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.
118: What describes an accurate position that is NOT based on any prior position?
N a. Dead-reckoning position N b. Estimated position Y c. Fix N d. Running fix 120: You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 13 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100°T, 120 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 275°T at 25 knots. If you maneuver at 13 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
Y a. 72 miles N b. 78 miles N c. 83 miles N d. 89 miles 314: Which of these sextant errors is nonadjustable?
N a. Prismatic error N b. Graduation error N c. Centering error Y d. All of the above 320: Sometimes foreign charts are reproduced by NGA (NIMA). On such a chart, a wire-dragged, swept area may be shown in green or __________.
N a. red N b. black Y c. purple N d. yellow 326: You are steaming west in the North Atlantic in an extratropical cyclonic storm, and the wind is dead ahead. According to the law of Buys Ballot, the center of low pressure lies to the __________.
Y a. north N b. south N c. east N d. west 381: A nun buoy will __________.
N a. be green in color Y b. have an even number N c. be left to port when entering from seaward N d. be cylindrical in shape 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 502: A gnomonic projection is based on a(n) __________.
Y a. plane tangent at one point N b. cylinder tangent at the equator N c. cone tangent at one parallel N d. infinite series of cones tangent at selected parallels 518: With regard to GPS, a civilian receiver may be capable of achieving the same accuracy as a military receiver if __________.
Y a. selective availability is set to zero N b. the satellites are all below 15° in elevation N c. your vessel is equipped with a Doppler receiver N d. the horizontal dilution of precision is high 555: The letter D shown represents the __________. (D006NG )
N a. geoidal horizon N b. celestial horizon N c. visible horizon Y d. geometrical horizon 575: The horizontal plane, perpendicular to the zenith-nadir axis, that intersects with the celestial sphere and is tangent to the earth is called the __________.
N a. celestial horizon N b. sensible horizon N c. visible horizon Y d. geoidal horizon 584: The correction(s) which must be applied to an aneroid barometer reading include(s) __________.
Y a. height error N b. gravity error N c. temperature error N d. All of the above 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 650: What classification of tropical cyclone would have closed isobars, counter clockwise rotary circulation, and sustained winds between 34 and 63 knots?
N a. A tropical disturbance N b. A tropical depression Y c. A tropical storm N d. A hurricane 651: Which topmark shown identifies an isolated danger? (D023NG )
N a. A Y b. B N c. C N d. D 746: Lines drawn through points on the Earth having the same atmospheric pressure are known as __________.
N a. isothermal N b. millibars Y c. isobars N d. seismics 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 818: Ocean swells originating from a typhoon can move ahead of it at speeds near __________.
N a. 10 knots N b. 20 knots N c. 30 knots Y d. 50 knots 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 933: How many degrees are there on a compass card?
Y a. 360° N b. 380° N c. 390° N d. 420° 992: Which publication contains information on Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) in time of emergency or war?
Y a. Pub. 117, Radio Navigational Aids N b. Appropriate volume of the Sailing Directions N c. Pub. 102, International Code of Signals N d. Light List 1025: A first magnitude star is __________.
Y a. 2.5 times as bright as a second magnitude star N b. 3 times as bright as a second magnitude star N c. 5 times as bright as a second magnitude star N d. 10 times as bright as a second magnitude star 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 1133: Which compensates for errors introduced when the vessel heels over?
N a. The soft iron spheres on the arms of the binnacle N b. Magnets placed in trays inside the binnacle Y c. A single vertical magnet beneath the compass N d. The Flinders bar 1197: Off Fire Island, NY with winds from the southwest, the average wind-driven current flows in a direction of __________.
N a. 014° Y b. 076° N c. 170° N d. 256° 1235: Weather information provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) advisories should be used along with __________.
N a. the Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables N b. the local Notice to Mariners Y c. weather maps and local knowledge N d. any U.S. Coast Pilot 1377: What is the velocity of the tidal current at the east end of Pollock Rip Channel at 1700 DST (ZD +4) on 23 July 1983?
N a. 0.6 knot ebbing N b. 0.8 knot flooding Y c. 1.5 knots flooding N d. 1.9 knots flooding 1434: What is NOT a characteristic of cardinal marks?
N a. Yellow and black bands N b. White lights Y c. Square or triangular topmarks N d. Directional orientation to a hazard 1466: Advection fog is most commonly caused by __________.
N a. air being warmed above the dew point N b. saturation of cold air by rain N c. a rapid cooling of the air near the surface of the Earth at night Y d. warm moist air being blown over a colder surface 1480: What is the definition of height of tide?
N a. The vertical difference between the heights of low and high water N b. The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean bottom N c. The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the ocean floor Y d. The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of the water at any time 1518: Which publication requires infrequent corrections?
N a. List of Lights N b. Coast Pilot Y c. Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) N d. Radio Navigational Aids 1529: Widely spaced isobars on a weather map indicate __________.
N a. high winds Y b. gentle breezes N c. ice, snow or frozen rain N d. probability of tornados 1555: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a yellow buoy is a __________.
