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.


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


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


279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________.


287: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the luminous range of New Point Comfort Spit Light "4"?

    N a. 6.5 mile
    Y b. 5.0 miles
    N c. 3.3 miles
    N d. 2.0 miles

397: Your vessel departs LAT 32°45'N, LONG 79°50'W, and is bound for LAT 34°21'S, LONG 18°29'E. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 5,021 miles
    Y b. 6,884 miles
    N c. 6,954 miles
    N d. 7,002 miles

485: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E.

    N a. 7809 miles, 247.0°T
    N b. 7763 miles, 247.0°T
    Y c. 7635 miles, 233.9°T
    N d. 7618 miles, 230.3°T

497: At 0845, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position?

    N a. 10.5 knots
    N b. 10.0 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    Y d. 8.4 knots

535: You depart LAT 49°38'N, LONG 152°49'E, for LAT 49°38'N, LONG 176°12'E. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    Y a. 090°T, 909 miles
    N b. 090°T, 1204 miles
    N c. 270°T, 909 miles
    N d. 270°T, 1204 miles

541: You depart LAT 16°24'S, LONG 169°38'W, for LAT 16°24'S, LONG 174°52'E. What are the course and distance by parallel sailing?

    N a. 090°T, 301 miles
    N b. 090°T, 892 miles
    N c. 270°T, 301 miles
    Y d. 270°T, 892 miles

581: At 1119, Wolf Trap Light bears 268°T at 4.4 miles by radar. What were the set and drift since your 1037 fix?

    Y a. 358°, 0.7 knot
    N b. 358°, 0.5 knot
    N c. 178°, 0.7 knot
    N d. 178°, 0.5 knot

667: You are planning a voyage from departure Seattle (LAT 48°30'N, LONG 125°00'W) to a position at LAT 44°00'N, LONG 161°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270.)

    N a. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of the Aleutians.
    N b. The northern hemisphere vertex lies to the west of your arrival position.
    Y c. Military exercises north of 53°N, between 150°W and 165°W, will not affect your voyage.
    N d. At your highest latitude, the sun will be visible at upper and lower transit if the voyage occurs on 21 June.

679: Using gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270, determine which of the following statements about a voyage from San Francisco to San Bernardino Strait (LAT 13°00'N, LONG 125°30'E) is TRUE.

    N a. A composite sailing should be used to avoid the Bonin Islands.
    N b. Distance is measured using the length of a degree of longitude at the point of tangency.
    Y c. You will cross the Northern Hemisphere vertex at the approximate longitude of 159°W.
    N d. The entire track line is west of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.

750: On 28 October , at 1754 ZT, your vessel's DR position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 63°24'W. At this time, you obtain a sextant altitude (hs) of Polaris reading 28°42.6', with an index error of 2.4' on the arc. Your chronometer reads 09h 50m 00s, and is 4m 14s slow. What is your latitude by Polaris, given a height of eye of 28 feet (8.5 meters)?

    N a. 28°25.2'N
    N b. 28°30.6'N
    Y c. 28°34.9'N
    N d. 28°41.3'N

1178: On 27 August , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 24°25.0'N, LONG 94°20.0'W. Your vessel is on course 071°T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    Y a. 1214
    N b. 1208
    N c. 1206
    N d. 1158

1232: The Vaucluse Trench fill revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    N a. 524.3 - 522.6 RDB
    Y b. 535.6 - 532.9 RDB
    N c. 535.9 - 534.3 LDB
    N d. 534.3 - 532.6 LDB

1264: On 17 November , your 1530 ZT DR position is LAT 27°13.0'S, LONG 153°21.0'W. You are on course 261°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will be the ZT of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1813
    N b. 1828
    N c. 1834
    Y d. 1845

1294: What are the light characteristics of Greenwood Light (mile 288.6 AHP)?

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

1431: As you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge, you estimate the current as 4.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground, if your vessel is making turns for 9 mph?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 13.5 mph
    N c. 14.5 mph
    N d. 16.5 mph

1565: 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.
    Y c. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
    N d. None of the above.

1842: What town is located at mile 389.8 AHP?

    N a. Whitehall
    N b. Belmont
    N c. St. James
    Y d. Rodney

2024: On 3 December , evening twilight for your vessel will occur at 1901 zone time. Your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 24°18.5'S, LONG 110°30.6'W. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time?

    N a. Canopus, Hamal, Deneb
    Y b. Alpheratz, Achernar, Nunki
    N c. Antares, Fomalhaut, Mirfak
    N d. Rigel, Canopus, Regulus

2405: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 350°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 070°T at 1.5 knots, and a westerly wind produces a leeway of 4°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 350°T?

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.8 knots
    Y c. 10. 2knots
    N d. 10.6 knots

2855: Your vessel is on a course of 107°T at 16 knots. At 0403 a light bears 129.5°T, and at 0426 the light bears 152°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0434, 3.2 miles
    Y b. 0442, 4.3 miles
    N c. 0434, 4.3 miles
    N d. 0442, 3.4 miles

2866: Your vessel is on a course of 311°T at 21 knots. At 1957 a light bears 337.5°T, and at 2018 the light bears 356°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 2027, 5.2 miles
    N b. 2033, 6.8 miles
    Y c. 2039, 7.4 miles
    N d. 2043, 10.3 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

2909: You are running coastwise at 14 knots. You sight a lighthouse abeam at 0912. At 0939 the lighthouse is 4 points abaft the beam. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 5.5 miles
    N b. 6.3 miles
    N c. 7.8 miles
    Y d. 8.9 miles

3254: You have steamed 746 miles at 14.0 knots, and consumed 152 tons of fuel. If you have 201 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 10 knots?

