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.

34: You estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?
63: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________.
171: At 2015, your vessel is at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel midway between buoys "13" and "14". If the height of tide is -1 foot (-0.3 meters), what is the approximate depth of water?
376: You depart LAT 40°42.0'N, LONG 74°01.0'W, and steam 3365.6 miles on course 118°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing? 

    N a. 24°29.0'W
    N b. 22°58.0'W
    Y c. 17°41.0'W
    N d. 10°46.0'W
397: Your vessel departs LAT 32°45'N, LONG 79°50'W, and is bound for LAT 34°21'S, LONG 18°29'E. Determine the distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 5,021 miles
    Y b. 6,884 miles
    N c. 6,954 miles
    N d. 7,002 miles
512: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130? 

    Y a. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 080° at 0.5 knot
    N c. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N d. There is no current.
556: Your 0530 position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 73°01.1'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position 1.0 mile south of Twenty Eight Foot Shoal "TE" buoy? 

    Y a. 099.5°psc
    N b. 096.0°psc
    N c. 092.5°psc
    N d. 082.0°psc
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
596: At 0921, on 24 July, you are abreast the St. Catherine Bar Lt. (mile 348.6 AHP). If you are turning for 10.0 mph, what was the current since departure? 

    N a. 1.4 mph
    Y b. 1.7 mph
    N c. 2.0 mph
    N d. 7.0 mph
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
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
748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight? 

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'N
1145: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 75.4 feet
    N b. 66.4 feet
    N c. 53.8 feet
    Y d. 46.4 feet
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.
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
1674: On 4 July , your vessel's 1722 zone time DR position is LAT 34°30'S, LONG 174°48'E, when an amplitude of the Sun is observed. The sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 282° per standard magnetic compass. Variation in the area is 17.2°E. The chronometer reads 05h 21m 48s and is 02m 01s fast. What is the deviation of the compass? 

    Y a. 1.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E
1685: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red square
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red diamond
    Y d. Green diamond
1851: On 23 September , while taking stars for an evening fix, an unidentified star is observed bearing 261°T at an observed altitude of 61°35'. Your 1836 zone time DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. Your vessel is steaming on a course of 230°T at a speed of 18 knots. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    N c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius
1878: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 132.3°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 29°34.6'. 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? 

    Y a. Beta Gruis
    N b. Sigma Capricorni
    N c. Scheat
    N d. Alpha Indi
1888: On 8 April , your evening DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 157°58.3'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 238°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°02.7'. The chronometer reads 05h 09m 57s, and is 01m 23s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Betelgeuse
    N b. Aldebaran
    Y c. Alnilam
    N d. Bellatrix
2121: At 1337 ZT, on July 17, , in DR position LAT 30° 56.8' S, LONG 039° 36.5' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the moon is on the visible horizon, bearing 263.0°psc. The variation is 20°W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    Y c. 3.6°E
    N d. 3.6°W
2587: What VHF frequency would you use to listen to a weather forecast for the eastern part of Long Island Sound? 

    N a. 156.65 MHz
    N b. 156.85 MHz
    Y c. 162.475 MHz
    N d. 162.775 MHz
2687: While on a course of 321°T, a light bears 7° on the starboard bow at a distance of 9.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard? 

    N a. 297°T
    N b. 300°T
    N c. 303°T
    Y d. 307°T
3106: You are turning 85 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of +3%. What is the speed of advance? 

    N a. 14.7 knots
    Y b. 15.5 knots
    N c. 16.4 knots
    N d. 17.1 knots
3112: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a southerly wind produces 1° leeway? 

    Y a. 084°T
    N b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T
3112: While enroute from Montevideo to Walvis Bay a vessel's course is 116°psc. The variation for the locality is 25°W and the deviation is 6°W. What is the true course made good if a southerly wind produces 1° leeway? 

    Y a. 084°T
    N b. 086°T
    N c. 148°T
    N d. 085°T
3256: You have steamed 918 miles at 15.0 knots, and consumed 183 tons of fuel. If you have 200 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 12 knots? 

    N a. 1021 miles
    N b. 1261 miles
    Y c. 1568 miles
    N d. 1960 miles
3462: You are underway on course 160°T at 10 knots. The current is 210°T at 0.9 knots. What is the course made good? 

    N a. 156°T
    N b. 160°T
    Y c. 164°T
    N d. 169°T
3637: You desire to make good a true course of 347°. The variation is 11°E, magnetic compass deviation is 7°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°W. A north by east wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    N a. 339°psc
    N b. 343°psc
    Y c. 347°psc
    N d. 351°psc
4008: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a gyro heading of 037°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320° 

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E
10709: At 0726 you depart Lake Montauk with light 1 close aboard and set course 065° per standard magnetic compass at 6.7 knots. At 0912 your GPS position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 71°46.6'W. What is the current? 

