1|Page
ATO2 NAVY ADVANCEMENT
CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM |150
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
RATED A | NEW AND REVISED
1. When performing celestial navigation, the primary purpose of the
sextant is to:
A. Measure the ship’s speed through water
B. Calculate the ship’s drift angle
C. Measure the angle between a celestial body and the horizon
D. Determine the depth of water
The sextant allows navigators to determine their position by
measuring the angle of celestial bodies relative to the horizon.
2. A ship’s dead reckoning position is primarily affected by:
A. GPS errors
B. Wind, current, and steering inaccuracies
C. Celestial sightings
D. Radio communications
Dead reckoning estimates position based on speed, heading, and
time. Environmental factors like wind and current can introduce
errors.
3. During restricted visibility, the safe speed of a vessel is determined
by:
A. Maximum propulsion capability
B. Standard cruising speed
C. Average fleet speed
D. The ability to take proper and effective action to avoid
collision
,2|Page
Under the COLREGS, safe speed is the speed at which a vessel
can stop or maneuver to avoid collisions, especially in limited
visibility.
4. In naval operations, the primary function of the Combat
Information Center (CIC) is to:
A. Repair radar and sonar equipment
B. Collect, process, and display tactical information for
command decision-making
C. Provide food and supplies to watchstanders
D. Coordinate ship maintenance schedules
CIC consolidates sensor data to give command the situational
awareness needed for tactical decisions.
5. Which of the following is the most critical factor when plotting a
course to avoid navigational hazards?
A. Engine efficiency
B. Crew rest schedules
C. Accurate position fixes and updated charts
D. Fuel consumption estimates
Safe navigation depends on precise positioning and current
charts to avoid hazards like shoals and reefs.
6. When steering a vessel using a gyrocompass, which advantage
does it provide over a magnetic compass?
A. Lighter and easier to store
B. Requires no electrical power
C. Unaffected by magnetic deviation
D. Provides automatic depth readings
A gyrocompass aligns with true north and is not influenced by
the ship’s magnetic fields, unlike a magnetic compass.
7. The primary purpose of a dead reckoning plot is to:
A. Replace celestial navigation entirely
B. Determine engine efficiency
C. Estimate the vessel’s position based on course, speed, and
time since the last fix
D. Calculate fuel consumption
,3|Page
Dead reckoning provides an estimated position when other fixes
are unavailable, using known course and speed.
8. A bearing of 045° relative to true north indicates the object is
located:
A. Southwest
B. Northeast
C. Southeast
D. Northwest
Bearings are measured clockwise from true north; 045° places
the object northeast.
9. When navigating through a narrow channel, which action is
recommended to reduce the risk of grounding?
A. Reduce speed and maintain a mid-channel course
B. Increase speed to clear the channel quickly
C. Stay close to the starboard side
D. Rely solely on radar without visual checks
Reduced speed allows more reaction time, and staying mid-
channel minimizes grounding risk.
10. In chart corrections, the Notice to Mariners is used to:
A. Plan meals for watchstanders
B. Update the ship’s engine log
C. Incorporate the latest navigational hazards and changes
into charts
D. Monitor crew training schedules
Notices to Mariners provide official updates on hazards, buoys,
and other navigational changes.
11. The primary purpose of a fathometer aboard a vessel is to:
A. Measure the ship’s speed through water
B. Determine water depth beneath the keel
C. Monitor engine oil levels
D. Track wind speed and direction
A fathometer (echo sounder) measures depth to prevent
grounding.
12. When using parallel indexing during navigation, the
navigator’s goal is to:
, 4|Page
A. Plot a new course daily
B. Keep a constant distance from a hazard or navigational
reference
C. Measure speed over ground
D. Align the ship with celestial objects
Parallel indexing uses fixed references to maintain safe distance
from hazards.
13. Which report is mandatory when a ship experiences a near-
miss collision at sea?
A. Daily log entry only
B. Maintenance report
C. Incident or mishap report through the chain of command
D. Supply report
Naval protocol requires reporting near-misses for safety analysis
and accountability.
14. The use of a LORAN or GPS system provides:
A. Depth and salinity readings
B. Accurate latitude and longitude coordinates
C. Visual observation of the horizon
D. Radar cross-section measurements
LORAN and GPS are radio navigation systems that give precise
positions.
15. When plotting a course using the Mercator chart, which
distortion must navigators account for?
A. Sounding depths
B. Magnetic deviation
C. Rhumb line vs. great circle distance distortion
D. Radar interference
Mercator charts show rhumb lines as straight lines, which
distorts actual great circle distances over long voyages.
