Maritime Weather and Oceanography Flashcards
7 cards from real Coast Guard Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Maritime Weather and Oceanography flashcards as text
What does the Beaufort scale measure?
Answer: Wind speed at sea
The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure that rates wind speed based on observed sea and land conditions, ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane-force).
What type of fog is most commonly encountered in coastal waters when warm, moist air moves over a colder sea surface?
Answer: Advection fog
Advection fog forms when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cooler ocean surface, cooling the air to its dew point and forming fog.
A rapidly falling barometer aboard a vessel most likely indicates:
Answer: Approaching storm or severe weather
A rapid drop in barometric pressure signals an approaching low-pressure system, which brings deteriorating weather, strong winds, and rough seas.
In the Northern Hemisphere, winds around a low-pressure system rotate in which direction?
Answer: Counterclockwise
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes winds around a low-pressure center to rotate counterclockwise (cyclonically).
Significant wave height is defined as the average height of the:
Answer: Tallest third of waves
Significant wave height is the mean height of the highest one-third of waves, which correlates closely with what an experienced observer would estimate visually.
What does the acronym NAVTEX stand for?
Answer: Navigational Telex
NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) is an international automated direct-printing service that broadcasts maritime safety information including weather warnings and navigational notices.
A vessel's barometer reads 29.53 inches Hg and is steady. This indicates:
Answer: Fair, stable weather conditions
A steady barometer near 29.53 inches Hg (1000 mb) combined with a stable reading suggests settled, fair weather with no immediate weather changes expected.