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.


91: At 0305 on 18 April, you pass under the Greenville Bridge (mile 531.3 AHP). What was your average speed since departing Amoco Pipeline Co. Docks (mile 253.6 AHP)?


108: The horizontal clearance of the center span on the Baton Rouge RR and Highway 190 Bridge is __________.


151: What is the distance from the Memphis Gage to the Redneb Services Dock in New Orleans, LA.


158: Which daymark should you see as you approach French Point Light (mile 915.4 AHP)?

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

274: At what approximate distance would you expect Bartlett Reef Light to break the horizon, if the visibility is 27 nautical miles?

    Y a. 12.8 nm
    N b. 12.0 nm
    N c. 6.9 nm
    N d. 5.9 nm

281: What is the average velocity of the maximum flood current at the Tail of the Horseshoe?

    N a. 1.6 knot
    N b. 1.3 knot
    Y c. 0.9 knots
    N d. 0.6 knots

322: From your 2200 fix, you steer course 288°T to travel up the Thimble Shoal North Auxiliary Channel. If you are making good 6.0 knots, at what time would you expect to pass buoy "18" at the west end of the channel? (There are no set and drift.)

    N a. 2355
    Y b. 2344
    N c. 2335
    N d. 2324

427: Assuming no current, at what time can you expect to be abeam of Townshend Ledge Lighted Buoy?

    Y a. 0910
    N b. 0905
    N c. 0902
    N d. 0859

475: The great circle distance from LAT 35°08.0'S, LONG 19°26.0'E to LAT 33°16.0'S, LONG 115°36.0'E is 4559 miles and the initial course is 121°T. Determine the latitude of the vertex.

    N a. 44°29.1'S
    Y b. 45°30.9'S
    N c. 46°18.2'S
    N d. 43°41.8'S

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

549: 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?

    N a. The true line of the range is 072°.
    N b. The deviation based on the observation is 15°W.
    N c. The magnetic compass error is 12°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is exactly 1.5°E.

643: Which company does NOT have a marine facility in Rosedale harbor (mile 585 AHP)?

    N a. Sanders Elevator Corp
    N b. Rosedale-Boliver County Port Commission
    Y c. T.L. James
    N d. Cives Steel Company

730: On 18 November , your 1750 zone time DR position is LONG 110°16.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 21°29.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 52m 43s, and the chronometer error is 02m 18s fast. The index error is 3.2' on the arc, and the height of eye is 49.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris?

    Y a. 21°03.4'N
    N b. 21°13.4'N
    N c. 21°28.1'N
    N d. 21°35.1'N

748: On 7 May , you observe Polaris for latitude at 0303 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 56°35.4'N, LONG 05°38.9'W. The sextant altitude is 56°11.1'. The height of eye is 36', and the index error is 3.3' off the arc. What is the latitude at the time of the sight?

    N a. 56°24.6'N
    N b. 56°32.6'N
    N c. 56°35.0'N
    Y d. 56°38.7'N

755: You are taking a time tick using the 1400 signal from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You hear a 0.4 second dash followed by a series of dots, noting that the 29th and the 56th to 59th dots are omitted. At the start of the following 0.4 second dash (which is followed by an 8 second pulse), the comparing watch reads 01h 59m 57s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 02h 00m 38s, and the chronometer reads 02h 01m 33s. What is the chronometer error?

    N a. 0m 03s slow
    N b. 0m 4ls slow
    Y c. 0m 52s fast
    N d. 1m 36s fast

1009: On 22 February , your 0800 zone time position is LAT 24°16'S, LONG 95°37'E. Your vessel is on course 126°T at a speed of 14 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0945 zone time. The chronometer reads 03h 47m 22s, and the chronometer error is 02m 37s fast. The observed altitude (Ho) is 57°02.1'. LAN occurs at 1148 zone time, and a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is made. The observed meridian altitude (Ho) is 75°22.3'.
Determine the vessel's 1200 zone time position.

