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.


47: The range of tide is the __________.


71: A preferred-channel buoy may be __________.


97: The lunar or tidal day is __________.


118: What describes an accurate position that is NOT based on any prior position?

    N a. Dead-reckoning position
    N b. Estimated position
    Y c. Fix
    N d. Running fix

205: The difference between local apparent time (LAT) and local mean time (LMT) is indicated by the __________.

    Y a. equation of time
    N b. difference of longitude between the local and central meridian in time units
    N c. longitude in time units
    N d. zone description

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.

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

462: For what purpose would using a Lambert conformal chart be more convenient than using a Mercator?

    Y a. Plotting radio bearings over a long distance
    N b. Determining latitude and longitude of a fix
    N c. Measuring rhumb line distances
    N d. Measuring rhumb line directions

498: What is an advantage of the magnetic compass aboard vessels?

    N a. Compass error is negligible at or near the earth's magnetic poles.
    N b. It does not have to be checked as often.
    Y c. It is reliable due to it's essential simplicity.
    N d. All points on the compass rose are readily visible.

558: A buoy bears 176°T at 3000 yards. What is the course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards to starboard?

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

594: Barometers are calibrated at a standard temperature of __________.

    N a. 0°F
    Y b. 32°F
    N c. 60°F
    N d. 70°F

683: A radar contact will remain stationary on a relative motion radar display only when it is __________.

    N a. on the same course as your vessel
    N b. at the same speed as your vessel
    Y c. on the same course and speed as your vessel
    N d. on a reciprocal course at the same speed as your vessel

704: What is TRUE of the history display of a target's past positions on an ARPA?

    N a. It provides a graphic display to emphasize which vessel is on a collision course.
    Y b. In the true presentation, it provides a quick visual check to determine if a vessel has changed course.
    N c. The display is one of the primary inputs and must be in use when using the trial maneuver capability.
    N d. It provides a graphic display of a target vessel's relative course, speed, and CPA.

749: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 4.5 knots on course 233°T, and bears 264°T at 68 miles from you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept vessel A?

    N a. 249°
    Y b. 256°
    N c. 262°
    N d. 268°

765: Diurnal aberration is due to __________.

    N a. motion of the Earth in its orbit
    Y b. rotation of the Earth on its axis
    N c. the body's orbital motion during the time required for its light to reach the Earth
    N d. a false horizon

785: An amplitude of the Sun in high latitudes __________.

    N a. is most accurate before sunrise
    N b. is most accurate after sunset
    N c. should only be observed when the Sun's lower limb is above the horizon
    Y d. is most accurate when the Sun's center is observed on the visible horizon

828: The true wind has been determined to be from 210°T, speed 12 knots. You desire the apparent wind to be 30 knots from 10° on the port bow. What course must you steer, and what speed must you make for this to occur?

    Y a. 235°T, 18.6 knots
    N b. 245°T, 20.0 knots
    N c. 325°T, 22.4 knots
    N d. 335°T, 23.6 knots

859: At 1800 ZT on 31 October, your position is LAT 24°50'N, LONG 92°37'W. You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. How should you encode the first three groups after the call sign if you estimate the wind? (D041NG )

    N a. 31123, 99929, 70249
    N b. 31183, 99249, 79237
    N c. 31243, 99249, 70926
    Y d. 01003, 99248, 70926

874: Altocumulus clouds are defined as __________.

    N a. high clouds
    Y b. middle clouds
    N c. low clouds
    N d. vertical development clouds

988: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. One-half of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 340° relative at 14 knots. You are on course 307°T at 12.6 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )

    N a. 53414
    N b. 54013
    Y c. 42205
    N d. 43013

1074: As the temperature for a given mass of air increases, the __________.

    N a. dew point increases
    N b. dew point decreases
    N c. relative humidity increases
    Y d. relative humidity decreases

1080: Information on northern right whales can be found in __________.

    Y a. the Coast Pilot
    N b. HO 229
    N c. the Nautical Almanac
    N d. Ship's Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea

1096: With the passage of an occluded front the temperature __________.

    N a. rises rapidly
    N b. remains about the same
    N c. drops rapidly
    Y d. depends on whether warm type or cold type occlusion

1098: A chart position enclosed by a square is a(n) __________.

    N a. fix
    Y b. estimated position
    N c. dead reckoning position
    N d. running fix

1157: How many slack tidal currents usually occur each day on the east coast of the United States?

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

1174: Your vessel is enroute from Japan to Seattle and is located at position I on the weather map. You should experience which weather condition? (D013NG )

    N a. Clear skies with warm temperatures
    N b. Steady precipitation
    N c. Overcast skies with rising temperature
    Y d. Thundershowers

1176: After a cold front passes, the barometric pressure __________.

    N a. drops, and the temperature drops
    N b. drops, and the temperature rises
    Y c. rises, and the temperature drops
    N d. rises, and the temperature rises

1211: Red sectors of navigation lights warn mariners of __________.

    N a. floating debris
    N b. heavily trafficked areas
    N c. recently sunken vessels
    Y d. shoals or nearby land

1286: Which condition will occur after a cold front passes?

    N a. Temperature rises
    N b. Stratus clouds form
    N c. Pressure decreases
    Y d. Humidity decreases

1372: You are enroute to Jacksonville, FL, from San Juan, P.R. There is a fresh 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

1400: Which type of cloud is among the most dependable for giving an indication of an approaching weather system?

