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General Navigation - USCG Exam Questions

Chart reading, the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, compass error, tides and currents, and the standard navigation publications.

Every question below is a real U.S. Coast Guard exam question with four choices. Answer one and the correct choice is revealed instantly, with the USCG reference and illustration where the question uses one.

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All General Navigation questions

Questions 1–100 of 2,138 · page 1 of 22

  1. #1 What is a characteristic of cardinal marks?
  2. #2 The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency) would produce a chart of the coast of __________.
  3. #3 The greatest directive force is exerted on the magnetic compass when the __________.
  4. #4 The reference datum used in determining the heights of land features on most charts is __________.
  5. #5 The channel under a bridge is marked with aids from the lateral system. The centerline of the channel is marked on the bridge with __________.
  6. #6 A vessel heading NNW is on a course of __________.
  7. #7 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 8 miles and is 48 feet(14.6 meters) high. If the visibility is 6 miles and your height of...
  8. #8 Who should be consulted for changing conditions of controlling depths in major channels?
  9. #9 What is the approximate geographic range of Race Rock Light, NY, if your height of eye is 27 feet (8.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT LIST...
  10. #10 What is the approximate geographic range of Fenwick Island Light, Delaware, if your height of eye is 37 feet (11.6 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from th...
  11. #11 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?
  12. #12 You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a red nun buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is T...
  13. #14 Magnetic information on a chart may be __________.
  14. #15 If a ship is proceeding towards the magnetic equator, the uncorrected deviation due to permanent magnetism __________.
  15. #16 An alternating light __________.
  16. #17 When entering a channel from seaward, the numbers on buoys __________.
  17. #18 Solid green arrows on the main body of a pilot chart indicate __________.
  18. #19 Which item in illustration D034NG below shows a fixed and flashing light? illustration
  19. #20 What is the compass course of a vessel heading SW?
  20. #21 Red sectors of navigation lights warn mariners of __________.
  21. #22 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 22 miles and a height above water of 48 feet (14.6 meters). Your height of eye i...
  22. #23 Which information is found in the chart title?
  23. #24 The MOST important feature of the material used for making the binnacle of a standard magnetic compass is that it is __________.
  24. #25 Civil twilight begins at 1910 zone time on 20 July. Your DR position at that time is LAT 22°16'N, LONG 150°06'W. Which statement concerning the planet...
  25. #26 When a dual purpose marking is used, the mariner following the Intracoastal Waterway should be guided by the __________.
  26. #27 You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) when you wish to send a message concerning your ships diversion. Which precedence would you a...
  27. #28 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 12 miles and a height above water of 25 feet (7.6 meters). Your height of eye is...
  28. #29 In addition to monitoring channel 16, all Corps of Engineer locks may use as working channels __________.
  29. #30 The visible range marked on charts for lights is the __________.
  30. #31 On the Corps of Engineer's Navigation Maps, the channel is __________.
  31. #32 White and orange buoys, if lighted, show which color light?
  32. #33 Two navigational hazards are located near to each other, but each is marked by an individual cardinal buoyage system. The buoys of one cardinal system...
  33. #34 Before a magnetic compass is adjusted certain correctors must be checked to ensure that they are free of permanent magnetism. These correctors are the...
  34. #35 On a transpacific voyage, you receive a message from your vessel's operators saying that your vessel has been consigned to Naval Control of Shipping....
  35. #36 What are the only magnetic compass correctors that correct for both permanent and induced effects of magnetism?
  36. #37 What indicates a buoy that should be left to port when entering from seaward? (U.S. Aids to Navigation System)
  37. #38 The datum used for soundings on charts of the East Coast of the United States is __________.
  38. #39 Mean high water is the reference datum used to measure __________.
  39. #40 At McAlpine L & D, normal upper pool elevation is 420.0 feet MSL, equal to 12.0 feet on the upper gage. The vertical clearance at the Clark Memorial H...
  40. #41 The shoreline shown on nautical charts of areas affected by large tidal fluctuations is usually the line of mean __________.
  41. #42 When approaching a lock entrance, the visual signal displayed when a single lock is ready for entrance is a flashing __________.
  42. #43 A buoy having red and green horizontal bands would have a light characteristic of __________.
  43. #44 Variation in a compass is caused by __________.
  44. #45 Safe water buoys may show ONLY __________.
  45. #46 Your chart indicates that there is an isolated rock and names the rock using vertical letters. This indicates the __________.
  46. #47 A triangular daymark would be colored __________.
  47. #48 While steaming north of the Irish coast, you sight a buoy which shows the light rhythm shown in illustration D028NG below. How would you pass this buo... illustration
  48. #49 A white buoy with an orange cross within a diamond marked on it indicates __________.
  49. #50 You are entering an east coast port and see a buoy with a yellow triangle painted on it. What does the symbol indicate?
