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.


193: If the visibility is 3 miles, at what range will you lose sight of Chesapeake Light?


205: From your 1830 fix, you come left to a course of 290°T. Which of the following statements concerning Watch Hill Light is FALSE?


216: NOAA VHF-FM weather broadcasts from New London, CT are on __________.


286: Your 1900 position is LAT 37°12.9'N, LONG 76°13.5'W. You change course to 317°pgc and slow to 8.0 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    Y a. 329°psc
    N b. 319°psc
    N c. 311°psc
    N d. 309°psc

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.

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

403: You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

    N a. 317°T, 470 miles
    Y b. 320°T, 460 miles
    N c. 322°T, 455 miles
    N d. 324°T, 460 miles

405: You depart LAT 33°45.0'N, LONG 118°30.0'W, and steam 2216 miles on course 250°T. What is the longitude of your arrival by Mercator sailing?

    N a. LONG 156°08.0'W
    N b. LONG 156°36.0'W
    N c. LONG 157°21.0'W
    Y d. LONG 157°31.0'W

485: Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E.

    N a. 7809 miles, 247.0°T
    N b. 7763 miles, 247.0°T
    Y c. 7635 miles, 233.9°T
    N d. 7618 miles, 230.3°T

626: You are on a voyage from St. John, Canada, to Galveston, TX. The distance is 2280 miles, and the speed of advance is 15.0 knots. You estimate 16.5 hours for bunkering enroute at Ft. Lauderdale, FL. If you sailed at 1642 hours (ZD +4), 27 February , what was your ETA (ZD +6) at Galveston?

    Y a. 1512, 6 March
    N b. 0812, 6 March
    N c. 0712, 6 March
    N d. 2312, 5 March

641: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph?

    Y a. 0.5 mph
    N b. 1.5 mph
    N c. 5.7 mph
    N d. 8.5 mph

667: You are planning a voyage from departure Seattle (LAT 48°30'N, LONG 125°00'W) to a position at LAT 44°00'N, LONG 161°00'E. Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270.)

    N a. You must plot a composite sailing to remain south of the Aleutians.
    N b. The northern hemisphere vertex lies to the west of your arrival position.
    Y c. Military exercises north of 53°N, between 150°W and 165°W, will not affect your voyage.
    N d. At your highest latitude, the sun will be visible at upper and lower transit if the voyage occurs on 21 June.

736: On 6 March , your 1854 zone time DR position is LAT 23°51.5'N, LONG 73°14.0'W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 24°16.5'. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 52m 40s, and the chronometer error is 01m 56s slow. The index error is 5.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 43.5 feet (13.3 meters.) What is your latitude by Polaris?

    N a. 23°29.5'N
    Y b. 23°36.3'N
    N c. 23°49.9'N
    N d. 24°02.9'N

831: On 30 March , in DR position LAT 20°26.2'N, LONG 131°17.9'E, you take an ex-meridian observation of the Moon's lower limb at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 10h 36m 02s, and the chronometer error is 02m 06s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 48°21.4'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and your height of eye is 40 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. LAT 20°44.8'N
    Y b. LAT 20°31.9'N
    N c. LAT 20Z°23.7'N
    N d. LAT 20°15.6'N

832: On 19 November , in DR position LAT 20°03.5'N, LONG 129°48.0'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of the planet Venus at upper transit. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 29m 44s, and the chronometer error is 01m 23s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 43°54.3'. The index error is 2.0' off the arc, and your height of eye is 48 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

    N a. 20°08.2'N
    Y b. 19°58.0'N
    N c. 19°53.2'N
    N d. 19°50.6'N

1001: On 26 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 18°25'N, LONG 51°15'W. You are on course 231°T, speed 15 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.

ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1228 50°23.5' N 19°21.9' 88°14.3'
1236 52°23.5' N 19°21.8' 88°29.0'

    N a. LAT 18°00.9'N, LONG 51°31.9'W
    N b. LAT 18°03.5'N, LONG 51°36.2'W
    Y c. LAT 18°07.2'N, LONG 51°30.4'W
    N d. LAT 18°10.6'N, LONG 51°25.1'W

1145: The Memphis Gage reads 18.4 feet. The high point of your towboat is 48 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance as you pass under the Memphis Highway Bridge?

