NG 2017 PDF

National Maritime Center
Providing Credentials to Mariners
U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam
Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage
Q114-Navigation General-Oceans
(Sample Examination)
8/29/2017 Page 1 of 17
Illustrations: 2
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions.
1. Your vessel is steering 263°T at 22 knots. At 0413 a light bears 294°T and at 0421 the same light
bears 312°T. What will be your distance off when abeam?
o (A) 3.4 miles

• (B) 3.7 miles
o (C) 4.3 miles
o (D) 4.9 miles
If choice B is selected set score to 1.
2. Which statement concerning GPS is TRUE?
o (A) Two position lines are used to give a 2D fix.

o (B) It cannot be used in all parts of the world.
o (C) There are 12 functioning GPS satellites at present.
• (D) It may be suspended without warning.
If choice D is selected set score to 1.
3. In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?
o (A) Chart No. 1

o (B) U.S. Coast Guard Light List
• (C) Catalog of Charts
o (D) American Practical Navigator
If choice C is selected set score to 1.
4. When outbound from a U.S. port, a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicates __________.
o (A) a junction with the preferred channel to the left

o (B) a sharp turn in the channel to the right
• (C) the port side of the channel
o (D) a wreck to be left on the vessel's starboard side
5. The fog produced by warm moist air passing over a cold surface is called __________.
o (A) frontal fog

• (B) advection fog
o (C) conduction fog
o (D) radiation fog
8/29/2017 Page 2 of 17
Illustrations: 2
6. Buoys which mark isolated dangers are painted with alternating _________.
o (A) green and white bands

• (B) red and black bands
o (C) red and white stripes
o (D) green and black bands
7. The dangerous semicircle of a typhoon in the Southern Hemisphere is that area __________.
o (A) measured from due south clockwise 180°

o (B) ahead of the typhoon measured from the storm's track to 90° on each side
• (C) to the left of the storm's track
o (D) measured from due south counterclockwise 180°
8. The revision date of a chart is printed on which area of the chart?
o (A) Top center

o (B) Part of the chart title
• (C) Lower left corner
o (D) Any clear area around the neat line
9. You take a bearing of 356° of a lighthouse. What bearing of another object would give the best fix?
o (A) 013°
o (B) 201°
o (C) 176°
• (D) 082°
10. What natural feature is responsible for the rather even climate found on the Florida peninsula
throughout the year?
o (A) The Bermuda high

o (B) Strong masses of continental air
• (C) The Gulf Stream
o (D) The cool waters of the Sargasso sea
8/29/2017 Page 3 of 17
Illustrations: 2
11. In the Northern Hemisphere, the largest waves or swells created by a typhoon or hurricane will be
located __________.
o (A) in the southeast quadrant of the storm

• (B) forward and to the right of its course
o (C) directly behind the storm center
o (D) behind and to the left of its course
12. The pressure-sensitive element of an aneroid barometer is called a __________.
o (A) pressure bellows

o (B) column of mercury
• (C) sylphon cell
o (D) constant pressure capsule
13. Where would you expect to find channels marked with the IALA-A Buoyage System?
o (A) Argentina
• (B) India
o (C) Japan
o (D) Canada
14. The velocity of the wind, its steady direction, and the amount of time it has blown determines a wind
driven current's __________.
o (A) density
o (B) deflection
o (C) temperature
• (D) speed
15. While your vessel is proceeding down a channel you notice a range of lights in line with your vessel's
mast. If your vessel is on course 001° per gyro compass and the charted value of the range of lights
is 359°T, what is the gyro compass error?
• (A) 2°W
o (B) 2°E
o (C) 1°E
o (D) 1°W
If choice A is selected set score to 1.
8/29/2017 Page 4 of 17
Illustrations: 2
16. The line of position should be plotted as a circle around the GP of the body when the Ho exceeds
what minimum value?
o (A) 80°
o (B) 83°
o (C) 85°
• (D) 87°
17. By what means are indications of the master gyrocompass sent to remote repeaters?
o (A) by follow-up system

o (B) by azimuth motor
• (C) by transmitter
o (D) by phantom element
18. You are underway on course 142°T when you sight a buoy bearing 105°T. The buoy's white light
has a characteristic of continuous very-quick flashing. What should you do to ensure that your vessel
remains in the best navigable water?
o (A) pass between the buoy and another buoy showing a fixed white light
o (B) continue on course and ensure that the bearings change to the left
• (C) alter course to port and pass north of the buoy
o (D) alter course to port and pass the buoy close aboard to either side
19. 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 __________.
o (A) ship's speed is more than the true wind velocity

