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.

53: What are the dimensions of Old River Lock, on the Lower Mississippi River?
160: How far is it to the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, TN?
292: If you have 17.3 miles to reach your destination from your 2000 position and want to be there at 2230, what speed should you make good?
317: Determine your 1915 position using the following information obtained at 1915.
Visual bearings
Cape Charles Light 107°pgc
Cape Henry Light 172°pgc

Radar Bearing and Range
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel South Light 189°pgc at 7.2 miles 

    N a. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°05.9'W
    N b. LAT 37°03.5'N, LONG 76°09.3'W
    Y c. LAT 37°09.3'N, LONG 76°03.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°09.8'N, LONG 76°04.1'W
341: You are on course 082°T, and the engines are turning for 8 knots. At 0352, you take the following bearings:
Stratford Point Light 016°pgc Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light 137°pgc

What is your 0352 position? 

    Y a. LAT 41°05.2'N, LONG 73°07.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°07.3'W
    N c. LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 73°07.5'W
    N d. LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 73°07.7'W
353: At 0550, engineering repairs are complete and speed is increased to 9.6 knots. At 0630, Falkner Island Light bears 023°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 097°pgc. From your 0630 fix you steer to make good a course of 086°T while turning for 9.6 knots. At 0700, Falkner Island Light bears 336.0°pgc and Horton Point Light bears 105.5°pgc. The radar range to the south tip of Falkner Island is 5.7 miles. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. Your course made good from 0630 to 0700 was 082°T.
    N b. The speed made good from 0630 to 0700 was 10.1 knots.
    Y c. You are making good your intended speed.
    N d. The current from 0630 to 0700 was 279°T at 0.6 knot.
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
625: You are on a voyage from Boston, MA, to the South Pass, LA. The distance is 1870 miles, and the speed of advance is 13.6 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Port Everglades, FL. If you sailed at 0836 hours (ZD +5), 26 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at the South Pass? 

    N a. 2336, 3 March
    N b. 1136, 4 March
    N c. 1236, 4 March
    Y d. 1736, 4 March
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.
672: What is the total length of the trip? 

    Y a. 922.3 miles
    N b. 985.3 miles
    N c. 1155.8 miles
    N d. 1187.3 miles
844: On 12 September , your 0600 zone time (ZT) fix gives you a position of LAT 22°51.9'N, LONG 133°40.1'W. Your vessel is on course 062°T, and your speed is 12.3 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1142 ZT, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's upper limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 70°33.2'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 23°23.0'N
    Y b. 23°24.8'N
    N c. 23°26.5'N
    N d. 23°27.9'N
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
1213: It is 23 November and you are keeping zone time +4. You are on course 262°T, speed 21 knots. Your 0800 DR position is LAT 24°30.0'N, LONG 48°40.0'W. What is the time of the second estimate of LAN by ship's clocks? 

    Y a. 11h 05m 54s
    N b. 11h 34m 22s
    N c. 12h 06m 02s
    N d. 12h 08m 36s
1283: On 5 May , your 1800 ZT DR position is LAT 26°11.5'N, LONG 65°35.0'W. You are on course 270°T at a speed of 12 knots. What will be the ZT of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1825
    N b. 1840
    Y c. 1857
    N d. 1901
1424: You pass Springfield Bend Lt. (mile 244.8 AHP) at 1242, on 17 October, and estimate the current will average 2.5 mph for the remainder of your trip. What is your ETA at the mouth of the Ohio River if you are making turns for 10.5 mph? 

    N a. 1905, 19 October
    N b. 2122, 19 October
    Y c. 0519, 21 October
    N d. 0847, 21 October
1486: On 1 September , your 1115 zone time DR position is LAT 25°20.0'N, LONG 28°24.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 160.5°psc. The chronometer reads 01h 14m 58s, and the chronometer error is 01m 17s fast. The variation is 13.5°W. What is the deviation of the standard compass? 

    Y a. 2.1°E
    N b. 4.1°E
    N c. 11.0°W
    N d. 11.0°E
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
1663: On 7 April , in DR position LAT 27°42.0'N, LONG 114°03.0'W, you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the celestial horizon and bears 076°psc. The chronometer reads 02h 10m 17s and is 01m 52s slow. Variation in the area is 8°E. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass? 

    Y a. 1.8°W
    N b. 2.3°E
    N c. 6.2°E
    N d. 7.8°W
1763: At 2126, you pass Morganza Bend Light (mile 278.4 AHP).
At 0226, 4 January, you pass Red River Landing Gage (mile 302.4 AHP). You have been turning for 7.5 mph. What is the current? 

    N a. 1.4 mph
    N b. 1.8 mph
    Y c. 2.7 mph
    N d. 6.2 mph
1892: On 22 July , your 0442 DR position is LAT 26°35.6'N, LONG 22°16.7'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 091°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 64°35.2'. The chronometer reads 05h 39m 03s, and is 03m 14s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Hamal
    N b. Rigel
    N c. Menkar
    N d. Acamar
1919: On 17 March , your 0520 DR position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 110°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°47.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s, and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb
2007: On 4 September , your 1813 zone time DR position is LAT 24°18.0'S, LONG 95°16.0'E. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three stars best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Enif, Miaplacidus, Alkaid
    N b. Betelgeuse, Acrux, Hamal
    Y c. Rasalhague, Fomalhaut, Spica
    N d. Deneb, Altair, Vega
2325: Which publication contains specific information on the characteristics of Chesapeake Bay entrance? 

    N a. Sailing Directions
    Y b. Coast Pilot
    N c. Chesapeake Bay Harbor-master's Manual
    N d. Navigator's Manual - Chesapeake Bay
2336: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1325 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 14 knots? 

