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.

47: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA?
65: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?
65: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?
348: At 0430, you take the following radar ranges:

Stratford Point Light @ 5.25 nm
Middle Ground Light @ 4.55 nm

What is your 0430 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°08.9'N, LONG 73°00.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°01.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.8'N, LONG 73°00.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 73°01.4'W
352: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT? 

    N a. 122 miles
    N b. 115 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 95 miles
365: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731? 

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.2 knots
    Y c. 8.8 knots
    N d. 8.3 knots
373: What is your ETA at point "A"? 

    N a. 0702
    N b. 0655
    Y c. 0651
    N d. 0640
383: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage? 

    Y a. 24.4 miles
    N b. 23.9 miles
    N c. 23.7 miles
    N d. 20.4 miles
388: From your 0745 fix, you change course to pass 1.0 mile south of buoy "WH" and estimate your speed at 7 knots. If the visibility clears, what is the earliest time you can expect to see Block Island North Light tower? 

    N a. 0845
    N b. 0838
    Y c. 0807
    N d. 0750
406: You depart LAT 49°45.0'N, LONG 06°35.0'W, and steam 3599 miles on course 246.5°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LONG 76°36.2'W
    Y b. LONG 77°02.8'W
    N c. LONG 78°14.0'W
    N d. LONG 78°22.6'W
433: What true course and speed did you make good between 0730 and 0900? 

    N a. 271°T, 8.9 knots
    N b. 273°T, 8.7 knots
    Y c. 277°T, 8.4 knots
    N d. 284°T, 7.5 knots
483: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. The difference of longitude from the vertex to a point (X) on the great circle track is 10°W. Determine the latitude which intersects the great circle at point (X). 

    N a. 37°02.5'N
    Y b. 37°09.5'N
    N c. 37°15.6'N
    N d. 37°21.2'N
490: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    N d. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
510: You observe the star Deneb at a sextant altitude (hs) of 48°34.8' on 16 December . The index error is 4.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 48°02.9'
    Y b. 48°30.5'
    N c. 48°31.4'
    N d. 48°46.5'
529: You depart LAT 51°48.0'S, LONG 178°35.0'W and steam 179 miles on course 270°. What is the longitude of arrival? 

    N a. 173°47'W
    N b. 174°27'E
    Y c. 176°36'E
    N d. 179°52'W
652: On a voyage via the southern tip of Nova Scotia (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 65°35'W) you wish to sail the shortest route to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 8°24'W). Which of the following will require you to plot a composite sailing? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. Shoals extending 15 miles from Sable Island
    N b. Sea ice reported 68 miles ESE of St. John's, Newfoundland
    Y c. Icebergs reported extending west to west-northwest from  LAT 47°00'N, LONG 35°00'W
    N d. Naval exercises using live ammunition being conducted within a 150 mile radius of LAT 49°00'N, LONG 20°00'W
727: On 11 February , your 1832 zone time DR position is LONG 110°52.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 26°19.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 01h 34m 56s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s fast. The index error is 2.7' off the arc, and the height of eye is 60.2 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    Y a. 25°27.2'N
    N b. 25°34.2'N
    N c. 26°27.2'N
    N d. 26°34.2'N
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
735: On 22 August , your 1852 zone time DR position is LONG 155°54.0'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 27°36.9'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 54m 06s, and the chronometer error is 02m 20s fast. The index error is 3.6' off the arc, and the height of eye is 61.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 27°05.5'N
    N b. 27°31.0'N
    Y c. 28°05.9'N
    N d. 28°09.5'N
744: On 22 May , at 0440 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 23°24'N, LONG 110°24'W. At approximately this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 23°40.9' with an index error of 1.6' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 11h 42m 14s, and is 2m 36s fast. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 24 feet? 

    N a. 23°28.6'N
    N b. 23°30.0'N
    Y c. 23°31.2'N
    N d. 23°32.8'N
1142: At 1132, 24 May, you pass Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP). What is your ETA off the Memphis Gage if you average 8.0 mph? 

    N a. 2345, 25 May
    Y b. 0947, 26 May
    N c. 1525, 26 May
    N d. 2215, 26 May
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
1478: On 12 June , at 0919 zone time, your position is LAT 26°52'N, LONG 84°34'W. The chronometer reads 03h 17m 00s. Chronometer error is 01m 40s slow. At that time, an azimuth of the Sun is obtained. The bearing is 089.5° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 4.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 9.5°E
    N b. 9.5°W
    N c. 5.2°E
    Y d. 5.2°W
1540: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground? 

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph
1745: What is the distance in river miles, from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal to the RR and Hwy bridge at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 365 miles
    N b. 310 miles
    N c. 265 miles
    Y d. 203 miles
1761: What is the length of the trip? 

    Y a. 887.9 miles
    N b. 878.9 miles
    N c. 851.9 miles
    N d. 726.0 miles
1837: The Arkansas City Yellow Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile _________. 

    Y a. 555.0-549.7 RDB
    N b. 549.0-548.5 RDB
    N c. 556.9-554.9 LDB
    N d. 548.5-546.5 LDB
1896: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 154°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 15°01.2'. The chronometer reads 12h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    Y c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
2002: On 16 July , your 1810 zone time DR position is LAT 24°16.5'S, LONG 162°52.0'E. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Arcturus, Spica, Antares
    Y b. Jupiter, Alphard, Alphecca
    N c. Pollux, Mars, Deneb
    N d. Vega, Hadar, Venus
2167: On 4 July , at 0630 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21°15.0'S, LONG 21°20.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 146°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 0m 53s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 48.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    Y a. 049.5°T
    N b. 052.6°T
    N c. 054.3°T
    N d. 058.9°T
2210: The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. If the Bayou Sara Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? 

