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.

145: As you approach Joseph Henry Light (mile 445.2 AHP) which daymark would you see?
213: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?
245: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________.
272: At 0925, you plot the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 251°true
Kelsey Point BW Light bearing 075°true

If you correct for a current setting 215°T at 0.5 knot, what course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"? 

    N a. 102°T
    N b. 096°T
    N c. 093°T
    Y d. 089°T
277: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor? 

    N a. 13211
    N b. 13214
    Y c. 13213
    N d. 13272
279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. south southeast
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    Y d. north northwest
302: A vessel steams 720 miles on course 058°T from LAT 30°06.0'S, LONG 31°42.0'E. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 23°48'S, LONG 43°11'E
    Y b. LAT 23°44'S, LONG 43°07'E
    N c. LAT 23°38'S, LONG 43°03'E
    N d. LAT 23°34'S, LONG 43°00'E
326: Your 0200 position is LAT 37°23.5'N, LONG 76°09.2'W. Your speed is 8 knots, and your course is 095°T. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The depth of the water in your vicinity is about 38 to 40 fathoms (69.1 meters to 72.7 meters).
    N b. The closest major aid to navigation is  New Point Comfort.
    Y c. You are less than a mile from a sunken wreck which could interfere with your tow.
    N d. You will pass through a disposal area on your present course.
359: 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. 203°T
    N b. 197°T
    Y c. 194°T
    N d. 191°T
370: 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.
    N b. You should adjust the magnetic compass.
    N c. The deviation is increasing as you go south.
    Y d. Your compass may be influenced by a local magnetic disturbance.
393: A vessel at LAT 32°14.7'N, LONG 66°28.9'W, heads for a destination at LAT 36°58.7'N, LONG 75°42.2'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 241.2° miles
    N b. 270.2° miles
    N c. 300.2° miles
    Y d. 538.2° miles
414: A vessel at LAT 49°45'N, LONG 6°35'W, heads for a destination at LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    Y a. 246.5°T, 3597 miles
    N b. 253.0°T, 3648 miles
    N c. 268.6°T, 3483 miles
    N d. 066.4°T, 3602 miles
423: At 0530, your position is LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°08.5'W. What is the color of New London Harbor Light? 

    N a. Green
    N b. White
    Y c. Red
    N d. Alternating white and green
426: The broken magenta line which runs parallel to the shore between Roanoke Point and Mattituck Inlet marks a __________. 

    Y a. fish trap area
    N b. pipeline
    N c. demarcation line
    N d. cable area
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
522: In clear weather, how far away will you sight Point Judith Light? (use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range) 

    Y a. 14.0 nm
    N b. 12.3 nm
    N c. 10.6 nm
    N d. 9.2 nm
525: At 0600 you take the following bearings:

Point Judith Light bearing 063° pgc
Block Island North Reef Light bearing 144° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°18.3'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°18.4'N, LONG 71°38.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°18.5'N, LONG 72°38.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°18.7'N, LONG 71°38.9'W
629: You are on a voyage from Belem, Brazil, to Mobile, AL. The distance from departure to arrival is 3150 miles. The speed of advance is 14.0 knots. You estimate a layover in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of 17.5 hours. If you took departure at 2200 (ZD +3h 30m), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at Mobile? 

    N a. 1900, 8 March
    Y b. 2200, 8 March
    N c. 0400, 9 March
    N d. 2200, 9 March
992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W
999: On 16 February , your 0640 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 23°46.0'N, LONG 156°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 222°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0910 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 08m 06s and was slow 01m 56s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°15.8'. LAN occurred at 1245 ZT (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 55°25.3'. What was the longitude of your 1245 ZT running fix? 

    N a. 157°37.2'W
    Y b. 157°42.0'W
    N c. 157°45.7'W
    N d. 157°47.2'W
999: On 16 February , your 0640 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 23°46.0'N, LONG 156°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 222°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0910 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 08m 06s and was slow 01m 56s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°15.8'. LAN occurred at 1245 ZT (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 55°25.3'. What was the longitude of your 1245 ZT running fix? 

    N a. 157°37.2'W
    Y b. 157°42.0'W
    N c. 157°45.7'W
    N d. 157°47.2'W
1144: What is the brown colored tint shown at Bordeaux Point Dykes (mile 681.0 AHP)? 

    N a. river gage
    N b. fish hatchery
    Y c. dredge material
    N d. levee
1146: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________. 

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    N c. 845.4-842.5 LDB
    Y d. 841.3-838.7 LDB
1392: On 3 February , your 0550 zone time DR position is LAT 26°16.0'N, LONG 112°05.0'W. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Spica, Antares, Saturn
    N b. Vega, Antares, Dubhe
    N c. Venus, Regulus, Vega
    Y d. Spica, Kochab, Rasalhague
1668: On 20 June , your vessel's 1955 ZT DR position is LAT 52°38.9'N, LONG 03°42.7'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 311° per gyrocompass. Variation in the area is 6°W. At the time of the observation, the helmsman noted that he was heading 352° per gyrocompass and 358° per steering compass. What is the gyro error and deviation for that heading? 

