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.


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


43: 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?


80: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 46 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?


247: What type of bottom is found at Long Sand Shoal?

    N a. Rocky
    N b. Muddy
    Y c. Hard
    N d. Sandy

483: The great circle distance from LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W to LAT 35°56'N, LONG 06°15'W is 3616 miles, and the initial course is 061.7°T. The position of the vertex is LAT 37°34.9'N, LONG 25°59.0'W. The difference of longitude from the vertex to a point (X) on the great circle track is 10°W. Determine the latitude which intersects the great circle at point (X).

    N a. 37°02.5'N
    Y b. 37°09.5'N
    N c. 37°15.6'N
    N d. 37°21.2'N

495: At 0815, visibility is excellent and you can see Montauk Point. Montauk Point is __________.

    N a. low and rocky with scattered small pine trees
    N b. a low lying wetland
    Y c. a high sandy bluff
    N d. a flat wooded plain

510: You observe the star Deneb at a sextant altitude (hs) of 48°34.8' on 16 December . The index error is 4.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 58 feet. What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 48°02.9'
    Y b. 48°30.5'
    N c. 48°31.4'
    N d. 48°46.5'

628: You are on a voyage from Valdez, AK, to the Panama Canal. The distance from pilot to pilot is 4950 miles. The speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate a layover in San Francisco, CA, of 36.0 hours. If you take departure at 0800 (ZD +10), 29 October, what is your ETA (ZD +5) at the Panama Canal?

    Y a. 1900, 13 November
    N b. 1400, 13 November
    N c. 1400, 14 November
    N d. 0900, 13 November

810: On 13 October , your 0515 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 26°53.0'N, LONG 90°05.0'W. Your vessel is on course 068°T, and your speed is 7.8 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1145 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 54°51.5'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

    Y a. 27°12.6'N
    N b. 27°14.1'N
    N c. 27°15.7'N
    N d. 27°16.2'N

1135: The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. If the Bayou Sara Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?

    N a. 4.75 feet above the plane
    N b. 5.75 feet above the plane
    Y c. 5.75 feet below the plane
    N d. 4.75 feet below the plane

1393: It is 15 July and you are keeping +7 zone time. You are on course 095°, speed 16 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 25°39.4'N, LONG 129°46.2'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks?

    N a. 13h 40m 17s
    Y b. 13h 38m 19s
    N c. 12h 42m 20s
    N d. 12h 38m 20s

1472: On 9 February , your 0739 zone time DR position is LAT 23°31.0'N, LONG 143°41.0'E. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 104.5°psc. The chronometer reads 09h 37m 12s, and the chronometer error is 01m 52s slow. The variation is 3.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 1.6°E
    N b. 2.3°W
    N c. 5.1°W
    Y d. 8.6°E

1564: As you approach Dean Island Light (mile 754.8 AHP), which type of daymark will be observed at the light?

    N a. Green triangle
    N b. Red and green banded square
    N c. Green square daymark
    Y d. Diamond-shaped green daymark

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

1737: At 1227, on 19 October, you pass under the Greenville Highway Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What speed must you average to arrive at Jimmy Hawken Light (mile 663.5 AHP) at 1045 the following day?

    N a. 5.2 mph
    N b. 5.6 mph
    Y c. 5.9 mph
    N d. 6.3 mph

1738: Which of the following statements regarding aids to navigation shown in the Corps. of Engineers map book is TRUE?

    Y a. Buoys should always be given as wide a berth in passing as possible.
    N b. The U.S. Army Corps.. of Engineers is responsible for placing and maintaining all aids to navigation.
    N c. Buoy positions as shown on the chart are exact.
    N d. Lights and daymarks are always shown in their exact location.

1748: As you approach Walnut Point Light (mile 522.5 AHP),
which type of daymark would you see on the light structure?

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

1876: On 2 October , your 1845 DR position is LAT 28°09.2'S, LONG 167°48.1'E. You observe a faint star through a hole in the clouds at a sextant altitude (hs) of 11°37.6' bearing 066°T. The index error is 1.3' off the arc, and the height of eye is 42 feet. The chronometer reads 07h 46m 19s and is 0m 51s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Scheat
    N b. Ruckbah
    N c. Caph
    Y d. Algenib

1920: On 17 March , your 0520 Dr position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 313°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 43°03.8'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Altair
    Y b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb

2122: At 1538 ZT, on 15 October , in DR LAT position LAT 18° 12.8' S, LONG 160° 48.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 276.2°psc. Variation is 10° E. What is the deviation?

