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.


37: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?


94: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area in Cairo and add five loaded barges to your tow. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 0.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo?


121: As you approach Casting Yard Dock Lt. (mile 265.4 AHP) you notice on the map a circle with 2 black sectors. This symbol indicates a __________.


378: A vessel at LAT 37°24.0'N, LONG 178°15.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 34°18.0'N, LONG 178°25.0°E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 041°T, 273.9 miles
    N b. 047°T, 273.9 miles
    Y c. 221°T, 247.2 miles
    N d. 227°T, 247.2 miles

391: A vessel at LAT 40°42.0'N, LONG 74°01.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 14°41.0'N, LONG 17°26.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 123°T, 3066.5 miles
    N b. 123°T, 3065.6 miles
    N c. 118°T, 3066.5 miles
    Y d. 118°T, 3365.0 miles

411: A vessel steams 3312 miles on course 282°T from LAT 34°24'S, LONG 18°18'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 22°39'S, LONG 43°17'W
    N b. LAT 22°42'S, LONG 43°14'W
    N c. LAT 22°47'S, LONG 43°10'W
    Y d. LAT 22°55'S, LONG 43°05'W

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

438: You estimate that you are making 9.3 knots over the ground. At what time will you enter waters governed by the COLREGS?

    N a. 0258
    N b. 0255
    Y c. 0251
    N d. 0247

500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°

523: At what time will you cross the 60 foot curve if you make good 12 knots?

    N a. 0544
    N b. 0541
    N c. 0534
    Y d. 0528

652: On a voyage via the southern tip of Nova Scotia (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 65°35'W) you wish to sail the shortest route to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 8°24'W). Which of the following will require you to plot a composite sailing? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

    N a. Shoals extending 15 miles from Sable Island
    N b. Sea ice reported 68 miles ESE of St. John's, Newfoundland
    Y c. Icebergs reported extending west to west-northwest from LAT 47°00'N, LONG 35°00'W
    N d. Naval exercises using live ammunition being conducted within a 150 mile radius of LAT 49°00'N, LONG 20°00'W

976: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time position was LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 162°19.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 289°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0945 ZT. The chronometer read 08h 43m 11s and was slow 01m 51s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°21.1'. Local Apparent Noon (LAN) occurred at 1138 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    Y a. 163°38.8'W
    N b. 163°34.0'W
    N c. 163°30.2'W
    N d. 163°26.0'W

1096: On 24 October , your 0100 DR position is LAT 27°42'N, LONG 158°35'E. You are on course 085°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0700 running fix. NP-0026

    N a. LAT 27°48.8'N, LONG 160°12.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°52.5'N, LONG 160°18.2'E
    Y c. LAT 27°56.0'N, LONG 159°47.3'E
    N d. LAT 27°58.4'N, LONG 159°43.5'E

1129: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

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

1249: What is the white/black within a circle symbol found at mile 592.1 AHP?

    N a. Terrence Landing Light
    N b. Daymark
    Y c. River Gage
    N d. Information Board

1468: On 17 April , your 1516 zone time DR position is LAT 27°24.0'N, LONG 115°24.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 247°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 16m 26s, and the chronometer error is 00m 32s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 4.5°W
    Y b. 5.4°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 6.2°W

1478: On 12 June , at 0919 zone time, your position is LAT 26°52'N, LONG 84°34'W. The chronometer reads 03h 17m 00s. Chronometer error is 01m 40s slow. At that time, an azimuth of the Sun is obtained. The bearing is 089.5° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 4.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 9.5°E
    N b. 9.5°W
    N c. 5.2°E
    Y d. 5.2°W

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

1652: On 16 April , in DR position LAT 28°07.0'N, LONG 81°47.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 073.5°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 53m 41s and is 02m 23s slow. Variation in the area is 11°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 4.5°E
    N b. 4.9°W
    N c. 6.1°E
    Y d. 6.5°W

1703: At 1218, on 16 March, you are passing the Vicksburg Gage (mile 437.0 AHP). What has been the average current since 0630, 15 March, if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph?

