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.

116: At which of the following times would you be able to listen to lower Mississippi River conditions on VHF Channel 22?
117: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery?
150: Which dayboard would you see on Puntney Light (mile 943.6 AHP)?
210: During evening twilight on 28 December , the sextant altitude (hs) of the planet Venus was 29°43.2'. The height of eye was 40 feet, and the index error was 2.0' on the arc. What was the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    Y a. 29°34.1'
    N b. 29°36.0'
    N c. 29°36.3'
    N d. 29°38.2'
223: At 1920, Cape Henry Light bears 225°pgc, and Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light bears 288°pgc. If your heading is 268°T, what is the relative bearing of Chesapeake Light? 

    N a. 206°
    Y b. 213°
    N c. 215°
    N d. 220°
224: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE? 

    N a. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    Y b. You are entering a restricted area.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. You can expect differences of as much as 6° from the normal magnetic variation of the area.
331: You leave York Spit Channel at buoy "14" at 0600 with an engine speed of 12 knots. You receive orders to rendezvous with the tug "Quicksilver" and her tow at Hog Island Bell Buoy "12". What is your ETA at the rendezvous point, if you pass through Chesapeake Channel to buoy "CBJ", through the outbound traffic separation lane to buoy "NCA" (LL#375), and then to the rendezvous point? 

    N a. 0935
    Y b. 0910
    N c. 0850
    N d. 0830
383: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage? 

    Y a. 24.4 miles
    N b. 23.9 miles
    N c. 23.7 miles
    N d. 20.4 miles
510: You observe the star Deneb at a sextant altitude (hs) of 48°34.8' on 16 December . The index error is 4.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 48°02.9'
    Y b. 48°30.5'
    N c. 48°31.4'
    N d. 48°46.5'
526: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 35°01.0'S, LONG 18°51.0'W. Your position is LAT 35°01.0'S, LONG 21°42.0'W. Determine the true course and distance from your vessel to the vessel in distress by parallel sailing. 

    Y a. 090°T, 140.0 miles
    N b. 090°T, 189.2 miles
    N c. 270°T, 140.0 miles
    N d. 270°T, 189.2 miles
565: If visibility permits, Little Gull Island Light will break the horizon at a range of approximately __________. 

    N a. 18.0 miles
    Y b. 15.6 miles
    N c. 12.8 miles
    N d. 11.1 miles
668: A great circle track would be most advantageous when compared to the rhumb line track on which route? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC5274) 

    N a. Cayenne (LAT 4°40'N, LONG 52°15'W) to Sao Tome (LAT 0°00', LONG 6°45'E)
    Y b. Palm Beach, FL, to the English Channel
    N c. Natal, Brazil, to Reykjavik, Iceland
    N d. Recife, Brazil, to Monrovia
706: The solid lines extending into the channel at mile 948 AHP are __________. 

    N a. revetments
    Y b. dikes
    N c. spoil areas
    N d. Westvaco Service Facilities
747: On 14 March , at 1845 ZT, you take a sextant observation of Polaris. Your DR position is LAT 29°10'N, LONG 154°30'W, and your sextant reads 29°53.5'. Your chronometer reads 04h 42m 36s, and the chronometer error is 02m 24s slow. Your height of eye is 24 feet, and the index error is 1.3' off the arc. Determine the latitude by Polaris. 

    N a. 29°11.7'N
    N b. 29°15.5'N
    N c. 29°18.0'N
    Y d. 29°21.3'N
830: On 23 August , in DR position LAT 24°22.0'S, LONG 64°55.3'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's upper limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 15m 04s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°03.6'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 60 feet (21.0 meters). What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    Y a. 24°20.5'S
    N b. 24°22.8'S
    N c. 24°24.8'S
    N d. 24°49.5'S
1110: On 19 November , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 19°23'N, LONG 151°37'E. You are on course 293°T at a speed of 17 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0039

    N a. LAT 19°38.5'N, LONG 150°41.6'E
    Y b. LAT 19°34.8'N, LONG 150°48.0'E
    N c. LAT 19°32.9'N, LONG 150°52.3'E
    N d. LAT 19°30.5'N, LONG 150°48.5'E
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
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
1249: What is the white/black within a circle symbol found at mile 592.1 AHP? 

    N a. Terrence Landing Light
    N b. Daymark
    Y c. River Gage
    N d. Information Board
1303: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas? 

    Y a. 20
    N b. 38
    N c. 45
    N d. 60
1484: On 7 December , your vessel's 0835 zone time DR position is LAT 28°30.0'N, LONG 125°39.3'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 04h 34m 48s, and the Sun is bearing 113° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer error is 01m 24s slow, and the variation in the area is 13.0°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 0.7°E
    N b. 1.0°W
    Y c. 2.3°E
    N d. 3.0°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
1774: You pass New Madrid, MO (mile 889.0 AHP) at 1412. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo? 

    Y a. 8.0 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    N c. 7.6 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph
2007: On 4 September , your 1813 zone time DR position is LAT 24°18.0'S, LONG 95°16.0'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Enif, Miaplacidus, Alkaid
    N b. Betelgeuse, Acrux, Hamal
    Y c. Rasalhague, Fomalhaut, Spica
    N d. Deneb, Altair, Vega
2029: As you approach mile 659 AHP, you notice on the map a dashed line crossing the river at mile 659.9 AHP. This line indicates __________. 

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    Y c. power lines
    N d. gas pipelines
2085: At your current speed of 20 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 360 miles. You must travel 440 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination? 

    Y a. 18.1
    N b. 17.5
    N c. 16.9
    N d. 16.3
2293: As you pass under the Baton Rouge R.R. and Hwy 190 Bridge C233.9 AHP), you find that the Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are indicated by which numbered box? 

