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.


52: You are downbound when you observe on your Mississippi River map a white square with a number inside located on either bank. This indicates __________.


154: You see a buoy with red and green bands. This buoy marks __________.


205: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T. Which of the following statements concerning Watch Hill Light is FALSE?


229: If you want a more detailed chart of the area at your 2115 DR position, which chart should you use?

    N a. 12222
    N b. 12225
    Y c. 12224
    N d. 12222

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

    Y a. 1.7 miles
    N b. 2.6 miles
    N c. 3.4 miles
    N d. 4.6 miles

271: At 0844, the range to the north end of Falkner Island is 2.0 miles and the left tangent bearing is 102°T. What is the approximate charted depth of the water?

    Y a. 29 ft (8.8 meters)
    N b. 22 ft (6.7 meters)
    N c. 19 ft (5.8 meters)
    N d. 14 ft (4.2 meters)

272: At 0925, you plot the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light bearing 251°true
Kelsey Point BW Light bearing 075°true

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"?

    N a. 102°T
    N b. 096°T
    N c. 093°T
    Y d. 089°T

374: You calculate that the current will be ebbing at the Race at 0700. You should expect to be set in which general direction at the Race?

    N a. West
    Y b. East
    N c. Northeast
    N d. North

625: You are on a voyage from Boston, MA, to the South Pass, LA. The distance is 1870 miles, and the speed of advance is 13.6 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Port Everglades, FL. If you sailed at 0836 hours (ZD +5), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at the South Pass?

    N a. 2336, 3 March
    N b. 1136, 4 March
    N c. 1236, 4 March
    Y d. 1736, 4 March

738: On 24 September , your 1841 zone time DR position is LAT 25°15.0'N, LONG 129°34.5'E. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°20.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 09h 38m 12s, and the chronometer error is 03m 12s slow. The index error is 4.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52.0 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 24°28.4'N
    N b. 25°16.0'N
    Y c. 25°37.6'N
    N d. 25°42.3'N

829: On 8 May , in DR position LAT 30°26.0'N, LONG 46°55.1'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of Dubhe. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 10m 54s, and the chronometer error is 01m 18s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 58°35.0'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and your height of eye is 44 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 30°12.5'N
    Y b. LAT 30°19.8'N
    N c. LAT 30°27.6'N
    N d. LAT 30°35.8'N

1000: On 18 May , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°30'N, LONG 62°31'W. You are on course 286°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1204 61°54.6' N 19°37.6' 88°39.7'
1210 63°24.6' N 19°37.7' 88°59.2'

    N a. LAT 18°33.6'N, LONG 62°54.3'W
    N b. LAT 18°35.2'N, LONG 62°49.7'W
    N c. LAT 18°38.7'N, LONG 62°59.2'W
    Y d. LAT 18°41.1'N, LONG 62°53.9'W

1128: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?

    N a. 980.8 miles
    N b. 736.6 miles
    N c. 312.3 miles
    Y d. 218.1 miles

1150: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis?

    Y a. 53.2 feet
    N b. 58.1 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 96.3 feet

1197: On 16 November , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1135
    Y b. 1139
    N c. 1143
    N d. 1146

1197: On 16 November , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on a course of 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1135
    Y b. 1139
    N c. 1143
    N d. 1146

1236: 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.

1278: On 17 April , your vessel is enroute from the Panama Canal to Kobe, Japan. Your 0400 zone time DR position is LAT 26°12.0'N, LONG 126°12.0'W. Your vessel is on course 285°T at a speed of 18 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0535
    N b. 0541
    N c. 0552
    Y d. 0602

1498: On 7 December , your 0350 ZT position is LAT 35°42'N, LONG 17°38'E. You observe Polaris bearing 359.7°pgc. At the time of the observation the helmsman noted that he was heading 016°pgc and 014°psc. The variation is 1°E. What is the deviation for that heading?

    Y a. 0.3°E
    N b. 1.5°E
    N c. 0.3°W
    N d. 1.5°W

1663: On 7 April , in DR position LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 114°03.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 076°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 10m 17s and is 01m 52s slow. Variation in the area is 8°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 1.8°W
    N b. 2.3°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 7.8°W

1708: At 0300 on 19 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.2 mph
    N b. 5.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    Y d. 4.3 mph

1725: As you pass Fort Adams (311.4 AHP) you observe a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. This indicates that you should __________.

    N a. proceed with caution as there is construction work being done on the revetment
    N b. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. proceed with caution as the river is congested around the bend

1726: The highest point on your towboat is 57 feet above water. The Natchez Gage (mile 363.3 AHP) reads 16.7 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez - Vidalia (westbound) Hwy. Bridge?

    Y a. 52.3 feet
    N b. 59.9 feet
    N c. 61.0 feet
    N d. 68.6 feet

1804: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you continue to turn for 10 mph?

    Y a. 1718, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    N c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April

1883: On 13 June , your 0445 DR position is LAT 20°12.0'N, LONG 44°45.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 168°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 38°56.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 43m 20s, and is 01m 39s slow. Which star did you observe?

    N a. Peacock
    N b. Ankaa
    N c. Al Na'ir
    Y d. Fomalhaut

1927: At 1554, on 25 May, you pass Huntington Point Light (mile 555.2 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. DockS (253.6 AHP)?

    N a. 6.9 mph
    Y b. 6.2 mph
    N c. 4.8 mph
    N d. 4.3 mph

2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth?

