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Deck · 2,138 questions

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 101–200 of 2,138 · page 2 of 22

  1. #107 Vessels should maintain a sharp lookout, especially during December through March, when navigating the right whale's only known calving grounds which...
  2. #108 How many points are there in a compass card?
  3. #109 The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with __________.
  4. #111 What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?
  5. #113 A nun buoy will __________.
  6. #114 To find the specific phase characteristic of a lighthouse on a sound of the United States you would use the __________.
  7. #115 What is the compass course of a vessel heading NW?
  8. #117 Normal pool elevation is the height in feet of the section of river above a dam. This height is measured from __________.
  9. #118 Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, a conical buoy will be __________.
  10. #119 The height of a light is measured from which reference plane?
  11. #120 An orange and white buoy with a rectangle on it displays __________.
  12. #121 While proceeding along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, you sight the black and yellow buoy shown in illustration D020NG below. Your course is 039°T,... illustration
  13. #122 Coast Pilots and navigational charts are kept corrected and up-to-date by using the __________.
  14. #123 What is a lighted safe water mark fitted with to aid in its identification?
  15. #124 Geographic range is the maximum distance at which a light may be seen under __________.
  16. #125 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. Whic... illustration
  17. #127 Northern right whales can be identified by __________.
  18. #128 If a towboat requires a double lockage it shall give which sound signal at a distance of not more than one mile from the lock?
  19. #129 A safe water daymark has what shape?
  20. #130 A chart with a scale of 1:80,000 would fall into the category of a __________.
  21. #131 A major advantage of the NAVTEX system when compared to other systems is that __________.
  22. #132 Which cardinal quadrant is represented by the topmark in illustration D024NG below? illustration
  23. #133 A drawbridge may use visual signals to acknowledge a vessel's request to open the draw. Which signal indicates that the draw will NOT be opened immedi...
  24. #134 Where would you expect to find climatological and meteorological tables for the Gulf Coast area?
  25. #135 During daylight hours black double-cone topmarks are the most important feature of cardinal marks. Which of the four topmarks shown in illustration D0... illustration
  26. #136 Which statement concerning the chartlet seen in illustration D010NG below is TRUE? (Soundings and heights are in meters) illustration
  27. #137 Which of the following traits possessed by an articulated light makes it superior to other types of buoys?
  28. #138 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a special mark possesses which of the following characteristics?
  29. #139 Which is a weekly publication advising mariners of important matters affecting navigational safety?
  30. #140 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 15 miles and a height above water of 29 feet (8.8 meters). Your height of eye is...
  31. #141 Which form of navigation may be suspended without notice under defense planning?
  32. #142 A red triangular daymark marks __________.
  33. #143 In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing a quick white light with 6 flashes, followed by one long flash at 15 second intervals. Which of the fo... illustration
  34. #144 Which item in illustration D034NG below shows an occulting light? illustration
  35. #145 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 fit... illustration
  36. #146 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 10 miles and is 11 feet high. If the visibility is 5 miles and your height of eye is 20 f...
  37. #147 Under Naval Control of Shipping who is responsible for routing and diverting ships and convoys?
  38. #148 The Daily Memorandum contains information on __________.
  39. #149 What is the approximate geographic range of Fenwick Island Light, Delaware, if your height of eye is 42 feet (12.8 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from th...
  40. #150 In the North Sea area, you sight a buoy showing an uninterrupted quick-flashing white light. Which of the four topmarks shown in illustration D031NG b... illustration
  41. #151 What is the most important source of information to be used in correcting charts and keeping them up to date?
  42. #152 Mariners are FIRST warned of serious defects or important changes to aids to navigation by means of __________.
  43. #153 How is the annual rate of change for magnetic variation shown on a pilot chart?
  44. #154 You are proceeding under NCS (Naval Control of Shipping) and wish to send a message by rapid transmission which does not require a higher precedence....
  45. #155 In Region A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the port side of a channel would be marked by a __________.
  46. #156 You are holding position above Gallipolis Lock and Dam when you hear two long blasts of the horn from the lock. This indicates that you should _______...
  47. #157 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
  48. #158 Chart legends printed in capital letters show that the associated landmark is __________.
  49. #159 You are entering an African port and see ahead of you a red can-shaped buoy. What action should you take?
  50. #160 Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to starboard may display which topmark shown in illustrat... illustration
  51. #161 Complete information on weather broadcasts throughout the world is contained in __________.
  52. #162 Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, when entering from seaward a lateral system buoy to be left to port may display which topmark shown in illustration D... illustration
  53. #163 A sailing chart could have a scale of __________.
