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.


101: At 1430 on 13 August, you pass Carolina Landing Light (mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 0230, 13 August if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph?


149: Your engines are turning for 8.2 mph. You estimate the current at 1.5 mph. What is your speed over the ground?


219: At 1630, you reach point A and come right to 204°T. Your engine speed is 12 knots. Your 1715, position is LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 75°37.4'W. The current was __________.


224: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE?

    N a. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    Y b. You are entering a restricted area.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. You can expect differences of as much as 6° from the normal magnetic variation of the area.

292: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good?

    Y a. 6.9 knots
    N b. 6.5 knots
    N c. 6.1 knots
    N d. 5.7 knots

313: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading?

    Y a. 125°psc
    N b. 122°psc
    N c. 119°psc
    N d. 108°psc

355: Orient Point Light will break the horizon at a range of about __________.

    N a. 9.3 miles
    N b. 10.8 miles
    N c. 12.1 miles
    Y d. 13.9 miles

412: A vessel steams 1650 miles on course 077°T from LAT 12°47'N, LONG 45°10'E. What is the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LAT 18°54'N, LONG 72°58'E
    Y b. LAT 18°58'N, LONG 72°52'E
    N c. LAT 19°02'N, LONG 72°44'E
    N d. LAT 19°06'N, LONG 72°36'E

430: At 0820, you change course to 301°psc and reduce speed to 7.5 knots. At 0900, you take the following visual bearings:

Branford Reef Light 023°psc
New Haven Light 293°psc
Tweed Airport Aerobeacon 332°psc

Your 0900 position is __________.

    N a. LAT 41°11.9'N, LONG 72°50.6'W
    Y b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°48.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°47.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 72°44.3'W

511: At 0130, your position is LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°46.9'W when you change course to 086°T. If you make good 086°T, what is the closest point of approach to Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy?

    N a. 1.2 mile
    N b. 1.1 mile
    Y c. 0.9 miles
    N d. 0.7 miles

745: On 13 October , at 1847 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 42°17.4'N, LONG 138°46.2'W. At approximately this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 42°16.8', with an index error of 3.2' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 03h 45m 20s and is 1m 32s slow. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 44 feet?

    Y a. 42°09.1'N
    N b. 42°12.5'N
    N c. 42°16.0'N
    N d. 42°19.5'N

1107: On 16 April , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 17°18'S, LONG 168°46'E. You are on course 236°T at a speed of 16 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix.

    N a. LAT 17°54.9'S, LONG 167°48.7'E
    N b. LAT 17°55.6'S, LONG 167°45.1'E
    N c. LAT 17°56.8'S, LONG 167°52.4'E
    Y d. LAT 18°00.4'S, LONG 167°49.2'E

1234: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to Pittsburgh, PA?

    Y a. 1681.7 miles
    N b. 1575.3 miles
    N c. 981.7 miles
    N d. 727.9 miles

1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour?

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf

1307: After entering Milliken Bend (mile 455 AHP) you wish to locate the river service in Madison Parish, Louisiana. The river service is indicated by the square containing which number?

    Y a. 5
    N b. 4
    N c. 3
    N d. 2

1464: On 17 May , your 1554 zone time DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 65°46.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 269°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 55m 47s, and the chronometer error is 01m 14s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.6°E
    N b. 1.6°W
    N c. 4.6°W
    Y d. 7.6°E

1498: On 7 December , your 0350 ZT position is LAT 35°42'N, LONG 17°38'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.7°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 016°pgc and 014°psc. The variation is 1°E. What is the deviation for that heading?

    Y a. 0.3°E
    N b. 1.5°E
    N c. 0.3°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1658: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°07.0'N, LONG 136°16.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 074.5°psc. The chronometer reads 08h 56m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Variation in the area is 2°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.5°E
    N b. 2.8°W
    Y c. 4.5°E
    N d. 4.8°W

1709: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________.

    N a. bifurcation
    N b. transit
    Y c. crossing
    N d. changeover

1720: As you approach mile 427.6 AHP, you see on the right side a white buoy with orange bands and open face diamond. This buoy shows __________.

    N a. safe water
    N b. preferred channel
    Y c. danger
    N d. special marks

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

1733: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    Y c. 45 feet x 500 feet
    N d. 30 feet x 500 feet

1750: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________.

    N a. Army Corps. of Engineers Regulations
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. Channel Report

1806: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

    N a. U.S.C.G. Light List
    Y b. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks

1809: Which daymark would you see at Shields Bar Lt. (mile 882.2 AHP)?

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

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

1953: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a circel with black and white quadrants on the left bank. This indicates a __________.

