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?


161: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?


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


247: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    Y c. Hard
    N d. Sandy

252: At 0100, you obtain the following radar ranges:

Inlet Point - 2.7 miles,
Rocky Point - 4.5 miles,
Horton Point - 1.0 mile.

What was the speed made good between 0045 and 0100?

    N a. 6.7 knots
    Y b. 7.2 knots
    N c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.7 knots

291: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"?

    Y a. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N b. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N c. 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)

302: A vessel steams 720 miles on course 058°T from LAT 30°06.0'S, LONG 31°42.0'E. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 23°48'S, LONG 43°11'E
    Y b. LAT 23°44'S, LONG 43°07'E
    N c. LAT 23°38'S, LONG 43°03'E
    N d. LAT 23°34'S, LONG 43°00'E

440: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________.

    Y a. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    N d. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass

448: At 2100, you set course of 000°T, speed 10 knots from LAT 41°07.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W. Visibility is 5.5 n.m. What is the earliest time you can expect to sight Point Judith Light? (Use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range.)

    N a. The light is visible at 2100.
    N b. 2106
    Y c. 2111
    N d. 2123

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

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

575: What is the course per standard magnetic compass on the southern leg of York Spit Channel between buoys "15" and "23"?

    N a. 341°
    Y b. 339°
    N c. 322°
    N d. 319°

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

640: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    Y c. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
    N d. None of the above.

980: On 29 April , your 0530 zone time position was LAT 23°04.0'S, LONG 162°12.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 120°T at a speed of 9.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb was made at 0830 ZT. The chronometer read 09h 27m 32s and was slow 02m 24s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 24°58.0'. LAN occurred at 1205 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°04.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 163°02.1'E
    Y b. LONG 163°06.0'E
    N c. LONG 163°09.5'E
    N d. LONG 163°11.3'E

1008: On 27 March , your 0730 zone time position is LAT 28°16'N, LONG 56°37'W. Your vessel is on course 158°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 zone time. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 11s, and the chronometer error is 00m 53s slow. The observed altitude (Ho) is 45°10.7'. LAN occurs at 1150 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) is 65°32.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    Y a. LAT 27°08.8'N, LONG 56°04.2'W
    N b. LAT 27°08.8'N, LONG 56°10.3'W
    N c. LAT 27°11.6'N, LONG 56°04.2'W
    N d. LAT 27°11.6'N, LONG 56°10.3'W

1098: On 19 September , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 24°35'N, LONG 88°40'W. You are on course 288°T at a speed of 14 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0028

    N a. LAT 24°47.4'N, LONG 89°15.0'W
    Y b. LAT 24°52.5'N, LONG 89°22.4'W
    N c. LAT 24°59.5'N, LONG 89°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°06.0'N, LONG 90°37.0'W

1140: At 0921, on 24 May, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 10.0 mph, what was the current since departure?

    N a. 3.4 mph
    N b. 2.0 mph
    Y c. 1.7 mph
    N d. 1.4 mph

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1239: 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

1280: On 27 March , your 0330 zone time DR position is LAT 23°32'N, LONG 154°47'E. Your vessel is on a course of 105°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    Y a. 0534
    N b. 0557
    N c. 0612
    N d. 0624

1491: On 5 February , your 2320 ZT position is LAT 52°28'N, LONG 23°48'W. You observe Polaris bearing 000.2°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 224°pgc and 244°psc. The variation is 20°W. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 0.0°
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 3.0°W
    N d. 4.5°W

1682: On 11 May , in DR position LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 45°45.0'W you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 089.0°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 57m 06s and is 01m 48s slow. Variation in the area is 20.0°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 3.6°W
    Y b. 2.2°W
    N c. 1.4°W
    N d. 3.6°E

1683: 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 08s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 48s, and the chronometer reads 07h 32m 16s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 28s slow
    N b. 1m 40s slow
    N c. 0m 08s fast
    Y d. 0m 36s fast

1758: As you approach mile 425 AHP, you see a brown shaded area along the left descending bank. This represents __________.

    N a. weirs
    Y b. a revetment
    N c. dikes
    N d. a fleeting area

1773: What daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

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

1856: On 22 June , your 0424 ZT DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N,
LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 031°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 49°26.0'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe?

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

1957: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 9.2 mph
    N b. 8.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 7.2 mph

2021: On 29 April , your 0300 ZT DR position is LAT 28°39'N, LONG 168°03'E. You are on course 108°T at a speed of 22 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Moon, Alpheratz, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Dubhe, Zubenelgenubi
    N c. Venus, Polaris, Arcturus
    N d. Moon, Altair, Sabik

2115: The south coast of Long Island Sound between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson is __________.

