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.

73: 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 __________.
124: At 1000, on May 11th, you are passing George Prince Lt. (mile 364.1 AHP) in Natchez, Mississippi and must send an ETA to the Monsanto Terminal in St. Louis (mile 178.0 UMR). Your engines are still turning for 8.5 mph and you estimate the current at 2.5 mph. What will be your arrival time in St. Louis?
160: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?
203: At 1800, your position is LAT 41°06.5'N, LONG 71°43.5'W. How would the buoy which bears 030°T from your position at a range of approximately 0.5 mile be painted? 

    N a. Horizontally banded, red over green
    Y b. Horizontally banded, green over red
    N c. Vertically striped, red and green
    N d. Solid green with red letters "BIS"
232: 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°06.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.4'W
    Y d. LAT 41°04.6'N, LONG 73°07.2'W
315: From your 1430 fix, you order turns for 8 knots. You steer 045°T and experience no set and drift. At what time would you expect to have New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" abeam? 

    N a. 1510
    N b. 1504
    Y c. 1458
    N d. 1452
401: Your vessel receives a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 35°01'S, LONG 18°51'W. Your position is LAT 30°18'S, LONG 21°42'W. Determine the true course from your vessel to the vessel in distress by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 135°T
    N b. 149°T
    Y c. 153°T
    N d. 160°T
507: At 0112, you are on course 124°T and turning for 12.0 knots. What course will you make good if the current is 255°T at 1.2 knots? 

    N a. 118°
    N b. 120°
    Y c. 129°
    N d. 132°
537: Determine the distance from LAT 19°54.0'N, LONG 166°36.0'E to LAT 19°54.0'N, LONG 157°54.0'W. by parallel sailing. 

    N a. 2204.6 miles
    N b. 2006.9 miles
    Y c. 2002.8 miles
    N d. 1990.6 miles
820: On 15 March , in DR position LAT 21°42.0'N, LONG 55°26.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 04h 02m 40s, and the chronometer error is 02m 24s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 66°15.6'. The index error is 2.8' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. 21°12.0'N
    N b. 21°18.0'N
    N c. 21°24.4'N
    Y d. 21°32.0'N
840: On 29 October , in DR position LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 50°18.9'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb, near upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 21m 12s, and the chronometer error is 01m 50s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 34°54.2'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 45 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit? 

    N a. 41°12.0'N
    Y b. 41°16.0'N
    N c. 41°20.2'N
    N d. 41°23.6'N
1088: On 9 June , your 0000 DR position is LAT 26°14.0'S, LONG 176°38.1'E. You are on course 223°T, speed 17.8 knots. You observed 4 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 0630 running fix. 

    Y a. LAT 27°44.7'S, LONG 174°57.1'E
    N b. LAT 27°46.2'S, LONG 175°03.0'E
    N c. LAT 27°41.2'S, LONG 175°01.2'E
    N d. LAT 27°38.5'S, LONG 175°06.3'E
1175: On 12 February , your 0900 zone time DR position is LAT 16°43.0'N, LONG 51°42.0'W. Your vessel is on course 093°T at a speed of 18.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    Y a. 1237
    N b. 1233
    N c. 1230
    N d. 1226
1208: On 12 July , your 0800 ZT DR position is LAT 24°15.0'N, LONG 132°30.0'W. Your vessel is on course 045°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. What is the ZT of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1146
    N b. 1148
    Y c. 1152
    N d. 1159
1245: The highest point on your towboat is 67 feet above the water, and the Helena Gage reads +22.3 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 74.7 feet
    N b. 52.4 feet
    N c. 49.8 feet
    Y d. 30.1 feet
1260: On 16 March , your 0330 ZT DR position is LAT 22°36.0'S, LONG 76°16.0'E. You are on course 098°T at a speed of 16 knots. What will be the ZT of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0545
    Y b. 0553
    N c. 0600
    N d. 0608
1425: 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 0930 the following day? 

    N a. 5.2 mph
    N b. 5.6 mph
    N c. 5.9 mph
    Y d. 6.3 mph
1477: On 27 June , your vessel's 0816 ZT DR position is LAT 22°14'S, LONG 53°52'W, when an azimuth of the Sun is observed. The chronometer time of the sight is 12h 15m 02s, and the Sun is bearing 047.5° per standard magnetic compass. The chronometer error is 00m 46s slow, and the variation in the area is 6.0°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    N a. 1.5°E
    N b. 1.9°W
    Y c. 3.0°W
    N d. 3.0°E
1742: The highest point on your towboat is 32 feet above the
water, and the Helena Gage reads +6.6 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the A-span of the Helena Highway Bridge? 

