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.

36: 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?
151: What is the distance from the Memphis Gage to the Redneb Services Dock in New Orleans, LA.
198: While navigating inbound Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________.
220: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Chesapeake Light bearing 175°pgc
Cape Henry Light bearing 239°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 293°pgc

Your 1800 position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 37°02.7'N,  LONG 75°42.7'W
    Y b. LAT 37°02.9'N,  LONG 75°43.1'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N,  LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N,  LONG 75°42.8'W
274: At what approximate distance would you expect Bartlett Reef Light to break the horizon, if the visibility is 27 nautical miles? 

    Y a. 12.8 nm
    N b. 12.0 nm
    N c. 6.9 nm
    N d. 5.9 nm
278: The National Weather Service provides 24 hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area on which frequency? 

    Y a. 162.55 MHz
    N b. 162.85 MHz
    N c. 181.15 MHz
    N d. 202.35 MHz
454: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 26°00.0'S, LONG 56°00.0'W to LAT 34°00.0'S, LONG 18°15.0'E. 

    N a. 3705 miles, 153°T
    N b. 3841 miles, 068°T
    N c. 3849 miles, 248°T
    Y d. 3805 miles, 117°T
517: At 0520, you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 032°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 308°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix? 

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.4'W
1136: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    Y a. 555.0-549.7 RDB
    N b. 549.0-548.5 RDB
    N c. 556.9-554.9 LDB
    N d. 548.5-546.5 LDB
1197: On 16 November , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1135
    Y b. 1139
    N c. 1143
    N d. 1146
1679: On 13 October , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 27°36'S, LONG 136°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 266° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 2°W. The chronometer reads 08h 24m 19s and is 01m 43s fast. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 2.3°E
    Y b. 2.8°W
    N c. 4.8°E
    N d. 6.8°W
1704: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    N b. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    Y c. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.
1733: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    Y c. 45 feet x 500 feet
    N d. 30 feet x 500 feet
1736: What are the color and shape of Joseph Henry Daymark at mile 445.2 AHP? 

    N a. Red - Triangle
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Green - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diaomond
1783: At 2048 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 44°02.8'S, LONG 146°58.3'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 222.2°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.1°E
    Y c. 1.0°W
    N d. 1.5°W
1897: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 249°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 52°50.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    Y d. Altair
2003: On 20 June , your 1742 zone time DR position is LAT 24°55.0'S, LONG 8°19.6'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which three stars are best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Regulus, Canopus, Antares
    N b. Spica, Arcturus, Alioth
    N c. Arcturus, Achernar, Pollux
    N d. Avior, Sabik, Fomalhaut
2004: On 28 February , your 1850 zone time DR position is LAT 27°49.0'N, LONG 159°24.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Rigel, Schedar, Regulus
    N b. Sirius, Mirfak, Elnath
    N c. Hamal, Alkaid, Canopus
    N d. Bellatrix, Vega, Regulus
2532: At 0715, on March 9, you pass Knox Landing GagE C313.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you increase speed to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0640, 11 March
    N b. 0554, 12 March
    Y c. 0943, 13 March
    N d. 1242, 13 March
2577: On 23 July, you take a time tick using the 0900 GMT Cape Town broadcast. You hear a repeating series of 59 dots followed by a dash. At the beginning of the fifth dash you start your stopwatch. The chronometer reads 08h 39m 16s at the time the stopwatch reads 01m 42s. The chronometer error at 0900 GMT, 22 July, was 22m 24s slow. What is the chronometer rate? 

    Y a. 00m 02s losing
    N b. 01m 02s gaining
    N c. 22m 24s losing
    N d. 22m 26s slow
2673: At 2221 your course is 222°pgc at a speed of 11.2 knots, when radar detects a buoy bearing 355° relative, at a range of 5.8 miles. The gyro error is 2°E. If you change course at 2226, what course should you steer to leave the buoy 1.0 mile abeam to port? 

    N a. 206°pgc
    N b. 210°pgc
    Y c. 228°pgc
    N d. 231°pgc
2898: You are steaming on a course of 267°T at 22 knots. At 0433 you observe a lighthouse bearing 290°T. At 0452 the lighthouse bears 328°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    Y a. 4.5 nm
    N b. 5.9 nm
    N c. 6.6 nm
    N d. 7.2 nm
3050: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 23.7 feet and a pitch of 24.8 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 442 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 89? 

    N a. -7.6%
    N b. +7.6%
    N c. -11.8%
    Y d. +11.8%
3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip. 

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles
3090: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 87,421, calculate the day's run allowing 7% negative slip. 

    N a. 351.7 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    Y c. 404.6 miles
    N d. 419.3 miles
3250: You are taking a time tick using the 1200 signal from Valparaiso, Chile. You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 12h 00m 18s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 12h 01m 23s, and the chronometer reads 11h 59m 35s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 18s fast
    N b. 1m 05s fast
    N c. 0m 25s slow
    Y d. 1m 30s slow
3462: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the course made good? 

    N a. 156°T
    N b. 160°T
    Y c. 164°T
    N d. 169°T
3643: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a northerly wind produces 1° leeway? 

