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.

35: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?
171: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water?
213: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N, LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?
248: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing Saybrook Bar Lighted Bell Buoy "8". This buoy marks __________. 

    N a. a sunken wreck
    N b. a bifurcation
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    Y d. shoal water
330: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 12254
    N b. 12226
    N c. 12224
    Y d. 12222
344: 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? 

    N a. 087°T
    N b. 085°T
    N c. 083°T
    Y d. 081°T
381: At 1540, your position is LAT 37°18.4'N, LONG 76°10.5'W. Which course should you steer per gyrocompass to head for the entrance to Cape Charles City? 

    Y a. 129°pgc
    N b. 123°pgc
    N c. 117°pgc
    N d. 109°pgc
396: A vessel at LAT 10°22.0'S, LONG 7°18.0'E, heads for a destination at LAT 6°52.0'N, LONG 57°23.0'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 285°T, 3825.3 miles
    Y b. 285°T, 4025.7 miles
    N c. 296°T, 3825.3 miles
    N d. 296°T, 4025.7 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
499: Which chart should you use to enter Great Salt Pond? 

    N a. 13205
    N b. 13207
    N c. 13214
    Y d. 13217
512: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130? 

    Y a. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 080° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N d. There is no current.
660: You are planning a voyage between Portland, LAT 46°05'N, LONG 124°00'W, and Korea via LAT 44°00'N, LONG 155°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. You can sail a great circle track between the two points.
    N b. The vertex of the great circle track is north of the Aleutian Islands.
    N c. Distance is measured in 60-mile segments using the length of a degree of latitude at the mid-latitude.
    Y d. You can steam on course 270°T, at latitude 52°N, between longitudes 149°W and 160°W in a composite sailing.
998: On 23 May , your 0628 zone time position was LAT 28°18.0'S, LONG 102°42.0'E. Your vessel was steaming on course 040°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0758 ZT. The chronometer read 01h 02m 06s and was fast 04m 04s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 13°16.7'. LAN occurred at 1201 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 42°32.0'. What was the longitude of your 1201 zone time running fix? 

    N a. 103°57.9'E
    N b. 104°00.4'E
    Y c. 104°03.5'E
    N d. 104°06.3'E
1163: What is the mile point of the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 598 AHP
    N b. 632 AHP
    N c. 687 AHP
    Y d. 778 AHP
1206: Your 0900 DR position is LAT 23°16'N, LONG 146°12'E. Your vessel is on a course of 286°T, at a speed of 14.5 knots. Determine the zone time of LAN on 14 March . 

    N a. 1151
    N b. 1209
    N c. 1223
    Y d. 1228
1228: 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
1392: On 3 February , your 0550 zone time DR position is LAT 26°16.0'N, LONG 112°05.0'W. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Spica, Antares, Saturn
    N b. Vega, Antares, Dubhe
    N c. Venus, Regulus, Vega
    Y d. Spica, Kochab, Rasalhague
1654: On 28 September , in DR position LAT 27°16.7'S, LONG 113°27.2'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 273°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 17m 26s and is 01m 49s slow. Variation in the area is 6°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.2°W
    Y b. 0.4°E
    N c. 0.6°W
    N d. 0.8°E
1675: On 28 November , your vessel's 0652 DR position is LAT 37°30'N, LONG 124°12'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 103° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 16.3°E. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 18s and is 02m 06s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 2.5°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 3.0°E
1741: You have received orders to proceed to the Amoco Pipeline Co. (mile 253.6 AHP) above Baton Rouge. If your vessel is making turns for 9 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the Amoco docks? 

    N a. 2044, 25 Aug
    N b. 0214, 26 Aug
    N c. 0745, 26 Aug
    Y d. 0845, 26 Aug
1755: The U. S. Coast Guard facility at mile 361 AHP is represented by which numbered white square on your map? 

    Y a. 8
    N b. 11
    N c. 12
    N d. 13
1902: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 077°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 18°58.7'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Diphda
    N b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    Y d. Arcturus
1903: On 22 April , your 1852 DR position is LAT 23°54.5'N, LONG 117°36.8'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 259°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°15.2'. The chronometer reads 02h 54m 53s, and is 02m 51s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Diphda
    Y b. Betelgeuse
    N c. Gienah
    N d. Arcturus
1911: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 150°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 42°15.0'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s, and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    Y c. Avior
    N d. Suhail
1917: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 054°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 07°52.1'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    Y c. Pollux
    N d. Markab
1957: At 1923, on September 21, you pass Bixby Towhead Light (mile 873.7 AHP). What was your average speed since leaving Cairo? 

    N a. 9.2 mph
    N b. 8.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 7.2 mph
2054: 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
2153: At 0800 ZT, on 29 June , your DR position is LAT 26°00.0'N, LONG 75°29.5'W. Given a chronometer time of 01h 00m 00s, determine the computed altitude (Hc) of the Sun for the assumed position nearest to the above given latitude and longitude. 

