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.


182: What course should you steer using the standard magnetic compass (psc) to make good the course of 192°pgc?


209: At 0705, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Light 034.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 338.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 268.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705?


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?


311: A vessel at LAT 20°10'N, LONG 122°00'E is to proceed to LAT 26°18'N, LONG 128°20'E. What are the course and distance by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. 041.2°T, 501.0 miles
    N b. 041.9°T, 503.6 miles
    Y c. 043.5°T, 507.3 miles
    N d. 044.7°T, 509.7 miles

352: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT?

    N a. 122 miles
    N b. 115 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 95 miles

633: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    Y c. 841.3-838.7 LDB
    N d. 845.4-842.5 LDB

679: Using gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270, determine which of the following statements about a voyage from San Francisco to San Bernardino Strait (LAT 13°00'N, LONG 125°30'E) is TRUE.

    N a. A composite sailing should be used to avoid the Bonin Islands.
    N b. Distance is measured using the length of a degree of longitude at the point of tangency.
    Y c. You will cross the Northern Hemisphere vertex at the approximate longitude of 159°W.
    N d. The entire track line is west of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.

816: On 15 November , your 0813 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 22°30.0'N, LONG 67°28.0'W. Your vessel is on course 164°T, and your speed is 13.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1215 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 49°46.0'. What is the latitude at 1200 ZT?

    Y a. 21°42.5'N
    N b. 21°39.3'N
    N c. 21°36.0'N
    N d. 21°32.8'N

1082: On 20 Nov. , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 157°18.6'E. You are on course 060°T at a speed of 20 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1200 running fix. NP-0012

    N a. LAT 27°16.8'N, LONG 157°30.5'E
    N b. LAT 27°22.6'N, LONG 157°37.8'E
    Y c. LAT 27°29.7'N, LONG 157°43.0'E
    N d. LAT 27°33.4'N, LONG 157°48.2'E

1143: Which town is located at mile 663.5 AHP?

    N a. Friers Point
    Y b. Helena
    N c. St. Francis
    N d. Rodney

1203: You are keeping ZD +4 on your vessel. On 21 June ,
at 0906 DST, your position is LAT 30°48.0'N,
LONG 71°00.0'W. You are on a course of 167°T at 15.2 knots. At what time will local apparent noon (LAN) occur ZT at your vessel? You are keeping DST.

    N a. 1145
    N b. 1202
    N c. 1218
    Y d. 1245

1460: On 27 June , your 1905 ZT DR position is LAT 24°35.0'N, LONG 50°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Saturn bearing 211°pgc. The chronometer reads 10h 04m 26s and the chronometer error is 01m 20s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 1.1°W
    N b. 3.4°E
    N c. 3.4°W
    N d. 5.6°W

1539: As you approach Vaucluse Bend Light (mile 533.8 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

1622: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    N c. Buoys should be passed as close as possible.
    Y d. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.

1660: On 23 June , in DR position LAT 21°39.0'S, LONG 106°28.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 078°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 14m 39s and is 01m 43s slow. Variation in the area is 9°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.8°E
    N b. 3.9°W
    Y c. 4.3°W
    N d. 4.6°E

1724: What is the mile point of the Natchez, MS Gage?

    N a. 228.4 AHP
    N b. 265.4 AHP
    N c. 302.4 AHP
    Y d. 363.3 AHP

1921: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 340°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°25.1'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel

1952: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    Y b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    N d. Red-and-green banded square

2049: What is the length of the trip?

    N a. 405.8 miles
    Y b. 904.0 miles
    N c. 1002.0 miles
    N d. 1136.8 miles

2082: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth?

    N a. 42.5 feet (12.9 meters)
    N b. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y c. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)
    N d. 60.4 feet (18.4 meters)

2105: You are southeast of Saybrook Breakwater Light passing Saybrook Bar Lighted Bell Buoy "8". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. shoal water
    N b. a tide rips area
    N c. the junction with the Connecticut River
    N d. a sunken wreck

2203: 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. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June

2532: At 0715, on March 9, you pass Knox Landing GagE C313.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you increase speed to turn for 10 mph?

