u.s.c.g. merchant marine exam - dco.uscg.mil the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error...

National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners

U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam

Apprentice Mate Steersman

Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland

(Sample Examination)

of 13Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland

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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1

Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions.

1. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers, passing daymarks on the right descending bank are __________.

o (A) red triangular-shaped panels with red reflector borders o (B) red diamond-shaped panels with red reflector borders • (C) green square-shaped panels with green reflector borders o (D) green triangular-shaped panels with green reflector borders

If choice C is selected set score to 1.

2. A vessel sighting a northern right whale dead ahead should __________.

• (A) alter course to give a wide clearance o (B) maintain course and speed o (C) report the whale's position to the Canadian Coast Guard o (D) All of the above

If choice A is selected set score to 1.

3. You are on course 238°T. To check the course of your vessel you should observe a celestial body on which bearing?

o (A) 180° o (B) 238° • (C) 328° o (D) 090°


4. Which describes privately maintained aids to navigation included in the Light List?

o (A) must be conspicuously marked by a signboard with the words "PRIVATE AID" • (B) must conform to the standards of the U.S. Aids to Navigation System o (C) are painted white and must use a white light if lighted o (D) are not permitted in or along first-class waterways and may be authorized for second- and

third-class waterways

If choice B is selected set score to 1.

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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 5. You are on watch at night in clear visibility and the vessel has just been anchored. What is the first

thing that you should do after the anchor has been let go?

• (A) Take bearings to obtain ship's position o (B) Lower the accommodation ladder and illuminate it o (C) Turn off the running lights and turn on the anchor lights o (D) Stop the engines


6. A radar range to a small, charted object such as a light will provide a line of position in which form?

o (A) Straight line o (B) Parabola o (C) Hyperbola • (D) Arc

If choice D is selected set score to 1.

7. Entering a harbor, you take a bearing on a range and get 338° per gyrocompass (pgc). The true bearing from the chart is 340°T. Variation for the area is 14°E. Your course is 329° per standard magnetic compass (psc) and 338°pgc. What is the deviation on this heading?

o (A) 3°E • (B) 3°W o (C) 5°E o (D) 5°W


8. High clouds, composed of small white flakes or scaly globular masses, and often banded together to form a "mackerel sky", would be classified as __________.

o (A) altostratus • (B) cirrocumulus o (C) cirrus o (D) cumulonimbus


9. Under the IALA-A and B Buoyage Systems, a buoy with alternating red and white vertical stripes indicates __________.

o (A) that the preferred channel is to port • (B) that there is navigable water all around o (C) that the preferred channel is to starboard o (D) an isolated danger exists



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 10. If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to

gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

• (A) The readings are too low (small numerically) and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true

o (B) The readings are too high (large 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


11. Under the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a yellow buoy is a __________.

o (A) junction buoy • (B) special purpose mark o (C) cardinal mark o (D) safe water buoy


12. A hygrometer is a device used for determining __________.

• (A) relative humidity o (B) the absolute temperature o (C) atmospheric pressure o (D) wind velocity


13. When a magnetic compass is not in use for a prolonged period of time it should __________.

o (A) be locked into a constant heading o (B) have the compensating magnets removed • (C) be shielded from direct sunlight o (D) have any air bubbles replaced with nitrogen


14. A current perpendicular to a vessel's track has the greatest effect on the vessel's course made good __________.

• (A) at low vessel speeds o (B) at high vessel speeds o (C) in deep water o (D) in shallow water



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 15. An alternating light __________.

