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.


84: When using an echo sounder in deep water, it is NOT unusual to __________.


88: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?


130: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum is the __________.


153: The line extending beyond the stations at A and B is referred to as the __________. (D004NG )

    N a. slave line
    N b. zero line
    Y c. baseline extension
    N d. centerline

186: In the doldrums you will NOT have __________.

    N a. high relative humidity
    N b. frequent showers and thunderstorms
    Y c. steep pressure gradients
    N d. frequent calms

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.

243: The loran lines drawn on navigation charts represent __________.

    Y a. ground waves
    N b. skywaves
    N c. either ground waves or skywaves interchangeably
    N d. an average between ground wave and skywave positions

396: Your vessel is on course 150°T, speed 17 knots. The apparent wind is from 40° off the starboard bow, speed 15 knots. What is the speed of the true wind?

    N a. 9.0 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    Y c. 11.0 knots
    N d. 12.0 knots

441: A yellow buoy may exhibit a(n) __________.

    N a. fixed red light
    Y b. flashing light
    N c. white light
    N d. occulting light

472: Which conic projection chart features straight lines which closely approximate a great circle?

    N a. Polyconic
    Y b. Lambert conformal
    N c. Orthographic
    N d. Stereographic

491: A special purpose buoy shall be __________.

    N a. lighted with a white light
    N b. striped black and red
    N c. lighted with a red light
    Y d. yellow

510: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?

    Y a. Aero light
    N b. Radar station
    N c. Radar transponder beacon
    N d. Radio beacon

519: The chart of a beach area shows a very flat slope to the underwater beach bottom. What type of breakers can be expected when trying to land a boat on this beach?

    N a. Surging
    Y b. Spilling
    N c. Plunging
    N d. Converging

604: Chronometer error may be found by __________.

    N a. radio time signal
    N b. comparison with a timepiece of known error
    N c. applying the prevailing chronometer rate to previous readings
    Y d. All of the above

606: Early indications of the approach of a hurricane may be all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    Y a. short confused swells
    N b. gradually increasing white clouds (mare's tails)
    N c. pumping barometer
    N d. continuous fine mist-like rain

630: What kind of weather would you expect to accompany the passage of a tropical wave?

    Y a. Heavy rain and cloudiness
    N b. Good weather
    N c. A tropical storm
    N d. Dense fog

662: What publication contains descriptions of the coast line, buoyage systems, weather conditions, port facilities, and navigation instructions for the United States and its possessions?

    Y a. Coast Pilots
    N b. Sailing Directions
    N c. Port Index
    N d. Light List

663: You are underway at 10 knots. At 1800 you note a radar contact dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. At 1812 the contact is dead ahead at a range of 8 miles. The estimated speed of the contact is __________.

    Y a. dead in the water
    N b. 5 knots
    N c. 10 knots
    N d. 15 knots

830: The highest frequency of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean occurs during __________.

    N a. January, February and March
    N b. April, May and June
    Y c. August, September and October
    N d. July, November and December

831: Under the IALA-A Buoyage system, a buoy marking the starboard side of the channel when approaching from seaward may have a __________.

    Y a. triangular topmark
    N b. red light
    N c. can shape
    N d. isophase light

961: In which country would you expect the channels to be marked with the IALA-B Buoyage System?

    Y a. Brazil
    N b. Tanzania
    N c. New Zealand
    N d. Norway

1040: An occluded front is usually caused by a __________.

    N a. cold front becoming stationary
    N b. warm front becoming stationary
    Y c. cold front overtaking a warm front
    N d. warm front dissipating

1054: The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F (26°C) and the wet-bulb temperature is 68°F (20°C). What is the relative humidity?

    N a. 10%
    N b. 24%
    N c. 56%
    Y d. 60%

1076: Which is TRUE concerning the speed of fronts?

    Y a. Cold fronts move faster than warm fronts.
    N b. Cold fronts move slower than warm fronts.
    N c. Cold fronts and warm fronts move with equal speed.
    N d. Cold fronts move slower at the northern end and faster at the southern end.

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

1092: The wind velocity is higher in the dangerous semicircle of a tropical cyclone because of the __________.

    N a. extension of the low pressure ridge
    Y b. wind circulation and forward motion of the storm
    N c. recurvature effect
    N d. direction of circulation and pressure gradient

1093: The Flinders bar on a magnetic compass compensates for the __________.

    Y a. induced magnetism in vertical soft iron
    N b. induced magnetism in horizontal soft iron
    N c. permanent magnetism in ship's steel
    N d. vessel's inclination from the vertical

1183: The principal purpose of magnetic compass adjustment is to __________.

    N a. reduce the variation as much as possible
    Y b. reduce the deviation as much as possible
    N c. reduce the magnetic dip as much as possible
    N d. allow the compass bowl to swing freely on its gimbals

1198: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a dust storm? (D042NG )

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

1230: Weather forecast messages are usually __________.

    N a. given only to TV stations
    N b. transmitted only by commercial broadcast stations
    Y c. broadcast in plain language
    N d. broadcast immediately on VHF Channel 16 and 2182 kHz

1230: Weather forecast messages are usually __________.

    N a. given only to TV stations
    N b. transmitted only by commercial broadcast stations
    Y c. broadcast in plain language
    N d. broadcast immediately on VHF Channel 16 and 2182 kHz

1247: What is the predicted velocity of the tidal current 2 miles west of Southwest Ledge for 2330 DST (ZD +4) on 7 September 1983?

