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.

42: What is the distance from Greenville, MS, to St. Louis, MO, on the Mississippi River System?
284: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________.
304: A vessel steams 580 miles on course 083°T from LAT 13°12'N, LONG 71°12'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?
365: You sighted Trestle "A" in line at 0707 and are steering 108°T. At 0731, Cape Henry Light bears 136°T; Cape Charles Light bears 032.5°T; and Thimble Shoal Tunnel South Light bears 282°T. What was the speed made good between 0707 and 0731? 

    N a. 9.4 knots
    N b. 9.2 knots
    Y c. 8.8 knots
    N d. 8.3 knots
464: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 33°53.3'S, LONG 18°23.1'E to LAT 40°27.0'N, LONG 73°49.4'W. 

    N a. 6648.0 miles, 298.7°T
    N b. 6743.5 miles, 302.7°T
    N c. 6750.8 miles, 235.5°T
    Y d. 6763.0 miles, 304.5°T
595: You are passing the Bayou Sara Gage which reads 3.9 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) at Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    N a. The river level is above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. Red Store Landing Revetment is ahead on your starboard side
    N c. This gage reading is at a lower elevation than the same reading on the Gage at Head of Passes.
    Y d. None of the above.
685: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Madison Parish (mile 457.0 AHP)? 

    N a. Complex Chemical Co.
    N b. Delta Southern Railroads
    Y c. Baxter Wilson Steam
    N d. Farm Chemical
978: On 11 November , your 0730 zone time position was LAT 19°58.0'N, LONG 143°54.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 084°T at a speed of 15.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0931 ZT. The chronometer read 07h 29m 22s and was slow 02m 22s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 44°17.6'. LAN occurred at 1125 zone time (ZD +10). The observed altitude (Ho) was 52°17.4'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix? 

    N a. 142°34.7'W
    N b. 142°37.1'W
    Y c. 142°40.2'W
    N d. 142°44.2'W
993: Your 0745 ZT, 15 July , position is LAT 29°04.0'N, LONG 71°17.5'W. You are on course 165°T, and your speed is 8.0 knots. You observed 3 morning sun lines. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1130 running fix? NP-0003

    Y a. LAT 28°35.0'N, LONG 71°08.5'W
    N b. LAT 28°39.8'N, LONG 71°04.0'W
    N c. LAT 28°40.5'N, LONG 71°13.0'W
    N d. LAT 28°43.3'N, LONG 71°02.5'W
1124: The Vicksburg Gage reads 31.9 feet. The high point on your towboat is 43 feet above the water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge? 

    N a. 36.2 feet
    Y b. 41.4 feet
    N c. 58.0 feet
    N d. 84.3 feet
1230: At 1814, on 11 September, 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? 

    Y a. 8.7 mph
    N b. 7.7 mph
    N c. 6.3 mph
    N d. 5.6 mph
1702: You are upbound approaching Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) downriver from Profit Island. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. Profit Island Chute is closed to navigation.
    N b. Tow length must not exceed 600 feet to use Profit Island Chute.
    N c. Tows must navigate toward left ascending bank when passing Profit Island Chute.
    N d. Profit Island Chute is open to navigation and is a shortcut for single barge tows.
1803: As you approach Shreves cut-off you see Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP) which reads 4.2 feet. The Low Water Reference Plane (LWRP) is 10.6 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    N a. This reading is 6.4 feet above the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. A vessel drawing 8 ft would be able to pass over the sill at Old River Lock
    Y c. This reading is 6.4 feet below the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N d. A vessel drawing 7 ft. would be able to pass through the locks at Lower Old River.
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
1880: On 13 September , your 1830 ZT DR position was LAT 23°03'S, LONG 105°16'E when you observed a faint unidentifiable star through a hole in the clouds. The star bore 265.0°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 62°25.4'. 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? 

