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.
10: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been northwesterly at an average velocity of 22 knots. The predicted set and drift of the rotary current are 125° at 0.6 knot. What current should you expect?
Y a. 119° at 0.9 knot N b. 172° at 1.1 knots N c. 225° at 0.6 knot N d. 340° at 0.4 knot 86: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence backing. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would indicate that it will __________.
N a. shift in a clockwise manner Y b. shift in a counterclockwise manner N c. continue blowing from the same direction N d. decrease in velocity 125: The GMT is 0445 and your zone description is +1. Your zone time is __________.
N a. 0445 Y b. 0345 N c. 0545 N d. 1545 163: How many fixed objects are needed to plot a running fix?
N a. None Y b. One N c. Two N d. Three 194: The horizon glass of a sextant is __________.
Y a. silvered on its half nearer the frame N b. mounted on the index arm N c. between the horizon and the shade glasses N d. All of the above 253: Loran-C is which type of system?
N a. Reflected electron N b. Electrical radiation N c. Quarterpoint electrical navigation Y d. Hyperbolic radio navigation 270: You are entering port and have been instructed to anchor, as your berth is not yet available. You are on a SW'ly heading, preparing to drop anchor, when you observe the range lights as shown on your starboard beam. You should __________. (D047NG )
N a. drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area free of obstructions N b. drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of the range lights will be an indication of dragging anchor Y c. ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the range while at anchor N d. NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line 388: You are underway on course 120°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 150°T, 120 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 295°T at 20 knots. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
N a. 89 miles N b. 96 miles N c. 105 miles Y d. 117 miles 404: An aneroid barometer is an instrument __________.
N a. used to measure the speed of wind Y b. in which the pressure of the air is measured N c. that tells which direction a storm is coming from N d. used to measure the height of waves 481: A special mark (yellow buoy), if lighted, may exhibit which light rhythm?
Y a. Flashing N b. Morse "A" N c. Equal interval N d. Occulting 538: Which symbol shown represents a stationary front? (D018NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 600: The dangerous semicircle of a typhoon in the Southern Hemisphere is that area __________.
N a. measured from due south clockwise 180° N b. measured from due south counterclockwise 180° Y c. to the left of the storm's track N d. ahead of the typhoon measured from the storm's track to 90° on each side 642: Which government agency publishes the U.S. Coast Pilot?
N a. Army Corps of Engineers N b. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Y c. National Ocean Service N d. U.S. Coast Guard 672: You are planning to enter an unfamiliar U.S. port. Which publication provides information about channel depths, dangers, obstructions, anchorages, and marine facilities available in that port?
N a. American Practical Navigator N b. Notice to Mariners Y c. Coast Pilot N d. Sailing Directions 708: Which statement about Radio Navigational Warning Broadcasts is TRUE?
N a. Radio navigational warnings are valid for 10 days, unless cancelled earlier. N b. NAVAREA warnings cover coastal areas only, while HYDROLANTS or HYDROPACS cover entire ocean areas. Y c. Radio navigational warnings issued by NGA (NIMA) are published in the Daily Memorandum and the Notice to Mariners. N d. HYDROLANTS and HYDROPACS cover the same geographical areas as NAVAREA warnings, but are for the use of military vessels only. 709: A sea breeze is a wind __________.
N a. that blows towards the sea at night Y b. that blows towards an island during the day N c. caused by cold air descending a coastal incline N d. caused by the distant approach of a hurricane 715: The length of the year with respect to the vernal equinox is the __________.
Y a. tropical year N b. sidereal year N c. anomalistic year N d. All of the above 729: The doldrums are characterized by __________.
N a. steady, light to moderate winds Y b. frequent calms N c. clear skies N d. low humidity 841: Under the IALA-A Buoyage system, a buoy marking the port hand of the channel when approaching from seaward may NOT have a __________.
N a. red light Y b. conical shape N c. group-flashing light N d. square topmark 934: Clouds that form as small white flakes or scaly globular masses covering either small or large portions of the sky are __________.
