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.

76: What daymark should you see as you approach Parker Landing Light (mile 924.6 AHP)?
87: 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?
170: You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 54°28.2' on 22 July . The index error is 1.5' off the arc. The height of eye is 56 feet (17.1 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?
221: At 1815, your position is LAT 37°01.0'N, LONG 75°42.7'W. If there is no current, what is the course per standard magnetic compass to arrive at a point 0.3 mile due north of North Chesapeake Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy "NCA" (LL#375)? 

    Y a. 257.0°
    N b. 255.5°
    N c. 251.0°
    N d. 249.0°
330: Which chart could you use for greater detail of the area at the south end of York Spit Channel? 

    N a. 12254
    N b. 12226
    N c. 12224
    Y d. 12222
339: The coastline by Cape Henry is best described as __________. 

    N a. rocky with pine scrubs
    N b. low wetlands
    Y c. sandy hills about eighty feet high
    N d. low and thinly wooded with many beach houses
460: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 140°20.5'E to LAT 47°51.0'N, LONG 122°51.0'W. 

    N a. 4087 miles, 036°T
    Y b. 4115 miles, 045°T
    N c. 4122 miles. 076°T
    N d. 4136 miles, 076°T
500: Your position is LAT 40°59.0'N, LONG 73°06.2'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy "NH"? 

    Y a. 052°
    N b. 049°
    N c. 046°
    N d. 035°
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.
559: At 0615, Stratford Point Light bears 292°pgc, Falkner Island Light bears 052°pgc, and Branford Reef Light bears 018°pgc. What was the current since 0530? 

    N a. 083° at 0.9 knots
    Y b. 083° at 1.2 knots
    N c. 263° at 1.2 knots
    N d. 263° at 0.9 knots
560: Which loran line can you follow to remain clear of all danger until south of New London? 

    Y a. 9960-Y-43960
    N b. 9960-X-26450
    N c. 9960-W-14900
    N d. 9960-W-15000
574: If you are making 10 knots, what is your ETA at York Spit Channel Buoys "19" and "20"? 

    N a. 0959
    N b. 1002
    N c. 1004
    Y d. 1006
662: You are planning a voyage by great circle from LAT 38°00'N, LONG 73°00'W to LAT 49°00'N, LONG 06°00'W. Which of the following statements is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    N a. You will pass to the south of icebergs reported extending to 100 miles south of Cape Race Newfoundland.
    Y b. The shoals with a 25-mile radius around Sable Island will be a hazard.
    N c. You will reach the maximum northerly latitude at longitude  29°45'W.
    N d. The distance is measured in 60-mile segments using the length of a degree of latitude at the vertex.
682: As you pass under the Natchez-Vidalia Dual Bridge, the gage on the bridge reads 8.9 ft. If the highest point on your vessel is 54 ft. above the water, what is your vertical clearance? 

    N a. 60.0 feet
    Y b. 63.1 feet
    N c. 67.2 feet
    N d. 122.0 feet
701: At 1118, on 24 May, you pass Natchez Gage and estimate the current will average 3.0 mph for the remainder of the time on the Mississippi River. What is your ETA at Cairo, IL if you continue to turn for 10 mph? 

    N a. 0840, 26 May
    N b. 2218, 26 May
    N c. 2218, 27 May
    Y d. 2339, 27 May
740: On 14 March , your 1846 ZT DR position is LAT 21°57.6'N, LONG 132°16.2'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 22°16.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 03h 45m 10s, and the chronometer error is 01m 32s slow. The index error is 3.2' off the arc, and the height of eye is 44.9 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 21°32.4'N
    Y b. 21°49.8'N
    N c. 21°51.0'N
    N d. 21°53.1'N
809: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 163°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 289°T, and your speed is 19.0 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1138 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 45°35.0'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN? 

    N a. 27°52.3'N
    N b. 27°53.4'N
    N c. 27°55.1'N
    Y d. 27°57.2'N
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
815: On 13 October , your 0515 zone time 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 latitude at 1200 ZT? 