16. The primary advantage of a great circle route over a rhumb
line is:
A. Easier navigation
B. Simpler plotting on a chart
C. Shorter overall distance between two points
ATO2 NAVY ADVANCEMENT
CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM |150
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
RATED A | NEW AND REVISED
1. When performing celestial navigation, the primary purpose of the
sextant is to:
A. Measure the ship’s speed through water
B. Calculate the ship’s drift angle
C. Measure the angle between a celestial body and the horizon
D. Determine the depth of water
The sextant allows navigators to determine their position by
measuring the angle of celestial bodies relative to the horizon.
2. A ship’s dead reckoning position is primarily affected by:
A. GPS errors
B. Wind, current, and steering inaccuracies
C. Celestial sightings
D. Radio communications
Dead reckoning estimates position based on speed, heading, and
time. Environmental factors like wind and current can introduce
errors.
3. During restricted visibility, the safe speed of a vessel is determined
by:
A. Maximum propulsion capability
B. Standard cruising speed
C. Average fleet speed
D. The ability to take proper and effective action to avoid
collision
,2|Page
Under the COLREGS, safe speed is the speed at which a vessel
can stop or maneuver to avoid collisions, especially in limited
visibility.
4. In naval operations, the primary function of the Combat
Information Center (CIC) is to:
A. Repair radar and sonar equipment
B. Collect, process, and display tactical information for
command decision-making
C. Provide food and supplies to watchstanders
D. Coordinate ship maintenance schedules
CIC consolidates sensor data to give command the situational
awareness needed for tactical decisions.
5. Which of the following is the most critical factor when plotting a
course to avoid navigational hazards?
A. Engine efficiency
B. Crew rest schedules
C. Accurate position fixes and updated charts
D. Fuel consumption estimates
Safe navigation depends on precise positioning and current
charts to avoid hazards like shoals and reefs.
6. When steering a vessel using a gyrocompass, which advantage
does it provide over a magnetic compass?
A. Lighter and easier to store
B. Requires no electrical power
C. Unaffected by magnetic deviation
D. Provides automatic depth readings
A gyrocompass aligns with true north and is not influenced by
the ship’s magnetic fields, unlike a magnetic compass.
7. The primary purpose of a dead reckoning plot is to:
A. Replace celestial navigation entirely
B. Determine engine efficiency
C. Estimate the vessel’s position based on course, speed, and
time since the last fix
D. Calculate fuel consumption
,3|Page
Dead reckoning provides an estimated position when other fixes
are unavailable, using known course and speed.
8. A bearing of 045° relative to true north indicates the object is
located:
A. Southwest
B. Northeast
C. Southeast
D. Northwest
Bearings are measured clockwise from true north; 045° places
the object northeast.
9. When navigating through a narrow channel, which action is
recommended to reduce the risk of grounding?
A. Reduce speed and maintain a mid-channel course
B. Increase speed to clear the channel quickly
C. Stay close to the starboard side
D. Rely solely on radar without visual checks
Reduced speed allows more reaction time, and staying mid-
channel minimizes grounding risk.
10. In chart corrections, the Notice to Mariners is used to:
A. Plan meals for watchstanders
B. Update the ship’s engine log
C. Incorporate the latest navigational hazards and changes
into charts
D. Monitor crew training schedules
Notices to Mariners provide official updates on hazards, buoys,
and other navigational changes.
11. The primary purpose of a fathometer aboard a vessel is to:
A. Measure the ship’s speed through water
B. Determine water depth beneath the keel
C. Monitor engine oil levels
D. Track wind speed and direction
A fathometer (echo sounder) measures depth to prevent
grounding.
12. When using parallel indexing during navigation, the
navigator’s goal is to:
, 4|Page
A. Plot a new course daily
B. Keep a constant distance from a hazard or navigational
reference
C. Measure speed over ground
D. Align the ship with celestial objects
Parallel indexing uses fixed references to maintain safe distance
from hazards.
13. Which report is mandatory when a ship experiences a near-
miss collision at sea?
A. Daily log entry only
B. Maintenance report
C. Incident or mishap report through the chain of command
D. Supply report
Naval protocol requires reporting near-misses for safety analysis
and accountability.
14. The use of a LORAN or GPS system provides:
A. Depth and salinity readings
B. Accurate latitude and longitude coordinates
C. Visual observation of the horizon
D. Radar cross-section measurements
LORAN and GPS are radio navigation systems that give precise
positions.
15. When plotting a course using the Mercator chart, which
distortion must navigators account for?
A. Sounding depths
B. Magnetic deviation
C. Rhumb line vs. great circle distance distortion
D. Radar interference
Mercator charts show rhumb lines as straight lines, which
distorts actual great circle distances over long voyages.
16. The primary advantage of a great circle route over a rhumb
line is:
A. Easier navigation
B. Simpler plotting on a chart
C. Shorter overall distance between two points
