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.


55: Your longitude is 179°59'W. The LMT at this longitude is 23h 56m on the 4th day of the month. Six minutes later, your position is 179°59'E longitude. Your LMT and date are __________.


95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114°W and one on 119°W is __________.


95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114°W and one on 119°W is __________.


223: In the Loran-C configuration shown, the stations located at X, Y, and Z are called __________. (D003NG )

    N a. repeater stations
    Y b. secondary stations
    N c. composite stations
    N d. alternate stations

239: As you enter a channel from seaward in a U.S. port, the numbers on the starboard side buoys __________.

    N a. decrease and the buoys are black
    N b. increase and the buoys are green
    N c. decrease and the buoys are red
    Y d. increase and the buoys are red

247: Neap tides occur __________.

    N a. at the start of spring, when the Sun is nearly over the equator
    N b. only when the Sun and Moon are on the same sides of the Earth and are nearly in line
    Y c. when the Sun and Moon are at approximately 90° to each other, as seen from the Earth
    N d. when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are nearly in line, regardless of alignment order

247: Neap tides occur __________.

    N a. at the start of spring, when the Sun is nearly over the equator
    N b. only when the Sun and Moon are on the same sides of the Earth and are nearly in line
    Y c. when the Sun and Moon are at approximately 90° to each other, as seen from the Earth
    N d. when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are nearly in line, regardless of alignment order

248: What is the index error of sextant A in illustration D050NG? (D050NG )

    N a. 0° 10' off the arc
    N b. 0° 10' on the arc
    N c. 3° 00' off the arc
    Y d. 4° 20' off the arc

277: Your vessel goes aground in soft mud. You would have the best chance of refloating it on the next tide if it grounded at __________.

    N a. low water neap
    Y b. low water spring
    N c. high water neap
    N d. high water spring

280: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy with a spherical topmark marks __________.

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

315: Which statement about the time diagram shown DO08NG is TRUE?

    N a. You are in west longitude.
    N b. Your date is ahead of Greenwich.
    Y c. The meridian angle of the Sun is east.
    N d. The GHA of the Sun is less than 180°.

328: The direction of prevailing winds in the Northern hemisphere is caused by the __________.

    N a. magnetic field at the North Pole
    N b. Gulf Stream
    Y c. Earth's rotation
    N d. Arctic cold fronts

412: If you were sailing in the North Pacific and were interested in the ice and iceberg limits, you could find this information in the __________.

    Y a. Pilot Chart
    N b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    N d. None of the above

452: When navigating in high latitudes and using a chart based on a Lambert conformal projection, __________.

    Y a. a straight line drawn on the chart approximates a great circle
    N b. the chart should not be used outside of the standard parallels
    N c. the course angle is measured at the mid-longitude of the track line
    N d. distance cannot be measured directly from the chart

551: Spoil grounds, anchorage areas, cable areas, and military exercise areas are all marked by yellow buoys. Which special mark on the buoy will indicate the specific area you are in?

    N a. A topmark triangular in shape
    N b. A topmark spherical in shape
    Y c. Lettering on the buoy
    N d. A topmark consisting of two cones with the points up

639: In the Northern Hemisphere, what type of cloud formations would you expect to see to the west of an approaching tropical wave?

    Y a. Cumulus clouds lined up in rows extending in a northeast to southwest direction
    N b. High altostratus clouds in the morning hours
    N c. Cirrostratus clouds lined up in rows extending in a northeast to southwest direction
    N d. Cirrostratus clouds lined up in rows extending in a north to south direction

670: A NAVAREA warning carries the following number; 1986/87 (11). Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The warning was issued in 1986, the 87th sequentially numbered warning and broadcast 11 times.
    Y b. This is warning number 1986 issued in 1987, and it affects sub-region 11.
    N c. This warning is valid in 1986 and 1987 and is the eleventh two-year warning.
    N d. The subject of this warning first appeared in 1986; this warning is in 1987 and is the eleventh on this topic.

671: You sight a buoy fitted with a double-sphere topmark. If sighted at night, this buoy would show a __________.

