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.


65: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?


75: What is your ETA at the Memphis Highway Bridge?


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?


198: While navigating inbound Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________.

    N a. navigate in the main channel when between Trestles A & B
    Y b. use the north auxiliary channel
    N c. remain 1500 yards (1360 meters) from large naval vessels
    N d. maintain a speed of six knots

206: At 1850, you obtain the following bearings and distances:

Montauk Point 189°pgc 8.7 miles
Watch Hill Light 340°pgc 5.7 miles

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

    Y a. 293°T
    N b. 297°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 305°T

325: You are entering Norfolk Harbor and have just passed Craney Island. Which chart should you use for your final approach into Norfolk Harbor?

    N a. 12263
    Y b. 12253
    N c. 12248
    N d. 12238

357: If the visibility is 5 miles and you are in the red sector, at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light?

    Y a. 09 miles
    N b. 11 miles
    N c. 13 miles
    N d. 15 miles

402: A vessel at LAT 38°36'N, LONG 11°36'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°16'N, LONG 71°52'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 236.4°T, 2,916.9 miles
    N b. 254.4°T, 2,916.9 miles
    Y c. 254.4°T, 3,203.6 miles
    N d. 285.6°T, 3,203.6 miles

445: You can follow what loran reading between your two positions?

    N a. There is no loran reading to follow.
    N b. 9960-Y-43958
    Y c. 9960-X-25982
    N d. 9960-W-14655

469: Determine the great circle initial course from LAT 37°12.6'S, LONG 73°58.0'W to LAT 10°33.0'S, LONG 142°08.0'E.

    Y a. 223°T
    N b. 253°T
    N c. 287°T
    N d. 317°T

493: At 0815, Montauk Pt. Light House is bearing 167°T, Shagwong Pt. has a radar range of 4.5 miles, and Cerberus Shoal "9" Buoy is bearing 284°T. If the engine is making turns for 10 knots, what was the set and drift of the current since 0748?

    N a. Set 065°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 065°T, drift 2.4 knots
    Y c. Set 245°T, drift 2.4 knots
    N d. Set 245°T, drift 1.1 knots

524: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________.

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    N b. a restricted anchorage area
    Y c. submarine cables
    N d. prohibited fishing areas

557: The south shore of Long Island Sound near your position is __________.

    N a. high with numerous cliffs
    Y b. fringed with rock shoals
    N c. backed by marshes and wooded uplands
    N d. low and marshy

999: On 16 February , your 0640 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 23°46.0'N, LONG 156°24.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 222°T at a speed of 18.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0910 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 08m 06s and was slow 01m 56s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 27°15.8'. LAN occurred at 1245 ZT (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 55°25.3'. What was the longitude of your 1245 ZT running fix?

    N a. 157°37.2'W
    Y b. 157°42.0'W
    N c. 157°45.7'W
    N d. 157°47.2'W

1103: On 25 August , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 21°28.0'N, LONG 167°48.0'E. You are on course 248°T at a speed of 12 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0032

    N a. LAT 20°52.4'N, LONG 167°32.1'E
    Y b. LAT 20°57.1'N, LONG 167°01.0'E
    N c. LAT 20°59.5'N, LONG 166°54.8'E
    N d. LAT 21°06.0'N, LONG 167°10.9'E

1193: On 26 September , your 0830 zone time DR position is LAT 23°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1158
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214

1200: On 26 September , your 0830 DR position is LAT 26°04.0'N, LONG 129°16.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 119°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1124
    N b. 1128
    N c. 1142
    N d. 1146

1503: On 30 July , your 0200 zone time (ZD +4) DR position is LAT 43°48'N, LONG 78°00 W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 008.7°psc. The chronometer time of the observation is 05h 58m 07s, and the chronometer is 0m 23s slow. The variation is 10.5°W. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.5°E
    Y b. 3.0°E
    N c. 7.5°W
    N d. 18.0°W

1650: On 22 October , in DR position LAT 21°51.0'S, LONG 76°24.0'E, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 256°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 01m 25s and is 01m 15s fast. Variation for the area is 2°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 0.3°E
    Y b. 0.3°W
    N c. 2.0°E
    N d. 2.0°W

1673: On 17 April , your vessel's position is LAT 21°00'S, LONG 78°30'W, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 082.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 2.0°W. The chronometer reads 10h 59m 24s and is 01m 24s fast. What is the deviation of the compass?

    Y a. 2.0°W
    N b. 3.0°W
    N c. 2.5°E
    N d. 3.0°E

1687: What are the light characteristics of Greenwood Light (mile 288.6 AHP).

    N a. Fixed red light
    N b. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 2 red flashes every 5 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 4 seconds

1873: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N,
LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 174.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 18°58.6'. The index error is 0.5°
on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Muhlifain
    N b. Alpha Hydri
    N c. Almak
    N d. Alpha Muscae

1905: On 22 March , your 0519 DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 200°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 33°05.5'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s, and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Enif
    Y c. Antares
    N d. Rigel

2100: From your 2118 position, you are steering 288°T at an engine speed of 7.0 knots. If visibility is suddenly reduced to 2 miles, at what time can you expect Old Point Comfort Light to become visible again?

    N a. The light is visible at 2118.
    N b. 2155
    N c. 2220
    Y d. 2232

2320: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis?

    N a. 48.0 feet
    Y b. 53.2 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 116.0 feet

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.

2533: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

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

2709: If the highest point of your towboat is 54 feet above the water and the Natchez Gage reads 24.8 feet, what will be your vertical clearance when passing under the Natchez-Vidalia westbound Highway Bridge?

