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 __________.
97: The highest point on your towboat is 57 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +1.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge in Memphis?
198: While navigating inbound Thimble Shoal Channel system you must __________.
285: At 1845, you plot the following bearing lines:

Old Plantation Flats Light bearing 251°true
New Point Comfort Light bearing 335°true

Your latitude is __________. 

    N a. 37°10.7'N
    N b. 37°10.9'N
    Y c. 37°11.2'N
    N d. 37°11.6'N
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
337: If you make good a speed of 6.0 knots from your 1810 position, what is your ETA at Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"? 

    N a. 1900
    N b. 1855
    N c. 1845
    Y d. 1833
389: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith? 

    N a. Low, rocky cliffs
    N b. Heavily wooded hills
    Y c. Sandy beaches broken by rocky points
    N d. Barren hills with prominent buildings
421: At 0345, you set a course to depart New London Harbor. Assuming no set and drift, which standard magnetic compass course must you steer to stay in the middle of the channel? 

    N a. 192°psc
    N b. 190°psc
    Y c. 187°psc
    N d. 175°psc
443: At 1104, Watch Hill Point Light is in line with Stonington Outer Breakwater Light, the range to the south tip of Watch Hill Point is 2.6 miles and the range to the beach is 1.9 miles. You are steering to make good 075°T, speed 10.0 knots. At 1110, you change course to head for a position of LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. What is the true course? 

    N a. 193°
    Y b. 190°
    N c. 187°
    N d. 185°
458: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 38°42.0'N, LONG 09°10.5'W to LAT 32°05.0'N, LONG 81°05.0'W. 

    N a. 3402.0 miles, 072.5°T
    N b. 3412.6 miles, 085.8°T
    N c. 3432.0 miles, 278.3°T
    Y d. 3449.4 miles, 287.2°T
472: The great circle distance from LAT 38°17.0'N, LONG 123°16.0'W to LAT 35°01.0'N, LONG 142°21.0'E is 4330 miles and the initial course is 300.9°T. The latitude of the vertex is 47°40.5'N. What is the longitude of the vertex? 

    N a. 173°04.6'E
    N b. 167°18.0'E
    N c. 173°04.6'W
    Y d. 167°18.5'W
477: The great circle distance from LAT 08°50.0'N, LONG 80°21.0'W to LAT 12°36.0'N, LONG 128°16.0'E is 8664 miles, and the initial course is 306.6°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex. 

    Y a. 37°30.2'N
    N b. 37°39.6'N
    N c. 37°48.2'N
    N d. 37°53.6'N
658: You are planning a voyage by great circle from LAT 59°00'N, LONG 07°00'W via LAT 38°00'N, LONG 61°30'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. You are to the east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex.
    N b. When plotted on a Mercator chart the track line will be concave to Cape Farwell (Kap Farvel).
    Y c. All courses are in the southwest quadrant of the compass.
    N d. Distance is measured by using the length of a degree of latitude at the midpoint of the track line.
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
1088: On 9 June , your 0000 DR position is LAT 26°14.0'S, LONG 176°38.1'E. You are on course 223°T, speed 17.8 knots. You observed 4 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0630 running fix. 

    Y a. LAT 27°44.7'S, LONG 174°57.1'E
    N b. LAT 27°46.2'S, LONG 175°03.0'E
    N c. LAT 27°41.2'S, LONG 175°01.2'E
    N d. LAT 27°38.5'S, LONG 175°06.3'E
1093: On 22 Nov. , your vessel is enroute from Accra, Ghana to Montevideo, Uruguay. You are on course 240°T and making a speed of 15.0 knots. Your 1129 DR position is LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°40.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1137 running fix. NP-0023

    Y a. LAT 28°27.0'S, LONG 42°38.0'W
    N b. LAT 28°25.2'S, LONG 42°40.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°25.0'S, LONG 42°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°23.4'S, LONG 42°42.0'W
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
1246: Which of the following statements are TRUE? 

    N a. Oil well structures are listed in the Light List.
    N b. All aids to navigation with lights have lateral significance.
    Y c. On the Western Rivers, crossing marks may exhibit white lights.
    N d. None of the above.
1460: On 27 June , your 1905 ZT DR position is LAT 24°35.0'N, LONG 50°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Saturn bearing 211°pgc. The chronometer reads 10h 04m 26s and the chronometer error is 01m 20s slow. The variation is 4.5°E. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 1.1°W
    N b. 3.4°E
    N c. 3.4°W
    N d. 5.6°W
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
1488: At 2326 ZT, on 22 June , your vessel's position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 150°04'W. An azimuth of the planet Jupiter is observed, and the standard compass bearing is 250.4°. The chronometer reads 09h 24m 36s and is 01m 12s slow. The variation of this area is 13.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 3.0°W
    N b. 3.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    Y d. 2.3°E
1499: On 16 June , your 0430 zone time DR position is LAT 29°24.0'S, LONG 36°16.0'E. At that time, you observe Vega bearing 341.0°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 32m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s fast. The variation is 20.5°W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 3.2°E
    N b. 3.2°W
    Y c. 2.4°W
    N d. 2.8°E
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
1763: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0226, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current? 

    N a. 1.4 mph
    N b. 1.8 mph
    Y c. 2.7 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph
1778: At 2234 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°03'N, LONG 150°16'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 272.1°pgc. The variation is 14°E. What is the gyro error? 

    N a. 0.5°W
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E
1921: On 17 March , your 1845 DR position is LAT 25°10.0'N, LONG 66°48.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 340°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 66°25.1'. The chronometer reads 10h 47m 49s, and is 1m 54s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Capella
    N b. Mirfak
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Rigel
1981: Where can scheduled broadcast times of river stages be found? 

