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.
103: In Loran-C the high accuracy of atomic time and frequency controls allows each station to operate __________.
N a. at higher frequencies Y b. on schedule, independently N c. at 1,975 kHz N d. in a multiplex phase 201: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?
N a. Red and white retroreflective material Y b. A spherical topmark N c. A sequential number N d. A red and white octagon 215: The equation of time is 12m 00s and the mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are on the central meridian of your time zone, at what zone time will the apparent Sun cross the meridian?
N a. 1148 N b. 1200 Y c. 1212 N d. It cannot be determined from the information given. 279: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in a magnetic compass __________.
Y a. remains aligned with compass north N b. also turns to starboard N c. first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port N d. turns counterclockwise to port 310: Which sextant shown has an index error of 3'30" off the arc? (D050NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 323: The position accuracy of Loran-C degrades with increasing distance from the transmitting stations as __________.
N a. gains are made over the signal path Y b. a result of variation in propagation conditions N c. the frequency of the pulses increases N d. the stations shift pulses 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 340: Information about the direction and velocity of rotary tidal currents is found in the __________.
N a. Mariner's Guide N b. Nautical Almanac N c. Tide Tables Y d. Tidal Current Tables 355: During the month of October the Sun's declination is __________.
N a. north and increasing N b. north and decreasing Y c. south and increasing N d. south and decreasing 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 435: If an observer is at 35°N latitude, his zenith is __________.
N a. 55°S of the celestial equator N b. at the north celestial pole Y c. 35°N of the celestial equator N d. 55°N of the celestial equator 465: When applying a dip correction to the sighted sextant angle (hs), you always subtract the dip because you are correcting __________.
N a. hs to the visible horizon Y b. hs to the sensible horizon N c. hs to the celestial horizon N d. Ho to the celestial horizon 511: A survey (special purpose mark) buoy __________.
N a. must be lighted N b. may have a flashing red light N c. may have a fixed white light Y d. None of the above 562: You wish to measure the distance on a Mercator chart between a point in latitude 42°30'N and a point in latitude 40°30'N. To measure 30 miles at a time you should set the points of the dividers at __________.
Y a. 41°15' and 41°45' N b. 41°45' and 42°15' N c. 42°15' and 42°45' N d. 42°00' and 42°30' 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 635: A low HDOP (Horizontal Dilution of Precision) number such as 2 indicates a __________.
N a. poor fix Y b. good fix N c. poor signal quality N d. good signal quality 697: The set of the current is the __________.
N a. speed of the current at a particular time N b. maximum speed of the current N c. direction from which the current flows Y d. direction in which the current flows 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 863: The compass heading of a vessel differs from the true heading by __________.
Y a. compass error N b. variation N c. magnetic dip N d. deviation 876: A generally circular low pressure area is called a(n) __________.
Y a. cyclone N b. anticyclone N c. cold front N d. occluded front 882: Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?
N a. Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector Y b. True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light N c. An outline of the area of the sector N d. True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship 1062: What is the approximate geographic range of Horton Point Light, NY, if your height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LISTS AND COAST PILOTS" .
N a. 18.8 nm Y b. 19.3 nm N c. 20.3 nm N d. 24.8 nm 1064: The dew point temperature is __________.
N a. always higher than the air temperature N b. always lower than the air temperature N c. equal to the difference between the wet and dry bulb temperatures Y d. the temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapor 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. 1086: When crossing a front isobars tend to __________.
Y a. change from smooth curves within the air mass to sharp bends at the front N b. change from sharp bends within the air mass to smooth curves at the front N c. pass smoothly across the front with no change N d. become closer together at the front and pass through in straight lines 1095: The celestial coordinate of a star that is relatively constant in value is the __________.
N a. Greenwich hour angle N b. local hour angle Y c. sidereal hour angle N d. meridian angle 1131: On navigational aids, what does the light characteristic "Fl(2+1)" mean?
N a. A flashing light combined with a fixed light of greater brightness Y b. Light flashes combined in groups, with a different number of flashes in each group N c. A light showing groups of two or more flashes at regular intervals N d. A fixed light varied at regular intervals by groups of two or more flashes of greater brightness 1249: What is the light characteristic of a lighted, preferred-channel buoy?
N a. Fixed and flashing N b. Continuous quick N c. Isophase Y d. Composite group-flashing 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 1271: Which word indicates color variation in the characteristics of a light?
N a. Opposing N b. Changing N c. Reversing Y d. Alternating 1275: How is variation indicated on a small-scale nautical chart?
N a. Magnetic compass table N b. Magnetic meridians Y c. Isogonic lines N d. Variation is not indicated on small-scale nautical charts. 1396: On the approach of a warm front the barometric pressure usually __________.
Y a. falls N b. rises N c. is steady N d. is unreliable 1446: When compared to air temperature, which factor is most useful in predicting fog?
N a. Vapor pressure Y b. Dew point N c. Barometric pressure N d. Absolute humidity 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 1574: Information about currents around Pacific Coast ports of the U.S. is found in the __________.
