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.


40: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Army Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE?


64: What is the length of the trip?


101: At 1430 on 13 August, you pass Carolina Landing Light (mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 0230, 13 August if you have been making turns for 8.0 mph?


387: 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"?

    Y a. 087°pgc
    N b. 085°pgc
    N c. 081°pgc
    N d. 079°pgc

425: At 0730, your position is LAT 41°10.5'N, LONG 72°32.2'W. From this position you steer course 286°psc with an engine speed of 9.0 knots. What is the approximate depth of water under your keel?

    N a. 67 feet (20.3 meters)
    N b. 62 feet (18.8 meters)
    N c. 57 feet (17.3 meters)
    Y d. 52 feet (15.8 meters)

515: You depart LAT 50°06.0'N, LONG 153°06.0'E and steam 879 miles on course 090°. What is the LONG of arrival?

    Y a. 175°56.0'E
    N b. 177°24.0'E
    N c. 178°36.0'W
    N d. 175°04.0'W

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.

819: On 27 March , in DR position LAT 32°31.0'N, LONG 76°25.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 23m 32s, and the chronometer error is 01m 30s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 59°59.0'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 52 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 32°21.6'N
    Y b. LAT 32°29.5'N
    N c. LAT 32°37.6'N
    N d. LAT 32°46.2'N

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

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

1195: On 23 June , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 21°26.0'N, LONG 137°46.0'W. Your vessel is on course 059°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1159
    N b. 1205
    Y c. 1210
    N d. 1214

1259: On 10 April , your 1630 ZT DR position is LAT 21°03.0'N, LONG 63°11.0'W. You are on course 324°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel?

    N a. 1805
    N b. 1814
    N c. 1818
    Y d. 1833

1297: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery?

    N a. 8.8 mph
    N b. 7.3 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    Y d. 6.3 mph

1683: You are taking a time tick using the 1930 signal from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You hear the preparatory signal "CQ DE PPE" repeated several times followed by a short dash (0.4 sec), 60 dots (0.1 sec each) and another short dash. At the beginning of the last dash, the comparing watch reads 07h 30m 08s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 07h 31m 48s, and the chronometer reads 07h 32m 16s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 28s slow
    N b. 1m 40s slow
    N c. 0m 08s fast
    Y d. 0m 36s fast

1741: You have received orders to proceed to the Amoco Pipeline Co. (mile 253.6 AHP) above Baton Rouge. If your vessel is making turns for 9 mph with an estimated average current of 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at the Amoco docks?

    N a. 2044, 25 Aug
    N b. 0214, 26 Aug
    N c. 0745, 26 Aug
    Y d. 0845, 26 Aug

1841: At 0509, on 26 December, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 7.5 mph?

    N a. 1.8 mph
    N b. 2.1 mph
    Y c. 4.4 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph

2061: As you approach mile 225 AHP, you notice on the map a black broken line crossing the river at mile 224.2 AHP. This line indicates __________.

    N a. ferry crossing
    N b. submarine crossing
    N c. gas pipelines
    Y d. power lines

2165: On 25 February , at 0622 ZT, you observe the upper limb of the Moon with a sextant altitude of 59°58.6'. Your DR position is LAT 30°28.3'S, LONG 102°39.3 E. The chronometer reading at the time of the sight is 11h 21m 18s and the chronometer is 48s slow. The height of eye is 59 feet and the index error is 2.5' on the arc. What are the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) of this sight using the assumed position?

    Y a. Zn 305.4°, a 4.2°T
    N b. Zn 234.6°, a 4.2° A
    N c. Zn 305.4°, a 1.5°T
    N d. Zn 305.4°, a 9.2°T

2209: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

2211: Your engine speed is 9.8 mph and you estimate the current at 1.6 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 8.6 mph
    Y d. 8.2 mph

2292: In addition to those found in the Coast Pilot, information concerning anchorage regulations for this area may be obtained from __________.

    N a. Chesapeake Bay Port Authority, Hampton VA
    N b. Virginia - Maryland Pilots Association
    N c. Commanding General, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
    Y d. Office of the Commander 5th Coast Guard District

2329: You sighted Trestle "B" in line at 0706 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0706 and 0731?

    Y a. 8.3 knots
    N b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots

2718: What organization has an installation at the uppermost end of Carthage Revetment?

    N a. City of Natchez (waterfront)
    Y b. River Cement Co.
    N c. J.M. Jones Lumber
    N d. International Paper Co.

2787: What is the length of the trip?

    Y a. 1088.5 miles
    N b. 1332.2 miles
    N c. 1334.6 miles
    N d. 1566.4 miles

2873: Your vessel is on a course of 103°T at 14 knots. At 1918 a light bears 129.5°T, and at 1937 the light bears 148°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    N a. 1947, 2.8 miles
    N b. 1950, 3.2 miles
    N c. 1953, 3.8 miles
    Y d. 1956, 4.4 miles

2894: You are steaming on a course of 071°T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122°T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    N a. 3.4 miles
    Y b. 3.7 miles
    N c. 4.0 miles
    N d. 4.3 miles

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

3094: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.7 feet, and the revolutions per day are 131,717, calculate the day's run allowing 4% negative slip.