    N a. quick-flashing red light
    N b. quick-flashing green light
    Y c. flashing white light showing a group of two flashes
    N d. flashing red light showing a group of three flashes

704: What is TRUE of the history display of a target's past positions on an ARPA?

    N a. It provides a graphic display to emphasize which vessel is on a collision course.
    Y b. In the true presentation, it provides a quick visual check to determine if a vessel has changed course.
    N c. The display is one of the primary inputs and must be in use when using the trial maneuver capability.
    N d. It provides a graphic display of a target vessel's relative course, speed, and CPA.

715: The length of the year with respect to the vernal equinox is the __________.

    Y a. tropical year
    N b. sidereal year
    N c. anomalistic year
    N d. All of the above

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'

756: What is a common unit of measure for atmospheric pressure?

    N a. centimeters
    Y b. Inches
    N c. Degrees
    N d. Feet

764: Magnetic variation changes with a change in __________.

    N a. the vessel's heading
    N b. sea conditions
    N c. seasons
    Y d. the vessel's position

803: Which buoy will NOT display white retroreflective material?

    N a. Safe water mark
    N b. Isolated danger mark
    Y c. Preferred channel mark
    N d. Daymark of no lateral significance

824: An "atoll cloud" forming over an island due to heating of the land during the daytime would be which type?

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

845: During one synodic rotation, a body makes one complete turn relative to the __________.

    N a. Earth
    Y b. Sun
    N c. stars
    N d. vernal equinox

871: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy marking the starboard side of the channel when approaching from seaward must have a(n) __________.

    N a. pillar shape
    Y b. green color
    N c. square topmark
    N d. even number

881: Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to starboard may have a __________.

    N a. green light
    N b. long-flashing light characteristic
    Y c. square topmark
    N d. conical shape

967: On an Atlantic Ocean voyage from New York to Durban, South Africa, you should expect the Agulhas Current to present a strong __________.

    N a. offshore set
    N b. onshore set
    Y c. head current
    N d. fair or following current

1006: An air mass is termed "warm" if __________.

    N a. it is above 70°F
    Y b. the ground over which it moves is cooler than the air
    N c. it originated in a high pressure area
    N d. it originated in a low pressure area

1065: You are in the Northern Hemisphere and a tropical wave is located 200 miles due east of your position. Where will the wave be located 12 hours later?

    N a. Farther away to the east
    N b. In the same position
    Y c. Nearby to the east
    N d. Farther away to the west

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

1106: The legend/symbol which designates an occluded front is represented by a __________.

    N a. red line
    Y b. purple line
    N c. blue line
    N d. dashed blue line

1199: The Sailing Directions (Enroute) contain information on __________.

    N a. well-charted inner dangers
    N b. port facilities
    Y c. coastal anchorages
    N d. offshore traffic separation schemes

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

1256: A cold front moving in from the northwest can produce __________.

    Y a. thunderstorms, hail, and then rapid clearing
    N b. increasing cloud cover lasting for several days
    N c. lengthy wet weather
    N d. low ceilings with thick cirrus clouds

1300: You are approaching a sea buoy which emits a racon signal. This signal is triggered by which type of radar?

    Y a. 3 cm
    N b. 10 cm
    N c. Both 3 cm and 10 cm
    N d. Signal does not depend on radar type.

1321: A lighthouse can be identified by its __________.

    N a. painted color
    N b. light color and phase characteristic
    N c. type of structure
    Y d. All of the above

1330: You are located within a stationary high pressure area. Your aneroid barometer is falling very slowly. This indicates a(n) __________.

    N a. wind shift of 180°
    N b. large increase in wind velocity
    Y c. decrease in the pressure of the system
    N d. increase in the intensity of the system

1335: Plain language is usually used on marine weather __________.

    Y a. forecasts
    N b. observations
    N c. analyses
    N d. reports

1409: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at 5.5 knots on course 033°T, and bears 284°T, 43 miles from you. What is the time to intercept if you make 16 knots?

