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.

71: The Natchez Gage reads 20.6 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?
114: What are the light characteristics of Greenwood Light (mile 288.6 AHP)?
350: By 0430, the wind has increased, and the visibility cleared due to passage of a front. You estimate 3° leeway due to NW'ly winds. What is the course per gyrocompass to pass 1.2 miles due south of Twenty-eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE"?
375: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which of the following loran readings will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile? 

    N a. Not less than 9960-W-14735.8
    N b. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    Y c. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
    N d. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0
471: The great circle distance from LAT 35°57.2'N, LONG 05°45.7'W to LAT 24°25.3'N, LONG 83°02.6'W is 3966.5 miles and the initial course is 283.7°T. The latitude of the vertex is 38°09.4'N. What is the longitude of the vertex? 

    N a. 28°02.6'W
    Y b. 28°18.2'W
    N c. 28°46.3'W
    N d. 28°54.7'W
485: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. 

    N a. 7809 miles, 247.0°T
    N b. 7763 miles, 247.0°T
    Y c. 7635 miles, 233.9°T
    N d. 7618 miles, 230.3°T
509: At 0112, the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 2.9 miles. At 0125, the range is 3.6 miles. What is the position of your 0125 running fix if you are steering 124°T at 12 knots?` 

    N a. LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
    Y b. LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°48.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.8'N, LONG 72°47.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°10.2'N, LONG 72°47.7'W
624: You are on a voyage from San Diego, CA, to New York, NY. The distance from pilot to pilot is 4860 miles. The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate 18 hours for bunkering at Colon, and 14 hours for the Panama Canal transit. If you take departure at 0836 hours (ZD +7), 4 July, what is your ETA (ZD +4) at New York? 

    N a. 0336, 20 July
    N b. 0036, 19 July
    N c. 0336, 19 July
    Y d. 0736, 19 July
1091: On 10 August , your 0430 ZT position is LAT 29°56.7'S, LONG 139°11.0'E. Your course is 321°T, speed 18.2 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0500 running fix. NP-0021

    N a. LAT 29°46.0'S, LONG 138°54.0'E
    Y b. LAT 29°49.2'S, LONG 138°57.0'E
    N c. LAT 29°56.0'S, LONG 139°03.8'E
    N d. LAT 30°07.5'S, LONG 138°55.2'E
1103: On 25 August , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 21°28.0'N, LONG 167°48.0'E. You are on course 248°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0032

    N a. LAT 20°52.4'N, LONG 167°32.1'E
    Y b. LAT 20°57.1'N, LONG 167°01.0'E
    N c. LAT 20°59.5'N, LONG 166°54.8'E
    N d. LAT 21°06.0'N, LONG 167°10.9'E
1193: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 23°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1158
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214
1217: It is 31 October , and you are keeping zone time -12. You are on course 095°T, speed 24 knots. Your 0730 DR position is LAT 29°20.0'N, LONG 178°54.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 11h 24m 19s
    Y b. 11h 40m 55s
    N c. 12h 12m 16s
    N d. 12h 40m 02s
1479: On 6 November , your vessel's 0706 zone time DR position is LAT 25°30.0'N, LONG 85°35.0'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 01h 03m 30s, and the Sun is bearing 114.0°pgc. The chronometer error is 02m 30s slow, and the variation in the area is 2°.
What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.8°W
    N c. 2.0°W
    Y d. 2.0°E
1492: On 22 February , your 2045 ZT position is LAT 33°19'N,
LONG 52°06'W. You observe Polaris bearing 358.1°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 048°pgc and 065°psc. The variation is 19°W. What is the deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 1°E
    Y b. 3°E
    N c. 1°W
    N d. 3°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.
1833: What are the dimensions of the Port Allen Lock at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 75 feet x 1188 feet
    N b. 84 feet x 1180feet
    Y c. 84 feet x 1188 feet
    N d. 75 feet x 1180 feet
1855: On 22 July , your 0442 ZT DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 112°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 44°16.0'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    Y c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar
1876: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 11°37.6' bearing 066°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Scheat
    N b. Ruckbah
    N c. Caph
    Y d. Algenib
1897: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 249°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 52°50.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    Y d. Altair
1924: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°23'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 000°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 26°18'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    N c. Achernar
    Y d. Vega
1950: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical
clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 44.4 feet
    N b. 54.2 feet
    Y c. 65.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet
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
2667: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2126 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse? 