    N a. 555.2 miles
    N b. 578.4 miles
    Y c. 601.6 miles
    N d. 649.4 miles

3102: You are turning 88 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 19 feet, and an estimated slip of 0%. What is the speed of advance?

    Y a. 16.5 knots
    N b. 16.9 knots
    N c. 17.3 knots
    N d. 18.1 knots

3634: You desire to make good a true course of 038°. The variation is 5°E, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°W. A southeasterly wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 033°psc
    Y b. 041°psc
    N c. 043°psc
    N d. 047°psc

3754: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 014°T, and the variation is 11°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 009° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 6°E
    Y d. 6°W

4002: 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 true heading of 258°.
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°

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

6844: At 1010 your vessel passes close abeam to Buoy "NCB" in the inbound traffic lane. At this time the Chesapeake Bay Pilot informs you that he will not board your vessel until 1100. The pilot boat is located 1.5 miles northeast of Cape Henry Light. What should you reduce your speed to in order to arrive at the pilot boat at this time?

    N a. 5.9 knots
    N b. 7.5 knots
    Y c. 8.2 knots
    N d. 9.8 knots

11505: At 1014 you depart the entrance to Lake Montauk with light "1" close aboard. Your course is 066° per standard magnetic compass, and the speed is 8.6 knots. At 1230 your position is LAT 41°20.0'N, LONG 71°40.0'W. What is the speed made good?

    N a. 8.0 knots
    N b. 8.3 knots
    Y c. 8.6 knots
    N d. 8.9 knots

12206: You sight Bartlett Reef Light (LAT 41°16.5'N, LONG 72°08.2'W) in line with New London Harbor Light (LAT 41°19.0'N, LONG 72°05.4'W) and bearing 059° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass deviation?

    N a. 4°E
    Y b. 4°W
    N c. 10°E
    N d. 10°W

13500: The soundings on this chart are measured in __________.

    Y a. feet
    N b. yards
    N c. meters
    N d. fathoms

14300: What is the height above the water of Government Island Upper Range, lower light?

    Y a. 20 feet
    N b. 24 feet
    N c. 38 feet
    N d. 42 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.

15164: From your 1920 position, you change course to enter Chesapeake Channel between buoys 9 and 10. What is the course per gyrocompass?

    N a. 271°pgc
    N b. 274°pgc
    Y c. 277°pgc
    N d. 280°pgc

15506: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 263°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 026°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island Southwest Point 348°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    Y c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.5'W

15668: At 0839, Montauk Pt. Light is bearing 205°T at a radar distance of 6.6 miles. What is your speed made good from your 0815 position?

    N a. 8.2 knots
    Y b. 9.2 knots
    N c. 10.0 knots
    N d. 10.5 knots

15670: Which chart should you use to enter Great Salt Pond?

    N a. 13204
    N b. 13205
    N c. 13207
    Y d. 13217

15819: You must arrive at your final destination by 0800. The distance from your 0300 position to the final destination is 40.5 miles. What minimum speed must be made good to arrive on time?

    Y a. 8.1 knots
    N b. 8.5 knots
    N c. 9.3 knots
    N d. 9.6 knots

16070: When exiting Thimble Shoal Channel bound for Norfolk, the track line based on the lights of the Norfolk Entrance Reach Range is __________.

    N a. 220°T
    N b. 222°T
    Y c. 224°T
    N d. 228°T

16115: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731?

    N a. 8.3 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.2 knots
    N d. 9.4 knots

16214: From your 0715 position, you set a course of 085°T. At 0745 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 278°pgc
Watch Hill Light 049°pgc
Fisher's Island East Harbor Cupola 010°pgc

What was the current encountered between 0715 and 0745?

    N a. Set 030°T, drift 0.4 knot
    N b. Set 216°T, drift 0.3 knot
    Y c. Set 070°T, drift 0.6 knot
    N d. Set 238°T, drift 1.0 knot

16217: Which statement describes the shore between Watch Hill Point and Point Judith?

    N a. Low, rocky cliffs with heavily wooded hills inland
    Y b. Sandy beaches broken by rocky points
    N c. Sand dunes and beaches with a mud and sand bottom
    N d. Wooded, barren hills with isolated prominent buildings

16556: You are underway in the vicinity of Block Island and obtain the following lines of position:

Montauk Point Light 267°pgc
Block Island Southeast Light 030°pgc
Radar Bearing to Block Island
Southwest Point (tangent) 352°pgc

What is your position at the time of these sightings?

    N a. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 71°36.2'W
    Y b. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 71°35.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°36.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 71°35.9'W

16708: At 0520 you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 263°psc
    N b. 258°psc
    N c. 233°psc
    N d. 227°psc