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.

180: On 4 July you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc. The height of eye is 48 feet (14.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
237: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030?
379: A vessel at LAT 32°05.0'N, LONG 81°06.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 35°57.0'N, LONG 5°45.0'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.
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
436: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings: Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles, Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles. What is your 0227 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°14.5'N,  LONG 72°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°14.1'N,  LONG 72°08.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N,  LONG 72°08.5'W
484: You are on a great circle track departing from position LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W. The distance along the great circle track from the vertex to a point (X) is 600 miles westward. Determine the position of point (X) on the great circle track. 

    N a. LAT 36°47.5'N, LONG 38°21.8'W
    N b. LAT 36°50.4'N, LONG 38°25.6'W
    Y c. LAT 36°55.6'N, LONG 38°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 37°02.3'N, LONG 38°34.4'W
506: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel? 

    N a. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N b. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    N c. 47 feet (14.2 meters)
    Y d. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
521: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________. 

    N a. steep with rocky bluffs
    Y b. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N c. low and marshy
    N d. heavily forested
575: What is the course per standard magnetic compass on the southern leg of York Spit Channel between buoys "15" and "23"? 

    N a. 341°
    Y b. 339°
    N c. 322°
    N d. 319°
623: You are on a voyage from Baltimore, MD, to Seattle, WA. The distance from pilot to pilot is 5960 miles. The speed of advance is 16.0 knots. You estimate 16 hours for bunkering at Colon, and 12.0 hours for the Panama Canal transit. If you take departure at 0824 hours (ZD +5), 18 November, what is your ETA (ZD +8) at Seattle? 

    N a. 1654, 5 December
    N b. 1354, 5 December
    Y c. 2154, 4 December
    N d. 1354, 4 December
729: On 24 September , your 1841 zone time DR position is LONG 129°34.5'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°20.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 38m 12s, and the chronometer error is 03m 12s slow. The index error is 4.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet (15.9 meters). What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 24°28.1'N
    N b. 25°16.0'N
    Y c. 25°37.6'N
    N d. 25°42.3'N
980: On 29 April , your 0530 zone time position was LAT 23°04.0'S, LONG 162°12.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 120°T at a speed of 9.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb was made at 0830 ZT. The chronometer read 09h 27m 32s and was slow 02m 24s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 24°58.0'. LAN occurred at 1205 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°04.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix? 

    N a. LONG 163°02.1'E
    Y b. LONG 163°06.0'E
    N c. LONG 163°09.5'E
    N d. LONG 163°11.3'E
1189: On 7 February , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 92°26.0'W. Your vessel is on course 270°
T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1218
    N b. 1222
    N c. 1226
    Y d. 1230
1293: What is indicated by the two light gray shaded areas that cross the river above False River Lt. (mile 251.0 AHP)? 

    Y a. Utility crossings
    N b. Ferry crossings
    N c. Aerial cable crossings
    N d. Bridge construction
1467: On 17 April , your 1610 ZT DR position is LAT 22°07.0'N, LONG 158°16.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 271°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 08m 52s, and the chronometer error is 01m 16s slow. The variation is 4°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.1°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    Y c. 2.3°W
    N d. 2.9°E
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
1541: At 0119, on 10 September, you pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) 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 8.5 mph? 

    N a. 1746, 12 September
    N b. 1244, 13 September
    Y c. 2329, 14 September
    N d. 0210, 15 September
1680: On 31 October , your 1700 zone time DR position is LAT 27°17.0'N, LONG 116°10.0'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 246.5° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 8.5°E. The chronometer reads 01h 01m 23s and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 0.8°E
    Y b. 0.8°W
    N c. 2.5°E
    N d. 2.5°W
1777: At 2232 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°52'S, LONG 150°03'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 268.5°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W
1892: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 091°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 64°35.2'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar
1901: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 248°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 25°00.9'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Rigel
    N b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    N d. Arcturus
2094: At your current speed of 20 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 218 miles. You must travel 395 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    N a. 17.4
    N b. 16.2
    Y c. 14.9
    N d. 13.7
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
2181: On 4 June , at 0630 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 26°15'S, LONG 121°20'W. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 246°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 05h 14m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 25°57.8'. The index error is 2.1' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 0m 53s slow. Your height of eye is 39.0 feet. What is the intercept (a) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position method? 

    N a. Zn 044.6°,  a 1.7' A
    Y b. Zn 044.6°,  a 2.5' T
    N c. Zn 135.1°,  a 1.7' A
    N d. Zn 135.1°,  a 2.5' T
2186: At 0922, on 24 May, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 8.0 mph, what is the current? 

    Y a. 1.0 mph
    N b. 1.4 mph
    N c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 7.0 mph
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.
2239: At 1610 ZT, on 14 August , in DR position LAT 33° 24.6' S, LONG 028°15.4'W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 111.0° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 1.1°E
    Y b. 1.1°W
    N c. 2.1°E
    N d. 2.1°W
2404: At 0812, you are on course 132°T. The standard magnetic compass reads 135°. What should you conclude? 

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    Y b. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.
    N c. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N d. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
2585: At 2000 you plot your position as: LAT 41°11'N, LONG 072°35'W. The set and drift is 095°T at 0.8 knot. What course must you steer, and what engine speed must you turn, in order to make good 255°T at 8.5 knots? 