    N a. 2149
    N b. 2201
    Y c. 2211
    N d. 2228
2854: Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15 knots. At 0319 a light bears 198.5°T, and at 0353 the light bears 176°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0407, 4.3 miles
    N b. 0410, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0417, 6.0 miles
    N d. 0427, 7.4 miles
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
3052: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 21.2 feet and a pitch of 20.0 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 391 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 88? 

    N a. -11.5%
    N b. +11.5%
    N c. -6.2%
    Y d. +6.2%
3076: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 16.4 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 6% positive slip? 

    N a. 66
    Y b. 74
    N c. 82
    N d. 90
3318: While steaming at 12 knots, your vessel burns 45 tons of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 11.5 knots? 

    N a. 31 tons/day
    N b. 36 tons/day
    Y c. 40 tons/day
    N d. 43 tons/day
3611: The track line on the chart is 274°T. Variation is 4°E, and deviation is 2°E. The gyro error is 1.5°E. What course would be steered by gyrocompass to make good the desired course? 

    N a. 280.5°pgc
    N b. 278.0°pgc
    N c. 275.5°pgc
    Y d. 272.5°pgc
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
4002: 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 true heading of 258°.
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° 

    N a. 0.5°W
    N b. 0.0°
    N c. 0.5°E
    Y d. 1.0°E
10104: Your GPS position is LAT 36°55.2'N, LONG 75°33.1'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Rudee Inlet (LAT 36°49.8'N, LONG 75°58.0'W)? 

    N a. 246.0°psc
    N b. 254.5°psc
    N c. 261.0°psc
    Y d. 265.5°psc
10602: At 1815 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 285° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 16 knots. At 1909 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°53.7'W. What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 292°T at 1.8 knots
    N b. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    N c. 118°T at 1.9 knots
    Y d. 111°T at 2.1 knots
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
11302: At 1614 your GPS position is LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. At 1703 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes? 

    Y a. 238°T
    N b. 242°T
    N c. 247°T
    N d. 250°T
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
12100: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 040° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this, you __________. 

    Y a. know the compass error is 8°W
    N b. should apply 3°Easterly deviation to the bearing
    N c. know the deviation table is incorrect
    N d. should suspect the compass may be affected by a local magnetic disturbance
12101: You sight Thimble Shoal Light in line with Old Point Comfort Light bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 182°psc. Based on this, you know __________. 

    Y a. the existing deviation is correct for that heading
    N b. you should adjust your compass
    N c. the compass error is 2°W
    N d. the variation is 11°W
12700: You are on course 073° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Watch Hill Point Light 037°psc Montauk Point Light 179°psc Race Rock Light 289°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.7'N, LONG 71°53.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.7'N, LONG 71°54.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 71°54.3'W
14603: Clearances of bridges and overhead cables below Bonneville Dam refer to heights in feet above mean __________. 

    Y a. lower low water
    N b. high water
    N c. low water
    N d. sea level
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°
15219: From your 2118 position, you steer a course of 288°T at an engine speed of 7.0 knots. At 2120 visibility is suddenly reduced to 2 miles. At what time can you expect to see Old Point Comfort Light? 

    N a. 2136
    N b. 2143
    N c. 2202
    Y d. 2228
15360: Your 0507 position is about 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT. What is the distance from this position to Newport, RI? 

    Y a. 88 miles
    N b. 95 miles
    N c. 101 miles
    N d. 114 miles
15512: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

What true course did you make good between 1830 and 1850? 

    N a. 289°T
    Y b. 294°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 307°T
15639: At 2016 you sight N. Dumpling Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (Fl 6 sec, 55 ft) bearing 079°pgc. At the time of the bearing the helmsman reported he was steering 164°
pgc and 172° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation for that heading? 

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 1°E
    N c. 5°W
    N d. 2°W
15665: Which action should you take to compensate for the above current? 

    N a. Continue on the same course and speed.
    Y b. Alter your course to the left.
    N c. Slow to 8.5 knots.
    N d. Alter your course to the right.
15713: What do the dotted lines around Goose Island and Kimberly Reef represent? 

    N a. Limiting danger
    N b. Breakers
    Y c. Depth contours
    N d. Tide rips
15964: Your 1900 position is LAT 37°12.9'N, LONG 76°13.5'W. You change course to 323°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 309°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    Y c. 329°psc
    N d. 331°psc
16306: At 0345, you set a course to depart New London Harbor. Assuming no set and drift, which standard magnetic compass course must you steer to stay in the middle of the channel? 

    N a. 175°psc
    Y b. 187°psc
    N c. 190°psc
    N d. 192°psc
16316: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true? 

    Y a. 302°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    N c. 317°psc
    N d. 319°psc
16511: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    Y d. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.