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.


333: From your noon position, if there is no set and drift, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to the "NCA" (LL #375) buoy?


354: The south shore of Long Island Sound from Horton Point to Orient Point is __________.


549: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 074°pgc. The helmsman was steering 303°pgc and 315° per standard magnetic compass at the time.

Which of the following is TRUE?


675: You are planning a voyage from Godthab, Greenland, to Cayenne, French Guiana. Using chart WOXZC 5274, determine which statement is TRUE.

    N a. Godthab is located at the Northern Hemisphere vertex.
    Y b. The rhumb line track approximates a great circle track.
    N c. A great circle track will be considerably shorter due to the length of the voyage.
    N d. Distance is measured by using the length of meridian at the point of tangency.

676: You are planning a voyage from Jacksonville, FL, to the Strait of Gibraltar. Using chart WOXZC 5274, determine which statement is TRUE.

    N a. All of the courses lie in the northeast quadrant of the compass.
    N b. You will be east of the Northern Hemisphere vertex during the entire voyage.
    N c. The great circle track approximates a rhumb line track because there is little difference in the latitudes.
    Y d. None of the above are true.

739: On 29 April , your 1913 zone time DR position is LAT 22°09.0'N, LONG 56°16.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°25.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 11m 14s, and the chronometer error is 02m 18s slow. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and the height of eye is 61.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 21°39.9'N
    N b. 21°55.7'N
    Y c. 22°39.9'N
    N d. 22°48.8'N

987: On 17 January , your 0730 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 22°26.0'S, LONG 152°17.0'E. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 116°T at a speed of 17 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 1015 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 13m 23s, and the chronometer error is 01m 49s slow. The observed altitude (Ho) is 66°02.1'. LAN occurs at 1152 zone time and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed altitude (Ho) is 87°54.2'. Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    Y a. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N b. LAT 22°53.8'S, LONG 153°28.8'E
    N c. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°25.6'E
    N d. LAT 22°56.3'S, LONG 153°28.8'E

1021: On 30 March , your 0145 DR position is LAT 29°30'S, LONG 122°45'E. You are on course 055°T at a speed of 22 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0600 running fix.

    N a. LAT 28°24.6'S, LONG 124°21.4'E
    Y b. LAT 28°39.9'S, LONG 124°18.6'E
    N c. LAT 28°41.5'S, LONG 124°41.5'E
    N d. LAT 29°20.1'S, LONG 123°41.0'E

1094: On 12 Oct. , your vessel is on course 081°T, speed 20 knots. Your 1800 zone time DR position is LAT 26°11.0'S, LONG 77°18.0'E. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1835 running fix. NP-0024

    N a. LAT 26°05.5'S, LONG 77°14.5'E
    N b. LAT 26°07.5'S, LONG 77°34.0'E
    N c. LAT 26°09.0'S, LONG 77°27.5'E
    Y d. LAT 26°12.0'S, LONG 77°31.0'E

1196: On 14 October your 0800 zone time (ZT) dead reckoning position is LAT 28°22.0'N, LONG 161°17.0'E. Your vessel is on course 116°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1148
    N b. 1151
    Y c. 1156
    N d. 1202

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

1705: What is the mile point of the Rosedale, MS Gage?

    N a. 554.2 AHP
    Y b. 592.2 AHP
    N c. 632.5 AHP
    N d. 663.0 AHP

1746: The Crooked River empties into which river?

    Y a. Missouri
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Tennessee
    N d. Ohio

1776: At 2231 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°06'S, LONG 149°47'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 257.1°psc. The variation is 15°E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 0.5°E
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 1.5°W
    Y d. 2.5°W

1780: At 1523 ZT, on 14 June , in DR position LAT 31°58'S, LONG 48°42'W you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 118.0°psc. The variation is 10°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.5°W
    Y b. 2.1°W
    N c. 1.7°W
    N d. 1.7°E

1964: The Platte River empties into which river?

