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.


37: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?


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


188: At 2020, what is the course to steer to enter the inbound lane of North Chesapeake Entrance traffic separation scheme if a northwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway?


266: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light?

    Y a. 9960 Y: not less than 44014
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    N c. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N d. None of the above

358: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to the entrance to York Spit Channel between buoys "37" and "38"?

    N a. 152°
    N b. 156°
    Y c. 176°
    N d. 178°

401: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 35°01'S, LONG 18°51'W. Your position is LAT 30°18'S, LONG 21°42'W. Determine the true course from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 135°T
    N b. 149°T
    Y c. 153°T
    N d. 160°T

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

536: Determine the distance from LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 04°52.0'E to LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 18°24.0'W by parallel sailing.

    N a. 608.6 miles
    N b. 610.9 miles
    N c. 612.3 miles
    Y d. 614.2 miles

610: At 0820 zone time, on 10 April , you depart Yokohoma, LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9). You are bound for Honolulu, LAT 21°18.5'N, LONG 157°52.2'W (ZD +10) and you estimate your speed of advance at 17.5 knots. The distance is 3,397 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Honolulu?

    N a. 0127, 17 April
    Y b. 1527, 17 April
    N c. 0127, 18 April
    N d. 0927, 18 April

700: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    Y b. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.
    N c. T.L. James
    N d. Bunge Corps..

809: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 163°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 calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 27°52.3'N
    N b. 27°53.4'N
    N c. 27°55.1'N
    Y d. 27°57.2'N

824: On 30 October , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1144 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 137°16.0'W, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 80°59.4'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 42.5 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 08h 46m 15s, and the chronometer error is 02m 12s fast. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

    Y a. LAT 22°31.4'S
    N b. LAT 22°42.3'S
    N c. LAT 22°46.2'S
    N d. LAT 23°00.9'S

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

1118: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?

    Y a. 1190 X 75 feet
    N b. 1185 X 84 feet
    N c. 1190 X 84 feet
    N d. 1185 X 75 feet

1138: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass?

    Y a. Donaldsonville
    N b. Head of Passes
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing

1241: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph

1273: At 1544 zone time, on 5 October , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 60°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 6.8 knots. What is the zone time of sunset?

    N a. 1728
    N b. 1737
    N c. 1741
    Y d. 1745

1307: After entering Milliken Bend (mile 455 AHP) you wish to locate the river service in Madison Parish, Louisiana. The river service is indicated by the square containing which number?

    Y a. 5
    N b. 4
    N c. 3
    N d. 2

1456: On 12 September , your 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 28°34.0'S, LONG 174°49.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 084° per standard magnetic compass (psc). The chronometer reads 07h 38m 11s, and the chronometer error is 01m 46s fast. The variation is 11°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.9°W
    Y b. 3.2°E
    N c. 3.9°E
    N d. 4.7°W

1725: As you pass Fort Adams (311.4 AHP) you observe a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. This indicates that you should __________.

    N a. proceed with caution as there is construction work being done on the revetment
    N b. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. proceed with caution as the river is congested around the bend

1914: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 192°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 06°15.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    Y c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin

2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method?

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles

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

2329: You sighted Trestle "B" in line at 0706 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0706 and 0731?

    Y a. 8.3 knots
    N b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots

2591: Which statement best describes the shoreline at Mount Misery?

    N a. Wooded, barren hills with a rocky beach
    N b. Low, rocky cliffs with heavily wooded hills inland
    N c. Sand dunes and beaches with a mud and sand bottom
    Y d. Sand bluffs 60 feet high and banks dug out by sand and gravel companies

2864: You are steering a course of 316°T, and a light bears 34° on the port bow at 2053. At 2126 the same light bears 68° on the port bow, and you have run 5 miles since the first bearing. What is the ETA when the lighthouse is abeam?

    Y a. 2139
    N b. 2143
    N c. 2149
    N d. 2159

3081: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 12.6 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 13.6 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming no slip?

    N a. 81
    N b. 85
    N c. 90
    Y d. 94

3260: You have steamed 726 miles at 17.5 knots, and consumed 138 tons of fuel. If you have 252 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13.5 knots?

