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.

283: At 1810, you sight a buoy on your starboard side labeled "19". This buoy marks __________.
314: At 1430, your position is LAT 37°12.8'N, LONG 76°17.7'W. At this time, you come left and steer 045°T. This course will lead you through a channel bordered by yellow buoys. The dashed magenta lines between the buoys mark __________.
314: At 1430, your position is LAT 37°12.8'N, LONG 76°17.7'W. At this time, you come left and steer 045°T. This course will lead you through a channel bordered by yellow buoys. The dashed magenta lines between the buoys mark __________.
334: Your gyro and electronic gear are again operating. At 1710, Chesapeake Light bears 137°pgc at 6.6 miles. The current is setting 160°T at 2 knots. At your speed of 6 knots, what is your true course to steer to remain in the inbound traffic lane? 

    N a. 250°
    N b. 261°
    N c. 265°
    Y d. 269°
363: After you enter Thimble Shoal Channel, you will alter course to pass between Trestle "A" and "B". Which channel should you use? 

    N a. Thimble Shoal Main Channel or the South Auxiliary Channel
    N b. Any of the channels but keep to the right hand side
    N c. Thimble Shoal Main Channel
    Y d. The South Auxiliary Channel
414: A vessel at LAT 49°45'N, LONG 6°35'W, heads for a destination at LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    Y a. 246.5°T, 3597 miles
    N b. 253.0°T, 3648 miles
    N c. 268.6°T, 3483 miles
    N d. 066.4°T, 3602 miles
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
564: Horton Point Light __________. 

    N a. is 14 feet above sea level
    N b. has a fixed green light
    Y c. is shown from a white square tower
    N d. is synchronized with a radio beacon
619: Your vessel departs Montevideo, Uruguay, LAT 34°40.3'S, LONG 54°09.1'W (ZD +4), at 1800 zone time, on 15 October . It is bound for New York, LAT 40°27.5'N, LONG 73°49.9'W (ZD +5). The distance is 5,749 miles, and you expect to average 20 knots. What is your estimated zone time of arrival? 

    N a. 0427, 26 October
    N b. 1627, 26 October
    Y c. 1627, 27 October
    N d. 0427, 27 October
654: In planning a North Pacific voyage, you wish to steam the minimum distance from LAT 48°30'N, LONG 124°45'W to LAT 44°00'N, LONG 150°00'E, while remaining south of 51°N latitude. Which track meets these requirements? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5270) 

    N a. A Mercator sailing from departure to the mid-longitude at 51°N, thence great circle to arrival
    N b. A great circle between departure and arrival with parallel  sailing between the longitudes where the great circle intersects 51°N
    N c. A great circle tangent to 51°N from departure to the mid-longitude then a great circle to arrival
    Y d. A great circle from departure to LAT 51°N, LONG 148°W, parallel sailing to LAT 51°N, LONG 171°W, then a great circle to arrival
657: You are planning a voyage by great circle from the mouth of the Delaware River (LAT 38°40'N, LONG 75°00'W) to Lisbon, Portugal. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274.) 

    Y a. You will reach the northernmost latitude of the voyage in  the vicinity of LONG 42°30'W.
    N b. The Northern Hemisphere vertex lies to the east of Lisbon.
    N c. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of icebergs reported north of 44°N.
    N d. The distance is measured in 60-mile segments using the length of the degree of latitude crossed by the track line.
683: Which type of daymark would you see on the Belle Island Corner Lt. at mile 458.6 AHP? 

    N a. Green - Diamond
    N b. Green - Square
    N c. Red - Triangle
    Y d. Red - Diamond
753: On 10 June , your 2010 zone time DR position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 61°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 40°35.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 08m 18s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 40 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 41°10.6'N
    Y b. 41°15.0'N
    N c. 41°18.3'N
    N d. 41°21.2'N
977: On 8 February , your 0800 zone time (ZT) position was LAT 28°55.0'S, LONG 52°27.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 036°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0938 ZT. The chronometer read 12h 37m 23s and was slow 01m 24s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°29.2'. Local Apparent Noon (LAN) occurred at 1240 ZT. The observed altitude (Ho) was 77°10.5'. What was the longitude of your 1200 ZT running fix? 