    N a. Mississippi
    Y b. Missouri
    N c. Ohio
    N d. Tennessee

2151: On 16 June , 0612 zone time, morning stars were observed. The vessel's position was LAT 27°23.0'S, LONG 56°22.0'W. The vessel is steaming at 16.0 knots on a course of 212°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0850 zone time. The chronometer reads 00h 53m 19s, and the sextant altitude is 22°58.6'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 43s fast. Your height of eye is 61.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. 044.3°
    N b. 052.6°
    N c. 136.1°
    N d. 148.4°

2161: On 28 April , your vessel's 0515 zone time position is LAT 23°26'S, LONG 95°30'E. At this time, the observed altitude (Ho) of the star Rigil Kentaurus is 24°51.4'. Your chronometer reads 11h 16m 36s and is 01m 18s fast. What is the intercept (a) based on the assumed position method?

    N a. 30.9 miles
    N b. 32.3 miles
    N c. 33.1 miles
    Y d. 34.4 miles

2174: On 18 October , at 0518 ZT, morning stars were observed and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 25°31.0'N, LONG 146°29.2'E. Your vessel is steaming at 19.0 knots on a course of 308°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0915 ZT. The chronometer reads 11h 17m 11s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 34°51.4'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 57s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 54.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 120.6°T
    N b. 121.9°T
    Y c. 125.5°T
    N d. 127.3°T

2238: At 1430 ZT, on 16 April , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 061° 02.5'W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 095.2°psc. The variation is 12°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 1.7°W
    N b. 1.7°E
    N c. 1.9°W
    Y d. 1.9°E

2657: You are steering 349°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 17.2 miles at 2122. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 19.5 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light?

    N a. 2207
    N b. 2210
    Y c. 2213
    N d. 2216

3059: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 21.5 feet and a pitch of 24.5 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 458 miles in a 23 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 78?

    N a. +5.6%
    Y b. -5.6%
    N c. +12.3%
    N d. -12.3%

3255: You have steamed 836 miles at 14.5 knots, and consumed 191 tons of fuel. If you have 310 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 17 knots?

    N a. 842 miles
    Y b. 987 miles
    N c. 1157 miles
    N d. 1865 miles

3269: Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 812 miles at 15 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 928 miles distant?

    N a. 13.6 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.3 knots
    N d. 15.7 knots

3618: Your vessel is steering course 027° per standard magnetic compass (psc), variation for the area is 19°W, and deviation is 2°E. The wind is from the north-northwest, producing a 5° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 005°T
    Y b. 015°T
    N c. 044°T
    N d. 049°T

4006: 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 true heading of 236°.
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°

    N a. 1.0°W
    Y b. 0.5°E
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 0.0°

4014: 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 true heading of 157°.
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°`

    N a. 2.0°W
    Y b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.0°W
    N d. 0.0°

10102: Your GPS position is LAT 37°07.5'N, LONG 75°39.1'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass (psc) to a position 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Buoy NCA (LL #375)?

    N a. 222°psc
    N b. 228°psc
    N c. 231°psc
    Y d. 234°psc

10201: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there are no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position 0.5 mile due south of New Haven Lighted whistle Buoy NH?

    N a. 315.5°psc
    Y b. 310.5°psc
    N c. 290.5°psc
    N d. 284.5°psc

12906: At 0919 you are in Chesapeake Channel between Trestle B and Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. What is your ETA between York River Entrance Channel Buoys "17" and "18" if you are making 11.3 knots?

    N a. 1034
    N b. 1039
    Y c. 1044
    N d. 1049

13702: What chart should you use in Lynnhaven Bay (west of Cape Henry)?

    N a. 12221
    N b. 12256
    N c. 12205
    Y d. 12254

14303: What is the height above the water of light No. 84 on the Columbia River below Bonneville lock & dam?

    N a. 10 feet
    Y b. 14 feet
    N c. 18 feet
    N d. 24 feet

15024: Which of the following statements regarding buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The positions of river buoys can be found in the latest edition of Light List-Vol. V.
    Y b. Buoy positions on the chart are approximate.
    N c. The buoys are maintained on station year round.
    N d. The buoys do not shift positions due to permanent moorings.

