USCG Navigation General Questions: Master's License
1: Unlighted, red and green, horizontally-banded buoys with the
topmost band red ____________.
A: are cylindrical in shape and called can buoys
B: are conical in shape and called nun buoys
C: may either be cylindrical or conical since the shape has no
significance
D: are triangular in shape to indicate that it may not be
2: On an isomagnetic chart, the line of zero variation is the
__________.
A: zero variation line
B: isogonic line
C: variation line
D: agonic line
3: Blinking of a Loran-C signal indicates ____________.
A: the signal is in proper sequence
B: there will be no increase or decrease in kHz
C: there is an error in the transmission of that signal
D: that it has the proper GRI
4: Gyrocompass repeaters reproduce the indications of the
master gyrocompass. They are _____________.
A: accurate only in the Polar regions
B: accurate electronic servomechanisms
C: hand operated
D: accurate only if the vessel is underway
5: A vessel is steaming in east longitude on January 25 and
crosses the International Date Line on an eastbound course
at 0900 zone time. What is the date and time at Greenwich
when the vessel crosses the line?
A: 0900, 24 January
B: 2100, 24 January
C: 2100, 25 January
D: 0900, 26 January
6: Wind velocity varies ______________.
A: directly with the temperature of the air mass
B: directly with the pressure gradient
C: inversely with the barometric pressure
D: inversely with the absolute humidity
7: The period at high or low tide during which there is no
change in the height of the water is called the __________.
A: range of the tide
B: plane of the tide
C: stand of the tide
D: reversing of the tide
8: When you are steering on a pair of range lights and find the
upper light is above the lower light you should __________.
A: come left
B: come right
C: continue on the present course
D: wait until the lights are no longer in a vertical line
9: When displayed under a single-span fixed bridge, red lights
indicate _____________________.
A: the channel boundaries
B: that vessels must stop
C: the bridge is about to open
D: that traffic is approaching from the other side
10: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been northwesterly at an
average velocity of 22 knots. The predicted set and drift
of the rotary current are 125ø at 0.6 knot. What current
should you expect?
A: 119ø at 0.9 knot
B: 172ø at 1.1 knots
C: 225ø at 0.6 knot
D: 340ø at 0.4 knot
11: A buoy having red and green horizontal bands would have a
light characteristic of _____________.
A: interrupted quick flashing
B: composite group flashing
C: Morse (A)
D: quick flashing
12: Lines on a chart which connect points of equal magnetic
variation are called _____________.
A: magnetic latitudes
B: magnetic declinations
C: dip
D: isogonic lines
13: Most modern Loran-C receivers, when not tracking properly,
have a(n) _____________.
A: bell alarm to warn the user
B: lighted alarm signal to warn the user
C: alternate signal keying system
D: view finder for each station
14: You have replaced the chart paper in the course recorder.
What is NOT required to ensure that a correct trace is
recorded?
A: Test the electrical gain to the thermograph pens
B: Set the zone pen on the correct quadrant
C: Line the course pen up on the exact heading of the ship
D: Adjust the chart paper to indicate the correct time
15: What is the length of a nautical mile?
A: 1,800 meters
B: 2,000 yards
C: 6,076 feet
D: 5,280 feet
16: The direction of the surface wind is _____________________.
A: directly from high pressure toward low pressure
B: directly from low pressure toward high pressure
C: from high pressure toward low pressure deflected by the
earth's rotation
D: from low pressure toward high pressure deflected by the
17: "Stand" of the tide is that time when _____________________.
A: the vertical rise or fall of the tide has stopped
B: slack water occurs
C: tidal current is at a maximum
D: the actual depth of the water equals the charted depth
18: A vessel's position should be plotted using bearings of
________________.
A: buoys close at hand
B: fixed known objects on shore
C: buoys at a distance
D: All of the above
19: You are approaching a swing bridge at night. You will know
that the bridge is open for river traffic when __________.
A: the fixed, green light starts to flash
B: the amber light changes to green
C: the red light is extinguished
D: the red light changes to green
20: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 120² T, 110 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285² T
at 25 knots. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the
hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
A: 77 miles
B: 82 miles
C: 87 miles
D: 93 miles
21: Which buoy is NOT numbered?
A: Green can buoy
B: Preferred-channel buoy
C: Red lighted buoy
D: Green gong buoy
22: Charts showing the coast of Mexico are produced by the
United States _____________.
A: National Imagery and Mapping Agency
B: Coast Guard
C: Naval Observatory
D: National Ocean Service
23: If Loran-C signals become unsynchronized, the receiver
operator is warned because ______________.
A: signals begin to blink
B: signals begin to shift
C: stations discontinue transmission
D: stations transmit grass
24: When the gyropilot is used for steering, what control is
adjusted to compensate for varying sea conditions?
A: Rudder control
B: Sea control
C: Lost motion adjustment
D: Weather adjustment
25: You are in LONG 144² E. The date is 6 February, and
the zone time is 0800. The Greenwich date and time are
________________.
A: 2200, 5 February
B: 2300, 5 February
C: 1700, 6 February
D: 1800, 6 February
26: Wind direction may be determined by observing all of the
following EXCEPT ______________.
A: low clouds
B: waves
C: whitecaps
D: swells
27: Spring tides are tides that _________________.
A: have lows lower than normal and highs higher than normal
B: have lows higher than normal and highs lower than normal
C: are unpredictable
D: occur in the spring of the year
28: When using a buoy as an aid to navigation which of the
following should be considered?
A: The buoy should be considered to always be in the charted
location.
B: If the light is flashing, the buoy should be considered to
be in the charted location.
C: The buoy may not be in the charted position.
D: The buoy should be considered to be in the charted position
29: You are approaching a multiple-span bridge at night. The
main navigational channel span will be indicated by _______.
A: a red light on the bridge pier on each side of the channel
B: a steady blue light in the center of the span
C: 3 white lights in a vertical line in the center of the span
D: a flashing green light in the center of the span
30: When taking an amplitude, the Sun's center should be
observed on the visible horizon when ___________.
A: in high latitudes
B: the Sun is near or at a solstice
C: the declination is of a different name from the latitude
D: the Sun's declination is at or near 0²
31: When approaching a preferred-channel buoy, the best channel
is NOT indicated by the _____________.
A: light characteristic
B: color of the uppermost band
C: shape of an unlighted buoy
D: color of the light
32: The datum used for soundings on charts of the Atlantic
Coast of the United States is mean _____.
A: low water
B: lower low water
C: high water springs
D: high water
33: Most modern Loran-C receivers automatically detect station
blink which _________________.
A: indicates the station is transmitting normally
B: triggers alarm indicators to warn the operator
C: automatically shuts down the receiver
D: causes the receiver to shift automatically to another Loran
34: The Local Notice to Mariners is usually published _________.
A: daily
B: weekly
C: monthly
D: semiannually
35: You are on a vessel at 0400 ZT on 3 July, and the ZD for
your position is -8. What is the GMT?
A: 1200, 3 July
B: 2000, 3 July
C: 1200, 2 July
D: 2000, 2 July
36: A strong, often violent, northerly wind occurring on the
Pacific coast of Mexico, particularly during the colder
months, is a ______________.
A: Papagayo
B: fall wind
C: foehn
D: williwaw
37: What does the term "tide" refer to?
A: Horizontal movement of the water
B: Vertical movement of the water
C: Mixing tendency of the water
D: Salinity content of the water
38: When navigating a vessel, you _______________.
A: can always rely on a buoy to be on station
B: can always rely on a buoy to show proper light
characteristics
C: should assume a wreck buoy is directly over the wreck
D: should never rely on a floating aid to maintain its exact
39: Civil twilight begins at 1910 zone time on 20 July 1981.
Your DR position at that time is LAT 22ø16' N, LONG
150ø06' W. Which statement concerning the planets available
for evening sights is TRUE?
A: Venus will have a westerly meridian angle.
B: Mars will set about one hour after the Sun sets.
C: Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will be above the horizon.
D: Sights of Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus will yield a good
40: 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 1600 and
turn for 8 knots, at what point will you lose the ebb
current?
A: Billingsport
B: Marcus Hook
C: Mile 63
D: Mile 52
41: Mean high water is the reference plane used for _____.
A: all vertical measurements
B: heights above water of land features such as lights
C: soundings on the East and West Coasts
D: water depths on the East Coast only
42: The datum used for soundings on charts of the the East
Coast of the United States is _____.
A: mean low water springs
B: mean low water
C: mean lower low water
D: half tide level
43: A buoy with a composite group-flashing light indicates a(n)
________.
A: anchorage area
B: fish net area
C: bifurcation
D: dredging area
44: The speed of sound through ocean water is nearly always
_________.
A: faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer
B: the same speed as the speed of calibration for the
fathometer
C: slower than the speed of calibration for the fathometer
D: faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer,
45: The navigator aboard a ship at approximately 165² E
longitude observes the Sun at ZT 14-25-04 on 21 September.
What is the GMT and Greenwich date of the observation?
A: 03-25-04, 21 September
B: 02-25-04, 21 September
C: 01-25-04, 21 September
D: 01-25-04, 20 September
46: What wind reverses directions seasonally?
A: Monsoon winds
B: Hooked trades
C: Jet stream
D: Secondary winds
47: The range of tide is the __________________.
A: distance the tide moves out from the shore
B: duration of time between high and low tide
C: difference between the heights of high and low tide
D: maximum depth of the water at high tide
48: When should a navigator rely on the position of floating
aids to navigation?
A: During calm weather only
B: During daylight only
C: Only when inside a harbor
D: Only when fixed aids are not available
49: While steering a course of 150ø T, you wish to observe a
body for a latitude check. What would the azimuth have to
be?
A: 000ø T
B: 090ø T
C: 150ø T
D: 240ø T
50: The difference between the heights of low and high tide
is the __________.
A: period
B: range
C: distance
D: depth
51: In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, red and green
horizontally-banded buoys mark _____________.
A: channels for shallow draft vessels
B: general anchorage areas
C: fishing grounds
D: junctions or bifurcations
52: The reference datum used in determining the heights of land
features on most charts is _____.
A: mean sea level
B: mean high water
C: mean low water
D: half-tide level
53: Loran-C may be used for safe navigation in harbor areas due
to _____.
A: multipulse grouping
B: repeatability of readings
C: synchronization control
D: using secondary vs. slave stations
54: The elapsed time of a fathometer signal (from sound
generation to the return of the echo) is 1 second. What is
the depth of the water at the point sounded?
A: 400 feet
B: 400 fathoms
C: 800 feet
D: 800 fathoms
55: Your longitude is 179ø59' W. The LMT at this longitude is
23h 56m on the 4th day of the month. Six minutes later,
your position is 179ø59' E longitude. Your LMT and date are
_____________.
A: 00h 02m on the 4th
B: 00h 02m on the 5th
C: 23h 50m on the 5th
D: 00h 02m on the 6th
56: A strong, often violent, northerly wind occurring on the
Pacific coast of Mexico, particularly during the colder
months, is called ________.
A: Tehuantepecer
B: Papagayo
C: Norther
D: Pampero
57: The height of tide is the ___________________.
A: depth of water at a specific time due to tidal effect
B: difference between the depth of the water and the area's
tidal datum
C: difference between the depth of the water and the high water
tidal level
D: difference between the depth of the water at high tide and
58: You should plot your dead reckoning position _____.
A: at every course change
B: hourly
C: at every speed change
D: All of the above are correct.
59: For navigational purposes, each great circle on the Earth
has a length of ______________.
A: 3,600 miles
B: 5,400 miles
C: 12,500 miles
D: 21,600 miles
60: The predicted time that the ebb 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 1630
and turn for 12 knots, at what point will you lose the
flood current?
A: New Castle
B: Reedy Island
C: Mile 44
D: Ship John Shoal Lt.
61: Red lights may appear on _____________.
A: horizontally banded buoys
B: vertically striped buoys
C: yellow buoys
D: spherical buoys
62: Charted depth is the _____.
A: vertical distance from the chart sounding datum to the ocean
bottom, plus the height of tide
B: vertical distance from the chart sounding datum to the ocean
bottom
C: average height of water over a specified period of time
D: average height of all low waters at a place
63: A "full service" Loran-C receiver will provide ___________.
