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.


3: Blinking of a Loran-C signal indicates __________.


22: Charts showing the coast of Mexico are produced by the United States __________.


104: What should you apply to a fathometer reading to determine the depth of water?


190: 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 __________.

    Y a. steeper waves, closer together
    N b. long swells
    N c. cirrus clouds
    N d. smoother seas and warmer water

259: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "Q" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    N a. convergence zone
    N b. squall line
    Y c. convergence line
    N d. weather boundary

261: You are heading out to sea in a buoyed channel and see a quick-flashing green light on a buoy ahead of you. In U.S. waters, you should leave the buoy __________.

    N a. well clear on either side
    N b. about 50 yards off on either side
    N c. to port
    Y d. to starboard

291: A buoy marking a wreck will show a(n) __________.

    Y a. white light FL (2) and a topmark of 2 black spheres
    N b. occulting green light and may be lettered
    N c. yellow light and will be numbered
    N d. continuous quick white light and may be numbered

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

    N a. 6h 31m
    N b. 6h 47m
    N c. 7h 03m
    Y d. 7h 34m

367: What will be the time after 0800 EST (ZD +5) that the height of the tide at South Freeport, ME, will be 6.0 feet (1.8 meters) on 7 November 1983?

    N a. 0936
    N b. 0942
    Y c. 0951
    N d. 1001

381: A nun buoy will __________.

    N a. be green in color
    Y b. have an even number
    N c. be left to port when entering from seaward
    N d. be cylindrical in shape

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

416: A ship is on course 195° at a speed of 15 knots. The apparent wind is from 40° on the port bow, speed 30 knots. The direction and speed of the true wind are __________.

    N a. 068°T, 30 knots
    Y b. 127°T, 21 knots
    N c. 263°T, 42 knots
    N d. 292°T, 42 knots

428: A buoy bears 178°T at 3000 yards (2700 meters). What is the course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards (90 meters) to starboard?

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

445: The values of the Greenwich hour angle and declination, tabulated in all almanacs, are for the __________.

    N a. upper limb of a celestial body
    N b. lower limb of a celestial body
    Y c. centers of the various celestial bodies
    N d. lower limb of the Sun and Moon; center of the stars and planets

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

526: When a hurricane passes over colder water or land and loses its tropical characteristics, the storm becomes a(n) __________.

    N a. high pressure area
    Y b. extratropical low-pressure system
    N c. tropical storm
    N d. easterly wave

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

710: What is the FIRST sign of the existence of a well developed tropical cyclone?

    N a. Gale force winds from the north
    Y b. An unusually long ocean swell
    N c. Steep, short-period waves and light wind
    N d. Thunderstorms and higher than usual humidity

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

721: Under the IALA Buoyage System, a red and white vertically-striped buoy would NOT indicate __________.

    N a. a landfall
    Y b. the extreme end of an islet
    N c. a mid-channel
    N d. a center line

723: If there is any doubt as to the proper operation of a radar, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Only a radar expert can determine if the radar is operating.
    N b. All radars have indicator lights and alarms to signal improper operation.
    Y c. A radar range compared to the actual range of a known object can be used to check the operation of the radar.
    N d. The radar resolution detector must be energized to check the radar.

771: Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a spherical buoy will mark the __________.

    Y a. safe water
    N b. port side of the channel
    N c. a hazard to navigation
    N d. the position of an underwater cable

836: In North America the majority of the weather systems move from __________.

    N a. north to south
    N b. south to north
    N c. east to west
    Y d. west to east

877: Cold water flowing southward through the western part of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia is joined by water circulating counterclockwise in the Bering Sea to form the __________.

    N a. Alaska Current
    N b. Subarctic Current
    N c. Kuroshio Current
    Y d. Oyashio Current

884: Which cloud type is normally associated with thunderstorms?

    N a. Cirrus
    N b. Stratus
    N c. Cumulus
    Y d. Cumulonimbus

895: The ecliptic is __________.

    Y a. the path the Sun appears to take among the stars
    N b. the path the Earth appears to take among the stars
    N c. a diagram of the zodiac
    N d. a great circle on a gnomonic chart

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

1032: What is the approximate geographic range of Point Judith Light, Rhode Island, if your height of eye is 62 feet (18.9 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 9.6 nm
    N b. 16.5 nm
    Y c. 18.6 nm
    N d. 20.7 nm

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

1189: Concerning a celestial observation, the azimuth angle is measured from the principal vertical circle to the ____________ .

    N a. Greenwich celestial meridian
    N b. hour circle of the body
    N c. local celestial meridian
    Y d. vertical circle of the body

1368: What area of the earth cannot be shown on a standard Mercator chart?

    N a. Equator
    N b. Areas including both North and South latitudes
    Y c. North and South Poles
    N d. A narrow band along the central meridian.

1433: A system of reservoirs and connecting tubes in a gyro compass is called a __________.

    N a. spider element
    Y b. mercury ballistic
    N c. gyrotron
    N d. rotor

1439: The symbols shown are used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "G" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    N a. weather boundary
    N b. thunderstorm
    N c. wide spread sandstorm
    Y d. severe, line squall

1471: A mountain peak charted at 700 feet breaks the horizon, and your height of eye is 12 feet. What is your approximate distance off (choose closest answer)?

    Y a. 34.7 nm
    N b. 40.3 nm
    N c. 55.3 nm
    N d. 61.6 nm

1509: Your facsimile prognostic chart indicates that you will cross the cold front of a low pressure system in about 24 hours. You should __________.

