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.


105: On 19 January , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 22°13'N, LONG 40°19'W. You are on course 297°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0545 running fix?


112: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?


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


275: 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?

    Y a. 9960-Y-43980
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    N c. 9960-W-14730
    N d. 9960-W-14810

319: At 2100, you have passed through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel and determine your position to be LAT 37°01.3'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. The current is flooding in a direction of 303°T at 2.5 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer while turning RPMs for 6 knots to make good a course of 175°T?

    N a. 190°T
    N b. 183°T
    N c. 164°T
    Y d. 156°T

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°

366: At 0731, approximately how much water is under your keel?

    N a. 26 feet (7.9 meters)
    Y b. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    N c. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N d. 54 feet (16.4 meters)

390: A vessel at LAT 29°38.0'N, LONG 93°49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°38.0'N, LONG 82°55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 115°T, 637 miles
    Y b. 117°T, 658 miles
    N c. 122°T, 648 miles
    N d. 126°T, 665 miles

464: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 33°53.3'S, LONG 18°23.1'E to LAT 40°27.0'N, LONG 73°49.4'W.

    N a. 6648.0 miles, 298.7°T
    N b. 6743.5 miles, 302.7°T
    N c. 6750.8 miles, 235.5°T
    Y d. 6763.0 miles, 304.5°T

566: Your cargo vessel is berthed near Lamberts Point in Norfolk. You are on a voyage to Baltimore, Maryland. Which larger scale chart should you use to show the area from Lamberts Point to Hampton Roads?

    N a. 12224
    N b. 12241
    Y c. 12245
    N d. 12256

682: 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?

    N a. 60.0 feet
    Y b. 63.1 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1001: On 26 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°25'N, LONG 51°15'W. You are on course 231°T, speed 15 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1228 50°23.5' N 19°21.9' 88°14.3'
1236 52°23.5' N 19°21.8' 88°29.0'

    N a. LAT 18°00.9'N, LONG 51°31.9'W
    N b. LAT 18°03.5'N, LONG 51°36.2'W
    Y c. LAT 18°07.2'N, LONG 51°30.4'W
    N d. LAT 18°10.6'N, LONG 51°25.1'W

1241: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph

1254: On 19 July , your 1500 ZT DR position is LAT 28°25.0'N, LONG 120°28.0'W. You are on course 233°T at a speed of 10 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1842
    N b. 1853
    Y c. 1901
    N d. 1909

1341: What is the distance from the River Cement Co. Dock to the mouth of the Ohio River?

    N a. 718.8 miles
    Y b. 780.8 miles
    N c. 953.5 miles
    N d. 981.5 miles

1735: 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?

    Y a. 60.4 feet
    N b. 63.6 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet

1782: At 2043 ZT, on 13 October , in DR position LAT 43°57.3'S, LONG 147°16.0'E, you observe an amplitude of Venus. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the horizon and bears 236.2°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 0.0°
    N b. 0.9°E
    N c. 1.8°E
    N d. 0.4°W

1955: At 1814, on 11 September, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 0930 the following day?

    Y a. 8.7 mph
    N b. 7.7 mph
    N c. 6.3 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph

2052: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis?

    Y a. 53.2 feet
    N b. 58.1 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 96.3 feet

2111: 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. 0.2 mile
    Y b. 0.6 mile
    N c. 1.3 mile
    N d. 1.8 miles

2283: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°58.6' on 16 June . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 61 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 23°06.7'
    N b. 23°09.9'
    N c. 23°15.4'
    N d. 23°22.2'

2292: In addition to those found in the Coast Pilot, information concerning anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N c. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
    Y d. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District

2351: What is the distance in river miles, from the new mouth of the White River to the Petroleum Fuel & Terminal Co. (mile 144.6 AHP)?

