NG 2020 PDF

National Maritime Center
Serving Our Nation’s Mariners
U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam
Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage
Q114 Navigation General-Oceans
(Sample Examination)
8/6/2020 Page 1 of 20
Illustrations: 4
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions.
1. What is the equivalent of 2° 35' in time units?
o (A) 7 min. 06 sec.

o (B) 9 min. 10 sec.
• (C) 10 min. 20 sec.
o (D) 6 min. 43 sec.
If choice C is selected set score to 1.
2. How are the doldrums characterized?
o (A) The clear skies

• (B) The frequent calms
o (C) The steady, light to moderate winds
o (D) The low humidity
If choice B is selected set score to 1.
3. Information markers, when lighted, will display which color light?
o (A) Yellow lights

o (B) Green lights
• (C) White lights
o (D) Red lights
4. A position that is obtained by using two or more intersecting lines of position taken at nearly the
same time, is a(n) __________.
o (A) estimated position

o (B) dead-reckoning position
o (C) running fix
• (D) fix
If choice D is selected set score to 1.
5. You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a
yellow triangle painted on it. Which statement is TRUE?
o (A) Geometric symbols such as squares and triangles replace letters and numbers on ICW aids
to navigation.
o (B) This is an information or regulatory buoy that also has lateral significance.
o (C) The yellow triangle identifies a sharp turn (over 60°) in the channel.
• (D) The ICW and another waterway coincide in this geographical area.
8/6/2020 Page 2 of 20
Illustrations: 4
6. Which information must automatic identification systems (AIS) automatically provide to appropriately
equipped shore stations, vessels and aircraft?
o (A) Navigational status

o (B) Vessel's type
o (C) Vessel's course
• (D) All of the above
7. In illustration D045NG below, what two shapes shown are used to indicate a preferred channel?
o (A) A and B
• (B) A and D
o (C) B and C
o (D) C and D
8. The difference between local apparent time (LAT) and local mean time (LMT) is indicated by the
__________.
• (A) equation of time

o (B) difference of longitude between the local and central meridian in time units
o (C) zone description
o (D) longitude in time units
If choice A is selected set score to 1.
9. Deviation in a compass is caused by which of the following?
o (A) The vessel's geographic position

• (B) The influence of the magnetic materials of the vessel
o (C) The vessel's heading
o (D) The earth's magnetic field
10. On a chart, the characteristic of the light on a lighthouse is shown as flashing white with a red sector.
Which is TRUE of the red sector?
o (A) It serves no significant purpose

o (B) It is used to identify the characteristics of the light
o (C) It indicates the limits of the navigable channel
• (D) It indicates a danger area
8/6/2020 Page 3 of 20
Illustrations: 4
11. Which term is given to the mechanical lifting of air by the upslope slant of the terrain?
• (A) Topographic lifting

o (B) Vertical lifting
o (C) Advective lifting
o (D) Convective lifting
12. Which is TRUE of an aneroid barometer on a vessel?
o (A) It should located in an air-conditioned area

• (B) It should be permanently mounted
o (C) It should be mounted in the passenger compartment
o (D) It should be protected by a collision bulkhead
13. In the navigational triangle, what is the name of the angle at the elevated pole between the meridian
of the observer and the meridian of the celestial body (GP)?
o (A) Azimuth angle

• (B) Meridian angle
o (C) Altitude
o (D) Right ascension
14. What must the owner or Master do if any of the towing vessel's required navigational safety
equipment fails during a voyage?
o (A) Repair it at the earliest practicable time

o (B) Consider the state of the equipment in deciding whether it is safe for the vessel to proceed
o (C) Enter its failure in the log or other on board record
• (D) All of the above
15. You are approaching Chatham Strait from the south in foggy weather. You have Coronation Island
and Hazy Islands on the radar. Suddenly the radar malfunctions. You then resort to using whistle
echoes to determine your distance off Coronation Island. Your stopwatch reads 16.3 seconds for the
echo to be heard. How far are you off Coronation Island?
o (A) 1.0 mile

• (B) 1.5 miles
o (C) 2.0 miles
o (D) 2.5 miles
8/6/2020 Page 4 of 20
Illustrations: 4
16. In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?
o (A) U.S. Coast Guard Light List

• (B) Catalog of Charts
o (C) American Practical Navigator
o (D) Chart No. 1
17. 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. What are the direction and speed of the true wind?
o (A) 068°T, 30 knots

