NG 2021 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)
7/22/2021 Page 1 of 19
Q114 Navigation General - Oceans
Illustrations: 3
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice questions.
1. A Doppler log in the volume reverberation mode indicates __________.
o (A) the depth of the water

o (B) the set of the current
• (C) speed through the water
o (D) speed being made good
If choice C is selected set score to 1.
2. When the equation of time is taken from the Nautical Almanac for use in celestial navigation, what is
it used to determine?
o (A) Local mean time

o (B) The zone time
• (C) Time of local apparent noon
o (D) The sunrise
3. Your vessel is on course 180°T speed 22 knots. The apparent wind is from 70° off the port bow,
speed 20 knots. What are the true direction and speed of the wind?
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
If choice B is selected set score to 1.
4. Your vessel is participating in the Voluntary Observing Ship Program, you are preparing WS Form B-
80 as seen in illustration D041NG below. The sky is overcast, and the anemometer indicates that the
apparent wind is from 144° relative at 8 knots. You are on course 162°T at 15 knots. How should you
encode group Nddff?
o (A) 81408
o (B) 01615
• (C) 83322
o (D) 91521
7/22/2021 Page 2 of 19
Illustrations: 3
5. While navigating in fog off a coastline of steep cliffs, you hear the echo of the ship's fog horn 3
seconds after the signal was sounded. What is the distance to the shore?
o (A) 792 yards

• (B) 550 yards
o (C) 1100 yards
o (D) 872 yards
6. Automatic identification systems (AIS) are required to do which of the following?
o (A) exchange safety-related information with shore-based facilities

o (B) receive safety-related information automatically from similarly equipped vessels
o (C) provide safety-related information automatically to shore stations, other vessels and aircraft
• (D) All of the above
If choice D is selected set score to 1.
7. When do Spring tides occur?
• (A) When the Moon is new or full

o (B) When the Sun and Moon are in quadrature
o (C) When the Moon is in its first quarter or third quarter phase
o (D) When the Moon's declination is maximum and opposite to that of the Sun
If choice A is selected set score to 1.
8. What is the length of a nautical mile?
o (A) 1,800 meters

o (B) 5,280 feet
o (C) 2,000 yards
• (D) 6,076 feet
9. Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a green spar buoy with a triangular topmark would indicate that
the buoy __________.
o (A) is marking the preferred channel

o (B) is on the north side of a point of interest
o (C) may be left close aboard on either side
• (D) should be left to port when heading out to sea
7/22/2021 Page 3 of 19
Illustrations: 3
10. When compared to air temperature, which factor is most useful in predicting fog?
o (A) Absolute humidity

• (B) Dew point
o (C) Vapor pressure
o (D) Barometric pressure
11. On a working copy of a weather map what color is the line that represents a stationary front?
o (A) Red
• (B) Alternating red and blue
o (C) Blue
o (D) Purple
12. The dry bulb temperature is 91o F(32.8o C) and the wet bulb temperature is 87o F(30.6o C). What is
the relative humidity?
o (A) 78%
o (B) 81%
• (C) 86%
o (D) 89%
13. What is characteristic of an isophase light?
o (A) 4 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse, 3 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse

• (B) 1 sec. flash, 1 sec. eclipse
o (C) 6 sec. flash, 3 sec. eclipse
o (D) 2 sec. flash, 5 sec. eclipse
14. 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

o (B) In the dangerous semicircle
• (C) In the navigable semicircle
o (D) Directly in the path of the center
7/22/2021 Page 4 of 19
Illustrations: 3
15. An easterly wave is located 200 miles due west of your position, which is north of the equator.
Where will the wave be in 24 hours?
o (A) In the same place

o (B) Farther away to the east
• (C) Farther away to the west
o (D) Closer and to the west
16. How can you remove index error from a sextant?
o (A) By adjusting the telescope to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame

o (B) By adjusting the horizon glass to make it parallel to the sextant frame
o (C) By adjusting the index mirror to make it parallel to the horizon glass with the index set at zero
• (D) By adjusting the horizon glass to make it parallel to the index mirror with the index set at zero
17. In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy with a quick light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds.
Which topmark in illustration D030NG below would be fitted to this buoy under the IALA Buoyage
Systems?
o (A) A
o (B) B
o (C) C
• (D) D
18. In most cases, the direction of the apparent wind lies between the bow and which reference point?
o (A) The beam on the windward side

