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.


56: The Red River Landing Gage reads 5.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane for the Red River is 10.6 ft. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


86: As you approach Shreves cut-off you see Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP) which reads 6.2 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


98: At 0230 on 13 August, you are at mile 610.5 AHP when you see about a mile ahead lights on the water near the left bank. What might you see when you come abreast of these lights?


112: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    Y a. Buoys should be given as wide a berth as possible in passing.
    N b. Buoy positions on the chart are exact.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.

271: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. What is the approximate charted depth of the water?

    Y a. 29 ft (8.8 meters)
    N b. 22 ft (6.7 meters)
    N c. 19 ft (5.8 meters)
    N d. 14 ft (4.2 meters)

281: What is the average velocity of the maximum flood current at the Tail of the Horseshoe?

    N a. 1.6 knot
    N b. 1.3 knot
    Y c. 0.9 knots
    N d. 0.6 knots

371: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 72°14.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W

617: Your vessel will sail from a position in LAT 8°51.0'N, LONG 81°31.0'W to a position at LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. The distance by great circle is 7,635 miles, and you estimate an average speed of 15.0 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival if you depart at 1510 ZT, on 23 July?

    Y a. 1110, 14 August
    N b. 0110, 14 August
    N c. 1110, 13 August
    N d. 1510, 13 August

1006: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°02'N, LONG 138°12'W. You are on course 309°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0'

    N a. LAT 19°28.0'N, LONG 138°35.2'W
    Y b. LAT 19°29.7'N, LONG 138°42.0'W
    N c. LAT 19°32.6'N, LONG 138°49.4'W
    N d. LAT 19°34.5'N, LONG 138°40.9'W

1298: Your company wants to know at what time you will be arriving at the fleeting area at Sycamore Chute Light (mile 740.3 AHP) in Memphis, TN You are making turns for 9.0 mph and you estimate the average current at 2.2 mph. Figuring the distance and time from Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP), what is your ETA at Sycamore Chute Lt.?

    Y a. 1242, April 19th
    N b. 1645, April 19th
    N c. 2242, April 19th
    N d. 2333, April 19th

1483: On 31 May , your vessel's 1420 zone time DR position is LAT 29°06'N, LONG 120°06'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The bearing of the Sun per standard magnetic compass was 255.3°. The chronometer time of the observation is 10h 17m 24s. The chronometer error is 02m 32s slow. The variation for this area is 12.9°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.9°W
    N c. 2.9°E
    N d. 3.2°E

1643: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

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

1779: At 2237 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°57'N, LONG 150°32'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 258.6°psc. The variation is 14°E. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 2.0°W
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 1.0°E

1885: On 26 November , your 0535 DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. You observe an unidentified planet bearing 037°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°06.4'. The chronometer reads 03h 33m 16s and is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe?

    N a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    Y c. Mars
    N d. Venus

1905: On 22 March , your 0519 DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 200°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 33°05.5'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s, and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Enif
    Y c. Antares
    N d. Rigel

1926: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 022°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°16'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Antares
    Y b. Deneb
    N c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius

1963: Which of the following statements are TRUE?

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. All of the above.

2014: On 16 October , evening twilight will occur at 1746 ZT, and your DR position will be LAT 28°43.2'N, LONG 60°29.8' W. Considering their magnitude and location, which of the following are the three best stars to select for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Antares, Arcturus, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Polaris, Vega
    N c. Antares, Deneb, Vega
    N d. Vega, Polaris, Enif

2027: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery?

    N a. 5.8 mph
    Y b. 6.3 mph
    N c. 6.7 mph
    N d. 7.1 mph

2202: 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?

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

2203: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area at Cairo Point and add five loaded tank barges to your tow. If you are turning for 9 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo?

    N a. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June

2217: The highest point on your towboat is 67 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +22.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 74.7 feet
    N b. 52.4 feet
    N c. 49.8 feet
    Y d. 30.1 feet

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'

2286: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 50°26.9' on 9 November . The index error is 1.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 56 feet (17 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 50°04.2'
    N b. 50°18.1'
    Y c. 50°33.5'
    N d. 50°41.4'

2688: While on a course of 214°pgc, a light bears 9° on the port bow at a distance of 7.4 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 189°pgc
    N b. 209°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 229°pgc

2779: If the Fair Landing, AR. Gage reads -1.2 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Fair Landing, AR. is -0.9 feet.

