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?


79: The map shows a circle with two black quadrants located at mile 846.4 AHP. What does this indicate?


143: At 1609, on October 5, you are abeam of Star Landing Lt. (mile 707.2 AHP) . You calculate your speed since you departed Sycamore Chute fleeting area. If you are turning for 9.5 mph what was the current?


161: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 12.1 mph
    Y b. 11.3 mph
    N c. 10.5 mph
    N d. 9.2 mph

176: What is your 2118 position?

    N a. LAT 36°56.6'N, LONG 76°01.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 76°01.5'W
    Y c. LAT 36°57.4'N, LONG 76°01.9'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.0'N, LONG 76°02.4'W

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.

422: Which statement regarding the wreck 0.2 mile south of buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance to New London Harbor is TRUE?

    N a. The wreck presents a danger to all vessels with drafts in excess of 30 feet (9.1 meters).
    N b. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum between the months of March and June.
    N c. The wreck was cleared by wire drag in 1982 and will not appear on future charts.
    Y d. The wreck is shown on the chart, but its actual existence is doubtful.

436: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings: Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles, Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles. What is your 0227 position?

    N a. LAT 41°14.5'N, LONG 72°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°08.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°08.5'W

470: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E.

    N a. 4457 miles, 126°T
    Y b. 4559 miles, 121°T
    N c. 4682 miles, 059°T
    N d. 4688 miles, 126°T

528: You depart LAT 38°12'S, LONG 12°06'W and steam 1543 miles on course 270°. What is the Longitude of arrival?

    Y a. 44°49'W
    N b. 45°12'W
    N c. 45°37'W
    N d. 45°42'W

808: On 28 July , your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 71°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 026°T, and your speed is 17.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1149 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 82°28.7'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 26°21.9'N
    N b. 26°23.4'N
    Y c. 26°25.0'N
    N d. 26°27.7'N

845: On 16 September , your 0600 ZT fix gives you a position of LAT 29°47.2'N, LONG 65°28.4'W. Your vessel is on course 242°T and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1227 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 63°25.3'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 29°07.9'N
    N b. 29°06.1'N
    Y c. 29°04.7'N
    N d. 29°01.6'N

1302: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?

    Y a. 9 feet
    N b. 12 feet
    N c. 15 feet
    N d. 30 feet

1420: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    Y b. Riceland Food Corps..
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.

1803: As you approach Shreves cut-off you see Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP) which reads 4.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane (LWRP) is 10.6 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. This reading is 6.4 feet above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. A vessel drawing 8 ft would be able to pass over the sill at Old River Lock
    Y c. This reading is 6.4 feet below the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N d. A vessel drawing 7 ft. would be able to pass through the locks at Lower Old River.

1853: On 8 April , while taking observations for an evening fix, you observe an unidentified star bearing 250.7°T at an observed altitude of 51°44.8'. Your DR position at the time of the sight was LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    N c. Alnilam
    Y d. Bellatrix

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

1890: On 22 July , your 1759 DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 100°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 61°48.2'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s, and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Regulus
    Y b. Antares
    N c. Miaplacidus
    N d. Suhail

1916: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 250°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 31°01.2'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. Which star did you observe?

    N a. Elnath
    Y b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab

2105: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing Saybrook Bar Lighted Bell Buoy "8". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. shoal water
    N b. a tide rips area
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    N d. a sunken wreck

2167: On 4 July , at 0630 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21°15.0'S, LONG 21°20.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 13.0 knots on a course of 146°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 0m 53s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 48.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 049.5°T
    N b. 052.6°T
    N c. 054.3°T
    N d. 058.9°T

2203: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area at Cairo Point and add five loaded tank barges to your tow. If you are turning for 9 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo?

    N a. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June

2340: You have steamed 775 miles at 17 knots, and consumed 145 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 977 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots?

    Y a. 204 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 163 tons
    N d. 129 tons

2660: You are steering 287°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 19.4 miles at 0419. You change course to pass the light 4 miles off abeam to starboard. If you are making 13 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4 miles off the light?

    N a. 0541
    N b. 0544
    Y c. 0547
    N d. 0550

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

2896: You are steaming on a course of 133°T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086°T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 1.7 miles
    N b. 2.0 miles
    N c. 2.3 miles
    Y d. 2.6 miles

3056: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 18.8 feet and a pitch of 21.4 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 378 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 76?

    Y a. +1.9%
    N b. -1.9%
    N c. +4.7%
    N d. -4.7%

3069: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.5 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 21.7 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip?

