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.


93: Which light characteristics does Quaker Oats Light (mile 952.6) have?


146: On which river is Dover, KY located?


180: On 4 July you observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°29.8'. The index error is 3.1' off the arc. The height of eye is 48 feet (14.6 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?


222: From your 1815 position, you want to make good a course of 263°T. Your engines are turning RPM's for 12 knots. The current is 050°T at 1.9 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, at what time should you expect to enter the red sector of Cape Henry Light?

    Y a. 1904
    N b. 1859
    N c. 1854
    N d. 1849

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

    Y a. bluff and rocky
    N b. low and marshy
    N c. marked by sandy beaches and wooded uplands
    N d. bound by gradual shoaling

514: The shoreline along Rocky Point should give a good radar return because __________.

    Y a. the shore is bluff and rocky
    N b. of offshore exposed rocks
    N c. submerged reefs cause prominent breakers
    N d. the lookout tower is marked with radar reflectors

524: The two wavy magenta lines running to Green Hill Point represent __________.

    N a. recommended approaches to Green Hill Point
    N b. a restricted anchorage area
    Y c. submarine cables
    N d. prohibited fishing areas

538: Determine the distance from LAT 23°24'S, LONG 13°54'E to LAT 23°24'S, LONG 42°48'W. by parallel sailing.

    N a. 3119.3 miles
    Y b. 3122.2 miles
    N c. 3124.5 miles
    N d. 3126.6 miles

572: At 0908, you change course to 010°T. What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 359°
    Y b. 021°
    N c. 017°
    N d. 003°

613: On 21 November, at 2100 zone time, you depart LAT 32°12.0'N, LONG 69°26.0'W enroute to LAT 12°05.0'N, LONG 7°32.0'W. The distance is 3,519 miles, and the average speed will be 12.5 knots. What is the zone time of arrival?

    N a. 1330, 3 December
    N b. 1530, 3 December
    Y c. 1830, 3 December
    N d. 1530, 4 December

630: You are on a voyage from Corpus Christi, TX, to Fort de France, Martinique. The distance from pilot to pilot is 2190 miles (2521 statute miles). The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate a layover in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, of 16.0 hours. If you take departure at 0654 (ZD +6), 27 November, what is your ETA (ZD +4) at Fort de France?

    N a. 2054, 3 December
    N b. 2254, 3 December
    Y c. 0254, 4 December
    N d. 2054, 4 December

640: Which of the following statements concerning the buoys on the Mississippi River is TRUE?

    N a. The position of river buoys can be determined by consulting the latest Light List - Vol. V.
    N b. A preferred channel mark is a lateral mark indicating a channel junction which must always be passed to starboard.
    Y c. Setting a buoy is the act of placing a buoy on assigned position in the water.
    N d. None of the above.

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.

844: On 12 September , your 0600 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 22°51.9'N, LONG 133°40.1'W. Your vessel is on course 062°T, and your speed is 12.3 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1142 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's upper limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 70°33.2'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    N a. 23°23.0'N
    Y b. 23°24.8'N
    N c. 23°26.5'N
    N d. 23°27.9'N

994: At 0600 zone time, on 16 March , your DR position is LAT 20°10.0'N, LONG 81°30.0'W. You are steering course 300°T. The speed over the ground is 10 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1130 running fix? NP-0004

    N a. LAT 20°28.5'N, LONG 82°12.6'W
    N b. LAT 20°32.0'N, LONG 82°16.4'W
    Y c. LAT 20°39.0'N, LONG 82°22.9'W
    N d. LAT 20°42.5'N, LONG 82°26.2'W

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

1189: On 7 February , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 22°16.0'N, LONG 92°26.0'W. Your vessel is on course 270°
T at a speed of 20.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1218
    N b. 1222
    N c. 1226
    Y d. 1230

1224: What is the total length of the trip?

    N a. 906.3 miles
    Y b. 922.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles

1250: What facility is not found near La Grange Towhead Light (538.2 AHP) on Greenville Harbour?

    N a. Mississippi Limestone
    N b. Ergon, Inc.
    N c. American Commercial Barge Lines
    Y d. Greenville Casino Wharf

1733: What are the dimensions of the channel maintained at Baton Rouge, LA?

    N a. 30 feet x 300 feet
    N b. 40 feet x 300 feet
    Y c. 45 feet x 500 feet
    N d. 30 feet x 500 feet

1777: At 2232 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°52'S, LONG 150°03'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 268.5°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error?

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

1801: What is the distance from the Amoco Docks at Baton Rouge, LA, to the new mouth of the White River?

    N a. 981.5 miles
    N b. 953.5 miles
    Y c. 345.3 miles
    N d. 700.2 miles

1806: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

    N a. U.S.C.G. Light List
    Y b. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks

1806: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo?

    N a. U.S.C.G. Light List
    Y b. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks

1857: On 22 May , your 0437 ZT DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 097°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 48°20.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

1914: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 192°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 06°15.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    Y c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin

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

2018: On 11 November , your 0200 zone time DR position is LAT 26°32'S, LONG 154°16'E. You are on course 058°T at a speed of 21 knots. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Polaris, Regulus, Rigel
    N b. Jupiter, Spica, Canopus
    N c. Saturn, Peacock, Rigel
    Y d. Mars, Betelgeuse, Miaplacidus

2242: At 1620 ZT, on 10 September , in DR position LAT 34° 03.8' N, LONG 050° 28.4' W, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The Moon’s upper limb is observed on the visible horizon and bears 110.2° psc. The variation is 2° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.0°E
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.2°E
    N d. 1.2°W

2272: As you approach Buckridge Light (mile 412.5 AHP), which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

2901: You are steaming on a course of 198°T at 18.5 knots. At 0316 you observe a lighthouse bearing 235°T. At 0348 the lighthouse bears 259°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

    Y a. 14.8 miles
    N b. 15.3 miles
    N c. 15.8 miles
    N d. 16.3 miles

3052: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 21.2 feet and a pitch of 20.0 feet. What would be the apparent slip if the vessel cruised 391 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 88?