    N a. Cumulus
    Y b. Altostratus
    N c. Cumulostratus
    N d. Nimbus

1489: Cumulonimbus clouds can produce __________.

    N a. dense fog and high humidity
    Y b. gusty winds, thunder, rain or hail, and lightning
    N c. clear skies with the approach of a cold front
    N d. a rapid drop in barometric pressure followed by darkness

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

1620: You are at anchor in the anchorage at the entrance to Delaware Bay. If you weigh anchor at 1445 DST (ZD +4) on 24 July 1983 and proceed northbound enroute to Philadelphia at a speed of 10 knots, you will have __________.

    N a. a flood current the entire trip
    N b. a flood current from Ship John Shoal Lt. to Philadelphia
    N c. an ebb current north of New Castle, DE
    Y d. a weak flood between Reedy Island and Edgemoor

1627: An instrument that maintains a continuous record of humidity changes is called a __________.

    N a. thermometer
    N b. barometer
    Y c. hygrograph
    N d. thermograph

1649: If you count 20 seconds between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder, how far is the storm away from you?

    N a. 2 miles
    Y b. 4 miles
    N c. 6 miles
    N d. 8 miles

1660: Which of the following is TRUE of advection fog?

    N a. It commonly occurs on coastal waters during cold seasons.
    N b. It moves in a bank or dense cloud.
    N c. It is caused by warmer air moving to a cooler location.
    Y d. All of the above

1718: A hurricane is characterized by winds of __________.

    N a. up to 33 knots
    N b. 34 to 47 knots
    N c. 48 to 63 knots
    Y d. 64 knots or greater

1832: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic northeast or magnetic southeast?

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

1904: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the parallels of declination of the celestial equator system?

    N a. Vertical circles
    Y b. Parallels of altitude
    N c. Zenith distance
    N d. Azimuth angle

1958: The spinning of a celestial body about its axis is known as __________.

    Y a. rotation
    N b. revolution
    N c. space motion
    N d. nutation

2014: Which stock number indicates an NGA (NIMA) chart designed for navigation outside of outlying reefs and shoals?

    N a. 19BCO19243
    Y b. WOPGN530
    N c. LCORR5873
    N d. 14XCO14902

2042: At morning stars, the last stars that should be observed are those with an azimuth in which quadrant?

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

2112: Vessels regularly navigating rivers above Cairo, Illinois, shall at all times have on board a copy of __________.

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

2229: 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 port the athwartships magnets should be raised.
    N b. If the blue ends are to port the athwartships magnets should be raised.
    N c. If the red ends are forward the fore-and-aft magnets should be lowered.
    N d. If the blue ends are forward the fore-and-aft magnets should be raised.

2264: The revision date of a chart is printed on which area of the chart?

    N a. Top center
    Y b. Lower-left corner
    N c. Part of the chart title
    N d. Any clear area around the neat line

2509: All persons or vessels within the lock area, including the lock approach channels, come under the authority of the __________.

    N a. dockmaster
    N b. dock captain
    Y c. lockmaster
    N d. lock foreman

2525: Daylight savings time is a form of zone time that adopts the time __________.

    N a. two zones to the west
    N b. two zones to the east
    N c. one zone to the west
    Y d. one zone to the east

2588: You are approaching an open drawbridge and sound the proper signal. You receive no acknowledgment from the bridge. Which action should you take?

    Y a. Approach with caution and proceed through the open draw.
    N b. Approach under full control to a position no closer than 400 yards from the bridge and await a signal from the bridge.
    N c. Hold in the channel as a vessel is closing the bridge from the other direction.
    N d. Resound the opening signal and do not pass through the bridge until signals have been exchanged.

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

2738: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 3 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?

    N a. 1100 yards
    N b. 872 yards
    Y c. 550 yards
    N d. 792 yards

2741: A general chart could have a scale of __________.

    Y a. 1:200,000
    N b. 1:1,000,000
    N c. 1:50,000
    N d. not more than 1:25,000

2776: For a well made and well maintained sextant, the maximum value of which correction is usually so small that it can be ignored?

    N a. Personal correction
    Y b. Instrument correction
    N c. Phase
    N d. Dip correction

2850: What is used to help prevent damage to barges, locks, and landings when you are locking or landing a tow?

    N a. Dock cushions
    N b. Springers
    N c. Landing bars
    Y d. Bumpers (fenders)

2869: A pillar buoy is indicated by which letter shown in the illustration? (D044NG )

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

2927: The position labeled C, as shown, was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. the vessel's course changed from due North to due East
    Y b. running fixes are better estimates of true position than dead-reckoning positions
    N c. the vessel's speed changed
    N d. All of the above are correct

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

2991: When using a radar in an unstabilized mode, fixes are determined most easily from __________.

    N a. objects that are close aboard
    Y b. ranges
    N c. tangent bearings
    N d. center bearings

3125: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS)?

    N a. AIS is designed to replace ARPA, maneuvering boards, and visual bearings as a means to ascertain the risk of collision.
    Y b. AIS provides near real-time information regarding another vessel's speed over ground and heading regardless of visibility.
    N c. AIS will not provide information on another vessel if that vessel is indistinguishable in radar sea clutter.
    N d. AIS can be relied upon as the sole means to determine course changes due to other AIS equipped traffic.