A: matching pulse rates of at least 20 stations
B: an automatic on-and-off switch
C: a horizontal matching of all delayed hyperbolic signals
D: automatic signal acquisition and cycle matching
64: Mean lower low water is the reference plane used for _____.
A: all vertical measurements
B: heights above water for lights, mountains, etc.
C: soundings on the U.S. east and west coasts
D: water depths on the U.S. east coast only
65: The LMT of LAN is 1210. Your longitude is 70²30' E. Which
time would you use to enter the Nautical Almanac to
determine the declination of the Sun at LAN?
A: 1842
B: 1652
C: 0728
D: 0652
66: What will a veering wind do?
A: Change direction in a clockwise manner in the Northern
Hemisphere
B: Circulate about a low pressure center in a counterclockwise
manner in the Northern Hemisphere
C: Vary in strength constantly and unpredictably
D: Circulate about a high pressure center in a clockwise manner
67: What is the definition of height of tide?
A: The vertical distance from the tidal datum to the level of
the water at any time
B: The vertical difference between the heights of low and high
water
C: The vertical difference between a datum plane and the ocean
bottom
D: The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the
68: A position obtained by taking lines of position from
one object at different times and advancing them to a
common time is a(n) ____________.
A: dead-reckoning position
B: estimated position
C: fix
D: running fix
69: The parallax angle will vary the most with the time of year
for ______________.
A: Venus
B: Jupiter
C: Saturn
D: Polaris
70: The station located at "A" is the __________________.
A: on station
B: off station
C: master station
D: secondary station
71: A preferred-channel buoy may be ___________.
A: lettered
B: spherical
C: showing a white light
D: All of the above
72: The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are
reckoned in the tide tables is _____.
A: mean low water
B: the same as that used for the charts of the locality
C: the highest possible level
D: given in table three of the tide tables
73: After initial turn-on, most modern Loran-C receivers will
be automatically tracking within _____________.
A: 1 minute
B: 3 minutes
C: 5 minutes
D: 10 minutes
74: When operated over a muddy bottom, a fathometer may indicate
________.
A: a shallow depth reading
B: a zero depth reading
C: no depth reading
D: two depth readings
75: The zone time of LAN is 1152. Your longitude is 73²15' E.
What time would you use to enter the Nautical Almanac to
determine the declination of the Sun at LAN?
A: 0652
B: 0659
C: 1852
D: 1859
76: In the Northern Hemisphere, a wind that shifts
counterclockwise is a ______________.
A: veering wind
B: backing wind
C: reverse wind
D: chinook wind
77: When there are small differences between the heights of
two successive high tides or two low tides, in a tidal day,
the tides are called ______________.
A: diurnal
B: semidiurnal
C: solar
D: mixed
78: A single line of position combined with a dead-reckoning
position results in a(n) _________________.
A: assumed position
B: estimated position
C: fix
D: running fix
79: The rate of increase in hour angle is the slowest for
_______________.
A: the Sun
B: the Moon
C: Mars
D: Mercury
80: When the moon is at first quarter or third quarter phase,
what type of tides will occur?
A: Apogean
B: Perigean
C: Neap
D: Spring
81: A buoy with a composite group-flashing light indicates a(n)
_________.
A: bifurcation
B: fish net area
C: anchorage area
D: dredging area
82: On the west coast of North America, charted depths are taken
from ____.
A: high water
B: mean tide level
C: mean low water
D: mean lower low water
83: All Loran-C transmitting stations are equipped with cesium
frequency standards which permit _____________.
A: every station in one chain to transmit at the same time
B: each station to transmit without reference to another
station
C: on-line transmission of single-line transmitters at the same
time
D: each station to only depend on the master for
84: When using an echo sounder in deep water, it is NOT unusual
to __________.
A: receive a strong return at about 200 fathoms (366 meters)
during the day, and one nearer the surface at night
B: receive a first return near the surface during the day, and
a strong return at about 200 fathoms (366 meters) at night
C: receive false echoes at a constant depth day and night
D: have to recalibrate every couple of days due to inaccurate
85: Your longitude is 179ø59' W. The LMT at this longitude is
23h 56m of the 4th day of the month. Six minutes later your
position is 179ø59' E longitude. Your LMT and date is now
___________.
A: 00h 02m on the 4th
B: 00h 02m on the 5th
C: 23h 50m on the 5th
D: 00h 02m on the 6th
86: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence
backing. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would
indicate that it will ________________.
A: shift in a clockwise manner
B: shift in a counterclockwise manner
C: continue blowing from the same direction
D: decrease in velocity
87: A tide is called diurnal when _____________.
A: only one high and one low water occur during a lunar day
B: the high tide is higher and the low tide is lower than usual
C: the high tide and low tide are exactly six hours apart
D: two high tides occur during a lunar day
88: Which position includes the effects of wind and current?
A: Dead reckoning position
B: Leeway position
C: Estimated position
D: Set position
89: The GHA of the first point of Aries is 315² and the GHA of a
planet is 150². What is the right ascension of the planet?
A: 7 hours
B: 11 hours
C: 19 hours
D: 23 hours
90: When the moon is new or full, which type of tides occur?
A: Neap
B: Spring
C: Diurnal
D: Apogean
91: A preferred-channel buoy will show a ___________.
A: white light whose characteristic is Morse (A)
B: group-occulting white light
C: composite group-flashing (2 + 1) white light
D: composite group-flashing (2 + 1) red or green light
92: When utilizing a Pacific Coast chart, the reference plane of
soundings is _____.
A: mean low water springs
B: mean low water
C: mean lower low water
D: lowest normal low water
93: The time interval between the transmission of signals from a
pair of Loran-C stations is very closely controlled and
operates with _________.
A: an atomic time standard
B: Daylight Savings Time
C: Eastern Standard Time
D: Greenwich Mean Time
94: When using a recording depth finder in the open ocean, what
phenomena is most likely to produce a continuous trace
that may not be from the actual ocean bottom?
A: Echoes from a deep scattering layer
B: Echoes from schools of fish
C: Multiple returns reflected from the bottom to the surface
and to the bottom again
D: Poor placement of the transducer on the hull
95: The difference in local time between an observer on 114ø W
and one on 119ø W is _____________.
A: 1.25 minutes
B: 5 minutes
C: 20 minutes
D: 75 minutes
96: A weather forecast states that the wind will commence
veering. In the Northern Hemisphere this indicates that the
wind will _____________.
A: shift in a clockwise manner
B: shift in a counterclockwise manner
C: continue blowing from the same direction
D: increase in velocity
97: The lunar or tidal day is ___________.
A: about 50 minutes shorter than the solar day
B: about 50 minutes longer than the solar day
C: about 10 minutes longer than the solar day
D: the same length as the solar day
98: A position that is obtained by applying estimated current
and wind to your vessel's course and speed is a(n) ________.
A: dead reckoning position
B: estimated position
C: fix
D: None of the above
99: You are enroute to Jacksonville, FL, from San Juan, P.R.
There is a fresh N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis
of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter _______.
A: smoother seas and warmer water
B: steeper waves, closer together
C: long swells
D: cirrus clouds
100: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 080² T, 100 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265² T
at 22 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to
have the maximum CPA?
A: 219²
B: 208²
C: 199²
D: 190²
101: A lighted preferred-channel buoy may show a _____.
A: fixed red light
B: Morse (A) white light
C: composite group-flashing light
D: yellow light
102: Which statement about a DMAHTC chart with stock no.
23BHA23433 is TRUE?
A: This is a non-navigational or special purpose chart.
B: It is not included in the portfolio.
C: It is a chart of an area in subregion 23.
D: It depicts a major portion of an ocean.
103: In Loran-C the high accuracy of atomic time and frequency
controls allows each station to operate _____________.
A: at higher frequencies
B: on schedule, independently
C: at 1,975 kHz
D: in a multiplex phase
104: What should you apply to a fathometer reading to determine
the depth of water?
A: Subtract the draft of the vessel.
B: Add the draft of the vessel.
C: Subtract the sea water correction .
D: Add the sea water correction.
105: If the GMT is 1500, the time at 75ø E longitude is ________.
A: 1000
B: 1500
C: 1700
D: 2000
106: A local wind which occurs during the daytime and is caused
by the different rates of warming of land and water is a
________.
A: foehn
B: chinook
C: land breeze
D: sea breeze
107: The average height of the surface of the sea for all stages
of the tide over a 19 year period is called ___________.
A: mean high water
B: mean low water
C: half-tide level
D: mean sea level
108: A position that is obtained by using two or more
intersecting lines of position taken at nearly the same
time, is a(n) ___________.
A: dead-reckoning position
B: estimated position
C: fix
D: running fix
109: While proceeding along the Norwegian coast on course 039ø T,
you sight the black-yellow-black banded buoy shown bearing
053ø T. What action should you take?
A: Alter course to 053ø and leave the buoy close aboard on
either side
B: Maintain course
C: Alter course to 060ø and ensure that the true bearings
decreases
D: Alter course to port to rapidly open the bearing to the
110: A millibar is a unit of _____________.
A: humidity
B: precipitation
C: pressure
D: temperature
111: Green lights may appear on _______________.
A: horizontally banded buoys
B: vertically striped buoys
C: yellow buoys
D: spherical buoys
112: Which chart number indicates a DMAHTC chart designed for
inshore coastwise navigation?
A: LCORR5868
B: COMBT800564
C: 17XHA17365
D: 16ACO16595
113: The type of transmission used in Loran-C is a _____________.
A: single pulse
B: wide pulse
C: multipulse
D: narrow pulse
114: All echo-sounders can measure the ________.
A: actual depth of water
B: actual depth of water below keel
C: average depth from waterline to hard bottom
D: average depth of water to soft bottom
115: The date is the same all over the world at ________________.
A: 0000 GMT
B: 1200 GMT
C: 0000 LMT for an observer at 90ø E longitude
D: no time
116: Which wind results from a land mass cooling more quickly
at night than an adjacent water area?
A: Coastal breeze
B: Sea breeze
C: Land breeze
D: Mistral
117: Mean high water is the average height of __________.
A: the higher high waters
B: the lower high waters
C: the lower of the two daily tides
D: all high waters
118: What describes an accurate position that is NOT based on any
prior position?
A: Dead-reckoning position
B: Estimated position
C: Fix
D: Running fix
119: While proceeding along the Mediterranean coast of Spain,
you sight the black and yellow buoy shown. Your course is
039ø T, and the buoy bears 053ø T. What action should you
take?
A: Alter course to 053ø T and pass the buoy close aboard
on either side
B: Alter course to 060ø and ensure that the bearings decrease
C: Maintain course and ensure that the bearings increase
D: Alter course towards the buoy and leave the buoy well clear
120: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
13 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100² T, 120 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 275² T
at 25 knots. If you maneuver at 13 knots to avoid the
hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
A: 72 miles
B: 78 miles
C: 83 miles
D: 89 miles
121: A safe water mark may be _____________.
A: vertically striped
B: spherical
C: showing a white light
D: All of the above
122: The subregions of the United States Gulf and East Coasts are
numbered 11, 12, and 13 within the chart numbering system.
Which chart number indicates a chart for either the Gulf or
East Coast?
A: 11250
B: 18411
C: 21228
D: 17136
123: If the radio signal ground wave extends out for less
distance than the minimum skywave distance, there is an area
in which no signal is received. This is called the ______.
A: skip zone
B: blackout zone
C: diffraction zone
D: shadow zone
124: An electronic depth finder operates on the principle that
________.
A: radio signals reflect from a solid surface
B: sound waves travel at a constant speed through water
C: radar signals travel at a constant speed through water
D: pressure increases with depth
125: The GMT is 0445 and your zone description is +1. Your zone
time is _____________.
A: 0445
B: 0345
C: 0545
D: 1545
126: A katabatic wind blows ______________.
A: up an incline due to surface heating
B: in a circular pattern
C: down an incline due to cooling of the air
D: horizontally between a high and a low pressure area
127: Mean low water is the average height of ___________.
