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?


90: As you approach Giles Bend Cutoff Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure?


125: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP) which daymark would you see?


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

    Y a. Helena Grain, Inc.
    N b. Helena Bridge Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

179: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 077°pgc. The helmsman was steering 307°pgc and 320° per standard magnetic compass at the time. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro error by observation is 2°E.
    N b. The deviation based on the observation is 15°W.
    Y c. The magnetic compass error is 14°W.
    N d. The true line of the range is 079°.

190: On 2 January you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 35°50.4'. The index error is 0.8' on the arc. The height of eye is 24 feet (7.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 35°50.3'
    N b. 35°54.7'
    Y c. 35°59.7'
    N d. 36°05.6'

196: What course per standard magnetic compass is (psc) the same as 247°pgc?

    Y a. 257°psc
    N b. 260°psc
    N c. 262°psc
    N d. 265°psc

440: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________.

    Y a. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    N d. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass

453: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°36.0'N, LONG 126°17.0'E to LAT 02°12.0'S, LONG 81°53.0'W.

    N a. 9015 miles, 067°T
    N b. 9076 miles, 067°T
    N c. 9105 miles, 079°T
    Y d. 9076 miles, 079°T

453: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°36.0'N, LONG 126°17.0'E to LAT 02°12.0'S, LONG 81°53.0'W.

    N a. 9015 miles, 067°T
    N b. 9076 miles, 067°T
    N c. 9105 miles, 079°T
    Y d. 9076 miles, 079°T

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

654: In planning a North Pacific voyage, you wish to steam the minimum distance from LAT 48°30'N, LONG 124°45'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E, while remaining south of 51°N latitude. Which track meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270)

    N a. A Mercator sailing from departure to the mid-longitude at 51°N, thence great circle to arrival
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel sailing between the longitudes where the great circle intersects 51°N
    N c. A great circle tangent to 51°N from departure to the mid-longitude then a great circle to arrival
    Y d. A great circle from departure to LAT 51°N, LONG 148°W, parallel sailing to LAT 51°N, LONG 171°W, then a great circle to arrival

668: A great circle track would be most advantageous when compared to the rhumb line track on which route? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC5274)

    N a. Cayenne (LAT 4°40'N, LONG 52°15'W) to Sao Tome (LAT 0°00', LONG 6°45'E)
    Y b. Palm Beach, FL, to the English Channel
    N c. Natal, Brazil, to Reykjavik, Iceland
    N d. Recife, Brazil, to Monrovia

832: On 19 November , in DR position LAT 20°03.5'N, LONG 129°48.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the planet Venus at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 29m 44s, and the chronometer error is 01m 23s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 43°54.3'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. 20°08.2'N
    Y b. 19°58.0'N
    N c. 19°53.2'N
    N d. 19°50.6'N

1124: The Vicksburg Gage reads 31.9 feet. The high point on your towboat is 43 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge?

    N a. 36.2 feet
    Y b. 41.4 feet
    N c. 58.0 feet
    N d. 84.3 feet

1127: You are turning for 6.8 mph and estimate the current at 1.0 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    N a. 6.8 mph
    Y b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 8.8 mph
    N d. 9.4 mph

1193: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 23°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1158
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214

1238: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    Y b. 47.2 feet
    N c. 49.6 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet

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

1456: On 12 September , your 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 28°34.0'S, LONG 174°49.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 084° per standard magnetic compass (psc). The chronometer reads 07h 38m 11s, and the chronometer error is 01m 46s fast. The variation is 11°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.9°W
    Y b. 3.2°E
    N c. 3.9°E
    N d. 4.7°W

1458: On 6 August , your 1552 zone time DR position is LAT 24°26.0'S, LONG 73°19.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 302°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 55m 07s, and the chronometer error is 02m 38s fast. The variation is 6°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 4.1°W
    N b. 4.6°E
    N c. 5.9°E
    Y d. 6.1°W

1545: You are downbound, passing by Warfield Point Lt. (mile 537 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________.

    N a. revetments
    N b. weirs
    N c. fleeting areas
    Y d. dikes

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

1782: At 2043 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 43°57.3'S, LONG 147°16.0'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the horizon and bears 236.2°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 0.0°
    N b. 0.9°E
    N c. 1.8°E
    N d. 0.4°W

1889: On 22 July , your 1759 DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 293°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 17°52.8'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s, and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Regulus
    N b. Antares
    N c. Miaplacidus
    N d. Suhail

1902: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 18°58.7'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Diphda
    N b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    Y d. Arcturus

2182: On 18 August , at 0600 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 19°48'N, LONG 108° 34'W. Your vessel is steaming on course 166°T at a speed of 16 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1036 ZT. The chronometer reads 05h 34m 48s and is slow 01m 24s. What is the computed altitude (Hc) and azimuth (Zn) for this 1036 ZT observation using the assumed position method?

