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.


30: When taking an amplitude, the Sun's center should be observed on the visible horizon when __________.


134: The recording fathometer produces a graphic record of the __________.


169: You want to transit Hell Gate on 23 July 1983. What is the period of time around the AM (ZD +4) slack before ebb when the current will be less than 0.5 knot?


256: The belt of light and variable winds between the westerly wind belt and the northeast trade winds is called the __________.

    Y a. subtropical high pressure belt
    N b. intertropical convergence zone
    N c. doldrum belt
    N d. polar frontal zone

308: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been west-northwesterly at an average velocity of 40 knots. The predicted set and drift of the rotary current are 323° at 0.6 knot. What current should you expect?

    N a. 001° at 0.7 knot
    Y b. 018° at 0.4 knot
    N c. 052° at 0.6 knot
    N d. 089° at 0.9 knot

328: The direction of prevailing winds in the Northern hemisphere is caused by the __________.

    N a. magnetic field at the North Pole
    N b. Gulf Stream
    Y c. Earth's rotation
    N d. Arctic cold fronts

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

385: The difference of latitude (l) between the geographic position (GP) of a celestial body and your position, at the time of upper transit, is represented by __________.

    N a. colatitude
    N b. codistance
    Y c. zenith distance
    N d. altitude

533: You are using a radar in which your own ship is shown at the center, and the heading flash always points to 0°. If bearings are measured in relation to the flash, what type of bearings are produced?

    Y a. Relative
    N b. True
    N c. Compass
    N d. Magnetic

537: What will be the height of tide at Gargathy Neck, VA, at 1800 DST (ZD +4), on 16 August 1983?

    N a. 2.3 feet
    Y b. 2.9 feet
    N c. 3.3 feet
    N d. 3.6 feet

571: The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has excluded all traffic from a section of a port, while a regatta is taking place. The buoys marking this exclusion area will be __________.

    N a. nun- or can-shaped to conform to the overall direction of navigation
    N b. yellow
    Y c. orange and white
    N d. marked with a spherical topmark

657: Current refers to the __________.

    N a. vertical movement of the water
    Y b. horizontal movement of the water
    N c. density changes in the water
    N d. None of the above

702: Which publication contains information on navigation regulations, landmarks, channels, anchorages, tides, currents, and clearances of bridges for Chesapeake Bay?

    Y a. Coast Pilot
    N b. Light List
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Pilot Charts

706: A steep barometric gradient indicates __________.

    N a. calms
    N b. light winds
    Y c. strong winds
    N d. precipitation

775: A sidereal day is shorter than a solar day. This difference is due to __________.

    N a. irregularities in the daily rotational rate of the Sun
    N b. the space motion of the solar system
    N c. the precession of the equinoxes
    Y d. the use of different reference points

797: Which statement is TRUE concerning the current of the Gulf Stream?

    N a. It reaches its daily maximum speed a few hours before the transit of the Moon.
    N b. It is slower at the time of neap tides than at spring tides.
    N c. When the Moon is at its maximum declination the stream is narrower than when the Moon is on the equator.
    Y d. Variations in the trade winds affect the current.

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

852: What is published by the U.S. Coast Guard?

    Y a. Light List
    N b. Nautical Charts
    N c. Tide Tables
    N d. U.S. Coast Pilot

893: One point of a compass is equal to how many degrees?

    N a. 7.5
    Y b. 11.25
    N c. 17.5
    N d. 22.5

904: All of the following are associated with cumulonimbus clouds EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. steady rainfall
    N b. hail storms
    N c. thunderstorms
    N d. tornadoes or waterspouts

938: If within 500 yards (460m) of a Northern Right Whale you are lawfully obligated to __________.

    N a. turn away from the whale and leave at full speed
    Y b. turn away from the whale and leave at slow speed
    N c. slow to bare steerageway until the whale swims away
    N d. stop the vessel and sound repeated blasts on the ship's whistle to scare the whale away

993: When crossing the magnetic equator the __________.

