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.


83: Which light characteristics does Catfish Point Lower Light (mile 572.2 AHP) have?


84: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the mouth of the Ohio River?


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


210: During evening twilight on 28 December , the sextant altitude (hs) of the planet Venus was 29°43.2'. The height of eye was 40 feet, and the index error was 2.0' on the arc. What was the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 29°34.1'
    N b. 29°36.0'
    N c. 29°36.3'
    N d. 29°38.2'

317: Determine your 1915 position using the following information obtained at 1915.
Visual bearings
Cape Charles Light 107°pgc
Cape Henry Light 172°pgc

Radar Bearing and Range
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel South Light 189°pgc at 7.2 miles

    N a. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°09.3'W
    Y c. LAT 37°09.3'N, LONG 76°03.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 76°04.1'W

383: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage?

    Y a. 24.4 miles
    N b. 23.9 miles
    N c. 23.7 miles
    N d. 20.4 miles

506: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel?

    N a. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    N b. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    N c. 47 feet (14.2 meters)
    Y d. 38 feet (11.5 meters)

625: You are on a voyage from Boston, MA, to the South Pass, LA. The distance is 1870 miles, and the speed of advance is 13.6 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Port Everglades, FL. If you sailed at 0836 hours (ZD +5), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at the South Pass?

    N a. 2336, 3 March
    N b. 1136, 4 March
    N c. 1236, 4 March
    Y d. 1736, 4 March

992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W

992: At 0100 zone time, on 23 September , your DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 83°00.0'W. You are steering course 315°T. The speed over the ground is 10.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1100 running fix? NP-0002

    Y a. LAT 25°35.3'N, LONG 84°17.0'W
    N b. LAT 25°42.6'N, LONG 84°18.7'W
    N c. LAT 25°30.4'N, LONG 84°28.6'W
    N d. LAT 25°28.3'N, LONG 84°34.3'W

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

1192: On 3 October , your 0830 ZT position is LAT 26°15.0'S, LONG 73°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 280°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1151
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1158
    Y d. 1201

1393: It is 15 July and you are keeping +7 zone time. You are on course 095°, speed 16 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 25°39.4'N, LONG 129°46.2'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 13h 40m 17s
    Y b. 13h 38m 19s
    N c. 12h 42m 20s
    N d. 12h 38m 20s

1418: 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

1476: On 16 September , your vessel's 0736 zone time DR position is LAT 27°34'S, LONG 174°49'E, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 07h 38m 11s, and the Sun is bearing 079.8° per gyrocompass. The chronometer error is 01m 46s fast, and the variation in the area is 11.0°W. At the time of the sight, the helmsman reports that he was heading 252°pgc and 258° per magnetic compass. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2°W
    N b. 3°W
    Y c. 3°E
    N d. 8°W

1479: On 6 November , your vessel's 0706 zone time DR position is LAT 25°30.0'N, LONG 85°35.0'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 01h 03m 30s, and the Sun is bearing 114.0°pgc. The chronometer error is 02m 30s slow, and the variation in the area is 2°.
What is the gyro error?

    N a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.8°W
    N c. 2.0°W
    Y d. 2.0°E

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

1873: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N,
LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 174.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 18°58.6'. The index error is 0.5°
on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Muhlifain
    N b. Alpha Hydri
    N c. Almak
    N d. Alpha Muscae

1958: Which daymark would you see as you approach Red Store Light (mile 269.5 AHP)?

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

2006: On 8 November , your 1731 zone time DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 137°25.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    Y a. Alphecca, Fomalhaut, Schedar
    N b. Antares, Rasalhague, Altair
    N c. Sirius, Hamal, Dubhe
    N d. Peacock, Ankaa, Al Na'ir

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

2209: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

2233: 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. 1031, 22 June
    Y b. 1423, 22 June
    N c. 1741, 22 June
    N d. 2210, 22 June

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

2297: The Platte River empties into which river?

    N a. Mississippi
    N b. Ohio
    Y c. Missouri
    N d. Tennessee

2367: At 0850, 4 January, you pass the Gage at Natchez, MS which reads 26.8 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Natchez is 6.1 feet. What is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?

