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.
28: When using a buoy as an aid to navigation which of the following should be considered?
N a. The buoy should be considered to always be in the charted location. N b. If the light is flashing, the buoy should be considered to be in the charted location. Y c. The buoy may not be in the charted position. N d. The buoy should be considered to be in the charted position if it has been freshly painted. 200: When navigating using GPS, what is an indicator of the geometry of the satellites that your receiver is locked onto?
Y a. Horizontal Dilution of Precision N b. Selective Availability N c. Doppler Shifting N d. Precision Coding 274: Which of the four adjustable errors in the sextant causes side error?
Y a. Horizon glass not being perpendicular to the frame N b. Index mirror not being perpendicular to the frame N c. Telescope not being parallel to the frame N d. Elliptical centering error 331: What indicates a buoy that should be left to port when entering from seaward? (U.S. Aids to Navigation System)
N a. White light N b. Group flashing characteristic N c. Nun shape Y d. Odd number 432: When using a Lambert conformal chart in high latitudes, angles such as bearings are measured in reference to __________.
N a. the meridian through the object of the bearing Y b. the meridian through the ship's position N c. the meridian midway between the ship and the object N d. any meridian 623: An indirect radar echo is caused by a reflection of the main lobe of the radar beam off the observer's vessel. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of indirect echoes?
N a. Their bearing is almost constant, even when the true bearing of the contact changes appreciably. Y b. They always appear on a bearing of 90°From the true bearing of the contact. N c. The indirect echoes usually appear in shadow sectors. N d. When plotted, their movements are usually abnormal. 653: You have been observing your radar screen and notice that a contact on the screen has remained in the same position, relative to you, for several minutes. Your vessel is making 10 knots through the water. Which statement is TRUE?
N a. The contact is dead in the water. Y b. The contact is on the same course and speed as your vessel. N c. The contact is on a reciprocal course at the same speed as your vessel. N d. The radar is showing false echoes and is probably defective. 686: The pressure gradient between the horse latitudes and doldrums runs __________.
N a. east to west Y b. north to south N c. northeast to southwest N d. northwest to southeast 724: Which statement concerning GPS is TRUE?
N a. It cannot be used in all parts of the world. N b. There are 12 functioning GPS satellites at present. Y c. It may be suspended without warning. N d. Two position lines are used to give a 2D fix. 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 783: Magnetism which is present only when the material is under the influence of an external field is called __________.
N a. permanent magnetism Y b. induced magnetism N c. residual magnetism N d. terrestrial magnetism 785: An amplitude of the Sun in high latitudes __________.
N a. is most accurate before sunrise N b. is most accurate after sunset N c. should only be observed when the Sun's lower limb is above the horizon Y d. is most accurate when the Sun's center is observed on the visible horizon 865: The radius of a circle of equal altitude of a body is equal to the __________.
Y a. coaltitude of the body N b. altitude of the body N c. codeclination of the body N d. polar distance 906: In the Northern Hemisphere, an area of counterclockwise wind circulation surrounded by higher pressure is a __________.
Y a. low N b. high N c. warm front N d. cold front 914: If the sky was clear, with the exception of a few cumulus clouds, it would indicate __________.
N a. rain N b. hurricane weather Y c. fair weather N d. fog setting in 960: The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 15 miles and a height above water of 29 feet (8.8 meters). Your height of eye is 52 feet (15.8 meters) and visibility is 6.0 miles. At which approximate range will you first sight the light?
N a. 8.0 miles Y b. 11.0 miles N c. 14.5 miles N d. 16.0 miles 976: The atmosphere in the vicinity of a high pressure area is called a(n) __________.
Y a. anticyclone N b. cold front N c. occluded front N d. cyclone 986: A warm air mass is characterized by __________.
Y a. stability N b. instability N c. gusty winds N d. good visibility 1048: The velocity of the current in large coastal harbors is __________.
N a. unpredictable N b. generally too weak to be of concern Y c. predicted in Tidal Current Tables N d. generally constant 1112: Considering the general circulation of the atmosphere, the wind system between latitudes 30°N and 60°N is commonly called the __________.
Y a. prevailing westerlies N b. horse latitudes N c. trade winds N d. subpolar low pressure belts 1160: What will be the velocity of the tidal current at 0.2 mile SSW of Clason Point, NY, at 1125 on 17 April 1983?
N a. 0.5 knot N b. 0.8 knot Y c. 1.1 knots N d. 1.9 knots 1204: Which of the symbols in illustration DO18NG designates a stationary front? (D018NG )
Y a. A N b. B N c. C N d. D 1253: The horizontal angle between the magnetic meridian and the north-south line of the magnetic compass is __________.
Y a. deviation N b. variation N c. compass error N d. dip 1289: A body can only be observed at lower transit when __________.
N a. the declination is the opposite name to the latitude N b. the algebraic sum of the colatitude and declination exceeds 90° N c. the observer is in high latitudes above either polar circle Y d. the body is circumpolar 1303: Compass deviation is caused by __________.
N a. magnetism from the earth's magnetic field N b. misalignment of the compass Y c. magnetism within the vessel N d. a dirty compass housing 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 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 1506: You are steaming southward along the west coast of the United States when you sight a buoy showing a flashing green light. How should you pass this buoy?
N a. Leave it to your port. Y b. Leave it to your starboard. N c. Pass it close aboard on either side. N d. Pass it on either side but well clear of it. 1515: An aneroid barometer on a boat should always be __________.
N a. located in an air-conditioned area N b. mounted in the passenger compartment N c. protected by a collision bulkhead Y d. permanently mounted 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 1567: Buoys and day beacons exhibiting a yellow triangle or square painted on them are used __________.