    Y a. 454 miles
    N b. 427 miles
    N c. 384 miles
    N d. 370 miles

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

2859: Your vessel is on a course of 307°T at 20 knots. At 0914 a light bears 284.5°T, and at 0937 the light bears 262°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0950, 4.4 miles
    Y b. 0953, 5.4 miles
    N c. 0957, 6.6 miles
    N d. 1002, 7.1 miles

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

3288: While steaming at 13.5 knots, your vessel consumes 251 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 129 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 6.9 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 10.8 knots
    N d. 12.7 knots

3451: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 190°T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. 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 040°T?

    N a. 7.8 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 11.0 knots

3470: You are underway on course 000°Tat 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the speed being made good?

    N a. 9.2 knots
    N b. 9.5 knots
    Y c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 10.1 knots

3638: You desire to make good a true course of 007°. The variation is 5°E, magnetic compass deviation is 3°W, and gyrocompass error is 2°E. A southwest by west wind produces a 2° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    Y a. 003°psc
    N b. 005°psc
    N c. 007°psc
    N d. 009°psc

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

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

3761: 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 283°
T, and the variation is 13°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 278° per standard compass, what is the deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 8°E
    Y d. 8°W

4009: 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 true heading of 187°.
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°

    N a. 1.5°W
    Y b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 1.0°E

11702: You are eastbound in the Thimble Shoal Channel. What is the true heading to steer if the engines are turning for 9.5 knots, the current is 110°T at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 111°
    N b. 108°
    N c. 105°
    N d. 100°

11704: What is the true heading to steer in York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 10.2 knots, the current is 220°T at 1.2 knots and a southwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 316°T
    Y b. 313°T
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 300°T

12104: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 234° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 329°psc. Based on this, you __________.

    N a. know the compass error is 8°W
    Y b. should swing the vessel to check the deviation table
    N c. know the deviation is 1°W
    N d. know the deviation table is accurate for that bearing

13503: You are proceeding from a point 4 miles due east of Montauk Point enroute to Long Island Sound via The Race. You should expect the soundings to __________.

    N a. remain fairly constant
    N b. increase rapidly at first then remain constant until through the Race
    Y c. start increasing when north of Montauk Point
    N d. be inaccurate due to sound absorption by the mud bottom

13504: A vessel anchoring in the middle of Cherry Harbor, 1 mile off Gardiner's Island, will find what type of bottom?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Shells
    Y c. Mud
    N d. Silt

15142: At 2146 if your fathometer is set on feet, what should be the approximate reading on your fathometer?

    Y a. 88 feet
    N b. 105 feet
    N c. 121 feet
    N d. 166 feet

15268: Your vessel is proceeding up New London Harbor Channel, and you are in line with the range. What would be your course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 352°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 002°
    Y d. 007°

15308: From your 0315 position, what time can you expect to reach York Spit Channel Buoys "37" and "38"?

    Y a. 0405
    N b. 0412
    N c. 0417
    N d. 0423

15508: From your position you observe a rotating white and green light to the north. This light is most likely __________.

    N a. from a submarine on the surface
    N b. the light at Southeast Point
    Y c. at an airport
    N d. on a coastal patrol vessel

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.

15646: At 2229 the gyro fails. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 206°T, if you allow 3° leeway for southeasterly winds?

    N a. 187°
    N b. 191°
    Y c. 217°
    N d. 220°

15717: From your 1210 position, you are steering 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?

    N a. 1241
    Y b. 1249
    N c. 1256
    N d. 1309

15766: 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. The tower is in sight at 0745.
    N b. 0750
    Y c. 0806
    N d. 0838

15809: At 0045, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point lookout tower 072°T
Horton Point lighthouse 213°T

What were the set and drift between 0005 and 0045?

    N a. 272°true, 0.9 knot
    N b. 272°true, 1.4 knots
    N c. 092°true, 0.9 knot
    Y d. 092°True, 1.4 knots

16007: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0352.
    N b. 0414
    Y c. 0443
    N d. You will not sight the light.

16117: What is the distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, N.C.
(LAT 34°14.0'N, LONG 77°57.0'W)?

    Y a. 339 miles
    N b. 363 miles
    N c. 402 miles
    N d. 486 miles

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