    N a. 789 miles
    N b. 1326 miles
    N c. 1719 miles
    Y d. 2228 miles

3641: You desire to make good a true course of 174°. The variation is 17°W, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°E. A west-southwest wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 195°psc
    N b. 197°psc
    Y c. 199°psc
    N d. 203°psc

6446: You continue on course from your 1126 fix. At 1131 Cape Charles Light bears 322°T. At 1135 you change course to 000°T. At 1149 Cape Henry Light bears 247°T. Which statement concerning your 1149 running fix is TRUE?

    N a. Your fathometer reads 47 feet.
    Y b. You are in a danger area.
    N c. Chesapeake Light is due south of you.
    N d. You are north of Smith Island Shoal.

10302: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to a position 0.2 mile south of Race Rock Light (LAT 41°14.6'N, LONG 72°02.8'W).

    Y a. 326.5°psc
    N b. 324.0°psc
    N c. 298.5°psc
    N d. 296.0°psc

10604: At 2245 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.75'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 086° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6.0 knots. At 2400 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°04.20'N, LONG 72°38.85'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 162°T at .2 knot
    N b. 180°T at .4 knot
    N c. 339°T at .5 knot
    Y d. 007°T at .4 knot

10703: At 1516 your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 71°48.6'W. You are on course 300° per standard magnetic compass at 9.4 knots. At 1600 your position is LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 71°58.1'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 142°T at 1.9 knots
    N b. 153°T at 1.4 knots
    Y c. 332°T at 1.5 knots
    N d. 347°T at 1.1 knots

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

11406: At 2021 your position is LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°59.8'W. At 2057 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What are your true course and speed made good?

    Y a. 140° at 20 knots
    N b. 145° at 18 knots
    N c. 316° at 19 knots
    N d. 320° at 17 knots

13908: Montauk Point Light is 168 feet above what reference level?

    N a. Mean low water
    N b. Mean tide level
    N c. Ground level
    Y d. Mean high water

14500: Your vessel is at mile 170 on the Columbia River. You are proceeding in a westerly direction and are approaching the lift bridge at Hood River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 92 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 52 feet above the water, which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "down" position with a vertical clearance of 15 feet.
    N b. You may pass under the lift bridge in the "up" position with a clearance of 96 feet.
    N c. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "down" position with a vertical clearance of 25 feet.
    Y d. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "up" position with a vertical clearance of 76 feet.

15019: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light?

    N a. 280°
    N b. 332°
    Y c. 014°
    N d. 017°

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°

15242: From your 1155 position, you steer a course of 282°T at a speed of 9.5 knots. You obtain the following bearings:

1205: Falkner Island Light bears 318°T
1225: Falkner Island Light bears 355°T

Your 1225 running fix is __________.

    N a. north of your intended track
    N b. 3.1 miles SSW of Falkner Island Light
    N c. ahead of the DR position
    Y d. south of your intended track

15506: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.5'W

15518: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 10.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.8 knots, and a north wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course?

    N a. 275°T
    Y b. 280°T
    N c. 290°T
    N d. 294°T

15762: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 090.5°
    N b. 093.0°
    N c. 095.5°
    Y d. 098.5°

15917: At what approximate distance would you expect Bartlett Reef Light to break the horizon, if the visibility is 27 nautical miles?

    N a. 5.9 nm
    N b. 6.9 nm
    N c. 12.0 nm
    Y d. 12.8 nm

16107: If the visibility is 5 miles and you are in the red sector,
at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    N a. 15 miles
    N b. 13 miles
    N c. 11 miles
    Y d. 09 miles

16144: From your 2027 position you change course to 106°T, while maintaining an engine speed of 18 knots. Your ETA at a position where Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy "BIS" is abeam is __________.

    N a. 2039
    N b. 2043
    N c. 2047
    Y d. 2050

16258: What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass from the anchorage to point A, if easterly winds are causing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 187°
    Y b. 191°
    N c. 194°
    N d. 197°

16509: 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?

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

16542: At 2308 your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 72°22.8'W.
You steer a course to make good 255°T from this position. At 2310 you receive a distress call from a vessel anchored 2.1 miles due north of Mattituck Inlet Light. If you change course at 2314, what is the course to steer per gyrocompass to arrive at the distress site if you allow 2°
leeway for northerly winds, 3°E gyro error and correct your course for a current of 073°T at 1.3 knots?

    N a. 208°pgc
    N b. 212°pgc
    N c. 216°pgc
    Y d. 220°pgc