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.

73: The area between Island 67 Upper Light (mile 623.1 AHP) and Sunflower Cut-off Foot Light (mile 624.8 AHP) is known as a __________.
154: You see a buoy with red and green bands. This buoy marks __________.
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?
303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing? 

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W
358: From your 0410 fix, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to the entrance to York Spit Channel between buoys "37" and "38"? 

    N a. 152°
    N b. 156°
    Y c. 176°
    N d. 178°
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
378: A vessel at LAT 37°24.0'N, LONG 178°15.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 34°18.0'N, LONG 178°25.0°E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 041°T, 273.9 miles
    N b. 047°T, 273.9 miles
    Y c. 221°T, 247.2 miles
    N d. 227°T, 247.2 miles
556: Your 0530 position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 73°01.1'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 1.0 mile south of Twenty Eight Foot Shoal "TE" buoy? 

    Y a. 099.5°psc
    N b. 096.0°psc
    N c. 092.5°psc
    N d. 082.0°psc
562: At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc, and the range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 7.1 miles. What was the course made good since 0615? 

    N a. 087°T
    N b. 084°T
    Y c. 081°T
    N d. 078°T
617: Your vessel will sail from a position in LAT 8°51.0'N, LONG 81°31.0'W to a position at LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E. The distance by great circle is 7,635 miles, and you estimate an average speed of 15.0 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival if you depart at 1510 ZT, on 23 July? 

    Y a. 1110, 14 August
    N b. 0110, 14 August
    N c. 1110, 13 August
    N d. 1510, 13 August
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
844: On 12 September , your 0600 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 22°51.9'N, LONG 133°40.1'W. Your vessel is on course 062°T, and your speed is 12.3 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1142 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's upper limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 70°33.2'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 23°23.0'N
    Y b. 23°24.8'N
    N c. 23°26.5'N
    N d. 23°27.9'N
1123: What is the vertical clearance of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane? 

    N a. 128.3 ft
    N b. 125.6 ft
    N c. 119.5 ft
    Y d. 116.3 ft
1141: Which daymark will you see as you approach Natchez Beam Lt. (mile 364.8 AHP)? 

    Y a. Red triangle
    N b. White square
    N c. Green square
    N d. Red diamond
1542: You are turning for 6.8 mph and estimate the current at 1.0 mph. What is your speed over the ground? 

    N a. 6.8 mph
    Y b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 8.8 mph
    N d. 9.4 mph
1738: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE? 

    Y a. Buoys should always be given as wide a berth in passing as possible.
    N b. The U.S. Army Corps.. of Engineers is responsible for placing and maintaining all aids to navigation.
    N c. Buoy positions as shown on the chart are exact.
    N d. Lights and daymarks are always shown in their exact location.
1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green diamond
    N c. Green square
    Y d. Red diamond
1912: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 108°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 67°53.9'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s, and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    N d. Suhail
2280: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 28°24.7' on 17 May . The index error is 1.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 86 feet (26 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 28°29.7'
    N b. 28°30.6'
    Y c. 28°31.5'
    N d. 28°32.9'
2336: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1325 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 14 knots? 

    N a. 133 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 207 tons
    Y d. 278 tons
2690: While on a course of 066°pgc, a light bears 13° on the port bow at a distance of 12.3 miles. What course should you steer to pass 4 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port? 

    N a. 067°pgc
    Y b. 072°pgc
    N c. 079°pgc
    N d. 085°pgc
3060: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 24.0 feet and a pitch of 21.3 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 510 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 86? 

    N a. -12.2%
    N b. +12.2%
    Y c. -17.5%
    N d. +17.5%
3092: If the pitch of the propeller is 24.8 feet, and the revolutions per day are 93,373, calculate the day's run allowing 11% positive slip. 

    N a. 307.3 miles
    Y b. 339.0 miles
    N c. 380.9 miles
    N d. 422.8 miles
3462: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the course made good? 

    N a. 156°T
    N b. 160°T
    Y c. 164°T
    N d. 169°T
3468: You are underway on course 215°T at 12 knots. The current is 000°T at 2.3 knots. What is the speed being made good? 

    N a. 8.5 knots
    Y b. 10.2 knots
    N c. 10.9 knots
    N d. 11.2 knots
3633: You desire to make good a true course of 067°. The variation is 11°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°W. A northwesterly wind produces a 5° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    N a. 054°psc
    N b. 064°psc
    Y c. 070°psc
    N d. 074°psc
10606: At 0915 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 6 knots. At 1030 your GPS position is 0.5 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy "TE". What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 042°T at 2.4 knots
    Y b. 045°T at 1.9 knots
    N c. 221°T at 2.0 knots
    N d. 225°T at 2.3 knots
11303: At 0856 your GPS position is LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. At 0945 your position is LAT 36°57.0'N, LONG 75°41.0'W. What was the speed made good between the fixes? 

    N a. 8.4 knots
    N b. 8.9 knots
    N c. 9.6 knots
    Y d. 10.7 knots
11404: At 2115 your GPS position is LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 72°37.9'W. At 0027 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. What was your speed made good? 

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.0 knots
    N d. 8.5 knots
11800: What is the course to steer between Port Jefferson Approach buoy "PJ" and New Haven Lighted Buoy "NH"? Your engine speed is 12 knots and you allow for a current of 93°T at 0.8 knot. A NW'ly wind causes 3° leeway. 