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Light List
    N c. List of Lights
    N d. Coast Pilot
2275: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°00.7' on 10 January . The index error is 2.6' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)? 

    N a. 24°07.4'
    N b. 24°08.9'
    Y c. 24°10.2'
    N d. 24°11.8'
2535: What is the mile point of Hickman, KY Gage? 

    N a. 846.4 AHP
    N b. 889.0 AHP
    Y c. 922.0 AHP
    N d. 937.2 AHP
2667: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2126 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse? 

    N a. 2149
    N b. 2201
    Y c. 2211
    N d. 2228
3088: If the pitch of the propeller is 21.5 feet, and the revolutions per day are 96,666, calculate the day's run allowing 9% negative slip. 

    N a. 311.1 miles
    N b. 341.8 miles
    N c. 357.9 miles
    Y d. 372.6 miles
3605: The true course from point A to point B is 317°. A SSW wind causes a 4° leeway, variation is 6°W and deviation is 1°E. What is the magnetic compass course to steer to make good the true course? 

    N a. 326°psc
    Y b. 318°psc
    N c. 313°psc
    N d. 308°psc
3765: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel steering on a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 249°T, and the variation is 14°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 226° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    Y c. 9°E
    N d. 9°W
10302: Determine the course per standard magnetic compass from Cerberus Shoal Buoy 9 (LAT 41°10.4'N, LONG 71°57.1'W) to a position 0.2 mile south of Race Rock Light (LAT 41°14.6'N, LONG 72°02.8'W). 

    Y a. 326.5°psc
    N b. 324.0°psc
    N c. 298.5°psc
    N d. 296.0°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
10901: The area around Cape Charles is _______________ . 

    Y a. low and bare, but the land back of it is high and wooded
    N b. composed of low to medium rolling hills
    N c. well defined with rocky outcroppings
    N d. marked by high, barren hills
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
11808: What is the true course to steer from a position 2 miles due south of Branford Reef Light to Horton Pt. Light, if the set and drift of the current are 247°T at 3 knots, and a southwesterly wind will cause 3° of leeway? (Your engines are making turns for 10 knots.) 

    Y a. 104°T
    N b. 100°T
    N c. 095°T
    N d. 087°T
12200: You are on course 119°psc. You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 346° per standard magnetic compass. This indicates that __________. 

    N a. you should swing the vessel to determine the deviation
    Y b. the existing deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. your compass is affected by a local magnetic disturbance
    N d. the compass error is 16°W
12509: You are on course 027° per magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per magnetic compass: New Point Comfort Light "2" 253°
Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 282°
Wolf Trap Light 348°
What is the position of the fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°10.3'W
    Y d. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°09.9'W
12701: You are on course 298° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Block Island Southeast Point Light - 058°psc Block Island Aero Beacon - 005°psc Montauk Point Light - 268°psc What is your position? 

    N a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°35.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°34.4'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°33.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°34.1'W
13003: At 2102 your position is LAT 41°02.9'N, LONG 72°57.4'W. You are making turns for 16 knots. What is your ETA at a position 5 miles due south of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 2149
    Y b. 2155
    N c. 2159
    N d. 2204
13406: You are planning to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°01.1'N, LONG 73°02.8'W. What type of bottom should you expect at this position? 

    N a. Gray sand
    N b. Soft mud
    Y c. Gray mud
    N d. Hard sand
13803: NOAA Weather Broadcasts for the New London area may be received by turning your radio to __________. 

    Y a. 162.550 MHz
    N b. 162.475 MHz
    N c. 162.400 MHz
    N d. 162.350 MHz
14101: What signal is given by air horn to indicate that Bonneville Lock is ready for entrance? 

    N a. two long blasts
    N b. two short blasts
    N c. one short blast
    Y d. one long blast
15119: What is the height above water of Davis Creek Channel Light "1"? 

    N a. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
    Y b. 15 feet (4.6 meters)
    N c. 17 feet (5.2 meters)
    N d. 24 feet (7.3 meters)
15212: 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 2001, you obtain the following information:
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc;
Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001? 

    N a. 127° at 1.1 knot
    Y b. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot
15626: What type of daymark will you see as you approach Joe Pierce Light (mile 335.4 AHP)? 

    N a. Private aid - no daymark
    N b. Red square
    Y c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond
15725: At 1723 you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. At 1937 you have a daymark on your port beam. What daymark is this? 

    N a. Tiptonville Ferry Landing Daymark
    N b. Tiptonville Light
    Y c. Merriwether Bend Light and Daymark
    N d. Alaska Light and Daymark
15765: The wind is northerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway what is the course to steer per gyro compass from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"? 

    Y a. 077°pgc
    N b. 082°pgc
    N c. 085°pgc
    N d. 087°pgc
15809: At 0045, you obtain the following bearings:

Rocky Point lookout tower 072°T
Horton Point lighthouse 213°T

What were the set and drift between 0005 and 0045? 

    N a. 272°true, 0.9 knot
    N b. 272°true, 1.4 knots
    N c. 092°true, 0.9 knot
    Y d. 092°True, 1.4 knots
16061: You have just passed York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "13" and "14". The chart shows a light approximately 1.0 mile off your port beam with a light characteristic "Fl 6 sec". What is the name of this light? 

    N a. Mobjack Bay Entrance Light
    Y b. York Spit Light
    N c. New Point Comfort Light
    N d. York River Entrance Channel Light "1"
16445: At 1126 you take the following set of bearings:

Chesapeake Litght bears 142° true
Cape Henry Light bears 225° true.

What was the current encountered since your 1042 fix? 

    N a. Set 276°, Drift 0.5 knot
    N b. Set 276°, Drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 096°, Drift 0.5 knot
    Y d. Set 096°, Drift 0.7 knot