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.


93: Which light characteristics does Quaker Oats Light (mile 952.6) have?


270: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information?


389: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith?


457: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 31°57.0'S, LONG 115°52.0'E to LAT 24°47.0'N, LONG 66°59.0'E.

    N a. 4516 miles, 134.5°T
    Y b. 4407 miles, 314.5°T
    N c. 4402 miles, 319.5°T
    N d. 4378 miles, 336.8°T

483: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. The difference of longitude from the vertex to a point (X) on the great circle track is 10°W. Determine the latitude which intersects the great circle at point (X).

    N a. 37°02.5'N
    Y b. 37°09.5'N
    N c. 37°15.6'N
    N d. 37°21.2'N

518: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________.

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet at MHW
    Y c. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap
    N d. is easily accessible in heavy southerly seas

529: You depart LAT 51°48.0'S, LONG 178°35.0'W and steam 179 miles on course 270°. What is the longitude of arrival?

    N a. 173°47'W
    N b. 174°27'E
    Y c. 176°36'E
    N d. 179°52'W

558: At 0530, you change course to 090°T and increase speed to 8.5 knots. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if northerly winds are causing 2° of leeway?

    N a. 094°pgc
    N b. 092°pgc
    Y c. 090°pgc
    N d. 088°pgc

618: Your vessel departs Seattle at 1010 zone time (ZD +8), on 28 May, bound for Apra, Guam (ZD -10). The distance by great circle is 4,948 miles, and you estimate that you will average 18.5 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival?

    Y a. 0737, 9 June
    N b. 1737, 9 June
    N c. 1937, 9 June
    N d. 0737, 10 June

1097: On 9 November , your 0400 DR position is LAT 18°24.0'S, LONG 97°36.0'W. You are on course 138°T at a speed of 16 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0027

    N a. LAT 18°15.0'S, LONG 98°52.5'W
    Y b. LAT 18°45.0'S, LONG 97°06.8'W
    N c. LAT 18°52.5'S, LONG 97°10.6'W
    N d. LAT 19°15.5'S, LONG 98°08.8'W

1102: On 19 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 18°41'N, LONG 150°37'E. You are on course 014°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0031

    Y a. LAT 19°45.4'N, LONG 150°52.6'E
    N b. LAT 19°42.8'N, LONG 150°56.9'E
    N c. LAT 19°41.2'N, LONG 150°46.3'E
    N d. LAT 19°39.3'N, LONG 150°51.8'E

1126: What are the dotted lines crossing at mile 529.7 AHP?

    Y a. submarine cables
    N b. power cables
    N c. gated dams
    N d. workboat crossings

1220: Anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    Y c. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District
    N d. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.

1462: On 17 June , your 0815 zone time DR position is LAT 25°27.0'N, LONG 47°16.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 079.5°psc. The chronometer reads 11h 15m 03s, and the chronometer error is 01m 15s fast. The variation is 3°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.7°W
    Y b. 3.5°W
    N c. 3.7°E
    N d. 2.3°E

1651: On 23 October , in DR position LAT 21°13.0'N, LONG 152°18.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 259°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 21m 46s and is 01m 32s slow. Variation in the area is 5°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.9°E
    N b. 1.5°W
    Y c. 5.9°W
    N d. 6.5°E

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

1702: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    Y a. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    N c. Tows must navigate toward left ascending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.
    N d. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single barge tows.

1808: You are on map #4. What is the mile point of the facility known as Gulf Coast Grain Co.?

    N a. mile 920 AHP
    N b. mile 921 AHP
    N c. mile 922 AHP
    Y d. mile 923 AHP

2009: On 16 July , your 1920 ZT DR position is LAT 25°36.0'N, LONG 172°18.9'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Rasalhague, Spica, Arcturus
    Y b. Venus, Antares, Vega
    N c. Vega, Mars, Antares
    N d. Saturn, Acrux, Spica

2122: At 1538 ZT, on 15 October , in DR LAT position LAT 18° 12.8' S, LONG 160° 48.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 276.2°psc. Variation is 10° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 3.6°E
    Y d. 3.6°W

2123: At 0410, you take the following bearings:
New Point Comfort Light "2" 244°pgc Wolf Trap Light 315°pgc What is your 0410 position?