• (B) The direction of the true wind
o (C) The beam on the lee side
o (D) The true north
19. On a voyage from Cape Town to London, which would be a favorable ocean current off the coast of
Africa?
o (A) Agulhas Current

o (B) South Atlantic Current
• (C) Benguela Current
o (D) Canary Current
7/22/2021 Page 5 of 19
Illustrations: 3
20. The owner or Master of a towing vessel shall ensure that each person that directs and controls the
movement of the vessel can accomplish all of the following EXCEPT _________.
• (A) reduce speed only where local speed limits are posted
o (B) adjust speed with due regard for the weather and visibility
o (C) evaluate the danger of each closing visual or radar contact
o (D) enter all required test and inspection results in the vessel's log or other record carried on
board
21. Your vessel is on a course of 223°T at 17 knots. At 1323 a lighthouse bears 318° relative. At 1341
the same lighthouse bears 287° relative. What is your distance off the lighthouse at 1341?
o (A) 7.8 miles

o (B) 4.3 miles
• (C) 6.6 miles
o (D) 5.1 miles
22. 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 gyrocompass 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
23. When taking stars, those bodies to the east and west will __________.
o (A) appear to be moving in the plane of the horizon

o (B) change altitude slowly
• (C) change altitude rapidly
o (D) remain in an almost fixed position
24. A cardinal mark showing an uninterrupted quick-flashing white light indicates the deepest water is
located in which quadrant?
• (A) The north quadrant of the mark

o (B) The south quadrant of the mark
o (C) The west quadrant of the mark
o (D) The east quadrant of the mark
7/22/2021 Page 6 of 19
Illustrations: 3
25. In the Northern Hemisphere, which term is given to a wind that shifts counterclockwise?
o (A) A veering wind

o (B) A reverse wind
o (C) A chinook wind
• (D) A backing wind
26. Which is TRUE concerning Hot air?
o (A) Hot air retains the same amount of moisture as cold air
• (B) Hot air holds more moisture than cold air
o (C) The moisture content of air is independent of air temperature
o (D) Hot air holds less moisture than cold air
27. Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to port would have
__________.
o (A) a pillar shape

o (B) an even number
o (C) an odd number
• (D) horizontal bands
28. Prevailing winds between 30°N and 60°N latitude are from which direction?
o (A) South
• (B) West
o (C) East
o (D) North
29. In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?
o (A) U.S. Coast Guard Light List

o (B) Chart No. 1
• (C) Catalog of Charts
o (D) American Practical Navigator
7/22/2021 Page 7 of 19
Illustrations: 3
30. A correction for augmentation is included in the Nautical Almanac corrections for which celestial
bodies?
o (A) The Sun

• (B) The Moon
o (C) Venus
o (D) Polaris
31. Barometer readings in weather reports are given in terms of pressure at which reference location?
• (A) Sea level

o (B) Washington, D.C.
o (C) The broadcasting station
o (D) The weather station
32. What is the color scheme of navigational marks used for informational or regulatory purposes?
• (A) White with orange geometric shapes

o (B) Red and white vertically-striped
o (C) Green and red horizontally-banded
o (D) Solid yellow
33. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes which item?
o (A) Light Lists

• (B) Coast Pilots
o (C) pilot charts
o (D) Sailing Directions
34. Which cloud type is normally associated with thunderstorms?
o (A) Cirrus
o (B) Stratus
• (C) Cumulonimbus
o (D) Cumulus
7/22/2021 Page 8 of 19
Illustrations: 3
35. When operated over a muddy bottom, a fathometer may indicate which of the following?
o (A) A shallow depth reading

