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.


25: You are in LONG 144°E. The date is 6 February, and the zone time is 0800. The Greenwich date and time are __________.


95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114°W and one on 119°W is __________.


121: A safe water mark may be __________.


129: In working out a local apparent noon sight for your latitude, you subtract the Ho from 90°. The 90° represents the angular distance from __________.

    N a. the equator to the elevated pole
    Y b. your horizon to your zenith
    N c. your zenith to the elevated pole
    N d. the geographical position of the Sun to the elevated pole

145: The standard time meridian for zone description -1 is __________.

    N a. 0°
    N b. 7 1/2°W
    N c. 7 1/2°E
    Y d. 15°E

217: In some parts of the world there is often a slight fall in tide during the middle of the high water period. The effect is to create a longer period of stand at higher water. This special feature is called a(n) __________.

    N a. apogean tide
    Y b. double high water
    N c. perigean tide
    N d. bore

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

301: In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, lateral aids as seen entering from seaward will display lights with which characteristic?

    N a. Flashing
    N b. Occulting
    N c. Quick Flashing
    Y d. All of the above

330: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.

    Y a. 90°
    N b. 30°
    N c. 45°
    N d. 60°

474: Which indication on the barometer is most meaningful in forecasting weather?

    N a. The words "Fair -- Change -- Rain"
    Y b. The direction and rate of change of barometric pressure
    N c. The actual barometric pressure
    N d. The relative humidity

475: A correction for augmentation is included in the Nautical Almanac corrections for __________.

    N a. the Sun
    Y b. the Moon
    N c. Venus
    N d. None of the above

499: Which of the symbols shown represents an occluded front? (D018NG )

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

527: On 6 June 1983, at 1719 EST (ZD +5), what will be the predicted height of tide at Chester, PA?

    N a. 0.8 feet( 0.2 meters)
    Y b. 1.1 feet (0.3 meters)
    N c. 3.5 feet (1.1 meters)
    N d. 4.7 feet (1.4 meters)

611: Information markers, when lighted, will display __________.

    N a. yellow lights
    N b. green lights
    Y c. white lights
    N d. red lights

623: An indirect radar echo is caused by a reflection of the main lobe of the radar beam off the observer's vessel. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of indirect echoes?

    N a. Their bearing is almost constant, even when the true bearing of the contact changes appreciably.
    Y b. They always appear on a bearing of 90°From the true bearing of the contact.
    N c. The indirect echoes usually appear in shadow sectors.
    N d. When plotted, their movements are usually abnormal.

656: In the Northern Hemisphere you are caught in the dangerous semicircle with plenty of sea room available. The best course of action is to bring the wind on the __________.

    Y a. starboard bow and make as much headway as possible
    N b. starboard quarter, and make as much headway as possible
    N c. port quarter, and make as much headway as possible
    N d. port bow, and make as much headway as possible

697: The set of the current is the __________.

    N a. speed of the current at a particular time
    N b. maximum speed of the current
    N c. direction from which the current flows
    Y d. direction in which the current flows

730: In the Northern Hemisphere, the largest waves or swells created by a typhoon or hurricane will be located __________.

    N a. in the southeast quadrant of the storm
    N b. directly behind the storm center
    Y c. forward and to the right of its course
    N d. behind and to the left of its course

792: Information about temporary, short term changes affecting the safety of navigation in U.S. waters is distributed to navigational interests by the __________.

    N a. Daily Memorandum
    N b. HYDROLANT or HYDROPAC broadcasts
    Y c. Local Notice to Mariners
    N d. Summary of Corrections

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.

799: In Region A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the starboard side of a channel would be marked by a __________.

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

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

968: The world is divided into NAVAREAS for the dissemination of important marine information. Which NAVAREAS include the U.S. coasts?

    N a. I and II
    Y b. IV and XII
    N c. V and X
    N d. VI and VII

985: A time diagram is a diagram on the plane of the __________.

    N a. celestial meridian
    Y b. celestial equator
    N c. celestial horizon
    N d. principal vertical circle

1082: Northern right whales can be identified by __________.

    N a. whitish patches of skin on top of the head
    N b. "V" shaped blow easily visible from ahead or behind
    N c. no dorsal fin on the back
    Y d. All of the above

1123: What are the only magnetic compass correctors that correct for both permanent and induced effects of magnetism?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    Y b. Heeling magnets
    N c. Athwartships magnets
    N d. Fore-and-aft magnets

1126: When a warm air mass is adjacent to a cold air mass, the separation line between the two is called a(n) __________.

    Y a. front
    N b. isobar
    N c. isotherm
    N d. equipotential line

1154: The speed at which an ocean wave system advances is called __________.

    N a. wave length
    N b. ripple length
    Y c. group velocity
    N d. wave velocity

1168: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 4? (D039NG )

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

1184: Your position X is at LAT 35°S. Which winds are you experiencing? (D009NG )

    Y a. Northeasterly
    N b. Northwesterly
    N c. Southeasterly
    N d. Southwesterly

1226: Cumulonimbus clouds are most likely to accompany a(n) __________.

    N a. high pressure system
    Y b. cold front
    N c. warm front
    N d. occluded front

1226: Cumulonimbus clouds are most likely to accompany a(n) __________.