    N a. LAT 37°21.2'N, LONG 76°08.3'W
    N b. LAT 37°21.1'N, LONG 76°08.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°21.1'N, LONG 76°07.9'W
    Y d. LAT 37°21.0'N, LONG 76°08.1'W

2201: At 1000, on May 11th, you are passing George Prince Lt. (mile 364.1 AHP) in Natchez, Mississippi and must send an ETA to the Monsanto Terminal in St. Louis (mile 178.0 UMR). Your engines are still turning for 8.5 mph and you estimate the current at 2.5 mph. What will be your arrival time in St. Louis?

    N a. 1919 on 15 May
    N b. 2344 on 15 May
    N c. 1113 on 16 May
    Y d. 1757 on 16 May

2277: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 41°29.8' on 11 January . The index error is 2.4' off the arc. The height of eye is 68 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 41°36.4'
    Y b. 41°39.4'
    N c. 41°42.0'
    N d. 41°44.5'

2370: As you pass under the Vicksburg Bridges, you estimate the current as 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 10.5 mph?

    N a. 16.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 7.5 mph

2464: You have steamed 449 miles at 19 knots and burning 476 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 185 barrels per day with 362 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    Y a. 13.2
    N b. 14.3
    N c. 17.1
    N d. 18.2

2682: While on a course of 066°pgc, a light bears 18° on the port bow at a distance of 12.3 miles. What course should you steer to leave the light 4 miles abeam to port?

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

2702: You are underway on course 241°T at a speed of 18.2 knots.
You sight a daymark bearing 241°T at a radar range of 3.9 miles at 1006. If you change course at 1009, what is the course to steer to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile?

    N a. 218°T
    Y b. 222°T
    N c. 257°T
    N d. 260°T

2877: Your vessel is steering 263°T at 22 knots. At 0413 a light bears 294°T, and at 0421 the same light bears 312°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.3 miles
    N d. 4.9 miles

2880: Your vessel is steering 218°T at 19 knots. At 2223 a light bears 261°T, and at 2234 the same light bears 289°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 4.5 miles
    Y b. 4.9 miles
    N c. 5.3 miles
    N d. 5.7 miles

3080: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 21.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 22.5 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 2% positive slip?

    N a. 81
    N b. 87
    N c. 95
    Y d. 99

3291: While steaming at 19.5 knots, your vessel burns 297 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 15 knots?

    Y a. 135 bbls
    N b. 176 bbls
    N c. 229 bbls
    N d. 243 bbls

3646: The true course between two points is 041°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W. You make an allowance of 2° leeway for a east-southeast wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 040°pgc
    N b. 042°pgc
    N c. 043°pgc
    Y d. 044°pgc

4007: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 166°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320°

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.0°E
    N c. 0.5°W
    N d. 0.5°E

4015: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a true heading of 319°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324°

    N a. 0.5°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.5°E
    N d. 2.5°W

10500: At 1712 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 36°54.8'N, LONG 75°39.8'W. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 9.9 knots. At 1800 your GPS indicates your position at LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°45.8'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 262°T at 0.9 knot
    N b. 267°T at 1.3 knots
    Y c. 087°T at 1.2 knots
    N d. 093°T at 0.8 knot

10707: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 065° per standard magnetic compass at 6.7 knots. At 0912 your GPS position is LAT 41°12.8'N, LONG 71°48.2'W. What is the current?