A: the surface of the sea
B: high waters and low waters
C: all low waters
D: the lower of the two daily low tides
128: A position obtained by applying only your vessel's
course and speed to a known position is a ________.
A: dead-reckoning position
B: fix
C: probable position
D: running fix
129: In working out a local apparent noon sight for your
latitude, you subtract the Ho from 90ø. The 90ø represents
the angular distance from _____.
A: the equator to the elevated pole
B: your horizon to your zenith
C: your zenith to the elevated pole
D: the geographical position of the Sun to the elevated pole
130: The distance between the surface of the water and the tidal
datum is the ____________.
A: range of tide
B: height of tide
C: charted depth
D: actual water depth
131: A vertically-striped buoy may be ______________.
A: striped black and green
B: striped black and yellow
C: lighted with a red light
D: lighted with a white light
132: The value of sixty nautical miles per degree of geodetic
latitude is most correct at __________.
A: the equator
B: latitude 45²
C: the poles
D: all latitudes
133: The line connecting the Loran-C master station with a
secondary station is called the _____________.
A: focus line
B: base line
C: side line
D: center line
134: The recording fathometer produces a graphic record of the
________.
A: bottom contour only up to depths of 100 fathoms
B: depth underneath the keel against a time base
C: contour of the bottom against a distance base
D: depth of water against a distance base
135: The standard meridian for the time zone +1 is _____________.
A: 0ø
B: 7 1/2ø W
C: 15ø W
D: 7 1/2ø E
136: Which Beaufort force indicates a wind speed of 65 knots?
A: Beaufort force 0
B: Beaufort force 6.5
C: Beaufort force 12
D: Beaufort force 15
137: Priming of the tides occurs ____________.
A: at times of new and full Moon
B: when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are lying approximately on the
same line
C: when the Moon is between first quarter and full and between
third quarter and new
D: when the Moon is between new and first quarter and between
138: The path that a vessel is expected to follow, represented
on a chart by a line drawn from the point of departure to
the point of arrival, is the _____________.
A: DR plot
B: track line
C: heading
D: estimated course
139: What is the geographic longitude of a body whose GHA is
A: 35ø15' W
B: 35ø15' E
C: 144ø45' E
D: 144ø45' W
140: You are underway on course 050ø T and your maximum speed is
12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 080ø T, 100 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265ø T
at 22 knots. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the
hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
A: 76 miles
B: 69 miles
C: 63 miles
D: 56 miles
141: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at
6 knots on course 133ø T, and bears 042ø T, 105 miles from
you. What is the time to intercept if you make 10 knots?
A: 17h 03m
B: 17h 19m
C: 17h 30m
D: 17h 49m
142: Which nautical charts are intended for coastwise navigation
outside of outlying reefs and shoals?
A: Approach charts
B: General charts
C: Sailing charts
D: Coast charts
143: Under the IALA - A Buoyage System, a buoy used as a port
hand mark would not show which light characteristic?
A: Isophase
B: Quick flashing
C: Long flashing
D: Group Flashing (2 + 1)
144: In modern fathometers the sonic or ultrasonic sound waves
are produced electrically by means of a(n) ________________.
A: transmitter
B: transducer
C: transceiver
D: amplifier
145: The standard time meridian for zone description -1 is _____.
A: 0ø
B: 7 1/2ø W
C: 7 1/2ø E
D: 15ø E
146: What change in the wind could be expected at position D if
the low was moving northeasterly?
A: Decreasing and veering to the west
B: Decreasing and backing to the north
C: Increasing and veering to the southwest
D: Increasing and backing to the east
147: Which statement is TRUE concerning equatorial tides?
A: They occur when the Sun is at minimum declination north or
south.
B: They occur when the Moon is at maximum declination north or
south.
C: The difference in height between consecutive high or low
tides is at a minimum.
D: They are used as the basis for the vulgar establishment of
148: When possible, a DR plot should always be started from
where?
A: Any position
B: A known position
C: An assumed position
D: None of the above
149: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
13 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100² T, 120 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 275² T
at 25 knots. What course should you steer at 13 knots to
have the maximum CPA?
A: 339²
B: 333²
C: 326²
D: 320²
150: An alternating light ____________.
A: shows a light with varying lengths of the lighted period
B: shows a light that changes color
C: marks an alternate lesser-used channel
D: is used as a replacement for another light
151: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, spherical buoys
may be ______________.
A: numbered
B: lettered
C: lighted
D: All of the above
152: A chart with a natural scale of 1:160,000 is classified as a
_____________.
A: sailing chart
B: general chart
C: coast chart
D: harbor chart
153: The line extending beyond the stations at A and B is
referred to as the _____________.
A: slave line
B: zero line
C: baseline extension
D: centerline
154: Which factor has the greatest effect on the amount of gain
required to obtain a fathometer reading?
A: Salinity of water
B: Temperature of water
C: Atmospheric pressure
D: Type of bottom
155: The velocity of the current in large coastal harbors is
___________________.
A: predicted in Tidal Current Tables
B: unpredictable
C: generally constant
D: generally too weak to be of concern
156: In reading a weather map, closely spaced pressure gradient
lines would indicate _____________________.
A: high winds
B: high overcast clouds
C: calm or light winds
D: fog or steady rain
157: Tropic tides are caused by the __________________.
A: Moon being at its maximum declination
B: Moon crossing the equator
C: Sun and Moon both being near 0ø declination
D: Moon being at perigee
158: Discounting slip, if your vessel is turning RPM for 10 knots
and making good a speed of 10 knots, the current could
be _______.
A: with you at 10 knots
B: against you at 10 knots
C: slack
D: with you at 2 knots
159: The apparent wind can be zero when the true wind is from
_____.
A: ahead and equal to the ship's speed
B: astern and equal to the ship's speed
C: ahead and equal to twice the ship's speed
D: astern and equal to twice the ship's speed
160: Loran-C ground waves provide position information of
reasonable accuracy out to a maximum of _____________.
A: 800 miles
B: 1,000 miles
C: 1,200 miles
D: 1,500 miles
161: How is a safe water mark, that can be passed close aboard on
either side, painted and lighted?
A: Black and white stripes with an interrupted quick flashing
light
B: Black and red stripes with a Morse (A) light
C: Black and red stripes with an interrupted quick flashing
light
D: Red and white stripes with a Morse (A) light
162: A chart with a scale of 1:80,000 would fall into the
category of a _____.
A: sailing chart
B: general chart
C: coastal chart
D: harbor chart
163: How many fixed objects are needed to plot a running fix?
A: None
B: One
C: Two
D: Three
164: The part of a sextant mounted directly over the pivot of the
index arm is the _________________.
A: index mirror
B: horizon glass
C: micrometer drum
D: telescope
165: On 6 July 1981, at 1000 zone time, you cross the 180th
meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?
A: It is 1000, 5 July.
B: It is 1000, 6 July.
C: It is 2200, 7 July.
D: It is 1000, 7 July.
166: On the pole side of the high pressure belt in each
hemisphere, the pressure diminishes. The winds along
these gradients are diverted by the Earth's rotation
toward the east and are known as the __________.
A: geostrophic winds
B: doldrums
C: horse latitudes
D: prevailing westerlies
167: When the Moon's declination is maximum north, which of the
following will occur?
A: Mixed-type tides
B: Higher high tides and lower low tides
C: Tropic tides
D: Equatorial tides
168: Your vessel is making way through the water at a speed of 12
knots. Your vessel traveled 30 nautical miles in 2 hours 20
minutes. What current are you experiencing?
A: A following current at 2.0 knots
B: A head current of 2.0 knots
C: A following current of 0.9 knot
D: A head current of 0.9 knot
169: You want to transit Hell Gate on 23 July 1983. What is the
period of time around the AM (ZD +4) slack before ebb when
the current will be less than 0.5 knot?
A: 0939 to 0957
B: 0943 to 0953
C: 0844 to 0852
D: 0348 to 0356
170: Which of the buoy symbols in illustration D032NG indicates a
safe water mark?
171: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy
with a spherical topmark marks _________________.
A: safe water
B: a fish trap area
C: a hazard to navigation
D: a bifurcation in the channel
172: A chart with a scale of 1:45,000 is a _____.
A: harbor chart
B: coast chart
C: general chart
D: sailing chart
174: The position labeled D is a(n) ___________________.
A: fix
B: running fix
C: estimated position
D: dead reckoning position
175: On 5 July 1981, at 1200 zone time, you cross the 180th
meridian steaming westward. What is your local time?
A: It is 1200, 4 July.
B: It is 1200, 5 July.
C: It is 1200, 6 July.
D: It is 2400, 6 July.
176: Which wind pattern has the most influence over the movement
of frontal weather systems over the North American
continent?
A: Subpolar easterlies
B: Northeast trades
C: Prevailing westerlies
D: Dominant southwesterly flow
177: How many high waters usually occur each day on the East
Coast of the United States?
A: One
B: Two
C: Three
D: Four
178: You are steering a southerly course, and you note that the
chart predicts an easterly current. Without considering
wind, how may you allow for the set?
A: Head your vessel slightly to the right
B: Head your vessel slightly to the left
C: Decrease your speed
D: Increase your speed
179: You are proceeding up a channel at night. It is marked by a
range which bears 185ø T. You steady up on a compass course
of 180ø with the range in line dead ahead. This indicates
that you(r) _________________.
A: must come right to get on the range
B: course is in error
C: compass has some easterly error
D: are being affected by a southerly current
180: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its
identification?
A: A spherical topmark
B: Red and white retroreflective material
C: A sequential number
D: A red and white octagon
181: Which navigational mark may only be lettered?
A: An unlighted, green, can buoy
B: A spherical buoy
C: A red buoy
D: A port side dayshape
182: The scale on a chart is given as 1:5,000,000. This means
that _____.
A: 1 inch is equal to 5,000 inches on the Earth's surface
B: 1 nautical mile on the chart is equal to 5,000 inches on the
Earth's surface
C: 1 inch is equal to 5,000,000 inches on the Earth's surface
D: 1 nautical mile on the chart is equal to 5,000,000 inches on
183: The maximum reliable ground wave range of Loran-C is
approximately _____________.
A: 700 miles
B: 900 miles
C: 1,200 miles
D: 2,300 miles
184: When the index and horizon mirrors of a properly adjusted
sextant are at an angle of 45ø to each other, the arc reads
___________.
A: 22 1/2ø
B: 45ø
C: 60ø
D: 90ø
185: A ship is in longitude 54ø00' W on a true course of 270ø.
The ship's clocks are on the proper time zone. At what
longitude should the clocks be changed to maintain the
proper zone time?
A: 45ø00' W
B: 52ø30' W
C: 60ø00' W
D: 67ø30' W
186: In the doldrums you will NOT have ___________.
A: high relative humidity
B: frequent showers and thunderstorms
C: steep pressure gradients
D: frequent calms
187: Which statement is TRUE concerning apogean tides?
A: They occur only at quadrature.
B: They occur when the Moon is nearest the Earth.
C: They cause diurnal tides to become mixed.
D: They have a decreased range from normal.
188: Off Barnegat, NJ, with the wind coming out of the east, the
wind-driven current will be flowing approximately ________.
A: 286ø
B: 254ø
C: 106ø
D: 016ø
189: While steering a course of 150ø T, you wish to observe the
Sun for a speed check. What would the azimuth have to be?
A: 060ø T
B: 090ø T
C: 150ø T
D: 240ø T
190: You are enroute to Jacksonville, FL, from San Juan, P.R.
There is a fresh N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis
of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter ________.
A: steeper waves, closer together
B: long swells
C: cirrus clouds
D: smoother seas and warmer water
191: Safe water buoys may show ONLY_______________.
A: flashing red lights
B: flashing green lights
C: white lights
D: yellow lights
192: The description "Racon" beside an illustration on a chart
would mean a _____.
A: radar conspicuous beacon
B: circular radiobeacon
C: radar transponder beacon
D: radar calibration beacon
193: In using Loran-C, skywave reception gives greater range but
is ____________.
A: only accurate during daylight hours
B: much less accurate
C: only accurate at twilight
D: more accurate than using ground waves
194: The horizon glass of a sextant is _______________.