    N a. 084°T
    Y b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T
3643: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a northerly wind produces 1° leeway? 

    N a. 084°T
    Y b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T
3651: The true course between two points is 337°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3°E and you make an allowance of 5° leeway for a west wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 329°pgc
    N b. 335°pgc
    N c. 339°pgc
    N d. 345°pgc
6844: At 1010 your vessel passes close abeam to Buoy "NCB" in the inbound traffic lane. At this time the Chesapeake Bay Pilot informs you that he will not board your vessel until 1100. The pilot boat is located 1.5 miles northeast of Cape Henry Light. What should you reduce your speed to in order to arrive at the pilot boat at this time? 

    N a. 5.9 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.2 knots
    N d. 9.8 knots
12908: At 0919 you are inbound, approximately 3.3 miles east of Cape Henry with buoy "15" close aboard to port. What is your ETA between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you are making 11.3 knots? 

    N a. 1010
    Y b. 1014
    N c. 1019
    N d. 1025
14205: You are off the coast of Mexico and are taking a time tick for 1600. At approximately 1554, you hear the preparatory signal "VVVV de XDD" from the time signal station. Then you hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period and then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 03h 59m 56s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 04h 01m 22s, and the chronometer reads 04h 02m 11s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 04s slow
    N b. 2m 15s slow
    Y c. 0m 45s fast
    N d. 1m 26s fast
15019: 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? 

    N a. 280°
    N b. 332°
    Y c. 014°
    N d. 017°
15156: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water is about __________. 

    N a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)
15208: At 1750, your position is LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°22.9'W. What was the course made good between 1730 and 1750? 

    N a. 072°T
    N b. 075°T
    Y c. 078°T
    N d. 080°T
15213: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water? 

    Y a. 53 feet (15.5 meters)
    N b. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
15411: From your 1830 fix, you continue south on a course of 150°T turning RPMs for 6 knots. You encounter a flood current in the direction of 330°T at 2 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer to make good a course of 150°T while turning RPMs for 6 knots? 

    N a. 144°T
    Y b. 150°T
    N c. 158°T
    N d. 162°T
15446: You are abeam of buoy "18" at 2325. What is your ETA at Baltimore if you average 9.5 knots? 

    N a. 1342
    Y b. 1400
    N c. 1424
    N d. 1456
15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix? 

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W
15569: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________. 

    N a. marked by waterfalls from the highland ponds
    N b. low and marshy
    Y c. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N d. heavily forested
15742: At 2100 your position is LAT 40°58.5'N, LONG 71°46.0'W. You are proceeding north. At 2131 Montauk Point Light has a radar range of 5.1 miles and bears 284°T. Block Island Southeast Light has a radar range of 10.8 miles. What was the course made good from your 2100 position? 

    N a. 005°T
    Y b. 011°T
    N c. 017°T
    N d. 025°T
15869: After you raise Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light, how will the bearings change if you pass to the north of the light? 

    Y a. The bearings will change to the left.
    N b. The bearings will remain steady.
    N c. The bearings will change to the right.
    N d. Magnetic compass bearings will change to the left and gyro compass bearings will change to the right.
16039: From your 0820 position you change course to your rendezvous position, one mile due south of buoy "NH", speed 14.5 knots. You estimate the current to be 260°T at 0.5 knot. The wind is northwesterly at 20 knots and you estimate 2° leeway. What is your course per gyrocompass (pgc) to the rendezvous position, if you correct your heading for current and leeway? 

    N a. 039°
    N b. 041°
    N c. 043°
    Y d. 045°
16117: What is the distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, N.C.
(LAT 34°14.0'N, LONG 77°57.0'W)? 

    Y a. 339 miles
    N b. 363 miles
    N c. 402 miles
    N d. 486 miles
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
16219: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are within 3 nautical miles of the coast.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    Y c. The fix is indeterminate.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
16243: At 2207 Cape Charles Light bears 276°T, Chesapeake Light bears 194°T, and Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bears 312°T and is 2.0 miles off. What were the set and drift of the current acting on your vessel from 2129 to 2207? 

    N a. 258°T at 2.4 knots
    N b. 258°T at 1.5 knots
    N c. 078°T at 1.5 knots
    Y d. 078°T at 2.4 knots
16419: You estimate the current to be 160°T at 1.2 knots. What should your course and speed be in order to make good 000°
T at 10 knots? 

    Y a. 358°T at 11.1 knots
    N b. 358°T at 09.8 knots
    N c. 002°T at 11.2 knots
    N d. 002°T at 09.9 knots
16510: At 0728, Race Rock Light is bearing 282°T at 3.8 miles,
and the closest point on Fishers Island is at a radar range of 2.0 miles. What speed have you been making since you changed course at 0705? 

    N a. 9.2 knots
    Y b. 9.8 knots
    N c. 10.6 knots
    N d. 11.4 knots
16843: At what time will you enter the inbound traffic lane with Buoy "NCA" (LL #375) bearing 180°T at 0.3 mile? 

    N a. 1003
    Y b. 0957
    N c. 0951
    N d. 0948