  54. #164 The datum from which the predicted heights of tides are reckoned in the tide tables is __________.
  55. #165 Which daymark has no lateral significance?
  56. #166 Under the IALA - A Buoyage System, a buoy used as a port hand mark would not show which light characteristic?
  57. #167 Which information is NOT provided in broadcasts by the National Institute of Standards and Technology?
  58. #168 Under the IALA-A Buoyage system, a buoy marking the starboard side of the channel when approaching from seaward may have a __________.
  59. #169 Buoys which only mark the left or right side of the channel will never exhibit a light with which characteristic?
  60. #170 A mid-channel buoy, if lighted, will show a __________.
  61. #171 The depth of water on a chart is indicated as 23 meters. This is equal to __________.
  62. #172 You are sailing south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) when you sight a green can buoy with a yellow square painted on it. Which of the following is...
  63. #173 A survey (special purpose mark) buoy __________.
  64. #174 IN REGION A of the IALA Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, the starboard side of a channel would be marked by a __________.
  65. #175 An orange and white buoy marking a danger area will have what symbol on it?
  66. #176 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 19 miles and a height above water of 52 feet (15.8 meters). Your height of eye i...
  67. #177 Information on northern right whales can be found in __________.
  68. #178 A revised print of a chart is made __________.
  69. #179 You are downbound on the Ohio River locking through Greenup. The chamber has been emptied and the lower gates are open. You hear one short blast of th...
  70. #180 You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.
  71. #181 Under the IALA-A Buoyage system, a buoy marking the port hand of the channel when approaching from seaward may NOT have a __________.
  72. #182 Which publication would describe the explosive anchorages in the ports on the east coast of the United States?
  73. #183 Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy indicating the preferred channel is to port would have __________.
  74. #184 Under the IALA-A Buoyage System, a buoy indicating that the preferred channel is to port when entering from seaward, can have a __________.
  75. #185 Where would you expect to find channels marked with the IALA-A Buoyage System?
  76. #186 Which describes privately maintained aids to navigation included in the Light List?
  77. #188 When the navigational channel passes under a fixed bridge, the edges of the channel are marked on the bridge with what lights?
  78. #189 Which information does the outer ring of a compass rose on a nautical chart provide?
  79. #190 When a buoy marks a channel bifurcation, the preferred channel is NOT indicated by __________.
  80. #191 Between the equator and the 46th parallel of latitude, there are 3099 meridional parts. How many degrees of equatorial longitude does 3099 meridional...
  81. #192 Which nautical charts are intended for coastwise navigation outside of outlying reefs and shoals?
  82. #193 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 o...
  83. #194 On charts of U.S. waters, a magenta marking is NOT used for marking a __________.
  84. #195 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 14 miles and your height of eye is 20...
  85. #196 Which statement about a gnomonic chart is correct?
  86. #197 Determine the approximate geographic visibility of an object, with a height above the water of 85 feet (25.9 meters), for an observer with a height of...
  87. #198 Buoys are marked with reflective material to assist in their detection by searchlight. Which statement is TRUE?
  88. #199 Green lights may appear on __________.
  89. #200 Information about major breakdowns, repairs, or other emergency operations with regard to weirs and (or) wicket dams, on the western rivers, may be ob...
  90. #201 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 42 feet high (12.8 meters). If the visibility is 6 miles and your height...
  91. #202 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 13 miles and is 36 feet high. If the visibility is 17 miles and your height of eye is 25...
  92. #203 In which source could you find the number of a chart for a certain geographic area?
  93. #204 In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a preferred channel buoy to be left to port while proceeding downstream will __________.
  94. #206 On navigational aids, what does the light characteristic "Fl(2+1)" mean?
  95. #207 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 26 feet high. If the visibility is 4 miles and your height of eye is 20 f...
  96. #208 Where would you expect to find channels marked with the IALA-A Buoyage System?
  97. #209 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?
  98. #210 Which light combination does NOT indicate a navigational channel passing under a fixed bridge?
  99. #211 Which factor(s) is/are used to develop the charted information of a lighthouse?
  100. #212 On entering from seaward, a starboard side daymark will __________.

General Navigation questions: what to expect

Q How many General Navigation questions are in the Deck pool?

There are 2,138 General Navigation questions on this site, every one released by the U.S. Coast Guard or taken from the National Maritime Center's sample examinations, with its correct answer. The exam draws its General Navigation module from the same pool.

Q What score do I need to pass the General Navigation module?

Most USCG exam modules, including General Navigation, require 70 percent to pass. Rules of the Road modules require 90 percent.

Q Are these the real USCG General Navigation exam questions?

Yes. They are the published U.S. Coast Guard questions, matched to the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examinations. Answer any question to see the correct choice, the USCG reference and the illustration where the question uses one.

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About the Deck question pool

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.