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)

2158: On 26 May , your vessel's 1906 zone time position is LAT 27°16.0'N, LONG 24°37.0'W. At that time, a sextant observation of the planet Jupiter was made. The sextant altitude is 63°27.6', and the chronometer reads 09h 05m 16s. The index error is 5.2' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s slow. Your height of eye is determined to be 52.6 feet. What is the (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 011.3°T
    Y b. 168.7°T
    N c. 191.3°T
    N d. 348.7°T

2582: From your 1750 GPS position at LAT 41°15.6'N, LONG 072°11.5'W, you plot a course of 255°T at 8.5 kts. At what time would you see Falkner Island Light, if visibility is 10 miles?

    N a. 1819
    Y b. 1850
    N c. 1910
    N d. 1917

2680: While on course 321°pgc with a 1°W gyro error, you pick up a buoy on radar bearing 001° relative at 5.2 miles. What will be the course to pass the buoy by 1 mile abeam to starboard, if you change course when the buoy is 4.5 miles away?

    N a. 305°T
    Y b. 310°pgc
    N c. 316°T
    N d. 336°pgc

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

2874: Your vessel is on a course of 207°T at 13 knots. At 0539 a light bears 180.5°T, and at 0620 the light bears 162°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0633, 5.9 miles
    N b. 0641, 6.5 miles
    N c. 0653, 7.6 miles
    Y d. 0701, 8.9 miles

3055: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 24.6 feet and a pitch of 26.1 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 462 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 72?

    N a. -2.7%
    N b. +2.7%
    Y c. -3.8%
    N d. +3.8%

3075: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 15.7 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.4 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 6% negative slip?

    Y a. 64
    N b. 68
    N c. 72
    N d. 76

3457: You wish to make good a course of 035°T while turning for an engine speed of 12 knots. The set is 340°T, and the drift is 2 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line?

    N a. 12.2 knots
    N b. 12.7 knots
    Y c. 13.0 knots
    N d. 13.3 knots

3623: Your vessel is steering course 166°psc, variation for the area is 8°W, and deviation is 3°W. The wind is from the west-southwest, producing a 2° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 157°T
    N c. 175°T
    N d. 179°T

4012: 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 magnetic compass heading of 210°.
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°

    Y a. 0.0°
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.5°E
    N d. 1.0°E

10505: 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 1000 your position is LAT 36°59.5'N, LONG 75°37.0'W. What was the current?

    N a. 137° at 0.6 knot
    Y b. 150° at 1.0 knot
    N c. 331° at 0.7 knot
    N d. 347° at 0.7 knot

10603: At 1300 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2' N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 291° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 8 knots. At 1345 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°09.9'N, LONG 72°46.1'W. Which statement is TRUE with respect to the combined effects of wind and current experienced since 1300?

    N a. There has been no set and drift.
    N b. Set and drift are westerly at approximately 0.9 knot.
    Y c. Your speed over the bottom is approximately 9.2 knots.
    N d. Set and drift are easterly at approximately 1.0 knot.

13000: Your 2108 position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 72°30.0'W. You are turning for 12.5 knots. What is your ETA at Buoy NH (LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°53.8'W)?

    N a. 2133
    N b. 2227
    Y c. 2235
    N d. 2248

14304: What is a characteristic of light No. "41" on the Columbia River above Bonneville Lock?

    N a. The light shows an isophase characteristic.
    N b. The light is 3 meters above the water.
    Y c. The light is equipped with a radar reflector.
    N d. The light is red in color.

15140: At 2100 your position is 40°44.1'N, 72°07.6'W. From this position, at which time will Montauk Point Light become visible if the luminous range of the light is 8 miles?

    N a. 2215
    Y b. 2221
    N c. 2227
    N d. 2235

15238: At 0930 you obtain a position from the following information: Race Rock Light bears 110°T at a range of 1.4 miles, and Goshen Point bears 330°T at a range of 3.3 miles. What are your present latitude and longitude?

    N a. 41°16.0'N, 72°09.5'W
    Y b. 41°15.1'N, 72°04.6'W
    N c. 41°17.4'N, 72°06.0'W
    N d. 41°14.6'N, 72°03.0'W

15316: What speed have you made good from 1710 to 1810?

    N a. 4.2 knots
    N b. 4.9 knots
    N c. 5.5 knots
    Y d. 6.3 knots

15413: From your 1915 fix you come right and steer a course of 200°T. At 2000, your position is LAT 37°05.5'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. Your intention is to pass through Chesapeake Channel. If there are no set and drift, what course would you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 145°T?

    N a. 134°
    N b. 139°
    N c. 151°
    Y d. 156°

15768: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745?

    Y a. 7.1 knots
    N b. 6.7 knots
    N c. 5.8 knots
    N d. 5.4 knots

16109: You are turning for 9 knots, a westerly wind is causing 3° of leeway, and the current is 320°T at 1.2 knots. What true course should you steer to remain in the northern leg of York Spit Channel?

    N a. 191°T
    Y b. 194°T
    N c. 197°T
    N d. 203°T

16560: From your 1800 position, you steer a course of 355°psc at a speed of 10.0 knots. At 1830, your position is LAT 41°11.7'N, LONG 71°45.8'W. What are the set and drift of the current?

    Y a. 005°T, 1.0 knot
    N b. 005°T, 0.5 knots
    N c. 180°T, 0.5 knot
    N d. 208°T, 1.0 knots

16567: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N,
LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position?

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    Y c. Blue mud, gray sand
    N d. Bumpy mud with gravel surface

16744: You continue to steer 285°pgc from your 0052 fix. Your speed is 9.2 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 273.5°
    N b. 276.0°
    N c. 298.0°
    Y d. 302.0°