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.

35: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?
38: What are the color and shape of Anconia Pt. Light at mile 528.6 AHP?
88: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 58 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 28.13 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge?
279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. south southeast
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    Y d. north northwest
303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W
415: A vessel at LAT 33°45'N, LONG 118°30'W, heads for a destination at LAT 21°15'N, LONG 157°36'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 109.8°T, 2196 miles
    N b. 236.3°T, 2259 miles
    Y c. 250.2°T, 2216 miles
    N d. 289.2°T, 2413 miles
417: A vessel at LAT 21°32'N, LONG 160°30'W, heads for a destination at LAT 30°00'N, LONG 150°00'E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 273°T, 2645 miles
    N b. 273°T, 2692 miles
    Y c. 281°T, 2733 miles
    N d. 284°T, 2762 miles
487: At 0700, your gyro alarm sounds. What course should you steer by the standard magnetic compass in order to maintain your original heading of 078°T? 

    Y a. 095°psc
    N b. 090°psc
    N c. 080°psc
    N d. 062°psc
636: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light? 

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark
656: You are planning a voyage by great circle to Reykjavik, Iceland, via Cape Race, Newfoundland, LAT 46°30'N, LONG 53°00'W. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. The track line will be concave to Cape Farewell (Kap Farvel) when plotted on a Mercator chart.
    Y b. You will reach the northernmost latitude in the vicinity of Reykjavik.
    N c. The distance is measured using the length of a degree of latitude at the mid-latitude and mid-longitude position.
    N d. The Northern Hemisphere vertex is in the vicinity of 49°W  longitude.
704: As you approach Giles Bend Cut-off Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green diamond
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond
819: On 27 March , in DR position LAT 32°31.0'N, LONG 76°25.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 23m 32s, and the chronometer error is 01m 30s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 59°59.0'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 52 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 32°21.6'N
    Y b. LAT 32°29.5'N
    N c. LAT 32°37.6'N
    N d. LAT 32°46.2'N
831: On 30 March , in DR position LAT 20°26.2'N, LONG 131°17.9'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's lower limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 36m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 06s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°21.4'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 40 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 20°44.8'N
    Y b. LAT 20°31.9'N
    N c. LAT 20Z°23.7'N
    N d. LAT 20°15.6'N
992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W
1078: On 6 April , your 1830 ZT DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 64°31.0'W. You are on course 082°T at a speed of 16 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0008

    N a. LAT 26°49.5'N, LONG 64°06.5'W
    Y b. LAT 26°32.5'N, LONG 64°27.1'W
    N c. LAT 26°31.2'N, LONG 64°32.1'W
    N d. LAT 26°28.7'N, LONG 64°32.1'W
1125: Where would you find out which buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP)? 

    Y a. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. None of the above
1181: On 4 January , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 25°25.0 S, LONG 16°09.0'W. Your vessel is on course 290°T at a speed of 13.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1157
    N b. 1205
    N c. 1209
    Y d. 1213
1198: On 3 October , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 26°15.0'S, LONG 73°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 280°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1201
    N b. 1158
    N c. 1155
    N d. 1152
1205: On 25 April , your 1130 DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 61°25.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 300°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. Determine the zone time of (LAN) for your vessel. 

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1202
    Y d. 1204
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
1306: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet? 

    N a. 36 feet
    N b. 42 feet
    N c. 48 feet
    Y d. 57 feet
1464: On 17 May , your 1554 zone time DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 65°46.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 269°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 55m 47s, and the chronometer error is 01m 14s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.6°E
    N b. 1.6°W
    N c. 4.6°W
    Y d. 7.6°E
1734: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 10.5 mph? 

    N a. 1905, 19 October
    N b. 0207, 21 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October
1737: At 1227, on 19 October, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 1045 the following day? 

