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.

70: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez-Vidalia Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.5 feet)?
83: Which light characteristics does Catfish Point Lower Light (mile 572.2 AHP) have?
157: At 1710 on 27 November, you are abeam of Kings Point Lt. (mile 439.8 AHP). At this time you receive a message that there will no be space for you at the Redneb Services Dock until after 1200 on the 29 November. What speed over the ground will you have to slow to so as not to arrive before this time?
176: What is your 2118 position? 

    N a. LAT 36°56.6'N,  LONG 76°01.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.0'N,  LONG 76°01.5'W
    Y c. LAT 36°57.4'N,  LONG 76°01.9'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.0'N,  LONG 76°02.4'W
214: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 10.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.8 knots, and a north wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course? 

    N a. 300°T
    N b. 295°T
    N c. 290°T
    Y d. 280°T
263: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the range markers in line directly over the stern. Your heading at the time is 155.5° per gyrocompass. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 1.0°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    Y d. 2.0°W
266: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. What loran reading will ensure that you will remain clear of the 18' shoal located 1 mile NW of Falkner Island Light? 

    Y a. 9960 Y: not less than 44014
    N b. 9960 X: not more than 26452
    N c. 9960 W: not less than 14942
    N d. None of the above
367: What is the distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, N.C. (LAT 34°14.0'N, LONG 77°57.0'W)? 

    N a. 486 miles
    N b. 402 miles
    N c. 363 miles
    Y d. 339 miles
372: If you change course at 0610, what is the course to steer to a point where Little Gull Island Light bears 180°T at 0.7 mile (Point "A")? 

    N a. 084°pgc
    Y b. 080°pgc
    N c. 076°pgc
    N d. 072°pgc
394: A vessel at LAT 38°03.0'S, LONG 49°38.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 41°26.0'S, LONG 38°32.0'W. Determine the true course by Mercator sailing. 

    Y a. 111.5°T
    N b. 113.5°T
    N c. 158.5°T
    N d. 160.5°T
437: At 0227, you are on course 087°T at 10 knots. What course per standard magnetic compass should you steer to make good your true course? 

    N a. 109°psc
    Y b. 105°psc
    N c. 102°psc
    N d. 099°psc
442: Shortly after getting underway, you sight Stonington Outer Breakwater Light in line with Stonington Inner Breakwater Light bearing 000° per gyrocompass. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation is 2°W
    N b. The variation is 2°E.
    N c. The compass error is 16°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is 2.5°W
450: If you want to put into Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, what chart should you use? 

    Y a. 13219
    N b. 13217
    N c. 13209
    N d. 13205
520: On 29 June you observe the star Achernar at a sextant altitude (Hs) of 54°18.9'. The index error is 4.7' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 54°06.1'
    Y b. 54°15.5'
    N c. 54°31.5'
    N d. 54°43.7'
600: What is the brown colored tint shown at Bordeaux Point Dykes (mile 681.0 AHP)? 

    N a. river gage
    N b. fish hatchery
    N c. levee
    Y d. dredge material
845: On 16 September , your 0600 ZT fix gives you a position of LAT 29°47.2'N, LONG 65°28.4'W. Your vessel is on course 242°T and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1227 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°25.3'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 29°07.9'N
    N b. 29°06.1'N
    Y c. 29°04.7'N
    N d. 29°01.6'N
1138: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass? 

    Y a. Donaldsonville
    N b. Head of Passes
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing
1165: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    N c. Buoys should be passed as close as possible.
    Y d. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
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
1301: 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
1454: On 4 October , your 0734 zone time DR position is LAT 24°11.0'N, LONG 162°34.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 105.5°psc. The chronometer reads 08h 36m 11s, and the chronometer error is 01m 46s fast. The variation is 7°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 1.2°W
    N b. 1.9°E
    N c. 5.3°W
    Y d. 5.8°E
1708: At 0300 on 19 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)? 

    N a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 5.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    Y d. 4.3 mph
1725: As you pass Fort Adams (311.4 AHP) you observe a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. This indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. proceed with caution as there is construction work being done on the revetment
    N b. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. proceed with caution as the river is congested around the bend
1841: At 0509, on 26 December, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 7.5 mph? 

    N a. 1.8 mph
    N b. 2.1 mph
    Y c. 4.4 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph
1920: On 17 March , your 0520 Dr position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 313°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 43°03.8'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Altair
    Y b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb
1960: The low water reference plane for Greenville Highway Bridge is 11.3 feet. If the Gage at the Greenville Highway Bridge reads 22.0 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane (LWRP)? 

    N a. 22.1 feet below the LWRP
    N b. 10.7 feet below the LWRP
    Y c. 10.7 feet above the LWRP
    N d. 0.5  feet below the LWRP
2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method? 

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles
2214: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE? 