o (B) true wind is on the beam
• (C) true wind is from dead astern
o (D) true wind is from dead ahead
20. The principal vertical circle is that great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the
__________.
o (A) zenith and is parallel to the horizon

o (B) poles and Greenwich
• (C) zenith and the north and south poles
o (D) zenith and the celestial body
8/29/2017 Page 5 of 17
Illustrations: 2
21. While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 4 1/2
seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?
o (A) 405 yards

o (B) 628 yards
o (C) 730 yards
• (D) 825 yards
22. You are approaching a sea buoy which emits a racon signal. This signal is most frequently triggered
by which type of radar?
• (A) 3 cm
o (B) 10 cm
o (C) Both 3 cm and 10 cm
o (D) Signal does not depend on radar type.
23. You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 12 knots. The eye of a hurricane
bears 120°T, 110 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 285°T at 25 knots. If
you maneuver at 12 knots to avoid the hurricane, what could be the maximum CPA?
• (A) 77 miles
o (B) 82 miles
o (C) 87 miles
o (D) 93 miles
24. The equation of time is 8m 00s. The mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are 2°W of the
central meridian of your time zone, when will the apparent Sun cross your meridian?
• (A) 1216
o (B) 1208
o (C) 1200
o (D) 1152
25. What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?
o (A) Supplements to new editions are issued monthly by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• (B) New editions are corrected through the date shown on the title page.
o (C) New editions are published by the National Ocean Service.
o (D) None of the above
8/29/2017 Page 6 of 17
Illustrations: 2
26. Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to
port may display which of the topmarks shown in illustration D046NG below?
o (A) A
o (B) B
o (C) C
• (D) D
27. What does a single vertical magnet placed underneath the compass in the binnacle compensate for?
o (A) Induced magnetism in the vertical soft iron

o (B) The horizontal component of the permanent magnetism
o (C) Induced magnetism in the horizontal soft iron
• (D) Deviation caused by the vessel's inclination from the vertical
28. In waters where the cardinal system is used where would you expect to find danger?
o (A) Beneath or directly adjacent to the buoy

o (B) Lying to the east of an eastern quadrant buoy
o (C) Lying to the south of an eastern quadrant buoy
• (D) Lying to the south of a northern quadrant buoy
29. A microbarograph is a precision instrument that provides a __________.
• (A) charted record of atmospheric pressure over time

o (B) graphic record of vapor pressure from a flammable/combustible liquid
o (C) charted record of atmospheric temperature over time
o (D) graphic record of combustible gases measured in an atmosphere
30. Steady precipitation is typical of __________.
o (A) scattered cumulus clouds

• (B) a warm front weather condition
o (C) coming cold weather conditions
o (D) high pressure conditions
8/29/2017 Page 7 of 17
Illustrations: 2
31. Preferred channel buoys indicate the preferred channel to transit by __________.
o (A) the buoy's light rhythms

o (B) the location of the buoy in the channel junction
• (C) the color of their top band
o (D) odd or even numbers
32. Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting __________.
• (A) wind velocity

o (B) relative humidity
o (C) temperature
o (D) dew point
33. The recording fathometer produces a graphic record of the __________.
o (A) contour of the bottom against a distance base

• (B) depth underneath the keel against a time base
o (C) depth of water against a distance base
o (D) bottom contour only up to depths of 100 fathoms
34. The Beaufort scale is used to estimate the __________.
o (A) barometric pressure

o (B) wind direction
o (C) percentage of cloud cover
• (D) wind speed
35. You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a
yellow square painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?
o (A) ICW traffic should not proceed beyond the buoy unless the crossing waterway is clear of all
traffic.
• (B) You should leave the buoy to port.
o (C) The buoy is off station and should be ignored as a navigational mark.
o (D) The waterway in that area has shoaled and the available depth of water is less than the
project depth.
8/29/2017 Page 8 of 17
Illustrations: 2
36. On 25 December you observe the Sun's lower limb. The sextant altitude (hs) is 4°06.9'. The height
of eye is 47 feet and the index error is 1.6' on the arc. The temperature is 19°F and the barometer
reads 1030.8 millibars. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
o (A) 3°57.4'
• (B) 4°01.9'
o (C) 4°02.5'
o (D) 4°03.4'
37. Your vessel is on course 180°T speed 22 knots. The apparent wind is from 70° off the port bow,
speed 20 knots. The true direction and speed of the wind are __________.
o (A) 45°T, 21.0 knots