    N a. 75.4 feet
    N b. 66.4 feet
    N c. 53.8 feet
    Y d. 46.4 feet

1207: On 10 July , your 0930 zone time DR position is LAT 26°31.0'S, LONG 4°41.0'E. Your vessel is on course 308°T at a speed of 22.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1144
    Y b. 1149
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1159

1207: On 10 July , your 0930 zone time DR position is LAT 26°31.0'S, LONG 4°41.0'E. Your vessel is on course 308°T at a speed of 22.0 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1144
    Y b. 1149
    N c. 1153
    N d. 1159

1682: On 11 May , in DR position LAT 37°06.0'N, LONG 45°45.0'W you observe an amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 089.0°psc. The chronometer reads 07h 57m 06s and is 01m 48s slow. Variation in the area is 20.0°W. What is the deviation?

    N a. 3.6°W
    Y b. 2.2°W
    N c. 1.4°W
    N d. 3.6°E

1777: At 2232 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 33°52'S, LONG 150°03'W you observe an amplitude of Jupiter. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 268.5°pgc. The variation is 15°E. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 1.0°E
    N b. 0.5°E
    N c. 0.0°
    N d. 0.5°W

1863: On 14 January , your 1922 ZT DR position is LAT 27°18.5'S, LONG 67°18.0'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 029°T, at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°35.0'. The chronometer reads 03h 25m 43s and is 03m 15s fast. What star did you observe?

    Y a. Elnath
    N b. Fomalhaut
    N c. Pollux
    N d. Markab

1900: On 22 May , your 0437 DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observed an unidentified star bearing 233°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 29°42.3'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s, and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Markab
    N b. Diphda
    Y c. Sabik
    N d. Hamal

1905: On 22 March , your 0519 DR position is LAT 27°20.6'N, LONG 69°25.6'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 200°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 33°05.5'. The chronometer reads 10h 16m 47s, and is 02m 15s slow. What star did you observe?

    N a. Acamar
    N b. Enif
    Y c. Antares
    N d. Rigel

2203: You have orders to drop off the empties at the fleeting area at Cairo Point and add five loaded tank barges to your tow. If you are turning for 9 mph and estimate the current at 1.5 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo?

    N a. 2210, 22 June
    N b. 1741, 22 June
    Y c. 1423, 22 June
    N d. 1031, 22 June

2293: As you pass under the Baton Rouge R.R. and Hwy 190 Bridge C233.9 AHP), you find that the Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are indicated by which numbered box?

    Y a. 10
    N b. 9
    N c. 8
    N d. 7

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

2778: What company does NOT have a marine facility along the river bank in Helena (mile 658 to 665 AHP)?

    N a. Texas Eastern Pipeline Co.
    N b. Helena Port Terminal, Inc.
    N c. Arkansas Power & Light Co.
    Y d. Helena Grain Co.

2784: You pass Ratcliff Light (mile 289.8) at 1650. What was your average speed since leaving Baton Rouge?

    N a. 7.3 mph
    Y b. 7.6 mph
    N c. 8.0 mph
    N d. 8.3 mph

2787: What is the length of the trip?

    Y a. 1088.5 miles
    N b. 1332.2 miles
    N c. 1334.6 miles
    N d. 1566.4 miles

2853: Your vessel is on a course of 343°T at 14 knots. At 2156 a light bears 320.5°T, and at 2217 the light bears 298°T.
At what time and at what distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

    Y a. 2232, 3.4 miles
    N b. 2235, 4.3 miles
    N c. 2228, 4.9 miles
    N d. 2241, 6.9 miles

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

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

3317: Your vessel consumes 156 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 13.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 16.0 knots?

    N a. 192 bbls
    N b. 236 bbls
    Y c. 291 bbls
    N d. 315 bbls

3637: You desire to make good a true course of 347°. The variation is 11°E, magnetic compass deviation is 7°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°W. A north by east wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good?

    N a. 339°psc
    N b. 343°psc
    Y c. 347°psc
    N d. 351°psc

10704: At 2038 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. You are on course 301° per standard magnetic compass at 7.2 knots. At 2152 your position is LAT 41°11.3'N, LONG 71°48.6'W. What were the set and drift?

