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.


100: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?


144: What is the distance from the Arkansas River mouth to the Ohio River mouth in river miles?


172: If you steer 143°pgc from your 2015 position at an engine speed of 8.0 knots, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?


215: As an option to heading into Long Island Sound, you consider anchoring in the vicinity of the Gardiners Point Ruins at the north end of Gardiners Island. What is the minimum recommended distance from the ruins for fishing, trawling, or anchoring?

    N a. 1.0 mile
    N b. 0.8 mile
    N c. 0.5 mile
    Y d. 300 yards (91 meters)

287: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 6.5 mile
    Y b. 5.0 miles
    N c. 3.3 miles
    N d. 2.0 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

463: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 37°47.5'N, LONG 122°27.8'W to LAT 33°51.7'S, LONG 151°12.7'E.

    N a. 6324.2 miles, 310.3°T
    N b. 6345.3 miles, 301.7°T
    N c. 6398.0 miles, 298.3°T
    Y d. 6445.2 miles, 240.3°T

474: You are on a great circle track departing from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W and your initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W.

What is the distance along the great circle track between the point of departure and the vertex?

    N a. 2735.1 miles
    Y b. 2664.9 miles
    N c. 2583.2 miles
    N d. 2420.0 miles

485: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E.

    N a. 7809 miles, 247.0°T
    N b. 7763 miles, 247.0°T
    Y c. 7635 miles, 233.9°T
    N d. 7618 miles, 230.3°T

545: At 0645, Watch Hill Point (left tangent) bears 314.5°T at 2.75 miles. What was the speed made good between 0600 and 0645?

    N a. 11.4 knots
    Y b. 10.7 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 8.1 knots

553: At 0507, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 208°pgc. What is the position of your 0507 running fix?

    N a. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°04.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°04.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 73°05.1'W

620: On 21 May , at 0630 PDT (ZD +7), your vessel takes departure at the San Francisco Sea Buoy, LAT 37°45.0'N, LONG 122°41.5'W, enroute to Kobe, LAT 33°52.0'N, LONG 135°00.0'E via great circle. The distance is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 14.0 knots. What will be your estimated zone time of arrival?

    N a. 0442, 2 June
    N b. 1342, 2 June
    N c. 0442, 3 June
    Y d. 1342, 3 June

620: On 21 May , at 0630 PDT (ZD +7), your vessel takes departure at the San Francisco Sea Buoy, LAT 37°45.0'N, LONG 122°41.5'W, enroute to Kobe, LAT 33°52.0'N, LONG 135°00.0'E via great circle. The distance is 4,245 miles, and you estimate that you will average 14.0 knots. What will be your estimated zone time of arrival?

    N a. 0442, 2 June
    N b. 1342, 2 June
    N c. 0442, 3 June
    Y d. 1342, 3 June

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

831: On 30 March , in DR position LAT 20°26.2'N, LONG 131°17.9'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's lower limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 36m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 06s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°21.4'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 40 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 20°44.8'N
    Y b. LAT 20°31.9'N
    N c. LAT 20Z°23.7'N
    N d. LAT 20°15.6'N

1000: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°30'N, LONG 62°31'W. You are on course 286°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2'

    N a. LAT 18°33.6'N, LONG 62°54.3'W
    N b. LAT 18°35.2'N, LONG 62°49.7'W
    N c. LAT 18°38.7'N, LONG 62°59.2'W
    Y d. LAT 18°41.1'N, LONG 62°53.9'W

1006: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 19°02'N, LONG 138°12'W. You are on course 309°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0'

    N a. LAT 19°28.0'N, LONG 138°35.2'W
    Y b. LAT 19°29.7'N, LONG 138°42.0'W
    N c. LAT 19°32.6'N, LONG 138°49.4'W
    N d. LAT 19°34.5'N, LONG 138°40.9'W

1081: On 14 Sept , your 1810 ZT DR position is LAT 27°12.0'S, LONG 71°10.0'E. You are on course 060°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1822 running fix. NP-0011

    N a. LAT 27°04.5'S, LONG 71°22.4'E
    N b. LAT 27°07.5'S, LONG 71°18.6'E
    N c. LAT 27°09.2'S, LONG 71°11.3'E
    Y d. LAT 27°11.0'S, LONG 71°14.5'E

1090: At 0450 zone time, on 25 June , your DR position is LAT 21°26.0'N, LONG 160°24.5'W. You are steering course 100°T at a speed of 10 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0514 running fix. NP-0020

    N a. LAT 21°27.0'N, LONG 160°17.0'W
    Y b. LAT 21°25.0'N, LONG 160°18.0'W
    N c. LAT 21°22.0'N, LONG 160°17.0'W
    N d. LAT 21°20.0'N, LONG 160°15.5'W

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

1244: If your vessel is making turns for 7.5 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the dock in Angelina, LA?

    Y a. 1621, 28 Dec
    N b. 2203, 28 Dec
    N c. 0516, 29 Dec
    N d. 1621, 29 Dec

1463: On 26 May , your 0723 zone time DR position is LAT 24°50.0'N, LONG 38°11.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 076.5°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 25m 43s, and the chronometer error is 02m 57s fast. The variation is 7°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 3.3°E
    N b. 3.7°W
    N c. 8.3°W
    Y d. 10.7°E

1663: On 7 April , in DR position LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 114°03.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 076°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 10m 17s and is 01m 52s slow. Variation in the area is 8°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 1.8°W
    N b. 2.3°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 7.8°W

1747: As you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge, you estimate the current as 3.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 9 mph?