N a. safe water buoy N b. junction buoy N c. cardinal mark Y d. special purpose mark 1700: Generally speaking, you should expect to find low atmospheric pressure prevailing in the earth's __________.
Y a. equatorial area N b. polar regions N c. mid-latitudes N d. All of the above 1704: If the center of low pressure is due west of you in the Northern Hemisphere, which wind direction should you expect?
N a. South to west Y b. South to east N c. West to north N d. North to east 1789: 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? (D036NG )
Y a. One red light N b. Two green lights N c. Three green lights N d. No light(s) 1874: Lighted white and orange buoys must show which color light?
N a. Orange N b. Red N c. Alternating yellow and white Y d. White 1941: IN REGION A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the starboard side of a channel would be marked by a __________.
N a. red can buoy N b. red conical buoy N c. green can buoy Y d. green conical buoy 2008: What term is used to describe a tank barge constructed with the structural framing outside the cargo tank and the cargo tank plating separated from the shell plating?
N a. Shell plated Y b. Double hull N c. Hopper type N d. Independent tank 2053: When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicates __________.
N a. a sharp turn in the channel to the right Y b. the port side of the channel N c. a junction with the preferred channel to the left N d. a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side 2084: You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.
Y a. hold your position and not attempt to enter the lock N b. approach the lock slowly under full control N c. proceed at normal speed to enter the lock N d. None of the above 2141: What lights would you see on the Illinois water way when any wickets of the dam or bear traps are open, or partially open, which may cause a set in the current conditions in the upper lock approach?
N a. Red over green N b. Green over red Y c. Red over amber (yellow) N d. Green over amber (yellow) 2143: What lights would you see on the Illinois water way when any wickets of the dam or bear traps are open, or partially open, which may cause a set in the current conditions in the upper lock approach?
Y a. Red over amber (yellow) N b. Green over amber (yellow) N c. Red over Green N d. Green over Red 2215: You are required to enter a lock on your voyage. Information on the lock regulations, signals, and radio communications can be found in __________.
N a. the publication "Key to the Locks" N b. Bowditch N c. Corps of Engineers Information Bulletin Y d. Coast Pilot 2261: You determine your vessel's position by taking a range and bearing to a buoy. Your position will be plotted as a(n) __________.
N a. running fix N b. fix N c. dead-reckoning position Y d. estimated position 2306: In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 9 flashes every 15 seconds. Which of the four topmarks shown would be fitted to the buoy? (D031NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 2312: Mars is only seen at two phases, one of which __________.
Y a. is the full phase N b. is conjunction N c. occurs only at sunset or sunrise N d. occurs at or near 0° elongation 2329: In low latitudes, a last quarter moon will always rise at about __________.
N a. sunrise N b. 1200 LMT N c. sunset Y d. 2400 LMT 2348: Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick light showing 9 flashes every 15 seconds indicates that the safest water is on the __________.
N a. north side of the mark Y b. west side of the mark N c. east side of the mark N d. south side of the mark 2364: The immediate surroundings of what constellation contain the most first magnitude stars?
N a. Libra N b. Cassiopeia N c. Pegasus Y d. Orion 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 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 2583: You are in the Northern Hemisphere and a tropical wave is located 200 miles due west of your position. Where will the wave be located 24 hours later?
N a. In the same place N b. Closer and to the west N c. Closer and to the east Y d. Farther away to the west 2587: Given are the courses and speeds of 4 vessels. The navigator of which vessel would be required to know the actual time of meridian transit in order to take an accurate observation at LAN?
Y a. C 166°T, Sp 24 knots N b. C 013°T, Sp 7 knots N c. C 291°T, Sp 25 knots N d. C 112°T, Sp 4 knots 2670: The angle that is measured westward from the first point of Aries to the hour circle of the body along the celestial equator is the __________.
N a. Greenwich sidereal angle N b. local sidereal time Y c. sidereal hour angle N d. azimuth angle 2792: You take a bearing of 142° and 259° of two objects. Which bearing of a third object will give the best fix?
N a. 081° N b. 238° Y c. 201° N d. 234° 2814: In low latitudes the range of the diurnal variation of pressure is up to __________.
N a. 0.5 millibar Y b. 3.0 millibars N c. 6.0 millibars N d. 10.0 millibars 2890: While passing through Memphis, the weather report on the TV news indicates that a cold front is crossing western Kentucky and Tennessee. Tomorrow's weather will be dominated by a high pressure area. What weather should you expect tomorrow?
N a. Light, southerly winds; high humidity and possibly fog Y b. Moderate winds from the northwest, clear visibility and cooler temperatures N c. Low overcast; mild temperatures with light, steady rain or drizzle N d. Scattered clouds with light, southeasterly winds; high humidity and possibly fog 3019: Where would you find information about the time of high tide at a specific location on a particular day of the year?
Y a. Tide Tables N b. Tidal Current Tables N c. Coast Pilot N d. Nautical Almanac 3102: The typical operating range of automatic identification systems (AIS) at sea is nominally __________.
N a. 50-75 nm Y b. 20-25 nm N c. 6-8 nm N d. 3-4 nm