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.

34: You estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?
160: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?
293: At 1730, your position is LAT 37°13.9'N, LONG 76°26.4'W. You are steering course 088° per standard magnetic compass (psc) at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. What is your distance off Tue Marshes Light at 1730?
405: You depart LAT 33°45.0'N, LONG 118°30.0'W, and steam 2216 miles on course 250°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. LONG 156°08.0'W
    N b. LONG 156°36.0'W
    N c. LONG 157°21.0'W
    Y d. LONG 157°31.0'W
432: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor? 

    Y a. 12371
    N b. 12370
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373
474: You are on a great circle track departing from LAT 25°50.0'N, LONG 77°00.0'W and your initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°35.6'N, LONG 25°57.8'W.

What is the distance along the great circle track between the point of departure and the vertex? 

    N a. 2735.1 miles
    Y b. 2664.9 miles
    N c. 2583.2 miles
    N d. 2420.0 miles
495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________. 

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain
507: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots? 

    N a. 118°
    N b. 120°
    Y c. 129°
    N d. 132°
820: On 15 March , in DR position LAT 21°42.0'N, LONG 55°26.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 04h 02m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 24s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 66°15.6'. The index error is 2.8' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. 21°12.0'N
    N b. 21°18.0'N
    N c. 21°24.4'N
    Y d. 21°32.0'N
820: On 15 March , in DR position LAT 21°42.0'N, LONG 55°26.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 04h 02m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 24s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 66°15.6'. The index error is 2.8' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. 21°12.0'N
    N b. 21°18.0'N
    N c. 21°24.4'N
    Y d. 21°32.0'N
1148: You complete changing out your tow and get underway enroute Ark City Tank Storage (mile 554.0 AHP) to deliver the tank barges. What is the distance you must travel from Cairo Point Light? 

    N a. 202.1 miles
    Y b. 400.7 miles
    N c. 554.2 miles
    N d. 605.8 miles
1226: What are the dimensions of the Port Allen Lock at Baton Rouge, LA? 

    N a. 75 feet x 1188 feet
    N b. 84 feet x 1180feet
    Y c. 84 feet x 1188 feet
    N d. 75 feet x 1180 feet
1408: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________. 

    N a. 443
    N b. 500
    Y c. 623
    N d. 748
1421: What is your ETA at the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    Y a. 1335, 24 Sept
    N b. 1109, 24 Sept
    N c. 0926, 24 Sept
    N d. 0458, 24 Sept
1467: On 17 April , your 1610 ZT DR position is LAT 22°07.0'N, LONG 158°16.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 271°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 08m 52s, and the chronometer error is 01m 16s slow. The variation is 4°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.1°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    Y c. 2.3°W
    N d. 2.9°E
1499: On 16 June , your 0430 zone time DR position is LAT 29°24.0'S, LONG 36°16.0'E. At that time, you observe Vega bearing 341.0°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 32m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 20.5°W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 3.2°E
    N b. 3.2°W
    Y c. 2.4°W
    N d. 2.8°E
1541: At 0119, on 10 September, you pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 8.5 mph? 

    N a. 1746, 12 September
    N b. 1244, 13 September
    Y c. 2329, 14 September
    N d. 0210, 15 September
1564: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light? 

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark
1681: On 8 December , in DR position LAT 21°56.1'S, LONG 17°21.6'E you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 240.5°psc. The chronometer reads 05h 27m 21s and is 00m 47s fast. Variation in the area is 3.3°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 0.3°W
    N c. 0.6°E
    Y d. 1.5°E
1772: What is your ETA at the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 1405, 12 Sept
    N b. 1052, 12 Sept
    N c. 0828, 12 Sept
    Y d. 0204, 12 Sept
1802: You are turning for 10 mph and passing Hog Point ,LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is 4.5 mph. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The main channel lies on the north side of the island you see ahead.
    N b. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    N c. You would expect to find the more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    Y d. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.
1893: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 104°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 9°55.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Hamal
    Y b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar
2176: On 9 November , at 0426 ZT, your position was LAT 25°17.0'S, LONG 154°16.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on course 066°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0837 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 35m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 50°26.9'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 48s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 56.0 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho) and azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 50°18.1',  086.3°T
    N b. 50°18.1',  093.7°T
    Y c. 50°33.5',  085.9°T
    N d. 50°33.5',  093.7°T
2272: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    N c. Green diamond
    Y d. Green square
2326: The Coast Guard announces that Chesapeake Channel is closed indefinitely due to a collision in the channel between Trestle "B" and "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. You exit York Spit Channel, leaving buoy "22"
close abeam to port at 0.1 mile, and alter course to leave Horseshoe Crossing Lighted Bell Buoy "HC" abeam to port at 0.2 mile. What is the course per gyrocompass? 

    Y a. 185°pgc
    N b. 188°pgc
    N c. 191°pgc
    N d. 194°pgc
2329: You sighted Trestle "B" in line at 0706 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0706 and 0731? 

    Y a. 8.3 knots
    N b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots
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
10702: At 1922 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. You are on course 028° per standard magnetic compass at 6.4 knots. At 2046 your position is LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.6'W. What were the set and drift? 

