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.
48: When should a navigator rely on the position of floating aids to navigation?
N a. During calm weather only N b. During daylight only N c. Only when inside a harbor Y d. Only when fixed aids are not available 82: On the west coast of North America, charted depths are taken from __________.
N a. high water N b. mean tide level N c. mean low water Y d. mean lower low water 156: In reading a weather map, closely spaced pressure gradient lines would indicate __________.
Y a. high winds N b. high overcast clouds N c. calm or light winds N d. fog or steady rain 268: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "L" represents a __________. (D042NG )
N a. convergence line N b. maritime air mass N c. warm front Y d. convergence zone 275: Which statement concerning illustration is correct? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )
Y a. The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or superstructure above the sounding datum. N b. There is a 12-meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just west of Beito Island. N c. The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of the star on the symbol's mast. N d. Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a 21-meter diameter. 410: The height of the tide at low water is 0.0 feet. The range is 9.0 feet. The duration is 06h 00m. The height of the tide 02h 12m before high water will be __________.
N a. 8.3 feet Y b. 6.3 feet N c. 4.7 feet N d. 2.7 feet 439: If a weather bulletin shows the center of a low pressure system to be 100 miles due east of you, what winds can you expect in the Southern Hemisphere?
Y a. South-southwesterly N b. North-northwesterly N c. South-southeasterly N d. North-northeasterly 460: When using horizontal sextant angles of three objects to fix your position, an indeterminate position will result in which situation?
N a. The objects lie in a straight line. N b. The vessel is inside of a triangle formed by the objects. N c. The vessel is outside of a triangle formed by the objects. Y d. A circle will pass through your position and the three objects. 483: Coral atolls, or a chain of islands at right angles to the radar beam, may show as a long line rather than as individual targets due to __________.
Y a. the effects of beam width N b. limitations on range resolution N c. the pulse length of the radar N d. the multiple-target resolution factor 513: You are radar scanning for a buoy fitted with a racon. Which radar screen represents the presentation you should expect on the PPI? (D017NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 720: Which change in the condition of the seas could indicate the formation of a tropical storm or hurricane several hundred miles from your location?
Y a. A long swell from an unusual direction N b. A lengthy lull in the wind and seas N c. Large seas coming from different directions N d. A brisk chop from the southeast 733: What would give the best radar echo?
N a. The beam of a three masted sailing vessel with all sails set. N b. A 110-foot fishing vessel with a radar reflector in its rigging. N c. A 300-foot tanker, bow on. Y d. A 600-foot freighter, beam on. 745: Retrograde motion is the __________.
N a. movement of the points of intersection of the planes of the ecliptic and the equator Y b. apparent westerly motion of a planet with respect to stars N c. movement of a superior planet in its orbit about the Sun N d. movement of the celestial north pole in an elliptical pattern in space 944: High clouds, composed of small white flakes or scaly globular masses, and often banded together to form a "mackerel sky", would be classified as __________.
N a. cirrus Y b. cirrocumulus N c. altostratus N d. cumulonimbus 945: What is NOT a side of the navigational triangle used in sight reduction?
Y a. Altitude N b. Zenith distance N c. Colatitude N d. Polar distance 990: You plot a fix using three lines of position and find they intersect in a triangle. You should plot the position of the vessel __________.
N a. outside of the triangle N b. anywhere in the triangle N c. on the line of position from the nearest object, between the other two lines of position Y d. in the geometric center of the triangle 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 1090: What weather conditions would you expect to find at position A? (D049NG )
Y a. Winds NW-W at 15 knots, partly cloudy, and slight seas N b. winds SW-S at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas N c. Winds calm, light rain, and calm seas N d. Winds NE-E at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas 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 1122: A barometer showing falling pressure indicates the approach of a __________.
N a. high pressure system Y b. low pressure system N c. high dew point N d. low dew point 1202: As shown in the illustration, which wind speeds are reported at position A? (D049NG )
N a. 10 knots Y b. 15 knots N c. 20 knots N d. 25 knots 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 1239: While taking weather observations, you determine that the wind is blowing from the northeast. You would record the wind direction in the weather log as __________.
Y a. 045° N b. 090° N c. 135° N d. 225° 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 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 1285: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5.5 knots on course 033°T, and bears 248°T at 64 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 13 knots?
N a. 4h 55m N b. 4h 36m N c. 3h 59m Y d. 3h 44m 1392: Cumulonimbus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )
Y a. 9 N b. 7 N c. 5 N d. 3 1480: What is the definition of height of tide?
N a. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water N b. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom N c. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor Y d. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time 1572: Generally speaking, in the Northern Hemisphere, when winds are blowing from between SE and SW the barometric reading __________.
N a. makes no change at all Y b. is somewhat lower than it would be for winds from a northern quadrant N c. is uncertain and may fluctuate by increasing and decreasing N d. is somewhat higher than it would be for winds from the northern quadrant 1614: Hot air can hold __________.
N a. less moisture than cold air Y b. more moisture than cold air N c. the same amount of moisture as cold air N d. moisture independent of air temperature 1633: To find a magnetic compass course from a true course you must apply __________.