    Y a. 030°T
    N b. 034°T
    N c. 037°T
    N d. 044°T
12308: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 094° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 207° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    Y a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation by observation is 3°E.
    N c. The compass error is 12°W.
    N d. You should subtract 18° from all bearings of 094°.
12506: You are on course 203° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Point Comfort Spit Light 2 267°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 304°psc Wolf Trap Light 006°psc What is the position of the fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°18.9'N, LONG 76°10.4'W
    Y b. LAT 37°18.8'N, LONG 76°10.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°18.7'N, LONG 76°11.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°18.5'N, LONG 76°10.7'W
13101: At 1523 your position is LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W. You are turning for 8.7 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"? 

    N a. 1653
    N b. 1700
    Y c. 1711
    N d. 1718
13402: You are planning to anchor in Orient Harbor at LAT 41°07.9'N, LONG 72°18.5'W. What type of bottom should you expect? 

    N a. Sticky
    Y b. Soft
    N c. Stiff
    N d. Streaky
13501: What type of bottom is found off the southern coast of Long Island? 

    N a. Blue Mud
    N b. Shingle
    Y c. Brown Sand
    N d. Shells
13906: When approaching Block Island Sound from Long Island Sound, you will enter waters governed by the International Rules of the Road when you __________. 

    Y a. pass through The Race
    N b. cross the territorial sea boundary
    N c. exit Block Island Sound to the east or south
    N d. None of the above, as Long Island Sound is governed by the  International Rules of the Road
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
15024: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE? 

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    Y b. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.
15063: At 0830, you want the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency do you set your FM radio for this information? 

    N a. 2182 kHz
    N b. 162.80 Mhz
    N c. 156.65 Mhz
    Y d. 162.55 Mhz
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
15318: You passed Cape Henry Light at 0730 outbound at maximum flood. What approximate current can you expect on entering Chesapeake Channel? 

    N a. Slack before ebb
    N b. Slack before flood
    N c. Ebb current
    Y d. Flood current
15419: The mean high water level at Old Point Comfort is __________. 

    Y a. 2.6 feet (0.8 meters)
    N b. 1.2 feet (0.4 meters)
    N c. 0.0 feet
    N d. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)
15541: You alter course to make good 076°T from your 2200 fix,
and estimate you will make 13.6 knots over the ground. If the visibility is 5.5 miles, what is the earliest time you will sight Falkner Island Light? (nominal range 13 miles) 

    N a. The light is visible at 2200
    N b. 2221
    Y c. 2236
    N d. You will not sight the light
15762: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"? 

    N a. 090.5°
    N b. 093.0°
    N c. 095.5°
    Y d. 098.5°
15818: At 0300, your position is LAT 41°01.7'N, LONG 72°55.1'W. From this position you steer a course of 289° per standard magnetic compass at an engine speed of 10.0 knots. At what time can you first expect to see Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light if the luminous range is 8.0 miles? 

    Y a. 0303
    N b. 0309
    N c. 0312
    N d. 0318
15821: What is the distance from the Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the mouth of the Ohio River? 

    Y a. 700.2 miles
    N b. 727.9 miles
    N c. 953.5 miles
    N d. 981.5 miles
16006: You are on course 082°T, and the engines are turning for 8 knots. At 0352, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 016°pgc
Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light 137°pgc

What is your 0352 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 73°07.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°07.7'W
16212: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"? 

    N a. 094.5°
    N b. 095.5°
    Y c. 098.5°
    N d. 099.5°
16366: From your 0600 fix, you change course to 250°T. At 0605,
Cape Henry Light bears 250°T. At 0615, it bears 251°T. At 0625, it bears 252°T. Based on this you know you are __________. 

    Y a. being set to the south
    N b. being set to the north
    N c. meeting a current from dead ahead
    N d. running with a current from dead astern
16442: The area bounded by the buoys "C51" to "C47A" to "M6" to "M14", west of your anchorage, is __________. 

    N a. a training area for naval small craft
    N b. restricted to oil and mineral exploration
    N c. an anchorage for ammunition barges
    Y d. a fish trap area
16641: At 0455 you encounter fog and slow to 5 knots. At 0500, you obtain a radar fix from the following information:

Radar range to Montauk Point is 9.1 miles.
Tangent bearing to western edge of Block Is. Is 015°pgc.
Distance off the nearest part of Block Is. is 5.9 miles.

What is your 0500 position? 

    N a. LAT 41°02.8'N, LONG 71°39.5'W
    N b. LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 71°39.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°03.1'N, LONG 71°39.6'W
    Y d. LAT 41°03.5'N, LONG 71°39.3'W
16745: At 0100 Race Rock Light bears 001° relative, and at 0110 it bears 000° relative. Based on this you know you __________. 

    Y a. are being set to the right of the track
    N b. are making good more than 9.2 knots
    N c. are making good less than 9.2 knots
    N d. have an unknown gyro error
16841: At 0907 you change course to 224°T, and your speed is now 13.0 knots. At 0939 Chesapeake Light is bearing 168°T at a distance of 7.1 miles, and Cape Henry Light is bearing 246°T. What were the set and drift since 0907? 

    N a. 326°T at 0.7 knot
    N b. 326°T at 1.4 knots
    Y c. 146°T at 1.4 knots
    N d. 146°T at 0.7 knots