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.

38: What are the color and shape of Anconia Pt. Light at mile 528.6 AHP?
84: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the mouth of the Ohio River?
158: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?
165: Which company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 661 to 665 AHP)? 

    Y a. Helena Grain, Inc.
    N b. Helena Bridge Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Quincy Soybean Co.
    N d. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.
259: The south coast of Long Island Sound between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson is __________. 

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs
    N b. a high, flat plateau with sheer cliffs
    N c. low and marshy with isolated beaches
    Y d. fringed by rocky shoals
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
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
536: Determine the distance from LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 04°52.0'E to LAT 63°54.0'N, LONG 18°24.0'W by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 608.6 miles
    N b. 610.9 miles
    N c. 612.3 miles
    Y d. 614.2 miles
635: 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. 606.8 miles
    N b. 554.0 miles
    Y c. 399.8 miles
    N d. 202.1 miles
676: You are planning a voyage from Jacksonville, FL, to the Strait of Gibraltar. Using chart WOXZC 5274, determine which statement is TRUE. 

    N a. All of the courses lie in the northeast quadrant of the compass.
    N b. You will be east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex during the entire voyage.
    N c. The great circle track approximates a rhumb line track because there is little difference in the latitudes.
    Y d. None of the above are true.
689: You are turning for 10 mph and passing Hog Point, LA. (mile 297.5 AHP). 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 south side of the island you see ahead.
    N b. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    Y c. An underwater stone dike has been constructed 0.5 miles upstream of Miles Bar Towhead.
    N d. You would expect to find the more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
726: On 16 December , your 1810 zone time DR position is LONG 129°46.5'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 23°56.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 12m 31s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s fast. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.6 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    Y a. 23°07.8'N
    N b. 23°12.3'N
    N c. 24°11.9'N
    N d. 24°18.6'N
740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N
752: On 5 May , at 1953 zone time, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your vessel's DR position is LAT 29°30.0'N, LONG 66°25.7'W, and your sextant reads 29°07.2'. Your chronometer reads 11h 51m 45s, and your chronometer error is 01m 36s slow. Your height of eye is 56 feet, and the index error for your sextant is 1.5' on the arc. What is the latitude of your vessel from your observation of Polaris? 

    N a. 29°14.3'N
    Y b. 29°23.6'N
    N c. 29°32.3'N
    N d. 29°38.8'N
831: On 30 March , in DR position LAT 20°26.2'N, LONG 131°17.9'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's lower limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 36m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 06s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°21.4'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 40 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. LAT 20°44.8'N
    Y b. LAT 20°31.9'N
    N c. LAT 20Z°23.7'N
    N d. LAT 20°15.6'N
981: On 20 September , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 28°58.0'N, LONG 152°26.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 225°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 20s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°14.4'. LAN occurred at 1206 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 62°49.5'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix? 

    N a. LONG 153°32.5'W
    N b. LONG 153°27.2'W
    Y c. LONG 153°23.5'W
    N d. LONG 153°20.0'W
1096: On 24 October , your 0100 DR position is LAT 27°42'N, LONG 158°35'E. You are on course 085°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0700 running fix. NP-0026

    N a. LAT 27°48.8'N, LONG 160°12.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°52.5'N, LONG 160°18.2'E
    Y c. LAT 27°56.0'N, LONG 159°47.3'E
    N d. LAT 27°58.4'N, LONG 159°43.5'E
1224: What is the total length of the trip? 

    N a. 906.3 miles
    Y b. 922.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles
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
1680: On 31 October , your 1700 zone time DR position is LAT 27°17.0'N, LONG 116°10.0'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 246.5° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 8.5°E. The chronometer reads 01h 01m 23s and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 0.8°E
    Y b. 0.8°W
    N c. 2.5°E
    N d. 2.5°W
1779: At 2237 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°57'N, LONG 150°32'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 258.6°psc. The variation is 14°E. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 2.0°W
    N b. 1.0°W
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 1.0°E
2021: On 29 April , your 0300 ZT DR position is LAT 28°39'N, LONG 168°03'E. You are on course 108°T at a speed of 22 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Moon, Alpheratz, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Dubhe, Zubenelgenubi
    N c. Venus, Polaris, Arcturus
    N d. Moon, Altair, Sabik
2062: You are downbound, passing by Spanish Moss Lt. (mile 534.2 AHP), when you observe on your Mississippi River map several black broken lines extending into the river from the bank. These indicate __________. 