    N a. high pressure system
    Y b. cold front
    N c. warm front
    N d. occluded front

1231: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. How are the limits of a colored sector of light listed in the Light List?

    N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
    N b. True bearings as observed from the light toward a vessel
    Y c. True bearings as observed from a vessel toward the light
    N d. Bearings given in the Light List are always magnetic

1246: What weather change accompanies the passage of a cold front in the Northern Hemisphere?

    N a. Wind shift from northeast clockwise to southwest
    N b. Steady dropping of barometric pressure
    N c. Steady precipitation, gradually increasing in intensity
    Y d. A line of cumulonimbus clouds

1269: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 42 feet (12.7 m) high. If the visibility is 16 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet (6.1 m), at which approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 20.1 miles
    N b. 16.0 miles
    Y c. 12.8 miles
    N d. 7.6 miles

1274: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a sandstorm? (D042NG )

    N a. H
    Y b. O
    N c. P
    N d. K

1317: What will be the velocity and direction of the tidal current at Mobile River Entrance, AL, at 0915 CDT (ZD +5) on 13 May 1983?

    N a. 0.1 knot at 333°T
    Y b. 0.3 knot at 333°T
    N c. 0.7 knot at 151°T
    N d. 1.8 knots at 025°T

1341: The height of a light is measured from which reference plane?

    N a. Mean low water
    Y b. Mean high water
    N c. Average water level
    N d. Geographical sea level

1361: The luminous range of a light takes into account the __________.

    N a. glare from background lighting
    Y b. existing visibility conditions
    N c. elevation of the light
    N d. observer's height of eye

1526: A single barometric pressure reading of 28.60 indicates __________.

    N a. rapidly improving weather
    N b. deteriorating weather
    Y c. a severe low pressure system
    N d. fair weather and calm

1613: Where would you find information concerning the duration of slack water?

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

1695: Compared to a low pressure system, generally the air in a high is __________.

    N a. warmer, less dense, and less stable
    Y b. cool, more dense, and drier
    N c. muggy and cloudy
    N d. extremely moist with high relative humidity

1759: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic north or magnetic south?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    Y b. Heeling magnets
    N c. Flinders bar
    N d. Fore-and-aft magnets

1765: Which meteorological feature controls the climate of the Gulf and the Gulf Coast area during late spring and summer?

    Y a. The Bermuda High
    N b. The doldrums
    N c. The horse latitudes
    N d. Tropical cyclones

1961: What kind of pressure systems travel in tropical waves?

    N a. Subsurface pressure
    N b. Terrastatic pressure
    N c. High pressure
    Y d. Low pressure

2072: The Illustration represents a movable dam. If a bear trap is open what will be displayed at the lock to indicate this condition? (D037NG )

    Y a. An amber light under a red light
    N b. A white square
    N c. A green triangle
    N d. A yellow pentagon

2084: You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.

    Y a. hold your position and not attempt to enter the lock
    N b. approach the lock slowly under full control
    N c. proceed at normal speed to enter the lock
    N d. None of the above

2113: Vessels regularly navigating rivers above Cairo, Illinois, shall at all times have on board a copy of __________.

    Y a. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulations (Blue Book)
    N b. Nautical Almanac for the year
    N c. Sailing Directions
    N d. Light List Vol. V

2252: The vertical angle between the horizontal and the magnetic line of force is the __________.

    N a. elevation
    N b. magnetic angle
    N c. vertical angle
    Y d. dip

2334: Other than the Sun and Moon, the brightest object in the sky is __________.

    N a. Sirius
    N b. Canopus
    Y c. Venus
    N d. Jupiter

2382: What causes geocentric parallax?

    N a. The varying distance between the Earth and Moon.
    Y b. The change in the Moon's position relative to the stars when viewed from the Earth's surface, as compared to the Earth's center.
    N c. The rapid change in declination of the Moon causes a rotational oscillation of its axis.
    N d. The nearness of the Moon causes an apparent increase in diameter as its altitude increases.

2546: A structure, usually made of stone, or cement pilings, which extends from the bank at approximately right angles to the current is called a __________.

    Y a. dike
    N b. revetment
    N c. cutoff
    N d. crib

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

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

2614: What is the equivalent of 4°36' in time units?

    N a. 9 min. 12 sec.
    N b. 14 min. 36 sec.
    N c. 15 min. 36 sec.
    Y d. 18 min. 24 sec.

2668: You are approaching a drawbridge and have sounded the request-for-opening signal. The bridge has responded with five short blasts. What reply should you sound?

    N a. None; No reply is required
    Y b. Five short blasts
    N c. Two prolonged blasts
    N d. One prolonged, one short blast

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

2820: A towboat is pushing barges ahead at a dangerously fast speed when __________.

    N a. the towboat vibrates when backing down
    N b. the roostertail exceeds the height of the main deck
    N c. a strain is placed on the face wires
    Y d. water comes over the foredeck of the lead barges

2902: The direction a vessel is pointed at any given time is the __________.

    N a. course
    N b. track
    Y c. heading
    N d. course over the ground

3102: The typical operating range of automatic identification systems (AIS) at sea is nominally __________.

    N a. 50-75 nm
    Y b. 20-25 nm
    N c. 6-8 nm
    N d. 3-4 nm