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.


244: Your vessel is entering New London Harbor Channel. If there is no current, what should you steer per gyro compass to stay on the range?


256: At 0209, your position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°40.8'W. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 278° magnetic? (assume no set and drift)


261: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?


269: If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass from your 0802 fix to the position 1.1 miles north of Falkner Island Light?

    N a. 099°
    Y b. 095°
    N c. 068°
    N d. 064°

296: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 264.5°pgc, York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°15.5'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°15.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    Y c. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 76°20.4'W

306: A vessel steams 640 miles on course 047°T from LAT 34°45'N, LONG 140°00'E. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 41°57'N, LONG 150°02'E
    Y b. LAT 42°01'N, LONG 149°57'E
    N c. LAT 42°06'N, LONG 149°53'E
    N d. LAT 42°09'N, LONG 149°50'E

379: A vessel at LAT 32°05.0'N, LONG 81°06.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 35°57.0'N, LONG 5°45.0'W. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 3128.2 miles
    Y b. 3770.6 miles
    N c. 4126.1 miles
    N d. 4508.0 miles

634: 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. 1031, 22 June
    Y b. 1423, 22 June
    N c. 1741, 22 June
    N d. 2210, 22 June

748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight?

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'N

839: On 22 August , in DR position LAT 29°41.8'N, LONG 33°15.5'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 00m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 20s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 74°32.4'. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 29°39.3'N
    N b. LAT 29°41.3'N
    Y c. LAT 29°47.8'N
    N d. LAT 29°49.7'N

1165: 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.

1192: On 3 October , your 0830 ZT position is LAT 26°15.0'S, LONG 73°16.0'E. Your vessel is on course 280°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1151
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1158
    Y d. 1201

1273: At 1544 zone time, on 5 October , your DR position is LAT 25°00'N, LONG 60°15'W. You are steering 270°T at a speed of 6.8 knots. What is the zone time of sunset?

    N a. 1728
    N b. 1737
    N c. 1741
    Y d. 1745

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

1471: On 21 February , your 0823 zone time DR position is LAT 21°44.0'S, LONG 80°14.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 096°psc. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 19s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s fast. The variation is 5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°E
    Y b. 4.7°W
    N c. 5.7°E
    N d. 6.3°W

1670: On 10 August , your vessel's 0426 zone time DR position is LAT 52°07'N, LONG 142°16'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's lower limb is about 20 minutes of arc above the visible horizon and bears 074.5° per standard compass. Variation in the area is 12°W. The chronometer reads 07h 24m 19s and is 02m 34s fast. Which of the following is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 0.0°
    N b. 1.3°W
    Y c. 1.3°E
    N d. 2.3°W

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

1769: In order to determine what buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP), what should you check?

    N a. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N b. Waterways Journal
    N c. Light List
    Y d. Notice to Mariners

1770: What are the light characteriditcs of the Bunge Corporation Terminal Lights (2) at mile 570.6 AHP?

    N a. a group flashing white light every five seconds
    N b. a flashing green light every 4 seconds
    Y c. a flashing green light every 6 seconds
    N d. a flashing red light every 4 seconds

1811: Where would you find out which buoys, if any, are in place at Concordia Bar crossing (mile 596.0 AHP)?

    Y a. Notice to Mariners
    N b. Bulletin board at the Rosedale Gage
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. None of the above

1893: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 104°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 9°55.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Hamal
    Y b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar

1914: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 192°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 06°15.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    Y c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin

2154: On 30 June , at 0630 zone time, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°15.0'S, LONG 175°36.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 302°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 10h 14m 38s, and the sextant altitude is 32°07.9'. The index error is 4.5' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 58.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 035.3°T
    N b. 144.7°T
    N c. 186.5°T
    N d. 248.5°T

2243: At 1444 ZT, on 28 July , in DR position LAT 40° 56.8' N, LONG 167° 12.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 299.3° psc. The variation is 1° E. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 3.1°W
    N b. 3.1°E
    N c. 2.1°W
    N d. 2.1°E

2282: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 42°44.0' on 22 June . The index error is 0.8' off the arc. The height of eye is 70 feet (21.3 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 42°19.8'
    N b. 42°21.7'
    Y c. 42°51.7'
    N d. 42°54.2'

2325: Which publication contains specific information on the characteristics of Chesapeake Bay entrance?

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor-master's Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay

2403: At 0812 you obtain the following information:

Chesapeake Light bearing 091° true @ a range of 10.5 nm

What is your 0812 position?

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    Y c. LAT 36°54.4'N, LONG 75°55.9'W
    N d. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W

2585: At 2000 you plot your position as: LAT 41°11'N, LONG 072°35'W. The set and drift is 095°T at 0.8 knot. What course must you steer, and what engine speed must you turn, in order to make good 255°T at 8.5 knots?

    Y a. 257°T, 9.3 knots
    N b. 253°T, 9.3 knots
    N c. 257°T, 7.7 knots
    N d. 253°T, 7.7 knots

3051: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 20.6 feet and a pitch of 23.4 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 538 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 87?

