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.
12: Lines on a chart which connect points of equal magnetic variation are called __________.
N a. magnetic latitudes N b. magnetic declinations N c. dip Y d. isogonic lines 22: Charts showing the coast of Mexico are produced by the United States __________.
Y a. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency N b. Coast Guard N c. Naval Observatory N d. National Ocean Service 31: When approaching a preferred-channel buoy, the best channel is NOT indicated by the __________.
Y a. light characteristic N b. color of the uppermost band N c. shape of an unlighted buoy N d. color of the light 86: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence backing. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would indicate that it will __________.
N a. shift in a clockwise manner Y b. shift in a counterclockwise manner N c. continue blowing from the same direction N d. decrease in velocity 195: The equation of time is 8m 00s. The mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are 2°W of the central meridian of your time zone, when will the apparent Sun cross your meridian?
Y a. 1216 N b. 1208 N c. 1200 N d. 1152 238: The predicted time that the flood begins at the entrance to Delaware Bay is 1526. You are anchored off Chestnut St. in Philadelphia. If you get underway bound for sea at 1430 and turn for 11 knots, at what point will you lose the ebb current?
N a. New Castle Y b. Liston Pt. N c. Arnold Pt. N d. Ship John Shoal Lt. 244: To make sure of getting the full advantage of a favorable current, you should reach an entrance or strait at what time in relation to the predicted time of the favorable current?
N a. One hour after the predicted time N b. At the predicted time N c. 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb Y d. 30 minutes before the predicted time 253: Loran-C is which type of system?
N a. Reflected electron N b. Electrical radiation N c. Quarterpoint electrical navigation Y d. Hyperbolic radio navigation 418: In most cases, the direction of the apparent wind lies between the bow and __________.
Y a. the direction of the true wind N b. true north N c. the beam on the windward side N d. the beam on the lee side 422: If you are sailing from the East Coast of the United States to the Caribbean Sea, which publication would contain information on weather, currents, and storms?
N a. Sailing Charts of the Caribbean Sea Y b. Pilot Charts of the North Atlantic N c. Light Lists, Atlantic and Gulf Coast N d. Tidal Current Tables 529: In some river mouths and estuaries the incoming high-tide wave crest overtakes the preceding low-tide trough. This results in a wall of water proceeding upstream, and is called a __________.
N a. seiche Y b. bore N c. boundary wave N d. surge 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 690: What level of development of a tropical cyclone has a hundred mile radius of circulation, gale force winds, less than 990 millibars of pressure and vertically formed cumulonimbus clouds?
N a. A tropical disturbance N b. A tropical depression Y c. A tropical storm N d. A typhoon 708: Which statement about Radio Navigational Warning Broadcasts is TRUE?
N a. Radio navigational warnings are valid for 10 days, unless cancelled earlier. N b. NAVAREA warnings cover coastal areas only, while HYDROLANTS or HYDROPACS cover entire ocean areas. Y c. Radio navigational warnings issued by NGA (NIMA) are published in the Daily Memorandum and the Notice to Mariners. N d. HYDROLANTS and HYDROPACS cover the same geographical areas as NAVAREA warnings, but are for the use of military vessels only. 722: Which publication would describe the explosive anchorages in the ports on the east coast of the United States?
N a. Sailing Directions N b. Pilot Rules for Inland Waters Y c. Coast Pilot N d. Notice to Mariners 776: You are navigating in pilotage waters using running fixes. The maximum time between fixes should be about __________.
N a. 4 hours N b. 1 hour Y c. 30 minutes N d. 5 minutes 777: With respect to a reversing current, slack water occurs when there is __________.
Y a. little or no horizontal motion of the water N b. little or no vertical motion of the water N c. a weak ebb or flood current N d. when winds cause water to back up in a river mouth 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 826: In the U.S., in which direction do air masses usually move?
Y a. Easterly N b. Southerly N c. Northerly N d. Southwesterly 830: The highest frequency of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean occurs during __________.