    N a. The U.S. Army Corps.. of Engineers is responsible for placing and maintaining all aids to navigation.
    Y b. Buoys should always be given as wide a berth in passing as possible.
    N c. Buoy positions as shown on the chart are exact.
    N d. Lights and daymarks are always shown in their exact location.
2279: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 58°06.6' on 5 April . The index error is 1.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet (16.8 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 58°14.2'
    Y b. 58°15.8'
    N c. 58°16.9'
    N d. 58°18.1'
2286: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 50°26.9' on 9 November . The index error is 1.5' on the arc. The height of eye is 56 feet (17 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 50°04.2'
    N b. 50°18.1'
    Y c. 50°33.5'
    N d. 50°41.4'
3296: Your vessel consumes 199 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 14.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 10.0 knots? 

    Y a. 65 bbls
    N b. 95 bbls
    N c. 137 bbls
    N d. 148 bbls
3302: You have steamed 132 miles and consumed 14.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 289 miles? 

    N a. 21.6 tons
    N b. 24.5 tons
    N c. 27.9 tons
    Y d. 30.7 tons
3626: Your vessel is steering course 284°psc, variation for the area is 6°W, and deviation is 3°E. The wind is from the north-northeast, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 275°T
    Y b. 278°T
    N c. 284°T
    N d. 290°T
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
10205: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 2 miles due west of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    Y a. 055°psc
    N b. 059°psc
    N c. 064°psc
    N d. 069°psc
10205: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 2 miles due west of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    Y a. 055°psc
    N b. 059°psc
    N c. 064°psc
    N d. 069°psc
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°T at 1.3 knots, and a southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 271°psc
    N b. 274°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 282°psc
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°T at 1.3 knots, and a southeasterly wind is causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 271°psc
    N b. 274°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 282°psc
13008: Your 2215 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making 15 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 2338
    Y b. 2343
    N c. 2349
    N d. 2354
15168: Which chart provides more detail of Cape Charles harbor and its approaches? 

    N a. 12238
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222
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
15466: At 1015, you estimate you have 139 miles to complete the voyage. If you average 9.5 knots, you will complete the voyage in __________. 

    N a. 14 hours 22 minutes
    N b. 14 hours 30 minutes
    Y c. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 44 minutes
15725: At 1723 you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. At 1937 you have a daymark on your port beam. What daymark is this? 

    N a. Tiptonville Ferry Landing Daymark
    N b. Tiptonville Light
    Y c. Merriwether Bend Light and Daymark
    N d. Alaska Light and Daymark
15740: At 2000 Montauk Point Light bears 010°T. At 2030 Montauk Point Light bears 348°T. Assuming that you are making good your course of 046°T and a speed of 9 knots, what is your 2030 running fix position? 

    N a. LAT 40°53.9'N,  LONG 71°51.3'W
    Y b. LAT 40°54.2'N,  LONG 71°50.2'W
    N c. LAT 40°55.9'N,  LONG 71°49.0'W
    N d. LAT 40°56.7'N,  LONG 71°48.1'W
15763: At 0715, you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 324°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 245°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 034°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are to the right of your track line.
    Y b. The charted depth is about 265 feet (80.3 meters).
    N c. You are in a cable area.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.
16064: 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 (-.3 meter). What is the approximate depth under the keel? 

    N a. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
16109: You are turning for 9 knots, a westerly wind is causing 3° of leeway, and the current is 320°T at 1.2 knots. What true course should you steer to remain in the northern leg of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 191°T
    Y b. 194°T
    N c. 197°T
    N d. 203°T
16114: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel,
you sight Trestle "A" in line bearing 198°pgc. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 0°E
    Y c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W
16257: If your engines turn for 6.5 knots, and you encounter a 0.5 knot southerly current after weighing anchor. What is your ETA at point A? 

    N a. 0511
    N b. 0501
    Y c. 0450
    N d. 0440
16258: What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass from the anchorage to point A, if easterly winds are causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 187°
    Y b. 191°
    N c. 194°
    N d. 197°
16367: Weather broadcasts for the Norfolk area are broadcast on what frequency? 

    N a. 162.25 MHz
    N b. 162.30 MHz
    Y c. 162.55 MHz
    N d. 162.65 MHz
16420: If you want to put into Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, what chart should you use? 

    N a. 13205
    N b. 13209
    N c. 13217
    Y d. 13219
16613: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots? 

    N a. 132°
    Y b. 129°
    N c. 120°
    N d. 118°
16642: Based on your 0500 fix, which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are seaward of the 120 fathom curve.
    N b. The course made good between 0445 and 0500 was 345°T.
    Y c. You should alter course to port to clear Southwest Ledge Shoal.
    N d. A radar contact bearing 020°T at 4.8 miles is buoy  "2A".
16643: At 0520 your position is LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 71°41.6'W. You set course to leave Race Rock Light abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass? (Assume no current) 

    N a. 301.5°
    N b. 305.0°
    Y c. 307.5°
    N d. 309.0°