    N a. 0.2 mph
    N b. 0.5 mph
    N c. 0.8 mph
    Y d. 1.2 mph

1747: As you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge, you estimate the current as 3.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 9 mph?

    N a. 14.5 mph
    N b. 13.5 mph
    Y c. 12.5 mph
    N d. 11.5 mph

1772: What is your ETA at the Fulton Gage?

    N a. 1405, 12 Sept
    N b. 1052, 12 Sept
    N c. 0828, 12 Sept
    Y d. 0204, 12 Sept

1899: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 116°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 11°27.8'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Markab
    Y b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

2050: 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

2212: At 1650 you decrease speed to make good 7.1 mph. At 2020 you are __________.

    Y a. abeam of Old River Control Structure Light
    N b. entering the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
    N c. at Palmetto Point
    N d. at Latitude 31°10'N

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'

2442: Anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Office of Commander 2nd Coast Guard District
    Y b. District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, VA
    N c. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N d. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA

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

2852: Your vessel is on a course of 129°T at 13 knots. At 1937 a light bears 151.5°T. At 2003 the light bears 174°T. At which time and distance off will your vessel be when abeam of this light?

    N a. 2016, 2.8 miles
    N b. 2016, 3.9 miles
    Y c. 2021, 3.9 miles
    N d. 2021, 2.8 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

3077: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 23.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 20.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 7% negative slip?

    Y a. 108
    N b. 112
    N c. 116
    N d. 124

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

3283: While steaming at 17.5 knots, your vessel consumes 378 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 194 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.5 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3465: You are underway on course 000°T at 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the course being made good?

    Y a. 007°T
    N b. 009°T
    N c. 021°T
    N d. 353°T

3620: Your vessel is steering course 197°psc, variation for the area is 7°E, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the west, producing a 2° leeway. Which true course are you making good?

    N a. 192°T
    N b. 196°T
    Y c. 198°T
    N d. 202°T

3652: The true course between two points is 023°T. Your gyrocompass has an error of 1°W and you make an allowance of 4° leeway for an east wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 020°pgc
    N b. 021°pgc
    N c. 026°pgc
    Y d. 028°pgc

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.

11013: What will be the height of the tide at Horton Pt., New York, on 16 June 1983, at 1845 DST (ZD +4)?

    N a. 0.2 foot
    Y b. 2.7 feet
    N c. 4.1 feet
    N d. 5.5 feet

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

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

12600: You are on course 243° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Falkner Island Light 342°psc Mattituck Inlet Light 207°psc Horton Point Light 112°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°05.9'N, LONG 72°32.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.7'N, LONG 72°31.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°32.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°31.9'W

13309: What type of bottom can be expected at the northern end of York Spit Channel?

    N a. Hard clay
    N b. Fine gray sand
    N c. Soft black mud
    Y d. Mud and sand

13504: A vessel anchoring in the middle of Cherry Harbor, 1 mile off Gardiner's Island, will find what type of bottom?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Shells
    Y c. Mud
    N d. Silt

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

15109: What is the average velocity of the maximum flood current at the Tail of the Horseshoe?

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

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

15206: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. You are steering course 088° per standard magnetic compass (psc) at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light at 1730?

    Y a. 2.6 miles
    N b. 2.8 miles
    N c. 3.0 miles
    N d. 3.2 miles

15720: The red sector of New London Harbor Light covers from __________.

    N a. 040° - 310°
    Y b. 000° - 041°
    N c. 208° - 220°
    N d. 204° - 239°

16138: At 1930 Race Rock Light bears 111°T, and Little Gull Island Light bears 172°T. Which of the following is your position at 1930?

    N a. LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 72°09.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°16.1'N, LONG 72°08.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.3'N, LONG 72°12.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°15.8'N, LONG 72°07.1'W

16443: As you transit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you take a gyro bearing of trestle C when it is in line. The gyro bearing was 050°. At that time, the helmsman noted that he was heading 139°pgc and 146° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W