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.


82: If the Rosedale Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane? The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Rosedale, MS. is 3.0 feet.


102: The latest available information on the channel conditions above Baton Rouge that includes recommended course and the latest buoy information is found in the __________.


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


155: As you approach Old River Control Structure Light you see a flashing amber light. You should __________.

    Y a. navigate as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N b. navigate as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    N c. turn into the inflow channel as the bypass is now open
    N d. slow your engine speed to not more than 5 mph

190: On 2 January you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 35°50.4'. The index error is 0.8' on the arc. The height of eye is 24 feet (7.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 35°50.3'
    N b. 35°54.7'
    Y c. 35°59.7'
    N d. 36°05.6'

267: At 0802, Branford Reef Light bears 348°T at 0.75 mile, and the north point of Falkner Island bears 088°T at 6.7 miles. What were the set and drift since 0740?

    N a. Set 040°T, drift .2 knot
    N b. Set 220°T, drift .2 knot
    Y c. Set 220°T, drift .6 knot
    N d. You are making good your intended course and speed.

348: At 0430, you take the following radar ranges:

Stratford Point Light @ 5.25 nm
Middle Ground Light @ 4.55 nm

What is your 0430 position?

    N a. LAT 41°08.9'N, LONG 73°00.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°01.1'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.8'N, LONG 73°00.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 73°01.4'W

364: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you sight Trestle "A" in line bearing 198°pgc. What is the gyro error?

    N a. 2°E
    N b. 0°E
    N c. 1°W
    Y d. 2°W

467: Determine the great circle initial course from LAT 29°46.0'S, LONG 30°26.0'E to LAT 31°52.0'S, LONG 115°22.0'E.

    N a. 074°T
    N b. 113°T
    Y c. 117°T
    N d. 121°T

500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"?

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°

538: Determine the distance from LAT 23°24'S, LONG 13°54'E to LAT 23°24'S, LONG 42°48'W. by parallel sailing.

    N a. 3119.3 miles
    Y b. 3122.2 miles
    N c. 3124.5 miles
    N d. 3126.6 miles

624: You are on a voyage from San Diego, CA, to New York, NY. The distance from pilot to pilot is 4860 miles. The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate 18 hours for bunkering at Colon, and 14 hours for the Panama Canal transit. If you take departure at 0836 hours (ZD +7), 4 July, what is your ETA (ZD +4) at New York?

    N a. 0336, 20 July
    N b. 0036, 19 July
    N c. 0336, 19 July
    Y d. 0736, 19 July

669: You are planning a voyage from Cape May (LAT 38°45'N, LONG 74°45'W) to Lisbon (LAT 38°37'N, LONG 09°45'W). Which of the following is TRUE? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC 5274)

    N a. Because the latitudes are almost the same, a great circle track approximates a parallel sailing.
    Y b. The northern hemisphere vertex is approximately at longitude 42°26'W.
    N c. The distance is measured by using the length of one degree of the meridian at the position of the vertex.
    N d. A composite sailing must be plotted to remain south of a limiting latitude of 44°N.

671: You are on a voyage from Nome to Honolulu via Unimak Pass (LAT 54°30'N, LONG 164°30'W). The great circle track passes through a point at LAT 38°00'N, LONG 161°40'W. Using gnomonic chart WOXZC5270, determine which answer is TRUE. (The great circle distance, Unimak Pass to Honolulu, is 2013 miles.)

    N a. A great circle track results in a significant savings in distance when compared to a rhumb line.
    N b. The northern vertex of the great circle track would lie between Unimak Pass and Nome.
    N c. Distance of the great circle track is measured by using the length of degree of latitude at the mid-latitude of the track.
    Y d. A great circle course would offer no significant advantage because the rhumb line course is close to 180°.

685: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)?

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    Y c. Baxter Wilson Steam
    N d. Farm Chemical

753: On 10 June , your 2010 zone time DR position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 61°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 40°35.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 08m 18s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 40 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 41°10.6'N
    Y b. 41°15.0'N
    N c. 41°18.3'N
    N d. 41°21.2'N

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

1187: On 17 March , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 21°27.0'N, LONG 65°25.0'W. Your vessel is on course 105°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1210
    N b. 1218
    Y c. 1225
    N d. 1231

1208: On 12 July , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 24°15.0'N, LONG 132°30.0'W. Your vessel is on course 045°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1146
    N b. 1148
    Y c. 1152
    N d. 1159

1211: It is 15 July and you are keeping +7 zone time. You are on course 095°, speed 16 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 25°39.4'N, LONG 129°46.2'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 13h 40m 17s
    Y b. 13h 38m 26s
    N c. 12h 42m 20s
    N d. 12h 38m 20s

1253: On 8 August , your 0400 ZT DR position is LAT 23°16.0'S, LONG 105°33.0'W. You are on course 295°T at a speed of 25 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0623
    N b. 0629
    Y c. 0636
    N d. 0654

1343: At 1019, on 10 March, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing River Cement Co. Dock?

    Y a. 7.2 mph
    N b. 6.8 mph
    N c. 6.5 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph

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.

1643: Which facility is located on the right descending bank at mile 363.6 AHP?

    N a. River Cement Corps..
    N b. Bunge Corps..
    N c. T.L. James
    Y d. Vidalia Dock and Storage Co.

1768: The Natchez Gage reads 14.5 feet. The high point on your towboat is 47 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Natchez - Vidalia Highway Bridge?