    N a. fleeting areas
    N b. revetments
    N c. dikes
    Y d. weirs
2108: You alter course from your 0045 position to head for a point 0.5 mile north of Mattituck Breakwater Light "MI". If the visibility is 10 miles and you make good 9 knots, at approximately what time will you lose sight of Saybrook Breakwater Light? 

    N a. You have already lost sight at 0045
    Y b. 0055
    N c. 0120
    N d. The light is visible all the way to Mattituck Inlet
2371: Which of the following statements are TRUE? 

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.
2584: At 1930 you obtain two radar ranges: Hammonasset Point at 4.1 miles and the East side of Falkner Island at 7.6 miles. What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°11.2'N,  LONG 072°30.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°11.7'N,  LONG 072°29.2'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.8'N,  LONG 072°29.6'W
    N d. LAT 41°11.9'N,  LONG 072°29.2'W
2784: You pass Ratcliff Light (mile 289.8) at 1650. What was your average speed since leaving Baton Rouge? 

    N a. 7.3 mph
    Y b. 7.6 mph
    N c. 8.0 mph
    N d. 8.3 mph
2867: Your vessel is on a course of 144°T at 20 knots. At 0022 a light bears 117.5°T, and at 0035 the light bears 099°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0044, 3.2 miles
    Y b. 0048, 4.3 miles
    N c. 0052, 5.1 miles
    N d. 0056, 6.0 miles
2909: You are running coastwise at 14 knots. You sight a lighthouse abeam at 0912. At 0939 the lighthouse is 4 points abaft the beam. What is your distance off at the second bearing? 

    N a. 5.5 miles
    N b. 6.3 miles
    N c. 7.8 miles
    Y d. 8.9 miles
2913: You are turning for 7.5 mph and estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is your ETA at the River Cement Co. in Natchez considering that you passed Cherokee Landing Lt. at 2100? 

    Y a. 1605 on 15 January
    N b. 0355 on 16 January
    N c. 1244 on 16 January
    N d. 1922 on 16 January
3086: If the pitch of the propeller is 19.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 86,178, calculate the day's run allowing 3% negative slip. 

    N a. 279.2 miles
    Y b. 287.6 miles
    N c. 311.4 miles
    N d. 326.2 miles
3313: You have steamed 300 miles and consumed 34 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 700 miles? 

    Y a. 79.3 tons
    N b. 74.3 tons
    N c. 68.4 tons
    N d. 66.2 tons
3627: Your vessel is steering course 243°psc. Variation for the area is 5°E, and deviation is 2°W. The wind is from the south-southeast, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good? 

    N a. 242°T
    N b. 244°T
    N c. 246°T
    Y d. 248°T
4013: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 039°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324° 

    N a. 0.8°E
    N b. 0.0°
    N c. 0.5°W
    Y d. 1.0°W
6844: At 1010 your vessel passes close abeam to Buoy "NCB" in the inbound traffic lane. At this time the Chesapeake Bay Pilot informs you that he will not board your vessel until 1100. The pilot boat is located 1.5 miles northeast of Cape Henry Light. What should you reduce your speed to in order to arrive at the pilot boat at this time? 

    N a. 5.9 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.2 knots
    N d. 9.8 knots
10506: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the set and drift? 

    N a. 239° at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 252° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 060° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 073° at 1.2 knots
11304: At 1422 your GPS position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. At 1549 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the course made good between the fixes? 