    N a. 1.3°W  GE, 1.3°E DEV
    N b. 0.0° GE, 0.0° DEV
    N c. 1.3°W  GE, 1.3°W DEV
    Y d. 1.3°E  GE, 1.3°E DEV
1672: On 11 May , your vessel's 1839 ZT position is LAT 17°30'N, LONG 63°55'W, when an amplitude of the Sun's center is observed on the celestial horizon bearing 301° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 10.5°W. The chronometer reads 10h 37m 10s and is 02m 08s slow. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    N a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.0°E
1736: What are the color and shape of Joseph Henry Daymark at mile 445.2 AHP? 

    N a. Red - Triangle
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Green - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diaomond
2027: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery? 

    N a. 5.8 mph
    Y b. 6.3 mph
    N c. 6.7 mph
    N d. 7.1 mph
2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth? 

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)
2122: At 1538 ZT, on 15 October , in DR LAT position LAT 18° 12.8' S, LONG 160° 48.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 276.2°psc. Variation is 10° E. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 3.6°E
    Y d. 3.6°W
2204: The Clinch River empties into which river? 

    N a. Arkansas
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Ohio
    Y d. Tennessee
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'
2336: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1325 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 14 knots? 

    N a. 133 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 207 tons
    Y d. 278 tons
2582: From your 1750 GPS position at LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 072°11.5'W, you plot a course of 255°T 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
2668: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2116 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse? 

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2201
    N c. 2212
    N d. 2228
2906: You are steaming on a course of 211°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 184°T, and at 0428 the same light bears 168°T. What is the distance off the light at 0428? 

    N a. 3.4 miles
    N b. 4.6 miles
    Y c. 5.1 miles
    N d. 5.6 miles
3291: While steaming at 19.5 knots, your vessel burns 297 bbls of fuel per day. What will be the rate of fuel consumption if you decrease speed to 15 knots? 

    Y a. 135 bbls
    N b. 176 bbls
    N c. 229 bbls
    N d. 243 bbls
3467: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the speed being made good? 

    Y a. 10.7 knots
    N b. 11.0 knots
    N c. 11.6 knots
    N d. 12.3 knots
3608: You are steering 125°pgc. The wind is southwest by south causing a 3° leeway. The variation is 6°E, the deviation is 2°W, and the gyro error is 1°W. What is the true course made good? 

    Y a. 121°T
    N b. 123°T
    N c. 127°T
    N d. 129°T
4005: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 022°.
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. 1.5°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W
6446: You continue on course from your 1126 fix. At 1131 Cape Charles Light bears 322°T. At 1135 you change course to 000°T. At 1149 Cape Henry Light bears 247°T. Which statement concerning your 1149 running fix is TRUE? 

    N a. Your fathometer reads 47 feet.
    Y b. You are in a danger area.
    N c. Chesapeake Light is due south of you.
    N d. You are north of Smith Island Shoal.
10508: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1000 your position is LAT 37°00.5'N, LONG 75°37.0'W. What was the set and drift? 

    N a. 010° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 017° at 1.0 knot
    N c. 020° at 0.4 knot
    Y d. 032° at 0.9 knot
10909: What will be the average direction of the current in Lynnhaven Roads at 1000 DST (ZD +4) on 23 July 1983? 

    N a. 305°T
    N b. 125°T
    N c. 070°T
    Y d. Almost slack water
11500: At 2016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°37.8'W. At 2128 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions? 

    N a. 11.9 knots
    N b. 10.2 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 7.4 knots
11909: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the true course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 6.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 081°T
    Y b. 084°T
    N c. 087°T
    N d. 090°T
12303: You are on course 056° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island North Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 193° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________. 

    N a. know the compass error is 4°E
    N b. should swing your vessel to check for deviation
    Y c. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N d. should use 3°W deviation on bearings of 193°psc
12605: You are on course 209° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Haven Light - 331.5°psc Branford Reef Light - 066.5°psc Old Field Point Light - 240.5°psc What is your position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°49.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°53.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.5'N, LONG 72°48.8'W
13005: At 1715 your position is LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are making turns for 15.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position 1.5 miles due south of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light? 

    N a. 1820
    N b. 1824
    N c. 1828
    Y d. 1832
14003: At 1430 your vessel passes under the Interstate 5 highway bridge east bound. Your engines are making RPM's for 12 mph. If the current is ebbing at 3 mph, what is your ETA at Bonneville Lock? 

    N a. 1744
    N b. 1753
    N c. 1834
    Y d. 1848
14004: At 1745 Lady Island Upper Range is in line dead astern and Washougal Lower Range is in line on the starboard bow. You are steaming in an easterly direction. What speed must you average to arrive abeam of Cape Horn Light No. 67 at 1839? 

    N a. 9.3 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    Y c. 10.2 mph
    N d. 10.8 mph
15038: At 0705 you obtained the following Loran readings:

9960-X-27091.2
9960-Y-41612.8
9960-Z-58744.2

What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. 37°20.4'N 75°30.2'W
    Y b. 37°20.8'N 75°29.9'W
    N c. 37°21.3'N 75°29.5'W
    N d. 37°21.2'N 75°30.4'W
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
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
15820: You are northwest of Port Jefferson Harbor steering 242° per standard magnetic compass. As you continue westward, you see that the Port Jefferson Range Front Light and Rear Light come into line. If the deviation table is correct, the bearing of the range should be __________. 

    N a. 140°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    Y c. 157°psc
    N d. 160°psc
16070: When exiting Thimble Shoal Channel bound for Norfolk, the track line based on the lights of the Norfolk Entrance Reach Range is __________. 

    N a. 220°T
    N b. 222°T
    Y c. 224°T
    N d. 228°T