N a. January, February and March N b. April, May and June Y c. August, September and October N d. July, November and December 833: The magnetic compass magnets are acted on by the horizontal component of the Earth's total magnetic force. This magnetic force is GREATEST at the __________.
N a. north magnetic pole N b. south magnetic pole N c. magnetic prime vertical meridian Y d. magnetic equator 860: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 10 miles and a height above water of 38 feet (11.6 meters). Your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 ,meters) and the visibility is 11.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?
Y a. 10.5 miles N b. 13.9 miles N c. 15.6 miles N d. 18.0 miles 867: Which ocean current is "warm" based on the latitude in which it originates and on the effect it has on climate?
Y a. Kuroshio Current N b. Benguela Current N c. Peru Current N d. California 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 984: The bases of middle clouds are located at altitudes of between __________.
N a. 3,000 to 6,500 feet (914 to 1981 meters) Y b. 6,500 to 20,000 feet (1981 to 6096 meters) N c. 10,000 to 35,000 feet (3048 to 10,668 meters) N d. 20,000 to 60,000 feet (6096 to 18,288 meters) 990: You plot a fix using three lines of position and find they intersect in a triangle. You should plot the position of the vessel __________.
N a. outside of the triangle N b. anywhere in the triangle N c. on the line of position from the nearest object, between the other two lines of position Y d. in the geometric center of the triangle 1149: You are entering port and have been instructed to anchor, as your berth is not yet available. You are on a SW'ly heading, preparing to drop anchor, when you observe the range lights, as shown, on your starboard beam. You should __________. (D047NG )
Y a. ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the range while at anchor N b. drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area free of obstructions N c. drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of the range lights will be an indication of dragging anchor N d. NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line 1307: What will be the velocity of the tidal current southwest of Hunts Point, NY, at 0932 EST (ZD +5) on 16 March 1983?
N a. 0.9 knot Y b. 1.5 knots N c. 1.8 knots N d. 2.3 knots 1328: What will be the velocity of the tidal current in Bolivar Roads, Texas, at a point 0.5 mile north of Ft. Point, on 23 November 1983 at 0330 CST (ZD +6)?
Y a. Slack water N b. 0.8 kt N c. 1.2 kts N d. 3.4 kts 1356: The first indications a mariner will have of the approach of a warm front will be __________.
N a. large cumulonimbus (thunderclouds) building up Y b. high cirrus clouds gradually changing to cirrostratus and then to altostratus N c. fog caused by the warm air passing over the cooler water N d. low dark clouds accompanied by intermittent rain 1364: The Sailing Directions are published in the Enroute format and the __________.
N a. Coastal editions N b. World Port Index N c. Pilot format Y d. Planning Guide 1390: The fog most commonly encountered at sea is called __________.
N a. conduction fog N b. radiation fog N c. frontal fog Y d. advection fog 1559: You are underway in the North Sea on course 216°T when you sight a buoy bearing 021° relative. Under the IALA Buoyage System, you are in the best navigable water if the buoy __________.
Y a. has a light characteristic of Q(6) + L Fl 15s N b. is horizontally banded yellow, black, yellow N c. has a double cone topmark with both points up N d. has a continuous very quick light 1566: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates thunderstorms? (D042NG )
Y a. I N b. K N c. L N d. M 1663: What is the primary source of the earth's weather?
N a. The oceans N b. The moon Y c. The sun N d. The solar system 1706: In the Northern Hemisphere a wind is said to veer when the wind __________.
Y a. changes direction clockwise, as from north to east, etc. N b. changes direction violently and erratically N c. remains constant in direction and speed N d. changes direction counterclockwise, as from south to east, etc. 1795: Which weather element cannot be measured accurately while on board a moving vessel?
N a. Relative humidity Y b. Cloud base height N c. Temperature N d. Atmospheric pressure 1824: 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 C in the illustration? (DO36NG )
N a. One red light N b. Two green lights Y c. Three green lights N d. No light 1858: A white buoy with an orange cross within a diamond marked on it indicates __________.
N a. danger Y b. vessels are excluded from the area N c. an anchorage area N d. operating restrictions are in effect 1909: In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the equator on the Earth?
