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.


44: The speed of sound through ocean water is nearly always __________.


77: When there are small differences between the heights of two successive high tides or two low tides, in a tidal day, the tides are called __________.


112: Which chart number indicates an NGA (NIMA) chart designed for inshore coastwise navigation?


125: The GMT is 0445 and your zone description is +1. Your zone time is __________.

    N a. 0445
    Y b. 0345
    N c. 0545
    N d. 1545

202: On charts of U.S. waters, a magenta marking is NOT used for marking a __________.

    N a. radio beacon
    N b. lighted buoy
    N c. prohibited area
    Y d. 5-fathom curve

203: In any Loran-C chain, there are three or more stations transmitting pulses which radiate in all directions. One of the stations is the master station, and the others in the chain are the __________.

    N a. radio stations
    Y b. secondary stations
    N c. monitor stations
    N d. pulse stations

351: Which buoy may be odd numbered?

    N a. A spherical buoy
    Y b. An unlighted can buoy
    N c. A red buoy
    N d. A yellow buoy

366: If an observer in the Northern Hemisphere faces the surface wind, the center of low pressure is to his______________.

    N a. left, slightly behind him
    Y b. right, slightly behind him
    N c. left, slightly in front of him
    N d. right, slightly in front of him

376: According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the Northern Hemisphere experiences a northeast wind the center of low pressure is located to the __________.

    N a. northeast
    N b. west-southwest
    N c. northwest
    Y d. south-southeast

627: You are on a coastwise voyage bound for Marcus Hook, PA. Your speed is 15 knots. You wish to use the flood tide to facilitate docking starboard side to, heading seaward. To have the most favorable tide throughout, you should time your arrival at the entrance to Delaware Bay __________.

    N a. for 1 hour before flood begins
    N b. for 1 hour after flood begins
    Y c. for 3 hours after flood begins
    N d. for 1 hour before ebb begins

636: Tropical cyclones are classified by form and intensity. Which system does not have closed isobars?

    N a. Hurricane
    Y b. Tropical disturbance
    N c. Tropical depression
    N d. Cyclone

782: Mariners are FIRST warned of serious defects or important changes to aids to navigation by means of __________.

    Y a. marine broadcast Notice to Mariners
    N b. Weekly Notices to Mariners
    N c. corrected editions of charts
    N d. Light Lists

793: The permanent magnetism of a vessel may change in strength due to __________.

    N a. a collision with another vessel
    N b. being moored on a constant heading for a long period of time
    N c. being struck by lightning
    Y d. All of the above

797: Which statement is TRUE concerning the current of the Gulf Stream?

    N a. It reaches its daily maximum speed a few hours before the transit of the Moon.
    N b. It is slower at the time of neap tides than at spring tides.
    N c. When the Moon is at its maximum declination the stream is narrower than when the Moon is on the equator.
    Y d. Variations in the trade winds affect the current.

857: The current that, in many respects, is similar to the Gulf Stream is the __________.

    Y a. Kuroshio
    N b. California Current
    N c. Oyashio
    N d. Benguela Current

929: Which error is NOT included in the term "current" when used in relation to a fix?

    N a. Poor steering
    N b. Leeway
    Y c. Known compass error
    N d. Ocean currents

930: Which statement about radio navigational warnings is TRUE?

    Y a. The topics for warnings included in HYDROLANTS, HYDROPACS, and NAVAREA warnings are the same.
    N b. NAVAREA warnings concern only coastal navigation and inland navigation in large bays or sounds such as Puget Sound.
    N c. The United States is responsible for NAVAREA warnings in the North Atlantic north of 7°N, and west of 15°W.
    N d. Long range radio navigational warnings are usually broadcast by radiotelephone, radiotelegraph, and radio-teletypewriter.

1022: What is the approximate geographic range of Fenwick Island Light, Delaware, if your height of eye is 37 feet (11.6 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 24.8 nm
    Y b. 17.8 nm
    N c. 15.9 nm
    N d. 10.3 nm

1042: What is the approximate geographic range of Shinnecock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 24 feet (7.3 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .

    N a. 8.7 nm
    N b. 9.9 nm
    N c. 14.4 nm
    Y d. 15.9 nm

1084: As the temperature of an air mass decreases, the __________.

    N a. absolute humidity decreases
    Y b. relative humidity increases
    N c. specific humidity decreases
    N d. dew point rises

1144: Freezing salt water spray should be anticipated when the air temperature drops below what temperature?

    N a. 32°F (0.0°C)
    Y b. 28°F (-2.2°C)
    N c. 0°F (-17.8°C)
    N d. -40°F (-28.9°C)

1171: A light that has a light period shorter than its dark period is described as __________.

    Y a. flashing
    N b. pulsating
    N c. occulting
    N d. alternating

1232: Entering from seaward, triangular-shaped daymarks are used to mark __________.

    Y a. the starboard side of the channel
    N b. the centerline of the channel
    N c. an obstruction where the preferred channel is to starboard
    N d. special purpose areas

1279: For 3 November 1983, at 0830 EST (ZD +5) at Catskill, NY, what is the predicted height of tide?

    N a. +0.1 foot (+0.0 m)
    Y b. -0.6 foot (-0.2 m)
    N c. +0.9 foot (+0.3 m)
    N d. -1.3 feet (-0.4 m)

1291: The period of a lighted aid to navigation refers to the __________.

    N a. date of construction or establishment
    N b. length of time between flashes of the light
    N c. time required for the longest flash of each cycle
    Y d. time required for the light to complete each cycle

1291: The period of a lighted aid to navigation refers to the __________.

    N a. date of construction or establishment
    N b. length of time between flashes of the light
    N c. time required for the longest flash of each cycle
    Y d. time required for the light to complete each cycle

1309: When recording the wind direction in the weather log, you would report the __________.

