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.


68: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?


85: You are turning for 10 mph, approaching Angola, LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is estimated at 4.5 mph. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


143: At 1609, on October 5, you are abeam of Star Landing Lt. (mile 707.2 AHP) . You calculate your speed since you departed Sycamore Chute fleeting area. If you are turning for 9.5 mph what was the current?


197: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light?

    Y a. 014°
    N b. 017°
    N c. 280°
    N d. 332°

405: You depart LAT 33°45.0'N, LONG 118°30.0'W, and steam 2216 miles on course 250°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LONG 156°08.0'W
    N b. LONG 156°36.0'W
    N c. LONG 157°21.0'W
    Y d. LONG 157°31.0'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

421: At 0345, you set a course to depart New London Harbor. Assuming no set and drift, which standard magnetic compass course must you steer to stay in the middle of the channel?

    N a. 192°psc
    N b. 190°psc
    Y c. 187°psc
    N d. 175°psc

444: At 1110, you increase speed to 12 knots. What is your ETA at the new position?

    N a. 1220
    Y b. 1215
    N c. 1208
    N d. 1157

468: Determine the great circle initial course from LAT 07°05.0'N, LONG 81°45.0'W to LAT 21°15.0'N, LONG 157°40.0'W.

    N a. 128°T
    N b. 217°T
    Y c. 290°T
    N d. 326°T

497: At 0845, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position?

    N a. 10.5 knots
    N b. 10.0 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    Y d. 8.4 knots

514: The shoreline along Rocky Point should give a good radar return because __________.

    Y a. the shore is bluff and rocky
    N b. of offshore exposed rocks
    N c. submerged reefs cause prominent breakers
    N d. the lookout tower is marked with radar reflectors

536: Determine the distance from LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 04°52.0'E to LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 18°24.0'W by parallel sailing.

    N a. 608.6 miles
    N b. 610.9 miles
    N c. 612.3 miles
    Y d. 614.2 miles

550: You observe the star Antares at a sextant altitude (hs) of 38°18.7' on 28 February . The index error is 2.4' on the arc. The height of eye is 40 feet (12.2 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 38°07.5'
    Y b. 38°09.0'
    N c. 38°10.5'
    N d. 38°12.5'

823: On 15 October , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1146 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'N, LONG 139°52.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 58°30.4'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56.7 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 45m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

    N a. LAT 22°29.1'N
    Y b. LAT 22°35.2'N
    N c. LAT 22°58.1'N
    N d. LAT 23°20.6'N

986: At 0900 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 28°48.0'N, LONG 153°11.5'W. You are steering course 257°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1020 running fix? NP-0001

    N a. 28°43.3'N, 153°32.1'W
    N b. 28°46.4'N, 153°34.6'W
    Y c. 28°49.1'N, 153°37.0'W
    N d. 28°52.8'N, 153°30.6'W

1128: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 miles

1191: On 14 October , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 28°22.0'N, LONG 161°17.0'E. Your vessel is on course 116°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1142
    N b. 1148
    N c. 1152
    Y d. 1156

1286: As you pass under the Vicksburg Bridges, you estimate the current as 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 10.5 mph?

    N a. 16.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 7.5 mph

1343: At 1019, on 10 March, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing River Cement Co. Dock?

    Y a. 7.2 mph
    N b. 6.8 mph
    N c. 6.5 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph

1476: On 16 September , your vessel's 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 27°34'S, LONG 174°49'E, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 38m 11s, and the Sun is bearing 079.8° per gyrocompass. The chronometer error is 01m 46s fast, and the variation in the area is 11.0°W. At the time of the sight, the helmsman reports that he was heading 252°pgc and 258° per magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2°W
    N b. 3°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 8°W

1544: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co.(144.6 AHP)?

    N a. 370 miles
    N b. 384 miles
    N c. 437 miles
    Y d. 454 miles

1757: What town is located at mile 395 AHP?

    Y a. St. Joseph
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    N d. Rodney

1766: What type of daymark will you see as you approach Black Hills Light (mile 337.7 AHP)?

    N a. Private aid - no daymark
    N b. Red square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle

1842: What town is located at mile 389.8 AHP?