• (A) shows a light that changes color o (B) shows a light with varying lengths of the lighted period o (C) is used as a replacement for another light o (D) marks an alternate lesser used channel


16. 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 gyro compass 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


17. What are the quadrantal spheres used for?

o (A) to remove heeling error o (B) to remove deviation on the cardinal compass headings o (C) to compensate for induced magnetism in vertical soft iron • (D) to remove deviation on the intercardinal headings


18. Your vessel has a draft of 24 feet. On 7 April 1983 you wish to pass over a temporary obstruction near Lovell Island, MA, that has a charted depth of 22 feet. Allowing for a safety margin of 3.1 feet under your keel, what is the earliest time after 0100 EST (ZD +5) that this passage can be made?

o (A) 0248 o (B) 0304 • (C) 0342 o (D) 0356


19. Which information is NOT required to be posted in or near the wheelhouse?

o (A) Stopping time and distance from full speed while maintaining course with minimum rudder • (B) A diagram of advance and transfer for turns of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° at full speed with

maximum rudder and constant power o (C) Operating instructions for change-over procedures for remote steering gear systems o (D) For vessels with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft RPMs for a representative range of speeds



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 20. At 2221 your course is 222°pgc at a speed of 11.2 knots, when radar detects a buoy bearing 355°

relative, at a range of 5.8 miles. The gyro error is 2°E. If you change course at 2226, what course should you steer to leave the buoy 1.0 mile abeam to port?

o (A) 210°pgc • (B) 228°pgc o (C) 231°pgc o (D) 206°pgc


21. Information about temporary, short term changes affecting the safety of navigation in U.S. waters is distributed to navigational interests by the __________.

o (A) Daily Memorandum o (B) Summary of Corrections o (C) HYDROLANT or HYDROPAC broadcasts • (D) Local Notice to Mariners


22. 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 hour, you sight another flashing white light with the characteristic of VQ. You must pass well __________.

o (A) east of this buoy • (B) north of this buoy o (C) south of this buoy o (D) west of this buoy


23. The agonic line on an isomagnetic chart indicates the __________.

• (A) points where there is no variation o (B) magnetic equator o (C) points where there is no annual change in variation o (D) magnetic longitude reference line


24. Which topmark shown in illustration D023NG below identifies an isolated danger?

o (A) A • (B) B o (C) C o (D) D



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 25. Magnetic variation changes with a change in __________.

• (A) the vessel's position o (B) the vessel's heading o (C) seasons o (D) sea conditions


26. The speed of sound in water is approximately __________.

o (A) 1.5 times its speed in air o (B) 2.5 times its speed in air o (C) 3.5 times its speed in air • (D) 4.5 times its speed in air


27. What will be the velocity and direction of the tidal current at Old Ferry Point, NY, at 1340 EST (ZD +5) on 5 February 1983?

o (A) 0.8 knot at 060°T o (B) 0.8 knot at 240°T o (C) 1.0 knot at 076°T • (D) 1.4 knots at 076°T


28. Which of the following is a boundary between two air masses?

o (A) continent o (B) isobar • (C) front o (D) lapse rate


29. Which statement describes the prevailing wind direction in mid-winter in the Gulf Coast area?

o (A) 40% to 50% of mid-winter winds are from a southern quadrant. • (B) 30% to 40% of mid-winter winds are from a northern quadrant. o (C) the winds are variable in speed, but strongest in March. o (D) None of the above



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 30. You are required to enter a lock on your voyage. Information on the lock regulations, signals, and

radio communications can be found in __________.

o (A) Bowditch • (B) Coast Pilot o (C) the publication "Key to the Locks" o (D) Corps of Engineer Information Bulletin


31. What U.S. agency is responsible for NAVAREA warnings?

• (A) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency o (B) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration o (C) National Ocean Service o (D) Coast Guard


32. Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 20 knots. At 0022 a light bears 117.5°T, and at 0035 the light bears 099°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

o (A) 0052, 5.1 miles o (B) 0044, 3.2 miles • (C) 0048, 4.3 miles o (D) 0056, 6.0 miles


33. When must a proper look-out must be kept?

o (A) only between the hours of sunset and sunrise o (B) only when entering and leaving port o (C) only in fog • (D) at all times


34. Your vessel is steering 263°T at 22 knots. At 0413 a light bears 294°T and at 0421 the same light bears 312°T. What will be your distance off when abeam?

