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.


72: In order to determine what buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP), what should you check?


86: As you approach Shreves cut-off you see Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP) which reads 6.2 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE?


140: If the highest point on your towboat is 52 feet and the West Memphis Gage reads 26 feet what is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge (mile 736.6 AHP)?


152: How long will it take you to go from the Memphis Gage to your destination in New Orleans, LA, if you estimate the average current on this segment of the route to be 2.0 mph and you increase the engine turns to 8.5 mph.

    N a. 1 day 20 hours 33 minutes
    N b. 2 days 6 hours 24 minutes
    Y c. 2 days 12 hours 15 minutes
    N d. 3 days 4 hours 11 minutes

197: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light?

    Y a. 014°
    N b. 017°
    N c. 280°
    N d. 332°

217: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water under the keel is about __________.

    N a. 59 feet (17.3 meters)
    N b. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N c. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y d. 38 feet (11.5 meters)

253: According to the DR track line from your 0100 position, how far off Roanoke Point Shoal Buoy "5" should you be when the buoy is abeam?

    N a. 1.8 mile
    N b. 1.3 mile
    Y c. 0.8 mile
    N d. 0.2 miles

259: The south coast of Long Island Sound between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson is __________.

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs
    N b. a high, flat plateau with sheer cliffs
    N c. low and marshy with isolated beaches
    Y d. fringed by rocky shoals

277: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor?

    N a. 13211
    N b. 13214
    Y c. 13213
    N d. 13272

283: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. the side of York Spit Channel
    N b. the visibility limit of the red sector of Cape Henry Light
    N c. the end of York Spit Channel
    N d. the junction of the York Spit and York River Entrance Channels

349: From your 0430 position, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position where Twenty-eight foot Shoal lighted buoy "TE" is abeam to port at 1 mile?

    Y a. 101.5°
    N b. 098.0°
    N c. 086.0°
    N d. 082.5°

354: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.

    Y a. bluff and rocky
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

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

418: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    Y a. 7.1 knots
    N b. 6.7 knots
    N c. 5.8 knots
    N d. 5.4 knots

446: At 1345, you depart from a position 1 mile due east of Montauk Point Light and set course for Block Island Southeast Light at 9 knots. At 1430, your position is:

Latitude 41° 06.3' North
Longitude 071° 41.9' West

What was the current encountered since 1345?

    N a. Set 015°, drift 0.5 knot
    N b. Set 195°, drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 015°, drift 0.7 knot
    Y d. Set 195°, drift 0.5 knot

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

581: At 1119, Wolf Trap Light bears 268°T at 4.4 miles by radar. What were the set and drift since your 1037 fix?

    Y a. 358°, 0.7 knot
    N b. 358°, 0.5 knot
    N c. 178°, 0.7 knot
    N d. 178°, 0.5 knot

599: Which town is located at mile 663.5 AHP?

    Y a. Helena
    N b. Friers Point
    N c. St. Francis
    N d. Rodney

983: On 17 January , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 22°26.0'N, LONG 152°17.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 136°T at a speed of 17.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 1015 ZT. The chronometer read 00h 13m 23s and was slow 01m 49s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 40°25.7'. LAN occurred at 1222 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 47°48.1'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 153°04.2'E
    N b. LONG 153°08.3'E
    Y c. LONG 153°13.1'E
    N d. LONG 153°18.6'E

990: On 24 March , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 31°45.0'W. Your vessel is steaming a course of 285°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. An observation of the Sun's upper limb is made at 0938 zone time, and the observed altitude (Ho) is 46°32.2'. The chronometer reads 11h 41m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 50s fast. Local apparent noon occurs at 1214 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 68°55.8'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 30°29.0'W
    Y b. LAT 22°35.0'N, LONG 32°51.0'W
    N c. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°10.5'W
    N d. LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 32°55.2'W

1128: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 miles

1243: What is the width of the widest span of the Cairo Highway Bridge (Upper Mississippi River mile 1.3)?

    N a. 800 feet
    Y b. 675 feet
    N c. 625 feet
    N d. 503 feet

1486: On 1 September , your 1115 zone time DR position is LAT 25°20.0'N, LONG 28°24.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 160.5°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 58s, and the chronometer error is 01m 17s fast. The variation is 13.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 2.1°E
    N b. 4.1°E
    N c. 11.0°W
    N d. 11.0°E

1643: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    N b. Bunge Corps..
    N c. T.L. James
    Y d. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.

1868: On 12 June , your 1945 DR position is LAT 21°47.0'N, LONG 46°52.0'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 130°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 45°21.2'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 10h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Theta Carinae
    N b. Epsilon Leonis
    Y c. Beta Librae
    N d. Zeta Puppis

1876: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 11°37.6' bearing 066°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Scheat
    N b. Ruckbah
    N c. Caph
    Y d. Algenib

2053: At 2342, on 25 August, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 9 mph?

