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.


202: Which statement concerning Montauk Point Light is TRUE?


233: 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?


277: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor?


283: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19". This buoy marks __________.

    Y a. the side of York Spit Channel
    N b. the visibility limit of the red sector of Cape Henry Light
    N c. the end of York Spit Channel
    N d. the junction of the York Spit and York River Entrance Channels

342: If the visibility is 11 miles, what is the earliest time you can expect to see New Haven Light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0352.
    Y b. 0443
    N c. 0414
    N d. You will not sight the light.

491: At 0748, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Point Light bearing 020.5° pgc
Race Point Light bearing 267.5° pgc

What is the approximate depth of water at this position?

    N a. 104 feet
    Y b. 130 feet
    N c. 175 feet
    N d. 325 feet

504: At 2142, you change course to make good 030°T and increase speed to 14 knots. You rendezvous with another vessel and receive fresh supplies while off New Haven Harbor lighted whistle buoy "NH". What is the light characteristic of this buoy?

    N a. _ .
    N b. _ _
    N c. . .
    Y d. . _

543: What was the current between 0520 and 0600?

    N a. 201° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 201° at 1.5 knot
    Y c. 021° at 1.5 knot
    N d. 021° at 1.0 knots

578: At 1008, you are entering York Spit Channel and buoy "19" is abeam to your starboard. What speed are you making good?

    N a. 9.9 knots
    N b. 9.7 knots
    Y c. 9.0 knots
    N d. 8.4 knots

607: At 0915 zone time, on 6 March , you depart Sydney, LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E (ZD -10). You are bound for Kodiak, LAT 57°47.0'N, LONG 152°25.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 21 knots. The distance is 6,222 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Kodiak?

    N a. 0732, 17 March
    Y b. 2132, 17 March
    N c. 0732, 18 March
    N d. 2132, 18 March

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

840: On 29 October , in DR position LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 50°18.9'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb, near upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 21m 12s, and the chronometer error is 01m 50s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 34°54.2'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 45 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. 41°12.0'N
    Y b. 41°16.0'N
    N c. 41°20.2'N
    N d. 41°23.6'N

1105: On 28 May , your 0200 DR position is LAT 19°16.5'S , LONG 119°24.0'W. You are on course 107°T at a speed of 18 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix. NP-0034

    Y a. LAT 19°43.0'S, LONG 117°54.0'W
    N b. LAT 19°48.2'S, LONG 118°04.5'W
    N c. LAT 20°07.5'S, LONG 117°32.0'W
    N d. LAT 20°17.1'S, LONG 118°06.0'W

1168: Which company does NOT have a marine facility in Rosedale harbor (mile 585 AHP)?

    Y a. T.L. James
    N b. Rosedale-Boliver County Port Commission
    N c. Cives Steel Company
    N d. Sanders Elevator Corp

1209: It is 22 October and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 083°T, speed 24 knots. Your 0820 DR position is LAT 26°10.0'N, LONG 52°20.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 10h 04m 36s
    N b. 10h 04m 53s
    N c. 11h 04m 37s
    Y d. 11h 08m 54s

1241: 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

1267: On 10 December , your 1300 zone time (ZT) DR position is LAT 26°27.0'S, LONG 79°04.0'E. You are on course 068°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    Y a. 1824
    N b. 1846
    N c. 1854
    N d. 1908

1306: What is your clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge (mile 437.8 AHP). if the Vicksburg Gage reads 14.8 feet and the highest point on your tow boat is 44.5 feet?

    N a. 36 feet
    N b. 42 feet
    N c. 48 feet
    Y d. 57 feet

1487: On 5 June , your 0420 zone time DR position is LAT 26°47.0'N, LONG 133°19.5'W. At that time, you observe Vega bearing 298.1°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 21m 17s, and the chronometer error is 02m 25s fast. The variation is 3.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    N a. 1.8°E
    N b. 5.2°E
    Y c. 1.8°W
    N d. 5.2°W

1671: On 9 May , your vessel's 1809 ZT DR position is LAT 48°13.7'N, LONG 168°36.3'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 283.7° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 13.0°E. The chronometer reads 07h 13m 19s and is 02m 56s fast. What is the deviation of the standard compass?