• (B) Two depth readings
o (C) No depth reading
o (D) A zero depth reading
36. By what means are indications of the master gyrocompass sent to remote repeaters?
• (A) by transmitter
o (B) by phantom element
o (C) by follow-up system
o (D) by azimuth motor
37. How can the accuracy of an azimuth circle be checked?
o (A) aligning the relative bearing markings so that 000° is on the lubber's line and the line of sight
passes over the center of the compass
• (B) comparing observed azimuths at different altitudes with computed values at the times of
observation to see if the difference is constant
o (C) sighting a terrestrial range in line and comparing the observed bearing against the charted
bearing
o (D) ensuring that the alignment marks on the inner face of the circle are in line with those on the
repeater on relative bearings of 000° and 090°
38. A sidereal day is shorter than a solar day. What is the reason for this difference?
o (A) Irregularities in the daily rotational rate of the Sun

o (B) The space motion of the solar system
• (C) The use of different reference points
o (D) The precession of the equinoxes
39. What is the equivalent of 23 min. 20 sec. in arc units?
o (A) 12°32'
• (B) 5°50'
o (C) 16°40'
o (D) 9°28'
7/22/2021 Page 9 of 19
Illustrations: 3
40. 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
41. When recording the wind direction in the weather log, which information would you report?
• (A) The direction the wind is blowing from

o (B) The duration of the maximum gust of wind
o (C) The wind chill factor
o (D) The direction the wind is blowing toward
42. Some lights used as aids to marine navigation have a red sector to indicate a danger area. The
limits of a colored sector of a light are listed in the Light List in which of the following manners?
o (A) True bearings as observed from the light toward the ship
o (B) Geographical positions outlining the area of the sector
• (C) True bearings as observed from the ship toward the light
o (D) An outline of the area of the sector
43. When is the rhumb line distance the same as the great circle distance?
o (A) The rhumb line distance is always longer than the great circle distance.
o (B) Course 090°T in high latitudes
o (C) Course 045°T in low latitudes
• (D) Course 180°T when you cross the equator
44. Red lights may appear on which buoys?
o (A) Vertically striped buoys

o (B) Spherical buoys
• (C) Horizontally banded buoys
o (D) Yellow buoys
7/22/2021 Page 10 of 19
Illustrations: 3
45. What is the primary source of the earth's weather?
o (A) The solar system

o (B) The oceans
• (C) The sun
o (D) The moon
46. You are steaming west in the South Atlantic in an extratropical cyclonic storm, and the wind is dead
ahead. According to the law of Buys Ballot, where does the center of low pressure lie?
o (A) Dead ahead of you

• (B) To the south of you
o (C) To the north of you
o (D) Dead astern of you
47. In which country would you expect the channels to be marked with the IALA-B Buoyage System?
o (A) Poland
o (B) Morocco
• (C) Peru
o (D) Saudi Arabia
48. You are outbound in a channel marked by a range astern. The range line is 133°T. You are steering
315°T and have the range in sight as shown in illustration D048NG below. What action should you
take?
o (A) Come left to 313°T.

o (B) Come right until the range comes in line then alter course to 313°T.
o (C) Come right until the range comes in line then alter course to 317°T.
• (D) Come left to close the range then when on the range steer 313°T.
49. There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is
adjustable?
o (A) Centering error

o (B) Prismatic error
• (C) Error of collimation
o (D) Graduation error
7/22/2021 Page 11 of 19
Illustrations: 3
50. The first point of Aries is the point where the Sun is at __________.
• (A) 0o declination going to northerly declinations

o (B) maximum declination north
o (C) maximum declination south
o (D) 0o declination going to southerly declinations
51. A List of Lights entry (L Fl) is a single flashing light which shows a long flash of not less than which
duration?
o (A) 1.0 second duration

o (B) 1.5 seconds duration
• (C) 2.0 seconds duration
o (D) 3.0 seconds duration
52. When using GPS, how many theoretical position lines are required for a three-dimensional fix?
o (A) 1
o (B) 2
o (C) 3
• (D) 4
53. What do the soft iron spheres mounted on arms on the binnacle compensate for?
o (A) The residual deviation of the vessel

o (B) Magnetic fields caused by electrical currents in the vicinity
• (C) The induced magnetism in the horizontal soft iron
o (D) The vertical component of the permanent magnetism of the vessel
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

o (B) 30243, 90008, 30848
o (C) 31003, 99049, 38427
• (D) 31003, 99008, 30844
7/22/2021 Page 12 of 19
Illustrations: 3
55. Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?
o (A) Occulting
• (B) Fixed
o (C) Quick flashing
o (D) Equal interval
56. The velocity of the wind, its steady direction, and the amount of time it has blown determines what
about a wind driven current?
• (A) Its speed

o (B) Its density
o (C) Its deflection
o (D) Its temperature
57. On an isomagnetic chart, which term is used for the line of zero variation?
o (A) The zero variation line

