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.


175: At 2118, you obtain the following bearings:

Cape Henry Light - 148°pgc
Cape Charles Light - 033°pgc
Thimble Shoal Light - 291°pgc

From this position, you proceed to Norfolk, VA, a distance of approximately 26.0 miles. To arrive at Norfolk by 0200 the next day, what is the speed to make good from your 2118 position to arrive at this time?


179: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 077°pgc. The helmsman was steering 307°pgc and 320° per standard magnetic compass at the time. Which statement is TRUE?


223: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 225°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 288°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light?


265: At 0740, you take the following Radar Ranges:

Branford Reef Light @ 2.5 nm
New Haven Light @ 3.9 nm

What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°51.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°51.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 72°51.9'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 72°52.0'W

273: If you correct for the current in the previous 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. 1014
    N b. 1018
    N c. 1021
    Y d. 1026

400: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position at LAT 5°24'N, LONG 31°16'W. Your position is LAT 2°39'S, LONG 39°24'W. Determine the distance from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 669.3 miles
    Y b. 688.7 miles
    N c. 699.2 miles
    N d. 712.9 miles

506: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel?

    N a. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N b. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    N c. 47 feet (14.2 meters)
    Y d. 38 feet (11.5 meters)

641: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

733: On 12 March , your 1846 zone time DR position is LONG 129°16.5'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°01.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 44m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 55s slow. The index error is 2.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 59.8 feet (18.2 m). What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 27°33.7'N
    N b. 27°40.9'N
    N c. 27°54.4'N
    N d. 28°06.9'N

1134: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    Y b. Riceland Food Corps..
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

1163: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage?

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP

1265: On 22 November , your 1400 ZT DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 136°37.0'E. You are on course 038°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    Y a. 1705
    N b. 1710
    N c. 1714
    N d. 1718

1285: On 28 June , your 1820 ZT DR position is LAT 16°00.0'N,
LONG 31°00.0'W. You are on course 310°T at a speed of 18 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1828
    N b. 1832
    N c. 1836
    Y d. 1840

1302: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?

    Y a. 9 feet
    N b. 12 feet
    N c. 15 feet
    N d. 30 feet

1426: What is the total length of the trip?

    N a. 910.6 miles
    N b. 901.4 miles
    N c. 900.7 miles
    Y d. 873.7 miles

1452: On 6 November , your 0752 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 119°psc. The chronometer reads 12h 53m 07s, and the chronometer error is 01m 19s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°W
    N b. 3.8°W
    N c. 2.8°E
    Y d. 3.2°E

1455: On 4 October , your 1907 zone time DR position is LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 105°44.0'E. At that time, you observe Deneb bearing 011.5°psc. The chronometer reads 00h 07m 42s, and the chronometer error is 00m 36s fast. The variation is 7.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 3.2°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 2.1°E
    N d. 2.1°W

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

1726: The highest point on your towboat is 57 feet above water. The Natchez Gage (mile 363.3 AHP) reads 16.7 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez - Vidalia (westbound) Hwy. Bridge?

    Y a. 52.3 feet
    N b. 59.9 feet
    N c. 61.0 feet
    N d. 68.6 feet

1761: What is the length of the trip?

    Y a. 887.9 miles
    N b. 878.9 miles
    N c. 851.9 miles
    N d. 726.0 miles

1802: You are turning for 10 mph and passing Hog Point ,LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is 4.5 mph. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The main channel lies on the north side of the island you see ahead.
    N b. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    N c. You would expect to find the more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    Y d. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.

1908: On 22 March , your 1834 DR position is LAT 26°13.5'S, LONG 108°36.5'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 315°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°01.2'. The chronometer reads 01h 32m 37s, and is 01m 50s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Regulus
    N b. Menkar
    Y c. Rigel
    N d. Alphard

2016: On 23 March , your 1600 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.3'N, LONG 156°48.2'W. You are on course 063°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Arcturus, Regulus, Sirius
    N b. Procyon, Sirius, Capella
    Y c. Hamal, Rigel, Alphard
    N d. Betelgeuse, Dubhe, Regulus

2104: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

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

2208: What is the total length of the trip?

    N a. 906.3 miles
    Y b. 922.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles

2330: At 0731, what is the approximate depth of water?

