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.

230: At 2123, your position is LAT 37°20.0'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. What is your distance offshore of Savage Neck?
347: If you change course at 0420, what is the course to make good to leave Twenty Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy abeam to port at 1 mile?
385: At 0715 you take the following bearings:

Race Rock Light 328°pgc
Little Gull Island Light 249°pgc
Mt. Prospect Antenna 036°pgc

Based on your 0715 fix, which statement is TRUE?
416: A vessel at LAT 18°54'N, LONG 73°00'E, heads for a destination at LAT 13°12'N, LONG 54°00'E. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing. 

    N a. 247°T, 1161 miles
    N b. 250°T, 1172 miles
    Y c. 253°T, 1154 miles
    N d. 256°T, 1136 miles
446: At 1345, you depart from a position 1 mile due east of Montauk Point Light and set course for Block Island Southeast Light at 9 knots. At 1430, your position is:

Latitude 41° 06.3' North
Longitude 071° 41.9' West

What was the current encountered since 1345? 

    N a. Set 015°, drift 0.5 knot
    N b. Set 195°, drift 0.7 knot
    N c. Set 015°, drift 0.7 knot
    Y d. Set 195°, drift 0.5 knot
653: On which voyage would a great circle track be significantly shorter than a rhumb line track? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274) 

    Y a. Savannah, GA, to Lisbon, Portugal
    N b. Dublin, Ireland (Irish Sea), to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°22'N, LONG 8°24'W)
    N c. Reykjavik, Iceland, to Lisbon, Portugal
    N d. Boston to Sable Island
753: On 10 June , your 2010 zone time DR position is LAT 41°10.0'N, LONG 61°15.0'W. At that time, you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 40°35.8'. The chronometer time of the sight is 00h 08m 18s, and the chronometer error is 01m 54s slow. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the height of eye is 40 feet. What is your latitude by Polaris? 

    N a. 41°10.6'N
    Y b. 41°15.0'N
    N c. 41°18.3'N
    N d. 41°21.2'N
1119: At 2142, on January 3, you pass Sebastapol Light (mile 283.3 AHP). At 0137, January 4, you pass Fort Adams Light(311.4 AHP). You have been turning for 9.0 mph. What was the current? 

    N a. 4.2 mph
    N b. 3.3 mph
    N c. 2.7 mph
    Y d. 1.8 mph
1166: At 1032 on 24 June, you pass Carolina Landing Light(mile 508.8 AHP). What has been the average current since 2350, 23 June, if you have been making turns for 9.0 mph? 

    N a. 8.5 mph
    N b. 5.7 mph
    N c. 1.5 mph
    Y d. 0.5 mph
1186: On 16 November , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 117°41.0'W. Your vessel is on course 252°T at a speed of 14.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)? 

    N a. 1131
    N b. 1135
    Y c. 1139
    N d. 1144
1233: What is the distance from Greenville, MS, to Tiptonville, TN on the Mississippi River System? 

    N a. 95 miles
    N b. 136 miles
    Y c. 341 miles
    N d. 520 miles
1299: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 405.8 miles
    Y b. 904.0 miles
    N c. 1002.0 miles
    N d. 1136.8 miles
1547: At 0509, on 26 December, you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge (mile 661.7 AHP). What has been the average speed of the current since departing Memphis Harbor, McKellar Lake, if you have been making turns for 7.5 mph? 

    N a. 5.6 mph
    Y b. 4.4 mph
    N c. 2.1 mph
    N d. 1.8 mph
1746: The Crooked River empties into which river? 

    Y a. Missouri
    N b. Mississippi
    N c. Tennessee
    N d. Ohio
1772: What is your ETA at the Fulton Gage? 

    N a. 1405, 12 Sept
    N b. 1052, 12 Sept
    N c. 0828, 12 Sept
    Y d. 0204, 12 Sept
1805: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 48 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 20.1 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 35.9 feet
    N b. 43.2 feet
    N c. 49.3 feet
    Y d. 57.9 feet
1805: What is the vertical clearance between the highest point of your towboat, if it is 48 feet above the water, and if the Natchez Gage reads 20.1 feet when passing under the Natchez Upper Highway Bridge? 

    N a. 35.9 feet
    N b. 43.2 feet
    N c. 49.3 feet
    Y d. 57.9 feet
1856: On 22 June , your 0424 ZT DR position is LAT 26°18.5'N,
LONG 124°18.2'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 031°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 49°26.0'. The chronometer reads 00h 23m 24s and is 01m 32s slow. What star did you observe? 

    N a. Peacock
    Y b. Schedar
    N c. Ankaa
    N d. Alioth
1913: On 14 January , your 0550 DR position is LAT 25°26.0'N, LONG 38°16.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 212°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 41°42.3'. The chronometer reads 08h 48m 51s, and is 01m 22s slow. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Gienah
    N b. Kochab
    N c. Gacrux
    N d. Eltanin
1986: You are in charge of a vessel that damages an aid to navigation established and maintained by the United States. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. You must take the aid in tow and deliver it to the nearest Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office.
    N b. You must report the allision to the nearest Army Corps.. of
    
Engineers Office.
    N c. You may wait until you reach your destination before reporting the allision to the U.S. Coast Guard.
    Y d. You must report the accident to the nearest Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
2005: On 17 July , your 1951 zone time DR position is LAT 24°26.0'N, LONG 51°16.0'W. Considering their magnitude, azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Hadar, Deneb, Alphard
    N b. Regulus, Venus, Antares
    N c. Mars, Vega, Dubhe
    Y d. Kochab, Jupiter, Rasalhague
2013: On 28 October , morning twilight will occur around 0524 ZT in LAT 25°25.0'N, LONG 32°33.3'W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group will be the three stars best suited to observe for a star fix at star time? 