• (B) 51°T, 24.0 knots
o (C) 58°T, 21.2 knots
o (D) 64°T, 26.0 knots
38. The survey information upon which a chart is based is found __________.
o (A) at any convenient location

o (B) at the top center of the next line
o (C) at the lower left corner
• (D) near the chart title
39. 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
o (B) 12-00-00 ZT
o (C) 12-04-20 ZT
o (D) 12-08-40 ZT
40. Which condition(s) is(are) necessary for the formation of dew?
o (A) Earth's surface cooler than the dew point of the air
o (B) Clear skies
o (C) Calm air
• (D) All of the above
8/29/2017 Page 9 of 17
Illustrations: 2
41. What does the term "tide" refer to?
• (A) Vertical movement of the water

o (B) Mixing tendency of the water
o (C) Horizontal movement of the water
o (D) Salinity content of the water
42. Freezing salt water spray should be anticipated when the air temperature drops below what
temperature?
o (A) 0°F (-17.8°C)

o (B) -40°F (-28.9°C)
o (C) 32°F (0.0°C)
• (D) 28°F (-2.2°C)
43. At evening stars, the last stars that should be observed are those with an azimuth in what quadrant?
o (A) Southern
o (B) Eastern
o (C) Northern
• (D) Western
44. The speed of sound through ocean water is nearly always __________.
o (A) slower than the speed of calibration for the fathometer

• (B) faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer
o (C) faster than the speed of calibration for the fathometer, unless the water is very warm
o (D) the same speed as the speed of calibration for the fathometer
45. When trying to sight a lighthouse you notice a glare from a town in the background. The range at
which the light may be sighted due to this glare is __________.
o (A) increased if the light is red or green due to contrast with the glare
• (B) considerably reduced
o (C) unchanged
o (D) increased slightly due to extra lighting
8/29/2017 Page 10 of 17
Illustrations: 2
46. Which cloud type is normally associated with thunderstorms?
o (A) Stratus
o (B) Cirrus
o (C) Cumulus
• (D) Cumulonimbus
47. The annual change in variation for an area can be found in __________.
o (A) the compass deviation table

o (B) the handbook for Magnetic Compass Adjustment, Pub 226
• (C) the center of the compass rose on a chart of the area
o (D) Variation does not change.
48. Which of the following describes gyrocompass repeaters which reproduce the indications of the
master gyrocompass?
• (A) They are accurate electronic servomechanisms

o (B) They are accurate only in the Polar regions
o (C) They are accurate only if the vessel is underway
o (D) They are hand operated
49. Which information is NOT required to be posted in or near the wheelhouse?
o (A) Stopping time and distance from full speed while maintaining course with minimum rudder
• (B) A diagram of advance and transfer for turns of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° at full speed with
maximum rudder and constant power
o (C) Operating instructions for change-over procedures for remote steering gear systems
o (D) For vessels with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft RPMs for a representative range of speeds
50. What is the basic principle of the magnetic compass?
o (A) The compass needle(s) will, when properly compensated, lie parallel to the isogonic lines of
the Earth.
o (B) The Earth's magnetic lines of force are parallel to the surface of the Earth.
• (C) Magnetic materials of the same polarity repel each other and those of opposite polarity
attract.
o (D) Magnetic meridians connect points of equal magnetic variation.
8/29/2017 Page 11 of 17
Illustrations: 2
51. Mars will not be visible __________.
• (A) at conjunction
o (B) at opposition
o (C) from quadrature to opposition
o (D) at elongation angles near 180°
52. A ship is on course 195° at a speed of 15 knots. The apparent wind is from 40° on the port bow,
speed 30 knots. The direction and speed of the true wind are __________.
o (A) 068°T, 30 knots

• (B) 127°T, 21 knots
o (C) 263°T, 42 knots
o (D) 292°T, 42 knots
53. Which factor(s) is/are used to develop the charted information of a lighthouse?
• (A) Height and intensity of the light

o (B) Height of the observer and the intensity of the light
o (C) Height of the light and the observer
o (D) Height of the light only
54. Your vessel is participating in the Voluntary Observing Ship Program, at 0600 ZT on 31 January
your position is LAT 00°49'S, LONG 84°27'E. You are preparing WS Form B-80 as seen in
illustration D041NG below. How should you encode the first three groups after the call sign if you
estimate the wind?
o (A) 31063, 99049, 58427

