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.

39: At 1227, on 19 October, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 0930 the following day?
92: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________.
115: After passing Wilkinson Lt. (mile 310.0 AHP) you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________.
143: At 1609, on October 5, you are abeam of Star Landing Lt. (mile 707.2 AHP) . You calculate your speed since you departed Sycamore Chute fleeting area. If you are turning for 9.5 mph what was the current? 

    N a. 1.0 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    Y c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 2.5 mph
179: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 077°pgc. The helmsman was steering 307°pgc and 320° per standard magnetic compass at the time. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The gyro error by observation is 2°E.
    N b. The deviation based on the observation is 15°W.
    Y c. The magnetic compass error is 14°W.
    N d. The true line of the range is 079°.
298: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light? 

    Y a. York Spit Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    N c. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"
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
388: From your 0745 fix, you change course to pass 1.0 mile south of buoy "WH" and estimate your speed at 7 knots. If the visibility clears, what is the earliest time you can expect to see Block Island North Light tower? 

    N a. 0845
    N b. 0838
    Y c. 0807
    N d. 0750
429: At 0820, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 052°true
Branford Reef Light bearing 307°true

What are the set and drift since 0730? 

    N a. Set 052°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 052°T, drift 1.3 knots
    Y c. Set 232°T, drift 1.3 knot
    N d. Set 232°T, drift 1.1 knots
436: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings: Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles, Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles. What is your 0227 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°14.5'N,  LONG 72°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°14.1'N,  LONG 72°08.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
524: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________. 

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    N b. a restricted anchorage area
    Y c. submarine cables
    N d. prohibited fishing areas
534: You depart LAT 52°01'N, LONG 176°09'E, for LAT 52°01'N, LONG 178°46'W. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing? 

    N a. 090°T, 95 miles
    Y b. 090°T, 188 miles
    N c. 270°T, 95 miles
    N d. 270°T, 188 miles
537: Determine the distance from LAT 19°54.0'N, LONG 166°36.0'E to LAT 19°54.0'N, LONG 157°54.0'W. by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 2204.6 miles
    N b. 2006.9 miles
    Y c. 2002.8 miles
    N d. 1990.6 miles
629: You are on a voyage from Belem, Brazil, to Mobile, AL. The distance from departure to arrival is 3150 miles. The speed of advance is 14.0 knots. You estimate a layover in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of 17.5 hours. If you took departure at 2200 (ZD +3h 30m), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at Mobile? 

    N a. 1900, 8 March
    Y b. 2200, 8 March
    N c. 0400, 9 March
    N d. 2200, 9 March
642: Where can scheduled broadcast times of river stages be found? 

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Light List
    N c. List of Lights
    N d. Coast Pilot
732: On 3 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 60°53.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°55.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 26s slow. The index error is 2.9' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°35.2'N
    N b. 21°52.5'N
    Y c. 22°03.6'N
    N d. 22°22.6'N
736: On 6 March , your 1854 zone time DR position is LAT 23°51.5'N, LONG 73°14.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 52m 40s, and the chronometer error is 01m 56s slow. The index error is 5.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 43.5 feet (13.3 meters.) What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 23°29.5'N
    Y b. 23°36.3'N
    N c. 23°49.9'N
    N d. 24°02.9'N
836: On 16 June , in DR position LAT 50°57.0'S, LONG 53°03.9'W (ZD+4), you take an ex-meridian observation of Acrux at lower transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 08m 18s, and the chronometer error is 02m 12s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 23°49.0'. The index error is 1.1' off the arc, and your height of eye is 26 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    Y a. 50°41.2'S
    N b. 51°02.2'S
    N c. 51°33.0'S
    N d. 51°41.2'S
1002: On 13 November , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°03'S, LONG 6°34'E. You are on course 164°T, speed 12 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1112 351°55.4' S 18°00.4' 88°08.0'
1121 354°10.4' S 18°00.5' 88°33.9' 

    Y a. LAT 19°22.3'S, LONG 6°37.8'E
    N b. LAT 19°20.1'S, LONG 6°41.4'E
    N c. LAT 19°17.6'S, LONG 6°39.2'E
    N d. LAT 19°15.8'S, LONG 6°36.8'E
1145: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 75.4 feet
    N b. 66.4 feet
    N c. 53.8 feet
    Y d. 46.4 feet
1202: Your 0830 DR position is LAT 27°33'S, LONG 79°17'E. Your vessel is on a course of 066°T, at a speed of 19.5 knots. Determine the time of LAN on 10 December . 

    Y a. 1131
    N b. 1136
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1215
1471: On 21 February , your 0823 zone time DR position is LAT 21°44.0'S, LONG 80°14.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 096°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s fast. The variation is 5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.2°E
    Y b. 4.7°W
    N c. 5.7°E
    N d. 6.3°W
1733: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    Y c. 45 feet x 500 feet
    N d. 30 feet x 500 feet
1751: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    Y c. 2339, 27 May
    N d. 0339, 28 May
1777: At 2232 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°52'S, LONG 150°03'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 268.5°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W
1929: You are taking a time tick using the 1930 signal from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You hear the preparatory signal "CQ DE PPE" repeated several times followed by a short dash (0.4 sec), 60 dots (0.1 sec each) and another short dash. At the beginning of the last dash, the comparing watch reads 07h 30m 13s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 56s, and the chronometer reads 07h 30m 21s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 13s fast
    N b. 1m 43s fast
    Y c. 1m 22s slow
    N d. 1m 48s slow
2275: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°00.7' on 10 January . The index error is 2.6' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 24°07.4'
    N b. 24°08.9'
    Y c. 24°10.2'
    N d. 24°11.8'
2658: You are steering 202°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 14.6 miles at 2234. You change course to pass the light 5 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 2310
    Y b. 2313
    N c. 2316
    N d. 2319
2678: You are running coastwise on a course of 323°T, and you have a buoy bearing 11° on your port bow at a distance of 7 miles. You desire to leave the buoy abeam to port at a distance of 2.5 miles. What course should you steer? 