Y a. deviation and variation N b. deviation N c. variation N d. magnetic anomalies (local disturbances) 1638: Clouds form __________.
Y a. as a mass of warm, humid air rises into the atmosphere and cools, condensing moisture into small droplets N b. as winds blow across bodies of water, the sun causes the moisture to be absorbed and move upward forming clouds N c. dry air compresses moisture from the atmosphere into clouds N d. when the relative humidity of the atmosphere is low 1642: Which type of cloud formation should be of immediate concern to small craft operators?
N a. cirrus N b. altostratus N c. nimbostratus Y d. cumulonimbus 1683: As it approaches, a typical warm front will bring __________.
Y a. rising temperatures and falling barometric pressure N b. falling temperature and pressure N c. falling temperatures and rising pressure N d. rising barometric pressure and temperatures 1746: Swells that have outrun the storm are produced in the __________.
N a. left front quadrant Y b. right front quadrant N c. rear N d. directly ahead on the storms projected track 1798: The climate of the northern Gulf coast __________.
N a. is humid and subtropical throughout the year N b. has an east coast marine type of climate Y c. is a warm marine type of climate N d. varies from warm to subtropical 1810: Where will you find information about the duration of slack water?
N a. Tide Tables N b. Sailing Directions Y c. Tidal Current Tables N d. American Practical Navigator 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 1955: The letter A in illustration D006NG represents the __________.
N a. geoidal horizon Y b. sensible horizon N c. celestial horizon N d. visible horizon 2099: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T. The range appears as shown and is closing. Which action should you take? (D047NG )
N a. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line, then alter course to the left. Y b. Continue on course until the range is closed, then alter course to the right. N c. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line. N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T. 2102: The subregions of the United States Gulf and East Coasts are numbered 11, 12 and 13 within the chart numbering system. Which chart number indicates a chart for either the Gulf or East Coast?
N a. 21214 Y b. 11314 N c. 14313 N d. 14114 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. 2256: The constellation that contains Polaris is __________.
N a. Orion N b. Cassiopeia Y c. Ursa Minor N d. Corona Borealis 2259: A vessel is heading magnetic northwest and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 317°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. N b. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible remove one of the spheres. N c. If the quadrantal spheres are in as far as possible replace them with smaller spheres. Y d. If the quadrantal spheres are out as far as possible, move the quadrantal spheres in. 2424: Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to starboard may display which of the topmarks shown? (D046NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 2429: The lock chamber is 600 feet X 110 feet. Your towboat is 150 feet X 35 feet. Which of these tows will require a double lockage?
N a. A set-over single N b. 4 standard barges abreast next to your boat's head and 3 jumbo abreast in the lead N c. 6 jumbo (3 abreast and 2 long) with a standard on each side of your boat Y d. 9 jumbo barges 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 2514: Sidereal time is NOT used __________.
N a. as the basis for star charts N b. to enter a star finder N c. in sight reduction using Pub 249 Y d. in sight reductions of planet observations 2574: What is the equivalent of 2°52' in time units?
N a. 9 min. 23 sec. Y b. 11 min. 28 sec. N c. 11 min. 56 sec. N d. 12 min. 18 sec. 2630: In the celestial equator system of coordinates what is NOT equivalent to the longitude of the Earth system of coordinates?
N a. SHA N b. t N c. LHA Y d. Zn 2634: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a preferred-channel buoy is __________.
Y a. horizontally-banded red and green N b. vertically-striped red and white N c. solid red N d. solid green 2672: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the upper light is in line above the lower light, you should __________.
Y a. continue on the present course N b. come left N c. come right N d. wait until the lights are no longer in a vertical line 2790: A towboat has the same draft as the barges it is pushing ahead. If the distance from the stern of the towboat to the head of the tow is 800 feet, where is the approximate location of the pivot point of the unit?
N a. At the head of the tow Y b. 250 feet from the head of the tow N c. 400 feet from the head of the tow N d. 600 feet from the head of the tow 2895: A white buoy with an orange rectangle on it is a(n) __________.
N a. junction buoy N b. safe water buoy Y c. informational buoy N d. All of the above 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 2973: You should plot a dead reckoning position after every __________.
N a. course change N b. speed change N c. fix or running fix Y d. All of the above 3026: A compass card without north-seeking capability that is used for relative bearings is a(n) __________.
N a. bearing circle Y b. pelorus N c. bearing bar N d. alidade 3065: Raster-scan chart data is __________.
N a. the only format recognized by IMO/IHO N b. organized into many separate files N c. composed of files that are smaller than vector files Y d. a digitized "picture" of a chart in one format and one layer 3082: Which type of GPS receiver has at least four channels to process information from several satellites simultaneously?
N a. Sequential Y b. Continuous N c. Multiplex N d. None of the above 3121: The short text messaging feature of the automatic identification system (AIS) allows for messages of up to___.
N a. 64 characters N b. 96 characters Y c. 158 characters N d. 256 characters