• (B) 127°T, 21 knots
o (C) 263°T, 42 knots
o (D) 292°T, 42 knots
18. On an isomagnetic chart, which term is used for the line of zero variation?
• (A) An agonic line

o (B) The zero variation line
o (C) An isogonic line
o (D) A variation line
19. The survey information upon which a chart is based is found at which location?
• (A) Near the chart title

o (B) At the top center of the next line
o (C) At the lower left corner
o (D) At any convenient location
20. Which cardinal quadrant is represented by the topmark in illustration D024NG below?
o (A) Northern
o (B) Southern
• (C) Western
o (D) Eastern
8/6/2020 Page 5 of 20
Illustrations: 4
21. You are steering 246°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 14 miles at 1037. You
change course to pass the light 2.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 12 knots, what is your
ETA at the position 2.5 miles off the light?
• (A) 1146
o (B) 1152
o (C) 1149
o (D) 1143
22. In illustration D044NG below, what type of buoy is indicated by the letter A?
o (A) Nun
o (B) Spar
o (C) Pillar
• (D) Can
23. You are underway on course 050°T and your maximum speed is 13 knots. The eye of a hurricane
bears 120°T, 100 miles from your position. The hurricane is moving towards 265°T at 25 knots. What
course should you steer at 13 knots to have the maximum CPA?
o (A) 299°T
• (B) 324°T
o (C) 306°T
o (D) 276°T
24. In the horizon system of coordinates what is equivalent to the parallels of declination of the celestial
equator system?
• (A) Parallels of altitude

o (B) Zenith distance
o (C) Vertical circles
o (D) Azimuth angle
25. How are clouds generally classified?
o (A) By location in a front

o (B) By the moisture content
o (C) By the size of the cloud
• (D) By their altitude
8/6/2020 Page 6 of 20
Illustrations: 4
26. Which term is used to describe the time interval between successive wave crests?
• (A) Period
o (B) Trough
o (C) Frequency
o (D) Epoch
27. Where can the annual change in variation for an area be found?
o (A) The handbook for Magnetic Compass Adjustment, Pub 226

• (B) The center of the compass rose on a chart of the area
o (C) Variation does not change.
o (D) The compass deviation table
28. The expression "first Magnitude" is usually used to refer only to bodies of which magnitude?
o (A) 0.5 and greater

o (B) 1.0 and greater
o (C) 1.25 and greater
• (D) 1.5 and greater
29. Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead
ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 283° T, and the variation is 13°E.
If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the
deviation?
o (A) 5°E
o (B) 5°W
o (C) 8°E
• (D) 8°W
30. Which term describes a light, feathery deposit of ice by sublimation of water vapor directly into the
crystalline form on objects whose temperatures are below freezing?
o (A) Snow
o (B) Glaze
o (C) Dew
• (D) Frost
8/6/2020 Page 7 of 20
Illustrations: 4
31. In the Northern Hemisphere, which term is given to a wind that shifts counterclockwise?
o (A) A chinook wind

o (B) A reverse wind
o (C) A veering wind
• (D) A backing wind
32. On navigational aids, what does the light characteristic "Fl(2+1)" mean?
• (A) Light flashes combined in groups, with a different number of flashes in each group
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
o (D) A light showing groups of two or more flashes at regular intervals
33. What does a steep barometric gradient indicate?
o (A) Calms
• (B) Strong winds
o (C) Precipitation
o (D) Light winds
34. You are underway on course 127°T. You sight a buoy with the topmarks shown in illustration
D025NG below, bearing two points on the starboard bow. Which action must be taken?
o (A) Alter course to starboard until the buoy is at least two points on the port bow, then hold
course.
o (B) Alter course to port until the buoy is broad on the starboard quarter, then hold course.
o (C) Change course to have the buoy close aboard either side.
• (D) Ensure the bearings change to the right.
35. There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is
adjustable?
o (A) Prismatic error

• (B) Error of collimation
o (C) Centering error
o (D) Graduation error
8/6/2020 Page 8 of 20
Illustrations: 4
36. With respect to failure warnings and status indications, GPS receivers should provide, at a minimum,
__________.
o (A) an indication of a change in satellite configuration

o (B) a cross-track error alarm
• (C) a warning of loss of position
o (D) an alarm if engine speed is suddenly reduced
37. In a tropical cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, a vessel hove to with the wind shifting
counterclockwise would be in which location?
o (A) Ahead of the storm