    N a. 51°29.6'W
    N b. 51°31.4'W
    N c. 51°33.1'W
    Y d. 51°35.4'W
1089: At 1830 zone time, on 6 April , your DR position is LAT 26°33.0'N, LONG 64°31.0'W. You are steering course 082°T at a speed of 16.0 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1900 running fix. NP-0019

    N a. LAT 26°20.1'N, LONG 64°19.4'W
    N b. LAT 26°23.7'N, LONG 64°29.3'W
    N c. LAT 26°28.4'N, LONG 64°32.1'W
    Y d. LAT 26°32.5'N, LONG 64°27.1'W
1126: What are the dotted lines crossing at mile 529.7 AHP? 

    Y a. submarine cables
    N b. power cables
    N c. gated dams
    N d. workboat crossings
1212: It is 21 November and you are keeping zone time +8. You are on course 082°T, speed 19 knots. Your 0830 DR position is LAT 24°14.8'N, LONG 133°35.5'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    N a. 13h 35m 02s
    N b. 13h 03m 20s
    N c. 12h 35m 59s
    Y d. 12h 34m 51s
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
1268: On 25 December , your 0330 ZT DR position is LAT 25°15.0'N, LONG 32°16.0'W. You are on course 145°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0623
    N b. 0635
    N c. 0641
    Y d. 0647
1291: As you pass Solitude Lt. (mile 249.0 AHP) which dayboard would you see? 

    Y a. Green diamond
    N b. Green square
    N c. Red triangle
    N d. Red diamond
1295: After passing Wilkinson Lt. you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. stay in the deepest water
    N b. slow down due to dredging operations
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
1488: At 2326 ZT, on 22 June , your vessel's position is LAT 28°30'N, LONG 150°04'W. An azimuth of the planet Jupiter is observed, and the standard compass bearing is 250.4°. The chronometer reads 09h 24m 36s and is 01m 12s slow. The variation of this area is 13.5°E. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    N a. 3.0°W
    N b. 3.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    Y d. 2.3°E
1539: As you approach Vaucluse Bend Light (mile 533.8 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure? 

    N a. Red diamond
    N b. Red triangle
    Y c. Green square
    N d. Green diamond
1652: On 16 April , in DR position LAT 28°07.0'N, LONG 81°47.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 073.5°psc. The chronometer reads 10h 53m 41s and is 02m 23s slow. Variation in the area is 11°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass? 

    N a. 4.5°E
    N b. 4.9°W
    N c. 6.1°E
    Y d. 6.5°W
1730: What is the distance from Arkansas City, AR, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System? 

    Y a. 584 miles
    N b. 617 miles
    N c. 733 miles
    N d. 832 miles
1760: The area between Island 67 Upper Light (mile 623.1 AHP) and Sunflower Cut-off Foot Light (mile 624.8 AHP) is known as a __________. 

    N a. transit
    Y b. crossing
    N c. chute
    N d. slough
1866: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 019.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 53°56.2'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Phecda
    N b. Mimosa
    N c. Gamma Ursae Minoris
    Y d. Mizar
2009: On 16 July , your 1920 ZT DR position is LAT 25°36.0'N, LONG 172°18.9'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Rasalhague, Spica, Arcturus
    Y b. Venus, Antares, Vega
    N c. Vega, Mars, Antares
    N d. Saturn, Acrux, Spica
2031: After passing Wilkinson Lt. (mile 310.0 AHP) you see a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. The flashing light indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. stay in the deepest water
    N b. slow down due to dredging operations
    N c. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y d. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
2159: On 25 May , your vessel's 1858 zone time position is LAT 21°05.0'N, LONG 143°27.0'E. At that time a sextant observation of the planet Venus was made. The sextant altitude is 12°53.4' and the chronometer reads 08h 59m 15s. The index error is 4.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 55.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 069.6°T
    N b. 110.4°T
    N c. 249.6°T
    Y d. 290.4°T
2321: At 2350 on 23 June, you are at mile 610.5 AHP when you see about a mile ahead lights on the water near the left bank. What might you see when you come abreast of these lights? 

    N a. Privately maintained buoys at a yacht club
    N b. Government buoys marking the Hurricane Point dikes
    Y c. Barges moored at the Dennis Landing Terminal
    N d. A pipeline discharging dredge spoil
3629: You desire to make good a true course of 129°. The variation is 7°E, magnetic compass deviation is 4°E, and gyrocompass error is 2°W. An easterly wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    Y a. 114°psc
    N b. 116°psc
    N c. 122°psc
    N d. 126°psc
4009: 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 187°.
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. 1.5°W
    Y b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 1.0°E
11703: What is the true heading to steer inbound in York River Entrance Channel if your engines are turning for 9.8 knots, the current is 220°T at 1.2 knots, and a northeasterly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 319°T
    N b. 315°T
    N c. 301°T
    N d. 298°T
12103: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 048° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 203°psc. Based on this, you know __________. 

