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.


56: The Red River Landing Gage reads 5.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane for the Red River is 10.6 ft. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?


211: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43936.0
9960-W-14653.3

What is your 1915 position?


331: You leave York Spit Channel at buoy "14" at 0600 with an engine speed of 12 knots. You receive orders to rendezvous with the tug "Quicksilver" and her tow at Hog Island Bell Buoy "12". What is your ETA at the rendezvous point, if you pass through Chesapeake Channel to buoy "CBJ", through the outbound traffic separation lane to buoy "NCA" (LL#375), and then to the rendezvous point?

    N a. 0935
    Y b. 0910
    N c. 0850
    N d. 0830

375: As you near Little Gull Island, you use your loran to insure that you do not come within 0.5 mile of the island. Which of the following loran readings will act as a danger line and keep you off Little Gull Island by a minimum of 0.5 mile?

    N a. Not less than 9960-W-14735.8
    N b. Not more than 9960-W-14735.9
    Y c. Not less than 9960-Y-43953.5
    N d. Not more than 9960-X-26149.0

655: On a North Pacific voyage, you wish to sail the shortest distance from LAT 46°05'N, LONG 124°00'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E. You do not want to exceed 50°N latitude due to anticipated fog conditions. Which voyage plot meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270)

    N a. A great circle between departure and arrival with Mercator legs north of the Aleutians
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel sailing where the track intersects the 50°N parallel
    Y c. A great circle to 50°N, 153°W, parallel sailing to 50°N, 173°W, then a great circle to arrival
    N d. A great circle from departure to the mid-longitude at 50°N, then another great circle to arrival

847: On 17 December , your 0600 ZT fix gives you a position of LAT 27°16.7'N, LONG 138°39.2'W. Your vessel is on course 137°T, and your speed is 14.8 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1207 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 40°22.1'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 26°09.9'N
    N b. 26°11.6'N
    N c. 26°13.0'N
    Y d. 26°15.4'N

1000: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°30'N, LONG 62°31'W. You are on course 286°T, 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'

    N a. LAT 18°33.6'N, LONG 62°54.3'W
    N b. LAT 18°35.2'N, LONG 62°49.7'W
    N c. LAT 18°38.7'N, LONG 62°59.2'W
    Y d. LAT 18°41.1'N, LONG 62°53.9'W

1093: On 22 Nov. , your vessel is enroute from Accra, Ghana to Montevideo, Uruguay. You are on course 240°T and making a speed of 15.0 knots. Your 1129 DR position is LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°40.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1137 running fix. NP-0023

    Y a. LAT 28°27.0'S, LONG 42°38.0'W
    N b. LAT 28°25.2'S, LONG 42°40.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°23.4'S, LONG 42°42.0'W

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

1141: Which daymark will you see as you approach Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP)?

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

1228: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1273: At 1544 zone time, on 5 October , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 60°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 6.8 knots. What is the zone time of sunset?

    N a. 1728
    N b. 1737
    N c. 1741
    Y d. 1745

1406: Which of the following describes the river at Cypress Bend, mile 569.0 AHP?

    N a. There are revetments on both banks.
    Y b. The river is three tenths of a mile wide.
    N c. There is dredge spoil on both banks.
    N d. There is a turning basin located on the LDB.

1774: You pass New Madrid, MO (mile 889.0 AHP) at 1412. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    Y a. 8.0 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 7.6 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

1839: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, LA?

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    N c. 30 feet x 500 feet
    Y d. 45 feet x 500 feet

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

2125: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to enter York Spit Channel with buoy "29"
close abeam to starboard?

    N a. 172°psc
    N b. 176°psc
    Y c. 198°psc
    N d. 202°psc

2281: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 62°22.2' on 6 June . The index error is 1.2' on the arc. The height of eye is 28 feet (8.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 62°24.8'
    N b. 62°26.9'
    Y c. 62°31.4'
    N d. 62°36.7'

2583: You lose GPS and are navigating solely on LORAN. What LORAN line would you follow to leave Six Mile Reef buoy "8C" abeam to port at 1.0 mile?

    N a. 9960-W-14885.0
    N b. 9960-Y-43980.5
    Y c. 9960-Y-43982.0
    N d. 9960-Y-43983.5

2678: You are running coastwise on a course of 323°T, and you have a buoy bearing 11° on your port bow at a distance of 7 miles. You desire to leave the buoy abeam to port at a distance of 2.5 miles. What course should you steer?

    N a. 291°T
    N b. 312°T
    Y c. 333°T
    N d. 344°T

2701: You are underway on course 204°T at a speed of 17.3 knots. You sight a light bearing 205°T at a radar range of 4.7 miles at 1222. If you change course at 1228, what is the course to steer to leave the light abeam to port at 1.5 miles?

    N a. 223°T
    N b. 229°T
    Y c. 236°T
    N d. 240°T

2879: Your vessel is steering 354°T at 14 knots. At 0317 a light bears 049°T, and at 0342 the same light bears 071°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    Y a. 12.4 miles
    N b. 12.7 miles
    N c. 13.0 miles
    N d. 13.3 miles

2903: You are steaming on a course of 025°T at 15.5 knots. At 0645 you observe a lighthouse bearing 059°T. At 0655 the same lighthouse bears 075°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 1.5 miles
    N b. 2.6 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    Y d. 5.3 miles

3275: You have steamed 989 miles at 16.5 knots, and consumed 215 tons of fuel. If you have 345 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13 knots?

    N a. 1025 miles
    N b. 1993 miles
    Y c. 2557 miles
    N d. 3245 miles

3287: While steaming at 16.5 knots, your vessel consumes 349 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 189 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 12.1 knots
    Y b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 14.6 knots
    N d. 15.4 knots

3312: You have steamed 199 miles and consumed 23.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 410 miles?