    N a. Flinders bar should be inverted
    Y b. heeling magnet should be inverted
    N c. the quadrantal spheres should be rotated 180°
    N d. Flinders bar should be moved to the opposite side of the binnacle

1009: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. The dry bulb thermometer reads 34°F, and the wet bulb thermometer reads 31°F. Using the ships code card, how would you encode the air temperature groups in the report? (D041NG )

    N a. 10340, 2127/
    N b. 10111, 2104/
    Y c. 10011, 2104/
    N d. 10340, 2031/

1027: In the Northern Hemisphere the major ocean currents tend to flow __________.

    Y a. clockwise around the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans
    N b. clockwise or counterclockwise depending on whether it is warm or cold current
    N c. counterclockwise except in the Gulf Stream
    N d. counterclockwise around the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans

1044: The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F and the wet-bulb temperature is 62°F. What is the relative humidity?

    N a. 16%
    N b. 24%
    Y c. 39%
    N d. 79%

1142: Which weather conditions would you expect to find 100 miles East of position "B"? (D049NG )

    N a. Winds NW at 20.5 knots, steady warm temperature, high seas
    N b. Winds calm, falling temperature, clear skies, high seas
    Y c. Winds WSW, steady temperature, scattered clouds, moderate seas
    N d. None of the above

1147: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at which time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?

    N a. One hour after
    N b. At the predicted time
    Y c. 30 minutes before
    N d. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb

1147: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at which time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?

    N a. One hour after
    N b. At the predicted time
    Y c. 30 minutes before
    N d. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb

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

1279: For 3 November 1983, at 0830 EST (ZD +5) at Catskill, NY, what is the predicted height of tide?

    N a. +0.1 foot (+0.0 m)
    Y b. -0.6 foot (-0.2 m)
    N c. +0.9 foot (+0.3 m)
    N d. -1.3 feet (-0.4 m)

1287: What will be the velocity of the tidal current 4.5 miles east of Smith Point, VA, at 0630 DST (ZD +4) on 6 May 1983?

    Y a. 0.3 knot
    N b. 0.5 knot
    N c. 0.7 knot
    N d. 1.0 knot

1358: Despite weather predictions for continued good weather, a prudent mariner should be alert for all of the following, EXCEPT a sudden __________.

    N a. drop in barometric pressure
    Y b. drop in temperature
    N c. wind shift
    N d. squall line

1368: What area of the earth cannot be shown on a standard Mercator chart?

    N a. Equator
    N b. Areas including both North and South latitudes
    Y c. North and South Poles
    N d. A narrow band along the central meridian.

1479: A microbarograph is a precision instrument that provides a __________.

    N a. charted record of atmospheric temperature over time
    Y b. charted record of atmospheric pressure over time
    N c. graphic record of combustible gases measured in an atmosphere
    N d. graphic record of vapor pressure from a flammable/combustible liquid

1498: A true bearing of a charted object, when plotted on a chart, will establish a __________.

    N a. fix
    Y b. line of position
    N c. relative bearing
    N d. range

1499: You are scanning the radar screen for a buoy fitted with racon. How should this signal appear on the PPI display?

    Y a. Starting with a dash and extending radially outward from the target
    N b. As a broken line from center of PPI to the target
    N c. Starting with a dot and extending radially inward from the target
    N d. Starting with a dash and extending to the right of the target

1566: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates thunderstorms? (D042NG )

    Y a. I
    N b. K
    N c. L
    N d. M

1567: Buoys and day beacons exhibiting a yellow triangle or square painted on them are used __________.

    N a. in minor harbors where the controlling depth is 10 feet (3 meters) or less
    N b. on isolated stretches of the ICW to mark undredged areas
    Y c. where the ICW and other waterways coincide
    N d. at particularly hazardous turns of the channel

1635: An isotherm is __________.

    N a. a line on a weather map connecting equal points of both temperature and pressure
    N b. an instrument that measures the climatological effects of temperature
    N c. a line connecting points of equal barometric pressure on a weather map
    Y d. a line connecting points of equal temperature on a weather map

1730: If you observe the point of cloud convergence shifting to the right and the "bar" of the storm appears to move along the horizon __________.