    N a. Whitehall
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    Y d. Rodney

1857: On 22 May , your 0437 ZT DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 097°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 48°20.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

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

1886: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 246°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 58°45.5'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix

1888: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 238°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    Y c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix

2025: On 10 October , your 1500 zone time DR position is LAT 27°35.6'S, LONG 44°49.0'W. You are on course 342°T at a speed of 24 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Venus, Moon, Fomalhaut
    N b. Venus, Arcturus, Hamal
    Y c. Moon, Al Na'ir, Rigil Kentaurus
    N d. Deneb, Spica, Markab

2124: If the visibility is 10 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    Y a. 15 miles
    N b. 12 miles
    N c. 10 miles
    N d. 08 miles

2187: At which of the following times would you be able to listen to lower Mississippi River conditions on VHF Channel 22?

    N a. 0900 hours
    N b. 1100 hours
    Y c. 1300 hours
    N d. 1600 hours

2243: At 1444 ZT, on 28 July , in DR position LAT 40° 56.8' N, LONG 167° 12.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 299.3° psc. The variation is 1° E. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 3.1°W
    N b. 3.1°E
    N c. 2.1°W
    N d. 2.1°E

2283: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°58.6' on 16 June . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 23°06.7'
    N b. 23°09.9'
    N c. 23°15.4'
    N d. 23°22.2'

2319: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light?

    N a. 606.8 miles
    N b. 554.0 miles
    Y c. 399.8 miles
    N d. 202.1 miles

2328: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you sight Trestle "B" in line bearing 018°pgc. What is the gyro error by observation?

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

2691: While on a course of 159°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 10.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

    Y a. 159°T
    N b. 163°T
    N c. 167°T
    N d. 171°T

2693: While on a course of 279°T, a light bears 12° on the starboard bow at a distance of 9.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 4 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

    N a. 253°T
    Y b. 265°T
    N c. 291°T
    N d. 305°T

2863: Your vessel is underway on a course of 115°T at 18 knots. At 1850 a lighthouse bears 137.5°T. At 1920, the same lighthouse bears 160°T. What time will the lighthouse pass abeam to starboard?

    N a. 1929
    Y b. 1941
    N c. 1949
    N d. 1955

2912: Your vessel is on a course of 079°T at 11 knots. At 0152 a light bears 105.5°T, and at 0209 the light bears 124°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0219, 2.3 miles
    Y b. 0226, 3.1 miles
    N c. 0233, 3.9 miles
    N d. 0242, 4.7 miles

3255: You have steamed 836 miles at 14.5 knots, and consumed 191 tons of fuel. If you have 310 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 17 knots?

    N a. 842 miles
    Y b. 987 miles
    N c. 1157 miles
    N d. 1865 miles

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

4004: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 166°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324°

    N a. 2.0°W
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    N d. 0.5°W

10706: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 310.5° per standard magnetic compass at 7.6 knots. At 0812 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 72°03.7'W. What is the current?

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    Y c. 334°T at 1.4 knot
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot

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

14402: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. Your vessel is positioned in the right outside quarter of McGowans Channel and is abeam of light No. 88. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads + 15.0 feet?

    N a. 22 feet
    N b. 31 feet
    N c. 43 feet
    Y d. 52 feet

15041: At 0741 you are still steering a course of 206° true, with a speed of 18 knots. At this time you observe Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bearing 222° true and Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bearing 015° true . What were the set and drift experienced since 0725?

    Y a. 259°true at 3.2 knots
    N b. 049°true at 2.5 knots
    N c. 240° true at 1.9 knots
    N d. 042°true at 3.3 knots

15215: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)?

    Y a. 162°psc
    N b. 157°psc
    N c. 152°psc
    N d. 142°psc

15215: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)?

    Y a. 162°psc
    N b. 157°psc
    N c. 152°psc
    N d. 142°psc

15308: From your 0315 position, what time can you expect to reach York Spit Channel Buoys "37" and "38"?

    Y a. 0405
    N b. 0412
    N c. 0417
    N d. 0423

15512: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

What true course did you make good between 1830 and 1850?

    N a. 289°T
    Y b. 294°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 307°T

15516: If you were to head into Fishers Island Sound, which of the following charts would you switch to for better detail of Mystic and Mystic Harbor?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13212
    N c. 13213
    Y d. 13214

15912: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to the position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 064°
    N b. 068°
    Y c. 095°
    N d. 099°

16218: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    N a. 5.4 knots
    N b. 5.8 knots
    N c. 6.7 knots
    Y d. 7.1 knots

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

16559: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How should the buoy which bears 030°T from your position at a range of approximately 0.5 mile be painted?

    N a. Horizontally banded, red over green, with a red buoyancy chamber
    Y b. Horizontally banded, green over red, with a green buoyancy chamber
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid red with green letters "BIS"

16612: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel?

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