    Y a. 235°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 247°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 049°T at 0.7 knot
    N d. 062°T at 1.0 knots
10703: At 1516 your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 71°48.6'W. You are on course 300° per standard magnetic compass at 9.4 knots. At 1600 your position is LAT 41°14.0'N, LONG 71°58.1'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 142°T at 1.9 knots
    N b. 153°T at 1.4 knots
    Y c. 332°T at 1.5 knots
    N d. 347°T at 1.1 knots
10902: Fishermans Island (LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 75°57.7'W) is __________. 

    N a. privately owned
    N b. sparsely wooded and awash at spring tides
    N c. a high rocky promontory with marshy backwater
    Y d. a National Wildlife Refuge
11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________. 

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap
11906: 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 8.7 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 112°T
    N b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    Y d. 102°T
12100: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 040° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this, you __________. 

    Y a. know the compass error is 8°W
    N b. should apply 3°Easterly deviation to the bearing
    N c. know the deviation table is incorrect
    N d. should suspect the compass may be affected by a local magnetic disturbance
12309: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 089° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 297° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation equals the variation.
    Y c. You should swing your vessel to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 13°W for all bearings of 089°psc.
12604: You are on course 082° per standard magnetic compass (psc) when you take the following bearings: New London Ledge Light - 036.5°psc Little Gull Island Light - 157.0°psc Saybrook Break Water Light - 294.5°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 72°04.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°09.5'N, LONG 72°07.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 72°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.1'N, LONG 72°12.8'W
12901: Your 1152 position is LAT 37°23.9'N, LONG 76°05.5'W. You are turning for 10.3 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York Spit Channel? 

    Y a. 1404
    N b. 1349
    N c. 1342
    N d. 1339
13003: At 2102 your position is LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 72°57.4'W. You are making turns for 16 knots. What is your ETA at a position 5 miles due south of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2155
    N c. 2159
    N d. 2204
13405: At 0400 your vessel is dead in the water and in heavy fog. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. Bottom samples are taken and indicate a composition of soft mud and shell. Your fathometer reads 40 feet. If the vessel draws 9 feet of water, which of the following is TRUE? 

    Y a. The bottom samples and fathometer reading prove the fix is reliable.
    N b. The bottom samples and fathometer readings indicate that the fix is unreliable.
    N c. The information collected indicates that the fathometer may be in error.
    N d. The information collected indicates that the chart is most  likely in error.
14303: What is the height above the water of light No. 84 on the Columbia River below Bonneville lock & dam? 

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 14 feet
    N c. 18 feet
    N d. 24 feet
14404: You are underway and proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. You position your vessel in the middle of the channel and bring Government Island Lower Range in line over your bow. What should your fathometer read at this position, if the staff gauge at Portland reads 10.0 feet? 

    Y a. 15 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 28 feet
    N d. 31 feet
14704: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 on the Columbia River. Thirty minutes later your vessel is at mile 115. What is your speed in knots? 

    N a. 4.3 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    N c. 7.8 knots
    Y d. 8.7 knots
15019: At 2215, Cape Henry Light bears 242°pgc, Cape Charles Light bears 010.5°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 319°pgc. You are heading 271°pgc. What is the relative bearing of Thimble Shoal Light? 

    N a. 280°
    N b. 332°
    Y c. 014°
    N d. 017°
15239: At 1000 buoy "PI" is abeam to starboard a distance of 0.5 mile. From this position, with a set of 295° and a drift of 1.6 knots, what course must you steer to arrive at a point with Buoy "TE" one mile abeam to starboard? 

    Y a. 247°T
    N b. 249°T
    N c. 251°T
    N d. 253°T
15411: From your 1830 fix, you continue south on a course of 150°T turning RPMs for 6 knots. You encounter a flood current in the direction of 330°T at 2 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer to make good a course of 150°T while turning RPMs for 6 knots? 

    N a. 144°T
    Y b. 150°T
    N c. 158°T
    N d. 162°T
15627: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.1 ft)? 

    N a. 102.2 ft
    N b. 108.3 ft
    Y c. 119.4 ft
    N d. 125.6 ft
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
15862: At 0125, you change course to make good 280°T. What is the course per standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 290°psc
    Y b. 292°psc
    N c. 294°psc
    N d. 296°psc
15957: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On an ebb current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. north northeast
    Y b. south southeast
    N c. south southwest
    N d. north northwest
16206: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 089.5° pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 047° pgc

What is your 0600 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°14.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W
16538: At 2216 your position is LAT 41°16.0'N, LONG 72°08.0'W. Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are in the red sector of New London Harbor Light.
    N b. Your fathometer reads approximately 40 feet.
    N c. You will cross the Colregs Demarcation Line if you continue on your present course.
    N d. Little Gull Island Light bears 339°T at 4.3 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
16565: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43937.5
9960-W-14651.2

What is your 1915 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.6'N, LONG 71°54.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 71°53.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°53.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 71°53.7'W
16612: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel? 

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