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.


47: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?


194: At 2100, you alter course to 250°T and reduce speed to 7 knots. You enter the traffic separation scheme on the inbound side. At 2200, your fix shows you crossing a broken purple line on the chart, and you observe North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy "NCD" to port. This area is __________.


263: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the range markers in line directly over the stern. Your heading at the time is 155.5° per gyrocompass. What is the gyro error?


301: You depart LAT 28°55.0'N, LONG 89°10.0'W, enroute to LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 418 miles, 122°T
    Y b. 427 miles, 129°T
    N c. 436 miles, 133°T
    N d. 442 miles, 122°T

382: You arrive at Cape Charles City at 1700 and depart at 1800. You are underway in Chesapeake Bay and encounter heavy fog. At 1830, you obtain the following radar information:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 041.5° true @ 1.9 nm

What is your 1830 position?

    N a. LAT 37°10.3'N, LONG 76°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°10.3'N, LONG 76°06.5'W
    N c. LAT 37°12.3'N, LONG 76°06.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°12.3'N, LONG 76°04.4'W

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

434: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the outer range markers in line directly ahead. Your heading at this time is 347°psc. What is your compass deviation by observation?

    N a. 4.5°West
    N b. 3.5°West
    N c. 3.0°East
    Y d. 0.5°East

459: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 25°47.0'N, LONG 79°59.5'W to LAT 38°42.0'N, LONG 09°10.5'W.

    N a. 3341.0 miles, 063°T
    N b. 3347.0 miles, 063°T
    N c. 3427.8 miles, 061°T
    Y d. 3588.6 miles, 059°T

533: You depart LAT 38°14'N, LONG 12°42'W, for LAT 38°14'N, LONG 46°09'W. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    N a. 090°T, 1576.5 miles
    N b. 090°T, 2879.0 miles
    Y c. 270°T, 1576.5 miles
    N d. 270°T, 2868.5 miles

566: Your cargo vessel is berthed near Lamberts Point in Norfolk. You are on a voyage to Baltimore, Maryland. Which larger scale chart should you use to show the area from Lamberts Point to Hampton Roads?

    N a. 12224
    N b. 12241
    Y c. 12245
    N d. 12256

599: Which town is located at mile 663.5 AHP?

    Y a. Helena
    N b. Friers Point
    N c. St. Francis
    N d. Rodney

603: At 0915 zone time, on 7 November , you depart Seattle, LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'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 18.5 knots. The distance is 4,527 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Kobe?

    N a. 1257, 17 November
    Y b. 0657, 18 November
    N c. 1857, 18 November
    N d. 0657, 19 November

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.

686: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    Y a. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N b. 535.9 - 534.3 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB

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

1216: It is 8 March and you are keeping zone time -3. You are on course 104°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 25°35.0'S, LONG 66°34.0'E. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    Y a. 10h 41m 26s
    N b. 11h 15m 34s
    N c. 11h 17m 32s
    N d. 11h 36m 54s

1259: On 10 April , your 1630 ZT DR position is LAT 21°03.0'N, LONG 63°11.0'W. You are on course 324°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1805
    N b. 1814
    N c. 1818
    Y d. 1833

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

1489: On 23 July , your 2100 ZT position is LAT 36°43.0'N, LONG 16°09.8'W, when you observed an azimuth of Polaris to determine the compass error. Polaris bears 359.0° per gyrocompass. At the time of the observation, the helmsman noted that he was heading 319.0° per gyrocompass and 331.0° per standard compass. Variation is 12.0°W. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro error is 0.7°E.
    N b. The gyro error is 1.7°W.
    Y c. The deviation is 1.7°E.
    N d. The compass error is 13.7°W

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

1685: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

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

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

1958: Which daymark would you see as you approach Red Store Light (mile 269.5 AHP)?

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

2006: On 8 November , your 1731 zone time DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 137°25.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Alphecca, Fomalhaut, Schedar
    N b. Antares, Rasalhague, Altair
    N c. Sirius, Hamal, Dubhe
    N d. Peacock, Ankaa, Al Na'ir

2122: At 1538 ZT, on 15 October , in DR LAT position LAT 18° 12.8' S, LONG 160° 48.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 276.2°psc. Variation is 10° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 3.6°E
    Y d. 3.6°W

2242: At 1620 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 050° 28.4' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon and bears 110.2° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.2°E
    N d. 1.2°W

2275: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°00.7' on 10 January . The index error is 2.6' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 24°07.4'
    N b. 24°08.9'
    Y c. 24°10.2'
    N d. 24°11.8'

2424: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a brown broken-lined rectangular shaped area along the bank. This indicates __________.