    N a. 14.5 mph
    N b. 13.5 mph
    Y c. 12.5 mph
    N d. 11.5 mph

1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red diamond

1752: After you get underway, what is the fourth river gage you will pass?

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Natchez
    N c. Bayou Sara
    N d. Red River Landing

1871: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 270°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 65°41.7'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Epsilon Leonis
    N b. Scheat
    N c. Merak
    Y d. Algeiba

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

2051: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas?

    N a. 23
    Y b. 20
    N c. 17
    N d. 5

2117: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?

    Y a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 9.3 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

2212: At 1650 you decrease speed to make good 7.1 mph. At 2020 you are __________.

    Y a. abeam of Old River Control Structure Light
    N b. entering the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
    N c. at Palmetto Point
    N d. at Latitude 31°10'N

2533: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

    N a. List of Buoys and Daymarks
    N b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    Y d. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners

2676: While on a course of 019°pgc, a light bears 14° on the port bow at a distance of 15.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 1.5 miles abeam of the light, leaving it to port?

    N a. 006°pgc
    Y b. 011°pgc
    N c. 013°pgc
    N d. 015°pgc

2716: The charts show two dashed lines crossing the river just south of St. Catherine Bar Light. What does this indicate?

    N a. Overhead power lines
    N b. Louisiana-Mississippi ferry crossings
    N c. Two railroad trestles
    Y d. Two submerged oil pipelines

3098: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.2 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,660, calculate the day's run allowing 5% positive slip.

    N a. 163.3 miles
    N b. 217.8 miles
    Y c. 310.3 miles
    N d. 342.9 miles

3643: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a northerly wind produces 1° leeway?

    N a. 084°T
    Y b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T

10204: 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 5 miles due south of Saybrook Breakwater Light?

    N a. 089°psc
    Y b. 080°psc
    N c. 077°psc
    N d. 066°psc

10601: At 1645 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 262° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 12 knots. At 1721 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 72°44.9'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 040°T at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 030°T at 1.7 knots
    N c. 225°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 242°T at 1.1 knots

10607: At 0912 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6 knots. At 1052 your GPS position is 0.5 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift?

    N a. 145°T at 1.2 knots
    N b. 148°T at 0.9 knot
    N c. 320°T at 1.3 knots
    Y d. 325°T at 0.7 knot

11303: At 0856 your GPS position is LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. At 0945 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the speed made good between the fixes?

    N a. 8.4 knots
    N b. 8.9 knots
    N c. 9.6 knots
    Y d. 10.7 knots

12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________.

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass

13700: Local magnetic disturbances of up to how many degrees have been noted from Cape Henry to Currituck Beach Light?

    N a. 2 degrees
    Y b. 6 degrees
    N c. 11 degrees
    N d. 17 degrees

14104: You are approaching Bonneville Lock and Dam. Which FM-radio channel should be used to communicate with the lockmaster?

    N a. 13
    Y b. 14
    N c. 15
    N d. 16

15163: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE?

    Y a. You are entering a restricted area.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. On your present course Trestle "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel is dead ahead.

15211: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light?

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    Y c. York Spit Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

15211: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light?

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    N b. New Point Comfort Shoal Light
    Y c. York Spit Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"

15318: You passed Cape Henry Light at 0730 outbound at maximum flood. What approximate current can you expect on entering Chesapeake Channel?

    N a. Slack before ebb
    N b. Slack before flood
    N c. Ebb current
    Y d. Flood current

15742: At 2100 your position is LAT 40°58.5'N, LONG 71°46.0'W. You are proceeding north. At 2131 Montauk Point Light has a radar range of 5.1 miles and bears 284°T. Block Island Southeast Light has a radar range of 10.8 miles. What was the course made good from your 2100 position?

    N a. 005°T
    Y b. 011°T
    N c. 017°T
    N d. 025°T

15912: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to the position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 064°
    N b. 068°
    Y c. 095°
    N d. 099°

15960: From your 1752 position, you steer 313°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the following visual bearings:
Old Pt. Comfort Light - 238°pgc.
Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light - 136°pgc.
What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position?

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 76°08.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N, LONG 76°08.1'W

16208: What is your ETA at point "A"?

    N a. 0640
    Y b. 0651
    N c. 0655
    N d. 0702

16513: At 0748, you change course to 160°T. What loran reading can you follow to remain on this course?

    Y a. 9960-W-14651.0
    N b. 9960-W-14660.0
    N c. 9960-Y-43852.0
    N d. 9960-Y-43943.8

16539: If you estimate 3° leeway due to northerly winds, which course will you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc)
to make good 255°T?

    N a. 267°psc
    Y b. 270°psc
    N c. 272°psc
    N d. 274°psc

16617: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130?

    N a. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 080° at 1.0 knot
    Y c. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N d. There is no current.

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

16845: After the pilot boards, he tells you the gyro has a 2°E error. If this is true, what should the bearing be along Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as your vessel passes abeam of it?

    N a. 052°pgc
    N b. 049°pgc
    Y c. 047°pgc
    N d. 045°pgc