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.


99: What is the mile point of the Rosedale Gage?


230: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck?


283: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19". This buoy marks __________.


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"

564: Horton Point Light __________.

    N a. is 14 feet above sea level
    N b. has a fixed green light
    Y c. is shown from a white square tower
    N d. is synchronized with a radio beacon

564: Horton Point Light __________.

    N a. is 14 feet above sea level
    N b. has a fixed green light
    Y c. is shown from a white square tower
    N d. is synchronized with a radio beacon

609: At 0915 zone time, on 7 April , you depart San Francisco, LAT 37°48.5'N, LONG 122°24.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Kobe, LAT 34°40.0'N, LONG 135°12.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 17 knots. The distance is 4,819 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Kobe?

    N a. 0343, 18 April
    N b. 1243, 19 April
    Y c. 2143, 19 April
    N d. 0443, 20 April

678: Using gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270, determine which of the following statements about a voyage from Valdez, AK, to Hilo, HI, is TRUE.

    Y a. A great circle track is not significantly shorter than a rhumb line track.
    N b. You will cross the Northern Hemisphere vertex where the track line crosses LAT 45°N.
    N c. Distance is measured by using the length of a degree of longitude at the mid-latitude line.
    N d. When plotted on a Mercator chart, the track line will be convex to San Francisco.

992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W

1076: On 25 Mar , your 0500 ZT DR position is LAT 28°14.0'S, LONG 93°17.0'E. You are on course 291°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0550 running fix. NP-0006

    Y a. LAT 28°15.9'S, LONG 92°56.9'E
    N b. LAT 28°19.3'S, LONG 92°59.0'E
    N c. LAT 28°06.4'S, LONG 93°02.5'E
    N d. LAT 27°53.2'S, LONG 93°17.6'E

1134: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    Y b. Riceland Food Corps..
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

1216: It is 8 March and you are keeping zone time -3. You are on course 104°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 25°35.0'S, LONG 66°34.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    Y a. 10h 41m 26s
    N b. 11h 15m 34s
    N c. 11h 17m 32s
    N d. 11h 36m 54s

1238: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    Y b. 47.2 feet
    N c. 49.6 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet

1283: On 5 May , your 1800 ZT DR position is LAT 26°11.5'N, LONG 65°35.0'W. You are on course 270°T at a speed of 12 knots. What will be the ZT of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1825
    N b. 1840
    Y c. 1857
    N d. 1901

1564: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark

1658: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°07.0'N, LONG 136°16.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 074.5°psc. The chronometer reads 08h 56m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Variation in the area is 2°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.5°E
    N b. 2.8°W
    Y c. 4.5°E
    N d. 4.8°W

1730: What is the distance from Arkansas City, AR, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System?

    Y a. 584 miles
    N b. 617 miles
    N c. 733 miles
    N d. 832 miles

2106: At 0005, on 26 January, your position is LAT 41°11.8'N,
LONG 72°20.5'W. From this position, you plot a course to steer to a point one half mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI" with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. If there are no set and drift, what course should you steer?

    N a. 207°psc
    N b. 213°psc
    N c. 220°psc
    Y d. 235°psc

2114: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W.
What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift)

    N a. 262.0°psc
    N b. 265.0°psc
    Y c. 275.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc

2328: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you sight Trestle "B" in line bearing 018°pgc. What is the gyro error by observation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W

2455: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 170°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 050°T at 2.8 knots, and a easterly wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 18.5 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 170°T?

    N a. 18.5 knots
    N b. 18.1 knots
    N c. 17.6 knots
    Y d. 17.2 knots

2856: Your vessel is on a course of 034°T at 17 knots. At 0551 a light bears 056.5°T, and at 0623 the light bears 079°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0636, 5.9 miles
    N b. 0646, 5.9 miles
    N c. 0636, 6.4 miles
    Y d. 0646, 6.4 miles

2867: Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 20 knots. At 0022 a light bears 117.5°T, and at 0035 the light bears 099°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0044, 3.2 miles
    Y b. 0048, 4.3 miles
    N c. 0052, 5.1 miles
    N d. 0056, 6.0 miles

2910: Your vessel is steaming on a course of 140°T at 15 knots. At 1530 a lighthouse bears 200°T. At 1550 it bears 249°T. What is your distance from the lighthouse at 1550?

    N a. 1.15 miles
    N b. 4.60 miles
    N c. 5.45 miles
    Y d. 5.75 miles

3065: The propeller on your vessel has a pitch of 18'09". If the observed distance for a day's run was 399.4 miles and the average RPM was 86, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The slip is a positive 5%.
    N b. The day's run by engine RPM was 404.5 miles.
    Y c. The slip is a negative 5%.
    N d. The day's run by engine RPM was 390.6 miles.

3088: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.5 feet, and the revolutions per day are 96,666, calculate the day's run allowing 9% negative slip.

    N a. 311.1 miles
    N b. 341.8 miles
    N c. 357.9 miles
    Y d. 372.6 miles

3452: You wish to make good a course of 035°T while turning for an engine speed of 12 knots. The set is 340°T, and the drift is 2 knots. What course should you steer?