    N a. 32.6 tons
    N b. 39.9 tons
    Y c. 47.4 tons
    N d. 97.6 tons

3614: The true course between two points is 057°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3° east and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-northwest wind. Which gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    Y a. 053°pgc
    N b. 056°pgc
    N c. 059°pgc
    N d. 060°pgc

3641: You desire to make good a true course of 174°. The variation is 17°W, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°E. A west-southwest wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 195°psc
    N b. 197°psc
    Y c. 199°psc
    N d. 203°psc

10207: Your 2230 position is LAT 41°07.4'N, LONG 72°44.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass to leave Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy 1 mile abeam to starboard?

    Y a. 086°psc
    N b. 091°psc
    N c. 094°psc
    N d. 098°psc

11105: What is the height of the tide at Great Salt Pond on Block Island at the afternoon high water (daylight savings time) on 1 July 1983?

    N a. 3.9 feet
    N b. 3.0 feet
    N c. 2.4 feet
    Y d. 2.1 feet

11809: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 065°T at 2 knots, and a northerly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are turning for 14 knots.

    N a. 113°psc
    N b. 118°psc
    Y c. 128°psc
    N d. 134°psc

11903: What is the true course to steer between the entrance to Winnapaug Pond (LAT 41°19.6'N, LONG 71°45.8'W) and the entrance to Lake Montauk (LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 71°56.3'W), if you are turning for 8.5 knots, allowing for a current of 095°T at 0.9 knot, and an easterly wind is causing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 200°T
    N b. 208°T
    Y c. 211°T
    N d. 214°T

13509: Sounding contours in unshaded water areas are at what interval?

    N a. 10 foot up to 100 ft depths then at 30 foot intervals
    Y b. 30 foot intervals
    N c. 10 fathom intervals
    N d. The interval will vary to ensure any major underwater hazard is highlighted.

14301: What are the characteristics of Washougal Light on the Columbia River?

    N a. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
    N b. Quick flashing red, 2 seconds
    N c. Flashing green, 4 seconds
    Y d. Flashing red, 2.5 seconds

14502: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 84 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 49 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the center of the Bridge of the Gods?

    Y a. 74.0 feet
    N b. 86.0 feet
    N c. 97.5 feet
    N d. 123 feet

15046: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you take a bearing of 047°pgc along trestle C when it is in line. The helmsman reports the vessel's heading as 316°
pgc and 329°psc. What is the deviation on that heading?

    N a. 3°E
    N b. 1°E
    Y c. 1°W
    N d. 9°W

15138: At 2045 you obtained the following Loran readings:
9960-W-14844.0
9960-X-26128.0
9960-Y-43712.5
What is your vessel's position?

    N a. 40°41.1'N, 72°10.5'W
    N b. 40°41.4'N, 72°10.7'W
    Y c. 40°41.8'N, 72°10.8'W
    N d. 40°42.3'N, 72°11.3'W

15238: At 0930 you obtain a position from the following information: Race Rock Light bears 110°T at a range of 1.4 miles, and Goshen Point bears 330°T at a range of 3.3 miles. What are your present latitude and longitude?

    N a. 41°16.0'N, 72°09.5'W
    Y b. 41°15.1'N, 72°04.6'W
    N c. 41°17.4'N, 72°06.0'W
    N d. 41°14.6'N, 72°03.0'W

15259: At 0830, you obtain the following radar information::

Branford Reef Light bearing 259° true @ 4.35 nm


What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 73°53.8'W
    N b. LAT 40°12.2'N, LONG 73°54.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°53.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°54.0'W

15413: From your 1915 fix you come right and steer a course of 200°T. At 2000, your position is LAT 37°05.5'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. Your intention is to pass through Chesapeake Channel. If there are no set and drift, what course would you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 145°T?

    N a. 134°
    N b. 139°
    N c. 151°
    Y d. 156°

15443: As you enter Chesapeake Bay, visibility improves. At 2235 you are between Chesapeake Channel Buoys "5" and "6" in the 41 foot dredged section of Chesapeake Channel. At that time, you change course to pass between buoys "9" and "10". If buoys "11" and "12" are extinguished, your best leading light to keep you in deep water in the Chesapeake Channel, as you approach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, would be __________.

    N a. fixed red light on trestle "C"
    Y b. fixed green light on trestle "B"
    N c. fixed red light on trestle "B"
    N d. Thimble Shoal Light

15509: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How would the buoy which bears approximately 040°T from your position at a range of half a mile be painted?

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

15642: At 2030 you take the following radar ranges:

Race Rock Light 2.1 miles
Latimer Reef Light 6.4 miles

If you estimate an average current of 080°T at 1.5 knots,
which course will you steer per gyrocompass to leave Endeavor Shoals Gong Buoy bearing 270°T at 1.5 miles?

    N a. 115°
    N b. 118°
    N c. 124°
    Y d. 127°

15719: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________.

    Y a. mean high water
    N b. mean low water
    N c. lowest low water
    N d. mean lower low water

15729: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level if the low water reference plane for Rosedale is 3.0 feet?

    N a. 0.5 foot below the plane
    N b. 0.5 foot above the plane
    N c. 2.5 feet above the plane
    Y d. 3.5 feet below the plane

15759: You calculate that the current will be flooding at the Race at 0700. You should expect to be set in which general direction at the Race?

    Y a. West
    N b. East
    N c. Northeast
    N d. Southwest

16439: While you are at anchor, what will serve as a positive warning that you are drifting towards the wrecks located to the NW and SW of your 2215 position?

    N a. A constant bearing on New Point Comfort Light.
    Y b. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the right
    N c. Increasing soundings
    N d. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the left