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 __________.


124: An electronic depth finder operates on the principle that __________.


157: Tropic tides are caused by the __________.


176: Which wind pattern has the most influence over the movement of frontal weather systems over the North American continent?

    N a. Subpolar easterlies
    N b. Northeast trades
    Y c. Prevailing westerlies
    N d. Dominant southwesterly flow

198: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 6 knots on course 133°T, and bears 343°T at 92 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 9 knots?

    N a. 7h 44m
    N b. 7h 12m
    Y c. 6h 43m
    N d. 6h 08m

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

278: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 11 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 070°T, 80 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 270°T at 19 knots. If you maneuver at 11 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?

    N a. 84 miles
    N b. 79 miles
    N c. 74 miles
    Y d. 66 miles

285: The apparent wind is zero when the true wind is __________.

    N a. zero
    N b. from ahead and equal to the ship's speed
    Y c. from astern and equal to the ship's speed
    N d. from astern and is twice the ship's speed

319: The Illustration shows the symbols used by radio facsimile weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "F" represents a __________. (D042NG )

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

386: Your vessel is on course 180°T speed 22 knots. The apparent wind is from 70° off the port bow, speed 20 knots. The true direction and speed of the wind are __________.

    N a. 45°T, 21.0 knots
    Y b. 51°T, 24.0 knots
    N c. 58°T, 21.2 knots
    N d. 64°T, 26.0 knots

397: The mean tide level at Peaks Island, ME, is __________.

    N a. 1.8 feet (0.5 meters)
    N b. 2.5 feet (0.8 meters)
    N c. 3.2 feet (1.0 meters)
    Y d. 4.5 feet (1.4 meters)

402: All of the following can be found on a Pilot Chart EXCEPT information concerning the __________.

    N a. percentage of frequency of wave heights
    N b. percentage of poor visibility conditions
    N c. sea surface temperatures
    Y d. amounts of precipitation

414: The barometer is an instrument for measuring the __________.

    N a. temperature
    N b. relative humidity
    N c. dew point
    Y d. atmospheric pressure

415: If the Sun's observed altitude is 54°30', what is the zenith distance?

    Y a. 35°30'
    N b. 45°30'
    N c. 12°30'
    N d. 14°30'

517: On 5 March 1983, at 0630 EST (ZD +5), what will be the predicted height of tide at Ocracoke, Ocracoke Inlet, NC?

    Y a. 0.1 foot
    N b. 1.2 feet
    N c. 1.9 feet
    N d. 2.3 feet

585: What great circle is always needed to form the astronomical triangle?

    N a. Celestial Equator
    N b. Prime Meridian
    Y c. Celestial Meridian
    N d. Prime Vertical Circle

713: The closest point of approach (CPA) of a contact on a relative motion radar may be determined __________.

    N a. immediately when the contact is noted on radar
    N b. only if the radar scope is watched constantly
    Y c. after the contact has been marked at least twice
    N d. by an occasional glance at the radar

834: In many areas "atoll" clouds (clouds of vertical development) are produced over small islands. These are the result of __________.

    Y a. rising air currents produced by the warm islands
    N b. warm air from the sea rising over higher land areas
    N c. cool land air mixing with warm sea air
    N d. descending air over the islands

886: The circulation around a low pressure center in the Northern Hemisphere is __________.

    Y a. counterclockwise
    N b. variable
    N c. clockwise
    N d. anticyclonic

926: When a low pressure area is approaching, the weather generally __________.

    N a. improves
    Y b. worsens
    N c. remains the same
    N d. is unpredictable

937: The north equatorial current flows to the __________.

    N a. east
    N b. northeast
    N c. southwest
    Y d. west

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

1087: The velocity of a rotary tidal current will increase when the Moon is __________.

    N a. new
    N b. full
    N c. at perigee
    Y d. All of the above

1152: When using GPS without Selective Availability, you may expect your horizontal accuracy to be better than __________.

    N a. 3 meters
    Y b. 20 meters
    N c. 100 meters
    N d. 200 meters

1240: Weather information is available from __________.

    N a. commercial radio broadcasts
    N b. the Coast Guard on scheduled marine information broadcasts
    N c. VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service
    Y d. All of the above

1262: A safe water daymark has what shape?

    N a. Triangular
    N b. Diamond
    N c. Circular
    Y d. Octagonal

1315: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?

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

1381: Geographic range is the maximum distance at which a light may be seen under __________.

    N a. existing visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth
    Y b. perfect visibility conditions, limited only by the curvature of the Earth
    N c. existing visibility conditions, limited only by the intensity of the light
    N d. perfect visibility conditions, limited only by interference from background lighting

1430: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 42 feet high (12.8 meters). If the visibility is 6 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet (6.1 meters), at what approximate distance will you sight the light?

    N a. 20.1 miles
    Y b. 10.0 miles
    N c. 7.6 miles
    N d. 6.0 miles

1435: Inferior conjunction is possible for __________.

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

1438: In the Northern Hemisphere you are caught in the dangerous semicircle of a storm with plenty of sea room available. The best course of action is to bring the wind on the __________.