    N a. 027°T
    N b. 037°T
    Y c. 044°T
    N d. 054°T

10202: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position midway between New Haven Harbor Channel buoys #1 and #2?

    N a. 137°psc
    N b. 309°psc
    Y c. 315°psc
    N d. 319°psc

10208: Your GPS position is LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°28.8'W. What course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to leave Cornfield Lighted Whistle Buoy "CF" 0.5 mile abeam to starboard?

    N a. 032°psc
    N b. 048°psc
    N c. 055°psc
    Y d. 067°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

13302: The shoal spanned by Trestle B of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel is __________.

    N a. Chesapeake shoal
    N b. the Middle ground
    N c. Lynnhaven roads
    Y d. the Tail of the Horseshoe

14515: At 2150, your position is LAT 36°57.2'N, LONG 76°01.3'W. In this position on the chart, you note a light magenta line running in a direction of 030°T. This line indicates the limits of __________.

    N a. a precautionary area
    Y b. a pilotage area
    N c. the Cape Henry Light red sector
    N d. chart 12222

15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________.

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"

15041: At 0741 you are still steering a course of 206° true, with a speed of 18 knots. At this time you observe Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bearing 222° true and Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bearing 015° true . What were the set and drift experienced since 0725?

    Y a. 259°true at 3.2 knots
    N b. 049°true at 2.5 knots
    N c. 240° true at 1.9 knots
    N d. 042°true at 3.3 knots

15162: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 231°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 294°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 213°
    N b. 201°
    N c. 194°
    N d. 179°

15211: 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?

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    Y c. York Spit Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

15258: Which structure should you look for while trying to locate Stratford Point Light?

    Y a. White conical tower with a brown band midway of height
    N b. White octagonal house on a cylindrical pier
    N c. Conical tower, upper half white, lower half brown
    N d. Black skeleton tower on a granite dwelling

15411: From your 1830 fix, you continue south on a course of 150°T turning RPMs for 6 knots. You encounter a flood current in the direction of 330°T at 2 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer to make good a course of 150°T while turning RPMs for 6 knots?

    N a. 144°T
    Y b. 150°T
    N c. 158°T
    N d. 162°T

15459: At 0823, Old Point Comfort Light bears 000°T at 0.6 mile. What is your 0823 position?

    Y a. LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 76°18.4'W
    N b. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 76°21.6'W
    N c. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 76°19.6'W
    N d. LAT 36°55.5'N, LONG 76°18.6'W

15542: At 2214 you receive a "Securite" call requesting you to remain at least 2 miles away from underwater work taking place at LAT 41°07.8'N, LONG 72°34.6'W. If you change course at 2220 and allow 3° leeway for southerly winds which course will you steer per gyrocompass to comply with this request? No allowance made for current.

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 083°pgc
    N c. 086°pgc
    Y d. 089°pgc

15729: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level if the low water reference plane for Rosedale is 3.0 feet?

    N a. 0.5 foot below the plane
    N b. 0.5 foot above the plane
    N c. 2.5 feet above the plane
    Y d. 3.5 feet below the plane

15816: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W.
What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift)

    N a. 262.0°psc
    N b. 265.0°psc
    Y c. 275.5°psc
    N d. 280.5°psc

16018: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    N c. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.
    Y d. You are making good your intended speed.

16220: At 0930, your position is LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 71°41.4'W,
and you are turning for 7 knots. Allowing 3° leeway for southerly winds and estimating the current as 035° at 0.3
knot, what is the course to steer (pgc) to point "B"?

    N a. 089°pgc
    N b. 091°pgc
    N c. 093°pgc
    Y d. 096°pgc

16261: At 0400 you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 299°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 242°pgc

What is your 0400 position?

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°39.2'W
    Y b. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.0'W
    N d. LAT 37°14.6'N, LONG 75°39.2'W

16307: Which statement regarding the wreck 0.2 mile south of buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance to New London Harbor is TRUE?

    N a. The wreck presents a danger to all vessels with drafts in excess of 30 feet (9.1 meters).
    N b. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum between the months of March and June.
    Y c. The wreck is shown on the chart, but its actual existence is doubtful.
    N d. The wreck was cleared by wire drag in 1982 and will not appear on future charts.

16558: From your position you observe a rotating white and green light to the north. This light is most likely __________.

    Y a. at an airport
    N b. on a naval mine-countermeasures vessel
    N c. "Block Island North Light"
    N d. on a vessel engaged in public safety activity

16608: At 2142, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 331°T
Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 280°T
Old Field Point Light 223°T

What is your 2142 position?

    Y a. LAT 41°03.0'N, LONG 73°01.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 73°02.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 73°01.3'W
    N d. LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 73°01.9'W

16746: In order to check your compasses, you sight Race Rock Light in line with New London Harbor Light bearing 336° per gyrocompass. The helmsman reports the vessel was heading 275.0°pgc and 290.5° per standard magnetic compass at the time of the observation. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro error is now 2°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N c. The vessel should be swung to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 0.5°W.