    N a. Hc 34°38.6'
    N b. Hc 34°48.6'
    Y c. Hc 34°58.6'
    N d. Hc 35°18.6'
2456: You have steamed 520 miles at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.8
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.2
    N d. 18.2
2464: You have steamed 449 miles at 19 knots and burning 476 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 185 barrels per day with 362 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    Y a. 13.2
    N b. 14.3
    N c. 17.1
    N d. 18.2
2464: You have steamed 449 miles at 19 knots and burning 476 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 185 barrels per day with 362 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    Y a. 13.2
    N b. 14.3
    N c. 17.1
    N d. 18.2
2665: You are on course 079°T, speed 11.2 knots. At 0904 you see a daymark bearing 078°T at a range of 4.6. If you change course at 0910 to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 0.5 mile, at what time will the daymark be abeam? 

    N a. 0918
    N b. 0923
    Y c. 0928
    N d. 0935
2873: Your vessel is on a course of 103°T at 14 knots. At 1918 a light bears 129.5°T, and at 1937 the light bears 148°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 1947, 2.8 miles
    N b. 1950, 3.2 miles
    N c. 1953, 3.8 miles
    Y d. 1956, 4.4 miles
3260: You have steamed 726 miles at 17.5 knots, and consumed 138 tons of fuel. If you have 252 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13.5 knots? 

    N a. 789 miles
    N b. 1326 miles
    N c. 1719 miles
    Y d. 2228 miles
11406: At 2021 your position is LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°59.8'W. At 2057 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What are your true course and speed made good? 

    Y a. 140° at 20 knots
    N b. 145° at 18 knots
    N c. 316° at 19 knots
    N d. 320° at 17 knots
12607: You are on course 240° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Old Field Point Light 253°psc New Haven Light 357°psc Mattituck Inlet Light 126°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°04.5'N, LONG 72°49.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.7'N, LONG 72°50.2'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.9'N, LONG 72°53.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°53.5'W
12612: You are on course 242° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: Stratford Point Light 325°psc Old Field Point Light 239°psc Middle Ground Light 270°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°04.4'N, LONG 72°59.5'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 72°59.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°00.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°59.3'W
12706: You are on course 053° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 275°psc Race Rock Light 296°psc Latimer Reef Light 011°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°12.9'N, LONG 71°56.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°55.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 71°56.1'W
13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"? 

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527
14300: What is the height above the water of Government Island Upper Range, lower light? 

    Y a. 20 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 38 feet
    N d. 42 feet
15018: What course per standard magnetic compass (psc) is the same as 247°pgc? 

    N a. 240°psc
    N b. 246°psc
    Y c. 257°psc
    N d. 260°psc
15319: The coastline by Cape Henry is best described as __________. 

    N a. rocky with pine scrubs
    Y b. sandy hills about eighty feet high
    N c. low wetlands
    N d. low and thinly wooded with many beach houses
15357: If the visibility is 10 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light? 

    N a. The light is visible at 0452.
    N b. 0458
    N c. 0510
    Y d. You will not sight the light.
15446: You are abeam of buoy "18" at 2325. What is your ETA at Baltimore if you average 9.5 knots? 

    N a. 1342
    Y b. 1400
    N c. 1424
    N d. 1456
15942: At 1959 Watch Hill Point Light bears 030°T, Montauk Point Light bears 146°T, and Little Gull Light bears 283°T. What is the approximate fathometer reading? 

    Y a. 51 feet
    N b. 73 feet
    N c. 95 feet
    N d. 111 feet
16040: At 0847 you take a round of bearings as follows:

Middle Ground Shoal Light - 237° pgc
Stratford Point Light - 289° pgc
New Haven Light - 019° pgc

What were the set and drift since your 0820 position? 

    N a. Set 180°T, drift 0.6 kt
    N b. Set 360°T, drift 0.3 kt
    N c. Set 180°T, drift 0.3 kt
    Y d. Set 360°T, drift 0.6 kt
16138: At 1930 Race Rock Light bears 111°T, and Little Gull Island Light bears 172°T. Which of the following is your position at 1930? 

    N a. LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 72°09.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°16.1'N, LONG 72°08.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°15.3'N, LONG 72°12.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°15.8'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
16260: If your vessel draws 6.5 feet (2 meters), what is the approximate depth of water under your keel at 0320? 

    N a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N c. 44 feet (13.3 meters)
    Y d. 40 feet (12.0 meters)
16316: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true? 

    Y a. 302°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    N c. 317°psc
    N d. 319°psc
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
16459: What is the course to steer per gyro compass from the anchorage to point "A" if easterly winds are causing 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 178°pgc
    Y b. 181°pgc
    N c. 185°pgc
    N d. 189°pgc