    Y a. 27°13.3'N
    N b. 27°14.6'N
    N c. 27°15.7'N
    N d. 27°16.8'N
1263: On 18 October , your 1330 ZT DR position is LAT 27°32.0'N, LONG 154°47.0'W. You are on course 115°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1715
    N b. 1729
    Y c. 1742
    N d. 1751
1482: On 20 July , your vessel's 1626 zone time DR position is LAT 27°13.0'N, LONG 63°42.0'W, when you take an azimuth of the Sun. Determine the gyro error using the azimuth information.
Chronometer time: 08h 24m 18s Chronometer error: slow 02m 12s Gyro bearing: 279.3°
Variation: 15°W 

    Y a. 1.9°W
    N b. 2.6°W
    N c. 1.4°E
    N d. 2.6°E
1500: On September 9 , your 2130 zone time (ZD +5) DR position is LAT 45°08'N, LONG 82°38'W. At that time, you observe Polaris bearing 000.5°pgc. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 26m 09s, and the chronometer is 1m 43s slow. The variation is 8.7°W. What is the gyro error? 

    Y a. 0.7°E
    N b. 1.2°E
    N c. 0.8°W
    N d. 9.4°W
1535: The Red River Landing Gage reads 5.2 feet. The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Red River is 10.6 feet. Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

    Y a. River level is below the Low Water Reference Plane.
    N b. The depth over revetment at Old River is 25.2 ft.
    N c. The depth over Old River Lock sill is greater than 11 ft.
    N d. This gage reading is at a higher elevation than the same reading on the Gage at Head of Passes.
1749: Which light characteristics does Black Hawk Light (mile 318.3 AHP) have? 

    N a. 1 red flash every 4 seconds
    N b. 1 green flash every 4 seconds
    Y c. 1 white flash every 4 seconds
    N d. 2 white flashes every 5 seconds
1750: In addition to the Army Corps. of Engineers maps, data on bridge clearances may be found in the __________. 

    N a. Army Corps. of Engineers Regulations
    Y b. Light List
    N c. Waterways Journal
    N d. Channel Report
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
1870: On 12 June , your 1845 DR position is LAT 21°47'N, LONG 46°52'W when you observe a faint unidentifiable star through a break in the clouds. The star bears 313°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 14°56.3'. The index error is 0.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 45 feet. The chronometer reads 09h 43m 27s, and the chronometer error is 1m 46s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Menkalinan
    N b. Mirzam
    N c. Theta Aurigae
    N d. Alnitak
1875: 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 68°03.6' bearing 154°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? 

    Y a. Alpha Indi
    N b. Epsilon Cygni
    N c. Gamma Aquilae
    N d. Albireo
1890: On 22 July , your 1759 DR position is LAT 24°50.2'S, LONG 05°16.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 100°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 61°48.2'. The chronometer reads 06h 01m 31s, and is 02m 15s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Regulus
    Y b. Antares
    N c. Miaplacidus
    N d. Suhail
1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
1895: On 22 June , your 0424 DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N, LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 195°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 03°30.7'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s, and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Peacock
    N b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
1899: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 116°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 11°27.8'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Markab
    Y b. Diphda
    N c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal
2101: On 2 January , your 1759 zone time DR position is LONG 45°17.6'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 57m 10s, and the chronometer error is 02m 16s slow. The index error is 3.5' on the arc, and the height of eye is 42.5 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 22°50.2'N
    Y b. 23°18.8N
    N c. 23°30.2N
    N d. 24°07.3'N
2341: You have steamed 1175 miles at 19 knots, and consumed 257 tons of fuel. If you have to steam 1341 miles to complete the voyage, how many tons of fuel will be consumed while steaming at 18 knots? 

    N a. 293 tons
    Y b. 263 tons
    N c. 202 tons
    N d. 172 tons
2684: You are steering 173°T, and a light is picked up dead ahead at a distance of 13.9 miles at 0054. You change course to pass the light 4.5 miles off abeam to port. If you are making 21 knots, what is your ETA at the position 4.5 miles off the light? 

    N a. 0122
    N b. 0125
    Y c. 0131
    N d. 0134
2873: Your vessel is on a course of 103°T at 14 knots. At 1918 a light bears 129.5°T, and at 1937 the light bears 148°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light? 