N a. cirrus N b. cirrostratus N c. altostratus Y d. cirrocumulus 947: The cold ocean current which meets the warm Gulf Stream between latitudes 40° and 43°N to form the "cold wall" is called the __________.
N a. North Cape Current Y b. Labrador Current N c. Greenland Current N d. North Atlantic Current 984: The bases of middle clouds are located at altitudes of between __________.
N a. 3,000 to 6,500 feet (914 to 1981 meters) Y b. 6,500 to 20,000 feet (1981 to 6096 meters) N c. 10,000 to 35,000 feet (3048 to 10,668 meters) N d. 20,000 to 60,000 feet (6096 to 18,288 meters) 996: Warm air masses will generally have __________.
N a. turbulence within the mass Y b. stratiform clouds N c. heavy precipitation N d. good visibility 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/ 1017: Which statement(s) concerning the effect of Coriolis force on ocean currents is(are) correct?
N a. The deflection of the current is to the left in the Northern Hemisphere. N b. The Coriolis force is greater in the lower latitudes. Y c. The Coriolis force is more effective in deep water. N d. All of the above 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 1038: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. The dry bulb thermometer reads 54°F, and the wet bulb thermometer reads 50°F. How would you encode the air temperature groups in the report? (D041NG )
N a. 1054/, 2050/ Y b. 10122, 2008/ N c. 1054/, 2047/ N d. 054//, 047// 1129: The motion of celestial bodies relative to other celestial bodies is known as __________.
Y a. space motion N b. apparent motion N c. diurnal motion N d. actual motion 1158: What type of cloud is indicated by the number 5 in illustration D039NG? (D039NG )
N a. Cirrostratus N b. Cirrocumulus Y c. Altocumulus N d. Nimbostratus 1190: Which type of cloud is indicated by the number 2? (D039NG )
N a. Cumulus Y b. Cirrostratus N c. Stratocumulus N d. Altostratus 1284: The Sailing Directions (Enroute) contain information on all of the following EXCEPT __________.
Y a. ocean currents N b. outer dangers to navigation N c. tidal currents N d. major port anchorages 1296: After a cold front passes the barometric pressure usually __________.
N a. fluctuates N b. remains the same N c. remains the same, with clouds forming rapidly Y d. rises, often quite rapidly, with clearing skies 1425: Which is an inferior planet?
N a. Mars Y b. Venus N c. Neptune N d. Pluto 1427: Determine the duration of the first PM slack water on 3 March 1983, east of the Statue of Liberty, when the current is less than 0.1 knot?
N a. 10 minutes Y b. 13 minutes N c. 16 minutes N d. 19 minutes 1457: What is the period of time from around 1008 DST (ZD +4) at Canapitsit Channel, MA, on 7 August 1983, in which the current does not exceed 0.4 knot?
N a. 0945 to 1031 N b. 0950 to 1026 Y c. 0955 to 1021 N d. 1000 to 1024 1484: You should plot your dead reckoning position at __________.
N a. every fix or running fix N b. every course change N c. every speed change Y d. All of the above are correct. 1546: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow triangle painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. Geometric symbols such as squares and triangles replace letters and numbers on ICW aids to navigation. Y b. The ICW and another waterway coincide in this geographical area. N c. The yellow triangle identifies a sharp turn (over 60°) in the channel. N d. This is an information or regulatory buoy that also has lateral significance. 1596: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is TRUE?
Y a. You should leave the buoy on your port hand. N b. This buoy marks the end of the ICW in that geographic area. N c. The yellow is retroreflective material used to assist in sighting the buoy at night. N d. The yellow square is in error and it should be a yellow triangle. 1664: Ascending and descending air masses with different temperatures is part of an important heat transmitting process in our atmosphere called __________.
N a. conduction N b. radiation Y c. convection N d. barometric inversion 1776: A vessel operating on the Great Lakes, and whose position is southeast of an eastward-moving storm center, would NOT experience __________.