    Y a. the center of the storm will by-pass you
    N b. the storm will strike you on the starboard side
    N c. you are in the direct path of the storm and should take immediate steps to batten down loose gear
    N d. the storm is starting to break up

1754: The dumping of refuse in a lock is permitted __________.

    N a. when approved by the lockmaster
    N b. when locking downbound
    Y c. at no time
    N d. during high water only

1804: Magnetic information on a chart may be __________.

    N a. found in the center(s) of the compass rose(s)
    N b. indicated by isogonic lines
    N c. found in a note on the chart
    Y d. All of the above

1850: A vessel heading WNW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 270.0°
    Y b. 292.5°
    N c. 315.0°
    N d. 337.5°

1859: While proceeding downriver (descending) you sight a red diamond-shaped panel with small, red reflector squares in each corner on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers this is a __________.

    N a. special purpose signal
    N b. passing daymark
    Y c. crossing daymark
    N d. cable crossing

1870: A vessel heading SW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    Y b. 225.0°
    N c. 247.5°
    N d. 270.0°

1950: The error in a sextant altitude caused by refraction is greatest when the celestial body is __________.

    N a. high in the sky
    Y b. near the horizon
    N c. rising
    N d. at or near transit

2130: You are underway and pass by a lighthouse. Its light, which was white since you first sighted it, changes to red. This means __________.

    N a. the light is characterized as alternately flashing
    N b. the lighthouse has lost power and has switched to emergency lighting
    N c. it is the identifying light characteristic of the lighthouse
    Y d. you have entered an area of shoal water or other hazard

2130: You are underway and pass by a lighthouse. Its light, which was white since you first sighted it, changes to red. This means __________.

    N a. the light is characterized as alternately flashing
    N b. the lighthouse has lost power and has switched to emergency lighting
    N c. it is the identifying light characteristic of the lighthouse
    Y d. you have entered an area of shoal water or other hazard

2188: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    Y a. If the red ends are to starboard the athwartships magnets should be lowered.
    N b. If the blue ends are forward the fore-and-aft magnets should be raised.
    N c. If the red ends are to starboard and the tray is at the top add some athwartships magnets.
    N d. If the blue ends are aft the fore-and-aft magnets should be raised.

2232: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 003°. Which action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?

    N a. If the red ends are to starboard you should raise the athwartships tray.
    Y b. If the red ends are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets.
    N c. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should reverse the magnets.
    N d. If the red ends are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should lower the tray.

2439: Which statement about the time diagram in illustration D008NG is TRUE? (D008NG )

    Y a. You are in east longitude.
    N b. The Sun is setting for you.
    N c. Your date is different from the Greenwich date.
    N d. The GHA is approximately 160°.

2450: You are on course 180°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 225°. What is the true bearing of the lighthouse?

    Y a. 045°
    N b. 135°
    N c. 180°
    N d. 270°

2492: A star that suddenly becomes several magnitudes brighter and then gradually fades is a __________.

    N a. double star
    N b. variable star
    Y c. nova
    N d. nebula

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

2707: You will find information about the duration of slack water in the __________.

    Y a. Tidal Current Tables
    N b. Tide Tables
    N c. American Practical Navigator
    N d. Sailing Directions

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

2737: A lateral system buoy displaying a quick light __________.

    N a. should be passed close aboard on either side
    Y b. indicates that special caution is required
    N c. is used at a channel bifurcation or junction
    N d. is painted with red and white vertical stripes

2826: You take a bearing of 043° and 169° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best fix?

    N a. 356°
    Y b. 102°
    N c. 144°
    N d. 201°

2999: When entering a channel from seaward, the numbers on buoys __________.

    N a. are the same as their Light List number
    N b. are marked in 6 inch figures with retroreflective material
    Y c. increase with the even numbers to starboard
    N d. decrease with the odd numbers to starboard

3083: Which theoretical minimum number of measurements from satellites does a GPS receiver need in order to provide an exact three-dimensional position?

    N a. Five
    Y b. Four
    N c. Three
    N d. Two