    N a. 1381 miles
    Y b. 1934 miles
    N c. 2263 miles
    N d. 2707 miles

3464: You are underway on course 315°T at 14 knots. The current is 135°T at 1.9 knots. What is the course being made good?

    N a. 130°T
    Y b. 315°T
    N c. 317°T
    N d. 322°T

3615: You want to make good a true course of 137°. A north-northeast wind produces a 3° leeway. The variation is 11° west, deviation is 5° east, and gyrocompass error is 2° east. What course must you steer per gyrocompass to make the true course good?

    Y a. 132°pgc
    N b. 134°pgc
    N c. 136°pgc
    N d. 138°pgc

10309: You are 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W?

    N a. 108°psc
    Y b. 122°psc
    N c. 124°psc
    N d. 130°psc

10506: At 0919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. You are on course 270°T at 8.7 knots. At 1031 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°44.9'W. What was the set and drift?

    N a. 239° at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 252° at 1.3 knots
    N c. 060° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 073° at 1.2 knots

10706: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 310.5° per standard magnetic compass at 7.6 knots. At 0812 your GPS position is LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 72°03.7'W. What is the current?

    N a. 151°T at 1.0 knot
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    Y c. 334°T at 1.4 knot
    N d. 321°T at 0.8 knot

10909: What will be the average direction of the current in Lynnhaven Roads at 1000 DST (ZD +4) on 23 July 1983?

    N a. 305°T
    N b. 125°T
    N c. 070°T
    Y d. Almost slack water

11305: At 1919 your position is LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°30.0'W. At 2000 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°37.0'W. What was the speed made good?

    N a. 5.6 knots
    N b. 6.6 knots
    Y c. 8.2 knots
    N d. 9.1 knots

12601: You are on course 062° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Branford Reef Light 060°psc Stratford Point Light 272°psc New Haven Light 324°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°07.1'N, LONG 72°53.4'W
    Y b. LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°52.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°11.6'N, LONG 72°50.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.3'N, LONG 72°48.7'W

12708: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 283°psc Race Rock Light 311°psc Latimer Reef Light 027°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.2'N, LONG 71°57.6'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.4'N, LONG 71°57.9'W
    Y d. LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 71°57.6'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

13306: In the northern quadrant of the circle surrounding Chesapeake Bay Entrance Junction Buoy CBJ the number 20 over a bracket appears 5 times. What do these indicate?

    N a. Markers or piles are 20 feet above mean low water.
    N b. The maximum draft permitted in this area is 20 feet.
    Y c. Obstructions have been cleared by a wire drag to 20 feet.
    N d. Bench marks used to measure channel depths while dredging.

13809: Which chart, of the same scale, continues eastward from this chart?

    Y a. 13205
    N b. 13212
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13216

15061: Falkner Island Light is shown __________.

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters) above sea level
    N b. only from 1 June to 10 October
    Y c. from a white octagonal tower
    N d. with a six-second period

15061: Falkner Island Light is shown __________.

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters) above sea level
    N b. only from 1 June to 10 October
    Y c. from a white octagonal tower
    N d. with a six-second period

15118: What was the speed made good from 1845 to 1930?

    N a. 6.2 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.3 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots

15270: The distance from New London to the east entrance of the Cape Cod Canal is __________.

    N a. 66 miles
    N b. 77 miles
    Y c. 89 miles
    N d. 136 miles

15409: At 1540, your position is LAT 37°18.4'N, LONG 76°10.5'W. Which course should you steer per gyrocompass to head for the entrance to Cape Charles City?

    N a. 109°pgc
    N b. 117°pgc
    N c. 123°pgc
    Y d. 129°pgc

15561: At what time will you cross the 60 foot curve if you make good 12 knots?

    Y a. 0527
    N b. 0534
    N c. 0541
    N d. 0544

15727: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 46 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 56.0 feet
    Y b. 64.2 feet
    N c. 79.5 feet
    N d. 106.1 feet

16062: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2000, you take the following bearings: Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc Thimble Shoal Light - 247°pgc
What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2000?

    N a. 140°T at 0.2 knot
    Y b. 140°T at 0.4 knot
    N c. 320°T at 0.2 knot
    N d. 320°T at 0.4 knot

16216: From your 0745 fix, you change course to pass 1.0 mile south of buoy "WH" and estimate your speed at 7 knots. If the visibility clears, what is the earliest time you can expect to see Block Island North Light tower?

    N a. 0750
    Y b. 0807
    N c. 0838
    N d. 0845

16256: What is the course per gyro compass from the anchorage to point A located 0.5 mile east of Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy 14?

    N a. 180°
    Y b. 184°
    N c. 198°
    N d. 199.5°

16566: If you were to head into New London Harbor, which chart should you switch to for the best detail?

    N a. 13209
    N b. 13212
    Y c. 13213
    N d. 13214