    Y a. 80.8 feet
    N b. 73.1 feet
    N c. 68.0 feet
    N d. 56.1 feet
1758: As you approach mile 425 AHP, you see a brown shaded area along the left descending bank. This represents __________. 

    N a. weirs
    Y b. a revetment
    N c. dikes
    N d. a fleeting area
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
1910: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 126°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 40°21.5'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    Y d. Suhail
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
2004: On 28 February , your 1850 zone time DR position is LAT 27°49.0'N, LONG 159°24.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Rigel, Schedar, Regulus
    N b. Sirius, Mirfak, Elnath
    N c. Hamal, Alkaid, Canopus
    N d. Bellatrix, Vega, Regulus
2014: On 16 October , evening twilight will occur at 1746 ZT, and your DR position will be LAT 28°43.2'N, LONG 60°29.8' W. Considering their magnitude and location, which of the following are the three best stars to select for a fix at star time? 

    Y a. Antares, Arcturus, Polaris
    N b. Deneb, Polaris, Vega
    N c. Antares, Deneb, Vega
    N d. Vega, Polaris, Enif
2110: From your 0100 position, you change course to 258° per standard magnetic compass. Your engine speed is 10.0 knots. A short time later, your fathometer reads 51 feet (15.5 meters) under the keel. What is the water depth? 

    N a. 38.5 feet (11.7 meters)
    N b. 43.5 feet (13.2 meters)
    N c. 51.0 feet (15.5 meters)
    Y d. 59.5 feet (18.0 meters)
2243: At 1444 ZT, on 28 July , in DR position LAT 40° 56.8' N, LONG 167° 12.4' E, you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The upper limb of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 299.3° psc. The variation is 1° E. What is the deviation? 

    Y a. 3.1°W
    N b. 3.1°E
    N c. 2.1°W
    N d. 2.1°E
2500: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 227°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 350°T at 2.1 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 5°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 11 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 227°T? 

    N a. 18.5 knots
    N b. 18.1 knots
    N c. 17.6  knots
    Y d. 17.2 knots
2585: At 2000 you plot your position as: LAT 41°11'N, LONG 072°35'W. The set and drift is 095°T at 0.8 knot. What course must you steer, and what engine speed must you turn, in order to make good 255°T at 8.5 knots? 

    Y a. 257°T,  9.3 knots
    N b. 253°T,  9.3 knots
    N c. 257°T,  7.7 knots
    N d. 253°T,  7.7 knots
3283: While steaming at 17.5 knots, your vessel consumes 378 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 194 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 12.5 knots
    Y b. 14.0 knots
    N c. 15.5 knots
    N d. 16.8 knots
3472: You are taking a time tick using the 2000 signal from Kekaha-Kauai, Hawaii (WWVH). You hear a series of 1 second dashes followed by a 9 second silent period, then a long 1.3 second dash. At the beginning of the long dash, your comparing watch reads 08h 00m 49s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 01m 33s, and the chronometer reads 08h 00m 56s. What is the chronometer error? 

    Y a. 0m 12s fast
    N b. 0m 56s fast
    N c. 0m 44s slow
    N d. 1m 26s slow
3622: Your vessel is steering a course of 337°psc. Variation for the area is 13°W, and deviation is 4°E. The wind is from the south, producing a 3° leeway. Which true course are you making good? 

    N a. 325°T
    N b. 328°T
    Y c. 331°T
    N d. 349°T
3636: You desire to make good a true course of 279°. The variation is 8°W, magnetic compass deviation is 3°E, and gyrocompass error is 1°E. A north-northwesterly wind produces 3° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to make the true course good? 

    N a. 281°psc
    N b. 284°psc
    Y c. 287°psc
    N d. 290°psc
10610: At 1645 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9' N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 072° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 14 knots. At 1727 another GPS fix places your vessel 1 mile due north of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy TE. What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 032°T at 1.2 knot
    Y b. 026°T at 1.1 knot
    N c. 207°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 212°T at 1.2 knots
11805: What is the true course to steer between Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground Light) and New Haven Light, if the set and drift of the current are 048°T at 2 knots, and a southeasterly wind will cause 2° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 10 knots. 

