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.

62: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge?
160: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?
192: At 2100, Cape Charles Light bears 321°pgc, and Cape Henry Light bears 247°pgc. Your latitude is __________.
260: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles? 

    N a. 0318
    N b. 0312
    N c. 0309
    Y d. 0303
288: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light? 

    N a. 0.5 mile
    Y b. 0.9 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles
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
495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________. 

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain
538: Determine the distance from LAT 23°24'S, LONG 13°54'E to LAT 23°24'S, LONG 42°48'W. by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 3119.3 miles
    Y b. 3122.2 miles
    N c. 3124.5 miles
    N d. 3126.6 miles
680: On which voyage would a great circle track provide a significant savings in distance to steam, when compared to a rhumb line track? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270.) 

    N a. Valdez, AK, to the Marquesas Islands (LAT 8°00'S, LONG 140°00'W)
    N b. San Francisco to Kodiak, AK
    N c. Christmas Island (LAT 2°00'N, LONG 157°30'W) to Singapore via LAT 3°00'N, LONG 126°00'E
    Y d. Guam (LAT 14°00'N, LONG 145°00'E) to Seattle via LAT 47°30'N, LONG 125°30'W
740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N
1003: On 15 November , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 17°25'S, LONG 42°12'W. You are on course 059°T, speed 22 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1128 40°50.4' S 18°33.6' 88°18.4'
1133 42°05.4' S 18°33.6' 88°37.7' 

    N a. LAT 17°00.0'S, LONG 41°45.8'W
    N b. LAT 17°02.1'S, LONG 41°48.4'W
    Y c. LAT 17°06.8'S, LONG 41°44.3'W
    N d. LAT 17°08.9'S, LONG 41°40.4'W
1178: On 27 August , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 94°20.0'W. Your vessel is on course 071°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1214
    N b. 1208
    N c. 1206
    N d. 1158
1200: On 26 September , your 0830 DR position is LAT 26°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1124
    N b. 1128
    N c. 1142
    N d. 1146
1205: On 25 April , your 1130 DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 61°25.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 300°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. Determine the zone time of (LAN) for your vessel. 

    N a. 1154
    N b. 1156
    N c. 1202
    Y d. 1204
1290: You are at mile 230.0 AHP and see on the map a large rectangle outlined with a broken line . This indicates a __________. 

    N a. revetment
    N b. dredge material
    Y c. fleeting area
    N d. dike
1473: On 26 January , your 1615 ZT DR position is LAT 27°14.0'S, LONG 57°22.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 266°psc. The chronometer reads 08h 13m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 46s slow. The variation is 4°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 4.8°E
    N b. 4.9°W
    Y c. 5.9°W
    N d. 7.8°E
1538: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph? 

    N a. 8.5 mph
    N b. 5.7 mph
    N c. 1.5 mph
    Y d. 0.5 mph
1670: On 10 August , your vessel's 0426 zone time DR position is LAT 52°07'N, LONG 142°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 074.5° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 12°W. The chronometer reads 07h 24m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Which of the following is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.3°W
    Y c. 1.3°E
    N d. 2.3°W
1685: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red square
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Green diamond
1688: As you approach Ashland Light (mile 378.1 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Green square
    N b. Green triangle
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Red triangle
1751: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    Y c. 2339, 27 May
    N d. 0339, 28 May
1757: What town is located at mile 395 AHP? 

    Y a. St. Joseph
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    N d. Rodney
1852: On 26 November , at 0535 ZT, while taking sights for a morning fix, you observe an unidentified planet bearing 074°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°29.8'. Your DR position is LAT 27°18.9'S, LONG 30°18.4'E. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 33m 16s, and the chronometer is 01m 48s slow. What planet did you observe? 

    Y a. Saturn
    N b. Jupiter
    N c. Mars
    N d. Venus
1863: On 14 January , your 1922 ZT DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 029°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°35.0'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab
1899: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 116°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 11°27.8'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Markab
    Y b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal
1986: You are in charge of a vessel that damages an aid to navigation established and maintained by the United States. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You must take the aid in tow and deliver it to the nearest Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office.
    N b. You must report the allision to the nearest Army Corps.. of
    
Engineers Office.
    N c. You may wait until you reach your destination before reporting the allision to the U.S. Coast Guard.
    Y d. You must report the accident to the nearest Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
2018: On 11 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 26°32'S, LONG 154°16'E. You are on course 058°T at a speed of 21 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Polaris, Regulus, Rigel
    N b. Jupiter, Spica, Canopus
    N c. Saturn, Peacock, Rigel
    Y d. Mars, Betelgeuse, Miaplacidus
2104: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    N c. Sandy
    Y d. Hard
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.
2577: On 23 July, you take a time tick using the 0900 GMT Cape Town broadcast. You hear a repeating series of 59 dots followed by a dash. At the beginning of the fifth dash you start your stopwatch. The chronometer reads 08h 39m 16s at the time the stopwatch reads 01m 42s. The chronometer error at 0900 GMT, 22 July, was 22m 24s slow. What is the chronometer rate? 