    Y a. 0.1°W
    N b. 1.1°W
    N c. 1.1°E
    N d. 1.9°W

1809: Which daymark would you see at Shields Bar Lt. (mile 882.2 AHP)?

    N a. Red triangle
    N b. Green triangle
    Y c. Red diamond
    N d. Green square

1879: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E when you observed a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 351.5°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 62°05.6'. The chronometer read 11h 24m 39s and is 5m 08s slow. The index error is 1.0' off the arc, and the height of eye is 52 feet. What star did you observe?

    N a. Alpha Herculis
    N b. Kappa Scorpii
    N c. Alpha Arae
    Y d. Beta Ophiuchi

1918: On 14 January , your 1922 DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 295°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°50.7'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s, and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    Y d. Markab

1950: The Greenville Gage reads 10.6 feet. The high point of your towboat is 54 feet above water. What is the vertical
clearance as you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge?

    N a. 44.4 feet
    N b. 54.2 feet
    Y c. 65.4 feet
    N d. 75.4 feet

2019: On 15 October , your 0300 zone time DR position is LAT 27°14'S, LONG 99°46'E. You are on course 128°T at a speed of 19 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Jupiter, Alphard, Betelgeuse
    N b. Mars, Regulus, Canopus
    N c. Achernar, Suhail, Alphard
    Y d. Achernar, Procyon, Aldebaran

2172: On 11 October , at 0516 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 23°21.0'N, LONG 139°27.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on a course of 293°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0927 ZT. The chronometer reads 06h 30m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 39°48.7'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 56s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 63.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 116.2°T
    Y b. 123.4°T
    N c. 126.2°T
    N d. 128.4°T

2681: Your vessel is on course 312°pgc and you sight a lighthouse dead ahead at a range of 10 miles. The gyro error is 3°E. What course would you steer to leave the lighthouse 1.5 miles abeam to starboard?

    N a. 309°pgc
    Y b. 304°pgc
    N c. 309°T
    N d. 304°T

2875: Your vessel is on a course of 316°T at 12 knots. At 2326 a light bears 289.5°T, and at 2354 the light bears 271°T. At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 0014, 4.8 miles
    N b. 0018, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0022, 5.6 miles
    N d. 0026, 6.4 miles

2879: Your vessel is steering 354°T at 14 knots. At 0317 a light bears 049°T, and at 0342 the same light bears 071°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    Y a. 12.4 miles
    N b. 12.7 miles
    N c. 13.0 miles
    N d. 13.3 miles

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%

3306: You have steamed 264 miles and consumed 22.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 521 miles?

    N a. 31.7 tons
    N b. 38.6 tons
    Y c. 43.4 tons
    N d. 85.7 tons

12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc?

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.

12209: You sight South West Ledge Light in line with New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light bearing 338.5° per standard magnetic compass. What is the deviation?

    Y a. 3°E
    N b. 4°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 9°W

12300: You are on course 244° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 326° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________.

    N a. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N b. know the compass error is 12°W
    N c. should suspect that there is a local magnetic disturbance
    Y d. should apply 3°W deviation to any bearing (psc) while on a heading of 244°psc

12905: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA to a point between York Spit Channel Buoys "35" and "36" if you are making 11.3 knots and follow the buoyed channel?

    N a. 1025
    N b. 1028
    N c. 1033
    Y d. 1037

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

14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200?

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5

15120: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good?

    N a. 5.7 knots
    N b. 6.1 knots
    N c. 6.5 knots
    Y d. 6.9 knots

15215: At 2015, you alter course to 154°pgc. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc)?