    N a. the compass error is 12°W
    N b. the deviation is 9°W
    Y c. that the deviation table is in error
    N d. the deviation is 3°E for bearings of 048° per standard magnetic compass
12509: You are on course 027° per magnetic compass when you take the following bearings per magnetic compass: New Point Comfort Light "2" 253°
Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 282°
Wolf Trap Light 348°
What is the position of the fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.5'W
    N b. LAT 37°19.4'N, LONG 76°09.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°10.3'W
    Y d. LAT 37°19.7'N, LONG 76°09.9'W
12901: Your 1152 position is LAT 37°23.9'N, LONG 76°05.5'W. You are turning for 10.3 knots. What is your ETA at Trestle C of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel if you follow York Spit Channel? 

    Y a. 1404
    N b. 1349
    N c. 1342
    N d. 1339
13506: The broken magenta lines starting at Montauk Point and running generally ENE to Block Island indicate __________. 

    N a. recommended tracks to Block Island
    Y b. a submerged cable area
    N c. a military exercise area
    N d. demarcation lines for application of the COLREGS
13801: You are operating in the area approximately 2 miles southeast of Kelsey Point when you realize that your vessel's intended track will carry you over the wreck charted at LAT 41°13.5'N, LONG 72°29.6'W. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The chart indicates the exact position of the wreck.
    N b. The wreck has been cleared by wire drag to a depth of 39 ft.
    Y c. The wreck represents a danger to surface navigation.
    N d. The wreck is visible above the sounding datum.
13805: What is the danger associated with anchoring your vessel within a 300 yard radius of Gardiners Point? 

    N a. An unusually strong current exists in this area.
    N b. The bottom is not suitable for holding the anchor.
    N c. Submerged pilings may exist in this area.
    Y d. Your anchor could become fouled on undetonated explosives.
15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________. 

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"
15160: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA"? 

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc
15317: If you make good a speed of 6.0 knots from your 1810 position, what is your ETA at Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"? 

    Y a. 1833
    N b. 1845
    N c. 1855
    N d. 1900
15517: From your 1915 position, you come left and set a course for Gardiners Point. At 1930, your position is LAT 41°12.7'N,
LONG 71°56.8'W. What type of bottom is charted at this position? 

    N a. Blue mud, gritty shells
    N b. Buried mussels, gritty shells
    Y c. Blue mud, gray sand
    N d. Bumpy muck with grainy surface
15769: At 0900, you take the following radar ranges:

Watch Hill Point 5.4 miles
Block Island Grace Point 8.3 miles

Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You are to the right of the track line.
    N b. The bottom in the area is sand and gravel.
    N c. You are inside of the Territorial Sea.
    Y d. The fix is indeterminate.
15825: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 58 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 28.13 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 15.9 feet
    N b. 33.2 feet
    Y c. 39.9 feet
    N d. 45.4 feet
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.
15963: At 1845, you obtain the following Radar Ranges:

Old Plantation Flats Light @ 7.45nm
New Point Comfort Light @ 7.35nm

Your latitude is __________. 

    N a. 37°11.4'N
    Y b. 37°11.2'N
    N c. 37°10.9'N
    N d. 37°10.7'N
16064: 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 (-.3 meter). What is the approximate depth under the keel? 

    N a. 51 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 40 feet (12.1 meters)
    N d. 35 feet (10.6 meters)
16107: If the visibility is 5 miles and you are in the red sector,
at what distance off should you sight Cape Henry Light? 

    N a. 15 miles
    N b. 13 miles
    N c. 11 miles
    Y d. 09 miles
16361: At 0400, you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 305°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 241°pgc

What was the course made good since 0240? 

    N a. 182°T
    Y b. 185°T
    N c. 189°T
    N d. 192°T
16515: What action should you take to compensate for the above current? 

    N a. Continue on the same course and speed.
    Y b. Alter your course to the left.
    N c. Slow to 8.5 knots.
    N d. Alter your course to the right.
16618: What is the distance from your 0200 position to the point where Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal lighted buoy is abeam to starboard? 

    N a. 6.6 miles
    Y b. 6.9 miles
    N c. 7.1 miles
    N d. 7.3 miles
20106: You are steaming at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day. What must you reduce your speed to in order to burn this amount of fuel? 

    N a. 12.4
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.6
    N d. 18.2