    N a. expect to see cirrus clouds followed by altostratus and nimbostratus clouds
    N b. alter course to remain in the navigable semicircle
    Y c. prepare for gusty winds, thunderstorms, and a sudden wind shift
    N d. expect clear weather, with steady winds and pressure, until the front passes

1522: The pressure-sensitive element of an aneroid barometer is called a __________.

    N a. pressure bellows
    Y b. sylphon cell
    N c. column of mercury
    N d. constant pressure capsule

1548: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "K" represents a __________. (D042NG )

    Y a. hurricane
    N b. thunderstorm
    N c. convergence zone
    N d. convergence line

1640: Clouds with the prefix "nimbo" in their name __________.

    N a. are sheet or layer clouds
    N b. have undergone great vertical development
    N c. are middle or high altitude clouds
    Y d. are rain clouds

1687: Which statement is TRUE when comparing cold and warm fronts?

    Y a. Cold fronts are more violent and of shorter duration.
    N b. Cold fronts are milder and last longer.
    N c. They are very similar with the exception of wind direction.
    N d. Warm fronts are more violent and of longer duration.

1743: In the Northern Hemisphere, if your vessel is in a hurricane's navigable semicircle it should be positioned with the wind on the __________.

    Y a. starboard quarter, hold course and make as much speed as possible
    N b. port bow, hold course and make as much speed as possible until the hurricane has passed
    N c. port quarter, maintain course and make as much speed as possible
    N d. starboard bow and heave to until the hurricane has passed

1750: Clearance gauges at bridges indicate __________.

    N a. the height of the tide
    N b. depth of water under the bridge
    N c. charted vertical clearance at mean low water
    Y d. distance from the water to low steel of the bridge

1756: Where would you expect to find climatological and meteorological tables for the Gulf Coast area?

    N a. In the publication entitled Radio Aids to Navigation
    Y b. In the back of Coast Pilot #5
    N c. In any Coast Pilot volume
    N d. Only at the National Weather Service office

1961: What kind of pressure systems travel in tropical waves?

    N a. Subsurface pressure
    N b. Terrastatic pressure
    N c. High pressure
    Y d. Low pressure

2024: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy with a quick light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds. Which topmark in illustration D030NG would be fitted to this buoy under the IALA Buoyage Systems? (D030NG )

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

2150: On a Mercator chart, 1 nautical mile is equal to __________.

    N a. 1 minute of longitude
    N b. 1 degree of longitude
    Y c. 1 minute of latitude
    N d. 1 degree of latitude

2175: 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, which light(s) will be shown at D if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

2269: One of the factors which affects the circulation of ocean currents is __________.

    N a. humidity
    Y b. varying densities of water
    N c. vessel traffic
    N d. the jet stream

2414: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 20" by 28". The area includes latitude 38°S to 43°S and longitude 178°E to 175°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?

    N a. 2.6 inches
    Y b. 2.9 inches
    N c. 3.2 inches
    N d. 3.5 inches

2435: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?

    N a. A red and white octagon
    N b. Red and white retroreflective material
    N c. A sequential number
    Y d. A spherical topmark

2458: In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, the light characteristic of group flashing (2) is used for lights on __________.

    N a. the right descending bank
    Y b. the left descending bank
    N c. preferred channel buoys
    N d. daymarks with no lateral significant

2488: In which publication could you find information concerning the minimum lighting required for bridges on U.S. waters?

    N a. Chart No. 1.
    Y b. Code of Federal Regulations
    N c. Mississippi River Systems Light List
    N d. Notice to Mariners

2496: An orange and white buoy marking a danger area will have what symbol on it?

    Y a. Open-faced diamond
    N b. Diamond with a cross
    N c. Circle
    N d. Square

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

2624: You must construct a Mercator plotting sheet on a piece of paper measuring 30" by 32". The area includes latitudes 31°10'S to 37°40'S and longitudes 007°00'W to 001°00'E. 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 limitation?

    Y a. 3.69 inches
    N b. 3.52 inches
    N c. 3.38 inches
    N d. 3.26 inches

2750: When pushing a tow and approaching barges tied off to the shore, you should __________.

    N a. increase speed so you will pass faster
    Y b. decrease speed while passing so you won't create a suction
    N c. do nothing different as the barges should be tied off properly
    N d. move to the opposite side of the channel from the barges and increase speed

2770: What is most likely to happen when you push a multiple tow into a countercurrent?

    N a. Going upstream you will make better speed with no danger involved.
    N b. Going downstream you will be slowed down but will keep control of the tow.
    Y c. There is a good chance you will break up the tow.
    N d. No danger exists as long as you steer a straight course through the eddy.

2810: When steering a tow downstream around the shape of a sand bar, and staying on the proper side of the buoys, an operator should be cautious of __________.

    Y a. eddies under the bar
    N b. swift current under the bar causing loss of control
    N c. cross-currents pushing the tow away from the bar
    N d. cross-currents pushing the tow into the bar

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

2904: Your radar displays your ship off center. As you proceed on your course, your ship's marker moves on the PPI scope while echoes from land masses remain stationary. What is this display called?

    N a. Off center
    Y b. True motion
    N c. Stabilized
    N d. Head up

3073: ECDIS must give an alarm for which of the following cases?

    Y a. If the ship is going to reach a critical point on the planned route
    N b. When the speed of a dangerous target exceeds a set limit
    N c. If the ship's ETA has changed beyond the set limit
    N d. All of the above