    N a. 0640, 11 March
    N b. 0554, 12 March
    Y c. 0943, 13 March
    N d. 1242, 13 March

2532: At 0715, on March 9, you pass Knox Landing GagE C313.8 AHP) and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you increase speed to turn for 10 mph?

    N a. 0640, 11 March
    N b. 0554, 12 March
    Y c. 0943, 13 March
    N d. 1242, 13 March

2662: You are on course 006°T, speed 16.6 knots. At 0516 you see a light bearing 008°T at a range of 10.2. If you change course at 0528 to leave the light abeam to port at 1.0 mile,
at what time will the light be abeam?

    Y a. 0553
    N b. 0556
    N c. 0604
    N d. 0607

2666: You are on course 086°T, speed 11.7 knots. At 1013 you see a buoy bearing 088°T at a range of 4.8 miles. If you change course at 1019 to leave the buoy abeam to port at 1.0 mile, at what time will the buoy be abeam?

    Y a. 1037
    N b. 1040
    N c. 1043
    N d. 1052

2778: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 658 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.
    N b. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Arkansas Power & Light Co.
    Y d. Helena Grain Co.

3064: The propeller of a vessel has a pitch of 19.0 feet. If the vessel traveled 183.5 miles (observed distance) in 24 hours at an average of 44 RPM, what was the slip?

    Y a. +7.4%
    N b. -7.4%
    N c. +11.6%
    N d. -11.6%

3110: You are turning 78 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 21 feet, and an estimated slip of -7%. What is the speed of advance?

    N a. 14.9 knots
    N b. 15.7 knots
    Y c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 17.8 knots

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

3294: Your vessel consumes 268 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 19.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 15.0 knots?

    Y a. 132 bbls
    N b. 167 bbls
    N c. 212 bbls
    N d. 243 bbls

4003: 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 058°.
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°

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

12310: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 091° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 246° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. The deviation table is correct.
    Y b. The compass error is 18°W for that heading.
    N c. The deviation is equal to the variation.
    N d. The deviation is equal to but of opposite sign to the variation.

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

13309: What type of bottom can be expected at the northern end of York Spit Channel?

    N a. Hard clay
    N b. Fine gray sand
    N c. Soft black mud
    Y d. Mud and sand

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.

15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________.

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"

15310: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel?

    Y a. 12222
    N b. 12224
    N c. 12226
    N d. 12254

15543: At 2236 Falkner Island Light bears 024° true at a range of 8.6 nm

What was the speed made good along the track line since your 2200 fix?

    N a. 12.7 knots
    Y b. 13.5 knots
    N c. 13.9 knots
    N d. 14.2 knots

15569: The coastline between Point Judith and Watch Hill is __________.

    N a. marked by waterfalls from the highland ponds
    N b. low and marshy
    Y c. sandy and broken by rocky points
    N d. heavily forested

15814: At 0130, you obtain the following bearings:

Horton Point Lighthouse 078°T
Mattituck Breakwater Light tower 196°T

What were the course and speed made good between 0100 and 0130?

    Y a. 246°T at 9.8 knots
    N b. 253°T at 9.4 knots
    N c. 259°T at 9.8 knots
    N d. 267°T at 9.4 knots

16008: While on a heading of 082°T, you sight Middle Ground Light in line with Old Field Point Light bearing 206° per standard magnetic compass. From this you can determine the __________.

    N a. variation
    Y b. deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. compass error is 17.5°E
    N d. deviation is 3.5°E for a bearing of 206° per standard magnetic compass

16017: What is the approximate distance to New Bedford, MA, from your 0530 DR position, if your 0352 position was 7 miles from Bridgeport, CT?

    N a. 77 miles
    N b. 91 miles
    Y c. 104 miles
    N d. 115 miles

16064: 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 (-.3 meter). What is the approximate depth under the keel?

    N a. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)

16141: The speed you can expect to make good over your course while steering to make 150°T is __________.

    N a. 11.0 knots
    Y b. 11.4 knots
    N c. 14.0 knots
    N d. 14.4 knots

16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T?

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc

16715: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 252°pgc
    N b. 256°pgc
    N c. 258°pgc
    N d. 262°pgc