    N a. Sigma Ophiuchi
    N b. Alcyone
    Y c. Dschubba
    N d. Gamma Lupi
2172: On 11 October , at 0516 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 23°21.0'N, LONG 139°27.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on a course of 293°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0927 ZT. The chronometer reads 06h 30m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 39°48.7'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 56s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 63.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. 116.2°T
    Y b. 123.4°T
    N c. 126.2°T
    N d. 128.4°T
2340: You have steamed 775 miles at 17 knots, and consumed 145 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 977 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots? 

    Y a. 204 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 163 tons
    N d. 129 tons
2874: Your vessel is on a course of 207°T at 13 knots. At 0539 a light bears 180.5°T, and at 0620 the light bears 162°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0633, 5.9 miles
    N b. 0641, 6.5 miles
    N c. 0653, 7.6 miles
    Y d. 0701, 8.9 miles
3275: You have steamed 989 miles at 16.5 knots, and consumed 215 tons of fuel. If you have 345 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 13 knots? 

    N a. 1025 miles
    N b. 1993 miles
    Y c. 2557 miles
    N d. 3245 miles
3282: While steaming at 16.3 knots, your vessel consumes 363 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 298 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 12.6 knots
    N b. 13.1 knots
    N c. 14.7 knots
    Y d. 15.3 knots
3606: You are steering 154°pgc. The wind is southwest causing 4° leeway. The gyro error is 3°E, variation is 11°W and deviation is 7°E. What is the true course made good? 

    Y a. 153°T
    N b. 158°T
    N c. 161°T
    N d. 164°T
4011: 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 magnetic compass heading of 234°.
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. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.5°E
    N c. 1.0°W
    Y d. 0.5°E
10200: YourGPS position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 72°52.5'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile due south of Falkner Island Light? 

    N a. 065°psc
    N b. 081°psc
    Y c. 093°psc
    N d. 097°psc
11403: At 2115 your position is LAT 41°14.4'N, LONG 72°07.2'W. At 0015 your position is LAT 41°03.3'N, LONG 72°37.9'W. What was your true course made good? 

    N a. 062°T
    N b. 076°T
    Y c. 245°T
    N d. 259°T
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
12304: You are on course 302° per standard magnetic compass when you sight Block Island Southeast Point Light in line with the Block Island Aero Beacon bearing 323° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this you __________. 

    Y a. know the deviation table is correct for that heading
    N b. know the deviation is 15°E
    N c. should swing your vessel to check the deviation table
    N d. know the deviation is equal to the variation
13503: You are proceeding from a point 4 miles due east of Montauk Point enroute to Long Island Sound via The Race. You should expect the soundings to __________. 

    N a. remain fairly constant
    N b. increase rapidly at first then remain constant until through the Race
    Y c. start increasing when north of Montauk Point
    N d. be inaccurate due to sound absorption by the mud bottom
14600: What is the length of The Dalles Lock on the Columbia River? 

    N a. 475 feet
    N b. 500 feet
    Y c. 675 feet
    N d. 1200 feet
15163: Which statement concerning your 1920 position is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are entering a restricted area.
    N b. You are governed by the Inland Rules of the Road.
    N c. You are within the Chesapeake Bay Entrance traffic separation scheme.
    N d. On your present course Trestle "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel is dead ahead.
15220: If the Old Point Comfort main light was inoperative what emergency light would be shown? 

    N a. Flashing yellow
    N b. Alternating red and white
    Y c. Light of reduced intensity
    N d. Strobe light
15314: 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? 

    Y a. 269°
    N b. 265°
    N c. 261°
    N d. 250°
15370: If visibility permits, Little Gull Island Light will break the horizon at a range of approximately __________. 

    N a. 11.1 miles
    N b. 12.8 miles
    Y c. 15.6 miles
    N d. 18.0 miles
15466: At 1015, you estimate you have 139 miles to complete the voyage. If you average 9.5 knots, you will complete the voyage in __________. 

    N a. 14 hours 22 minutes
    N b. 14 hours 30 minutes
    Y c. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 44 minutes
15560: In clear weather, you will lose sight of Point Judith Light at what distance? (use charted range of 20 miles as nominal range) 

    Y a. 14.0 nm
    N b. 12.6 nm
    N c. 10.3 nm
    N d. 9.2 nm
15659: At 0705, you change course to 096°T. At this time, Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules? 

