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.
74: When operated over a muddy bottom, a fathometer may indicate __________.
N a. a shallow depth reading N b. a zero depth reading N c. no depth reading Y d. two depth readings 119: While proceeding along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, you sight the black and yellow buoy shown. Your course is 039°T, and the buoy bears 053°T. What action should you take? (D020NG )
N a. Alter course to 053°T and pass the buoy close aboard on either side N b. Alter course to 060° and ensure that the bearings decrease Y c. Maintain course and ensure that the bearings increase N d. Alter course towards the buoy and leave the buoy well clear on either side 136: Which Beaufort force indicates a wind speed of 65 knots?
N a. Beaufort force 0 N b. Beaufort force 6.5 Y c. Beaufort force 12 N d. Beaufort force 15 222: Which statement concerning the illustration is correct? (Soundings and heights are in meters) (D010NG )
N a. Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a 21-meter diameter. N b. The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of the star on the symbol's mast. N c. There is a 12 meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just west of Beito Island. Y d. The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or superstructure above the sounding datum. 309: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 120°T, 110 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285°T at 25 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?
N a. 332° N b. 339° Y c. 346° N d. 357° 384: Which is a nonadjustable error of the sextant?
N a. Error of perpendicularity N b. Side error N c. Error of collimation Y d. Centering error 391: When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicates __________.
N a. a junction with the preferred channel to the left N b. a sharp turn in the channel to the right Y c. the port side of the channel N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side 432: When using a Lambert conformal chart in high latitudes, angles such as bearings are measured in reference to __________.
N a. the meridian through the object of the bearing Y b. the meridian through the ship's position N c. the meridian midway between the ship and the object N d. any meridian 598: A great circle crosses the equator at 141°E. It will also cross the equator at what other longitude?
N a. 180°E N b. 41°E N c. 141°W Y d. 39°W 607: The charted depth alongside the south face of Mystic Pier, Charlestown, MA, is 35 feet. Your maximum draft is 38 feet. You wish to have 2 feet under the bottom, on a rising tide, when you go alongside to discharge a heavy lift. What is the earliest time after 0900 EST (ZD +5), on 2 February 1983, that you can dock?
N a. 1020 N b. 1050 N c. 1127 Y d. 1137 666: In the Northern Hemisphere, your vessel is believed to be in the direct path of a hurricane, and plenty of sea room is available. The best course of action is to bring the wind on the __________.
N a. starboard bow, note the course, and head in that direction Y b. starboard quarter, note the course, and head in that direction N c. port quarter, note the course, and head in that direction N d. port bow, note the course, and head in that direction 728: In the Bay of Fundy, during twilight, you a take sight of Mars. The sextant altitude (hs) is 03°35.5'. Your height of eye is 32 feet and there is no index error. The air temperature is -10°C and the barometer reads 1010 millibars. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 03°14.5' Y b. 03°15.8' N c. 03°16.2' N d. 03°28.8' 808: On a working copy of a weather map, a stationary front is represented by which color line?
N a. Red N b. Blue Y c. Alternating red and blue N d. Purple 840: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?
Y a. Estimated position N b. Set position N c. Leeway position N d. Dead reckoning position 860: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 10 miles and a height above water of 38 feet (11.6 meters). Your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 ,meters) and the visibility is 11.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?
Y a. 10.5 miles N b. 13.9 miles N c. 15.6 miles N d. 18.0 miles 882: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?
N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector Y b. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light N c. An outline of the area of the sector N d. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship 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 958: You are preparing a weather report form. Twenty-five percent of the sky is covered with clouds, and the anemometer indicates that the apparent wind is from 062° relative at 13 knots. You are on course 238°T at 22 knots. How should you encode group Nddff? (D041NG )
Y a. 20220 N b. 20613 N c. 30219 N d. 32413 1004: A low, uniform layer of cloud resembling fog, but not resting on the ground, is called __________.
N a. cumulus N b. nimbus Y c. stratus N d. cirrus 1019: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. The dry bulb thermometer reads 30°F (-1°), and the wet bulb thermometer reads 28°F (-2°C). Using the Ships Code Card, how would you encode the air temperature groups in the report? (D041NG )
N a. 10011, 2003/ N b. 11300, 2124/ N c. 11011, 2124/ Y d. 11011, 2104/ 1020: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 6 miles and a height above water of 18 feet (5.5 meters). Your height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters) and the visibility is 27.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?
N a. 5.6 miles N b. 6.4 miles Y c. 9.8 miles N d. 12.1 miles 1058: You are preparing a weather report form, WS Form B-80. Your position is LAT 64°42'N, LONG 02°28'W. How would this be encoded? (D041NG )
N a. 90647, 90024 N b. 0647N, 00025 Y c. 99647, 70025 N d. 9064N, 9025W 1061: In waters where the cardinal system is used you would expect to find danger __________.
N a. lying to the south of an eastern quadrant buoy Y b. lying to the south of a northern quadrant buoy N c. lying to the east of an eastern quadrant buoy N d. beneath or directly adjacent to the buoy 1081: On a voyage along the coast of France, you sight a buoy with the top marks as shown. You are required to steer __________. (D026NG )
N a. west of the buoy N b. east of the buoy Y c. south of the buoy N d. north of the buoy 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 1120: You are on course 042°T. To check the course of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?
N a. 090° Y b. 132° N c. 180° N d. 222° 1155: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?
N a. Radar station Y b. Aero light N c. Radio beacon N d. Radar transponder beacon 1172: Which position shown would likely have stratus or stratocumulus clouds, occasional light drizzle, steady southerlies around 10 knots, and steady temperatures? (D049NG )
N a. B N b. C N c. D Y d. E 1305: Complete information on weather broadcasts throughout the world is contained in __________.