    N a. 291°T
    N b. 312°T
    Y c. 333°T
    N d. 344°T
2779: If the Fair Landing, AR. Gage reads -1.2 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Fair Landing, AR. is -0.9 feet. 

    N a. 2.1 foot above the plane
    N b. 0.3 foot above the plane
    Y c. 0.3 feet below the plane
    N d. 1.2 feet below the plane
3082: The speed of advance necessary to arrive in port at a designated time is 15.8 knots. The pitch of the propeller is 20.75 feet. You estimate 5% positive slip. How many RPM must you turn to make the necessary speed? 

    N a. 73.5
    N b. 76.2
    N c. 79.9
    Y d. 81.2
3102: You are turning 88 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of 0%. What is the speed of advance? 

    Y a. 16.5 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 18.1 knots
3460: You wish to make good a course of 230°T while turning for an engine speed of 12.5 knots. The set is 180°T, and the drift is 1.7 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line? 

    N a. 11.5 knots
    N b. 12.5 knots
    Y c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.0 knots
3602: You are heading 328°pgc to make good a course of 332°T, allowing 3° leeway for westerly winds and 1°E gyro error. The variation is 17°E. What should your heading be by standard magnetic compass to make good 332°T.
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
345° 1°E
330° 1°W
315° 3°W 

    Y a. 315°psc
    N b. 318°psc
    N c. 343°psc
    N d. 345°psc
3627: Your vessel is steering course 243°psc. Variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 2°W. The wind is from the south-southeast, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 242°T
    N b. 244°T
    N c. 246°T
    Y d. 248°T
10705: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 013.5° per standard magnetic compass at 7.6 knots. At 0812 your GPS position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 71°55.9'W. What is the current? 

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 334°T at 1.1 knots
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot
11408: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. At 2024 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What is your true course and speed made good? 

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    Y b. 216° at 11.2 knots
    N c. 039° at  9.9 knots
    N d. 036° at 11.1 knots
11801: What course should you steer by standard magnetic compass (psc) between Horton Pt. Light and Falkner Island Light, if the set and drift of the current are 040°T at 0.9 knot, and a westerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots. 

    Y a. 314.0°psc
    N b. 319.0°psc
    N c. 324.5°psc
    N d. 328.5°psc
11811: What is the true course to steer between Horton Pt. Light and a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 40°T at 1.5 knots, and an easterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 12 knots. 

    N a. 277°T
    N b. 283°T
    Y c. 287°T
    N d. 291°T
13407: Your position is LAT 41°03.0'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. If your draft is 8 ft, what should your fathometer read at this position? 

    Y a. 80 ft
    N b. 88 ft
    N c. 96 ft
    N d. 99 ft
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
14502: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 84 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 49 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the center of the Bridge of the Gods? 

    Y a. 74.0 feet
    N b. 86.0 feet
    N c. 97.5 feet
    N d. 123 feet
15206: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. You are steering course 088° per standard magnetic compass (psc) at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light at 1730? 

    Y a. 2.6 miles
    N b. 2.8 miles
    N c. 3.0 miles
    N d. 3.2 miles
15414: At 2100, you have passed through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel and determine your position to be LAT 37°01.3'
N, LONG 76°03.0'W. The current is flooding in a direction of 303°T at 2.5 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer while turning RPMs for 6 knots to make good a course of 175°T? 

    Y a. 156°T
    N b. 164°T
    N c. 183°T
    N d. 190°T
15429: What is the vertical clearance of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Vicksburg, MS. is 0.1. 

    N a. 128.3 ft
    N b. 125.6 ft
    N c. 119.5 ft
    Y d. 116.1 ft
15620: From your 2123 position, you are approximately 42 miles from Crisfield, MD. If you are making good a speed of 13 knots, at what time should you arrive at Crisfield, MD? 

    N a. 2359
    Y b. 0037
    N c. 0112
    N d. 0148
15623: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0122, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current? 

    Y a. 1.4 MPH
    N b. 1.8 MPH
    N c. 2.7 MPH
    N d. 6.2 MPH
15830: The black broken-line marking, across the river, that appears at mile 952.1 AHP represents a __________. 

    Y a. utility crossing
    N b. railroad
    N c. submarine crossing
    N d. revetment
15918: At 1038, you are 0.4 mile south of Long Sand Shoal Buoy "8A" on course 090°T when visibility is reduced to 1 mile in rain and haze. You intend to stay on 090°T until your Loran shows a reading that you can safely follow to the approaches of New London. Which of the following Loran readings will you look for? 

    N a. 9960-W-14720
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    Y c. 9960-Y-43980
    N d. 9960-W-14810
15963: At 1845, you obtain the following Radar Ranges:

Old Plantation Flats Light @ 7.45nm
New Point Comfort Light @ 7.35nm

Your latitude is __________. 

    N a. 37°11.4'N
    Y b. 37°11.2'N
    N c. 37°10.9'N
    N d. 37°10.7'N
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
16146: From your 2054 position, you change course to 066°T. Maintaining course and speed of 18 knots, at what time can you expect to first cross the 90-foot curve if you experience no set and drift? 

    Y a. 2105
    N b. 2111
    N c. 2117
    N d. 2125
16607: 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. 2140
    N c. 2152
    Y d. 2159