A: silvered on its half nearer the frame
B: mounted on the index arm
C: between the horizon and the shade glasses
D: All of the above
195: The equation of time is 8m 00s. The mean Sun is ahead of
the apparent Sun. If you are 2ø W of the central meridian
of your time zone, when will the apparent Sun cross your
meridian?
A: 1216
B: 1208
C: 1200
D: 1152
196: The area of strong westerly winds occurring between 40² S
and 60² S latitude is called the ____________________.
A: polar easterlies
B: prevailing westerlies
C: roaring forties
D: jet streams
197: Chart legends printed in capital letters show that the
associated landmark is _____.
A: conspicuous
B: inconspicuous
C: a government facility or station
D: a radio transmitter
198: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at
6 knots on course 133ø T, and bears 343ø T at 92 miles from
you. What is the time to intercept if you make 9 knots?
A: 7h 44m
B: 7h 12m
C: 6h 40m
D: 6h 08m
199: Civil twilight occurs at 0558 zone time on 30 December 1981.
Your DR position at that time is LAT 15ø02' N, LONG
46ø02' W. Which statement concerning the planets available
for morning sights is TRUE?
A: At 0558, Mars can be used for an ex-meridian observation.
B: Venus, Jupiter, and Mars sights will yield a good three line
fix.
C: Saturn will be near the prime vertical.
D: Venus will be visible low in the western sky.
201: What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its
identification?
A: Red and white retroreflective material
B: A spherical topmark
C: A sequential number
D: A red and white octagon
202: On charts of U.S. waters, a magenta marking is NOT used for
marking a _____.
A: radiobeacon
B: lighted buoy
C: prohibited area
D: 5-fathom curve
203: In any Loran-C chain, there are three or more stations
transmitting pulses which radiate in all directions.
One of the stations is the master station, and the others
in the chain are the ______________.
A: radio stations
B: secondary stations
C: monitor stations
D: pulse stations
204: Because of the reflecting properties of a sextant, if the
sextant altitude reads 60ø on the limb, the actual arc of
the limb from 0ø to the 60ø reading is ___________.
A: 20ø
B: 30ø
C: 40ø
D: 60ø
205: The difference between local apparent time (LAT) and local
mean time (LMT) is indicated by the ______________.
A: equation of time
B: difference of longitude between the local and central
meridian in time units
C: longitude in time units
D: zone description
206: The winds you would expect to encounter in the North
Atlantic between latitudes 5ø and 30ø are known as the
__________.
A: doldrums
B: westerlies
C: trades
D: easterlies
207: An important lunar cycle affecting the tidal cycle is called
the nodal period. How long is this cycle?
A: 16 days
B: 18 days
C: 6 years
D: 19 years
208: The moon is full and at perigee on 20 January 1983. What
is the maximum current you could expect at 2350 (ZD +5) at
Nantucket Shoals?
A: 0.5 knot
B: 0.7 knot
C: 0.8 knot
D: 1.0 knot
209: The West Wind Drift is located __________.
A: near 60ø S
B: on each side of the Equatorial Current
C: in the North Atlantic between Greenland and Europe
D: in the South Pacific near 5ø S
210: The position labeled C is a(n) ________________.
A: fix
B: running fix
C: estimated position
D: dead reckoning position
211: The light rhythm of Morse (A) is shown on ___________.
A: preferred-channel buoys
B: starboard- or port-side buoys
C: special marks
D: safe water buoys
212: Which aid is NOT marked on a chart with a magenta circle?
A: Radar station
B: Radar transponder beacon
C: Radiobeacon
D: Aero light
214: A sextant having an index error that is "on the arc" has a
________.
A: positive correction
B: dip error
C: negative correction
D: semidiameter error
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?
A: 1148
B: 1200
C: 1212
D: It cannot be determined from the information given.
216: The prevailing winds in the band of latitude from
approximately 5² N to 30² N are the ________.
A: prevailing westerlies
B: northeast trade winds
C: southeast trade winds
D: doldrums
217: In some parts of the world there is often a slight fall in
tide during the middle of the high water period. The effect
is to create a longer period of stand at higher water. This
special feature is called a(n) ________.
A: apogean tide
B: double high water
C: perigean tide
D: bore
218: Lines of position may be __________.
A: hyperboles
B: straight lines
C: arcs
D: All of the above
219: 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 1300 and
turn for 13 knots, at what point will you lose the flood
current?
A: Mile 52
B: New Castle
C: Marcus Hook
D: Billingsport
220: At 0000 you fix your position and plot a new DR track line.
At 0200 you again fix your position and it is 0.5 mile east
of your DR. Which statement is TRUE?
A: The current is westerly at 0.5 knot.
B: You must increase speed to compensate for the current.
C: The current cannot be determined.
D: The drift is 0.25 knot.
221: In United States waters, a buoy having red and white
vertical stripes has a light characteristic of ____________.
A: group occulting
B: Morse (A)
C: interrupted quick flashing
D: quick flashing
222: Which statement concerning the illustration is correct?
(Soundings and heights are in meters)
A: Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a
21-meter diameter.
B: The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of
the star on the symbol's mast.
C: There is a 12 meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just
west of Beito Island.
D: The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or
223: In the Loran-C configuration shown, the stations located at
X, Y, and Z are called _________.
A: repeater stations
B: secondary stations
C: composite stations
D: alternate stations
224: A sextant having an index error that is "off the arc" has a
________.
A: positive correction
B: dip error
C: negative correction
D: semidiameter error
225: The equation of time is 8m 40s. The apparent Sun is ahead
of the mean Sun. If you are on the central meridian of your
time zone, the apparent Sun will cross your meridian at
_____________.
A: 11-51-20 ZT
B: 12-00-00 ZT
C: 12-04-20 ZT
D: 12-08-40 ZT
226: What winds blow towards the equator from the area about
30ø north?
A: Prevailing westerlies
B: Roaring thirties
C: Equatorial flow
D: Northeast trades
227: The class of tide that prevails in the greatest number of
important harbors on the Atlantic Coast is ______________.
A: interval
B: mixed
C: diurnal
D: semidiurnal
Error reading USCG question 228
weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates a
convergence line?
229: The shoreline on charts generally represents the mean _____.
A: high water line
B: low water line
C: low water spring line
D: tide level
230: If the LORAN-C ground wave does NOT extend out as far as the
skywave skip distance, there will be a skip zone in which
______________.
A: no LORAN-C signal is received
B: only ground waves are received
C: only skywaves are received
D: both ground waves and skywaves are received
231: You are outbound in a buoyed channel on course 015ø T. You
sight a white light showing a Morse (A) characteristic
bearing 359ø relative. For safety, you should _______.
A: change course to 359ø T to pass near to the buoy
B: stay in the channel and leave the bouy to port
C: alter course to 000ø T and leave the buoy well clear to
starboard
D: check the chart to see where the marked danger lies in
232: Which statement concerning the chartlet TRUE? (Soundings and
heights are in meters)
A: Maury lightship is visible for 17 miles.
B: The bottom to the south-southeast of the lightship is soft
coral.
C: There is a 12-meter deep west of Beito Island and inside the
5-meter line.
D: There is a dangerous eddy southeast of Beito Island.
233: To determine which Loran-C signal to use, examine the chart
and find a set of LOP's which have an angle of at least ___.
A: 10ø
B: 15ø
C: 25ø
D: 30ø
234: When the declination of the Moon is 0ø12.5' S, you can
expect some tidal currents in Gulf Coast ports to ________.
A: exceed the predicted velocities
B: become reversing currents
C: have either a double ebb or a double flood
D: become weak and variable
235: When the equation of time is taken from the Nautical Almanac
for use in celestial navigation, it is used to determine
______________.
A: zone time
B: sunrise
C: time of local apparent noon
D: local mean time
236: The winds with the greatest effect on the set, drift, and
depth of the equatorial currents are the ___________.
A: doldrums
B: horse latitudes
C: trade winds
D: prevailing westerlies
237: Neap tides occur when the _____________.
A: Moon is in its first quarter and third quarter phases
B: Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth
C: Moon's declination is maximum and opposite to that of the
Sun
D: Sun and Moon are in conjunction
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?
A: New Castle
B: Liston Pt.
C: Arnold Pt.
D: Ship John Shoal Lt.
239: As you enter a channel from seaward in a U.S. port, the
numbers on the starboard side buoys _____________.
A: decrease and the buoys are black
B: increase and the buoys are green
C: decrease and the buoys are red
D: increase and the buoys are red
240: In a river subject to tidal currents, the best time to dock
a ship without the assistance of tugs is _________.
A: at high water
B: when there is a following current
C: at slack water
D: at flood
241: A spherical buoy may be __________.
A: numbered
B: lettered
C: green
D: red
242: The difference between the heights of low and high tide is
the _____________.
A: range
B: period
C: depth
D: distance
243: The loran lines drawn on navigation charts represent ______.
A: ground waves
B: skywaves
C: either ground waves or skywaves interchangeably
D: an average between ground wave and skywave positions
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?
A: One hour after the predicted time
B: At the predicted time
C: 30 minutes before flood, one hour after an ebb
D: 30 minutes before the predicted time
245: Yesterday you took a time tick using the 1200 GMT broadcast,
and the chronometer read 11h 59m 59s. Today at the 1200 GMT
time tick the chronometer read 00h 00m 01s. What is the
chronometer error?
A: Gaining 2 seconds
B: Losing 2 seconds
C: Fast 2 seconds
D: Fast 1 second
246: The consistent winds blowing from the horse latitudes to the
doldrums are called the ______________.
A: prevailing westerlies
B: polar easterlies
C: trade winds
D: roaring forties
247: Neap tides occur ____________.
A: at the start of spring, when the Sun is nearly over the
equator
B: only when the Sun and Moon are on the same sides of the
Earth and are nearly in line
C: when the Sun and Moon are at approximately 90ø to each
other, as seen from the Earth
D: when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are nearly in line, regardless
248: What is the index error of sextant A in illustration D050NG?
A: 0ø 10" off the arc
B: 0ø 10" on the arc
C: 3ø 00" off the arc
D: 4ø 20" off the arc
250: Weather systems in the middle latitudes generally travel
from _______.
A: west to east
B: east to west
C: north to south
D: None of the above
251: A mid-channel buoy, if lighted, will show a ___________.
A: fixed red light
B: Morse (A) white light
C: green light
D: flashing red light
252: A large automated navigational buoy, such as those that have
replaced some lightships, would be shown on a chart by which
symbol?
253: Loran-C is which type of system?
A: Reflected electron
B: Electrical radiation
C: Quarterpoint electrical navigation
D: Hyperbolic radio navigation
254: The range of tide is the __________.
A: difference between the heights of high and low tide
B: distance the tide moves out from the shore
C: duration of time between high and low tide
D: maximum depth of the water at high tide
255: On March 17, at 0500 zone time, you cross the 180th meridian
steaming eastward to west longitude. What is your local
time?
A: You are in -12 time zone.
B: It is 1700, March 18.
C: It is 0500, March 16.
D: It is 0500, March 18.
256: The belt of light and variable winds between the westerly
wind belt and the northeast trade winds is called the
______________.
A: subtropical high pressure belt
B: intertropical convergence zone
C: doldrum belt
D: polar frontal zone
257: Spring tides occur ___________.
A: at the start of spring, when the Sun is nearly over the
equator
B: only when the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth
and nearly in line
C: when the Sun and Moon are at approximately 90ø to each other
as seen from the Earth
D: when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are nearly in line, in any
258: You are enroute to Savannah, GA, from Recife, Brazil. There
is a strong N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis of the
Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter ______________.
A: cirrus clouds
B: long swells
C: smoother seas and warmer water
D: steeper waves, closer together
Error reading USCG question 259
weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "Q"
represents a _______________.
A: convergence zone
B: squall line
C: convergence line
D: weather boundary
260: The National Ocean Service publishes the ___________.
A: Light Lists
B: Coast Pilots
C: pilot charts
D: Sailing Directions
261: You are heading out to sea in a buoyed channel and see a
quick-flashing green light on a buoy ahead of you. In U.S.
waters, you should leave the buoy ______________.