    N a. 2.6°E
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 3.6°E
    Y d. 3.6°W

2279: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 58°06.6' on 5 April . The index error is 1.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 55 feet (16.8 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 58°14.2'
    Y b. 58°15.8'
    N c. 58°16.9'
    N d. 58°18.1'

2333: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 37°47.2' on 11 October . The index error is 3.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 63 feet (19.2 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

    N a. 37°25.2'
    N b. 37°42.5'
    N c. 37°51.5'
    Y d. 37°57.5'

2667: Your vessel is on a course of 255°T, at 14 knots. At 2126 a lighthouse is sighted dead ahead at a distance of 11 miles. You change course at this time to pass the lighthouse 3 miles abeam to port. What will be your ETA at this position off the lighthouse?

    N a. 2149
    N b. 2201
    Y c. 2211
    N d. 2228

2706: While on a course of 216°pgc, a light bears 12° on the port bow at a distance of 11.2 miles. Which course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 208°pgc
    N b. 210°pgc
    N c. 212°pgc
    Y d. 214°pgc

2786: At 1030, 13 January, you are passing Columbus Point Lt. (mile 936.1 AHP). What has been your average speed since leaving St. Louis (mile 181 UMR) on the 12th of January at 1400 hours?

    N a. 10.4 mph
    Y b. 9.7 mph
    N c. 9.4 mph
    N d. 9.1 mph

3084: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.6 knots, and the pitch of the propeller is 26.2 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip?

    Y a. 69
    N b. 72
    N c. 75
    N d. 78

3090: If the pitch of the propeller is 26.3 feet, and the revolutions per day are 87,421, calculate the day's run allowing 7% negative slip.

    N a. 351.7 miles
    N b. 378.1 miles
    Y c. 404.6 miles
    N d. 419.3 miles

3100: The pitch of the propeller on your vessel is 19'09". You estimate the slip at -3%. If you averaged 82 RPM for the day's run, how many miles did you steam?

    N a. 370.8
    N b. 373.6
    N c. 393.7
    Y d. 395.3

3105: You are turning 82 RPM, with a propeller pitch of 23 feet, and an estimated slip of +6%. What is the speed of advance?

    Y a. 17.5 knots
    N b. 17.9 knots
    N c. 18.4 knots
    N d. 19.7 knots

3300: You have steamed 156 miles and consumed 19 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 273 miles?

    N a. 23.6 tons
    N b. 27.9 tons
    Y c. 33.3 tons
    N d. 37.2 tons

3301: You have steamed 217 miles and consumed 23.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 362 miles?

    N a. 33.8 tons
    Y b. 38.4 tons
    N c. 42.6 tons
    N d. 45.7 tons

3303: You have steamed 174 miles and consumed 18.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 416 miles?

    N a. 34.9 tons
    N b. 38.4 tons
    Y c. 43.0 tons
    N d. 46.2 tons

3309: You have steamed 142 miles and consumed 15.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 472 miles?

    N a. 36.5 tons
    Y b. 49.9 tons
    N c. 53.8 tons
    N d. 61.4 tons

3615: You want to make good a true course of 137°. A north-northeast wind produces a 3° leeway. The variation is 11° west, deviation is 5° east, and gyrocompass error is 2° east. What course must you steer per gyrocompass to make the true course good?

    Y a. 132°pgc
    N b. 134°pgc
    N c. 136°pgc
    N d. 138°pgc

3617: Your vessel is steering course 299°psc, variation for the area is 7°W, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the southwest, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 291°T
    N b. 296°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 313°T

3650: The true course between two points is 194°. Your gyrocompass has an error of 2°W and you make an allowance of 1° leeway for a southwest wind. What gyro course should you steer to make the true course good?

    N a. 193°pgc
    N b. 195°pgc
    Y c. 197°pgc
    N d. 199°pgc

10904: What is the distance from Chesapeake Bay entrance to Baltimore?