    N a. 080°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 096°T at 2.0 knots
    N c. 261°T at 1.2 knots
    N d. 277°T at 0.9 knot

11900: What is the true course to steer between the entrance to Great Salt Pond (LAT 41°12.0'N, LONG 71°35.6'W) and the entrance to Quonochontaug Pond (LAT 41°19.8'N, LONG 71°43.2'W), if you are turning for 8.5 knots, and you allow for a current of 247°T at 1.2 knots, and an easterly wind is causing 2° of leeway?

    N a. 314°T
    N b. 320°T
    N c. 328°T
    Y d. 333°T

12208: You sight Stratford Pt. Light in line with the Igor I. Sikorsky Airport Aero Beacon bearing 319° per standard magnetic compass. What is the compass error?

    N a. 4°E
    N b. 10°W
    N c. 14°E
    Y d. 18°W

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

13004: At 1815 your position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°47.3'W. You are making turns for 12.6 knots. What is your ETA at Plum Island Mid Channel Buoy PI (LAT 41°13.3'N, LONG 72°10.8'W)?

    N a. 2019
    N b. 2028
    Y c. 2032
    N d. 2038

13106: At 1048 you are in the entrance to Great Salt Pond on Block Island with buoy "5" close aboard. What is your ETA at the west gap of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge if you make good 11.3 knots?

    Y a. 1144
    N b. 1154
    N c. 1159
    N d. 1205

14601: Where would you look for information on the restricted areas shown on the chart immediately above and below the spillway at The Dalles Lock & Dam ?

    N a. Light List - Vol II
    Y b. Coast Pilot 7 - Chapter 2
    N c. Notice to Mariners
    N d. Sailing directions

15160: 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"?

    N a. 249.0°psc
    N b. 251.5°psc
    N c. 255.0°psc
    Y d. 257.0°psc

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

15458: You are delayed in sailing due to engineering problems. You get underway at 0630. A Coast Guard radio broadcast advises that an aircraft carrier will transit the Elizabeth River enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a safety zone is in effect. Further information on how far you must remain from the carrier found is in __________.

    N a. PUB 117
    N b. Light List
    Y c. Coast Pilot
    N d. Chart Number 1

15513: If your height of eye is 35 feet (10.7 meters), what is the approximate geographic range of Block Island North Light?

    N a. 7.4 nm
    N b. 13.0 nm
    N c. 14.3 nm
    Y d. 15.8 nm

15539: At 2127 you are on course 076°T. What is your ETA at a position where Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy "TE" is abeam to port?

    N a. 2316
    N b. 2324
    Y c. 2332
    N d. 2345

15568: At 0520, you are on course 243°pgc at 12 knots. What is the course per standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 262°psc
    Y b. 258°psc
    N c. 233°psc
    N d. 227°psc

15616: At 2037, you change course to make good a course of 016°T.
There is no current, but a westerly wind is causing 3°
leeway. What course per standard magnetic compass (psc)
should you steer to make good the course 016°T?

    N a. 031°psc
    N b. 028°psc
    N c. 025°psc
    Y d. 022°psc

15939: From your 1910 position, you set a course of 162°T at a speed of 14 knots. What will serve as a definite warning that you are being set towards Race Rock Light?

    N a. Decreasing bearings to Race Rock Light
    Y b. Decreasing loran readings on loran rate 9960-W
    N c. Increasing soundings
    N d. Decreasing radar ranges to Race Point

16212: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 094.5°
    N b. 095.5°
    Y c. 098.5°
    N d. 099.5°

16466: The abandoned lighthouse at Cape Henry is a(n) __________.

    Y a. gray, pyramidal tower
    N b. mound of broken rubble
    N c. octagonal, black and white tower
    N d. black, skeleton structure

16644: Visibility becomes variable in patchy fog and you maintain 5 knots speed. At 0610 you sight Montauk Point Light bearing 239°pgc, and at 0630 you sight Watch Hill Point Light bearing 333°pgc. What is the position of your 0630 running fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°08.3'N, LONG 71°45.4'W
    N b. LAT 41°08.2'N, LONG 71°45.8'W
    N c. LAT 41°08.1'N, LONG 71°45.1'W
    N d. LAT 41°08.0'N, LONG 71°45.2'W