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.


165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?


282: From your 1752 position, you steer 307°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the visual bearings. What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position? Old Pt. Comfort Light 232°pgc. Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light 130°pgc.


320: At 2150, your position is LAT 36°57.2'N, LONG 76°01.3'W. In this position on the chart, you note a light magenta line running in a direction of 030°T. This line indicates the limits of __________.


346: At 0415, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 329.5°pgc
Middle Ground Light 223.5°pgc
Old Field Point Light 199.5°pgc

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The current's drift is greater than predicted.
    Y b. You are to the right of your intended track line.
    N c. The course made good since 0352 is 081°T.
    N d. Your fathometer reads about 76 fathoms.

380: A vessel at LAT 21°18.5'N, LONG 157°52.2'W, heads for a destination at LAT 8°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 081°T, 4617.5 miles
    N b. 081°T, 4915.8 miles
    Y c. 099°T, 4617.5 miles
    N d. 099°T, 4915.8 miles

395: A vessel at LAT 45°36.0'N, LONG 11°36.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°16.0'N, LONG 73°52.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 247°T, 3299.3 miles
    N b. 247°T, 3951.6 miles
    N c. 251°T, 3298.5 miles
    N d. 251°T, 3951.6 miles

397: Your vessel departs LAT 32°45'N, LONG 79°50'W, and is bound for LAT 34°21'S, LONG 18°29'E. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 5,021 miles
    Y b. 6,884 miles
    N c. 6,954 miles
    N d. 7,002 miles

509: At 0112, the radar range to Branford Reef Light is 2.9 miles. At 0125, the range is 3.6 miles. What is the position of your 0125 running fix if you are steering 124°T at 12 knots?`

    N a. LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W
    Y b. LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°48.1'W
    N c. LAT 41°09.8'N, LONG 72°47.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°10.2'N, LONG 72°47.7'W

687: What is the distance from Cairo,IL, to Parkersburg, WV?

    Y a. 795 miles
    N b. 733 miles
    N c. 597 miles
    N d. 537 miles

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

814: On 1 July , your 0515 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 23°24.0'S, LONG 151°42.0'W. Your vessel is on course 240°T, and your speed is 10.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1215 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 42°55.0'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT?

    N a. 24°02.5'S
    N b. 24°01.0'S
    Y c. 23°59.7'S
    N d. 23°58.6'S

981: On 20 September , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 28°58.0'N, LONG 152°26.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 225°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 20s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°14.4'. LAN occurred at 1206 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 62°49.5'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    N a. LONG 153°32.5'W
    N b. LONG 153°27.2'W
    Y c. LONG 153°23.5'W
    N d. LONG 153°20.0'W

986: At 0900 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 28°48.0'N, LONG 153°11.5'W. You are steering course 257°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1020 running fix? NP-0001

    N a. 28°43.3'N, 153°32.1'W
    N b. 28°46.4'N, 153°34.6'W
    Y c. 28°49.1'N, 153°37.0'W
    N d. 28°52.8'N, 153°30.6'W

1118: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?

    Y a. 1190 X 75 feet
    N b. 1185 X 84 feet
    N c. 1190 X 84 feet
    N d. 1185 X 75 feet

1722: You estimate the current as 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 4.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 7.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph

1757: What town is located at mile 395 AHP?

    Y a. St. Joseph
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    N d. Rodney

1842: What town is located at mile 389.8 AHP?

    N a. Whitehall
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    Y d. Rodney

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

2170: On 22 July , at 0720 ZT, in DR position LAT 20°38.2'N, LONG 87°16.0'W, you observe the Moon's lower limb. The sextant altitude (hs) is 38°32.6, and the chronometer reads 01h 18m 14s. The chronometer is 01m 28s slow. The index error is 3.1' off the arc, and the height of eye is 68 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) of this sight from the assumed position?

    N a. Zn 291.4°, a 5.2' A
    N b. Zn 111.4°, a 8.7' A
    Y c. Zn 248.6°, a 5.0' T
    N d. Zn 068.6°, a 6.5' T

2174: On 18 October , at 0518 ZT, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°31.0'N, LONG 146°29.2'E. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 308°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 11s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 34°51.4'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 57s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 54.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 120.6°T
    N b. 121.9°T
    Y c. 125.5°T
    N d. 127.3°T

2207: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance?

    Y a. 63.1 feet
    N b. 65.3 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

2371: Which of the following statements are TRUE?

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.

2405: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 350°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 070°T at 1.5 knots, and a westerly wind produces a leeway of 4°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 350°T?

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.8 knots
    Y c. 10. 2knots
    N d. 10.6 knots

2904: Your vessel is on course 093°T at 15 knots. At 1835 a light bears 136°T, and at 1857 the same light bears 170°T. What was your distance off the light at 1857?

    N a. 6.0 miles
    N b. 6.4 miles
    Y c. 6.8 miles
    N d. 7.2 miles

3092: If the pitch of the propeller is 24.8 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,373, calculate the day's run allowing 11% positive slip.

    N a. 307.3 miles
    Y b. 339.0 miles
    N c. 380.9 miles
    N d. 422.8 miles

3306: You have steamed 264 miles and consumed 22.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 521 miles?

    N a. 31.7 tons
    N b. 38.6 tons
    Y c. 43.4 tons
    N d. 85.7 tons

3312: You have steamed 199 miles and consumed 23.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 410 miles?