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    Y c. 287°T at 2.0 knots
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot

11702: You are eastbound in the Thimble Shoal Channel. What is the true heading to steer if the engines are turning for 9.5 knots, the current is 110°T at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 111°
    N b. 108°
    N c. 105°
    N d. 100°

11709: Your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.5'W, if you are making 7.8 knots, the current is 239°T at 1.3 knots, and a southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 271°psc
    N b. 274°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 282°psc

11809: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 065°T at 2 knots, and a northerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are turning for 14 knots.

    N a. 113°psc
    N b. 118°psc
    Y c. 128°psc
    N d. 134°psc

13005: At 1715 your position is LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are making turns for 15.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position 1.5 miles due south of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light?

    N a. 1820
    N b. 1824
    N c. 1828
    Y d. 1832

13503: You are proceeding from a point 4 miles due east of Montauk Point enroute to Long Island Sound via The Race. You should expect the soundings to __________.

    N a. remain fairly constant
    N b. increase rapidly at first then remain constant until through the Race
    Y c. start increasing when north of Montauk Point
    N d. be inaccurate due to sound absorption by the mud bottom

14103: You are approaching Bonneville Lock and Dam and desire lockage. Which call sign should you use to contact the lock?

    Y a. WUJ 33
    N b. WUJ 34
    N c. WUJ 41
    N d. WUJ 45

15545: At 2342 the gyro alarm sounds and you commence steering by standard magnetic compass. If you allow 3° leeway for southerly winds and do not correct for any existing current, what is the course to steer by standard magnetic compass to make good 068°T?

    N a. 054.0°
    N b. 079.5°
    N c. 081.0°
    Y d. 084.5°

15717: From your 1210 position, you are steering a course of 083°
T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 10 knots. The set and drift of the current are 310° at 1.7 knots. At what time should you expect to enter the red sector of New London Harbor Light?

    N a. 1241
    Y b. 1249
    N c. 1256
    N d. 1309

15919: At 1200, your position is 2.0 miles southwest of Bartlett Reef Light. Your heading is 075°T. Visibility is less than 0.2 mile in fog and rain. Which of the following signals is most likely to be from another vessel?

    N a. Whistle from 125° relative
    Y b. Whistle from 075° relative
    N c. Bell from 350° relative
    N d. Horn from 330° relative

15944: From your 2038 position you change course to 104°T and increase engine speed to 18 knots. If you make good this course and speed, at what time will Southwest Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy "2" bear 157°T?

    N a. 2047
    Y b. 2052
    N c. 2056
    N d. 2101

16042: At 1022 when you complete the evacuation, you get underway on course 098°T and order turns for 14.5 knots. You take the following round of bearings at that time:
Stratford Point Light - 260° per gyrocompass
New Haven Light - 326° per gyrocompass
SW Ledge Light - 358° per gyrocompass

Determine your ETA and distance off when abeam of Falkner Island Light, if there are no set and drift?

    N a. 1102, 3.0 miles
    Y b. 1108, 3.3 miles
    N c. 1114, 3.1 miles
    N d. 1118, 3.3 miles

16117: What is the distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, N.C.
(LAT 34°14.0'N, LONG 77°57.0'W)?

    Y a. 339 miles
    N b. 363 miles
    N c. 402 miles
    N d. 486 miles

16138: At 1930 Race Rock Light bears 111°T, and Little Gull Island Light bears 172°T. Which of the following is your position at 1930?

    N a. LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 72°09.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°16.1'N, LONG 72°08.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.3'N, LONG 72°12.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°15.8'N, LONG 72°07.1'W

16270: The wind is northerly and will cause 2° leeway. The current is 018° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots. What should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 306°T
    Y c. 309°T
    N d. 314°T

16638: At 0400 your position is:

Latitude 40° 50.2' North
Longitude 071° 36.2' West

From your 0400 fix, you steer a course to make good 347°T at 12.5 knots. Visibility is good. What is the earliest time you can expect to raise Montauk Point Light? (Nominal range - 24 miles, height above water - 168 feet)

    Y a. The light is visible at 0400.
    N b. 0426
    N c. 0435
    N d. 0442