    Y a. -11.6%
    N b. +11.6%
    N c. -10.3%
    N d. +10.3%

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

3267: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 726 miles at 16 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 873 miles distant?

    Y a. 14.6 knots
    N b. 15.1 knots
    N c. 16.3 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots

3285: While steaming at 19.4 knots, your vessel consumes 392 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 182 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 13.2 knots
    Y b. 15.0 knots
    N c. 17.4 knots
    N d. 18.2 knots

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

11103: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (LAT 41°22'N, LONG 71°30'W) __________.

    N a. is used only by tows
    N b. has moorings for small craft along the breakwater
    N c. is easily entered in all sea conditions
    Y d. is entered through either the East Gap or the West Gap

11307: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. At 2031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the speed made good?

    N a. 8.2 knots
    N b. 9.3 knots
    Y c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.9 knots

12902: Your 1312 position is LAT 37°10.9'N, LONG 75°29.6'W. You are turning for 8.3 knots. What is your ETA at LAT 37°21.9'N, LONG 75°42.6'W?

    N a. 1449
    N b. 1456
    Y c. 1502
    N d. 1511

13308: You are navigating 1 mile north of Cape Henry Lighthouse at the southern entrance to Chesapeake Bay. You observe that this area is bounded on the chart by magenta bands. This indicates a(n) __________.

    N a. fish trap area
    N b. explosive anchorage
    Y c. pilotage area
    N d. danger zone

13401: You are planning to anchor in Orient Harbor at LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°18.5'W. Assuming that normal conditions exist, how much anchor cable should you put out?

    N a. 16 to 18 feet
    N b. 40 to 60 feet
    Y c. 80 to 112 feet
    N d. 120 to 140 feet

15022: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single-barge tows.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    Y c. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N d. Tows must navigate towards right descending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.

15039: At 0725 you determined your vessel's position to be 37°15.5'N, 75°33.2'W. Assuming that you make good your course of 206° true and a speed of 18 knots, at what time would you expect to be abeam of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14"?

    N a. 0750
    N b. 0754
    Y c. 0758
    N d. 0802

15057: At 0720, you are in the outer channel between buoy "1" and buoy "2" and change course to pass Townshend Ledge Lighted Gong Buoy "10A" abeam to port at 0.1 miles. What is the course to steer per gyro compass if a northerly wind causes 2° of leeway?

    N a. 120°pgc
    N b. 118°pgc
    N c. 116°pgc
    Y d. 114°pgc

15070: As you enter New London Harbor, you are steering on the entrance range. The lights are in line over the bow as you are heading 352°pgc. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 0°
    N c. 1°W
    N d. 3°W

15164: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per gyrocompass?

    N a. 271°pgc
    N b. 274°pgc
    Y c. 277°pgc
    N d. 280°pgc

15242: From your 1155 position, you steer a course of 282°T at a speed of 9.5 knots. You obtain the following bearings:

1205: Falkner Island Light bears 318°T
1225: Falkner Island Light bears 355°T

Your 1225 running fix is __________.

    N a. north of your intended track
    N b. 3.1 miles SSW of Falkner Island Light
    N c. ahead of the DR position
    Y d. south of your intended track

15340: At 1718, Bartlett Reef Light bears 050°T at a distance of 1.5 miles. From this position, you change course to 128°
T. At 1750 Race Rock Light bears 336°T, Little Gull Island Light bears 285°T, and Montauk Point Light bears 134°T. What were the set and drift of the current you encountered since 1718?

    N a. 245°T at 0.9 knots
    N b. 245°T at 1.7 knots
    Y c. 065°T at 1.7 knots
    N d. 065°T at 0.9 knots

15439: What is your ETA off Chesapeake Bay Entrance Buoy "CB" at the entrance to the inbound lane of the traffic separation scheme?

    Y a. 2058
    N b. 2104
    N c. 2109
    N d. 2115

15619: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck?

    N a. 4.3 miles
    N b. 3.4 miles
    N c. 2.6 miles
    Y d. 1.7 miles

16113: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Which channel should you use?

    N a. Thimble Shoal Main Channel or the South Auxiliary Channel
    N b. Any of the channels but keep to the right hand side
    Y c. The South Auxiliary Channel
    N d. Thimble Shoal Main Channel

16267: When Cape Henry Light is abeam, what is the approximate distance to Yorktown, VA?

    Y a. 34 miles
    N b. 42 miles
    N c. 55 miles
    N d. 58 miles

16307: Which statement regarding the wreck 0.2 mile south of buoys "1" and "2" at the entrance to New London Harbor is TRUE?

    N a. The wreck presents a danger to all vessels with drafts in excess of 30 feet (9.1 meters).
    N b. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum between the months of March and June.
    Y c. The wreck is shown on the chart, but its actual existence is doubtful.
    N d. The wreck was cleared by wire drag in 1982 and will not appear on future charts.

16466: The abandoned lighthouse at Cape Henry is a(n) __________.

    Y a. gray, pyramidal tower
    N b. mound of broken rubble
    N c. octagonal, black and white tower
    N d. black, skeleton structure