N a. Nautical Almanac N b. Tide Tables Y c. Tidal Current Tables N d. Ocean Current Tables 1614: Hot air can hold __________.
N a. less moisture than cold air Y b. more moisture than cold air N c. the same amount of moisture as cold air N d. moisture independent of air temperature 1655: Yesterday your chronometer read 11h 59m 59s at the 1200 GMT time tick. Today the chronometer reads 11h 59m 57s at the 1200 time tick. What is the chronometer rate?
N a. +2s Y b. -2s N c. -3s N d. +3s 1702: In a cyclone the lowest pressure is found in the __________.
Y a. center N b. outer edge N c. warm front N d. cold front 1752: What is the major limitation in using the Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation Volume I (Pub. No. 249) for star sights?
N a. More accuracy is needed for celestial observations on board ship than what is tabulated. N b. Sights must be made at even time increments to benefit from the tables. Y c. Only certain stars are included and sights must be limited to those stars. N d. Only first magnitude stars are tabulated. 1830: A vessel heading NNW is on a course of __________.
N a. 274.5° N b. 292.0° N c. 315.5° Y d. 337.5° 1838: The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the left bank. This means that the light can be seen on the starboard side of a vessel __________.
Y a. ascending the river N b. descending the river N c. crossing the river N d. proceeding towards sea 1899: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the starboard beam?
N a. 045° N b. 060° N c. 075° Y d. 090° 1979: The principal vertical circle is that great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the __________.
N a. zenith and the celestial body Y b. zenith and the north and south poles N c. poles and Greenwich N d. zenith and is parallel to the horizon 2074: When approaching a lock and at a distance of not more than a mile, vessels desiring a single lockage shall sound which signal?
Y a. One long blast followed by one short blast N b. One short blast followed by one long blast N c. Two short blasts N d. Two long blasts 2093: Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be obtained from the __________.
N a. Light List Vol. V N b. List of Lights Y c. Broadcast Notice to Mariners N d. Sailing Directions 2121: In plotting a running fix, how many fixed objects are needed to take your lines of position from?
N a. Three N b. Two Y c. One N d. None 2300: When a magnetic compass is not in use for a prolonged period of time it should __________.
Y a. be shielded from direct sunlight N b. be locked into a constant heading N c. have any air bubbles replaced with nitrogen N d. have the compensating magnets removed 2380: The navigation regulations applicable to a U.S. inland waterway can be found in the __________.
N a. Notices to Mariners N b. Channel Reports N c. Sailing Directions Y d. Coast Pilots 2392: The point where the Sun is at maximum declination north or south is __________.
N a. aphelion N b. perihelion N c. an equinox Y d. a solstice 2474: A vessel is heading magnetic north and its magnetic compass indicates a heading of 356°. What action should be taken to remove this error during compass adjustment?
N a. If the blue ends of the magnets are to port, and the athwartships tray is at the top, you should remove some of the magnets. Y b. If the blue ends of the magnets are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should remove some magnets. N c. If the red ends of the magnets are to starboard, and the athwartships tray is at the bottom, you should reverse the magnets. N d. If the blue ends of the magnets are to starboard, you should raise the athwartships tray. 2500: When correcting the sextant altitude to apparent altitude you are correcting for inaccuracies in the reading and __________.
Y a. for inaccuracies in the reference level N b. the equivalent reading at the center of the body N c. the equivalent reading from the center of the Earth N d. the bending of the rays of light from the body 2809: The diurnal variation of pressure is not visible in the middle latitudes in winter because __________.
Y a. it is masked by the pressure changes of moving weather systems N b. the decreased gravitational effect from the sun causes the variation to fade N c. the decreased average temperature is less than the critical temperature N d. the increased Coriolis force disperses the pressure variation 2931: The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water is the __________.
N a. range of tide Y b. height of tide N c. actual water depth N d. charted depth 2947: A position obtained by crossing lines of position taken at different times and advanced to a common time is a(n) __________.
N a. fix N b. dead-reckoning position Y c. running fix N d. estimated position 3004: While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 4 seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?
N a. 209 yards N b. 363 yards N c. 480 yards Y d. 730 yards 3062: If the electronic chart is part of an ECDIS, it must display the minimum data required by IMO/IHO, to include all of the following EXCEPT __________.
N a. hydrography N b. aids to navigation Y c. tidal currents N d. regulatory boundaries 3062: If the electronic chart is part of an ECDIS, it must display the minimum data required by IMO/IHO, to include all of the following EXCEPT __________.
N a. hydrography N b. aids to navigation Y c. tidal currents N d. regulatory boundaries 3089: As a licensed Merchant Marine Officer you are expected to __________.
N a. obtain a weather forecast before setting out from port N b. listen to weather forecasts on the radio while enroute N c. understand all broadcast weather warning information Y d. All of the above 3107: Automatic identification systems (AIS) are expected to broadcast all of the following information EXCEPT __________.
Y a. Port of origin N b. Name of vessel N c. Course and speed over ground N d. Draft of vessel 3120: The short text messaging feature of the automatic identification system (AIS) allows for messages of up to___.
N a. 56 characters N b. 64 characters N c. 128 characters Y d. 158 characters