    N a. 1947, 2.8 miles
    N b. 1950, 3.2 miles
    N c. 1953, 3.8 miles
    Y d. 1956, 4.4 miles
3087: If the pitch of the propeller is 20.6 feet, and the revolutions per day are 107,341, calculate the day's run allowing 3% positive slip. 

    Y a. 352.7 miles
    N b. 363.6 miles
    N c. 374.5 miles
    N d. 389.1 miles
3280: While steaming at 14.5 knots, your vessel consumes 319 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 217 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for? 

    N a. 9.8 knots
    N b. 11.9 knots
    Y c. 12.8 knots
    N d. 13.5 knots
3610: While enroute from Sydney to the Panama Canal a vessel's true course is 071°. Variation is 14°E. Deviation is 4°W. A northerly breeze causes 2° leeway. What course would you steer psc in order to make good the true course? 

    Y a. 059°psc
    N b. 061°psc
    N c. 063°psc
    N d. 079°psc
3759: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 147°T, and the variation is 5°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 148° per standard magnetic compass,
what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 1°E
    N b. 1°W
    N c. 6°E
    Y d. 6°W
10107: What is the first course per standard magnetic compass (psc) in the outbound southeasterly traffic lane of the Chesapeake Bay entrance traffic separation scheme? 

    N a. 133°psc
    N b. 138°psc
    N c. 143°psc
    Y d. 148°psc
10600: At 1620 your GPS indicates a position of LAT 41°09.0'N, LONG 72°40.0'W. You are on course 134° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1700 your GPS indicates your position as LAT 41°05.3'N, LONG 72°33.7'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 067°T at 1.7 knots
    N b. 078°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 243°T at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 249°T at 1.6 knots
11407: At 1930 your GPS position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. At 2018 your position is LAT 41°08.6'N, LONG 72°41.6'W. What was your true course and speed made good? 

    N a. 219° at 10.1 knots
    N b. 214° at 12.5 knots
    Y c. 036° at 12.6 knots
    N d. 039° at 11.2 knots
13008: Your 2215 position is LAT 41°05.4'N, LONG 72°59.4'W. You are making 15 knots. What is your ETA at Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy (LAT 41°09.3'N, LONG 72°30.5'W)? 

    N a. 2338
    Y b. 2343
    N c. 2349
    N d. 2354
13305: What are the bottom characteristics of Nautilus Shoal (LAT 37°03'N, LONG 75°56'W)? 

    N a. Sand and shells
    N b. Hard sand
    Y c. Fine gray sand
    N d. Mud and sand
15063: At 0830, you want the latest weather forecasts for the Falkner Island area. On what frequency do you set your FM radio for this information? 

    N a. 2182 kHz
    N b. 162.80 Mhz
    N c. 156.65 Mhz
    Y d. 162.55 Mhz
15112: Based on a DR, at approximately 1817 you would expect to __________. 

    N a. enter a traffic separation zone
    Y b. depart a regulated area
    N c. cross a submerged pipeline
    N d. depart a restricted area
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
15841: At 2030 you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light - 275°T
Cape Charles Light - 235°T



The set and drift from 2000 to 2030 are __________. 

    N a. 088° at 0.7 knot
    N b. 088° at 1.4 knots
    N c. 268° at 0.7 knot
    Y d. 268° at 1.4 knots
15918: At 1038, you are 0.4 mile south of Long Sand Shoal Buoy "8A" on course 090°T when visibility is reduced to 1 mile in rain and haze. You intend to stay on 090°T until your Loran shows a reading that you can safely follow to the approaches of New London. Which of the following Loran readings will you look for? 

    N a. 9960-W-14720
    N b. 9960-X-26290
    Y c. 9960-Y-43980
    N d. 9960-W-14810
16440: What course per gyrocompass would you need to steer from the anchorage to York Spit Channel buoy "29"? 

    Y a. 172°  pgc
    N b. 175°  pgc
    N c. 178°  pgc
    N d. 181°  pgc
16842: From your 0939 position, you wish to change course in order to pass 0.3 mile north of Buoy "NCA" (LL#375) in the inbound traffic lane. You estimate the current to be 150°
T at 2.0 knots. What course should you steer to make good the desired course? Your speed is still 13.0 knots. 

    N a. 232°T
    N b. 235°T
    Y c. 245°T
    N d. 249°T