration D024NG represents which quadrant? (D024NG )

    N a. Northern
    N b. Eastern
    N c. Southern
    Y d. Western

1099: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 343°T at 92 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 9 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 356°
    Y b. 003°
    N c. 022°
    N d. 038°

1104: Which condition(s) is(are) necessary for the formation of dew?

    N a. Clear skies
    N b. Calm air
    N c. Earth's surface cooler than the dew point of the air
    Y d. All of the above

1203: If the compass heading and the magnetic heading are the same then __________.

    N a. the deviation has been offset by the variation
    N b. there is something wrong with the compass
    N c. the compass is being influenced by nearby metals
    Y d. there is no deviation on that heading

1252: Port side daymarks may be __________.

    Y a. numbered
    N b. octagonal
    N c. black and white
    N d. of any shape

1266: A line of clouds, sharp changes in wind direction, and squalls are most frequently associated with a(n) __________.

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

1292: A triangular daymark would be colored __________.

    Y a. red
    N b. red and white
    N c. green
    N d. green and white

1320: 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 __________.

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

1348: Vessel required to have an Automatic Radar Plotting Aid must have a device to indicate the __________.

    Y a. speed of the vessel over the ground or through the water
    N b. distance to the next port
    N c. time of the next navigational satellite pass
    N d. None of the above

1381: Geographic range is the maximum distance at which a light may be seen under __________.

    N a. existing visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth
    Y b. perfect visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth
    N c. existing visibility conditions, limited only by the intensity of the light
    N d. perfect visibility conditions, limited only by interference from background lighting

1412: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum is the __________.

    N a. actual water depth
    N b. range of tide
    N c. charted depth
    Y d. height of tide

1420: the position labeled "E" was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. the vessel's position was fixed at 1145
    N b. a dead reckoning position is plotted within a half-hour of each course change
    N c. the position is a running fix
    Y d. a dead reckoning position is plotted for each speed change

1466: Advection fog is most commonly caused by __________.

    N a. air being warmed above the dew point
    N b. saturation of cold air by rain
    N c. a rapid cooling of the air near the surface of the Earth at night
    Y d. warm moist air being blown over a colder surface

1491: You are on course 138°T. To check the latitude of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

    N a. 138°
    N b. 270°
    N c. 318°
    Y d. 000°

1497: When drawing a weather map and an isobar crosses a front, the isobar is drawn __________.

    N a. perpendicular to the front
    Y b. kinked and pointing away from the low
    N c. kinked and pointing towards the low
    N d. kinked and pointing towards the high for a warm front only

1501: What is the distance from the bottom of a wave trough to the top of a wave crest?

    N a. Wave length
    Y b. Wave height
    N c. Wave breadth
    N d. Wave depth

1538: The winds of the "roaring forties" are strongest near __________.

    N a. 40°N
    N b. 50°N
    N c. 40°S
    Y d. 50°S

1561: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The buoy is off station and should be ignored as a navigational mark.
    N b. The waterway in that area has shoaled and the available depth of water is less than the project depth.
    N c. ICW traffic should not proceed beyond the buoy unless the crossing waterway is clear of all traffic.
    Y d. You should leave the buoy to port.

1624: A psychrometer has two thermometers that provide dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. By comparing these two temperature readings with a set of tables you can determine the __________.

    N a. atmospheric pressure
    N b. wind speed
    Y c. relative humidity and dew point
    N d. wind chill factor

1699: In the Northern Hemisphere, when the center of a high pressure system is due east of your position, you can expect winds from the __________.

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

1749: If the current and wind are in opposite directions, the sea surface represents __________.

    N a. a greatly reduced wind speed
    Y b. a higher wind speed than what really exists
    N c. a lower wind speed than what really exists
    N d. more turbulent winds

1751: A tsunami is caused by a(n) __________.

    N a. tidal wave
    N b. storm surge caused by a hurricane or tropical storm
    Y c. earthquake on the ocean's floor
    N d. tornado

1753: On a weather map, a large letter "H" means __________.

    Y a. a high pressure area with cool, dry air, and fair weather
    N b. a high pressure area with warm, moist air, and inclement weather
    N c. horse latitudes, with rough seas and strong winds
    N d. a heavy squall line near the "H"

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

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

1949: "Revolution" is the __________.

    N a. wobbling of the Earth about its axis
    N b. motion of bodies in the solar system relative to the stars
    Y c. motion of a celestial body in its orbit
    N d. spinning of a celestial body about its axis

2119: Which stock number indicates an NGA (NIMA) chart designed for fixing positions at sea and DR plotting while on a long voyage?

    Y a. WOAGN520
    N b. PILOT16
    N c. 16BCO16212
    N d. WOPZC5245

2294: What celestial body may sometimes be observed in daylight?

    N a. New Moon
    N b. Saturn
    N c. Sirius
    Y d. Venus

2462: Under ideal viewing conditions, the dimmest star that can be seen with the unaided eye is of what magnitude?

    N a. First
    N b. Third
    N c. Fourth
    Y d. Sixth

2606: The measurement of local time is based on the passage of the Sun over the __________.

    N a. upper branch of the observer's meridian
    Y b. lower branch of the observer's meridian
    N c. upper branch of the Greenwich meridian
    N d. lower branch of the Greenwich meridian

2640: In the celestial equator system of coordinates what is the equivalent to the meridians of the Earth system of coordinates?

    N a. Horizon
    Y b. Hour circles
    N c. Vertical circles
    N d. Parallel of declination

2642: Local sidereal time is equal to the __________.

    N a. GHA of Aries minus 180°
    N b. SHA of Aries
    Y c. LHA of Aries
    N d. right ascension of Aries plus 180°

2892: The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type NB. You should __________.

    N a. see a black triangle
    N b. look for another daymark forming a range
    Y c. expect a daymark of no lateral significance
    N d. check to enter the correct channel at the junction daymark

2984: What two shapes shown are used to indicate a preferred channel? (D045NG )

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

3033: A navigator fixing a vessel's position by radar __________.

    Y a. can use radar information from one object to fix the position
    N b. should never use radar bearings
    N c. should only use radar bearings when the range exceeds the distance to the horizon
    N d. must use information from targets forward of the beam

3091: Which of the following must an ECDIS system be able to perform?

    N a. Conversion of "graphical coordinates" to "display coordinates"
    N b. Transformation of local datum to WGS-'84 datum
    N c. Calculation of true azimuth and distance between two geographical points
    Y d. All of the above