    Y a. 150 nm
    N b. 162 nm
    N c. 173 nm
    N d. 247 nm

11106: What is the height of the tide at Great Salt Pond, on Block Island, at the morning high water (daylight savings time) on 1 July 1983?

    N a. 1.3 feet
    Y b. 2.3 feet
    N c. 3.2 feet
    N d. There is no morning high water

13005: At 1715 your position is LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are making turns for 15.5 knots. What is your ETA at a position 1.5 miles due south of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light?

    N a. 1820
    N b. 1824
    N c. 1828
    Y d. 1832

13100: Your position is LAT 41°15.2'N, LONG 71°50.1'W at 1347. You are turning for 6.9 knots. What is your ETA at Shagwong Reef Buoy "7SR"?

    Y a. 1506
    N b. 1515
    N c. 1521
    N d. 1527

13302: The shoal spanned by Trestle B of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel is __________.

    N a. Chesapeake shoal
    N b. the Middle ground
    N c. Lynnhaven roads
    Y d. the Tail of the Horseshoe

15208: At 1750, your position is LAT 37°14.5'N, LONG 76°22.9'W. What was the course made good between 1730 and 1750?

    N a. 072°T
    N b. 075°T
    Y c. 078°T
    N d. 080°T

15312: You arrive at the rendezvous point, secure the tow, and head back southward. At 1200, you take the following bearings:

Cape Charles Light bearing 240.5° true
Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 289° true

What is your 1200 position?

    N a. LAT 37°10.5'N, LONG 75°33.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°12.0'N, LONG 75°35.0'W
    Y c. LAT 37°15.0'N, LONG 75°37.5'W
    N d. LAT 37°19.0'N, LONG 75°40.5'W

15511: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T.
Which of the following statements concerning Watch Hill Light is FALSE?

    N a. The nominal range of its white light is 15 miles.
    N b. It displays both red and white lights.
    N c. Its horn blasts every 30 seconds in fog.
    Y d. Its geographic range is 18.5 miles at a 35 foot (10.7 meter) height of eye.

15667: At 0815, you change course to 079°T. To compensate for a southerly wind, you estimate a 3° leeway is necessary. Which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good 079°T?

    N a. 090°psc
    N b. 093°psc
    N c. 095°psc
    Y d. 099°psc

15706: At 0700, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 137°
pgc. From your radar, you get a bearing of 007°pgc to the south tip of Stratford Point with a range of 4.5 miles. What is your 0700 position?

    N a. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.0'W
    N b. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.4'W
    Y c. LAT 41°04.7'N, LONG 73°07.2'W
    N d. LAT 41°04.8'N, LONG 73°07.0'W

15822: You are turning for 10 mph, approaching Angola, LA. Angola reports that the current at Red River Landing is estimated at 4.5 MPH. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

    N a. You are making 14.5 mph over the ground.
    Y b. You should expect to encounter vessels crossing the river at mile 300.5 AHP.
    N c. You would expect to find a more favorable current near the broken red line in the river.
    N d. Hog Pt. Light and Hog Pt. Lower Light may be used as range lights when entering Shreves cut-off.

15863: If the current is 050° at 0.9 knot, and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway. What is the course to steer per gyro compass to make good 280°T if you are turning for 9 knots?

    N a. 284°pgc
    N b. 279°pgc
    Y c. 276°pgc
    N d. 273°pgc

16116: At 0731, approximately how much water is under your keel?

    Y a. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    N b. 45 feet (13.6 meters)
    N c. 48 feet (14.5 meters)
    N d. 54 feet (16.4 meters)

16266: The abandoned lighthouse at Cape Henry is a(n) __________.

    N a. octagonal, black and white tower
    N b. radio beacon station
    N c. emergency back up to Cape Henry Light
    Y d. gray, pyramidal tower

16320: Which course should you change to per standard magnetic compass as you pass SW Ledge Light to remain in the channel?

    N a. 007°psc
    N b. 014°psc
    Y c. 021°psc
    N d. 026°psc

16642: Based on your 0500 fix, which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are seaward of the 120 fathom curve.
    N b. The course made good between 0445 and 0500 was 345°T.
    Y c. You should alter course to port to clear Southwest Ledge Shoal.
    N d. A radar contact bearing 020°T at 4.8 miles is buoy "2A".