    N a. 32.6 tons
    N b. 39.9 tons
    Y c. 47.4 tons
    N d. 97.6 tons

3452: You wish to make good a course of 035°T while turning for an engine speed of 12 knots. The set is 340°T, and the drift is 2 knots. What course should you steer?

    N a. 027°T
    N b. 037°T
    Y c. 044°T
    N d. 054°T

10109: What is the base course (psc) in the inbound northeasterly traffic lane of the Chesapeake Bay entrance traffic separation scheme?

    Y a. 261°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 250°psc
    N d. 244°psc

10305: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light?

    N a. 070.0°
    N b. 076.5°
    Y c. 082.5°
    N d. 087.5°

11407: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. At 2018 your position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. What was your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    N b. 214° at 12.5 knots
    Y c. 036° at 12.6 knots
    N d. 039° at 11.2 knots

11701: What is the true heading to steer inbound in the York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 9.5 knots, the current is 076°T at 1.2 knots, and a southwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 313°T
    N b. 308°T
    N c. 303°T
    Y d. 300°T

11907: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 112°T
    Y b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    N d. 102°T

13109: At 1113 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 9.6 knots?

    N a. 1310
    Y b. 1301
    N c. 1254
    N d. 1249

15164: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per gyrocompass?

    N a. 271°pgc
    N b. 274°pgc
    Y c. 277°pgc
    N d. 280°pgc

15259: At 0830, you obtain the following radar information::

Branford Reef Light bearing 259° true @ 4.35 nm


What is your vessel's position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 73°53.8'W
    N b. LAT 40°12.2'N, LONG 73°54.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°53.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 72°54.0'W

15264: At 1100, your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°28.0'W. You are steering a course of 069°T to leave Black Point one mile off your port beam. It has been reported that the Long Sand Shoal Buoys and Hatchett Reef Buoys are off station. What will serve to keep your vessel in safe water and away from these hazards?

    N a. Maintaining a 7 nm range off Orient Point
    Y b. Danger bearing to Black Point of not more than 064°T
    N c. A bearing to Little Gull Island Light of not less than 090°
    N d. A distance to Saybrook Breakwater Light of not less than 1.3 miles

15445: As you proceed up York Spit Channel, what are the three base courses that you must steer to conform to the channel,
if steering by standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 337.5°, 359.5°, 028.0°
    N b. 337.5°, 357.5°, 026.0°
    N c. 324.0°, 352.5°, 009.5°
    Y d. 340.0°, 000.5°, 025.0°

15466: At 1015, you estimate you have 139 miles to complete the voyage. If you average 9.5 knots, you will complete the voyage in __________.

    N a. 14 hours 22 minutes
    N b. 14 hours 30 minutes
    Y c. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 44 minutes

15614: 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. 286°psc
    Y b. 283°psc
    N c. 280°psc
    N d. 274°psc

15625: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?

    N a. 6.0 mph
    Y b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

15658: What course should you steer by the standard magnetic compass in order to maintain a heading of 081°pgc?

    N a. 062°psc
    N b. 080°psc
    N c. 090°psc
    Y d. 095°psc

15762: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 090.5°
    N b. 093.0°
    N c. 095.5°
    Y d. 098.5°

15827: As you approach Giles Bend Cutoff Light (mile 367.7 AHP), what type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

15838: At 2000 Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bears 199° true and Buoy "GM" bears 249° true

Your position is __________.

    N a. 37°35.0'N, 75°32.2'W
    Y b. 37°23.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N c. 37°03.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N d. 37°03.5'N, 75°02.2'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

15943: At 2038 Block Island North Light bears 065°T and Montauk Point Light bears 216°T

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your speed made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 11.0 knots.
    N b. Your course made good between your 1959 fix and 2038 fix is 102°T.
    N c. At your 2038 fix, your vessel is governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    Y d. Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted "BIS"
    Buoy is located 3.6 miles off your starboard bow.


16009: The maximum ebb current at a location 4.3 miles south of Stratford Point will occur at 0413. The predicted current will be 1.0 knot at 075°. What will be your course made good if you steer 082°T at 8 knots?

    Y a. 081°T
    N b. 083°T
    N c. 085°T
    N d. 087°T

16060: The short-long dashed, magenta lines parallel to York River Entrance Channel mark __________.

    Y a. fish trap areas
    N b. naval exercise areas
    N c. underwater cables
    N d. recommended track lines

16141: The speed you can expect to make good over your course while steering to make 150°T is __________.

    N a. 11.0 knots
    Y b. 11.4 knots
    N c. 14.0 knots
    N d. 14.4 knots

16439: While you are at anchor, what will serve as a positive warning that you are drifting towards the wrecks located to the NW and SW of your 2215 position?

    N a. A constant bearing on New Point Comfort Light.
    Y b. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the right
    N c. Increasing soundings
    N d. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the left

16710: In clear weather, how far away will you sight Point Judith Light? (use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range)

    N a. 9.2 nm
    N b. 10.6 nm
    N c. 12.3 nm
    Y d. 14.0 nm

16742: At 2352 you hear a MAYDAY call from a vessel reporting her position as 1.5 miles due east of Block Island Southeast Point Light. What is the course to steer, per gyrocompass to the distress site, if you change course at midnight and allow 1° leeway for easterly winds?

    N a. 049.5°pgc
    N b. 052.5°pgc
    N c. 055.5°pgc
    Y d. 059.0°pgc