    Y a. 00m 02s losing
    N b. 01m 02s gaining
    N c. 22m 24s losing
    N d. 22m 26s slow
2653: You are steering 019°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 11.6 miles at 0216. You change course to pass the light 3 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 14 knots, what is your ETA at the position 3 miles off the light? 

    N a. 0258
    N b. 0301
    Y c. 0304
    N d. 0307
2696: You are underway on course 059°T at a speed of 13.8 knots.
You sight a light bearing 064°T at a radar range of 5.1 miles at 1839. If you change course at 1845, what is the course to steer to leave the light abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile? 

    N a. 047°T
    Y b. 050°T
    N c. 053°T
    N d. 058°T
3060: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 24.0 feet and a pitch of 21.3 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 510 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 86? 

    N a. -12.2%
    N b. +12.2%
    Y c. -17.5%
    N d. +17.5%
3263: You have steamed 1124 miles at 21 knots, and consumed 326 tons of fuel. If you have 210 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 17 knots? 

    N a. 1096 miles
    Y b. 1105 miles
    N c. 1218 miles
    N d. 1304 miles
3290: While steaming at 15.5 knots, your vessel consumes 333 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 176 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 11.3 knots
    Y b. 12.5 knots
    N c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots
3654: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 07h 59m 54s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 00m 00s, and the chronometer reads 08h 00m 06s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 06s slow
    N b. 0m 06s fast
    N c. 0m 12s fast
    Y d. No error
4006: 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 true heading of 236°.
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. 1.0°W
    Y b. 0.5°E
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 0.0°
4016: 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 004°.
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°W
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.0°
    Y d. 1.0°E
11805: What is the true course to steer between Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground Light) and New Haven Light, if the set and drift of the current are 048°T at 2 knots, and a southeasterly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots. 

    N a. 032°T
    Y b. 037°T
    N c. 039°T
    N d. 041°T
12304: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 323° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________. 

    Y a. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N b. know the deviation is 15°E
    N c. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N d. know the deviation is equal to the variation
15057: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Gong Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 0.1 miles. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if a northerly wind causes 2° of leeway? 

    N a. 120°pgc
    N b. 118°pgc
    N c. 116°pgc
    Y d. 114°pgc
15062: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to a position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 064°psc
    N b. 068°psc
    N c. 091°psc
    Y d. 095°psc
15116: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light? 

    Y a. 0.9 mile
    N b. 1.2 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles
15213: 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 (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water? 

    Y a. 53 feet (15.5 meters)
    N b. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
15460: At 0845, you are approaching the entrances to Thimble Shoal Channel. What channel must you use? 

    Y a. The South Auxiliary Channel since your draft is less than 25 feet (7.6 meters), and you are not a passenger vessel.
    N b. The South Auxiliary Channel or Thimble Shoal Channel, but you must remain on the right hand side of the main channel.
    N c. The North Auxiliary Channel since you are going to turn to a northerly heading near buoy "12".
    N d. You are not permitted to use any of the channels, but must remain outside the buoyed channel line.
15467: At 1018, you are entering York Spit Channel and buoy "19" is abeam to starboard. At 1031, buoy "23" is abeam. What speed are you making good? 

    N a. 8.4 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.7 knots
    N d. 9.9 knots
15662: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 026.5°pgc
Race Point Light bearing 275.5°pgc


What is the approximate depth of water under the keel at this position? 

    N a. 325 feet (98.5 meters)
    N b. 175 feet (53.0 meters)
    N c. 130 feet (39.4 meters)
    Y d. 112 feet (33.9 meters)
15916: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (215°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"? 

    N a. 1016
    N b. 1021
    Y c. 1026
    N d. 1030
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
16456: 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? 

    Y a. 194°psc
    N b. 190°psc
    N c. 187°psc
    N d. 180°psc
16511: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    Y d. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.