• (B) An agonic line
o (C) An isogonic line
o (D) A variation line
58. Charts should be corrected by using information published in which text?
o (A) Coast Pilot

• (B) Notice to Mariners
o (C) Light List
o (D) American Practical Navigator
59. Which condition(s) is(are) necessary for the formation of dew?
o (A) Available nuclei in the air

o (B) A surface warmer than the dew point of the air
• (C) Clear skies
o (D) Moderate winds
7/22/2021 Page 13 of 19
Illustrations: 3
60. 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) 306°T
o (B) 276°T
o (C) 299°T
• (D) 324°T
61. You are entering an east coast port and see a buoy with a yellow triangle painted on it. What does
the symbol indicate?
o (A) The buoy designates a sharp turn in the channel

• (B) You are in the vicinity of the ICW
o (C) The buoy is a special mark
o (D) The buoy is off station
62. Given are the courses and speeds of 4 vessels. The navigator of which vessel would be required to
know the actual time of meridian transit in order to take an accurate observation at LAN ?
• (A) C 349°T, Sp 25 knots

o (B) C 079°T, Sp 24 knots
o (C) C 101°T, Sp 7 knots
o (D) C 018°T, Sp 6 knots
63. Prior to reading an aneroid barometer, why should you tap the face lightly with your finger?
o (A) To demagnetize the metal elements

o (B) To expose any loose connections
o (C) To contract and expand the glass face
• (D) To bring the pointer to its true position
64. A chart has extensive corrections to be made to it. When these are made and the chart is again
printed, what term is given to this chart issue?
o (A) Reprint
• (B) New edition
o (C) Revised edition
o (D) First edition
7/22/2021 Page 14 of 19
Illustrations: 3
65. The four standard light colors used for lighted aids to navigation are red, green, white, and
__________.
o (A) purple
• (B) yellow
o (C) blue
o (D) orange
66. By convention, what color is the south pole of a magnet painted?
o (A) Black
o (B) Red
• (C) Blue
o (D) White
67. Swell is the rise and fall of the ocean's surface due to __________.
o (A) fetch
o (B) the pull of the moon
o (C) local storms
• (D) distant winds
68. The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type TR-SY. Which action should you take?
o (A) Look for a dayboard of type TR-TY to form a range

o (B) Expect a daymark with no lateral significance
• (C) Leave it to port when southbound on the Atlantic portions of the ICW
o (D) Pass it close aboard on either side
69. What is the standard atmospheric pressure as measured in inches of mercury?
• (A) 29.92
o (B) 500.0
o (C) 760.0
o (D) 1013.2
7/22/2021 Page 15 of 19
Illustrations: 3
70. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly over the observer is known by which term?
o (A) Pole
o (B) Node
• (C) Zenith
o (D) Nadir
7/22/2021 Page 16 of 19
D030NG
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 19
8/30/2018 Q114 Navigation General – Oceans
D041NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
D048NG
Adapted for testing purposes only from BOWDITCH, The American Practical Navigator,
An Epitome of Navigation, 2002 Bicentennial Edition
Copyright © 2002 by The National Imagery and Mapping Agency, U. S. Government

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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. A Doppler log in the volume reverberation mode indicates __________.

o (A) the depth of the water

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Local mean time

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 45°T, 21.0 knots

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 792 yards

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

6. Automatic identification systems (AIS) are required to do which of the following?

o (A) exchange safety-related information with shore-based facilities

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

7. When do Spring tides occur?

• (A) When the Moon is new or full

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

8. What is the length of a nautical mile?

o (A) 1,800 meters

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) is marking the preferred channel

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Absolute humidity

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

13. What is characteristic of an isophase light?

o (A) 4 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse, 3 sec. flash, 2 sec. eclipse

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Ahead of the storm

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

o (A) In the same place

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

16. How can you remove index error from a sextant?

o (A) By adjusting the telescope to make it perpendicular to the sextant frame

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

o (A) The beam on the windward side

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) Agulhas Current

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) 7.8 miles

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) appear to be moving in the plane of the horizon

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

• (A) The north quadrant of the mark

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

o (A) A veering wind

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

26. Which is TRUE concerning Hot air?

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

o (A) a pillar shape

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

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

If choice C is selected set score to 1.