    Y a. 10
    N b. 9
    N c. 8
    N d. 7
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
2592: What chart would you need to enter Port Jefferson Harbor? 

    Y a. 12362
    N b. 12364
    N c. 12369
    N d. 12370
3101: You are turning 100 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 25 feet, and an estimated slip of -5%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 24.7 knots
    N b. 23.5 knots
    Y c. 25.9 knots
    N d. 22.3 knots
3110: You are turning 78 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 21 feet, and an estimated slip of -7%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 14.9 knots
    N b. 15.7 knots
    Y c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 17.8 knots
3264: You have steamed 1134 miles at 10 knots, and consumed 121 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1522 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 12 knots? 

    N a. 146 tons
    N b. 189 tons
    N c. 200 tons
    Y d. 234 tons
3264: You have steamed 1134 miles at 10 knots, and consumed 121 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1522 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 12 knots? 

    N a. 146 tons
    N b. 189 tons
    N c. 200 tons
    Y d. 234 tons
3601: You are steering 142°pgc to make good your desired course. The gyro error is 1°E . The variation is 8°W. What should you steer by standard magnetic compass to make good the desired course?
DEVIATION TABLE MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
120° 4°E 135° 2°E 150° 0° 

    N a. 133°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    N c. 148°psc
    Y d. 151°psc
3622: Your vessel is steering a course of 337°psc. Variation for the area is 13°W, and deviation is 4°E. The wind is from the south, producing a 3° leeway. Which true course are you making good? 

    N a. 325°T
    N b. 328°T
    Y c. 331°T
    N d. 349°T
3756: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 093°T, and the variation is 6°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 097° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 10°E
    Y d. 10°W
13300: The soundings on this chart are measured in __________. 

    Y a. feet
    N b. yards
    N c. fathoms
    N d. meters
13805: What is the danger associated with anchoring your vessel within a 300 yard radius of Gardiners Point? 

    N a. An unusually strong current exists in this area.
    N b. The bottom is not suitable for holding the anchor.
    N c. Submerged pilings may exist in this area.
    Y d. Your anchor could become fouled on undetonated explosives.
14205: You are off the coast of Mexico and are taking a time tick for 1600. At approximately 1554, you hear the preparatory signal "VVVV de XDD" from the time signal station. Then you hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period and then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 03h 59m 56s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 04h 01m 22s, and the chronometer reads 04h 02m 11s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 04s slow
    N b. 2m 15s slow
    Y c. 0m 45s fast
    N d. 1m 26s fast
15258: Which structure should you look for while trying to locate Stratford Point Light? 

    Y a. White conical tower with a brown band midway of height
    N b. White octagonal house on a cylindrical pier
    N c. Conical tower, upper half white, lower half brown
    N d. Black skeleton tower on a granite dwelling
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
15609: From your 1715 fix, you steer 214°T at 12 knots. At 1800,
you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 296° true
Cape Henry light bearing 242° true

Your 1800 position is __________. 

    Y a. LAT 37°02.9'N,  LONG 75°43.1'W
    N b. LAT 37°02.9'N,  LONG 75°43.9'W
    N c. LAT 37°03.0'N,  LONG 75°43.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°03.1'N,  LONG 75°42.8'W
15707: At 0725, you are heading 054°T, and Stratford Point Light is abeam to port at 3.1 miles. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. If you make turns for an engine speed of 8 knots, which course must you steer to make good 048°T? 

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 042°T
    N c. 047°T
    N d. 055°T
15915: At 0925, you obtain the following radar information:

Falkner Island Light bearing 252° true @ 1.65 nm

If you correct for a current setting 215°T at 0.5 knot,
what course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"? 

    Y a. 089°T
    N b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 102°T
15956: The National Weather Service provides 24-hour weather broadcasts to vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The broadcasts may be found on __________. 

    N a. 202.35 MHz
    N b. 181.15 MHz
    Y c. 162.55 MHz
    N d. 147.45 MHz
16243: At 2207 Cape Charles Light bears 276°T, Chesapeake Light bears 194°T, and Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bears 312°T and is 2.0 miles off. What were the set and drift of the current acting on your vessel from 2129 to 2207? 

    N a. 258°T at 2.4 knots
    N b. 258°T at 1.5 knots
    N c. 078°T at 1.5 knots
    Y d. 078°T at 2.4 knots
16318: What true course and speed did you make good between 0730 and 0900? 

    N a. 273°T, 8.7 knots
    Y b. 277°T, 8.4 knots
    N c. 279°T, 8.0 knots
    N d. 284°T, 7.5 knots
16319: As you enter the New Haven Outer Channel, you sight the outer range markers in line directly ahead. Your heading at this time is 347°psc. What is your compass deviation by observation? 

    Y a. 0.5°East
    N b. 3.0°East
    N c. 3.5°West
    N d. 4.5°East
16460: At 0250, Great Machipongo Inlet Light "5" (37°21.8'N,
75°43.7'W) bears 279°pgc. At 0320, the light bears 320°
pgc. If you are making good 6.5 knots, what is the position of your 0320 running fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°17.95'N, LONG 75°39.95'W
    N b. LAT 37°18.00'N, LONG 75°39.75'W
    N c. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.30'W
    Y d. LAT 37°18.10'N, LONG 75°39.55'W
16461: At 0400, you obtain the following information:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 303° true @ 7.1nm

What is your 0400 position? 

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°41.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
16508: At 0700, your gyro alarm sounds. What course should you steer by the standard magnetic compass in order to maintain your original heading of 078°T? 

    N a. 062°psc
    N b. 080°psc
    N c. 090°psc
    Y d. 095°psc