    N a. -11.5%
    N b. +11.5%
    N c. -6.2%
    Y d. +6.2%

3452: You wish to make good a course of 035°T while turning for an engine speed of 12 knots. The set is 340°T, and the drift is 2 knots. What course should you steer?

    N a. 027°T
    N b. 037°T
    Y c. 044°T
    N d. 054°T

3460: You wish to make good a course of 230°T while turning for an engine speed of 12.5 knots. The set is 180°T, and the drift is 1.7 knots. What speed will you make good along the track line?

    N a. 11.5 knots
    N b. 12.5 knots
    Y c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.0 knots

10503: At 0817 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 37°01.6'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. You are on course 182° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 9.2 knots. At 0913 your GPS indicates your position at LAT 36°52.3'N, LONG 75°30.8'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 121°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 139°T at 1.1 knots
    Y c. 219°T at 1.1 knots
    N d. 298°T at 0.7 knot

11109: What is the velocity of the maximum ebb current approximately 1.1 miles ENE of Little Gull Island in the afternoon of 25 April 1983?

    Y a. 5.5 knots
    N b. 4.7 knots
    N c. 4.2 knots
    N d. 1.3 knots

13403: Your vessel has become disabled and is dead in the water. Your GPS set fixes your position at LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. You decide to anchor at this position. Which type of bottom should you expect?

    N a. Soft clay and sand
    Y b. Soft mud and shell
    N c. Hard sand and rocks
    N d. Blue mud and gray sand

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

15014: If you make good 12 knots, what is the ETA at North Chesapeake Channel Entrance Buoy "NCA" (LL #375)?

    N a. 2116
    Y b. 2111
    N c. 2106
    N d. 2101

15210: What course should you steer per standard magnetic compass in order to navigate down the center of York River Entrance Channel (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 139°psc
    Y b. 141°psc
    N c. 147°psc
    N d. 149°psc

15246: From your 1845 position, you desire to leave Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light 1.0 mile off your starboard beam at 1900. Which course and speed would you order if you allow for a 2.0 knot current with a set of 180°T?

    N a. 205°T at 9.2 knots
    N b. 208°T at 11.4 knots
    Y c. 215°T at 9.2 knots
    N d. 225°T at 11.5 knots

15463: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"?

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    Y c. 1006
    N d. 1011

15538: At 2127 you take the following round of bearings:

Old Field Point Light 224.0°pgc
Middle Ground Light 320.5°pgc
Stratford Point Light 348.0°pgc

Based on the above fix, which statement is TRUE?

    Y a. At 2127, your fathometer reads about 17 fathoms.
    N b. You are south of Mt. Misery Shoal.
    N c. You will experience a 1 knot westward setting ebb current
    N d. You have lost sight of the red light at Old Field Point.

15838: At 2000 Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy "12" bears 199° true and Buoy "GM" bears 249° true

Your position is __________.

    N a. 37°35.0'N, 75°32.2'W
    Y b. 37°23.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N c. 37°03.5'N, 75°32.2'W
    N d. 37°03.5'N, 75°02.2'W

15862: At 0125, you change course to make good 280°T. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 290°psc
    Y b. 292°psc
    N c. 294°psc
    N d. 296°psc

15866: What is your ETA at a point where Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 180°T if you make good 9.0 knots?

    N a. 0409
    Y b. 0416
    N c. 0425
    N d. 0433

16058: At 1750, your position is LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°22.9'W. What was the speed made good between 1730 and 1750?

    N a. 7.5 knots
    N b. 7.8 knots
    N c. 8.1 knots
    Y d. 8.4 knots

16309: From your 0530 position, you set a course of 271°psc with an engine speed of 9 knots. At 0645, Cornfield Safe-Water Buoy "CF" is abeam to port. What speed have you averaged since 0530?

    N a. 7.5 knots
    Y b. 8.6 knots
    N c. 9.0 knots
    N d. 9.5 knots

16343: At 2302 you change course to compensate for an estimated current of 090°T, at 1.0 knot. What course per gyrocompass will you steer to leave Endeavor Shoals Lighted Gong Buoy "3" abeam to port at 1 mile?

    N a. 324°pgc
    Y b. 327°pgc
    N c. 330°pgc
    N d. 333°pgc

16409: At 0337, fog closes in and you anchor under the following radar ranges and bearing.

South tip of Watch Hill Point 3.0 miles
East point of Fishers Island 1.4 miles
Latimer Reef Light 331°T

What is the approximate depth of water at your anchorage?

    N a. 83 feet (25.2 meters)
    Y b. 100 feet (30.3 meters)
    N c. 120 feet (36.4 meters)
    N d. 135 feet (40.9 meters)

16514: At 0815, Montauk Pt. Light House is bearing 167°T,
Shagwong Pt. has a radar range of 4.5 miles, and Cerberus Shoal "9" Buoy is bearing 284°T. If the engine is making turns for 10 knots, what was the set and drift of the current since 0748?

    N a. Set 065°T, drift 1.1 knots
    N b. Set 065°T, drift 2.4 knots
    N c. Set 245°T, drift 1.1 knots
    Y d. Set 245°T, drift 2.4 knots

16612: At 0112, what is the approximate depth under the keel?

    Y a. 38 feet (11.5 meters)
    N b. 47 feet (14.2 meters)
    N c. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    N d. 57 feet (17.3 meters)