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.


87: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April 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 continue to turn for 10 mph?


201: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 280訊?


233: At 0725, you are heading 054訊, and Stratford Point Light is abeam to port at 3.1 miles. The current is 135訊 at 1.8 knots. If you make turns for an engine speed of 8 knots, which course must you steer to make good 048訊?


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

412: A vessel steams 1650 miles on course 077訊 from LAT 12�47'N, LONG 45�10'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 18�54'N, LONG 72�58'E
    Y b. LAT 18�58'N, LONG 72�52'E
    N c. LAT 19�02'N, LONG 72�44'E
    N d. LAT 19�06'N, LONG 72�36'E

481: The great circle distance from LAT 25�50'N, LONG 77�00'W to LAT 35�56'N, LONG 06�15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7訊. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 37�32.2'N
    Y b. 37�34.9'N
    N c. 37�41.6'N
    N d. 37�45.2'N

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訊, 1576.5 miles
    N b. 090訊, 2879.0 miles
    Y c. 270訊, 1576.5 miles
    N d. 270訊, 2868.5 miles

544: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3� of leeway?

    N a. 262郡gc
    N b. 258郡gc
    N c. 256郡gc
    Y d. 252郡gc

1005: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 20�41'N, LONG 63�32'W. You are on course 106訊, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61�54.6' N 19�37.6' 88�39.7'
1210 63�24.6' N 19�37.7' 88�59.2'

    Y a. LAT 20�32.6'N, LONG 62�57.5'W
    N b. LAT 20�30.1'N, LONG 63�01.9'W
    N c. LAT 20�27.6'N, LONG 62�52.4'W
    N d. LAT 20�25.2'N, LONG 62�56.9'W

1149: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    Y b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    N d. Red-and-green banded square

1209: It is 22 October and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 083訊, speed 24 knots. Your 0820 DR position is LAT 26�10.0'N, LONG 52�20.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 10h 04m 36s
    N b. 10h 04m 53s
    N c. 11h 04m 37s
    Y d. 11h 08m 54s

1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour?

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf

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

1417: What is the distance from Baton Rouge, LA, to Hickman, KY, on the Mississippi River System?

    N a. 117 miles
    N b. 433 miles
    N c. 656 miles
    Y d. 692 miles

1490: On 11 January , your 0450 ZT position is LAT 38�42'N, LONG 14�16'W. You observe Polaris bearing 358.5郡gc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 160郡gc and 173郡sc. The variation is 9訖. What is the deviation for that heading?

    N a. 1蚩
    N b. 1訖
    Y c. 3訖
    N d. 13訖

1536: 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 __________.

    N a. lock
    N b. warning sign
    Y c. river gage
    N d. mooring buoy

1673: On 17 April , your vessel's position is LAT 21�00'S, LONG 78�30'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 082.7� per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 2.0訖. The chronometer reads 10h 59m 24s and is 01m 24s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.0訖
    N b. 3.0訖
    N c. 2.5蚩
    N d. 3.0蚩

1705: What is the mile point of the Rosedale, MS Gage?

    N a. 554.2 AHP
    Y b. 592.2 AHP
    N c. 632.5 AHP
    N d. 663.0 AHP

1723: You will pass the first gage at __________.

    N a. Profit Island
    N b. Bayou Sara
    N c. Baton Rouge
    Y d. Red River Landing

1735: 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?

    Y a. 60.4 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1838: What is the distance from Baton Rouge, LA, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System?

    N a. 1038 miles
    Y b. 916 miles
    N c. 690 miles
    N d. 352 miles

1893: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26�35.6'N, LONG 22�16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 104訊 at an observed altitude (Ho) of 9�55.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Hamal
    Y b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar

1923: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25�10.0'N, LONG 66�48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077訊 at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67�04.4'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel

2090: At your current speed of 17 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 miles. You must travel 622 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    Y a. 12.1
    N b. 13.3
    N c. 14.5
    N d. 15.7

2155: On 17 May , at 0501 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 22�16.0'S, LONG 103�46.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 24.0 knots on a course of 301訊. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0845 zone time. The chronometer reads 03h 43m 32s, and the sextant altitude is 28�24.7'. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 02s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 85.5 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 051.0訊
    Y b. 052.5訊
    N c. 054.2訊
    N d. 055.7訊

2171: On 8 August , at 0545 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 26�16.0'
S, LONG 94�16.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 20.0 knots on a course of 346訊. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0905 ZT. The chronometer reads 03h 02m 52s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 38�07.5'. The index error is 5.2' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 2m 17s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 72 feet (22.0 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 38�19.4', 048.4訊
    N b. 38�19.4', 131.6訊
    N c. 38�54.9', 048.4訊
    N d. 38�54.9', 131.6訊

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蚩
    N b. 2.0訖
    Y c. 1.2蚩
    N d. 1.2訖

2582: From your 1750 GPS position at LAT 41�15.6'N, LONG 072�11.5'W, you plot a course of 255訊 at 8.5 kts. At what time would you see Falkner Island Light, if visibility is 10 miles?