    Y a. 1.3 knots
    N b. 1.6 knots
    N c. 1.9 knots
    N d. 2.2 knots

1260: On 26 February 1983, at 1750 EST (ZD +5) what will be the predicted height of tide at New Haven (city dock), CT?

    N a. -.3 foot (-0.1 meter)
    Y b. -.6 foot (-0.2 meter)
    N c. 1.3 feet (0.4 meter)
    N d. 1.6 feet (0.5 meter)

1261: A light having characteristics which include color variations is defined as __________.

    N a. switching
    Y b. alternating
    N c. oscillating
    N d. fluctuating

1410: A white buoy marked with an orange rectangle indicates __________.

    N a. a fish net area
    Y b. general information
    N c. an anchorage
    N d. mid-channel

1417: Determine the first time after 1200 EST (ZD +5) when the velocity of the current will be 0.5 knot on 18 November 1983, at Marcus Hook, PA.

    N a. 1221
    N b. 1226
    Y c. 1239
    N d. 1312

1463: If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

    Y a. The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N b. The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true
    N c. The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true
    N d. The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

1555: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a yellow buoy is a __________.

    N a. safe water buoy
    N b. junction buoy
    N c. cardinal mark
    Y d. special purpose mark

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

1651: From which type of cloud can a tornado or waterspout develop?

    N a. Nimbostratus
    N b. Altostratus
    Y c. Cumulonimbus
    N d. Cirrus

1710: A gale is characterized by a wind speed of __________.

    N a. 10 to 20 knots
    Y b. 34 to 47 knots
    N c. 48 to 63 knots
    N d. 64 to 83 knots

1818: In order to utilize the capacity of a lock to its maximum, pleasure craft are locked through with all of the following EXCEPT __________.

    N a. coal barges
    Y b. oil barges
    N c. sand barges
    N d. cement barges

1948: "Space motion" is the __________.

    N a. action causing precession of the equinoxes
    Y b. motion of a body in the solar system relative to the stars
    N c. motion of a celestial body in its orbit
    N d. irregularity in the motion of the Earth caused by other celestial bodies

2089: Permission to leave the riverward chamber of twin locks is given by the lockmaster and consists of which sound signal?

    N a. One short blast
    Y b. Two short blasts
    N c. One long blast
    N d. Two long blasts

2176: The illustration 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 D if the lock walls and piers are not awash? (D037NG )

    N a. Three red lights
    N b. Two red lights
    Y c. One red light
    N d. One amber light

2176: The illustration 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 D if the lock walls and piers are not awash? (D037NG )

    N a. Three red lights
    N b. Two red lights
    Y c. One red light
    N d. One amber light

2272: Mars will not be visible __________.

    N a. at elongation angles near 180°
    N b. from quadrature to opposition
    Y c. at conjunction
    N d. at opposition

2374: The largest of the navigational planets is __________.

    N a. Mars
    N b. Venus
    Y c. Jupiter
    N d. Saturn

2381: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.

    N a. period
    N b. distance
    N c. depth
    Y d. range

2682: Sidereal time is used by navigators when __________.

    N a. used with the equation of time
    Y b. used in the form of LHA Aries
    N c. calculating the time of moonrise
    N d. determining local apparent time

2692: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -2 and -3 is __________.

    N a. 15°30'E
    N b. 30°00'E
    Y c. 37°30'E
    N d. 45°00'E

2796: The correction tables in the Nautical Almanac for use with Moon sights do NOT include the effects of __________.

    Y a. instrument error
    N b. augmentation
    N c. semidiameter
    N d. parallax

2836: The correction tables in the front of the Nautical Almanac for use with sun sights do NOT include the effects of __________.

    N a. mean refraction
    N b. parallax
    N c. semidiameter
    Y d. irradiation

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

2890: While passing through Memphis, the weather report on the TV news indicates that a cold front is crossing western Kentucky and Tennessee. Tomorrow's weather will be dominated by a high pressure area. What weather should you expect tomorrow?

    N a. Light, southerly winds; high humidity and possibly fog
    Y b. Moderate winds from the northwest, clear visibility and cooler temperatures
    N c. Low overcast; mild temperatures with light, steady rain or drizzle
    N d. Scattered clouds with light, southeasterly winds; high humidity and possibly fog

2908: A daymark used to indicate the port side of the channel when approaching from seaward is indicated by what letter in illustration D045NG?

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

2958: Drawbridges equipped with radiotelephones display a __________.

    N a. day signal of a yellow diamond marked with the call sign
    N b. white sign with the number 16 and the call sign on it
    N c. black and white diamond marked with RT 16
    Y d. blue and white sign showing the radio's channels

2969: A red triangular daymark marks __________.

    N a. the centerline of a navigable channel
    Y b. the starboard side of a channel
    N c. a prominent object of navigational interest that has no lateral significance
    N d. an area of a channel where passing another vessel is permitted

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)

3127: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding automatic identification systems (AIS) ?

    N a. AIS cannot be used to make passing arrangements because the system is not capable of this type of ship-to-ship communications.
    N b. AIS cannot be used to make passing arrangements because the ship-to-ship text messaging feature is for emergency use only.
    Y c. AIS can be used to make passing arrangements via ship-to-ship text messaging but a vessel operator is not relieved from the requirement to sound whistle signals or make arrangements via bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone.
    N d. AIS can be used to make passing arrangements via ship-to-ship text massaging thus relieving a vessel operator from making such arrangements via bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone or signaling intent to pass via whistle signals.