A: well clear on either side
B: about 50 yards off on either side
C: to port
D: to starboard
262: Which of the buoy symbols in illustration D032NG indicates a
safe water mark?
263: Loran-C uses the multiple pulse system because __________.
A: less signal energy is necessary for receiver operation
B: more signal energy is available at the receiver
C: it significantly increases the peak power
D: it increases the signal capacity
264: Which of the four adjustable errors in the sextant is the
principle cause of index error?
A: Telescope not being parallel to the frame
B: Index mirror and horizon glass not being parallel
C: Index mirror not being perpendicular to the frame
D: Horizon glass not being perpendicular to the frame
265: It is 1200 local time for an observer at 54ø E
longitude. Which statement is TRUE?
A: It is afternoon at Greenwich.
B: It is midnight at 126ø E longitude.
C: The observer is in time zone -4.
D: All of the above are true.
266: The horse latitudes are characterized by __________________.
A: weak pressure gradients and light, variable winds
B: the formation of typhoons or hurricanes in certain seasons
C: steady winds in one direction for six months followed by
wind reversal for the next six months
D: steady winds generally from the southeast in the Southern
267: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The
range line is 309ø T. You are steering 306ø T and have the
range in sight as shown. The range continues to open. What
action should you take?
A: Alter course to the right to 309ø T or more to bring
the range in line.
B: Alter course to the left until the range closes, then
steer to the left of 306ø T.
C: Alter course to the left to close the range, then
alter course to 309ø T.
D: Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as
268: The illustration shows the symbols used on radiofacsimile
weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "L"
represents a ______________________.
A: convergence line
B: maritime air mass
C: warm front
D: convergence zone
269: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been south-southwesterly
at an average velocity of 30 knots. The predicted set and
drift of the rotary current are 232ø at 0.8 knot. What
current should you expect?
A: 065ø at 1.2 knots
B: 092ø at 1.3 knots
C: 139ø at 0.6 knot
D: 224ø at 0.4 knot
270: 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 depicted in illustration D047NG on your
starboard beam. You should ___________.
A: drop the anchor immediately as the range lights mark an area
free of obstructions
B: drop the anchor immediately as a change in the position of
the range lights will be an indication of dragging anchor
C: ensure your ship will NOT block the channel or obstruct the
range while at anchor
D: NOT drop the anchor until the lights are in line
271: Your vessel is leaving New York harbor in dense fog. As the
vessel slowly proceeds toward sea, you sight a green can
buoy on the starboard bow. Which action should you take?
A: Turn hard right to get back into the channel.
B: Pass the buoy close to, leaving it to your port.
C: Stop and fix your position.
D: Stand on, leaving the buoy to your starboard.
272: What does the symbol shown indicate on a chart?
A: A sunken vessel marked by a buoy
B: A safe water beacon
C: A red and white can buoy
D: A can buoy with a rotating white light
273: Loran-C is which type of navigation system?
A: Hyperbolic, long-range navigation system
B: Short-range electronic
C: Long-range, high frequency navigation system
D: Long-range, with a frequency of 1950 kHz
274: Which of the four adjustable errors in the sextant causes
side error?
A: Horizon glass not being perpendicular to the frame
B: Index mirror not being perpendicular to the frame
C: Telescope not being parallel to the frame
D: Elliptical centering error
275: Which statement concerning illustration D010NG is correct?
(Soundings and heights are in meters)
A: The sunken wreck southwest of Beito Island shows the hull or
superstructure above the sounding datum.
B: There is a 12-meter deep hole inside the 5-meter curve just
west of Beito Island.
C: The position of the lightship is indicated by the center of
the star on the symbol's mast.
D: Maury Lightship swings about her anchor on a circle with a
276: The region of high pressure extending around the Earth at
about 35ø N latitude is called the ___________.
A: prevailing westerlies
B: horse latitudes
C: troposphere
D: doldrums
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 __________.
A: low water neap
B: low water spring
C: high water neap
D: high water spring
278: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
11 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 070² T, 80 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 270² T
at 19 knots. If you maneuver at 11 knots to avoid the
hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
A: 84 miles
B: 79 miles
C: 74 miles
D: 66 miles
279: As a vessel changes course to starboard, the compass card in
a magnetic compass _____________.
A: remains aligned with compass north
B: also turns to starboard
C: first turns to starboard then counterclockwise to port
D: turns counterclockwise to port
280: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a lighted buoy
with a spherical topmark marks ___________________.
A: the port side of the channel
B: safe water
C: a hazard to navigation
D: the position of underwater cables
281: A lighted buoy to be left to starboard, when entering a U.S.
port from seaward, shall have a __________.
A: white light
B: red light
C: green light
D: light characteristic of Morse (A)
282: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp
Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic describes
the light?
A: It is visible 10 miles.
B: Its distinguishing number is "19M".
C: It has a radar reflector.
D: None of the above
283: Loran-C operates on a single frequency centered on
_____________.
A: 100 kHz
B: 500 kHz
C: 1,850 kHz
D: 1,950 kHz
284: The marine sextant is subject to seven different types of
errors, four of which may be corrected by the navigator. An
error NOT correctable by the navigator is _________________.
A: index error
B: prismatic error
C: perpendicularity of the horizon glass
D: perpendicularity of the index mirror
285: The apparent wind is zero when the true wind is __________.
A: zero
B: from ahead and equal to the ship's speed
C: from astern and equal to the ship's speed
D: from astern and is twice the ship's speed
286: On the pole side of the trade wind belt, there is an area
of high pressure with weak pressure gradients and light,
variable winds. This area is called the _________.
A: prevailing westerlies
B: geostrophic winds
C: doldrums
D: horse latitudes
287: The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are
reckoned in the tide tables is the same as that used for the
charts of the locality. The depression of the datum below
mean sea level for Hampton Roads, Virginia is _____________.
A: between -.7 and +.5 feet
B: between 1.9 and 3.2 feet
C: 4.1 feet
D: 1.2 feet
288: When using a radar in a unstabilized mode, fixes are
determined most easily from __________.
A: center bearings
B: tangent bearings
C: ranges
D: objects that are close aboard
289: A position obtained by crossing lines of position taken at
different times and advanced to a common time is a(n)
_________________.
A: running fix
B: dead-reckoning position
C: fix
D: estimated position
290: The true wind is from 330² T, speed 6 knots. You want the
apparent wind to be 30 knots from 10² on your port bow.
To what course and speed must you change?
A: Cn 240², 28.0 knots
B: Cn 270², 28.0 knots
C: Cn 180², 30.0 knots
D: Cn 090², 32.5 knots
291: A buoy marking a wreck will show a(n) _______.
A: white light FL (2) and a topmark of 2 black spheres
B: occulting green light and may be lettered
C: yellow light and will be numbered
D: continuous quick white light and may be numbered
292: The symbol which appears beside a light on a chart reads "Gp
Fl R (2) 10 sec 160 ft 19M". Which characteristic does the
light possess?
A: It is visible two nautical miles.
B: Its distinguishing number is "19M".
C: It has a red light.
D: It flashes once every ten seconds.
293: The use of pulse groups and extremely precise timing at each
Loran-C station makes possible the use of _____________.
A: high frequency pulses
B: combinations of high and low frequency pulses
C: the same frequency for all stations in a chain
D: varied long and short pulses
294: What is a nonadjustable error of the sextant?
A: Prismatic error
B: Index error
C: Side error
D: Error of collimation
295: The difference (measured in degrees) between the GHA of the
body and the longitude of the observer is the _____________.
A: right ascension
B: meridian angle
C: SHA of the observer
D: zenith distance
296: The wind flow from the horse latitudes to the doldrums is
deflected due to __________________.
A: Coriolis force
B: the mid-latitude, semi-permanent high
C: differing atmospheric pressures
D: the prevailing westerlies
297: The tides in Boston Harbor generally _____________.
A: are diurnal in nature
B: have their variations caused by the changing declination of
the Moon
C: have a greater range than the tides in Gulf Coast ports
D: All of the above
298: A great circle crosses the equator at 173ø E. It will also
cross the equator at what other longitude?
A: 7ø W
B: 73ø E
C: 73ø W
D: 173ø W
299: Steady precipitation is typical of _______________________.
A: coming cold weather conditions
B: a warm front weather condition
C: high pressure conditions
D: scattered cumulus clouds
300: Which of the symbols shown represents a warm front?
301: In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, lateral aids as seen
entering from seaward will display lights with which
characteristic?
A: Flashing
B: Occulting
C: Quick Flashing
D: All of the above
302: Which symbol represents a 20-fathom curve?
A: -..-..-..-..-
B: - - - - - - - -
C: - - . - - . - - . - - .
D: - - - - - - - -
303: A Loran-C receiver in operation first receives pulses from
the _____________.
A: slave station
B: master station
C: multiple stations
D: secondary stations
304: In order to remove index error from a sextant, you should
adjust the ___________________.
A: index mirror to make it parallel to the horizon glass with
the index set at zero
B: horizon glass to make it parallel to the index mirror with
the index set at zero
C: horizon glass to make it parallel to the sextant frame
D: telescope to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame
305: IN REGION A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from
seaward, the port side of a channel would be marked by a
_____________.
A: red can buoy
B: black can buoy
C: red conical buoy
D: black conical buoy
306: Weather conditions in the middle latitudes generally move
_________.
A: eastward
B: westward
C: northward
D: southward
307: The time meridian that is used when computing the currents
for Pensacola Bay, Florida, is _____________.
A: 60ø W
B: 75ø W
C: 90ø W
D: 105ø W
308: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been west-northwesterly at
an average velocity of 40 knots. The predicted set and
drift of the rotary current are 323ø at 0.6 knot. What
current should you expect?
A: 001ø at 0.7 knot
B: 018ø at 0.4 knot
C: 052ø at 0.6 knot
D: 089ø at 0.9 knot
309: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 120² T, 110 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285² T
at 25 knots. What course should you steer at 12 knots to
have the maximum CPA?
A: 332²
B: 339²
C: 346²
D: 357²
310: Which sextant shown has an index error of 3'30" off the
arc?
311: You are steaming southward along the west coast of the
United States when you encounter a buoy showing a flashing
red light. The buoy should be left on ______________.
A: the vessel's starboard side
B: the vessel's port side
C: either side close aboard
D: either side well clear
312: The depth of water on a chart is indicated as 23 meters.
This is equal to _________________.
A: 11.5 fathoms
B: 12.6 fathoms
C: 69.0 feet
D: 78.6 feet
313: The Loran-C receiver _____________.
A: is not affected by interference
B: can be used at any distance with accuracy
C: can be affected by interference
D: is reliable only from sunrise to sunset
314: Which of these sextant errors is nonadjustable?
A: Prismatic error
B: Graduation error
C: Centering error
D: All of the above
315: Which statement about the time diagram shown DO08NG is TRUE?
A: You are in west longitude.
B: Your date is ahead of Greenwich.
C: The meridian angle of the Sun is east.
D: The GHA of the Sun is less than 180².
316: According to Buys Ballot's law, when an observer in the
Northern Hemisphere experiences a northwest wind, the center
of low pressure is located to the ______________.
A: northeast
B: west-southwest
C: northwest
D: south-southeast
317: The time meridian used for tide computations in New York
Harbor is _____________.
A: 52ø30' W
B: 60ø00' W
C: 75ø00' W
D: 82ø30' W
318: Vessels required to have an Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
must have a device to indicate the _____________.
A: distance to the next port
B: speed of the vessel over the ground or through the water
C: time of the next navigational satellite pass
D: None of the above
Error reading USCG question 319
weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "F"
represents a _______________.
A: maritime air mass
B: weather boundary
C: convergence zone
D: squall line
320: Sometimes foreign charts are reproduced by DMA. On such a
chart, a wire-dragged, swept area may be shown in green or
____________.
A: red
B: black
C: purple
D: yellow
321: Which buoy may be even numbered?
A: Mid-channel buoy
B: Unlighted nun buoy
C: Lighted green buoy
D: All of the above
322: The chart symbol indicating that the bottom is coral is
_____________.
323: The position accuracy of Loran-C degrades with increasing
distance from the transmitting stations as ________________.