    Y a. river gage
    N b. daymark
    N c. control tower
    N d. information board

2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method?

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles

2681: Your vessel is on course 312°pgc and you sight a lighthouse dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. The gyro error is 3°E. What course would you steer to leave the lighthouse 1.5 miles abeam to starboard?

    N a. 309°pgc
    Y b. 304°pgc
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 304°T

2702: You are underway on course 241°T at a speed of 18.2 knots.
You sight a daymark bearing 241°T at a radar range of 3.9 miles at 1006. If you change course at 1009, what is the course to steer to leave the daymark abeam to starboard at 1.0 mile?

    N a. 218°T
    Y b. 222°T
    N c. 257°T
    N d. 260°T

2868: Your vessel is on a course of 358°T at 19 knots. At 0316 a light bears 024.5°T, and at 0334 the light bears 043°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 0352, 5.7 miles
    N b. 0355, 6.2 miles
    N c. 0359, 7.1 miles
    N d. 0403, 8.0 miles

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

2888: Your vessel is underway on a course of 323.5°T at a speed of 16 knots. At 1945° a light bears 350°T. At 2010 the light bears 008.5°T. What will be your distance off when abeam of the light?

    N a. 3.3 miles
    N b. 4.8 miles
    Y c. 6.7 miles
    N d. 8.7 miles

2899: You are steaming on a course of 208°T at 21 knots. At 2019 you observe a lighthouse bearing 129°T. At 2030 the lighthouse bears 103°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 8.2 miles
    Y b. 8.6 miles
    N c. 8.9 miles
    N d. 9.3 miles

3275: You have steamed 989 miles at 16.5 knots, and consumed 215 tons of fuel. If you have 345 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13 knots?

    N a. 1025 miles
    N b. 1993 miles
    Y c. 2557 miles
    N d. 3245 miles

3463: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the course made good?

    N a. 209°T
    N b. 217°T
    Y c. 222°T
    N d. 232°T

3641: You desire to make good a true course of 174°. The variation is 17°W, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°E. A west-southwest wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 195°psc
    N b. 197°psc
    Y c. 199°psc
    N d. 203°psc

3648: The true course between two points is 312°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 3°W. You make an allowance of 4° leeway for a west by south wind. What gyro course should be steered to make the true course good?

    N a. 305°pgc
    Y b. 311°pgc
    N c. 315°pgc
    N d. 318°pgc

10103: Your GPS position is LAT 37°01.5'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Chesapeake Light?

    Y a. 243°
    N b. 240°
    N c. 237°
    N d. 231°

11108: The passage between Great Gull Island and Plum Island __________.

    N a. is subject to weak and variable tidal currents
    N b. uncovers at extreme low water
    Y c. should be avoided
    N d. shows a whirlpool at maximum ebb current when accompanied by NW gales

14003: At 1430 your vessel passes under the Interstate 5 highway bridge east bound. Your engines are making RPM's for 12 mph. If the current is ebbing at 3 mph, what is your ETA at Bonneville Lock?

    N a. 1744
    N b. 1753
    N c. 1834
    Y d. 1848

15139: At what time would you expect to be abeam of Buoy "MP"?

    N a. 2240
    N b. 2244
    Y c. 2248
    N d. 2252

15156: Your 1600 position is LAT 37°22.5'N, LONG 75°32.3'W. The depth of water is about __________.

    N a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    Y c. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N d. 59 feet (17.3 meters)

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

15509: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How would the buoy which bears approximately 040°T from your position at a range of half a mile be painted?

    Y a. Horizontally banded, green over red, with a green buoyancy chamber
    N b. Horizontally banded, red over green, with a red buoyancy chamber
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid green with red letters "BIS"

15824: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April 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 continue to turn for 10 mph?

    N a. 1445, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    Y c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April

15962: Based on dead reckoning, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.

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

16015: By 0430, the wind has increased, and the visibility cleared due to passage of a front. You estimate 3° leeway due to NW'ly winds. What is the course per gyrocompass to pass 1.2 miles due south of Twenty-eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE"?

    Y a. 080°
    N b. 083°
    N c. 086°
    N d. 090°

16562: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distance:

Block Island North Light 085°T
Watch Hill Light 342°T 5.8 miles

What true speed did you make good between 1830 and 1850?

    N a. 2.9 knots
    N b. 5.7 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.7 knots

16746: In order to check your compasses, you sight Race Rock Light in line with New London Harbor Light bearing 336° per gyrocompass. The helmsman reports the vessel was heading 275.0°pgc and 290.5° per standard magnetic compass at the time of the observation. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The gyro error is now 2°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N c. The vessel should be swung to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 0.5°W.