  50. #51 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?
  51. #52 Naval authorities would NOT give orders about which of the following, when the vessel is under control of the Naval Control of Shipping Organization?
  52. #54 What volume of the Coast Guard Light List is used for the Mississippi River system?
  53. #55 A special mark (yellow buoy), if lighted, may exhibit which light rhythm?
  54. #56 A general chart could have a scale of __________.
  55. #58 Which statement about the Flinders bar of the magnetic compass is CORRECT?
  56. #59 At the establishment of Naval Control of Shipping (NCS), ships at sea will __________.
  57. #60 On a voyage along the coast of France, you sight a buoy with the top marks as shown in illustration D026NG below. How should you steer your vessel? illustration
  58. #61 Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a green spar buoy with a triangular topmark would indicate that the buoy __________.
  59. #62 You are steaming along the coast of Ireland in the Irish Sea. You sight a lighted buoy with a white flashing light showing a group of two flashes. The...
  60. #63 In both regions of the IALA buoyage system, which topmark shown in illustration D022NG below is used on a special mark? illustration
  61. #64 Your vessel's operators send a message that your vessel has been consigned to Voluntary Naval Control of Shipping. The message will refer you to _____...
  62. #65 The Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) contain information on all of the following EXCEPT __________.
  63. #66 How is a safe water mark, that can be passed close aboard on either side, painted and lighted?
  64. #67 What are the colors of a mid-channel daymark?
  65. #68 How can the accuracy of an azimuth circle be checked?
  66. #69 What is published by the U.S. Coast Guard?
  67. #71 A spherical buoy may be __________.
  68. #72 A chart with a scale of 1:45,000 is a __________.
  69. #74 You are underway on course 328°T when you sight a buoy broad on your port bow. You are in the best navigable water if the buoy __________.
  70. #75 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, the topmark of a red and white vertically-striped buoy shall be __________.
  71. #77 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, passing daymarks on the left descending bank are __________.
  72. #78 To measure distance on a Mercator chart between the parallels of LAT 34°30'N and LAT 31°30'N, which 30 mile scale should be used?
  73. #79 Your ship received a HYDROLANT advising of a special warning to mariners from the Department of State for ships in the Persian Gulf. You are 400 miles...
  74. #80 In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light showing 6 flashes followed by one long flash at 15 second intervals. Which of the... illustration
  75. #81 In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 9 flashes every 15 seconds. Which of the four topmarks shown in illustration... illustration
  76. #82 Which agency publishes the Light Lists?
  77. #83 Descending boats, while awaiting their turn to enter a lock, shall NOT block traffic from the lock. They shall be above the lock by at LEAST _________...
  78. #84 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a cardinal mark may NOT be used to __________.
  79. #85 What is NOT a characteristic of cardinal marks?
  80. #86 What is TRUE concerning new editions of Light Lists?
  81. #87 Port side daymarks may be __________.
  82. #88 A bridge over a navigable waterway is being repaired. There is a traveler platform under the bridge's deck that significantly reduces the vertical cle...
  83. #89 All of the following can be found on a Pilot Chart EXCEPT information concerning the __________.
  84. #90 Under the IALA-A and B Buoyage Systems, a buoy with alternating red and white vertical stripes indicates __________.
  85. #91 What is the compass course of a vessel heading NNE?
  86. #92 As you enter a U.S. channel from seaward the numbers on the buoys __________.
  87. #93 What agency of the U.S. Government issues charts of U.S. waters and Coast Pilots?
  88. #94 You are on course 090°T when you sight a flashing white light with a characteristic of VQ(9)10s. You immediately change course to 030°T. After one hou...
  89. #95 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 15 miles and a height above water of 40 feet (12.2 meters). Your height of eye i...
  90. #96 Isogonic lines are lines on a chart indicating __________.
  91. #97 A preferred-channel buoy may be __________.
  92. #98 A white diamond daymark with an orange border is a(n) __________.
  93. #99 A white buoy with an orange rectangle on it is used to indicate __________.
  94. #100 In waters where the cardinal system is used you would expect to find danger __________.
  95. #101 What lights would you see on the Illinois water way when any wickets of the dam or bear traps are open, or partially open, which may cause a set in th...
  96. #102 A cardinal mark showing an uninterrupted quick-flashing white light indicates the deepest water in the area is on the __________.
  97. #103 Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with a quick white light showing 6 flashes followed by one long flash indicates that the safest water is on the...
  98. #104 If you observe a buoy off station you should __________.
  99. #105 A white buoy with an orange circle marked on it indicates __________.
  100. #106 Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with quick white light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds indicates that the safest water in the area is on the...

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The Deck pool holds the current U.S. Coast Guard questions for every deck credential, from Able Seaman and the OUPV six-pack up to unlimited Master. Each question is multiple choice with four options, graded instantly, with the USCG reference shown where one exists.