    N a. 151°T at 1.2 knots
    N b. 164°T at 0.7 knot
    N c. 227°T at 0.9 knot
    Y d. 240°T at 1.4 knots
12909: At 0914 you are in Chesapeake Bay southeast inbound lane with buoy "CBJ" close aboard to port. What is your ETA at Thimble Shoal Channel Buoy "19" if you are making 10.9 knots? 

    N a. 1034
    Y b. 1038
    N c. 1046
    N d. 1042
13105: At 1048 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at the west gap of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge if you make good 8.3 knots? 

    N a. 1149
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1158
    Y d. 1203
13107: At 1103 your position is LAT 41°12.5 N, LONG 71°37.4 W. What is your ETA at the west gap of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge if you make good 11.3 knots? 

    N a. 1144
    N b. 1154
    Y c. 1159
    N d. 1205
13708: A note on the chart indicates that currents in excess of how many knots can be expected in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel? 

    Y a. 3.00 knots
    N b. 2.20 knots
    N c. 1.75 knots
    N d. 1.50 knots
13901: The precautionary area southeast of Block Island refers to a __________. 

    Y a. recommended traffic lane
    N b. military exercise area
    N c. national marine refuge
    N d. dumping ground for hazardous wastes
14604: Contour elevations on this chart refer to heights in feet above mean __________. 

    N a. lower low water
    N b. high water
    N c. low water
    Y d. sea level
15309: The engineer has advised that it will be necessary to secure the gyrocompass and the electronic equipment. From your 0315 position, what is your course per standard magnetic compass to York Spit Channel Buoy "38", if there is no current? 

    N a. 212°psc
    N b. 214°psc
    Y c. 216°psc
    N d. 218°psc
15412: Determine your 1915 position using the following information obtained at 1915.

Visual bearings
Cape Charles Light 107°pgc
Cape Henry Light 172°pgc

Radar Bearing and Range
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel South Light 189°pgc at 7.2 miles 

    N a. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°09.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.9'N, LONG 76°03.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°09.3'N, LONG 76°03.1'W
15419: The mean high water level at Old Point Comfort is __________. 

    Y a. 2.6 feet (0.8 meters)
    N b. 1.2 feet (0.4 meters)
    N c. 0.0 feet
    N d. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)
15562: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________. 

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    Y b. submarine cables
    N c. prohibited fishing areas
    N d. fish trap areas
15645: You round Montauk Point and steer to make good 206°T. Speed is increased to 13.0 knots. The current, if any, is unknown. The visibility has improved and is estimated to be 5 miles. At 2144 Montauk Point Light bears 273°T. At 2202 the same light bears 320°T. Which statement concerning your 2202 running fix is TRUE? 

    N a. You are inside the lobster pot area.
    Y b. The fathometer reads about 12 fathoms.
    N c. You are inside of the 90 foot curve.
    N d. You are outside the boundary of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone.
15670: Which chart should you use to enter Great Salt Pond? 

    N a. 13204
    N b. 13205
    N c. 13207
    Y d. 13217
15823: As you approach Shreves cut-off you see Red River Landing Gage (302.4 AHP) which reads 6.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane (LWRP) for Red River is 10.6. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. This reading is at 4.4 ft. below the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. This reading is 6.2 ft. above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N c. The depth of water  at Red River Landing is 6.2 ft.
    N d. A vessel drawing 7 ft. would be able to pass through the locks at Lower Old River.
15916: If you correct for the current in the preceding question (215°T at 0.5 knot) and maintain an engine speed of 7.5 knots, what is your ETA 0.5 mile south of buoy "W"? 

    N a. 1016
    N b. 1021
    Y c. 1026
    N d. 1030
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
15962: Based on dead reckoning, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________. 

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    N b. depart a restricted area
    N c. cross a submerged pipeline
    Y d. depart a regulated area
16209: 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
    N b. North
    N c. Northeast
    Y d. East
16215: The wind is southerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway, what is the course to steer from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"? 

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 081°pgc
    N c. 085°pgc
    Y d. 087°pgc
16218: At 0830, Watch Hill Point bears 343°T at 3.5 miles by radar. What was the speed made good since 0745? 

    N a. 5.4 knots
    N b. 5.8 knots
    N c. 6.7 knots
    Y d. 7.1 knots
16270: The wind is northerly and will cause 2° leeway. The current is 018° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots. What should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel? 

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 306°T
    Y c. 309°T
    N d. 314°T
16313: At 0730, visibility is 5.5 miles. At what time will you lose sight of Horton Point Light? 

    N a. It is not visible at 0730
    Y b. 0751
    N c. 0812
    N d. 0825
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
16517: At 0815, you change course to 079°T and head for the entrance of Great Salt Pond on Block Island. To compensate for a northerly wind, you estimate a 5° leeway is necessary. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good 079°T? 

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 074°pgc
    Y d. 071°pgc