    N a. Hc 65°18.5', Zn 102.1°
    Y b. Hc 65°14.8', Zn 100.4°
    N c. Hc 65°11.3', Zn 099.4°
    N d. Hc 65°07.2', Zn 101.2°

2278: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 31°31.5' on 6 March . The index error is 2.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 76 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 31°35.3'
    N b. 31°36.7'
    N c. 31°38.2'
    N d. 31°39.5'

2327: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Based upon your present position, passing buoy "12" to port, what is TRUE?

    N a. You are required to proceed outbound in the North Auxiliary Channel to avoid ferry traffic
    N b. You may proceed outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel
    Y c. You should cross the main channel and proceed outbound in the South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Water depth is 38 feet.

2457: You have steamed 369 miles at 16 knots and burning 326 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 212 barrels per day with 271 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 11.1
    N b. 12.9
    N c. 13.6
    Y d. 15.1

2594: What will be the current at Port Jefferson entrance at 0130 on December 5, 1983?

    N a. 1.4 knots, flood
    N b. 1.4 knots, ebb
    N c. 0.8 knot, flood
    Y d. 0.8 knot, ebb

2882: Your vessel is steering 096°T at 17 knots. At 1847 a light bears 057°T, and at 1916 the same light bears 033°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 9.9 miles
    N b. 10.7 miles
    Y c. 11.4 miles
    N d. 11.9 miles

3258: You have steamed 525 miles at 16.0 knots, and consumed 105 tons of fuel. If you have 308 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 19 knots?

    N a. 920 miles
    Y b. 1092 miles
    N c. 1297 miles
    N d. 2172 miles

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

3625: Your vessel is steering course 111°psc, variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the northwest, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 108°T
    N b. 110°T
    N c. 112°T
    Y d. 114°T

3756: Your vessel is proceeding up 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 093°T, and the variation is 6°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 097° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 10°E
    Y d. 10°W

10609: At 1922 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 2019 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift?

    Y a. 343°T at 0.7 knot
    N b. 340°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 164°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 161°T at 1.1 knots

13405: At 0400 your vessel is dead in the water and in heavy fog. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. Bottom samples are taken and indicate a composition of soft mud and shell. Your fathometer reads 40 feet. If the vessel draws 9 feet of water, which of the following is TRUE?

    Y a. The bottom samples and fathometer reading prove the fix is reliable.
    N b. The bottom samples and fathometer readings indicate that the fix is unreliable.
    N c. The information collected indicates that the fathometer may be in error.
    N d. The information collected indicates that the chart is most likely in error.

15307: At 0315, you obtain the following bearings:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 179.5° true
Wolf Trap Light bearing 271° true

What is the true course from this position to the entrance of York Spit Channel?

    N a. 203°
    Y b. 208°
    N c. 211°
    N d. 217°

15464: What is the course per standard magnetic compass on the southern leg of York Spit Channel between buoys "15" and "23"?

    N a. 319°
    N b. 322°
    Y c. 339°
    N d. 341°

15545: At 2342 the gyro alarm sounds and you commence steering by standard magnetic compass. If you allow 3° leeway for southerly winds and do not correct for any existing current, what is the course to steer by standard magnetic compass to make good 068°T?

    N a. 054.0°
    N b. 079.5°
    N c. 081.0°
    Y d. 084.5°

15643: The light on Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Buoy "BIS" is reported extinguished. Which of the following will serve as a positive warning that you are being set onto the obstruction?

    N a. Radar ranges to Southwest Point of less than 7.9 miles
    N b. Soundings of less than 50 feet
    N c. Shagwong Reef Lighted Bell Buoy "7SR" 3.1 miles off abeam
    Y d. Race Rock Light bearing 299°T and decreasing

15658: What course should you steer by the standard magnetic compass in order to maintain a heading of 081°pgc?

    N a. 062°psc
    N b. 080°psc
    N c. 090°psc
    Y d. 095°psc

15724: You pass Morrison Towhead Light (mile 890.5 AHP) at 1723. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 7.5 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph

15830: The black broken-line marking, across the river, that appears at mile 952.1 AHP represents a __________.

    Y a. utility crossing
    N b. railroad
    N c. submarine crossing
    N d. revetment

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°

16410: By 1015, visibility has increased to 5.0 miles and you can see Fishers Island. Fishers Island has __________.

    N a. low and sandy beaches with salt ponds and marsh grass
    N b. sheer cliffs rising from the sea to a high, flat plateau
    N c. barren, rocky hills with prominent sandy beaches
    Y d. sparsely wooded hills and is fringed with shoals to the south

16570: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from Providence, RI are on __________.

    N a. 162.25 MHz
    N b. 162.30 MHz
    Y c. 162.40 MHz
    N d. 162.55 MHz

16609: What was the speed made good between 2114 and 2142?

    N a. 12.3 knots
    N b. 12.0 knots
    N c. 11.7 knots
    Y d. 11.4 knots

16840: Visibility is exceptionally clear. At approximately what distance did Chesapeake Light become visible?

    N a. 19.2 miles
    Y b. 21.0 miles
    N c. 22.7 miles
    N d. 24.0 miles