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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 301–400 of 2,138 · page 4 of 22

  1. #319 In the IALA Buoyage System, what are buoys with alternating red and green horizontal bands used to indicate?
  2. #320 Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, a buoy displaying a red light will __________.
  3. #321 Spoil grounds, anchorage areas, cable areas, and military exercise areas are all marked by yellow buoys. Which special mark on the buoy will indicate...
  4. #322 Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, when entering from seaward, a buoy that should be left to port will be __________.
  5. #323 Lines on a chart which connect points of equal magnetic variation are called __________.
  6. #324 Of the four light characteristics shown in illustration D019NG below which one does NOT represent a safe water mark of the IALA Buoyage System? illustration
  7. #325 A vertically-striped buoy may be __________.
  8. #326 In United States waters, a buoy having red and white vertical stripes has a light characteristic of __________.
  9. #327 Which light signal indicates that you may approach the lock?
  10. #328 You are outbound in a buoyed channel on course 015°T. You sight a white light
  11. #329 On an isomagnetic chart, the line of zero variation is the __________.
  12. #330 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, safe water marks may show a __________.
  13. #331 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a safe water mark may NOT __________.
  14. #332 Permission to enter the riverward chamber of twin locks is given by the lockmaster and consists of which sound signal?
  15. #333 You are approaching a drawbridge and have sounded the proper whistle signal requesting it to open. You hear a signal of one prolonged and one short bl...
  16. #334 A light having characteristics which include color variations is defined as __________.
  17. #335 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a spherical buoy will mark the __________.
  18. #336 Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?
  19. #337 Which light characteristic may be used on a special purpose mark?
  20. #338 Which of the buoys listed below could be used to mark an anchorage?
  21. #339 What is the approximate geographic range of Horton Point Light, NY, if your height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters)? Refer to "Reprints from the LIGHT...
  22. #340 A special purpose buoy shall be __________.
  23. #341 Buoys which mark dredging areas are painted __________.
  24. #342 Yellow lights may appear on __________.
  25. #343 Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a yellow buoy may mark __________.
  26. #344 In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, the light characteristic of group flashing (2) is used for lights on __________.
  27. #345 The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers for lights on __________.
  28. #346 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 14 miles and is 42 feet (12.7 m) high. If the visibility is 16 miles and your height of e...
  29. #347 The light characteristic of composite group flashing (2 + 1) is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers for lights on __________.
  30. #348 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System used on the Western Rivers, aids to navigation lights on the right descending bank show __________.
  31. #349 If your vessel were proceeding up river (ascending), the port side of the channel would be marked according to the U. S. Aids to Navigation System on...
  32. #350 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, the buoys marking the starboard side of the channel when going upstream will be ______...
  33. #351 Which item in illustration D034NG below shows a Morse (A) light? illustration
  34. #352 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 18 miles and a height above water of 22 feet (6.7 meters). Your height of eye is...
  35. #353 What daymark has NO lateral significance?
  36. #354 The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type MR. You should __________.
  37. #355 Entering from seaward, triangular-shaped daymarks are used to mark __________.
  38. #356 Daymarks marking the starboard side of the channel when going towards the sea are __________.
  39. #357 The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type NB. You should __________.
  40. #358 The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type TR-SY. You should __________.
  41. #359 Which type of daymark is used to mark the port side of the channel when entering from sea?
  42. #360 Which type of daymark is used to mark the starboard side of the channel when entering from sea?
  43. #361 What feature(s) of a daymark is (are) used to identify the beacon upon which it is mounted?
  44. #362 You are in a channel inbound from sea. A daymark used to mark a channel junction, when the preferred channel is to port will have the shape indicated... illustration
  45. #363 In illustration D045NG below, a green-and-red banded daymark, with the uppermost band green, will have which of the following shapes? illustration
  46. #364 In illustration D045NG below, which shape is a daymark warning of danger? illustration
  47. #365 You are in a channel inbound from sea. A daymark used to mark a channel junction when the preferred channel is to starboard will have the shape indica... illustration
  48. #366 A daymark used to indicate the safe water in a channel will have which of the shapes shown in illustration D045NG below? illustration
  49. #367 The channel under a bridge is marked with lights of the lateral system. The centerline of the channel shall be marked on the bridge by __________.
  50. #368 A daymark used as a special mark is indicated by which letter in illustration D045NG below? illustration
  51. #369 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, a daymark on the right descending bank will __________.
  52. #370 Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, passing daymarks on the right descending bank are __________.