    N a. 20.7 ft below
    Y b. 20.7 ft above
    N c. 32.9 ft below
    N d. 32.9 ft above

2869: Your vessel is on a course of 237°T at 18 knots. At 0404 a light bears 263.5°T, and at 0430 the light bears 282°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0448, 6.8 miles
    N b. 0452, 7.2 miles
    Y c. 0456, 7.8 miles
    N d. 0500, 8.4 miles

3077: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 23.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 20.8 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 7% negative slip?

    Y a. 108
    N b. 112
    N c. 116
    N d. 124

3251: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have 203 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 14 knots?

    N a. 757 miles
    N b. 841 miles
    Y c. 966 miles
    N d. 1108 miles

3283: While steaming at 17.5 knots, your vessel consumes 378 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 194 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.5 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3285: While steaming at 19.4 knots, your vessel consumes 392 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 182 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 13.2 knots
    Y b. 15.0 knots
    N c. 17.4 knots
    N d. 18.2 knots

3465: You are underway on course 000°T at 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the course being made good?

    Y a. 007°T
    N b. 009°T
    N c. 021°T
    N d. 353°T

3623: Your vessel is steering course 166°psc, variation for the area is 8°W, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 157°T
    N c. 175°T
    N d. 179°T

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

4017: 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 196°.
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. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    Y d. 0.0°

11703: What is the true heading to steer inbound in York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 9.8 knots, the current is 220°T at 1.2 knots, and a northeasterly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 319°T
    N b. 315°T
    N c. 301°T
    N d. 298°T

14102: Your vessel is awaiting lockage at Bonneville Locks when you notice that the lock is displaying an amber signal light. What type of vessel is allowed to enter the chamber under this signal?

    N a. Vessels owned or operated by the United States
    N b. Passenger vessels
    Y c. Commercial freight and log-tow vessels
    N d. All vessels

14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200?

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5

15045: From your 0841 position, you are steering a course of 241°
true to the northeasterly inbound channel entrance, your speed is now 15 knots. What is your ETA abeam of buoy "NCA" (LL#375)?

    N a. 0850
    Y b. 0855
    N c. 0901
    N d. 0911

15111: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19".
This buoy marks __________.

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

15112: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    Y b. depart a regulated area
    N c. cross a submerged pipeline
    N d. depart a restricted area

15507: What course should you steer by your standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 280°T?

    N a. 266°psc
    N b. 272°psc
    N c. 290°psc
    Y d. 294°psc

15607: If there is no current, what is the course per gyro compass from your 1600 position to point A located 0.5 mile due east of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12"?

    N a. 190°pgc
    Y b. 193°pgc
    N c. 196°pgc
    N d. 199°pgc

15609: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 296° true
Cape Henry light bearing 242° true

Your 1800 position is __________.

    Y a. LAT 37°02.9'N, LONG 75°43.1'W
    N b. LAT 37°02.9'N, LONG 75°43.9'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N, LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N, LONG 75°42.8'W

15822: You are turning for 10 mph, approaching Angola, LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is estimated at 4.5 MPH. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    Y b. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.
    N c. You would expect to find a more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    N d. Hog Pt. Light and Hog Pt. Lower Light may be used as range lights when entering Shreves cut-off.

15839: From your 2000 position you change course to 206°T. What time would you expect to be abeam of Hog Island Buoy "12"?

    N a. 2021
    Y b. 2026
    N c. 2031
    N d. 2040

15866: What is your ETA at a point where Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 180°T if you make good 9.0 knots?

    N a. 0409
    Y b. 0416
    N c. 0425
    N d. 0433

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.

16219: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are within 3 nautical miles of the coast.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    Y c. The fix is indeterminate.
    N d. You are governed by the Inland Rules.

16558: From your position you observe a rotating white and green light to the north. This light is most likely __________.

    Y a. at an airport
    N b. on a naval mine-countermeasures vessel
    N c. "Block Island North Light"
    N d. on a vessel engaged in public safety activity

16846: Your vessel's heading is 330°pgc and 345°psc with a 2°E gyro error. What is the deviation on this heading?

    N a. 0°
    Y b. 3°W
    N c. 4°E
    N d. 7°W