    N a. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    Y b. 41 feet (12.5 meters)
    N c. 52 feet (15.7 meters)
    N d. 58 feet (17.6 meters)

2462: You have steamed 504 miles at 21 knots and burning 633 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 410 barrels per day with 399 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 20.1
    Y b. 19.0
    N c. 16.2
    N d. 15.0

2595: At 0145 you take on the pilot and are inbound Port Jefferson. The ship's heading is 147°pgc when lined up on the Port Jefferson range. What is your gyro error?

    Y a. 1° W
    N b. 1° E
    N c. 2° E
    N d. 0°

2675: At 1423 you are on course 072 T° at 12.2 knots, when you sight a rock awash bearing 070°T at a range of 3.6 miles. If you change course at 1427, what course would you steer to leave the rock 1.0 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 049°
    N b. 054°
    N c. 086°
    Y d. 091°

2859: Your vessel is on a course of 307°T at 20 knots. At 0914 a light bears 284.5°T, and at 0937 the light bears 262°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0950, 4.4 miles
    Y b. 0953, 5.4 miles
    N c. 0957, 6.6 miles
    N d. 1002, 7.1 miles

2882: Your vessel is steering 096°T at 17 knots. At 1847 a light bears 057°T, and at 1916 the same light bears 033°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 9.9 miles
    N b. 10.7 miles
    Y c. 11.4 miles
    N d. 11.9 miles

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

3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam?

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3

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.

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.

10709: 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°10.5'N, LONG 71°46.6'W. What is the current?

    N a. 151°T at 1.2 knots
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 227°T at 0.9 knot
    Y d. 240°T at 1.4 knots

11012: Which statement is FALSE with regard to Plum Island Harbor West Dolphin Light?

    N a. The light is maintained from sundown to 0130 daily.
    Y b. The light is white.
    N c. The light is maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
    N d. The light is located on a dolphin.

11104: What is the time of the first PM (Daylight Savings Time) maximum ebb current at Plum Gut on 10 August 1983?

    N a. 1231
    N b. 1249
    N c. 1340
    Y d. 1445

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

11703: What is the true heading to steer inbound in York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 9.8 knots, the current is 220°T at 1.2 knots, and a northeasterly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 319°T
    N b. 315°T
    N c. 301°T
    N d. 298°T

11801: What course should you steer by standard magnetic compass (psc) between Horton Pt. Light and Falkner Island Light, if the set and drift of the current are 040°T at 0.9 knot, and a westerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.

    Y a. 314.0°psc
    N b. 319.0°psc
    N c. 324.5°psc
    N d. 328.5°psc

12611: You are on course 262° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Saybrook Breakwater Light - 338.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 107.5°psc Horton Point Light - 240.0°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°16.7'N
    Y b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°17.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 72°17.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°17.3'W

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

13009: Your 1830 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making turns for 9 knots. What is your ETA at Mattituck Inlet?

    Y a. 2044
    N b. 2052
    N c. 2059
    N d. 2106

13706: What is the horizontal clearance of the navigation opening of Trestle B of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel?

    N a. 21 feet
    Y b. 70 feet
    N c. 75 feet
    N d. 300 feet

14201: The draw of the Burlington Northern railroad bridge across the Columbia River at mile 328.0 shall be opened on signal, without prior notice, from __________.

    N a. 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
    N b. 6:00 pm to 6:00 am
    N c. 8:00 pm to 4:00 am
    Y d. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

15007: What course should you steer using the standard magnetic compass (psc) to make good the course of 192°pgc?

    N a. 188°psc
    N b. 195°psc
    Y c. 203°psc
    N d. 205°psc

15256: At 0700, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 143°pgc at 1.8 miles. What is your 0700 position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°06.7'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°07.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°06.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.9'W

15759: You calculate that the current will be flooding at the Race at 0700. You should expect to be set in which general direction at the Race?

    Y a. West
    N b. East
    N c. Northeast
    N d. Southwest

15965: If the visibility is 5 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 4.8 miles
    N d. 5.0 miles

15967: At 1925, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:
York Spit Light - 3.4 miles away;
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.1 miles away;
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.7 miles away. Your longitude is __________.

    Y a. 76°16.6'W
    N b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'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

16415: You can follow what loran reading between your two positions?

    N a. There is no loran reading to follow.
    N b. 9960-Y-43958
    N c. 9960-W-14655
    Y d. 9960-X-25982