    N a. 4.75 feet above the plane
    N b. 5.75 feet above the plane
    Y c. 5.75 feet below the plane
    N d. 4.75 feet below the plane
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.
2461: You have steamed 540 miles at 22 knots and burning 618 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 372 barrels per day with 299 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    Y a. 16.5
    N b. 17.6
    N c. 19.1
    N d. 20.0
2708: While on a course of 349°T, a light bears 13° on your starboard bow at a distance of 10.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light, leaving it to starboard? 

    N a. 323°
    N b. 336°
    Y c. 349°
    N d. 002°
3056: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 18.8 feet and a pitch of 21.4 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 378 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 76? 

    Y a. +1.9%
    N b. -1.9%
    N c. +4.7%
    N d. -4.7%
3086: If the pitch of the propeller is 19.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 86,178, calculate the day's run allowing 3% negative slip. 

    N a. 279.2 miles
    Y b. 287.6 miles
    N c. 311.4 miles
    N d. 326.2 miles
4010: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 104°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320° 

    N a. 1.8°E
    N b. 2.6°E
    Y c. 2.2°W
    N d. 2.7°W
10905: You wish to anchor and fish in the regulated navigation area in the vicinity of LAT 37°02'N, LONG 76°01'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    N a. Anchoring is prohibited in this area due to the danger of  unexploded mines on the bottom.
    N b. You may anchor in this area only in the event of an emergency such as loss of main propulsion.
    Y c. You may anchor in this area if your vessel is less than 65 feet in length or if you have the Captain of the Port's permission.
    N d. Any vessel can anchor without restriction as the regulations only apply to vessels underway.
12611: You are on course 262° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Saybrook Breakwater Light - 338.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 107.5°psc Horton Point Light - 240.0°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°16.7'N
    Y b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°17.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 72°17.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°17.3'W
13108: At 1103 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 8.2 knots? 

    N a. 1249
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    Y d. 1310
13406: You are planning to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°01.1'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position? 

    N a. Gray sand
    N b. Soft mud
    Y c. Gray mud
    N d. Hard sand
13805: What is the danger associated with anchoring your vessel within a 300 yard radius of Gardiners Point? 

    N a. An unusually strong current exists in this area.
    N b. The bottom is not suitable for holding the anchor.
    N c. Submerged pilings may exist in this area.
    Y d. Your anchor could become fouled on undetonated explosives.
13906: When approaching Block Island Sound from Long Island Sound, you will enter waters governed by the International Rules of the Road when you __________. 

    Y a. pass through The Race
    N b. cross the territorial sea boundary
    N c. exit Block Island Sound to the east or south
    N d. None of the above, as Long Island Sound is governed by the  International Rules of the Road
15043: At 0811 your vessel's position is 37°04.9'N, 75°39.7'W. You are steering a course of 220° true at a speed of 14.0 knots. At what time would you expect the buoys in the northeasterly traffic scheme to line up, if you do not correct for a southwesterly current of 1.8 knots? 

    N a. 0826
    N b. 0831
    Y c. 0837
    N d. 0846
15609: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 296° true
Cape Henry light bearing 242° true

Your 1800 position is __________. 

    Y a. LAT 37°02.9'N,  LONG 75°43.1'W
    N b. LAT 37°02.9'N,  LONG 75°43.9'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N,  LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N,  LONG 75°42.8'W
15620: From your 2123 position, you are approximately 42 miles from Crisfield, MD. If you are making good a speed of 13 knots, at what time should you arrive at Crisfield, MD? 

    N a. 2359
    Y b. 0037
    N c. 0112
    N d. 0148
15769: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are to the right of the track line.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    N c. You are inside of the Territorial Sea.
    Y d. The fix is indeterminate.
15856: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    Y b. Hard
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Muddy
15914: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. What is the approximate charted depth of the water? 

    N a. 14 ft (4.2 meters)
    N b. 19 ft (5.8 meters)
    N c. 22 ft (6.7 meters)
    Y d. 29 ft (8.8 meters)
16115: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731? 

    N a. 8.3 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots
16208: What is your ETA at point "A"? 

    N a. 0640
    Y b. 0651
    N c. 0655
    N d. 0702
16262: What was the speed made good from 0240 to 0400? 

    N a. 5.2 knots
    N b. 5.6 knots
    Y c. 6.0 knots
    N d. 6.4 knots
16340: If you make good your intended course and speed, at what time will you cross the 150-foot curve? 

    N a. 2237
    N b. 2249
    Y c. 2256
    N d. 2301
16346: After passing through the Race, enroute to Bridgeport, CN,
and Race Rock Light is 2 miles astern you notice an equal interval flashing red light on the starboard side. This light is __________. 

    N a. New London Airport Aerobeacon
    Y b. New London Harbor Light
    N c. New London Ledge Light
    N d. Bartlett Reef Light
16356: What is the course per standard magnetic compass from the anchorage to point "A" located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14? 

    N a. 185°
    N b. 188°
    N c. 191°
    Y d. 194°
16413: At 1104, Watch Hill Point Light is in line with Stonington Outer Breakwater Light, the range to the south tip of Watch Hill Point is 2.6 miles and the range to the beach is 1.9 miles. You are steering to make good 075°T, speed 10.0 knots. At 1110, you change course to head for a position of LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. What is the true course? 

    N a. 185°
    N b. 187°
    Y c. 190°
    N d. 193°