A: gains are made over the signal path
B: a result of variation in propagation conditions
C: the frequency of the pulses increases
D: the stations shift pulses
324: Index error of a sextant is primarily caused by __________.
A: improperly correcting the other errors in a sextant
B: the horizon glass not being parallel to the horizon mirror
C: the horizon glass not being parallel to the index mirror
D: human error in taking a celestial observation
325: What is the longitude of the geographical position of a body
whose Greenwich hour angle is 210ø30'?
A: 30ø30' E
B: 59ø30' W
C: 120ø30' W
D: 149ø30' E
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 ________.
A: north
B: south
C: east
D: west
327: When daylight savings time is kept the times of tide and
current calculations must be adjusted. One way of doing
this is to __________.
A: subtract one hour from the times listed under the
reference stations
B: add one hour to the times listed under the reference
stations
C: apply no correction, as the times in the reference
stations are adjusted for daylight savings time
D: add 15² to the standard meridian when calculating the
328: The direction of prevailing winds in the Northern hemisphere
is caused by the ______________________________.
A: magnetic field at the North Pole
B: Gulf Stream
C: Earth's rotation
D: Arctic cold fronts
329: The symbols shown are used on radiofacsimile weather charts.
Which symbol indicates a weather boundary?
330: You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The
BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of
position is ___________.
A: 90ø
B: 30ø
C: 45ø
D: 60ø
331: What indicates a buoy that should be left to port when
entering from seaward? (U.S. Aids to Navigation System)
A: White light
B: Group flashing characteristic
C: Nun shape
D: Odd number
332: Which chart symbol indicates the bottom is clay?
333: Loran-C stations transmit groups of pulses at specific
times. The time interval between transmissions from the
master station is the ________.
A: coding delay
B: group repetition interval
C: pulse interval
D: phase code
334: The index error is determined by adjusting the ____________.
A: sextant frame
B: horizon glass
C: index mirror
D: micrometer drum
335: What is the geographic longitude of a body whose GHA is
A: 127ø33' E
B: 52ø27' E
C: 61ø52' W
D: 61ø52' E
336: You are steaming eastward 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 the low
pressure lies ______________.
A: ahead of you
B: astern of you
C: to the north
D: to the south
337: To predict the actual depth of water using the Tide Tables,
the number obtained from the Tide Tables is __________.
A: the actual depth
B: added to or subtracted from the charted depth
C: multiplied by the charted depth
D: divided by the charted depth
338: The illustration shows the symbols used on radio facsimile
weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "N"
represents ____________________.
A: hail
B: freezing rain
C: rain
D: snow
339: The wind at Frying Pan shoals has been north-northeasterly
at an average velocity of 30 knots. The predicted set and
drift of the rotary current are 355ø at 0.8 knot. What
current should you expect?
A: 010ø at 1.1 knots
B: 047ø at 0.3 knot
C: 325ø at 0.7 knot
D: 279ø at 1.0 knot
340: Information about the direction and velocity of rotary tidal
currents is found in the ___________.
A: Mariner's Guide
B: Nautical Almanac
C: Tide Tables
D: Tidal Current Tables
341: Buoys which only mark the left or right side of the channel
will never exhibit a light with which characteristic?
A: Flashing
B: Quick flashing
C: Composite group flashing
D: Equal interval (isophase)
342: A polyconic projection is based on a __________________.
A: plane tangent at one point
B: cylinder tangent at one parallel
C: cone tangent at one parallel
D: series of cones tangent at selected parallels
344: A marine sextant has the index arm set at zero and the
reflected image of the horizon forms a continuous line with
the actual image. When the sextant is rotated about the
line of sight the images separate. The sextant has
___________________.
A: error of perpendicularity
B: side error
C: prismatic error
D: centering error
345: A navigator fixing a vessel's position by radar ________.
A: should never use radar bearings
B: should only use radar bearings when the range exceeds the
distance to the horizon
C: can use radar information from one object to fix the
position
D: must use information from targets forward of the beam
346: If your weather bulletin shows the center of a low pressure
area to be 100 miles due east of your position, what winds
can you expect in the Northern Hemisphere?
A: East to northeast
B: East to southeast
C: North to northwest
D: South to southeast
347: The illustration shows the symbols used on radiofacsimile
weather charts. Which of these symbols indicates rain?
348: When using a radar in an unstabilized mode, fixes are
determined most easily from _____________________.
A: center bearings
B: tangent bearings
C: objects that are close aboard
D: ranges
349: The direction of the southeast trade winds is a
result of the __________.
A: equatorial current
B: humidity
C: rotation of the earth
D: change of seasons
350: When making landfall at night, the light from a powerful
lighthouse may sometimes be seen before the lantern breaks
the horizon. This light is called the ___________.
A: diffusion
B: backscatter
C: loom
D: elevation
351: Which buoy may be odd numbered?
A: A spherical buoy
B: An unlighted can buoy
C: A red buoy
D: A yellow buoy
352: Which chart projection would be most suitable for marine
surveying?
A: Gnomonic
B: Lambert conformal
C: Mercator
D: Polyconic
354: In order to remove side error from a sextant, you should
adjust the _________________.
A: horizon glass to make it parallel to the horizon mirror with
the index set at zero
B: horizon glass to make it perpendicular to the index mirror
with the index set at zero
C: horizon glass to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame
D: telescope to make it parallel to the sextant frame
355: During the month of October the Sun's declination is ______.
A: north and increasing
B: north and decreasing
C: south and increasing
D: south and decreasing
356: When facing into the wind in the Northern Hemisphere the
center of low pressure lies _________________.
A: directly in front of you
B: directly behind you
C: to your left and behind you
D: to your right and behind you
357: On 10 August 1983 you will dock near Days Point, Weehawken,
on the Hudson River, at 1800 DST (ZD +4). The charted depth
alongside the pier is 24 feet (7.3 meters). What will be
the depth of water when you dock?
A: 23.5 feet (7.1 m)
B: 23.9 feet (7.2 m)
C: 24.9 feet (7.5 m)
D: 26.3 feet (8.0 m)
358: What will be the set of the rotary current at Nantucket
Shoals at 1245 (ZD +5) 14 January 1983?
A: 015ø
B: 125ø
C: 162ø
D: 225ø
359: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at
4.5 knots on course 233ø T, and bears 264ø T, 68 miles from
you. What is the time to intercept if you make 13 Knots?
A: 6h 31m
B: 6h 47m
C: 7h 03m
D: 7h 34m
Error reading USCG question 360
weather charts. The symbol indicated at letter "M"
represents _______.
A: rain
B: snow
C: hail
D: ice
361: As your vessel is heading southward along the east coast of
the United States, you encounter a buoy showing a red
flashing light. How should you pass this buoy?
A: Pass it about 50 yards off on either side.
B: Leave it to your starboard.
C: Leave it to your port.
D: Pass it well clear on either side.
362: Which statement about a simple conic chart projection
is TRUE?
A: It is an equal-area projection.
B: It is a conformal projection.
C: Meridians appear as curved lines.
D: The scale is correct along any meridian.
364: What causes the error of collimation with regards to the
four adjustments to a sextant?
A: Telescope not parallel to the frame
B: Personal error
C: The frame and index mirror not perpendicular
D: The frame and horizon glass not perpendicular
365: The Sun at a maximum declination north would be
approximately at ______________.
A: aphelion
B: perihelion
C: autumnal equinox
D: first point of Aries
366: If an observer in the Northern Hemisphere faces the surface
wind, the center of low pressure is to his______________.
A: left, slightly behind him
B: right, slightly behind him
C: left, slightly in front of him
D: right, slightly in front of him
367: What will be the time after 0800 EST (ZD +5) that the height
of the tide at South Freeport, ME, will be 6.0 feet
(1.8 meters) on 7 November 1983?
A: 0936
B: 0942
C: 0951
D: 1001
368: A great circle crosses the equator at 134ø E. It will also
cross the equator at what other longitude?
A: 46ø W
B: 124ø W
C: 134ø W
D: 34ø E
369: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
11 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 070² T, 80 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 270² T
at 19 knots. What course should you steer at 11 knots to
have the maximum CPA?
A: 250²
B: 234²
C: 227²
D: 2152
370: Prevailing winds between 30² N and 60² N latitude are from
the __________________.
A: north
B: south
C: east
D: west
371: Which buoy may be odd numbered?
A: Mid-channel buoy
B: Unlighted nun buoy
C: Lighted green buoy
D: All of the above
372: You would find the variation on a polyconic projection chart
__________.
A: on the compass rose
B: on the mileage scale
C: written on the chart title
D: at each line of longitude
374: There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of
the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?
A: Error of collimation
B: Prismatic error
C: Graduation error
D: Centering error
375: If the Sun's observed altitude is 47ø50', the zenith
distance is _____.
A: 42ø10'
B: 42ø50'
C: 47ø50'
D: 132ø10'
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 ______________.
A: northeast
B: west-southwest
C: northwest
D: south-southeast
377: Determine the height of the tide at 2045 EST (ZD +5) at
Augusta, ME, on 8 March 1983.
A: 1.4 feet (0.5 meter)
B: 1.9 feet (0.6 meter)
C: 2.3 feet (0.7 meter)
D: 2.6 feet (0.8 meter)
378: A navigator fixing a vessel's position by radar _________.
A: should never use radar bearings
B: can use radar information from one object to fix the
position
C: should only use radar bearings when the range exceeds the
distance to the horizon
D: must use information from targets forward of the beam
379: The steady current circling the globe at about 60ø S
is the __________.
A: Prevailing Westerly
B: Sub-Polar Flow
C: West Wind Drift
D: Humboldt Current
380: Prevailing winds between 30ø N and 60ø N latitude are from
the _______________.
A: east
B: west
C: north
D: south
381: A nun buoy will _______________.
A: be green in color
B: have an even number
C: be left to port when entering from seaward
D: be cylindrical in shape
382: Which would you consult for information about the general
current circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean?
A: Pilot chart
B: Coast Pilot
C: Current Table
D: Climatological Atlas
384: Which is a nonadjustable error of the sextant?
A: Error of perpendicularity
B: Side error
C: Error of collimation
D: Centering error
385: The difference of latitude (l) between the geographic
position (GP) of a celestial body and your position, at the
time of upper transit, is represented by _____.
A: colatitude
B: codistance
C: zenith distance
D: altitude
386: Your vessel is on course 180² T speed 22 knots. The
apparent wind is from 70² off the port bow, speed 20 knots.
The true direction and speed of the wind are ______________.
A: 45² T, 21.0 knots
B: 51² T, 24.2 knots
C: 58² T, 21.2 knots
D: 64² T, 26.0 knots
388: You are underway on course 120² T and your maximum speed is
12 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 150² T, 120 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 295² T
at 20 knots. If you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the
hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
A: 89 miles
B: 96 miles
C: 105 miles
D: 117 miles
389: The edge of a hurricane has overtaken your vessel in the
Gulf of Mexico, and the northwest wind of a few hours ago
has shifted to the west. This is an indication that you are
located in the __________.
A: navigable semicircle
B: dangerous semicircle
C: low pressure area
D: eye of the storm
390: During the winter months, the southeast trade winds are
________.
A: stronger than during the summer months
B: weaker than during the summer months
C: drier than during the summer months
D: wetter than during the summer months
391: When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing
red light indicates ____________.
A: a junction with the preferred channel to the left
B: a sharp turn in the channel to the right
C: the port side of the channel
D: a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side
392: A pilot chart does NOT contain information about ________.
A: average wind conditions
B: tidal currents
C: magnetic variation
D: average limits of field ice
393: If your position is LAT 25ø N, LONG 35ø W, what is the
correction you would apply to an RDF bearing received from a
transmitting station in LAT 30ø N, LONG 40ø W?
A: -1.3ø
B: +1.3ø
C: -2.1ø
D: +2.1ø
394: An instrument designed to maintain a continuous record of
atmospheric pressure is a(n) _________________.
A: mercurial barometer
B: aneroid barometer
C: barograph
D: thermograph
395: If the Sun's observed altitude is 27ø12', the zenith
distance is _____.