    Y a. COLREGS
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    N c. Inland Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules
15714: At 1100, your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 72°28.0'W. You are steering a course of 069°T to leave Black Point one mile off your port beam. It has been reported that the Long Sand Shoal Buoys and Hatchett Reef Buoys are off station. Which of the following will serve as a line marking the hazards and keep your vessel in safe water? 

    Y a. Danger bearing to Black Point of not more than 064°T
    N b. Maintaining a 7 nm range off Orient Point
    N c. A bearing to Little Gull Island Light of not less than 090°
    N d. A distance to Saybrook Breakwater Light of not less than 1.3 miles
15725: At 1723 you increase speed to make good 9.2 mph. At 1937 you have a daymark on your port beam. What daymark is this? 

    N a. Tiptonville Ferry Landing Daymark
    N b. Tiptonville Light
    Y c. Merriwether Bend Light and Daymark
    N d. Alaska Light and Daymark
15967: At 1925, you take a fix using the following radar ranges:
York Spit Light - 3.4 miles away;
New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" - 2.1 miles away;
York Spit Swash Channel Light "3" - 2.7 miles away. Your longitude is __________. 

    Y a. 76°16.6'W
    N b. 76°16.8'W
    N c. 76°17.0'W
    N d. 76°17.2'W
16238: At 2045, buoy "GM" is at a range of 6.45 miles. Hogsland buoy "12" is at a range of 5.25 miles.

Your vessel's position is __________. 

    N a. LAT 37°22.8'N, LONG 75°30.8'W
    Y b. LAT 37°22.3'N, LONG 75°31.7'W
    N c. LAT 37°22.0'N, LONG 75°29.3'W
    N d. LAT 37°21.8'N, LONG 75°30.7'W
16365: From your 0500 position, you change course to 221°T and order turns for 9.8 knots. At 0600 Chesapeake Light bears 143°pgc at a radar range of 6.5 miles. Cape Henry Light bears 252°pgc. What is the position of your 0600 fix? 

    N a. LAT 36°59.1'N, LONG 75°48.1'W
    N b. LAT 36°59.1'N, LONG 75°47.6'W
    Y c. LAT 36°59.2'N, LONG 75°47.8'W
    N d. LAT 36°58.9'N, LONG 75°48.5'W
16413: At 1104, Watch Hill Point Light is in line with Stonington Outer Breakwater Light, the range to the south tip of Watch Hill Point is 2.6 miles and the range to the beach is 1.9 miles. You are steering to make good 075°T, speed 10.0 knots. At 1110, you change course to head for a position of LAT 41°05.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. What is the true course? 

    N a. 185°
    N b. 187°
    Y c. 190°
    N d. 193°
16465: At 0600, you are entering the inbound leg of the traffic separation scheme at position LAT 36°59.2'N, LONG 75°47.6'
W. Course is 250°T. At 0605, Cape Henry Light bears 249°
T. At 0610, it bears 248°T. At 0625, it bears 247°T. Based on this, you know you are __________. 

    N a. meeting a current from dead ahead
    N b. running with a current from dead ahead
    Y c. being set to the north
    N d. being set to the south
16561: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T.
Which statement concerning Watch Hill Light is TRUE? 

    N a. The nominal range of its white light is 16 miles.
    Y b. It displays both red and white lights.
    N c. Its horn blasts every 15 seconds in fog.
    N d. Its geographic range is 18.5 miles at a 35-foot (10.7 meters) height of eye.
16617: At 0200, you take the following bearings:

Falkner Island Light 004.5°T
Kelsey Pt. Breakwater Lt. 054.0°T
Horton Point Light 115.0°T

What were the set and drift from 0130? 

    N a. 260° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 080° at 1.0 knot
    Y c. 260° at 1.0 knot
    N d. There is no current.
16715: From your 0600 position, what is the course per gyrocompass to leave Watch Hill Light abeam to starboard at 2.0 miles if a southerly wind is producing 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 252°pgc
    N b. 256°pgc
    N c. 258°pgc
    N d. 262°pgc