    N a. LAT 24°49.3'S, LONG 96°24.0'E
    N b. LAT 24°49.3'S, LONG 96°27.2'E
    Y c. LAT 24°52.2'S, LONG 96°24.0'E
    N d. LAT 24°52.2'S, LONG 96°27.2'E

1131: At 1923, you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. What is the first Gage you will pass after your speed change?

    N a. Cottonwood Point
    Y b. Caruthersville
    N c. Fulton
    N d. New Madrid

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

1804: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you continue to turn for 10 mph?

    Y a. 1718, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    N c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April

1949: The circle with black and white quadrants located at mile 435.6 AHP is a __________.

    N a. Daymark
    N b. Electrical Tower
    Y c. River Gage
    N d. Information Board

2089: At your current speed of 18 knots you only have enough fuel remaining to travel 316 miles. You must travel 731 miles to reach your destination. What should you reduce your speed (knots) to in order to reach your destination?

    N a. 10.4
    Y b. 11.8
    N c. 13.2
    N d. 14.6

2201: 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?

    N a. 1919 on 15 May
    N b. 2344 on 15 May
    N c. 1113 on 16 May
    Y d. 1757 on 16 May

2456: You have steamed 520 miles at 22 knots and burning 319 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day with 410 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 12.8
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 16.2
    N d. 18.2

2703: You are underway on course 254°T at a speed of 16.5 knots. You sight a rock bearing 255°T at a radar range of 6.1 miles at 0916. If you change course at 0922, what is the course to steer to leave the rock abeam to starboard at 1.5 miles?

    N a. 268°T
    N b. 239°T
    Y c. 236°T
    N d. 233°T

2887: Your vessel is steering 283°T at 10 knots. At 0538 a light bears 350°T, and at 0552 the same light bears 002°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 9.6 miles
    Y b. 10.3 miles
    N c. 10.7 miles
    N d. 11.3 miles

3290: While steaming at 15.5 knots, your vessel consumes 333 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 176 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

    N a. 11.3 knots
    Y b. 12.5 knots
    N c. 13.6 knots
    N d. 14.8 knots

3294: Your vessel consumes 268 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 19.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 15.0 knots?

    Y a. 132 bbls
    N b. 167 bbls
    N c. 212 bbls
    N d. 243 bbls

4008: 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 gyro heading of 037°.
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°

    Y a. 1.0°W
    N b. 1.5°W
    N c. 1.5°E
    N d. 2.0°E

10903: What is the distance from Norfolk to Philadelphia for a deep draft vessel via the Chesapeake Bay and C and D Canal ?

    N a. 209 miles
    Y b. 245 miles
    N c. 286 miles
    N d. 302 miles

11409: At 0647 your position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. At 0729 your position is LAT 41°10.3'N, LONG 72°29.2'W. What were your true course and speed made good?

    N a. 074° at 9.5 knots
    Y b. 080° at 13.6 knots
    N c. 253° at 9.7 knots
    N d. 258° at 13.5 knots

11702: You are eastbound in the Thimble Shoal Channel. What is the true heading to steer if the engines are turning for 9.5 knots, the current is 110°T at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    Y a. 111°
    N b. 108°
    N c. 105°
    N d. 100°

12210: You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 343° per standard magnetic compass. What is your compass error?

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 9°E
    Y d. 9°W

12706: You are on course 053° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: Little Gull Island Light 275°psc Race Rock Light 296°psc Latimer Reef Light 011°psc What is your position?

    N a. LAT 41°12.9'N, LONG 71°56.3'W
    Y b. LAT 41°13.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°13.4'N, LONG 71°55.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°13.8'N, LONG 71°56.1'W

15069: During extreme low water, the soundings near Saybrook may require corrections up to __________.