Y a. Selected Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts N b. your local newspaper N c. the Notice to Mariners N d. the daily weather map 1386: The FIRST indications a mariner will have of the approach of a warm front will be __________.
N a. large cumulonimbus clouds building up N b. low dark clouds with intermittent rain N c. fog caused by the warm air passing over the cooler water Y d. high clouds gradually followed by lower thicker clouds 1503: A radar range to a small, charted object such as a light will provide a line of position in which form?
N a. Straight line Y b. Arc N c. Parabola N d. Hyperbola 1521: To avoid error you should read the scale of an aneroid barometer with your eye placed __________.
N a. to the right of the pointer N b. to the left of the pointer Y c. directly in front of the pointer N d. slightly above the meniscus 1558: As a high pressure system approaches, the barometer reading __________.
N a. stays the same N b. falls Y c. rises N d. falls rapidly 1659: The type of fog that occurs on clear nights with very light breezes and forms when the earth cools rapidly by radiation is known as __________.
Y a. radiation fog N b. frontal fog N c. convection fog N d. advection fog 1793: Which weather element cannot be measured accurately while on board a moving vessel?
N a. relative humidity N b. temperature Y c. true wind speed N d. atmospheric pressure 1796: Which weather element cannot be measured accurately while on board a moving vessel?
N a. Relative humidity N b. Atmospheric pressure N c. Temperature Y d. Wave period 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 1841: The letter A as shown represents the __________. (D006NG )
Y a. sensible horizon N b. geoidal horizon N c. visible horizon N d. celestial horizon 2016: Which statement about the Flinders bar of the magnetic compass is CORRECT?
Y a. It compensates for the error caused by the vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field. N b. It compensates for error caused by the heeling of a vessel. N c. It compensates for quadrantal deviation. N d. It is only needed in equatorial waters. 2021: While on watch, you notice that the air temperature is dropping and is approaching the dew point. Which type of weather should be forecasted?
N a. Hail N b. Heavy rain N c. Sleet Y d. Fog 2087: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 20 miles and is 52 feet (16 meters) high. If the visibility is 20 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet (6 meters), at what approximate distance will you sight the light?
N a. 33.0 nm N b. 20.0 nm Y c. 13.5 nm N d. 8.5 nm 2122: A position that is obtained by using two or more intersecting lines of position taken at nearly the same time, is a(n) __________.
Y a. fix N b. running fix N c. estimated position N d. dead-reckoning position 2171: Diagram number D037NG represents a movable dam. If there is high water and the wickets are down so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass through the dam, what light(s) will be shown at B if the lock walls and piers are not awash?
N a. One amber light N b. One red light N c. Two red lights Y d. Three red lights 2198: Opposition occurs when __________.
N a. the Sun, Earth, and Moon are at right angles N b. the Sun's declination is 0° and is moving south N c. an inferior planet is at the maximum angle to the line of sight to the Sun Y d. the Earth is between a planet and the Sun 2209: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic west but the compass reads 266°. You should now adjust the compass until it reads __________.
Y a. 268° N b. 270° N c. 274° N d. Do not adjust the compass, just record the error. 2211: What is the length of a nautical mile?
N a. 1,850 meters Y b. 6,076 feet N c. 5,280 feet N d. 2,000 yards 2306: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 9 flashes every 15 seconds. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to the buoy? (D031NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 2404: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions +7 and +8 is __________.
N a. 105°00'W Y b. 112°30'W N c. 117°00'W N d. 120°30'W 2432: A time diagram is a diagram of the celestial sphere as observed from above the __________.
Y a. south celestial pole N b. north celestial pole N c. observer's meridian N d. Greenwich meridian 2532: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 28" by 32". The area includes latitude 32°S to 39°S and longitude 005°E to 003°W. Allow a one-half inch neat line on all sides. What is the maximum distance between each degree of longitude that will permit the area of the plotting sheet to be drawn within the stated limitations?
Y a. 3.38 inches N b. 3.62 inches N c. 3.79 inches N d. 3.95 inches 2652: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -10 and -11 is __________.
N a. 135°30'E N b. 145°00'E N c. 150°00'E Y d. 157°30'E 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 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 2801: Mean high water is used __________.
N a. as the reference for soundings on the Gulf coast of the U.S. Y b. to indicate the shoreline where there is a large tidal fluctuation N c. as the reference plane for bottom contour lines N d. as the sounding datum for rivers, lakes, etc. regulated by locks 2840: The lockmaster has given you permission to tie off on the lower guide wall to wait your turn to lock through. What should you be most concerned with?
N a. A downbound vessel N b. An upbound vessel Y c. Current reaction when the lock chamber is being emptied N d. Current reaction when the lock chamber is being filled 2868: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The range line is 309°T. You are steering 306°T and have the range in sight as shown. Which action should you take? (D048NG )
N a. Continue on the present heading until the range is in line then alter course to the right. Y b. Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range in line. N c. Immediately alter course to the left to bring the range in line. N d. Immediately alter course to 309°T if the range is closing. 2923: You should plot your dead reckoning position __________.
N a. from every estimated position Y b. from every fix or running fix N c. every three minutes in pilotage waters N d. only in pilotage waters 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 3016: The radar control that shortens all echoes on the display and reduces clutter caused by rain or snow is the __________.
N a. sensitivity time control (sea clutter control) N b. receiver gain control N c. brilliance control Y d. fast time constant (differentiator) 3040: Which instrument is used to predict the approach of a low pressure system?
N a. Anemometer N b. Fathometer Y c. Barometer N d. Thermometer