    N a. 2.1 foot above the plane
    N b. 0.3 foot above the plane
    Y c. 0.3 feet below the plane
    N d. 1.2 feet below the plane

2885: Your vessel is steering 194°T at 13 knots. At 0116 a light bears 243°T, and at 0147 the same light bears 267°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 11.2 miles
    N b. 11.6 miles
    Y c. 12.0 miles
    N d. 12.5 miles

3277: While steaming at 12.3 knots, your vessel burns 168 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you increase speed to 13.5 knots?

    N a. 192 bbls/day
    N b. 204 bbls/day
    Y c. 222 bbls/day
    N d. 238 bbls/day

3633: You desire to make good a true course of 067°. The variation is 11°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°W. A northwesterly wind produces a 5° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 054°psc
    N b. 064°psc
    Y c. 070°psc
    N d. 074°psc

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

11014: What will be the velocity of the tidal current outside the breakwater at New Haven Hbr. entrance on 26 May 1983 at 1045 DST (ZD +4)?

    N a. 0.0 knot
    N b. 0.3 knot
    Y c. 0.5 knot
    N d. 1.3 knots

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

14703: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 1030 Reed Island is abeam to port as you pass the 125 mile mark. What has been your average speed in knots?

    N a. 4.3 knots
    Y b. 5.2 knots
    N c. 8.7 knots
    N d. 10.0 knots

15038: At 0705 you obtained the following Loran readings:

9960-X-27091.2
9960-Y-41612.8
9960-Z-58744.2

What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 37°20.4'N 75°30.2'W
    Y b. 37°20.8'N 75°29.9'W
    N c. 37°21.3'N 75°29.5'W
    N d. 37°21.2'N 75°30.4'W

15119: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"?

    N a. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
    Y b. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N c. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)

15166: At 2037, you change course and wish to make good a course of 016°T. There is no current, but an easterly wind is causing 3° leeway. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good the course 016°T?

    N a. 022°psc
    N b. 025°psc
    Y c. 028°psc
    N d. 031°psc

15339: If there is no set or drift, at what time would you be abeam of Bartlett Reef Light?

    N a. 1719
    Y b. 1724
    N c. 1729
    N d. 1734

15369: Horton Point Light __________.

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

15458: You are delayed in sailing due to engineering problems. You get underway at 0630. A Coast Guard radio broadcast advises that an aircraft carrier will transit the Elizabeth River enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a safety zone is in effect. Further information on how far you must remain from the carrier found is in __________.

    N a. PUB 117
    N b. Light List
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Chart Number 1

15562: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________.

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    Y b. submarine cables
    N c. prohibited fishing areas
    N d. fish trap areas

15662: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 026.5°pgc
Race Point Light bearing 275.5°pgc


What is the approximate depth of water under the keel at this position?

    N a. 325 feet (98.5 meters)
    N b. 175 feet (53.0 meters)
    N c. 130 feet (39.4 meters)
    Y d. 112 feet (33.9 meters)

15769: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are to the right of the track line.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    N c. You are inside of the Territorial Sea.
    Y d. The fix is indeterminate.

15956: The National Weather Service provides 24-hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The broadcasts may be found on __________.

    N a. 202.35 MHz
    N b. 181.15 MHz
    Y c. 162.55 MHz
    N d. 147.45 MHz

15959: What is the average velocity of the maximum ebb current in the channel west of Middle Ground?

    N a. 0.8 knot
    N b. 1.0 knot
    Y c. 1.3 knots
    N d. 1.6 knots

16010: The characteristic of Branford Reef Light is __________.

    N a. flashing red every 4 seconds
    N b. flashing red every 3 seconds
    Y c. flashing white every 6 seconds
    N d. flashing yellow every 4 seconds

16111: Which publication contains the specific information about navigating in York Spit Channel?

    N a. Light List
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor- master's Regulations Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay

16115: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 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 0707 and 0731?

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

16313: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light?

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    Y b. 0751
    N c. 0812
    N d. 0825

16538: At 2216 your position is LAT 41°16.0'N, LONG 72°08.0'W. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You are in the red sector of New London Harbor Light.
    N b. Your fathometer reads approximately 40 feet.
    N c. You will cross the Colregs Demarcation Line if you continue on your present course.
    N d. Little Gull Island Light bears 339°T at 4.3 miles.

16556: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 267°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 030°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island
Southwest Point (tangent) 352°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.9'W