A: 62ø48'
B: 27ø12'
C: 152ø48'
D: 43ø12'
396: Your vessel is on course 150² T, speed 17 knots. The
apparent wind is from 40² off the starboard bow, speed 15
knots. What is the speed of the true wind?
A: 9.0 knots
B: 10.2 knots
C: 11.0 knots
D: 12.0 knots
397: The mean tide level at Peaks Island, ME, is _____.
A: 1.8 feet (0.5 meters)
B: 2.5 feet (0.8 meters)
C: 3.2 feet (1.0 meters)
D: 4.5 feet (1.4 meters)
398: The velocity of the apparent wind can be less than the true
wind and from the same direction, if certain conditions are
present. One condition is that the ___________.
A: ship's speed is more than the true wind velocity
B: true wind is from dead astern
C: true wind is on the beam
D: true wind is from dead ahead
399: Where will you find information about the duration of slack
water?
A: American Practical Navigator
B: Sailing Directions
C: Tide Tables
D: Tidal Current Tables
400: Information about the currents for the Pacific Coast of
the U. S. are found in the _____.
A: Ocean Current Tables
B: Nautical Almanac
C: Tide Tables
D: Tidal Current Tables
401: You are steaming in a westerly direction along the Gulf
Coast. You see ahead of you a lighted buoy showing a red
isophase light. Which action should you take?
A: Alter course to port and leave the buoy to starboard.
B: Alter course to starboard and leave the buoy to port.
C: Alter course and leave the buoy near by on either side.
D: Alter course and pass the buoy well-off on either side.
402: All of the following can be found on a Pilot Chart EXCEPT
information concerning the ______________.
A: percentage of frequency of wave heights
B: percentage of poor visibility conditions
C: sea surface temperatures
D: amounts of precipitation
403: Your position is LAT 20ø00' N, LONG 45ø00' W when you take
a radio bearing on a ship in distress in LAT 15ø00' N, LONG
40ø00' W. Your RDF bearing corrected for calibration error
is 135.6ø T. What is the rhumb line course to rendezvous
with the vessel in distress?
A: 134.9ø T
B: 135.6ø T
C: 136.2ø T
D: 136.9ø T
404: An aneroid barometer is an instrument _____________________.
A: used to measure the speed of wind
B: in which the pressure of the air is measured
C: that tells which direction a storm is coming from
D: used to measure the height of waves
405: At upper transit, if the zenith distance is 34ø, the
geographical distance from the observer to a body's GP
is _____.
A: 510 miles
B: 1220 miles
C: 2040 miles
D: 2260 miles
406: Your vessel is on course 135² T speed 18 knots. From the
appearance of the sea you estimate the speed of the true
wind as 24.5 knots. The apparent wind is 40² on the
starboard bow. Determine the speed of the apparent wind.
A: 24.2 knots
B: 28.4 knots
C: 32.2 knots
D: 35.5 knots
407: What would be the height of the tide at Crisfield, MD, at
0310 DST (ZD +4) on 6 May 1983?
A: 0.1 foot
B: 0.5 foot
C: 1.1 feet
D: 1.6 feet
408: A buoy bears 176ø T at 3000 yards. What is the course
to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards to port?
A: 174ø T
B: 176ø T
C: 178ø T
D: 180ø T
409: On November 1st the zone time is 1700 EST (ZD +5) in LONG
75ø W. What is the corresponding zone time and date in
LONG 135ø E?
A: 0700, November 2nd
B: 0700, November 1st
C: 2200, November 1st
D: 2200, October 31st
410: The height of the tide at low water is 0.0 feet. The range
is 9.0 feet. The duration is 06h 00m. The height of the
tide 02h 12m before high water will be _________________.
A: 8.3 feet
B: 6.3 feet
C: 4.7 feet
D: 2.7 feet
411: When entering from seaward, a buoy displaying a
single-flashing red light would indicate ____________.
A: a junction with the preferred channel to the left
B: a sharp turn in the channel to the right
C: the starboard side of the channel
D: a wreck to be left on the vessel's port side
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 __________.
A: Pilot Chart
B: Coast Pilot
C: Notice to Mariners
D: None of the above
413: You would need to apply the conversion angle to an RDF
bearing, prior to plotting the bearing on a chart, when the
ship and the station are both on ______________.
A: latitude 50ø S, 200 miles apart
B: longitude 50ø W, 150 miles apart
C: the equator, 175 miles apart
D: latitude 30ø N, 50 miles apart
414: The barometer is an instrument for measuring the __________.
A: temperature
B: relative humidity
C: dew point
D: atmospheric pressure
415: If the Sun's observed altitude is 54ø30', what is the zenith
distance?
A: 35ø30'
B: 45ø30'
C: 12û30'
D: 14ø30'
416: A ship is on course 195ø at a speed of 15 knots. The
apparent wind is from 40ø on the port bow, speed 30 knots.
The direction and speed of the true wind are _____________.
A: 068ø T, 30 knots
B: 127ø T, 21 knots
C: 263ø T, 42 knots
D: 292ø T, 42 knots
417: On 6 July 1983, at 1830 DST (ZD +4), what will be the
predicted height of tide at Newburgh, NY?
A: 3.3 feet
B: 2.6 feet
C: 2.4 feet
D: 2.0 feet
418: In most cases, the direction of the apparent wind lies
between the bow and ____________.
A: the direction of the true wind
B: true north
C: the beam on the windward side
D: the beam on the lee side
419: The ocean bottom that extends from the shoreline out to an
area where there is a marked change in slope to a greater
depth is the ________.
A: abyssal plain
B: continental shelf
C: borderland
D: offshore terrace
420: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The
range line is 309ø T. You are steering 306ø T and have the
range in sight as shown. The range continues to open. What
action should you take?
A: Alter course to the left until the range closes then
steer to the left of 306ø T.
B: Maintain course as it is normal for the range to open as
you get close.
C: Alter course to the left to close the range, then
alter course to 309ø T.
D: Alter course to the right to 309ø T or more to bring
421: Daylight savings time is a form of zone time that adopts the
time _____________.
A: one zone to the west
B: one zone to the east
C: two zones to the west
D: two zones to the east
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?
A: Sailing Charts of the Caribbean Sea
B: Pilot Charts of the North Atlantic
C: Light Lists, Atlantic and Gulf Coast
D: Tidal Current Tables
423: You have calibrated your RDF. When compiling the
calibration table, the correction to be applied to any
future RDF bearings is listed against the ______________.
A: true bearing of the transmitter
B: relative bearing of the transmitter
C: heading of the vessel
D: time of reception
424: For an accurate barometer check, you would ________________.
A: check it with a barometer on another vessel
B: take readings from several barometers and average them
C: check it with the barometer at the ship chandlery
D: check it against radio or National Weather Service reports
425: 90ø - Ho = _____.
A: sextant altitude
B: co-latitude
C: LHA
D: zenith distance
426: The wind speed and direction observed from a moving vessel
is known as _________________.
A: coordinate wind
B: true wind
C: apparent wind
D: anemometer wind
427: On 23 March 1983, at Kingston Point, NY, what is the
earliest time after 1700 EST (ZD +5) that the predicted tide
will be +2.0 feet?
A: 1730
B: 1800
C: 1854
D: 2030
428: A buoy bears 178ø T at 3000 yards (2700 meters). What is the
course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards (90 meters)
to starboard?
A: 174ø T
B: 176ø T
C: 178ø T
D: 180ø T
429: A great circle crosses the equator at 127ø W. It will also
cross the equator at what other longitude?
A: 127ø E
B: 53ø E
C: 27ø E
D: 27ø W
430: The southeast trade winds actually blow toward the ________.
A: southeast
B: south
C: east
D: northwest
431: When a buoy marks a channel bifurcation, the preferred
channel is NOT indicated by ______________.
A: the shape of an unlighted buoy
B: the light color of a lighted buoy
C: the color of the topmost band
D: whether the number is odd or even
432: When using a Lambert conformal chart in high latitudes,
angles such as bearings are measured in reference to
______________.
A: the meridian through the object of the bearing
B: the meridian through the ship's position
C: the meridian midway between the ship and the object
D: any meridian
433: You are swinging ship to calibrate the RDF. The gyro error
is 2ø W. The RDF gyro bearing of a station is 308ø at the
same time the visual bearing is 307ø. At the time of the
bearing, you are heading 270ø T. When you prepare the
calibration chart, you would indicate the _______.
A: correction is -1ø when the relative bearing is 035ø
B: error is -1ø when the heading is 270ø
C: correction is +1ø when the relative bearing is 325ø
D: error is -1ø on all headings
434: The purpose of the "set" hand on an aneroid barometer is to
_______.
A: adjust the barometer
B: indicate any change in the reading of the barometer
C: provide a correction for height above sea level
D: provide a correction for temperature changes
435: If an observer is at 35ø N latitude, his zenith is
_____.
A: 55ø S of the celestial equator
B: at the north celestial pole
C: 35ø N of the celestial equator
D: 55ø N of the celestial equator
436: A wind vane on a moving vessel shows _________________.
A: dead reckoning wind direction
B: true wind direction
C: apparent wind direction
D: estimated wind direction
437: Your vessel will be docking at Chester, PA, during the
evening of 22 April 1983. The chart shows a depth of 20
feet (6.1 meters) at the pier. What will be the depth of
water available at 1856 EST (ZD +5)?
A: 22.4 feet (6.8 meters)
B: 23.4 feet (7.2 meters)
C: 24.9 feet (7.6 meters)
D: 25.7 feet (7.8 meters)
438: Your longitude is 124² E, and your local mean time is 0520
on the 5th of the month. The mean time and date at
Greenwich is _________.
A: 1336 on the 4th
B: 1336 on the 5th
C: 2104 on the 4th
D: 2104 on the 5th
439: If a weather bulletin shows the center of a low pressure
system to be 100 miles due east of you, what winds can you
expect in the Southern Hemisphere?
A: South-southwesterly
B: North-northwesterly
C: South-southeasterly
D: North-northeasterly
440: You are inbound in a channel marked by a range. The
range line is 309ø T. You are steering 306ø T. The range
appears as shown and is closing. Which action should you
take?
A: Continue on the present heading until the range is in
line, then alter course to the left.
B: Immediately alter course to the right to bring the range
in line.
C: Immediately alter course to 309ø T.
D: Continue on course until the range is closed, then
441: A yellow buoy may exhibit a(n) _____________.
A: fixed red light
B: flashing light
C: white light
D: occulting light
442: In very high latitudes, the most practical chart projection
is the _____________.
A: Mercator
B: gnomonic
C: azimuthal
D: Lambert conformal
443: You are swinging ship to calibrate the RDF. The RDF gyro
bearing is 054ø at the same time the visual bearing is 053ø
pgc. Gyro error is 1ø W. At the time of the bearings the
heading was 339ø pgc. Which statement about the
calibrations are TRUE?
A: 1ø must be subtracted from all RDF bearings.
B: 1ø must be subtracted from all bearings when the ship is
headed 339ø T.
C: 1ø must be subtracted from all RDF bearings of 053ø T.
D: 1ø must be subtracted from all RDF bearings of 075ø
444: A sylphon cell is a part of a ________________.
A: maximum thermometer
B: barograph
C: thermograph
D: hygrometer
445: The values of the Greenwich hour angle and declination,
tabulated in all almanacs, are for the _________________.
A: upper limb of a celestial body
B: lower limb of a celestial body
C: centers of the various celestial bodies
D: lower limb of the Sun and Moon; center of the stars and
446: The usual sequence of directions in which a tropical cyclone
moves in the Southern Hemisphere is ______________.
A: northwest, west, and south
B: southwest, south, and southeast
C: north, northwest, and east
D: west, northwest, and north
447: On 27 April 1983, at 1105 DST (ZD +4), what will be the
predicted height of tide at Falkner Island, CT?
A: 5.3 feet (1.6 m)
B: 5.6 feet (1.7 m)
C: 6.2 feet (1.9 m)
D: 6.8 feet (2.7 m)
448: Mean high water is the reference datum used to measure ____.