    Y a. 162°psc
    N b. 157°psc
    N c. 152°psc
    N d. 142°psc

15306: Your 0200 position is LAT 37°23.5'N, LONG 76°09.2'W. Your speed is 8 knots, and your course is 095°T. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The depth of the water in your vicinity is about 38 to 40 fathoms (69.1 meters to 72.7 meters).
    Y b. You are less than a mile from a sunken wreck which could interfere with your tow.
    N c. The closest major aid to navigation is New Point Comfort Light.
    N d. You will pass through a disposal area on your present course.

15344: From your 1850 position of 41°12.8'N, 71°44.1'W, you change course to 060°T. If you make the course good,
what will be your predicted distance off Point Judith Light when the Light bears 015°T?

    N a. 1.2 miles
    N b. 1.9 miles
    Y c. 2.7 miles
    N d. 3.4 miles

15369: Horton Point Light __________.

    Y a. is shown from a white square tower
    N b. has a fixed green light
    N c. is 14 feet above sea level
    N d. is synchronized with a radio beacon

15414: At 2100, you have passed through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel and determine your position to be LAT 37°01.3'
N, LONG 76°03.0'W. The current is flooding in a direction of 303°T at 2.5 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer while turning RPMs for 6 knots to make good a course of 175°T?

    Y a. 156°T
    N b. 164°T
    N c. 183°T
    N d. 190°T

15539: At 2127 you are on course 076°T. What is your ETA at a position where Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy "TE" is abeam to port?

    N a. 2316
    N b. 2324
    Y c. 2332
    N d. 2345

15860: At 0100, your position is LAT 41°05.3 N, LONG 72°29.2 W. You head for the position one mile north of Mattituck Inlet Light and turn to make good 9.0 knots. If the visibility is about 2 miles, at what approximate time will you sight the light?

    N a. The light is visible at 0100
    N b. 0109
    Y c. 0120
    N d. 0128

15869: After you raise Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light, how will the bearings change if you pass to the north of the light?

    Y a. The bearings will change to the left.
    N b. The bearings will remain steady.
    N c. The bearings will change to the right.
    N d. Magnetic compass bearings will change to the left and gyro compass bearings will change to the right.

16008: While on a heading of 082°T, you sight Middle Ground Light in line with Old Field Point Light bearing 206° per standard magnetic compass. From this you can determine the __________.

    N a. variation
    Y b. deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. compass error is 17.5°E
    N d. deviation is 3.5°E for a bearing of 206° per standard magnetic compass

16059: At 1800, Tue Marshes Light bears 270°pgc, and York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" bears 007°pgc. Your position is __________.

    N a. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 76°19.8'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 76°20.3'W
    Y c. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 76°20.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°20.0'W

16245: At 2259 Cape Henry Light bears 250°T, Chesapeake Light bears 122°T, and North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA" has a radar range of 1.8 miles. Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. The course made good is 226°T.
    N b. You are in the red sector of Cape Henry Light.
    N c. You are in a submerged submarine transit lane.
    Y d. Chesapeake Light is 7.6 miles off.

16260: If your vessel draws 6.5 feet (2 meters), what is the approximate depth of water under your keel at 0320?

    N a. 52 feet (15.8 meters)
    N b. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N c. 44 feet (13.3 meters)
    Y d. 40 feet (12.0 meters)

16312: Assuming no current, at what time can you expect to be abeam of Townshend Ledge Lighted Buoy?

    N a. 0859
    N b. 0902
    N c. 0905
    Y d. 0910

16317: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor?

    N a. 12370
    Y b. 12371
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373

16538: At 2216 your position is LAT 41°16.0'N, LONG 72°08.0'W. Which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. You are in the red sector of New London Harbor Light.
    N b. Your fathometer reads approximately 40 feet.
    N c. You will cross the Colregs Demarcation Line if you continue on your present course.
    N d. Little Gull Island Light bears 339°T at 4.3 miles.

16613: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots?

    N a. 132°
    Y b. 129°
    N c. 120°
    N d. 118°