N a. Prime vertical circle N b. Principal vertical circle N c. Parallels of altitude Y d. Horizon 1960: Astronomical refraction causes a celestial body to appear __________.
N a. to the left of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere N b. to the right of its position in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere Y c. higher than its actual position N d. lower than its actual position 2100: You are underway in a vessel with a draft of 7.0 feet (2.1 meters). The charted depth for your position is 9 fathoms. You compute the height of tide to be +3.0 feet (0.9 meters). You determine the depth of the water beneath your keel to be __________.
N a. 32 feet (9.8 meters) N b. 41 feet (12.6 meters) Y c. 50 feet (15.3 meters) N d. 64 feet (19.6 meters) 2168: By convention, the north pole of a magnet is painted __________.
Y a. red N b. blue N c. white N d. black 2277: The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 20 miles and is 52 feet high. If the visibility is 12.0 miles and your height of eye is 20 feet, at what approximate distance will you sight the light?
N a. 21.5 miles N b. 20.0 miles Y c. 13.7 miles N d. 12.0 miles 2322: You have completed the magnetic compass adjustments on magnetic east and magnetic south. The vessel is now steady on magnetic north but the compass reads 356°. Which action should be taken?
N a. Use the fore-and-aft magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 358°. Y b. Use the athwartships magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 358°. N c. Use the fore-and-aft magnets and adjust the compass until it reads 000°. N d. Use the quadrantal spheres and adjust the compass until it reads 000°. 2326: A double star is a star that __________.
N a. has a declination equal to twice that of the Sun Y b. comprises two stars that appear close together N c. is twice as bright as a single star N d. suddenly becomes much brighter and then fades 2330: You are heading in a northerly direction when you come across an easterly current. Your vessel will __________.
Y a. be pushed to starboard N b. be pushed to port N c. decrease in engine speed N d. remain on course 2460: You are on course 344°T and take a relative bearing of a lighthouse of 270°. What is the true bearing to the lighthouse?
N a. 016° N b. 074° N c. 090° Y d. 254° 2478: On 23 August 1981 you observe a back sight of the lower limb of the Sun. The sextant altitude (hs) is 116°42.8'. The height of eye is 56 feet and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
Y a. 63°42.0' N b. 63°38.0' N c. 63°19.4' N d. 62°49.6' 2519: The standard time meridian for zone description -12 is __________.
N a. 165.0°E N b. 172.5°E Y c. 180.0° N d. 172.5°W 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 2648: The 3-cm radar as compared to a 10-cm radar with similar specifications will __________.
N a. give better range performance in rain, hail, etc. N b. display small targets in a mass of dense sea clutter at a greater range N c. have less sea return in choppy rough seas Y d. display a more maplike presentation for inshore navigation 2679: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a daymark on the right descending bank will __________.
Y a. be green N b. have an odd number N c. indicate the gage reading N d. have yellow retroreflective markings 2722: The paths of intended travel between three or more points is the __________.
N a. course Y b. track N c. bearing N d. course over the ground 2844: The signal from a ramark will show on the PPI as a __________.
N a. coded signal on the same bearing and at a greater range then the transponder N b. circle surrounding the transponder Y c. radial line from the transponder to the center of the PPI N d. dashed circle at the same range as the transponder 2875: A harbor chart could have a scale of __________.
N a. not more than 1:25,000 Y b. 1:35,000 N c. 1:150,000 N d. not less than 1:500,000 2886: On mid-ocean waters, the height of a wind-generated wave is not affected by the __________.
Y a. water depth exceeding 100 feet N b. fetch N c. wind's velocity N d. duration of the wind 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° 2991: When using a radar in an unstabilized mode, fixes are determined most easily from __________.
N a. objects that are close aboard Y b. ranges N c. tangent bearings N d. center bearings 3003: The height of tide is the __________.
Y a. difference between the depth of the water and the area's tidal datum N b. depth of water at a specific time due to tidal effect N c. difference between the depth of the water and the high water tidal level N d. difference between the depth of the water at high tide and the depth of the water at low tide