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.

37: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads -3.6 feet. If the highest point on your vessel is 62 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?
63: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________.
79: The map shows a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.4 AHP. What does this indicate?
96: As you approach Kate Aubrey Towhead Light (mile 789.5 AHP), your searchlight will show what type of marking at the light? 

    Y a. Green diamond
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green triangle
    N d. Green square
208: From your 1850 fix, you come left to a course of 280°T,
while maintaining a speed of 10 knots. Which of the following combinations of available Loran-C lines would be best for position determination? 

    N a. 9960-X and 9960-Y
    Y b. 9960-Y and 9960-W
    N c. 9960-W and 9960-X
    N d. All are equally good.
225: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) ? 

    N a. 274°psc
    N b. 280°psc
    Y c. 283°psc
    N d. 286°psc
238: At 0910, your DR position is LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°47.8'W. Your vessel is on course 097°T at 9.5 knots, and the weather is foggy. At 0915, Branford Reef Light is sighted through a break in the fog bearing 318°T. At 0945, Falkner Island Light is sighted bearing 042°T. What is your 0945 running fix position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.1'N, LONG 72°41.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.3'W
    Y c. LAT 41°11.5'N, LONG 72°40.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.8'N, LONG 72°40.2'W
243: From your 1210 position, you are making good a course of 083°T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 10 knots. The set and drift of the current are 310° at 1.7 knots. At what time should you expect to enter the red sector of New London Harbor Light? 

    Y a. 1243
    N b. 1254
    N c. 1259
    N d. 1305
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
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
401: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 35°01'S, LONG 18°51'W. Your position is LAT 30°18'S, LONG 21°42'W. Determine the true course from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 135°T
    N b. 149°T
    Y c. 153°T
    N d. 160°T
595: You are passing the Bayou Sara Gage which reads 3.9 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) at Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    N a. The river level is above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. Red Store Landing Revetment is ahead on your starboard side
    N c. This gage reading is at a lower elevation than the same reading on the Gage at Head of Passes.
    Y d. None of the above.
824: On 30 October , an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1144 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 137°16.0'W, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 80°59.4'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 42.5 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 08h 46m 15s, and the chronometer error is 02m 12s fast. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation. 

    Y a. LAT 22°31.4'S
    N b. LAT 22°42.3'S
    N c. LAT 22°46.2'S
    N d. LAT 23°00.9'S
1455: On 4 October , your 1907 zone time DR position is LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 105°44.0'E. At that time, you observe Deneb bearing 011.5°psc. The chronometer reads 00h 07m 42s, and the chronometer error is 00m 36s fast. The variation is 7.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    Y a. 3.2°E
    N b. 4.3°W
    N c. 2.1°E
    N d. 2.1°W
1539: As you approach Vaucluse Bend Light (mile 533.8 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    Y c. Green square
    N d. Green diamond
1720: As you approach mile 427.6 AHP, you see on the right side a white buoy with orange bands and open face diamond. This buoy shows __________. 

    N a. safe water
    N b. preferred channel
    Y c. danger
    N d. special marks
1842: What town is located at mile 389.8 AHP? 

    N a. Whitehall
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    Y d. Rodney
1894: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 149°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 12°55.0'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    Y d. Acamar
1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
1900: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observed an unidentified star bearing 233°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°42.3'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    Y c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal
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
2245: You are entering the channel at buoy 29 and turning for 9 knots. An easterly 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 middle leg of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 162°T
    Y b. 165°T
    N c. 168°T
    N d. 171°T
2247: At 1845 zone time, on 17 March , while taking stars for an evening fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 200°T at an observed altitude of 53°45.0'. Your DR position at the time of the sight is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 47m 49s, and the chronometer error is 1m 54s fast. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 290°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Altair
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    Y d. Rigel
2294: You are passing Eastwood Lt. (mile 849.3 AHP) and the map indicates that Bunge Grain facility would be located at the square with number __________. 

    N a. 4
    N b. 6
    N c. 8
    Y d. 10
2339: You have steamed 1260 miles at 18 knots, and consumed 205 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1423 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 16 knots? 

    N a. 143 tons
    N b. 183 tons
    Y c. 293 tons
    N d. 333 tons
2454: 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
2712: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 720.8 miles
    N b. 777.4 miles
    Y c. 897.2 miles
    N d. 906.3 miles
2717: The Natchez Gage reads 16.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 38 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 79.0 feet
    Y b. 71.7 feet
    N c. 65.2 feet
    N d. 59.1 feet
2853: Your vessel is on a course of 343°T at 14 knots. At 2156 a light bears 320.5°T, and at 2217 the light bears 298°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    Y a. 2232, 3.4 miles
    N b. 2235, 4.3 miles
    N c. 2228, 4.9 miles
    N d. 2241, 6.9 miles
3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip. 

