Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Navigation and Seamanship 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vessel showing a red light on its port side and a green light on its starboard side is displaying what type of navigation lights?
- Sidelights (Correct answer)
- Masthead lights
- Sternlights
- Range lights
Correct answer: Sidelights
Red (port) and green (starboard) lights are called sidelights and indicate the vessel's orientation to other traffic.
Question 2: When two power-driven vessels meet head-on, what is the correct action under the Navigation Rules?
- Each alters course to starboard (Correct answer)
- Each alters course to port
- Both maintain course
- The larger vessel gives way
Correct answer: Each alters course to starboard
In a head-on meeting, each vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port-to-port.
Question 3: What does a single short blast of the whistle signal to another vessel in a meeting or crossing situation?
- I intend to leave you on my port side (Correct answer)
- I intend to leave you on my starboard side
- I am backing down
- Danger or doubt
Correct answer: I intend to leave you on my port side
One short blast means the vessel intends to alter course to starboard, leaving the other on its port side.
Question 4: A green can-shaped buoy marked with an odd number indicates which side of the channel when returning from sea?
- Port side (Correct answer)
- Starboard side
- Center of channel
- A hazard to avoid
Correct answer: Port side
Green odd-numbered can buoys mark the port side of the channel under the 'red-right-returning' rule.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a compass rose printed on a nautical chart?
- To show true and magnetic direction (Correct answer)
- To indicate water depth
- To mark restricted areas
- To display tidal ranges
Correct answer: To show true and magnetic direction
The compass rose gives both true and magnetic bearings for plotting courses.
Question 6: Which knot is best suited for tying a line to a fixed post or piling because it holds under load yet releases easily?
- Clove hitch (Correct answer)
- Square knot
- Sheet bend
- Bowline
Correct answer: Clove hitch
A clove hitch secures a line to a post and can be released even after bearing weight.
Question 7: The difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location is called what?
- Variation (Correct answer)
- Deviation
- Set
- Drift
Correct answer: Variation
Variation is the angular difference between true and magnetic north, shown on the compass rose.
Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Navigation and Seamanship 2
A vessel showing a red light on its port side and a green light on its starboard side is displaying what type of navigation lights?