    Y a. 257°T,  9.3 knots
    N b. 253°T,  9.3 knots
    N c. 257°T,  7.7 knots
    N d. 253°T,  7.7 knots
2861: Your vessel is on a course of 196°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 218.5°T, and at 0442 the light bears 241°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    Y a. 0500, 5.0 miles
    N b. 0504, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0500, 6.2 miles
    N d. 0504, 5.0 miles
2897: You are steaming on a course of 327°T at 13 knots. At 0207 you observe a lighthouse bearing 020°T. At 0226 the lighthouse bears 042°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 8.5 miles
    Y b. 8.9 miles
    N c. 9.2 miles
    N d. 9.7 miles
3051: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.6 feet and a pitch of 23.4 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 538 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 87? 

    Y a. -11.6%
    N b. +11.6%
    N c. -10.3%
    N d. +10.3%
3073: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 16.8 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 22.3 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip? 

    N a. 61
    N b. 66
    Y c. 73
    N d. 80
3091: If the pitch of the propeller is 25.1 feet, and the revolutions per day are 91,591, calculate the day's run allowing 7% positive slip. 

    Y a. 351.6 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    N c. 390.0 miles
    N d. 404.6 miles
3277: While steaming at 12.3 knots, your vessel burns 168 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you increase speed to 13.5 knots? 

    N a. 192 bbls/day
    N b. 204 bbls/day
    Y c. 222 bbls/day
    N d. 238 bbls/day
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
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
11807: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass (psc) between Horton Pt. Light and a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light, if the set and drift of the current are 111°T at 2.5 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 4° of leeway? (Your engines are turning for 18 knots.) 

    N a. 306°psc
    Y b. 301°psc
    N c. 295°psc
    N d. 275°psc
12105: While in the Back River, you sight the two tanks along the Northwest Branch (vicinity LAT 37°05.6'N, LONG 76°22.0'W) in line bearing 274°psc. If your vessel is heading 300°psc, what is TRUE? 

    Y a. There is no deviation.
    N b. The deviation is equal to the variation.
    N c. The deviation is 9°E.
    N d. The deviation is 0° only for a bearing of 274°psc.
13508: The bottom approximately three miles to the ESE of Block Island Southeast Point has __________. 

    Y a. gravel
    N b. shale
    N c. stones
    N d. grit
15161: From your 1815 position, you want to make good course 263°
T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 12 knots. The current is 050°T at 1.9 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, at what time should you expect to enter the red sector of Cape Henry Light? 

    N a. 1851
    N b. 1857
    Y c. 1904
    N d. 1911
15165: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position was __________. 

    Y a. 006°T
    N b. 014°T
    N c. 020°T
    N d. 028°T
15625: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed? 

    N a. 6.0 mph
    Y b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
15668: At 0839, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position? 

    N a. 8.2 knots
    Y b. 9.2 knots
    N c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.5 knots
15799: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030? 

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 12.1 knots
15799: At 0845, you are on a course of 097°T, and Townshend Ledge Buoy "10A" is close abeam to port. With a westerly current of 1.2 knots, what speed will you have to turn for from your 0845 position in order to arrive abeam of Six Mile Reef Buoy "8C" at 1030? 

    N a. 8.5 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 12.1 knots
16062: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2000, you take the following bearings: Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc Thimble Shoal Light - 247°pgc
What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2000? 

    N a. 140°T at 0.2 knot
    Y b. 140°T at 0.4 knot
    N c. 320°T at 0.2 knot
    N d. 320°T at 0.4 knot
16112: At 0530, the Coast Guard announces that Chesapeake Channel is closed indefinitely due to a collision occurring in the channel between Trestle "B" and "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. You exit York Spit Channel, leaving buoy "20" abeam to port at 0.1 mile, and alter course to leave Horseshoe Crossing Lighted Bell Buoy abeam to port at 0.2 mile. What is the course per gyrocompass? 

    N a. 185°pgc
    N b. 187°pgc
    N c. 190°pgc
    Y d. 193°pgc
16362: The visibility is about 5 miles. Which statement about Cape Charles Light is TRUE? 

    N a. The light has been visible from the time you departed the anchorage.
    Y b. You should see Cape Charles Light at about 0400.
    N c. The light will become visible when you enter the inbound leg of the traffic separation scheme.
    N d. The light will not be visible until you are within 5 miles of the light.
16641: At 0455 you encounter fog and slow to 5 knots. At 0500, you obtain a radar fix from the following information:

Radar range to Montauk Point is 9.1 miles.
Tangent bearing to western edge of Block Is. Is 015°pgc.
Distance off the nearest part of Block Is. is 5.9 miles.

What is your 0500 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°02.8'N, LONG 71°39.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 71°39.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 71°39.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°03.5'N, LONG 71°39.3'W
16743: At 0040 you are south of Lewis Point when you receive word that the distress is terminated. You alter course to head for The Race. At 0052 you take the following relative bearings because the starboard gyro repeater is inoperative. Your heading at each bearing was 285°pgc. What is your 0052 position?

Race Rock Light 002°
Watch Hill Light 034°
Block Island North Light 122° 

    N a. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 71°41.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°42.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 71°41.1'W
    Y d. LAT 41°09.1'N, LONG 71°41.7'W