15041: At 0741 you are still steering a course of 206° true, with a speed of 18 knots. At this time you observe Cape Charles Lighted Bell Buoy "14" bearing 222° true and Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bearing 015° true . What were the set and drift experienced since 0725?

    Y a. 259°true at 3.2 knots
    N b. 049°true at 2.5 knots
    N c. 240° true at 1.9 knots
    N d. 042°true at 3.3 knots

15214: If you steer 143°pgc from your 2015 position at an engine speed of 8.0 knots, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2023
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2037

15268: Your vessel is proceeding up New London Harbor Channel, and you are in line with the range. What would be your course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 352°
    N b. 354°
    N c. 002°
    Y d. 007°

15343: At 1844 Watch Hill Point bears 323° true and Block Island North Light bears 084° true

Which statement is TRUE?

    N a. Your fathometer reads 97 feet
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are to the left (north) of your desired course line.
    Y d. Your vessel is approximately 8.7 miles off Sandy Point.

15440: Your ETA at Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel between trestles B + C is 2300. If your engine speed is 9.8 knots,
what will be your approximate speed over the ground, at that time, allowing for the predicted current?

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 8.2 knots
    N c. 11.4 knots
    Y d. 12.5 knots

15564: What was the current between 0520 and 0600?

    N a. 178° at 0.8 knot
    N b. 178° at 1.2 knot
    N c. 358° at 0.8 knot
    Y d. 358° at 1.2 knots

15565: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway?

    N a. 251°pgc
    N b. 254°pgc
    N c. 257°pgc
    Y d. 261°pgc

15627: What is the vertical clearance of the Natchez Highway Bridge (westbound) when the river level is the same as the Low Water Reference Plane (6.1 ft)?

    N a. 102.2 ft
    N b. 108.3 ft
    Y c. 119.4 ft
    N d. 125.6 ft

15669: The area between Block Island and Montauk Point that is bounded by dashed magenta lines is a __________.

    N a. naval exercise area
    N b. fish trap area
    Y c. submerged cable area
    N d. restricted navigation area

15960: From your 1752 position, you steer 313°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the following visual bearings:
Old Pt. Comfort Light - 238°pgc.
Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light - 136°pgc.
What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position?

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.0'N, LONG 76°08.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N, LONG 76°08.1'W

16006: You are on course 082°T, and the engines are turning for 8 knots. At 0352, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 016°pgc
Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light 137°pgc

What is your 0352 position?

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 73°08.0'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 73°07.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°07.7'W

16239: From your 2045 position, you set a course to pass 1.5 miles due east of the charted position of Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12". The known set and drift in the area are 068°T at 3 knots. What is the course to steer, with no change in engine speed, to make good your desired course?

    Y a. 200°T
    N b. 203°T
    N c. 206°T
    N d. 209°T

16338: At 2209 your position is latitude 40 47.7'N, longitude 71 35.5'W. There is a strong WSW'ly wind causing an estimated 3° leeway. What course will you steer by standard magnetic compass from your 2209 position to make good 340°T?

    N a. 322°
    N b. 348°
    Y c. 356°
    N d. 002°

16345: Where will you cross the demarcation line between the International and Inland Rules of the Road?

    N a. Between Montauk Point and Block Island
    Y b. In the Race
    N c. At the mouth of Bridgeport Harbor
    N d. Between Plum Gut and Niantic Bay

16363: At 0405, you increase speed and at 0500 your position is LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 75°41.1'W. What is the approximate depth of water?

    N a. 46 feet (13.9 meters)
    Y b. 54 feet (16.4 meters)
    N c. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N d. 66 feet (20.0 meters)

16444: At 1042 you take the following round of bearings:

Cape Henry Light 259°T
Chesapeake Light 101°T
Cape Charles Light 006°T
From this position, you set course 070°T at a speed of 9.5 knots.

What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 069.5°psc
    N b. 060.5°psc
    Y c. 079.5°psc
    N d. 080.5°psc