    N a. 133 tons
    N b. 181 tons
    N c. 207 tons
    Y d. 278 tons
2854: Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15 knots. At 0319 a light bears 198.5°T, and at 0353 the light bears 176°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 0407, 4.3 miles
    N b. 0410, 5.2 miles
    Y c. 0417, 6.0 miles
    N d. 0427, 7.4 miles
3067: From 1020, 3 March, to 1845, 5 March, your vessel steamed an observed distance of 845.6 miles. The average RPM was 78, and the pitch of the propeller was 20'03". What was the slip? 

    N a. -4%
    Y b. +4%
    N c. -8%
    N d. +8%
3079: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.2 knots and the pitch of the propeller is 23.9 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 2% negative slip? 

    N a. 70
    N b. 73
    Y c. 76
    N d. 79
3251: You have steamed 916 miles at 13 knots, and consumed 166 tons of fuel. If you have 203 tons of usable fuel remaining, how far can you steam at 14 knots? 

    N a. 757 miles
    N b. 841 miles
    Y c. 966 miles
    N d. 1108 miles
3292: Your vessel consumes 215 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 18.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 14.0 knots? 

    N a. 67 bbls
    Y b. 101 bbls
    N c. 130 bbls
    N d. 167 bbls
3297: Your vessel consumes 236 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 16.5 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 13.0 knots? 

    N a. 102 bbls
    Y b. 115 bbls
    N c. 147 bbls
    N d. 186 bbls
3307: You have steamed 182 miles and consumed 16.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 392 miles? 

    N a. 28.3 tons
    Y b. 34.5 tons
    N c. 49.6 tons
    N d. 74.2 tons
3601: You are steering 142°pgc to make good your desired course. The gyro error is 1°E . The variation is 8°W. What should you steer by standard magnetic compass to make good the desired course?
DEVIATION TABLE MAGNETIC HEADING DEV.
120° 4°E 135° 2°E 150° 0° 

    N a. 133°psc
    N b. 146°psc
    N c. 148°psc
    Y d. 151°psc
3609: Enroute from Rio to Montevideo, the true course is 215°; the gyro error is 2° west. A north wind causes 3° leeway. What course would you steer per gyrocompass to make good the true course? 

    Y a. 220°pgc
    N b. 214°pgc
    N c. 216°pgc
    N d. 210°pgc
3654: 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 07h 59m 54s. When compared to the chronometer, the comparing watch reads 08h 00m 00s, and the chronometer reads 08h 00m 06s. What is the chronometer error? 

    N a. 0m 06s slow
    N b. 0m 06s fast
    N c. 0m 12s fast
    Y d. No error
4016: You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°W. The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a magnetic compass heading of 004°.
HEADING HEADING HEADING
PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 354° 122.5° - 114° 239.5° - 234°
030.5° - 024° 152.0° - 144° 269.0° - 264°
061.5° - 054° 181.0° - 174° 298.0° - 294°
092.0° - 084° 210.0° - 204° 327.5° - 324° 

    N a. 1.5°W
    N b. 0.5°W
    N c. 0.0°
    Y d. 1.0°E
10100: Your GPS position is LAT 36°59.0'N, LONG 75°48.6'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to a position one mile south of Cape Charles Buoy "14" (which is positioned at LAT 37°07.4'N, LONG 75°41.0'W)? 

    Y a. 045°psc
    N b. 049°psc
    N c. 053°psc
    N d. 057°psc
10605: At 0620 your GPS position is LAT 41°01.8'N, LONG 72°48.40'W. You are steering course 274° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 0735 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 40°59.50'N, LONG 73°06.50'W. What were your set and drift? 

    N a. 304°T at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 276°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 099°T at 0.5 knot
    N d. 094°T at 1.3 knots
11700: What is the true heading to steer outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel if your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, the current is 050°T at 1.0 knot and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    Y a. 111°T
    N b. 104°T
    N c. 101°T
    N d. 098°T
14005: At 0800 your vessel is at mile 110 on the Columbia River. You are steaming in an easterly direction. At 0854 Lady Island Range is in line dead astern and Government Island Upper Range is in line on your port quarter. What speed have you averaged? 

    N a. 8.1 mph
    N b. 8.5 mph
    Y c. 9.4 mph
    N d. 10.2 mph
15542: At 2214 you receive a "Securite" call requesting you to remain at least 2 miles away from underwater work taking place at LAT 41°07.8'N, LONG 72°34.6'W. If you change course at 2220 and allow 3° leeway for southerly winds which course will you steer per gyrocompass to comply with this request? No allowance made for current. 

    N a. 079°pgc
    N b. 083°pgc
    N c. 086°pgc
    Y d. 089°pgc
15640: At which point in the voyage is your vessel bound by the International Rules of the Roads (COLREGS)? 

    N a. At the mouth of New London Harbor
    Y b. Upon entering Block Island Sound
    N c. After crossing the line of the Territorial Sea
    N d. After passing between Montauk Point and Lewis Point on Block Island
15830: The black broken-line marking, across the river, that appears at mile 952.1 AHP represents a __________. 

    Y a. utility crossing
    N b. railroad
    N c. submarine crossing
    N d. revetment
16211: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage? 

    N a. 20.4 miles
    N b. 23.7 miles
    N c. 23.9 miles
    Y d. 24.4 miles
16411: You get underway at 1030. The wind is out of the SSE and you estimate 3° leeway. What course should you steer per gyrocompass to make good a desired course of 075°T? 

    N a. 074°pgc
    N b. 076°pgc
    N c. 078°pgc
    Y d. 080°pgc
16511: At 0728, you change course to 080°T. When steady on course, the standard magnetic compass reads 097°. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The gyro course is 083°pgc.
    N b. The magnetic heading is 090°.
    N c. The deviation is 1.0°E.
    Y d. The magnetic compass error is 17°W.