    N a. 032°T
    Y b. 037°T
    N c. 039°T
    N d. 041°T
12107: You sight Tue Marshes Light (LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 76°23.2'W) in line with Goodwin Thorofare Light "16" (LAT 37°13.7'N, LONG 76°25.0'W) bearing 267° per standard magnetic compass. What is TRUE if your vessel's heading is 056°psc? 

    N a. The compass error is 13°E.
    Y b. The deviation table is in error and should be corrected.
    N c. The deviation is 4°E.
    N d. The deviation table is correct for a heading of 056°psc.
13404: Your vessel has become disabled and is dead in the water. Your GPS position is LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°43.5'W. You decide to anchor at this position. Under normal conditions, how much anchor chain should you expect to put out? 

    N a. 80 to 190 feet
    N b. 190 to 240 feet
    Y c. 245 to 343 feet
    N d. 345 to 420 feet
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
15018: What course per standard magnetic compass (psc) is the same as 247°pgc? 

    N a. 240°psc
    N b. 246°psc
    Y c. 257°psc
    N d. 260°psc
15416: At 2200, you are in position LAT 36°57.5'N, LONG 76°02.5'W. You intend to travel up the Thimble Shoals auxiliary Channel to Hampton Roads. According to the Coast Pilot,
what is the depth of the auxiliary channel on either side of the main channel? 

    N a. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
    Y b. 32 feet (9.8 meters)
    N c. 36 feet (11.0 meters)
    N d. 45 feet (13.7 meters)
15715: Little Gull Island Light is __________. 

    N a. lighted only during daytime when the sound signal is in operation
    N b. maintained only from May 1 to Oct 1
    Y c. lighted throughout 24 hours
    N d. obscured by trees from 253° to 352°
15826: In high water conditions, which publication would you consult for the latest information on buoys between Baton Rouge and Cairo? 

    Y a. U.S.C.G. Local Notice to Mariners
    N b. U.S.C.G. Light List
    N c. Army Corps. of Engineers Navigation Chart
    N d. List of Buoys and Daymarks
15829: A stretch where the channel changes from one side of the river to the other is called a __________. 

    N a. passing
    N b. transit
    N c. transfer
    Y d. crossing
15945: At 2107 Southeast Point Light bears 062°T, and at 2112 this light bears 038°T. What is your distance off Southeast Point Light at 2112? (assume no set and drift) 

    N a. 2.1 miles
    Y b. 2.5 miles
    N c. 2.9 miles
    N d. 3.3 miles
16039: From your 0820 position you change course to your rendezvous position, one mile due south of buoy "NH", speed 14.5 knots. You estimate the current to be 260°T at 0.5 knot. The wind is northwesterly at 20 knots and you estimate 2° leeway. What is your course per gyrocompass (pgc) to the rendezvous position, if you correct your heading for current and leeway? 

    N a. 039°
    N b. 041°
    N c. 043°
    Y d. 045°
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
16439: While you are at anchor, what will serve as a positive warning that you are drifting towards the wrecks located to the NW and SW of your 2215 position? 

    N a. A constant bearing on New Point Comfort Light.
    Y b. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the right
    N c. Increasing soundings
    N d. The bearing of Wolf Trap Light changing to the left
16461: At 0400, you obtain the following information:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 303° true @ 7.1nm

What is your 0400 position? 

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
    N b. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°41.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.1'N, LONG 75°40.5'W
    Y d. LAT 37°14.0'N, LONG 75°40.7'W
16720: In order to check your compasses, you sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light bearing 074°
pgc. The helmsman was steering 303°pgc and 315° per standard magnetic compass at the time. Which of the following is TRUE? 

    Y a. The gyro error is still 2°E.
    N b. The deviation based on the observation is 15°W.
    N c. The magnetic compass error is 12°W.
    N d. The true line of the range is 072°.
16739: What is the earliest time you should sight Montauk Point Light (nominal range - 24 miles) if you are turning for 9.2 knots? Visibility is 5 nautical miles. 

    Y a. The light is visible at 2212
    N b. 2221
    N c. 2243
    N d. You will not sight the light on this course.
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