o (A) 3.4 miles • (B) 3.7 miles o (C) 4.3 miles o (D) 4.9 miles



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 35. A white buoy with a blue band is __________.

o (A) a hydrographic data collection buoy o (B) an isolated danger mark • (C) a mooring buoy o (D) marking a restricted area


36. The area of strong westerly winds occurring between 40°S and 60°S latitude is called the __________.

o (A) polar easterlies o (B) jet streams • (C) roaring forties o (D) prevailing westerlies


37. While enroute from Cape Town to Rio a vessel's course is 281°pgc. The variation for the locality is 24°W. The deviation is 4°E. The gyro error is 2°W. What is the true course made good?

o (A) 301°T • (B) 279°T o (C) 283°T o (D) 261°T


38. The owner or Master of a towing vessel must ensure that each person that directs and controls the movement of the vessel knows all of the following EXCEPT _________.

o (A) the speed and direction of any current for the area being transited o (B) how to apply variation and deviation to readings from a magnetic compass • (C) the ownership of the vessel(s) being towed o (D) the effects of maneuvering on the vessel and its tow


39. Weather observations provided by each weather station include all of the following except __________.

• (A) predicted weather for the next twelve hours o (B) temperature o (C) barometric pressure and change in the last three hours o (D) visibility



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Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 40. The climate of the northern Gulf coast __________.

o (A) has an east coast marine type of climate • (B) is a warm marine type of climate o (C) is humid and subtropical throughout the year o (D) varies from warm to subtropical


41. Your ARPA has two guard zones. What is the purpose of the inner guard zone?

o (A) Sound an alarm for targets first detected within the zone o (B) Alert the watch officer that a vessel is approaching the preset CPA limit o (C) Guard against target loss during critical maneuvering situations • (D) Warn of small targets that are initially detected closer than the outer guard zone


42. Sometimes foreign charts are reproduced by NGA. On such a chart a wire dragged (swept) area may be shown in purple or __________.

o (A) red o (B) magenta • (C) green o (D) yellow


43. What will be the time of maximum flood current at Sagamore Bridge on the Cape Cod Canal during the morning of 6 December 1983 (ZD +5)?

• (A) 0708 o (B) 0712 o (C) 0716 o (D) 1020


44. The difference between the heights of low and high tide is the __________.

o (A) distance o (B) depth o (C) period • (D) range



8/29/2017

Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 45. The Light List shows a lighted aid to navigation on the left bank. This means that the light can be

seen on the port side of a vessel __________.

o (A) ascending the river o (B) proceeding from seaward • (C) descending the river o (D) crossing the river


46. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to __________.

o (A) 1013.25 millibars o (B) 29.92 inches of mercury o (C) 14.7 pounds per square inch • (D) All of the above


47. The time meridian used when computing the height of tide or the velocity of the current for Pensacola Bay, FL, is __________.

o (A) 75°00'W • (B) 90°00'W o (C) 82°30'W o (D) 97°30'W


48. You are approaching Gallipolis Lock and Dam. The traffic signal light is flashing red. You should __________.

o (A) proceed at normal speed to enter the lock • (B) hold your position and not attempt to enter the lock o (C) approach the lock slowly under full control o (D) None of the above


49. All echo-sounders can measure the __________.

o (A) average depth of water to soft bottom • (B) actual depth of water below keel o (C) average depth from waterline to hard bottom o (D) actual depth of water



8/29/2017

Q420-Nav General-Great Lakes and Inland U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Exam Apprentice Mate Steersman Illustrations: 1 50. The Light List indicates that a dayboard is a type NB. You should __________.

o (A) see a black triangle o (B) look for another daymark forming a range • (C) expect a daymark of no lateral significance o (D) check to enter the correct channel at the junction daymark



8/29/2017

National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners

5/23/2016

D023NG

Adapted for testing purposes only

Further reproduction prohibited without permission


u.s.c.g. merchant marine exam - dco.uscg.mil the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error...

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