USCG Navigation Problems: Master's License

This is an interactive test. Read each question and select the proper answer by clicking on the appropriate answer. If a "Y" appears, your choice is correct. If a "N" appears, more study may be in order.


49: As you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge, you estimate the current as 4.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 9 mph?


62: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge?


83: Which light characteristics does Catfish Point Lower Light (mile 572.2 AHP) have?


192: At 2100, Cape Charles Light bears 321°pgc, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°pgc. Your latitude is __________.

    N a. 37°00.6'N
    N b. 37°00.0'N
    N c. 36°59.7'N
    Y d. 36°59.4'N

284: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    N b. cross a submerged pipeline
    Y c. depart a regulated area
    N d. depart a restricted area

333: From your noon position, if there is no set and drift, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to the "NCA" (LL #375) buoy?

    N a. 221°psc
    N b. 219°psc
    Y c. 217°psc
    N d. 215°psc

396: A vessel at LAT 10°22.0'S, LONG 7°18.0'E, heads for a destination at LAT 6°52.0'N, LONG 57°23.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 285°T, 3825.3 miles
    Y b. 285°T, 4025.7 miles
    N c. 296°T, 3825.3 miles
    N d. 296°T, 4025.7 miles

400: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position at LAT 5°24'N, LONG 31°16'W. Your position is LAT 2°39'S, LONG 39°24'W. Determine the distance from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 669.3 miles
    Y b. 688.7 miles
    N c. 699.2 miles
    N d. 712.9 miles

477: The great circle distance from LAT 08°50.0'N, LONG 80°21.0'W to LAT 12°36.0'N, LONG 128°16.0'E is 8664 miles, and the initial course is 306.6°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    Y a. 37°30.2'N
    N b. 37°39.6'N
    N c. 37°48.2'N
    N d. 37°53.6'N

488: At 0705, with your gyro again functioning properly, you change course to 096°T. At this time Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules?

    Y a. International Rules
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    N c. Inland Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules

501: You depart from the position in the previous question at 2114 and make good 12 knots on a course of 040°T. At what time will you sight New Haven Light if the visibility is 11 miles?

    N a. The light is visible at 2114.
    N b. 2152
    Y c. 2159
    N d. 2206

515: You depart LAT 50°06.0'N, LONG 153°06.0'E and steam 879 miles on course 090°. What is the LONG of arrival?

    Y a. 175°56.0'E
    N b. 177°24.0'E
    N c. 178°36.0'W
    N d. 175°04.0'W

540: Determine the distance from LAT 34°18'S, LONG 172°40'E to LAT 34°18'S, LONG 152°38'E, by parallel sailing.

    Y a. 993.0 miles
    N b. 995.2 miles
    N c. 996.4 miles
    N d. 998.6 miles

653: On which voyage would a great circle track be significantly shorter than a rhumb line track? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

    Y a. Savannah, GA, to Lisbon, Portugal
    N b. Dublin, Ireland (Irish Sea), to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°22'N, LONG 8°24'W)
    N c. Reykjavik, Iceland, to Lisbon, Portugal
    N d. Boston to Sable Island

748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight?

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'N

813: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 162°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 289°T and your speed is 19.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1138 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 45°35.0'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT?

    N a. 27°55.1'N
    N b. 27°57.2'N
    Y c. 27°59.5'N
    N d. 28°01.9'N

823: On 15 October , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1146 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'N, LONG 139°52.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 58°30.4'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56.7 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 45m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

    N a. LAT 22°29.1'N
    Y b. LAT 22°35.2'N
    N c. LAT 22°58.1'N
    N d. LAT 23°20.6'N

1167: Where can scheduled broadcast times of river stages be found?

    N a. Sailing Directions
    N b. List of Lights
    Y c. Light List
    N d. Coast Pilot

1279: At 0327 ZT, on 29 May , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 64°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 13.6 knots. What is the zone time of sunrise?

    N a. 0521
    Y b. 0529
    N c. 0536
    N d. 0548

1364: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

    N a. List of Buoys and Daymarks
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    Y d. None of the above

1410: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681 miles
    N b. 1575 miles
    N c. 981 miles
    N d. 727 miles

1671: On 9 May , your vessel's 1809 ZT DR position is LAT 48°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 13.0°E. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 0.1°W
    N b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.1°E
    N d. 1.9°W

1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E

1681: On 8 December , in DR position LAT 21°56.1'S, LONG 17°21.6'E you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 240.5°psc. The chronometer reads 05h 27m 21s and is 00m 47s fast. Variation in the area is 3.3°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 0.3°W
    N c. 0.6°E
    Y d. 1.5°E

1707: You are passing the Memphis Gage at 0405, 18 March. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 2.3 mph,
what is your ETA at Cairo Point, IL (mile 954.5 AHP)?