    N a. weirs
    N b. a revetment
    Y c. a fleeting area
    N d. utility crossing

2781: Your engine speed is 9.8 mph and you estimate the current at 1.6 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 8.6 mph
    Y d. 8.2 mph

2875: Your vessel is on a course of 316°T at 12 knots. At 2326 a light bears 289.5°T, and at 2354 the light bears 271°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0014, 4.8 miles
    N b. 0018, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0022, 5.6 miles
    N d. 0026, 6.4 miles

3093: If the pitch of the propeller is 23.2 feet, and the revolutions per day are 94,910, calculate the day's run allowing 11% negative slip.

    N a. 322.3 miles
    N b. 362.3 miles
    N c. 382.0 miles
    Y d. 402.0 miles

3095: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 126,214, calculate the day's run allowing 4% positive slip.

    Y a. 424.5 miles
    N b. 442.1 miles
    N c. 459.9 miles
    N d. 477.3 miles

3102: You are turning 88 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of 0%. What is the speed of advance?

    Y a. 16.5 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 18.1 knots

3301: You have steamed 217 miles and consumed 23.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 362 miles?

    N a. 33.8 tons
    Y b. 38.4 tons
    N c. 42.6 tons
    N d. 45.7 tons

3625: Your vessel is steering course 111°psc, variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the northwest, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 108°T
    N b. 110°T
    N c. 112°T
    Y d. 114°T

10608: At 1825 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1910 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 233°T at 2.9 knots
    N b. 227°T at 2.5 knots
    Y c. 054°T at 2.8 knots
    N d. 051°T at 2.1 knots

11300: At 1256 your GPS position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. At 1336 your position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. What was the speed made good between the fixes?

    N a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    Y c. 16.0 knots
    N d. 18.6 knots

11506: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with Light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1238 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good?

    Y a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 8.6 knots
    N c. 8.9 knots
    N d. 9.2 knots

11805: What is the true course to steer between Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground Light) and New Haven Light, if the set and drift of the current are 048°T at 2 knots, and a southeasterly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.

    N a. 032°T
    Y b. 037°T
    N c. 039°T
    N d. 041°T

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

12907: At 0914 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA at North Chesapeake Entrance Buoy NCA if you are making good 10.9 knots (Use the buoyed channel and appropriate sea lane)?

    Y a. 1038
    N b. 1044
    N c. 1049
    N d. 1055

13909: The irregular black line around a charted light such as Race Rock Light indicates that it is __________.

    N a. unwatched
    Y b. surrounded by riprap
    N c. a minor light
    N d. constructed on an artificial island

14401: You are underway and steaming in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. Your vessel is positioned in the middle half of Cape Horn Channel and is abeam of Cape Horn Light. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 0 feet?

    N a. 16 feet
    N b. 18 feet
    Y c. 22 feet
    N d. 24 feet

15107: 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 __________.

    Y a. north northwest
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    N d. east

15619: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck?

    N a. 4.3 miles
    N b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 2.6 miles
    Y d. 1.7 miles

15638: At 2009 you are leaving New London Harbor with buoy "2"
close abeam to port. What is the true course to the Race that will leave Race Rock Light 0.5 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 156°
    N b. 160°
    Y c. 164°
    N d. 168°

15645: You round Montauk Point and steer to make good 206°T. Speed is increased to 13.0 knots. The current, if any, is unknown. The visibility has improved and is estimated to be 5 miles. At 2144 Montauk Point Light bears 273°T. At 2202 the same light bears 320°T. Which statement concerning your 2202 running fix is TRUE?

    N a. You are inside the lobster pot area.
    Y b. The fathometer reads about 12 fathoms.
    N c. You are inside of the 90 foot curve.
    N d. You are outside the boundary of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone.

15667: At 0815, you change course to 079°T. To compensate for a southerly wind, you estimate a 3° leeway is necessary. Which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 079°T?

    N a. 090°psc
    N b. 093°psc
    N c. 095°psc
    Y d. 099°psc

16215: The wind is southerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway, what is the course to steer from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"?

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 081°pgc
    N c. 085°pgc
    Y d. 087°pgc

16517: At 0815, you change course to 079°T and head for the entrance of Great Salt Pond on Block Island. To compensate for a northerly wind, you estimate a 5° leeway is necessary. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good 079°T?

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 074°pgc
    Y d. 071°pgc

16642: Based on your 0500 fix, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are seaward of the 120 fathom curve.
    N b. The course made good between 0445 and 0500 was 345°T.
    Y c. You should alter course to port to clear Southwest Ledge Shoal.
    N d. A radar contact bearing 020°T at 4.8 miles is buoy "2A".