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs
    N b. a high, flat plateau with sheer cliffs
    Y c. fringed by rocky shoals
    N d. low and marshy with isolated beaches

2179: On 22 June , at 0906 EDT (ZD +4), your position is LAT 24°36'N, LONG 69°30'W. You are on course 165°pgc at a speed of 14.8 knots. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 42°44.0' with an index error of 0.8' off the arc. At this time the chronometer reads 01h 10m 12s, and is 2m 42s slow. If your height of eye is 70 feet, what is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. Zn 080.4°
    N b. Zn 081.6°
    N c. Zn 129.0°
    N d. Zn 130.5°

2213: Controlling depth of a channel __________.

    Y a. is the least depth within the limits of the channel
    N b. is the greatest depth within the limits of the channel
    N c. permits the safe use of the channel to drafts of more than that depth
    N d. is the designed dredging depth of a channel constructed by the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers

2239: At 1610 ZT, on 14 August , in DR position LAT 33° 24.6' S, LONG 028°15.4'W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 111.0° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.1°E
    Y b. 1.1°W
    N c. 2.1°E
    N d. 2.1°W

2282: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 42°44.0' on 22 June . The index error is 0.8' off the arc. The height of eye is 70 feet (21.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 42°19.8'
    N b. 42°21.7'
    Y c. 42°51.7'
    N d. 42°54.2'

2283: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°58.6' on 16 June . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 23°06.7'
    N b. 23°09.9'
    N c. 23°15.4'
    N d. 23°22.2'

2456: You have steamed 520 miles at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 12.8
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.2
    N d. 18.2

3284: While steaming at 18.9 knots, your vessel consumes 386 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 251 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 11.6 knots
    N b. 12.3 knots
    N c. 15.2 knots
    Y d. 16.4 knots

3288: While steaming at 13.5 knots, your vessel consumes 251 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 129 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 6.9 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.8 knots
    N d. 12.7 knots

3289: While steaming at 17.0 knots, your vessel consumes 382 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 223 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 9.9 knots
    N b. 11.8 knots
    N c. 13.0 knots
    Y d. 14.2 knots

3453: You wish to make good a course of 350°T while turning for an engine speed of 10 knots. The set is 070°T, and the drift is 1.5 knots. What course should you steer?

    N a. 332°T
    Y b. 341°T
    N c. 345°T
    N d. 359°T

3635: You desire to make good a true course of 236°. The variation is 8°E, magnetic compass deviation is 1°E, and gyrocompass error is 3°W. A south-southeasterly wind produces a 1° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good?

    Y a. 226°psc
    N b. 228°psc
    N c. 244°psc
    N d. 246°psc

10907: What is the time (DST ZD +4) of the AM high tide at York Point, Poquoson River on 8 September 1983?

    N a. 0955
    Y b. 1048
    N c. 1055
    N d. 1102

11401: At 1520 your GPS position is LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 72°16.1'W. At 1630 your position is LAT 41°17.5'N, LONG 72°04.7'W. What were your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 344° at 8.2 knots
    N b. 077° at 9.5 knots
    Y c. 063° at 8.3 knots
    N d. 059° at 8.1 knots

12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass

12203: Your vessel is steady on a heading of 310° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Stratford Point Light and Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon in line dead ahead. This information indicates that the __________.

    N a. existing deviation table is correct for this heading
    N b. deviation is 1°E
    N c. variation is 18°W for this area
    Y d. compass error is 10°W

14404: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. You position your vessel in the middle of the channel and bring Government Island Lower Range in line over your bow. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 10.0 feet?

    Y a. 15 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 28 feet
    N d. 31 feet

15257: At 0725, Stratford Point Light bears 327°pgc at 3.1 miles.
At this time, you wish to change course to 048°T. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. Your engine speed is 8 knots. What course must you steer to make good 048°T?

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 038°T
    N c. 041°T
    N d. 044°T

15707: At 0725, you are heading 054°T, and Stratford Point Light is abeam to port at 3.1 miles. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. If you make turns for an engine speed of 8 knots, which course must you steer to make good 048°T?

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 042°T
    N c. 047°T
    N d. 055°T

15916: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (215°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"?

    N a. 1016
    N b. 1021
    Y c. 1026
    N d. 1030

16038: At 0820 Old Field Point Light bears 206° per gyrocompass,
and Stratford Shoals Middle Ground Light bears 322° per gyrocompass. The radar range to Middle Ground Light is 1.5 miles. Your 0820 fix gives you a position of __________.

    N a. LAT 41°02.6'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°02.5'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°02.0'N, LONG 73°05.1'W

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

16519: As you head toward Great Salt Pond, visibility is unlimited. At what time will you lose sight of Montauk Pt.
Light?

    N a. 0905
    N b. 0928
    N c. 0950
    Y d. It will remain visible to Great Salt Pond.

16543: Based on the information in the previous question, what is your ETA at the distress scene?

    N a. 0006
    N b. 0010
    Y c. 0016
    N d. 0021

16559: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How should the buoy which bears 030°T from your position at a range of approximately 0.5 mile be painted?

    N a. Horizontally banded, red over green, with a red buoyancy chamber
    Y b. Horizontally banded, green over red, with a green buoyancy chamber
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid red with green letters "BIS"