    N a. 2h 16m
    N b. 2h 22m
    Y c. 2h 34m
    N d. 2h 42m

1424: Except for N-S courses, and E-W courses on the equator, a great circle track between two points, when compared to a rhumb line track between the same two points, will __________.

    N a. always be nearer to the equator
    Y b. always be nearer to the elevated pole
    N c. be nearer to the pole in the Northern Hemisphere and nearer to the equator in the Southern Hemisphere
    N d. be nearer to the pole or the equator depending on the latitudes of the arrival and departure positions

1454: Atmospheric pressure may be measured with a(n) __________.

    N a. barograph
    N b. aneroid barometer
    N c. mercurial barometer
    Y d. All of the above

1485: The safest and most prudent procedure to follow while navigating in the vicinity of a tropical cyclone is to __________.

    Y a. take positive steps to avoid it if possible
    N b. batten down and prepare to ride out the storm
    N c. continue to navigate farther from the coast
    N d. always navigate towards the coast by the most direct route

1494: Cirrocumulus clouds are indicated by which number? (D039NG )

    N a. 7
    N b. 5
    Y c. 3
    N d. 1

1569: Three or four feet of the total height of a storm surge in a hurricane can be attributed to __________.

    N a. an increase in temperature
    N b. an increase in the wave period
    N c. the wind velocity
    Y d. the decrease in atmospheric pressure

1617: The inner cloud bands of a hurricane, when viewed from a distance, form a mass of dense, black cumulonimbus clouds called the __________.

    Y a. bar of the storm
    N b. eye of the storm
    N c. funnel
    N d. front

1699: In the Northern Hemisphere, when the center of a high pressure system is due east of your position, you can expect winds from the __________.

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

1860: A vessel heading WSW is on a course of __________.

    N a. 202.5°
    N b. 225.0°
    Y c. 247.5°
    N d. 271.0°

2006: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the port beam?

    N a. 315°
    N b. 300°
    Y c. 270°
    N d. 235°

2069: Illustration D037NG represents a moveable dam. If a bear trap is open what will be displayed at the lock to indicate this condition? (D037NG )

    N a. A flashing amber light
    Y b. A white circular disc
    N c. A red diamond
    N d. Two amber lights

2190: Clouds are classified according to their __________.

    N a. size
    N b. moisture content
    Y c. altitude and how they were formed
    N d. location in a front

2386: The path that the Sun appears to take among the stars is the __________.

    N a. zodiac
    N b. Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere
    Y c. ecliptic
    N d. line of apsides

2428: If your vessel were proceeding up river (ascending), the port side of the channel would be marked according to the U. S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers by __________.

    Y a. green can buoys
    N b. red can buoys
    N c. green nun buoys
    N d. red nun buoys

2528: Illustration D038NG represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter A in the illustration? (D038NG )

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

2696: You must draw a plotting sheet covering latitudes 52°S to 56°S and longitudes 179°W to 175°E. If the distance between latitude 52°S to 56°S is 24 inches, what is the distance between the meridians of 1° of longitude?

    N a. 3.2 inches
    Y b. 3.5 inches
    N c. 4.0 inches
    N d. 4.2 inches

2936: Information on search and rescue procedures and special, local communications used in Mexican waters will be found in the __________.

    N a. World Port Index
    N b. International Code of Signals (Pub 102)
    Y c. Sailing Directions (Planning Guides)
    N d. International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual

3010: A white buoy with a blue band is __________.

    N a. an isolated danger mark
    N b. a hydrographic data collection buoy
    Y c. a mooring buoy
    N d. marking a restricted area

3106: What does an automatic identification system (AIS) transponder use to transmit and receive information broadcasts?

    N a. 3000 Mhz and 9200 Mhz
    N b. 2182 Khz and 2187.5 Khz
    Y c. 156.525 Mhz, 161.975 Mhz and 162.025 Mhz
    N d. 1575.42 Mhz and 1227.6 Mhz

3117: With respect to automatic identification systems (AIS), which information is required to be broadcast every 1 to 10 seconds?

    Y a. Time stamp
    N b. IMO number
    N c. Type of vessel
    N d. Vessel's maximum displacement