    N a. 35.9 feet
    Y b. 47.2 feet
    N c. 49.6 feet
    N d. 57.5 feet

2865: You are steering a course of 240°T, and a lighthouse bears 025° on the starboard bow at 2116. At 2144 the same lighthouse bears 050° on the starboard bow, and you have run 6 miles since the first bearing. What is the ETA when the lighthouse is abeam?

    N a. 2156
    N b. 2159
    Y c. 2202
    N d. 2205

2886: Your vessel is steering 074°T at 12 knots. At 0214 a light bears 115°T, and at 0223 the same light bears 135°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 2.4 miles
    Y b. 3.0 miles
    N c. 3.5 miles
    N d. 4.2 miles

2906: You are steaming on a course of 211°T at 17 knots. At 0417 a light bears 184°T, and at 0428 the same light bears 168°T. What is the distance off the light at 0428?

    N a. 3.4 miles
    N b. 4.6 miles
    Y c. 5.1 miles
    N d. 5.6 miles

3054: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 22.8 feet and a pitch of 19.3 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 287 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 67?

    N a. -6.3%
    Y b. +6.3%
    N c. -24.0%
    N d. +24.0%

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%

3253: You have steamed 925 miles at 13.5 knots, and consumed 181 tons of fuel. If you have 259 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 16 knots?

    N a. 795 miles
    Y b. 942 miles
    N c. 1117 miles
    N d. 1409 miles

3253: You have steamed 925 miles at 13.5 knots, and consumed 181 tons of fuel. If you have 259 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 16 knots?

    N a. 795 miles
    Y b. 942 miles
    N c. 1117 miles
    N d. 1409 miles

10206: Your 2230 position is LAT 41°07.4'N, LONG 72°44.0'W. Assuming that there are no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to leave Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.4'W) 1 mile abeam to port?

    N a. 084°psc
    N b. 091°psc
    N c. 094°psc
    Y d. 098°psc

10602: At 1815 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 285° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 16 knots. At 1909 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°08.5'N, LONG 72°53.7'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 292°T at 1.8 knots
    N b. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    N c. 118°T at 1.9 knots
    Y d. 111°T at 2.1 knots

11104: What is the time of the first PM (Daylight Savings Time) maximum ebb current at Plum Gut on 10 August 1983?

    N a. 1231
    N b. 1249
    N c. 1340
    Y d. 1445

12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12109: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) dead ahead bearing 264° per standard magnetic compass. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. The compass error is 11°W.
    N b. The deviation table must be corrected for the change in date.
    N c. The deviation is 1°W for a bearing of 264° only.
    N d. The variation is 9°W for a bearing of 264° only.

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

14002: At 1630 your vessel exits Bonneville Lock steaming in a westerly direction. What speed must you average to arrive at the Interstate 5 highway bridge with an ETA of 2120?

    N a. 6 mph
    N b. 7 mph
    Y c. 8 mph
    N d. 9 mph

15059: From your 0740 position, you change course to pass 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light. Which of the following is true?

    N a. you should consult the sailing directions for pilotage requirements
    N b. you will pass 1.5 nm off Branford Reef Light
    Y c. your course will keep you clear of the 18' shoal
    N d. None of the above

15108: Your 1752 position places you __________.

    Y a. less than 0.5 mile westward of York Spit Channel
    N b. less than 0.5 mile eastward of York Spit Channel
    N c. greater than 0.5 mile westward of York Spit Channel
    N d. greater than 0.5 mile eastward of York Spit Channel

15312: You arrive at the rendezvous point, secure the tow, and head back southward. At 1200, you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 240.5° true
Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 289° true

What is your 1200 position?

    N a. LAT 37°10.5'N, LONG 75°33.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°12.0'N, LONG 75°35.0'W
    Y c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 75°37.5'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.0'N, LONG 75°40.5'W

15866: What is your ETA at a point where Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 180°T if you make good 9.0 knots?

    N a. 0409
    Y b. 0416
    N c. 0425
    N d. 0433

15866: What is your ETA at a point where Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 180°T if you make good 9.0 knots?

    N a. 0409
    Y b. 0416
    N c. 0425
    N d. 0433

15867: You anticipate a maximum flood current north of Stratford Shoal. You will be set in which general direction?

    N a. Northerly
    N b. Easterly
    N c. Southerly
    Y d. Westerly

15913: At 0830, you wish to get the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency would you set your FM radio for this information?

    N a. 2181 kHz
    N b. 156.65 Mhz
    N c. 156.80 Mhz
    Y d. 162.40 Mhz

16038: At 0820 Old Field Point Light bears 206° per gyrocompass,
and Stratford Shoals Middle Ground Light bears 322° per gyrocompass. The radar range to Middle Ground Light is 1.5 miles. Your 0820 fix gives you a position of __________.

    N a. LAT 41°02.6'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°02.5'N, LONG 73°04.9'W
    N c. LAT 41°02.3'N, LONG 73°05.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°02.0'N, LONG 73°05.1'W

16317: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor?

    N a. 12370
    Y b. 12371
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373

16341: At 2230 you take the following visual bearings:

Montauk Point Light, Long Island 317°pgc
Southeast Point Light, Block Island 009°pgc

What is your position?

    N a. LAT 40°51.2'N, LONG 71°35.9'W
    N b. LAT 40°51.5'N, LONG 71°36.4'W
    N c. LAT 40°52.2'N, LONG 71°36.6'W
    Y d. LAT 40°52.0'N, LONG 71°37.4'W

16713: At 0600 you take the following bearings:

Point Judith Light bearing 063°pgc
Block Island North Reef Light bearing 144°pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    N a. LAT 41°18.1'N, LONG 71°38.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°18.3'N, LONG 71°38.7'W
    N c. LAT 41°18.4'N, LONG 72°38.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°18.5'N, LONG 71°38.9'W