    Y a. 83
    N b. 90
    N c. 97
    N d. 114

3071: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 20.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 3% negative slip?

    N a. 74
    N b. 79
    Y c. 86
    N d. 98

3108: You are turning 105 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 17 feet, and an estimated slip of -1%. What is the speed of advance?

    N a. 15.3 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.4 knots
    Y d. 17.8 knots

3604: You wish to make good a course of 258°T, allowing 4° leeway for northerly winds. The variation is 21°W. What should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 258°T?
DEVIATION TABLE
MAGNETIC HDG DEVIATION
285° 5°E
270° 3°E
255° 1°E
240° 1°W

    N a. 242°psc
    N b. 271°psc
    Y c. 278°psc
    N d. 288°psc

6144: 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

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

12200: You are on course 119°psc. You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 346° per standard magnetic compass. This indicates that __________.

    N a. you should swing the vessel to determine the deviation
    Y b. the existing deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. your compass is affected by a local magnetic disturbance
    N d. the compass error is 16°W

13809: Which chart, of the same scale, continues eastward from this chart?

    Y a. 13205
    N b. 13212
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13216

15009: At 1930, your position is LAT 37°16.7'N, LONG 75°37.7'W. The depth of water is approximately __________.

    N a. 30 feet ( 9.1 meters)
    N b. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    Y c. 50 feet (15.1 meters)
    N d. 60 feet (18.1 meters)

15119: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"?

    N a. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
    Y b. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N c. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)

15165: At 2000, your position is LAT 37°04.1'N, LONG 76°05.6'W. You change course for the Eastern Shore. At 2037, Old Plantation Flats Light bears 033°pgc, and York Spit Light bears 282°pgc. The course made good from your 2000 position was __________.

    Y a. 006°T
    N b. 014°T
    N c. 020°T
    N d. 028°T

15241: At 1155 your vessel's position is LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°34.4'W. If you make good a course of 282°T and a speed of 10.0 knots, when will you arrive at New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    N a. 1315
    N b. 1320
    Y c. 1325
    N d. 1330

15623: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0122, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current?

    Y a. 1.4 MPH
    N b. 1.8 MPH
    N c. 2.7 MPH
    N d. 6.2 MPH

15722: What is your ETA at the Memphis Highway Bridge?

    N a. 0828, 22 Sept
    Y b. 1052, 22 Sept
    N c. 1405, 22 Sept
    N d. 1813, 22 Sept

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°

15913: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information?

    N a. 2181 kHz
    N b. 156.65 Mhz
    N c. 156.80 Mhz
    Y d. 162.40 Mhz

15918: At 1038, you are 0.4 mile south of Long Sand Shoal Buoy "8A" on course 090°T when visibility is reduced to 1 mile in rain and haze. You intend to stay on 090°T until your Loran shows a reading that you can safely follow to the approaches of New London. Which of the following Loran readings will you look for?

    N a. 9960-W-14720
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    Y c. 9960-Y-43980
    N d. 9960-W-14810

16109: 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. 191°T
    Y b. 194°T
    N c. 197°T
    N d. 203°T

16246: From your 2259 fix, you alter course to 250°T. At 2300 Cape Henry Light bears 250°T. At 2326 Cape Henry Light bears 252°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are being set to the right.
    N b. The bearing change should be expected as you transit the inbound lane.
    Y c. You should alter course to starboard.
    N d. You should slow to reduce the effect of the current.

16364: If you proceed from your 0500 position to Chesapeake Bay via the inbound traffic lane. What is the distance to Yorktown, VA?

    N a. 34.0 miles
    N b. 42.6 miles
    Y c. 51.7 miles
    N d. 62.1 miles

16406: At 0227, you take the following radar ranges and bearings:

Bartlett Reef Light 359°T at 2.4 miles
Race Rock Light 083°T at 4.1 miles

What is your 0227 position?

    Y a. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°08.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°14.2'N, LONG 72°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 72°08.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.3'N, LONG 72°08.5'W

16461: At 0400, you obtain the following information:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 303° true @ 7.1nm

What is your 0400 position?

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°41.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 75°40.7'W

16468: When Cape Henry Light is abeam, what is the approximate distance to Yorktown?

    N a. 58 miles
    N b. 55 miles
    N c. 42 miles
    Y d. 34 miles

16707: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________.

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet at MHW
    N c. is easily accessible in heavy southerly seas
    Y d. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap

16709: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________.

    N a. steep with rocky bluffs
    N b. low and marshy
    Y c. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N d. heavily forested