• (B) 31003, 99008, 30844
o (C) 31003, 99049, 38427
o (D) 30243, 90008, 30848
55. The owner or Master of a towing vessel must ensure that each person that directs and controls the
movement of the vessel knows all of the following EXCEPT _________.
o (A) the speed and direction of any current for the area being transited
o (B) how to apply variation and deviation to readings from a magnetic compass
• (C) the ownership of the vessel(s) being towed
o (D) the effects of maneuvering on the vessel and its tow
8/29/2017 Page 12 of 17
Illustrations: 2
56. As the temperature for a given mass of air increases, the __________.
o (A) dew point decreases

o (B) dew point increases
• (C) relative humidity decreases
o (D) relative humidity increases
57. Port side daymarks may be __________.
o (A) octagonal
• (B) numbered
o (C) black and white
o (D) of any shape
58. Yesterday your chronometer read 11h 59m 58s at the 1200 GMT time tick. Today your chronometer
reads 12h 00m 00s at the 1200 time tick. What is the chronometer rate?
o (A) Nil
o (B) -2s
o (C) 12h
• (D) +2s
59. Warm air masses will generally have __________.
o (A) turbulence within the mass

o (B) good visibility
• (C) stratiform clouds
o (D) heavy precipitation
60. You take a bearing of 043° and 169° of two objects. What bearing of a third object will give the best
fix?
o (A) 144°
• (B) 102°
o (C) 356°
o (D) 201°
8/29/2017 Page 13 of 17
Illustrations: 2
61. On navigational aids, what does the light characteristic "Fl(2+1)" mean?
o (A) A light showing groups of two or more flashes at regular intervals

o (B) A fixed light varied at regular intervals by groups of two or more flashes of greater brightness
o (C) A flashing light combined with a fixed light of greater brightness
• (D) Light flashes combined in groups, with a different number of flashes in each group
62. Which is a weekly publication advising mariners of important matters affecting navigational safety?
• (A) Notice to Mariners

o (B) Light List
o (C) Sailing Directions
o (D) Coast Pilot
63. Yesterday your chronometer read 11h 59m 59s at the 1200 GMT time tick. Today the chronometer
reads 11h 59m 57s at the 1200 time tick. What is the chronometer rate?
o (A) +3s
o (B) -3s
• (C) -2s
o (D) +2s
64. What is the equivalent of 10 min. 52 sec. in arc units?
o (A) 0°47'
o (B) 1°12'
• (C) 2°43'
o (D) 3°52'
65. The point where the vertical rise or fall of tide has stopped is referred to as __________.
o (A) the reverse of the tide

o (B) slack water
• (C) the stand of the tide
o (D) the rip tide
8/29/2017 Page 14 of 17
Illustrations: 2
66. What enables you to estimate the bearing of a storm's center?
o (A) An educated guess

o (B) Pascal's Law
• (C) Buys Ballot's Law
o (D) The left-hand rule
67. Where are the prevailing westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere located?
• (A) Between 30° and 60° latitude

o (B) Between 10° and 20° latitude
o (C) Between the Equator and 10° latitude
o (D) Between 60° and 90° latitude
68. Where would you expect to find climatological and meteorological tables for the Gulf Coast area?
o (A) Only at the National Weather Service office

o (B) In any Coast Pilot volume
o (C) In the publication entitled Radio Aids to Navigation
• (D) In the back of Coast Pilot #5
69. In the Northern Hemisphere, an area of counterclockwise wind circulation surrounded by higher
pressure is a __________.
• (A) low
o (B) warm front
o (C) cold front
o (D) high
70. Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a green spar buoy with a triangular topmark would indicate that
the buoy __________.
o (A) is on the north side of a point of interest

o (B) may be left close aboard on either side
• (C) should be left to port when heading out to sea
o (D) is marking the preferred channel
8/29/2017 Page 15 of 17
D041NG
Adapted for testing purposes only

5/23/2016 Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 16 of 17
D046NG
Adapted for testing purposes only

5/23/2016 Further reproduction prohibited without permission Page 17 of 17

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National Maritime Center

Providing Credentials to Mariners

U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam

Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions.

o (A) 3.4 miles

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

2. Which statement concerning GPS is TRUE?

o (A) Two position lines are used to give a 2D fix.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Chart No. 1

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) a junction with the preferred channel to the left

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) frontal fog

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) green and white bands

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) measured from due south clockwise 180°

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

8. The revision date of a chart is printed on which area of the chart?

o (A) Top center

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) The Bermuda high

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) in the southeast quadrant of the storm

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

12. The pressure-sensitive element of an aneroid barometer is called a __________.

o (A) pressure bellows

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) by follow-up system

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) ship's speed is more than the true wind velocity

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) zenith and is parallel to the horizon

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 405 yards

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

25. What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Induced magnetism in the vertical soft iron

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Beneath or directly adjacent to the buoy

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

29. A microbarograph is a precision instrument that provides a __________.

• (A) charted record of atmospheric pressure over time

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

30. Steady precipitation is typical of __________.

o (A) scattered cumulus clouds

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) the buoy's light rhythms

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

32. Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting __________.