  53. #371 While proceeding downriver (descending) you sight a red diamond-shaped panel with small, red reflector squares in each corner on the left bank. Under...
  54. #372 While proceeding downriver, you sight a red triangular-shaped daymark on the left bank. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers...
  55. #373 What indicates a dual purpose buoy?
  56. #374 A green buoy has a yellow triangle on it. This is a(n) __________.
  57. #375 Drawbridges equipped with radiotelephones display a __________.
  58. #376 The dumping of refuse in a lock is permitted __________.
  59. #377 The following types of vessels are awaiting lockage on the upper Mississippi. Which type of vessel is normally passed through the lock first?
  60. #378 In order to utilize the capacity of a lock to its maximum, pleasure craft are locked through with all of the following EXCEPT __________.
  61. #379 All persons or vessels within the lock area, including the lock approach channels, come under the authority of the __________.
  62. #380 You are approaching a multiple-span bridge at night. The main navigational channel span will be indicated by __________.
  63. #381 Which item in illustration D034NG below shows a flashing light? illustration
  64. #382 You are approaching a swing bridge at night. You will know that the bridge is open for river traffic when __________.
  65. #383 Illustration D036NG below represents a fixed C of E lock and dam. What navigational light(s) is(are) exhibited at the position indicated by the letter... illustration
  66. #384 Illustration D037NG below represents a movable dam. If there is high water and the wickets are down so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass th... illustration
  67. #385 Illustration D037NG below represents a movable dam. If there is high water and the wickets are down so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass th... illustration
  68. #386 You are approaching the first of two drawbridges that span a narrow channel. The second drawbridge is close to the first. Which signals should you sou...
  69. #387 The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with __________.
  70. #388 The white lights in a vertical line on a multiple-span bridge indicate __________.
  71. #389 In which publication could you find information concerning the minimum lighting required for bridges on U.S. waters?
  72. #390 Restricted areas at locks and dams are indicated by __________.
  73. #391 A flashing red light displayed at a single lock means that the lock __________.
  74. #392 You are approaching a lock and see a flashing amber light located on the lock wall. You should __________.
  75. #393 Which light signal indicates that you have permission to enter a lock on the Ohio River?
  76. #394 A flashing green light displayed at a single lock means that the lock is __________.
  77. #395 You are approaching a drawbridge and must pass through during a scheduled closure period. What signal should you sound?
  78. #396 You are approaching a drawbridge and have sounded the request-for-opening signal. The bridge has responded with five short blasts. How would you respo...
  79. #397 When approaching a lock and at a distance of not more than a mile, vessels desiring a single lockage shall sound which signal?
  80. #398 Permission to leave the riverward chamber of twin locks is given by the lockmaster and consists of which sound signal?
  81. #399 A light that has a light period shorter than its dark period is described as __________.
  82. #400 What is characteristic of an isophase light?
  83. #401 What is the characteristic of a quick light?
  84. #402 What is NOT true concerning color sectors of lights?
  85. #403 You are underway and pass by a lighthouse. Its light, which was white since you first sighted it, changes to red. This means __________.
  86. #404 A List of Lights entry (L Fl) is a single flashing light which shows a long flash of not less than __________.
  87. #405 The period of a lighted aid to navigation refers to the __________.
  88. #406 What characteristics can be used to identify a lighthouse?
  89. #407 Luminous range is the __________.
  90. #408 When a light is first seen on the horizon it will disappear again if the height of eye is immediately lowered several feet. When the eye is raised to...
  91. #409 The nominal range of a light may be accurately defined as the maximum distance at which a light may be seen __________.
  92. #410 What is the approximate geographic visibility of an object with a height above the water of 70 feet, for an observer with a height of eye of 65 feet?
  93. #411 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 13 miles and is 36 feet high (11.0 meters). If the visibility is 7.0 miles and your heigh...
  94. #412 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...
  95. #413 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 17 miles and a height above water of 28 feet (8.5 meters). Your height of eye is...
  96. #414 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 20 miles and is 52 feet (16 meters) high. If the visibility is 20 miles and your height o...
  97. #415 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 10 miles and a height above water of 38 feet (11.6 meters). Your height of eye i...
  98. #416 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 6 miles and a height above water of 18 feet (5.5 meters). Your height of eye is...
  99. #417 The Light List indicates that a light has a nominal range of 18 miles and is 38 feet high. If the visibility is 6 miles and your height of eye is 15 f...
  100. #418 The Light List shows that a navigational light has a nominal range of 6 miles and a height above water of 18 feet (5.5 meters). Your height of eye is...

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.