N a. a falling barometer N b. lowering clouds and drizzle Y c. a northeast wind N d. rain or snow 1874: Lighted white and orange buoys must show which color light?
N a. Orange N b. Red N c. Alternating yellow and white Y d. White 1910: What sextant correction corrects the apparent altitude to the equivalent reading at the center of the Earth?
N a. Phase Y b. Parallax N c. Semidiameter N d. Augmentation 1942: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the declination of the equator system?
N a. Nadir N b. Azimuth angle Y c. Altitude N d. Zenith distance 2054: The diagram is of a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter B? (D038NG )
N a. One red light N b. Two green lights N c. Three green lights Y d. No lights 2082: You are holding position above Gallipolis Lock and Dam when you hear two long blasts of the horn from the lock. This indicates that you should __________.
Y a. enter the riverward lock N b. hold position until two more upbound tows have locked through N c. enter the landward lock N d. hold position until the lower gates are closed 2210: A dead reckoning (DR) plot __________.
Y a. ignores the effect of surface currents N b. is most useful when in sight of land N c. must be plotted using magnetic courses N d. may be started at an assumed position 2299: What condition exists at apogee?
N a. The Earth is closest to the Sun. N b. The Moon is farthest from the Sun. Y c. The Earth is farthest from the Moon. N d. The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun. 2326: A double star is a star that __________.
N a. has a declination equal to twice that of the Sun Y b. comprises two stars that appear close together N c. is twice as bright as a single star N d. suddenly becomes much brighter and then fades 2470: You are on course 344°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 090°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?
N a. 016° Y b. 074° N c. 254° N d. 270° 2500: When correcting the sextant altitude to apparent altitude you are correcting for inaccuracies in the reading and __________.
Y a. for inaccuracies in the reference level N b. the equivalent reading at the center of the body N c. the equivalent reading from the center of the Earth N d. the bending of the rays of light from the body 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. 2659: 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. black can buoy N b. red conical buoy N c. black conical buoy Y d. red can buoy 2666: The following boats are approaching a lock. Which has priority for locking?
N a. An 85-foot yacht Y b. Corps of Engineer towboat running empty-headed N c. "Delta Queen" (passenger vessel) N d. An integrated chemical tow 2710: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the local hour angle of the celestial equator system?
N a. Altitude Y b. Azimuth N c. Zenith distance N d. Colongitude 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 2760: You are pushing a tow ahead, at high speed, near the right hand bank of a canal. The forces affecting your towboat and tow will tend to __________.
N a. push both the head of the tow and the stern of the towboat away from the right hand bank Y b. push the head of the tow away from, and pull the stern of the towboat into, the right hand bank N c. pull both the head of the tow and the stern of the towboat into the right hand bank N d. pull the head of the tow into, and push the stern of the towboat away from, the right hand bank 2978: Where do you find the semidiameter correction to be used to correct sextant observations of the stars?
N a. It is included in the altitude corrections inside the front cover of the Nautical Almanac. N b. Table 25 in Bowditch contains the correction. N c. A correction of -0.5' should be applied to all star sights. Y d. No semidiameter correction is used. 3030: Isogonic lines are lines on a chart indicating __________.
Y a. points of equal variation N b. points of zero variation N c. the magnetic latitude N d. magnetic dip 3084: An ECDIS is required to display which information?
Y a. Soundings N b. Waypoints N c. Meteorological data N d. Radar targets 3123: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?
N a. AIS is a global tracking system that relies upon INMARSAT C service to communicate vessel position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. N b. AIS is a short-range 3 cm X-band radar system that automatically sends a vessel's position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. Y c. AIS is a short-range VHF-FM system that automatically broadcasts a vessel's position and other safety related information frequently to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area. N d. AIS is a one-way centrally managed system that requires the local VTS to send commands to instruct each vessel to broadcast position and other safety related information to similarly equipped vessels, aircraft and shore stations within the area.