    N a. direction the wind is blowing toward
    Y b. direction the wind is blowing from
    N c. duration of the maximum gust of wind
    N d. wind chill factor

1345: A large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have replaced some lightships, would be shown on a chart by which symbol in illustration D015NG?

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

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

1524: A barometric pressure reading of 29.92 inches of mercury is equivalent to __________.

    Y a. 1013.25 millibars
    N b. 29.92 feet of water
    N c. 766 millimeters of mercury
    N d. 76 centimeters of water

1561: You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The buoy is off station and should be ignored as a navigational mark.
    N b. The waterway in that area has shoaled and the available depth of water is less than the project depth.
    N c. ICW traffic should not proceed beyond the buoy unless the crossing waterway is clear of all traffic.
    Y d. You should leave the buoy to port.

1637: Which of the following is NOT a form of precipitation?

    N a. rain
    Y b. frost
    N c. sleet
    N d. snow

1648: A sign of thunderstorm development is a cumulus cloud __________.

    N a. darkening, growing in size and forming an anvil top
    N b. that shows extensive vertical development
    N c. creating cold downdrafts that are felt on the ground
    Y d. All of the above

1665: Air circulation is caused or affected by __________.

    N a. the rotation of the earth on its axis
    N b. convection currents caused by differences in radiant heating between equatorial and polar regions
    N c. mountain ranges
    Y d. All of the above

1720: In the Southern Hemisphere winds in a low pressure system rotate in a __________.

    Y a. clockwise direction
    N b. northeasterly direction
    N c. northerly direction
    N d. counterclockwise direction

1727: What enables you to estimate the bearing of a storm's center?

    Y a. Buys Ballot's Law
    N b. An educated guess
    N c. Pascal's Law
    N d. The left-hand rule

1778: Illustration D037NG represents a movable dam. If the wickets are down and there are open weirs due to high water, what light(s) will be shown at A if the lock walls and piers are not awash? (D037NG )

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

1848: The buoy symbol printed on your chart is leaning to the northeast. This indicates __________.

    N a. you should stay to the north or east of the buoy
    N b. you should stay to the west or south of the buoy
    N c. the buoy is a major lighted buoy
    Y d. nothing special for navigational purposes

1859: While proceeding downriver (descending) you sight a red diamond-shaped panel with small, red reflector squares in each corner on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers this is a __________.

    N a. special purpose signal
    N b. passing daymark
    Y c. crossing daymark
    N d. cable crossing

1870: A vessel heading SW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    Y b. 225.0°
    N c. 247.5°
    N d. 270.0°

2018: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    N b. Heeling magnet
    Y c. Flinders bar
    N d. Athwartships magnets

2019: At evening stars, the last stars that should be observed are those with an azimuth in what quadrant?

    N a. Southern
    Y b. Western
    N c. Northern
    N d. Eastern

2062: 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 F in the illustration? (D038NG )

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

2070: What is the relative bearing of an object on the port beam?

    N a. 045°
    N b. 090°
    N c. 180°
    Y d. 270°

2098: Which magnetic compass corrector(s) can be set while the vessel is on a heading of magnetic east or magnetic west?

    N a. Quadrantal spheres
    N b. Heeling magnets
    Y c. Fore-and-aft magnets
    N d. Athwartships magnets

2183: 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 D if the lock walls and piers are not awash?

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

2189: 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?

    N a. If the blue ends are to port and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should add some more magnets.
    N b. If the blue ends are to port and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should add some more magnets.
    N c. If the red ends are to port, you should lower the athwartships tray.
    Y d. If the red ends are to port and the tray is at the bottom, you should raise the tray.

2439: Which statement about the time diagram in illustration D008NG is TRUE? (D008NG )

    Y a. You are in east longitude.
    N b. The Sun is setting for you.
    N c. Your date is different from the Greenwich date.
    N d. The GHA is approximately 160°.

2456: An orange and white buoy marking an area where operating restrictions are in effect will be marked with which symbol?

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

2522: The letter H in illustration D006NG represents the __________. (D006NG )

    N a. celestial horizon
    N b. geoidal horizon
    Y c. visible horizon
    N d. refractive horizon

2566: When the time is based on the movement of the visible Sun along the ecliptic the time is known as __________.

    N a. real time
    N b. visible time
    Y c. apparent time
    N d. mean time

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

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

2918: Which agency maintains federal aids to navigation?

    N a. Corps of Engineers
    Y b. Coast Guard
    N c. National Ocean Service
    N d. Maritime Administration

2927: The position labeled C, as shown, was plotted because __________. (D051NG )

    N a. the vessel's course changed from due North to due East
    Y b. running fixes are better estimates of true position than dead-reckoning positions
    N c. the vessel's speed changed
    N d. All of the above are correct

2932: If the main channel under a bridge is marked with lights of the lateral system the adjacent bridge piers should be marked with __________.

    N a. occulting white lights
    Y b. fixed yellow lights
    N c. fixed white lights
    N d. flashing yellow lights

3063: Which of the following must the electronic chart of an ECDIS display, as required by IMO/IHO?

    N a. Hydrography
    N b. Ferry routes
    N c. Regulatory boundaries
    Y d. All of the above

3074: ECDIS must give an alarm for which of the following cases?

    N a. When the speed of a dangerous target exceeds a set limit
    Y b. When the specified limit for deviation from the planned route is exceeded
    N c. If the ship's ETA has changed beyond the set limit
    N d. None of the above

3105: An automatic identification system (AIS) transponder transmits and receives information broadcasts on _____?

    N a. 10 cm, S-band radar
    N b. 3 cm, X-band radar
    N c. UHF L-band
    Y d. VHF maritime band