    N a. 185°T
    Y b. 188°T
    N c. 194°T
    N d. 198°T
11905: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 8.6 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 061°T
    N b. 064°T
    N c. 067°T
    N d. 070°T
12102: You sight Thimble Shoal Light in line with Old Point Comfort Light bearing 265° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 135°psc. Based on this, you know __________. 

    N a. there is no compass error
    N b. there is a local magnetic disturbance
    N c. you should swing your vessel and check the deviation table
    Y d. the deviation is 0°
13109: At 1113 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at light "1" at the mouth of the approaches to Lake Montauk if you make good 9.6 knots? 

    N a. 1310
    Y b. 1301
    N c. 1254
    N d. 1249
13406: You are planning to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°01.1'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position? 

    N a. Gray sand
    N b. Soft mud
    Y c. Gray mud
    N d. Hard sand
14302: What are the characteristics of the upper light of Government Island Lower Range, on the Columbia River? 

    Y a. Equal interval red, 6 seconds
    N b. Green group flashing, 6 seconds
    N c. Quick flashing red, 6 seconds
    N d. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
14517: From your 2200 fix, you steer course 288°T to travel up the Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel. If you are making good 6.0 knots, at what time would you expect to pass buoy "18" at the west end of the channel? (There are no set and drift.) 

    N a. 2239
    N b. 2255
    N c. 2315
    Y d. 2344
14700: How many nautical miles are between mile 105 and mile 234 on the Columbia River? 

    Y a. 112.1
    N b. 119.5
    N c. 129.0
    N d. 148.4
15115: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"? 

    N a. 0.5 mile
    N b. 3.8 miles
    N c. 4.3 miles
    Y d. 5.0 miles
15515: You decide to use the 9960-Y and 9960-W rates. At 1915,
you obtain the following readings:

9960-Y-43936.0
9960-W-14653.3

What is your 1915 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°13.0'N, LONG 71°54.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°13.1'N, LONG 71°53.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°54.3'W
    Y d. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°53.7'W
15520: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from New London, CT are on __________. 

    N a. 162.25 MHz
    N b. 162.30 MHz
    N c. 162.40 MHz
    Y d. 162.55 MHz
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
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
15856: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal? 

    N a. Rocky
    Y b. Hard
    N c. Sandy
    N d. Muddy
16009: 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? 

    Y a. 081°T
    N b. 083°T
    N c. 085°T
    N d. 087°T
16042: At 1022 when you complete the evacuation, you get underway on course 098°T and order turns for 14.5 knots. You take the following round of bearings at that time:
Stratford Point Light - 260° per gyrocompass
New Haven Light - 326° per gyrocompass
SW Ledge Light - 358° per gyrocompass

Determine your ETA and distance off when abeam of Falkner Island Light, if there are no set and drift? 

    N a. 1102, 3.0 miles
    Y b. 1108, 3.3 miles
    N c. 1114, 3.1 miles
    N d. 1118, 3.3 miles
16042: At 1022 when you complete the evacuation, you get underway on course 098°T and order turns for 14.5 knots. You take the following round of bearings at that time:
Stratford Point Light - 260° per gyrocompass
New Haven Light - 326° per gyrocompass
SW Ledge Light - 358° per gyrocompass

Determine your ETA and distance off when abeam of Falkner Island Light, if there are no set and drift? 

    N a. 1102, 3.0 miles
    Y b. 1108, 3.3 miles
    N c. 1114, 3.1 miles
    N d. 1118, 3.3 miles
16115: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 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 0707 and 0731? 

    N a. 8.3 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots
16269: On either side of York River Entrance Channel, there are areas bounded by short - long magenta lines and marked by yellow buoys. These areas are __________. 

    Y a. fish trap areas
    N b. designated anchorages
    N c. spoil areas
    N d. naval exercise areas
16842: From your 0939 position, you wish to change course in order to pass 0.3 mile north of Buoy "NCA" (LL#375) in the inbound traffic lane. You estimate the current to be 150°
T at 2.0 knots. What course should you steer to make good the desired course? Your speed is still 13.0 knots. 

    N a. 232°T
    N b. 235°T
    Y c. 245°T
    N d. 249°T