N a. in minor harbors where the controlling depth is 10 feet (3 meters) or less N b. on isolated stretches of the ICW to mark undredged areas Y c. where the ICW and other waterways coincide N d. at particularly hazardous turns of the channel 1616: Which picture in illustration D034NG shows a Morse (A) light? (D034NG )
N a. A N b. B N c. C Y d. D 1667: Air masses near the earth's surface __________.
N a. move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure N b. are deflected by the earth's rotation in both hemispheres N c. are deflected by the "Coriolis effect" Y d. All of the above 1689: The "horse latitudes" are regions of __________.
N a. brisk prevailing winds Y b. light airs and calms N c. abundant blue sea grass vegetation N d. None of the above 1728: If a hurricane several hundred miles away is moving in your general direction your barometer would __________.
N a. start to rise rapidly Y b. start to fall gradually N c. rise slowly, begin "pumping" and then start a slow, steady fall N d. remain steady 1741: The left half of the storm is called the navigable semicircle because __________.
N a. the wind speed is decreased by the storm's forward motion N b. the wind tends to blow vessels away from the storms track Y c. Both A and B N d. Neither A nor B 1801: A phenomenon where the atmospheric pressure is higher than that of other surrounding regions is called __________.
N a. the "trade winds" Y b. an anticyclone N c. a low front or an occluded front N d. the "doldrums" 1862: What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the starboard quarter?
N a. 090° N b. 105° Y c. 135° N d. 150° 2010: A vessel heading ESE is on a course of __________.
Y a. 112.5° N b. 135.0° N c. 157.5° N d. 180.0° 2058: 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 D in the illustration? (D038NG )
N a. One red light N b. Two green lights Y c. Three green lights N d. No lights 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 2230: A nautical mile is a distance of approximately how much greater than or less than a statute mile?
N a. 1/4 less N b. 1/7 less N c. 1/4 greater Y d. 1/7 greater 2340: What is a "Special Warning"?
N a. An urgent message concerning a vessel in distress N b. A weather advisory about unusual meteorological or oceanographic phenomena hazardous to vessels Y c. A broadcast disseminating an official government proclamation affecting shipping N d. A radio navigational warning concerning a particularly hazardous condition affecting navigation 2363: As shown, the position labeled C was plotted because __________. (D051NG )
N a. the vessel's speed changed N b. the vessel's course changed form due North to due East Y c. running fixes are better estimates of true position than dead-reckoning positions N d. All of the above are correct 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 2432: A time diagram is a diagram of the celestial sphere as observed from above the __________.
Y a. south celestial pole N b. north celestial pole N c. observer's meridian N d. Greenwich meridian 2432: A time diagram is a diagram of the celestial sphere as observed from above the __________.
Y a. south celestial pole N b. north celestial pole N c. observer's meridian N d. Greenwich meridian 2652: The dividing meridian between zone descriptions -10 and -11 is __________.
N a. 135°30'E N b. 145°00'E N c. 150°00'E Y d. 157°30'E 2740: When one upbound vessel is overtaking another vessel and both are pushing a tow ahead, what reaction may you expect?
N a. Both towheads will tend to drift apart, and the overtaking vessel will be slowed down. N b. Both towheads will tend to drift together, and the overtaking vessel will be slowed down. Y c. Both towheads will tend to drift apart, and the overtaken vessel will be slowed down. N d. Both towheads will tend to drift together, and the overtaken vessel will be slowed down. 2796: The correction tables in the Nautical Almanac for use with Moon sights do NOT include the effects of __________.
Y a. instrument error N b. augmentation N c. semidiameter N d. parallax 2862: When slanted letters are used to spell the name of a charted object you know the __________.
N a. object is only a hazard to vessels drawing in excess of 20 feet N b. position is approximate or doubtful N c. object is always visible Y d. object may cover and uncover with the tide 2968: Some locations maintain a zone time of -13. What are the zone time and date if the Greenwich time and date are 0152, 10 January?
N a. 0052, 9 January N b. 0258, 9 January Y c. 1452, 10 January N d. 0052, 11 January 3005: The agonic line on an isomagnetic chart indicates the __________.
N a. magnetic equator N b. magnetic longitude reference line Y c. points where there is no variation N d. points where there is no annual change in variation 3029: On 13 November 1981 you observe a back sight of the upper limb of the Moon. The sextant altitude (hs) is 110°31.2'. The height of eye is 46 feet and the index error is 2.0' on the arc. The horizontal parallax is 61.3'. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
N a. 70°11.8' Y b. 69°41.8' N c. 69°25.6' N d. 69°18.4' 3076: An ECDIS is required to display which information?
N a. Radar targets N b. ARPA vectors Y c. Hydrographic data N d. All of the above 3094: ECDIS must have the capability to preserve the record of the track for the previous __________.
Y a. 12 hours N b. 24 hours N c. 48 hours N d. 72 hours 3109: While underway, a vessel over 100,000 gross tons with an automatic identification systems (AIS) is expected to broadcast all of the following information every 1 to 10 seconds EXCEPT __________.
N a. rate of turn Y b. name of vessel N c. navigational status N d. ship's heading 3110: While underway, automatic identification systems (AIS) broadcast all of the following information every 1 to 10 seconds EXCEPT the __________.
N a. speed over ground N b. latitude and longitude N c. course over ground Y d. ship's scantlings 3119: Automatic identification systems (AIS) are required to __________.
N a. provide safety-related information automatically to shore stations, other vessels and aircraft N b. receive safety-related information automatically from similarly equipped vessels N c. exchange safety-related information with shore-based facilities Y d. All of the above 3122: The short text messaging feature of the automatic identification system (AIS) allows for messages of up to ___.
N a. 96 characters Y b. 158 characters N c. 256 characters N d. 384 characters