    N a. 1 foot (+.3 meters)
    N b. -2 feet (-.6 meters)
    Y c. -3.5 feet (-1.1 meters)
    N d. The sounding datum is based on extreme low water and no correction is necessary

15207: What is the maximum allowable speed of vessels underway up river from Tue Marshes Light?

    N a. 6 knots
    N b. 8 knots
    N c. 10 knots
    Y d. 12 knots

15366: At 0615 you change course to 078°T. If there is no current, when will Falkner Island Light be abeam?

    N a. 0750
    N b. 0743
    N c. 0735
    Y d. 0730

15440: Your ETA at Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel between trestles B + C is 2300. If your engine speed is 9.8 knots,
what will be your approximate speed over the ground, at that time, allowing for the predicted current?

    N a. 7.0 knots
    N b. 8.2 knots
    N c. 11.4 knots
    Y d. 12.5 knots

15518: From your 1930 position, you plot a course to pass 0.5 mile due south of Race Rock Light. If your vessel's speed is 10.0 knots, the current's set and drift are 040°T at 1.8 knots, and a north wind produces a 3° leeway, what true course should you steer to make good your desired course?

    N a. 275°T
    Y b. 280°T
    N c. 290°T
    N d. 294°T

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

15719: On chart 12354, the datum from which heights of objects are taken is __________.

    Y a. mean high water
    N b. mean low water
    N c. lowest low water
    N d. mean lower low water

15724: You pass Morrison Towhead Light (mile 890.5 AHP) at 1723. What was your average speed since leaving Cairo?

    N a. 7.5 mph
    N b. 7.8 mph
    Y c. 8.5 mph
    N d. 8.8 mph

15817: The south coast of Long Island Sound between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson is __________.

    N a. composed of high rocky bluffs
    N b. a high, flat plateau with sheer cliffs
    Y c. fringed by rocky shoals
    N d. low and marshy with isolated beaches

15824: You pass Red River Gage at 2015 on 16 April and estimate the current will average 3.5 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you continue to turn for 10 mph?

    N a. 1445, 20 April
    N b. 1830, 20 April
    Y c. 0028, 21 April
    N d. 0821, 21 April

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

16207: If you change course at 0610, what is the course to steer to a point where Little Gull Island Light bears 180°T at 0.7 mile (Point "A")?

    N a. 072°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    Y c. 080°pgc
    N d. 084°pgc

16311: The broken magenta line which runs parallel to the shore between Roanoke Point and Mattituck Inlet marks a __________.

    N a. pipeline
    Y b. fish trap area
    N c. demarcation line
    N d. cable area

16419: You estimate the current to be 160°T at 1.2 knots. What should your course and speed be in order to make good 000°
T at 10 knots?

    Y a. 358°T at 11.1 knots
    N b. 358°T at 09.8 knots
    N c. 002°T at 11.2 knots
    N d. 002°T at 09.9 knots

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

16645: At 0630 you increase speed to 12.0 knots. At 0645 Race Rock Light bears 294°pgc. At 0700 Race Rock Light bears 293°pgc. Based on this, you should __________.

    Y a. alter course to port
    N b. maintain course and speed
    N c. alter course to starboard
    N d. maintain course and reduce speed

16740: At 2245 visibility improves and Montauk Point Light bears 355°pgc. At 2314 Montauk Point Light bears 331°pgc, and at 2329 the light bears 311°pgc. Based on your 2329 running fix which statement is TRUE?

    N a. You are shoreward of the 90 foot curve.
    N b. Your fathometer reads about 136 feet.
    Y c. You are being set to the left of the track.
    N d. You allowed too much leeway for the easterly winds.

16841: At 0907 you change course to 224°T, and your speed is now 13.0 knots. At 0939 Chesapeake Light is bearing 168°T at a distance of 7.1 miles, and Cape Henry Light is bearing 246°T. What were the set and drift since 0907?

    N a. 326°T at 0.7 knot
    N b. 326°T at 1.4 knots
    Y c. 146°T at 1.4 knots
    N d. 146°T at 0.7 knots