• (B) In the navigable semicircle
o (C) In the dangerous semicircle
o (D) Directly in the path of the center
38. As a high pressure system approaches, which is TRUE concerning the barometer reading?
o (A) The reading falls

o (B) The reading stays the same
• (C) The reading rises
o (D) The reading falls rapidly
39. A line of position is __________.
o (A) a line connecting two charted objects

• (B) a line on some point of which the vessel may be presumed to be located
o (C) the position of your vessel
o (D) not used in a running fix
40. The point where the vertical rise or fall of tide has stopped is referred to as __________.
• (A) the stand of the tide

o (B) the reverse of the tide
o (C) slack water
o (D) the rip tide
8/6/2020 Page 9 of 20
Illustrations: 4
41. What is a barometric pressure reading of 29.92 inches of mercury is equivalent to?
o (A) 766 millimeters of mercury

o (B) 76 centimeters of water
o (C) 29.92 feet of water
• (D) 1013.25 millibars
42. Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?
• (A) Fixed
o (B) Occulting
o (C) Equal interval
o (D) Quick flashing
43. Which is a characteristic of warm air masses?
o (A) Good visibility

o (B) Turbulence within the mass
• (C) Stratiform clouds
o (D) Heavy precipitation
44. When compared to air temperature, which factor is most useful in predicting fog?
• (A) Dew point

o (B) Absolute humidity
o (C) Vapor pressure
o (D) Barometric pressure
45. By convention, what color is the north seeking end of a compass' magnet?
• (A) Red
o (B) Black
o (C) Blue
o (D) White
8/6/2020 Page 10 of 20
Illustrations: 4
46. In Region A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the port side of a channel
would be marked by which buoy?
o (A) A black can buoy

o (B) A black conical buoy
o (C) A red conical buoy
• (D) A red can buoy
47. Which describes the distance between the surface of the water and the tidal datum?
o (A) The charted depth

• (B) The height of tide
o (C) The range of tide
o (D) The actual water depth
48. What is the maximum difference between mean time and apparent time?
• (A) About 16 minutes

o (B) Equal to the longitude expressed in time units
o (C) 15° of arc
o (D) The difference between the GHA of mean sun and the first point of Aries
49. Under the IALA-A Buoyage system, a buoy marking the starboard side of the channel when
approaching from seaward may have which feature?
o (A) A can shape

o (B) A red light
• (C) A triangular topmark
o (D) An isophase light
50. Lines drawn through points on the Earth having the same atmospheric pressure are known by which
term?
o (A) Seismics
o (B) Millibars
• (C) Isobars
o (D) Isothermal
8/6/2020 Page 11 of 20
Illustrations: 4
51. Yesterday your chronometer read 03h 01m 56s at the 1500 GMT time tick. Today your chronometer
read 03h 01m 54s at the 1500 GMT time tick. What is the chronometer rate?
o (A) 1m 54s fast

o (B) +2s
• (C) -2s
o (D) 2s fast
52. Brief, violent showers frequently accompanied by thunder and lightning are usually associated with
__________.
• (A) passage of a cold front

o (B) stationary high pressure systems
o (C) winds shifting counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
o (D) passage of a warm front
53. When does a Doppler speed log indicate speed over ground?
o (A) When the unit is in the volume reverberation mode

• (B) When sensing the bottom in depths of less than 600 feet
o (C) At all times
o (D) The unit can only sense speed over ground when there is no current
54. What is the color scheme of navigational marks used for informational or regulatory purposes?
o (A) Solid yellow

o (B) Red and white vertically-striped
o (C) Green and red horizontally-banded
• (D) White with orange geometric shapes
55. The best estimate of the wind direction at sea level can be obtained from observing the direction of
the __________.
o (A) cloud movement

o (B) swells
• (C) waves
o (D) vessel heading
8/6/2020 Page 12 of 20
Illustrations: 4
56. What do red sectors of navigation lights warn mariners of?
o (A) Floating debris

• (B) Shoals or nearby land
o (C) Recently sunken vessels
o (D) Heavily trafficked areas
57. When making landfall at night, how can you determine if a light is a major light or an offshore buoy?
o (A) By observing the intensity of the light

o (B) By the color, because the buoy will have only a red or a green light
• (C) By checking the period and characteristics against the Light List
o (D) All of the above can be used to identify the light.
58. In modern fathometers, what produces the sonic or ultrasonic sound waves?
o (A) An amplifier
o (B) A transceiver
o (C) A generator
• (D) A transducer
59. What does the expression "the air is saturated" mean?
o (A) The vapor pressure is at its maximum for the prevailing temperature
o (B) The precipitation has commenced
o (C) The cloud cover is 100%
• (D) The relative humidity is 100%
60. How often is The Local Notice to Mariners updated?
• (A) Weekly
o (B) Semiannually
o (C) Monthly
o (D) Daily
8/6/2020 Page 13 of 20
Illustrations: 4
61. Which term is given to a mature hurricane that has passed over colder water or land and loses its
tropical characteristics?
o (A) A high pressure area