    N a. 58.0 feet
    Y b. 64.5 feet
    N c. 72.5 feet
    N d. 78.6 feet

1854: On 22 July , your 1759 ZT DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 231°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 26°10.0'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Capella
    N c. Miaplacidus
    Y d. Suhail

1866: 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 019.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 53°56.2'. 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?

    N a. Phecda
    N b. Mimosa
    N c. Gamma Ursae Minoris
    Y d. Mizar

2008: On 24 July , your 1912 zone time DR position is LAT 24°28.0'N, LONG 73°46.5'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Fomalhaut, Rigel, Pollux
    N b. Arcturus, Acrux, Hadar
    Y c. Spica, Altair, Alioth
    N d. Vega, Deneb, Regulus

2287: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34°51.4' on 18 October . The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    Y a. 35°01.2'
    N b. 35°03.6'
    N c. 35°05.2'
    N d. 35°07.4'

2331: What is the coastwise distance from your 0731 fix to Wilmington, DE (LAT 39°43.2'N, LONG 75°31.5'W)?

    N a. 339 miles
    N b. 309 miles
    N c. 245 miles
    Y d. 221 miles

2535: What is the mile point of Hickman, KY Gage?

    N a. 846.4 AHP
    N b. 889.0 AHP
    Y c. 922.0 AHP
    N d. 937.2 AHP

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

2852: Your vessel is on a course of 129°T at 13 knots. At 1937 a light bears 151.5°T. At 2003 the light bears 174°T. At which time and distance off will your vessel be when abeam of this light?

    N a. 2016, 2.8 miles
    N b. 2016, 3.9 miles
    Y c. 2021, 3.9 miles
    N d. 2021, 2.8 miles

2894: You are steaming on a course of 071°T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122°T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    N d. 4.3 miles

3085: You must average 16.25 knots to reach port at a designated time. Your propeller has a pitch of 21'08", and you estimate 4% negative slip. How many RPM's must you average to arrive on time?

    Y a. 73 RPM
    N b. 77 RPM
    N c. 82 RPM
    N d. 88 RPM

3090: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 87,421, calculate the day's run allowing 7% negative slip.

    N a. 351.7 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    Y c. 404.6 miles
    N d. 419.3 miles

3634: You desire to make good a true course of 038°. The variation is 5°E, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°W. A southeasterly wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 033°psc
    Y b. 041°psc
    N c. 043°psc
    N d. 047°psc

4010: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 104°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320°

    N a. 1.8°E
    N b. 2.6°E
    Y c. 2.2°W
    N d. 2.7°W

11102: What is the velocity of the first PM (Daylight Savings Time) maximum ebb current at Plum Gut on 10 August 1983?

    N a. 3.3 knots
    N b. 4.0 knots
    N c. 4.5 knots
    Y d. 5.4 knots

11502: At 1016 your GPS position is LAT 41°07.6'N, LONG 71°38.5'W. At 1104 your position is LAT 41°00.4'N, LONG 71°29.4'W. What was the speed made good between the two positions?

    N a. 10.9 knots
    N b. 11.7 knots
    Y c. 12.5 knots
    N d. 13.6 knots

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

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°

13305: What are the bottom characteristics of Nautilus Shoal (LAT 37°03'N, LONG 75°56'W)?

    N a. Sand and shells
    N b. Hard sand
    Y c. Fine gray sand
    N d. Mud and sand

14502: You are proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. The pool level of the Bonneville reservoir stands at 84 feet above MSL. If the highest point on your vessel is 49 feet above the water, what will be the vertical clearance as you pass under the center of the Bridge of the Gods?

    Y a. 74.0 feet
    N b. 86.0 feet
    N c. 97.5 feet
    N d. 123 feet

15167: Your height of eye is 25 feet (7.6 meters). If the visibility is 11 nautical miles, what is the luminous range of Wolf Trap Light?

    N a. 8.2 miles
    Y b. 12.0 miles
    N c. 16.0 miles
    N d. 17.0 miles

15215: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)?

    Y a. 162°psc
    N b. 157°psc
    N c. 152°psc
    N d. 142°psc

15458: You are delayed in sailing due to engineering problems. You get underway at 0630. A Coast Guard radio broadcast advises that an aircraft carrier will transit the Elizabeth River enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a safety zone is in effect. Further information on how far you must remain from the carrier found is in __________.

    N a. PUB 117
    N b. Light List
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Chart Number 1

15713: What do the dotted lines around Goose Island and Kimberly Reef represent?

    N a. Limiting danger
    N b. Breakers
    Y c. Depth contours
    N d. Tide rips

16217: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith?

    N a. Low, rocky cliffs with heavily wooded hills inland
    Y b. Sandy beaches broken by rocky points
    N c. Sand dunes and beaches with a mud and sand bottom
    N d. Wooded, barren hills with isolated prominent buildings

16263: If you increase speed to 8 knots, and the current is 240°
at 0.7 knot. What course should you steer from your 0400 position to arrive at point A?

    N a. 178°T
    N b. 180°T
    Y c. 183°T
    N d. 186°T

16444: At 1042 you take the following round of bearings:

Cape Henry Light 259°T
Chesapeake Light 101°T
Cape Charles Light 006°T
From this position, you set course 070°T at a speed of 9.5 knots.

What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 069.5°psc
    N b. 060.5°psc
    Y c. 079.5°psc
    N d. 080.5°psc

16510: At 0728, Race Rock Light is bearing 282°T at 3.8 miles,
and the closest point on Fishers Island is at a radar range of 2.0 miles. What speed have you been making since you changed course at 0705?

    N a. 9.2 knots
    Y b. 9.8 knots
    N c. 10.6 knots
    N d. 11.4 knots