    Y a. 1.8 mph
    N b. 2.1 mph
    N c. 4.4 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph

2088: At your current speed of 19 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 265 miles. You must travel 731 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    N a. 13.8
    N b. 12.6
    Y c. 11.4
    N d. 10.2

2154: On 30 June , at 0630 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 175°36.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 302°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 38s, and the sextant altitude is 32°07.9'. The index error is 4.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 58.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 035.3°T
    N b. 144.7°T
    N c. 186.5°T
    N d. 248.5°T

2166: On 10 January , at 0550 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 123°18.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 22.0 knots on a course of 295°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 05h 14m 02s, and the sextant altitude is 24°00.7'. The index error is 2.6' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 34s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 55.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 127.8°T
    N b. 129.8°T
    Y c. 131.9°T
    N d. 133.6°T

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.

2322: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light (mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

2858: Your vessel is on a course of 082°T at 19 knots. At 0255 a light bears 059.5°T, and at 0312 the light bears 037°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0333, 5.1 miles
    N b. 0321, 4.7 miles
    N c. 0327, 4.3 miles
    Y d. 0324, 3.8 miles

2898: You are steaming on a course of 267°T at 22 knots. At 0433 you observe a lighthouse bearing 290°T. At 0452 the lighthouse bears 328°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    Y a. 4.5 nm
    N b. 5.9 nm
    N c. 6.6 nm
    N d. 7.2 nm

3099: The propellers on your twin screw vessel have a pitch of 16'04". What is the distance in a day's run if the average RPM is 94, and you estimate 7% positive slip?

    Y a. 338.3 miles
    N b. 389.3 miles
    N c. 676.6 miles
    N d. 778.6 miles

3298: Your vessel consumes 216 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 15.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 17.5 knots?

    N a. 232 bbls
    N b. 252 bbls
    N c. 294 bbls
    Y d. 343 bbls

3461: You wish to make good a course of 053°T while turning for an engine speed of 16 knots. The set is 345°T, and the drift is 2.4 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line?

    N a. 14.1 knots
    N b. 15.2 knots
    N c. 16.1 knots
    Y d. 16.8 knots

3753: 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 343°T, and the variation is 5° west. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 344° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    Y c. 4°E
    N d. 4°W

12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12609: You are on course 239° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Falkner Island Light 314°psc Duck Island West Breakwater Light 2DI 039°psc Horton Point Light 157°psc What is your position?

    Y a. LAT 41°09.9'N, LONG 72°32.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°33.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°33.6'W

12707: You are on course 246° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 286° Race Rock Light 308° Latimer Reef Light 018°What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°55.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°56.6'W
    Y c. LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 71°56.1'W

13901: The precautionary area southeast of Block Island refers to a __________.

    Y a. recommended traffic lane
    N b. military exercise area
    N c. national marine refuge
    N d. dumping ground for hazardous wastes

14005: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 on the Columbia River. You are steaming in an easterly direction. At 0854 Lady Island Range is in line dead astern and Government Island Upper Range is in line on your port quarter. What speed have you averaged?

    N a. 8.1 mph
    N b. 8.5 mph
    Y c. 9.4 mph
    N d. 10.2 mph

14500: Your vessel is at mile 170 on the Columbia River. You are proceeding in a westerly direction and are approaching the lift bridge at Hood River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 92 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 52 feet above the water, which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "down" position with a vertical clearance of 15 feet.
    N b. You may pass under the lift bridge in the "up" position with a clearance of 96 feet.
    N c. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "down" position with a vertical clearance of 25 feet.
    Y d. You may pass under the lift bridge, in the "up" position with a vertical clearance of 76 feet.

14504: You are proceeding in a westerly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 72 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 44 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the overhead power cables at mile 173.8?

    N a. 43 feet
    N b. 68 feet
    N c. 111 feet
    Y d. 115 feet

15459: At 0823, Old Point Comfort Light bears 000°T at 0.6 mile. What is your 0823 position?

    Y a. LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 76°18.4'W
    N b. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 76°21.6'W
    N c. LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 76°19.6'W
    N d. LAT 36°55.5'N, LONG 76°18.6'W

15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W

15661: At 0727, the cupola on Fishers Island is in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 024°pgc. Based on this, the gyro error is __________.

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 1°E
    N c. 0°
    Y d. 3°W

16113: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Which channel should you use?

    N a. Thimble Shoal Main Channel or the South Auxiliary Channel
    N b. Any of the channels but keep to the right hand side
    Y c. The South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Thimble Shoal Main Channel

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

16310: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel?

    Y a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 67 feet (20.3 meters)

16469: As you pass between trestle "B" and trestle "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel, you sight along the trestle "C" when it is in line. The trestle bears 057° per standard magnetic compass while the vessel is heading 320°T. From this you know the __________.

    Y a. vessel should be swung to check the deviation table
    N b. compass error is 12°W
    N c. deviation table is correct for that bearing
    N d. deviation is 10°W