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles
3266: Your vessel has consumed 1087 bbls of fuel after steaming 2210 miles at a speed of 10.75 kts. What is the maximum speed you can steam for the last 1000 miles of the voyage on the remaining 725 bbls, if you estimate 3% of the fuel is not usable? 

    N a. 11.43 knots
    N b. 11.76 knots
    Y c. 12.84 knots
    N d. 15.33 knots
3275: You have steamed 989 miles at 16.5 knots, and consumed 215 tons of fuel. If you have 345 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13 knots? 

    N a. 1025 miles
    N b. 1993 miles
    Y c. 2557 miles
    N d. 3245 miles
3636: You desire to make good a true course of 279°. The variation is 8°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°E. A north-northwesterly wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good? 

    N a. 281°psc
    N b. 284°psc
    Y c. 287°psc
    N d. 290°psc
3636: You desire to make good a true course of 279°. The variation is 8°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°E. A north-northwesterly wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good? 

    N a. 281°psc
    N b. 284°psc
    Y c. 287°psc
    N d. 290°psc
4007: 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 gyro heading of 166°.
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° 

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.0°E
    N c. 0.5°W
    N d. 0.5°E
4012: 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 210°.
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° 

    Y a. 0.0°
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.5°E
    N d. 1.0°E
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.
10105: What is the course psc from Chesapeake Light to North Chesapeake Entrance Buoy NCA? 

    N a. 313°psc
    N b. 317°psc
    Y c. 321°psc
    N d. 325°psc
11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________. 

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap
11307: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. At 2031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the speed made good? 

    N a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 9.3 knots
    Y c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.9 knots
13300: The soundings on this chart are measured in __________. 

    Y a. feet
    N b. yards
    N c. fathoms
    N d. meters
15120: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good? 

    N a. 5.7 knots
    N b. 6.1 knots
    N c. 6.5 knots
    Y d. 6.9 knots
15338: At 1705 Race Rock Light bears 099°True; Orient Point Light bears 176°True; Bartlett Reef Light bears 083°True. What is your vessel's position? 

    N a. LAT 41°15.0'N, LONG 72°14.3'W
    N b. LAT 41°15.4'N, LONG 72°16.6'W
    Y c. LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 72°14.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°16.4'N, LONG 72°14.2'W
15343: At 1844 Watch Hill Point bears 323° true and Block Island North Light bears 084° true

Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. Your fathometer reads 97 feet
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are to the left (north) of your desired course line.
    Y d. Your vessel is approximately 8.7 miles off Sandy Point.
15461: At 0908, you change course to 010°T. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 003°
    N b. 017°
    Y c. 021°
    N d. 359°
15544: At 2310 your position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°33.7'W and you change course to make good 068°T. A radar speed check using Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Buoy indicates your speed over the ground is 13.6 knots. At 2325 Horton Point Light bears 129°T. At 2341 the same light bears 194°T. What is the position of your 2341 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°25.9'W
    N b. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 72°25.8'W
    Y c. LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°25.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.8'N, LONG 72°25.2'W
15613: 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. You can expect differences of as much as 6° from the normal magnetic variation of the area.
15656: At 0630, Buoy "PI" is close abeam on the starboard side. You are steering 078°T and are headed directly toward Race Rock Light. At 0654, Little Gull Island Light is bearing 210°pgc and Race Rock Light is bearing 075°pgc. What is your 0654 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°54.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°06.8'W
    Y d. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°05.3'W
15712: At 0910, your DR position is LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°47.8'
W. Your vessel is on course 097°T at 9.5 knots, and the weather is foggy. At 0915, Branford Reef Light is sighted through a break in the fog bearing 318°T. At 0945,
Falkner Island Light is sighted bearing 042°T. What is your 0945 running fix position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.1'N, LONG 72°41.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°41.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.4'N, LONG 72°41.0'W
    Y d. LAT 41°11.5'N, LONG 72°40.7'W
15865: From your 0200 position, you change course to 272°pgc. How far north of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light does this track pass? 

    Y a. 2.1 miles
    N b. 1.6 miles
    N c. 1.3 miles
    N d. 1.0 miles
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°
15915: At 0925, you obtain the following radar information:

Falkner Island Light bearing 252° true @ 1.65 nm

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"? 

    Y a. 089°T
    N b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 102°T