    N a. 5.2 mph
    N b. 5.6 mph
    Y c. 5.9 mph
    N d. 6.3 mph
1867: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 162°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°36.5'. The index error is 0.5'
on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Gamma Virginis
    Y b. Iota Centauri
    N c. Spica
    N d. Mimosa
1870: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 313°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 14°56.3'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Menkalinan
    N b. Mirzam
    N c. Theta Aurigae
    N d. Alnitak
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
1913: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 212°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°42.3'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin
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
2094: At your current speed of 20 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 218 miles. You must travel 395 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    N a. 17.4
    N b. 16.2
    Y c. 14.9
    N d. 13.7
2686: While on a course of 034°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 8.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 035°pgc
    Y b. 043°pgc
    N c. 051°pgc
    N d. 059°pgc
2702: You are underway on course 241°T at a speed of 18.2 knots.
You sight a daymark bearing 241°T at a radar range of 3.9 miles at 1006. If you change course at 1009, what is the course to steer to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile? 

    N a. 218°T
    Y b. 222°T
    N c. 257°T
    N d. 260°T
2780: Which type of daymark will you see as you approach Old Levee Light (mile 385.2 AHP)? 

    N a. Green diamond
    N b. Red square
    Y c. Green square
    N d. Private aid - no daymark
3053: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 19.9 feet and a pitch of 21.6 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 395 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78? 

    Y a. -3.2%
    N b. +3.2%
    N c. -12.0%
    N d. +12.0%
3467: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the speed being made good? 

    Y a. 10.7 knots
    N b. 11.0 knots
    N c. 11.6 knots
    N d. 12.3 knots
3761: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 283°
T, and the variation is 13°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the deviation? 

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 8°E
    Y d. 8°W
11001: What time will high water occur at Saybrook Jetty on the morning of 29 October 1983? 

    N a. 0145
    N b. 0255
    Y c. 0405
    N d. 0920
11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________. 

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales
13000: Your 2108 position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 72°30.0'W. You are turning for 12.5 knots. What is your ETA at Buoy NH (LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°53.8'W)? 

    N a. 2133
    N b. 2227
    Y c. 2235
    N d. 2248
13807: The chart symbol depicted at LAT 40°58.5'N, LONG 72°43.4'W indicates a(n) __________. 

    N a. abandoned lighthouse
    N b. light ship
    N c. wreck with only its mast visible
    Y d. wreck showing a portion of the hull above the sounding datum
13810: Which chart would you use if you planned to continue westward beyond the coverage of this chart? 

    Y a. 12363
    N b. 12373
    N c. 13205
    N d. 13218
14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200? 

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5
15338: At 1705 Race Rock Light bears 099°True; Orient Point Light bears 176°True; Bartlett Reef Light bears 083°True. What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 72°14.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.4'N, LONG 72°16.6'W
    Y c. LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 72°14.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°16.4'N, LONG 72°14.2'W
15362: The south shore of Long Island Sound near your position is __________. 

    N a. marked by gradual shoaling
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. backed by marshes and wooded uplands
    Y d. bluff and rocky
15715: Little Gull Island Light is __________. 

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    Y c. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°
15763: At 0715, you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 324°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 245°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 034°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are to the right of your track line.
    Y b. The charted depth is about 265 feet (80.3 meters).
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
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
15920: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor? 

    N a. 13211
    Y b. 13213
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13272
16339: Based on your 2209 fix, which would be a warning that you are being set down on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS" Buoy? 

    Y a. Decreasing loran readings on 9960-W
    N b. Visual bearings of Montauk Point Lt. changing to the left
    N c. Increasing bearings of Southeast Point Light
    N d. Decreasing soundings
16409: At 0337, fog closes in and you anchor under the following radar ranges and bearing.

South tip of Watch Hill Point 3.0 miles
East point of Fishers Island 1.4 miles
Latimer Reef Light 331°T

What is the approximate depth of water at your anchorage? 

    N a. 83 feet (25.2 meters)
    Y b. 100 feet (30.3 meters)
    N c. 120 feet (36.4 meters)
    N d. 135 feet (40.9 meters)
16439: While you are at anchor, what will serve as a positive warning that you are drifting towards the wrecks located to the NW and SW of your 2215 position? 

    N a. A constant bearing on New Point Comfort Light.
    Y b. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the right
    N c. Increasing soundings
    N d. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the left
16570: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from Providence, RI are on __________. 

    N a. 162.25 MHz
    N b. 162.30 MHz
    Y c. 162.40 MHz
    N d. 162.55 MHz
16709: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________. 

    N a. steep with rocky bluffs
    N b. low and marshy
    Y c. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N d. heavily forested