    N a. port quarter and make as much headway as possible
    N b. starboard quarter and make as much headway as possible
    Y c. starboard bow and make as much headway as possible
    N d. port bow and make as much headway as possible

1470: The Illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which symbol indicates a hurricane? (D042NG )

    N a. M
    N b. I
    N c. L
    Y d. K

1488: What defines a great circle?

    N a. A curved line drawn on a Mercator Chart
    N b. A course line that inscribes a loxodromic curve
    Y c. The shortest distance between any two points on the earth
    N d. The smallest circle that can be drawn on the face of a sphere

1557: A Doppler log in the volume reverberation mode indicates __________.

    N a. speed being made good
    Y b. speed through the water
    N c. the set of the current
    N d. the depth of the water

1563: Neap tides occur only __________.

    N a. at a new or full Moon
    N b. when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in line
    N c. at approximately 28-day intervals
    Y d. when the Moon is at quadrature

1570: The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the horizon system and the other is the __________.

    N a. terrestrial system
    N b. astronautical system
    Y c. celestial equator system
    N d. ecliptic system

1608: When using a buoy as an aid to navigation which of the following should be considered?

    N a. If the light is flashing the buoy should be considered to be in the charted location.
    Y b. The buoy may not be in the charted position.
    N c. The buoy should be considered to be in the charted position if it has been freshly painted.
    N d. The buoy should be considered to always be in the charted position.

1641: The low, dark, sheet-like cloud which is associated with continuous precipitation for many hours is a __________.

    N a. cirrus cloud
    N b. cumulus cloud
    N c. cumulonimbus cloud
    Y d. nimbostratus cloud

1745: When your vessel is on the storm track but behind the storm's center the __________.

    N a. wind direction remains steady
    N b. wind speed decreases
    N c. barometer rises
    Y d. All of the above

1777: If the current and wind are in the same direction, the sea surface represents a wind speed __________.

    Y a. lower than actually exists
    N b. higher than actually exists
    N c. that actually exists
    N d. that has no proportional relationship

1790: A Doppler speed log indicates speed through the water __________.

    N a. at all times
    N b. in the bottom return mode
    Y c. in the volume reverberation mode
    N d. only when there is no current

1826: The illustration represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter D in the illustration? (D036NG )

    N a. One red light
    Y b. Two green lights
    N c. Three green lights
    N d. No light

1914: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to longitude on the Earth?

    N a. Altitude
    Y b. Azimuth angle
    N c. Horizon
    N d. Zenith distance

1925: Above-normal tides near the center of a hurricane may be caused by the __________.

    N a. high barometric pressure
    N b. jet stream
    Y c. storm surge
    N d. torrential rains

1990: The navigational triangle uses parts of two systems of coordinates, one of which is the celestial equator system, the other system is the __________.

    N a. terrestrial system
    Y b. horizon system
    N c. astronomical system
    N d. ecliptic system

2081: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.

    N a. 30°
    N b. 45°
    N c. 60°
    Y d. 90°

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

2239: A flashing green light displayed at a single lock means that the lock is __________.

    Y a. ready for entrance
    N b. ready for entrance, but gates cannot be closed completely
    N c. being made ready for entrance
    N d. not ready for entrance

2240: If you observe a buoy off station you should __________.

    N a. fill out and mail CG Form 2692 to the nearest Coast Guard office
    N b. appear in person at the nearest Coast Guard office
    N c. notify Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC
    Y d. immediately contact the nearest Coast Guard office by radiotelephone

2282: 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 276°. You should now adjust the compass until it reads __________.

    N a. 264°
    N b. 270°
    Y c. 273°
    N d. Do not adjust the compass, just record the error.

2292: The points on the earth's surface where the magnetic dip is 90° are __________.

    N a. along the magnetic equator
    N b. connected by the isoclinal line
    N c. the isopors
    Y d. the magnetic poles

2418: While proceeding downriver, you sight a red triangular-shaped daymark on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers this is a __________.

    N a. special purpose signal
    Y b. passing daymark
    N c. mark with no lateral significance
    N d. crossing daymark

2422: The dimmest stars that could be reasonably used for navigational purposes are of what magnitude?

    N a. First
    Y b. Third
    N c. Sixth
    N d. Tenth

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

2614: What is the equivalent of 4°36' in time units?

    N a. 9 min. 12 sec.
    N b. 14 min. 36 sec.
    N c. 15 min. 36 sec.
    Y d. 18 min. 24 sec.

2646: During daylight savings time the meridian used for determining the time is located farther __________.

    Y a. east
    N b. west
    N c. east in west longitude and west in east longitude
    N d. west in west longitude and east in east longitude

2812: A line of position from a celestial observation is a segment of a __________.

    Y a. circle of equal altitude
    N b. parallel of declination
    N c. parallel of altitude
    N d. vertical circle

2910: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.

    N a. 60°
    N b. 45°
    Y c. 90°
    N d. 30°

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

2972: You are in a channel inbound from sea. A daymark used to mark a channel junction when the preferred channel is to starboard will have the shape indicated by what letter in illustration D045NG?

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