o (B) Typhoon
• (C) An extratropical low-pressure system
o (D) An easterly wave
62. The apparent wind's speed can be zero, but only when two conditions are present. One condition is
that the true __________.
• (A) wind's speed equals the ship's speed

o (B) wind must be on the beam
o (C) wind's speed must be zero
o (D) wind must be from dead ahead
63. If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to
gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?
o (A) The readings are too high (large numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to
the compass to obtain true
• (B) The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to
the compass to obtain true
o (C) The readings are too high and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass
to obtain true
o (D) The readings are too low and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to
obtain true
64. Which defines the shortest distance between any two points on earth?
o (A) A small circle

o (B) A hyperbola
o (C) A rhumb line
• (D) A great circle
8/6/2020 Page 14 of 20
Illustrations: 4
65. In shallow water, waves that are too steep to be stable, causing the crests to move forward faster
than the rest of the wave. This occurrence describes which term?
• (A) Breakers
o (B) Surfers
o (C) White caps
o (D) Rollers
66. Which statement(s) is/are TRUE concerning radio equipment on towing vessels of 26 feet or more in
length?
o (A) Each radio operator must hold an FCC-issued restricted operator's license, or higher.
o (B) The vessel must have a ship-radio-station license issued by the FCC.
o (C) Maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 and the bridge-to-bridge channel.
• (D) All of the above.
67. On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your
vessel has been consigned to voluntary Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS).
Where can further information be located?
• (A) Radio Aids to Navigation (PUB 117)

o (B) the International Code of Signals (PUB 102)
o (C) The Light List
o (D) the Coast Pilot
68. What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?
o (A) New editions are published by the National Ocean Service.

• (B) New editions are corrected through the date shown on the title page.
o (C) Supplements to new editions are issued monthly by the U.S. Coast Guard.
o (D) None of the above
69. 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, where does the center of the low pressure lie?
o (A) Directly ahead of you

o (B) Astern of you
o (C) To the north
• (D) To the south
8/6/2020 Page 15 of 20
Illustrations: 4
70. By what means are indications of the master gyrocompass sent to remote repeaters?
o (A) by azimuth motor

• (B) by transmitter
o (C) by follow-up system
o (D) by phantom element
8/6/2020 Page 16 of 20
D024NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from BOWDITCH, The American Practical Navigator,
An Epitome of Navigation, Volume I, 1984 Edition
Copyright © 1984 by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center
Further reproduction prohibited without permission
Page 17 of 20
8/29/2018 Q114 Navigation General-Oceans
D025NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from BOWDITCH, The American Practical Navigator,
An Epitome of Navigation, Volume I, 1984 Edition
Copyright © 1984 by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center
Page 18 of 20
D044NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from CUTLER, Dutton’s Nautical Navigation, 15 th edition
Copyright © 2004 by the U.S. Naval Institute
Page 19 of 20
D045NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from CUTLER, Dutton’s Nautical Navigation, 15 th edition
Copyright © 2004 by the U.S. Naval Institute
Page 20 of 20

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National Maritime Center

Serving Our Nation’s Mariners

U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam

Second/Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

Q114 Navigation General-Oceans

Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions.

1. What is the equivalent of 2° 35' in time units?

o (A) 7 min. 06 sec.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

2. How are the doldrums characterized?

o (A) The clear skies

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

3. Information markers, when lighted, will display which color light?

o (A) Yellow lights

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) estimated position

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Navigational status

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

• (A) equation of time

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

9. Deviation in a compass is caused by which of the following?

o (A) The vessel's geographic position

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) It serves no significant purpose

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

• (A) Topographic lifting

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

12. Which is TRUE of an aneroid barometer on a vessel?

o (A) It should located in an air-conditioned area

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Azimuth angle

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Repair it at the earliest practicable time

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 1.0 mile

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) U.S. Coast Guard Light List

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 068°T, 30 knots

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

• (A) An agonic line

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

• (A) Near the chart title

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

• (A) Parallels of altitude

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

25. How are clouds generally classified?

o (A) By location in a front

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) The handbook for Magnetic Compass Adjustment, Pub 226

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 0.5 and greater

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.