    N a. 1819
    Y b. 1850
    N c. 1910
    N d. 1917

2889: While underway you sight a light 11� on your port bow at a distance of 12 miles. Assuming you make good your course, what will be your distance off the light when abeam?

    Y a. 2.3 miles
    N b. 3.1 miles
    N c. 3.9 miles
    N d. 4.5 miles

3071: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 20.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 3% negative slip?

    N a. 74
    N b. 79
    Y c. 86
    N d. 98

3292: Your vessel consumes 215 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 18.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 14.0 knots?

    N a. 67 bbls
    Y b. 101 bbls
    N c. 130 bbls
    N d. 167 bbls

3623: Your vessel is steering course 166郡sc, variation for the area is 8訖, and deviation is 3訖. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2� leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 153訊
    N b. 157訊
    N c. 175訊
    N d. 179訊

3766: Your vessel is proceeding down 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 229訊, and variation is 6訖. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 232� per standard magnetic compass, what is the deviation?

    Y a. 3蚩
    N b. 9蚩
    N c. 3訖
    N d. 9訖

4004: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2訖. The variation is 8訖. 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訖
    Y b. 1.5訖
    N c. 1.0訖
    N d. 0.5訖

10901: The area around Cape Charles is _______________ .

    Y a. low and bare, but the land back of it is high and wooded
    N b. composed of low to medium rolling hills
    N c. well defined with rocky outcroppings
    N d. marked by high, barren hills

11002: What was the height of the high water at Saybrook Jetty on the afternoon of 18 February 1983?

    N a. 1.4 ft.
    N b. 2.0 ft.
    N c. 2.4 ft.
    Y d. 2.9 ft.

11709: Your position is LAT 37�00.0'N, LONG 75�30.0'W. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to arrive at LAT 36�59.0'N, LONG 75�48.5'W, if you are making 7.8 knots, the current is 239訊 at 1.3 knots, and a southeasterly wind is causing 3� of leeway?

    N a. 271郡sc
    N b. 274郡sc
    Y c. 278郡sc
    N d. 282郡sc

12306: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41�18.2'N, LONG 71�56.0'W) bearing 093� per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 185� per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. The compass error is 2訖.
    N b. The deviation is 17訖.
    N c. The deviation is 2訖 for all bearings of 093�.
    Y d. The deviation table is correct for that heading.

12604: You are on course 082� per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5郡sc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0郡sc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5郡sc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41�02.3'N, LONG 72�04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41�09.5'N, LONG 72�07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41�13.6'N, LONG 72�07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41�14.1'N, LONG 72�12.8'W

13708: A note on the chart indicates that currents in excess of how many knots can be expected in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel?

    Y a. 3.00 knots
    N b. 2.20 knots
    N c. 1.75 knots
    N d. 1.50 knots

15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36�57.5'N, LONG 76�02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel?

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)

15540: At 2200 Middle Ground Light is bearing 270� true at 9 nm

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The current is flooding.
    Y b. You are being set to the left of the track.
    N c. The set is towards the southwest.
    N d. The drift is 0.6 knot.

15606: Your 1600 position is LAT 37�22.5'N, LONG 75�32.3'W. The depth of water under the keel is about __________.

    Y a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)

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

15623: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0122, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current?

    Y a. 1.4 MPH
    N b. 1.8 MPH
    N c. 2.7 MPH
    N d. 6.2 MPH

16240: The speed that you can expect to make good, while steering to make good your desired course, is __________.

    N a. 13.5 knots
    Y b. 14.3 knots
    N c. 15.1 knots
    N d. 15.9 knots

16457: The coast between Great Machipongo Inlet and Cape Charles is __________.

    N a. broken by the mouths of several major rivers
    Y b. low, with sandy beaches bordered by marsh and woodlands
    N c. marked by prominent, isolated, barren hills
    N d. composed of high, rocky bluffs and wooded uplands

16519: As you head toward Great Salt Pond, visibility is unlimited. At what time will you lose sight of Montauk Pt.
Light?

    N a. 0905
    N b. 0928
    N c. 0950
    Y d. It will remain visible to Great Salt Pond.

16640: At 0445 you take the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 292郡gc
Block Island Southeast Point Light 024郡gc

What was the current encountered since your 0400 fix?

    N a. 004�, 0.7 knot
    Y b. 004�, 0.9 knot
    N c. 184�, 0.7 knot
    N d. 184�, 0.9 knot