    N a. 0447, 19 Mar
    N b. 1052, 19 Mar
    N c. 1518, 19 Mar
    Y d. 1839, 19 Mar

1836: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

    N a. Green diamond
    N b. Green square
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond

1839: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, LA?

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    N c. 30 feet x 500 feet
    Y d. 45 feet x 500 feet

1897: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 249°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 52°50.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    Y d. Altair

1910: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 126°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 40°21.5'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    Y d. Suhail

1917: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 054°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 07°52.1'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Markab

2585: At 2000 you plot your position as: LAT 41°11'N, LONG 072°35'W. The set and drift is 095°T at 0.8 knot. What course must you steer, and what engine speed must you turn, in order to make good 255°T at 8.5 knots?

    Y a. 257°T, 9.3 knots
    N b. 253°T, 9.3 knots
    N c. 257°T, 7.7 knots
    N d. 253°T, 7.7 knots

2690: While on a course of 066°pgc, a light bears 13° on the port bow at a distance of 12.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 4 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 067°pgc
    Y b. 072°pgc
    N c. 079°pgc
    N d. 085°pgc

2694: While on a course of 152°T, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 11.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 153°
    Y b. 158°
    N c. 163°
    N d. 167°

2901: You are steaming on a course of 198°T at 18.5 knots. At 0316 you observe a lighthouse bearing 235°T. At 0348 the lighthouse bears 259°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    Y a. 14.8 miles
    N b. 15.3 miles
    N c. 15.8 miles
    N d. 16.3 miles

3092: If the pitch of the propeller is 24.8 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,373, calculate the day's run allowing 11% positive slip.

    N a. 307.3 miles
    Y b. 339.0 miles
    N c. 380.9 miles
    N d. 422.8 miles

3096: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 118,178, calculate the day's run allowing 6% negative slip.

    N a. 367.2 miles
    N b. 381.6 miles
    N c. 398.4 miles
    Y d. 414.1 miles

3259: You have steamed 607 miles at 17.0 knots, and consumed 121 tons of fuel. If you have 479 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 14.5 knots?

    N a. 1211 miles
    N b. 1748 miles
    N c. 2817 miles
    Y d. 3303 miles

3626: Your vessel is steering course 284°psc, variation for the area is 6°W, and deviation is 3°E. The wind is from the north-northeast, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 275°T
    Y b. 278°T
    N c. 284°T
    N d. 290°T

3757: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W

11906: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 8.7 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 112°T
    N b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    Y d. 102°T

13405: At 0400 your vessel is dead in the water and in heavy fog. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. Bottom samples are taken and indicate a composition of soft mud and shell. Your fathometer reads 40 feet. If the vessel draws 9 feet of water, which of the following is TRUE?

    Y a. The bottom samples and fathometer reading prove the fix is reliable.
    N b. The bottom samples and fathometer readings indicate that the fix is unreliable.
    N c. The information collected indicates that the fathometer may be in error.
    N d. The information collected indicates that the chart is most likely in error.

14004: At 1745 Lady Island Upper Range is in line dead astern and Washougal Lower Range is in line on the starboard bow. You are steaming in an easterly direction. What speed must you average to arrive abeam of Cape Horn Light No. 67 at 1839?

    N a. 9.3 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    Y c. 10.2 mph
    N d. 10.8 mph

15024: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    Y b. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.

15164: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per gyrocompass?

    N a. 271°pgc
    N b. 274°pgc
    Y c. 277°pgc
    N d. 280°pgc

15239: At 1000 buoy "PI" is abeam to starboard a distance of 0.5 mile. From this position, with a set of 295° and a drift of 1.6 knots, what course must you steer to arrive at a point with Buoy "TE" one mile abeam to starboard?

    Y a. 247°T
    N b. 249°T
    N c. 251°T
    N d. 253°T

15726: The charts show a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.0 AHP. What does this indicate?

    N a. Hazardous chemical dock
    N b. Bulletin Board
    N c. Betz-Tipton Veneers Terminal
    Y d. River Gage

15865: From your 0200 position, you change course to 272°pgc. How far north of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light does this track pass?

    Y a. 2.1 miles
    N b. 1.6 miles
    N c. 1.3 miles
    N d. 1.0 miles

16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039

16213: At 0715 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 328°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 249°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 036°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You are to the left of your track line.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 265 fathoms.
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.

16416: At 1345, you depart from a position 1 mile due east of Montauk Point Light and set course for Block Island Southeast Light at 9 knots. At 1430 your position is Latitude 41° 06.3' North Longitude 071° 41.9' West

What was the current encountered since 1345?

    N a. Set 015°, drift 0.5 knot
    Y b. Set 195°, drift 0.5 knot
    N c. Set 015°, drift 0.7 knot
    N d. Set 195°, drift 0.7 knot

16462: Which statement about your 0400 position is TRUE?

    Y a. You are within the territorial sea and contiguous zone.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. The ocean floor is composed of shale.
    N d. Anchoring, trawling and fishing are prohibited.