A: soundings on the east coast of the United States
B: soundings in European waters
C: heights of topographical features in the United States
D: both heights and soundings worldwide
449: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at
5 knots on course 063ø T, and bears 136ø T at 78 miles from
you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept
vessel A?
A: 340ø
B: 295ø
C: 158ø
D: 114ø
450: You are enroute to Jacksonville, FL, from San Juan, P.R.
There is a fresh N'ly wind blowing. As you cross the axis
of the Gulf Stream you would expect to encounter ________.
A: cirrus clouds
B: smoother seas and warmer water
C: steeper waves, closer together
D: long swells
451: Which light characteristic can be used on a special purpose
mark?
A: Fixed
B: Occulting
C: Equal interval
D: Quick flashing
452: When navigating in high latitudes and using a chart based on
a Lambert conformal projection, ______________.
A: a straight line drawn on the chart approximates a great
circle
B: the chart should not be used outside of the standard
parallels
C: the course angle is measured at the mid-longitude of the
track line
D: distance cannot be measured directly from the chart
453: The quadrantal correction to be applied to an RDF bearing is
determined ______________.
A: from Bowditch Vol. II
B: from a table on board your ship
C: by requesting the calibration station to provide the
information after the RDF is calibrated
D: by comparing the true and relative bearings of the
454: On what does the operation of an aneroid barometer depend?
A: Thin, metal, air tight cell
B: Curved tube containing alcohol
C: Column of mercury supported by atmospheric pressure
D: Expansion of mercury in a closed tube
455: The height of eye correction is smaller than geometrical dip
because of ____________.
A: the angle between the horizontal and the line of sight to
the visible horizon
B: index error
C: parallax
D: terrestrial refraction
456: Which condition exists in the eye of a hurricane?
A: Wind rapidly changing direction
B: A temperature much lower than that outside the eye
C: Towering cumulonimbus clouds
D: An extremely low barometric pressure
457: Find the height of the tide at Port Wentworth, GA, on
5 October 1983, at 1840 DST (ZD +4).
A: 3.0 feet
B: 3.5 feet
C: 4.0 feet
D: 4.4 feet
458: The prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere
blow 18-30 knots _______________________.
A: all year long
B: during the summer months only
C: during the winter only
D: during spring only
459: A buoy bears 178ø T at 3000 yards (2700 meters). What is
the course to make good to leave the buoy 100 yards
(90 meters) to port?
A: 174ø T
B: 176ø T
C: 178ø T
D: 180ø T
460: When using horizontal sextant angles of three objects to fix
your position, an indeterminate position will result in
which situation?
A: The objects lie in a straight line.
B: The vessel is inside of a triangle formed by the objects.
C: The vessel is outside of a triangle formed by the objects.
D: A circle will pass through your position and the three
461: Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a yellow buoy may
_______.
A: mark a fish net area
B: be lighted with a white light
C: show a fixed red light
D: All of the above
462: For what purpose would using a Lambert conformal chart be
more convenient than using a Mercator?
A: Plotting radio bearings over a long distance
B: Determining latitude and longitude of a fix
C: Measuring rhumb line distances
D: Measuring rhumb line directions
463: The signal transmitted by a radiobeacon station is called
its ____________________.
A: group sequence
B: frequency
C: directional signal
D: characteristic signal
464: Prior to reading an aneroid barometer, you should tap the
face lightly with your finger to _________________.
A: expose any loose connections
B: demagnetize the metal elements
C: bring the pointer to its true position
D: contract and expand the glass face
465: When applying a dip correction to the sighted sextant
angle (hs), you always subtract the dip because you are
correcting _____________.
A: hs to the visible horizon
B: hs to the sensible horizon
C: hs to the celestial horizon
D: Ho to the celestial horizon
466: In the relatively calm area near the hurricane center, the
seas are ______________.
A: moderate but easily navigated
B: calm
C: mountainous and confused
D: mountainous but fairly regular as far as direction is
467: At what time after 1400 EST (ZD +5), on 4 January 1983, will
the height of the tide at Port Wentworth, GA, be 3.0 feet?
A: 1612
B: 1630
C: 1653
D: 1718
468: Which of the symbols in illustration D018NG represents a
cold front?
469: Where are the prevailing westerlies of the Southern
Hemisphere located?
A: Between the Equator and 10ø latitude
B: Between 10ø and 20ø latitude
C: Between 30ø and 60ø latitude
D: Between 60ø and 90ø latitude
470: You are underway on course 120ø T and can make 12 knots. The
eye of a hurricane bears 150ø T at 120 miles. The hurricane
is on course 295ø at 20 knots. What course should you steer
at 12 knots to have the maximum CPA?
A: 312ø
B: 330ø
C: 348ø
D: 001ø
471: Yellow lights may appear on ______________.
A: special purpose buoys
B: vertically-striped buoys
C: horizontally-banded buoys
D: spherical buoys
472: Which conic projection chart features straight lines which
closely approximate a great circle?
A: Polyconic
B: Lambert conformal
C: Orthographic
D: Stereographic
473: The quadrantal error of a radio bearing is caused by
__________.
A: polarization at sunrise and sunset
B: not taking the bearing from the transmitting antenna
C: the signal passing over land before it reaches sea
D: the metal in a ship's structure
474: Which indication on the barometer is most meaningful in
forecasting weather?
A: The words "Fair -- Change -- Rain"
B: The direction and rate of change of barometric pressure
C: The actual barometric pressure
D: The relative humidity
475: A correction for augmentation is included in the Nautical
Almanac corrections for _________________.
A: the Sun
B: the Moon
C: Venus
D: None of the above
476: Tropical cyclones normally form within which of the
following belts of latitude?
A: 5ø to 15ø
B: 15ø to 30ø
C: 30ø to 45ø
D: 45ø to 60ø
477: Determine the height of the tide at 1430 EST (ZD +5) at New
Bedford, MA, on 10 April 1983.
A: 1.1 feet
B: 1.2 feet
C: 1.4 feet
D: 1.7 feet
478: The velocity of the apparent wind can be more than the true
wind, and come from the same direction, if certain
conditions are present. One condition is that the
__________.
A: ship's speed must be less than the true wind velocity
B: true wind must be from dead astern
C: true wind velocity must be faster than the ship's speed
D: true wind must be from dead ahead
479: You are enroute to assist vessel A. Vessel A is underway at
5 knots on course 063ø T, and bears 136ø T at 78 miles from
you. What is the course to steer at 13 knots to intercept
vessel A?
A: 114ø
B: 158ø
C: 295ø
D: 340ø
480: What kind of pressure systems travel in easterly waves?
A: High pressure
B: Low pressure
C: Subsurface pressure
D: Terrastatic pressure
481: A special mark (yellow buoy), if lighted, may exhibit which
light rhythm?
A: Flashing
B: Morse "A"
C: Equal interval
D: Occulting
482: Which statement about a gnomonic chart is correct?
A: A rhumb line appears as a straight line.
B: Distance is measured at the midlatitude of the track line.
C: Meridians appear as curved lines converging toward the
nearer pole.
D: Parallels, except the equator, appear as curved lines.
483: Coral atolls, or a chain of islands at right angles to the
radar beam, may show as a long line rather than as
individual targets due to ______.
A: the effects of beam width
B: limitations on range resolution
C: the pulse length of the radar
D: the multiple-target resolution factor
484: The needle of an aneroid barometer points to 30.05 on the
dial. This indicates that the barometric pressure is
_________________________.
A: 30.05 inches of mercury
B: 30.05 millimeters of mercury
C: 30.05 millibars
D: falling
485: A phase correction is applied to observations of
________________.
A: the Sun
B: stars
C: planets
D: All of the above
486: Tropical cyclones do not form within 5² of the Equator
because ______________.
A: there are no fronts in that area
B: it is too hot
C: it is too humid
D: of negligible Coriolis force
487: What will be the time after 0600 (ZD +3), on 6 March 1983,
that the height of the tide at Puerto Rosales, Argentina,
will be 9.0 feet (2.7 meters)?
A: 0740
B: 0754
C: 0840
D: 0922
488: A great circle crosses the equator at 93ø W. It will also
cross the equator at what other longitude?
A: 13ø E
B: 87ø E
C: 177ø E
D: 177ø W
489: You are anchored in the Aleutian Island chain and receive
word that a tsunami is expected to strike the islands in six
hours. What is the safest action?
A: Get underway and be in deep, open-ocean water when the
tsunami arrives.
B: Increase the scope of the anchor cable and drop the second
anchor underfoot at short stay.
C: Get underway and be close inshore on the side of the island
away from the tsunami.
D: Plant both anchors with about a 60ø angle between them, and
490: You are underway on course 050² T and your maximum speed is
10 knots. The eye of a hurricane bears 100² T, 90 miles
from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285² T
at 19 knots. Which course should you steer at 10 knots to
have the maximum CPA?
A: 221²
B: 226²
C: 233²
D: 238²
491: A special purpose buoy shall be ______________.
A: lighted with a white light
B: striped black and red
C: lighted with a red light
D: yellow
492: Which type of projection is formed if a plane is tangent to
the Earth, and points are projected geometrically from the
center of the Earth?
A: Lambert conformal
B: Oblique gnomonic
C: Mercator
D: Transverse conic
493: The picture shown represents the geographic location of
a vessel and the radar presentation at the same time. Which
statement is TRUE?
A: Ship No. 1 is not detected due to the shadow effect of the
headland.
B: The small island is not detected due to the effect of beam
width.
C: A tangent bearing of the headland to the south-southeast
should be corrected by adding one-half of the beam width.
D: Ship No. 2 is not detected due to the reflective mass of
494: Barometers are usually calibrated to indicate atmospheric
pressure in ___________________.
A: inches of mercury and centimeters
B: feet of mercury and millibars
C: inches of mercury and millimeters
D: inches of mercury and millibars
495: A semidiameter correction is applied to observations of
_________.
A: Mars
B: the Moon
C: Jupiter
D: All of the above
496: Severe tropical cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons) occur in
all warm-water oceans except the ________________.
A: Indian Ocean
B: North Pacific Ocean
C: South Pacific Ocean
D: South Atlantic Ocean
497: What will be the time after 0300 (ZD +4), on 5 March 1983,
when the height of the tide at Port of Spain, Trinidad, will
be 2.5 feet (.76 meters) ?
A: 0548
B: 0602
C: 0618
D: 0634
498: What is an advantage of the magnetic compass aboard vessels?
A: Compass error is negligible at or near the earth's magnetic
poles.
B: It does not have to be checked as often.
C: It is reliable due to it's essential simplicity.
D: All points on the compass rose are readily visible.
499: Which of the symbols in illustration D018NG represents an
occluded front?
500: The National Imagery and Mapping Agency would produce a
chart of the coast of ________.
A: Alaska
B: Canada
C: Puerto Rico
D: Hawaii
501: Which of the buoys listed below could be used to mark an
anchorage?
A: White buoy numbered "3"
B: White buoy with a green top
C: White buoy with orange bands
D: Yellow buoy lettered "N"
502: A gnomonic projection is based on a(n) _____________.
A: plane tangent at one point
B: cylinder tangent at the equator
C: cone tangent at one parallel
D: infinite series of cones tangent at selected parallels
503: You are approaching a light fitted with a RACON.
The light may be identified on the radar by _____.
A: a dashed line running from the center of the scope to the
light
B: an audible signal when the sweep crosses the light
C: a circle appearing on the scope surrounding the light
D: a coded signal appearing on the same bearing at a greater
504: Barometer readings in weather reports are given in terms of
pressure at _______________.
A: sea level
B: Washington, D.C.
C: the weather station
D: the broadcasting station
505: The error in the measurement of the altitude of a celestial
body, caused by refraction, increases as the
_______________.
A: horizontal parallax decreases
B: observer's height above sea level increases
C: humidity of the atmosphere decreases
D: altitude of the body decreases
506: You are to sail from Elizabethport, N.J., on 22 May 1983,
with a maximum draft of 28 feet. You will pass over an
obstruction in the channel near Sandy Hook that has a depth
of 26.5 feet. The steaming time from Elizabethport to the
obstruction is 1h 40m. What is the earlies