    N a. Sirius, Hamal, Denebola
    N b. Sirius, Denebola, Dubhe
    Y c. Sirius, Capella, Denebola
    N d. Sirius, Mirfak, Hamal
2022: On 24 August , your vessel is enroute from Perth, Australia, to Bombay, India. Evening twilight will occur at 1807 zone time, and your vessel's DR position for this time will be LAT 27°17.0'S, LONG 83°17.0'E. Considering their magnitude and location, what are the three stars best suited to observe for a fix at star time? 

    N a. Arcturus, Antares, Atria
    Y b. Spica, Altair, Acrux
    N c. Pollux, Canopus, Hamal
    N d. Rasalhague, Spica, Kochab
2051: On which map would you find Redman Point, Arkansas? 

    N a. 23
    Y b. 20
    N c. 17
    N d. 5
2156: At 1300 ZT, on 9 May , your DR position is LAT 24°00'N, LONG 83°26'W. Determine the computed altitude (Hc) of the Sun for the assumed position (AP) nearest to the above given latitude and longitude, given a chronometer time of 07h 00m 00s. 

    N a. Hc 68°22.8'
    N b. Hc 68°24.1'
    N c. Hc 68°25.2'
    Y d. Hc 68°26.6'
2718: What organization has an installation at the uppermost end of Carthage Revetment? 

    N a. City of Natchez (waterfront)
    Y b. River Cement Co.
    N c. J.M. Jones Lumber
    N d. International Paper Co.
3056: The propeller on a vessel has a diameter of 18.8 feet and a pitch of 21.4 feet. What would be the slip if the vessel cruised 378 miles in a 24 hour day (observed distance) at an average RPM of 76? 

    Y a. +1.9%
    N b. -1.9%
    N c. +4.7%
    N d. -4.7%
3062: The propeller on your vessel has a pitch of 22.8 feet. From 0800, 18 April, to 1020, 19 April, you steamed an observed distance of 403.6 miles. If your average RPM was 74, what was the slip? 

    N a. +7.0%
    N b. -7.0%
    Y c. +8.0%
    N d. -8.0%
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
3299: You have steamed 174 miles and consumed 18 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 416 miles? 

    N a. 34.9 tons
    N b. 38.4 tons
    Y c. 43.0 tons
    N d. 46.2 tons
3300: You have steamed 156 miles and consumed 19 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 273 miles? 

    N a. 23.6 tons
    N b. 27.9 tons
    Y c. 33.3 tons
    N d. 37.2 tons
3454: You wish to make good a course of 300°T while turning for an engine speed of 11 knots. The set is 350°T, and the drift is 2.1 knots. Which course should you steer? 

    N a. 278°T
    N b. 288°T
    Y c. 292°T
    N d. 308°T
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
3756: Your vessel is proceeding up a channel, and you see a pair of range lights that are in line dead ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 093°T, and the variation is 6°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 097° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 5°E
    N b. 5°W
    N c. 10°E
    Y d. 10°W
3757: 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 311°T, and the variation is 8°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 305° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation? 

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 2°W
    N c. 6°E
    N d. 6°W
10103: Your GPS position is LAT 37°01.5'N, LONG 75°31.7'W. What is the course per standard magnetic compass to Chesapeake Light? 

    Y a. 243°
    N b. 240°
    N c. 237°
    N d. 231°
10202: Your present position is LAT 41°05.5'N, LONG 72°38.0'W. Assuming that there is no set and drift, what course must you steer per standard magnetic compass (psc) to arrive at a position midway between New Haven Harbor Channel buoys #1 and #2? 

    N a. 137°psc
    N b. 309°psc
    Y c. 315°psc
    N d. 319°psc
11406: At 2021 your position is LAT 41°09.7'N, LONG 72°59.8'W. At 2057 your position is LAT 41°00.5'N, LONG 72°49.5'W. What are your true course and speed made good? 

    Y a. 140° at 20 knots
    N b. 145° at 18 knots
    N c. 316° at 19 knots
    N d. 320° at 17 knots
11907: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the course to steer to arrive at LAT 41°00.0'N, LONG 71°30.0'W, if you are turning for 7.8 knots, the current is 130° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 112°T
    Y b. 108°T
    N c. 105°T
    N d. 102°T
12200: You are on course 119°psc. You sight New Haven Outer Channel Range Rear Light in line with the Outer Channel Range Front Light bearing 346° per standard magnetic compass. This indicates that __________. 

    N a. you should swing the vessel to determine the deviation
    Y b. the existing deviation table is correct for that heading
    N c. your compass is affected by a local magnetic disturbance
    N d. the compass error is 16°W
12305: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 095° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 056° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE? 

    N a. You should subtract 15°Compass error for bearings of 095°.
    N b. The deviation table is correct for all bearings of 095°.
    Y c. The vessel should be swung, and the deviation table checked.
    N d. The compass error is 19°W for all headings.
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
13810: Which chart would you use if you planned to continue westward beyond the coverage of this chart? 

    Y a. 12363
    N b. 12373
    N c. 13205
    N d. 13218
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
15257: At 0725, Stratford Point Light bears 327°pgc at 3.1 miles.
At this time, you wish to change course to 048°T. The current is 135°T at 1.8 knots. Your engine speed is 8 knots. What course must you steer to make good 048°T? 

    Y a. 035°T
    N b. 038°T
    N c. 041°T
    N d. 044°T
15470: At 1119, Wolf Trap Light bears 268°T at 4.4 miles by radar. What were the set and drift since your 1037 fix? 

    N a. 178°, 0.5 knot
    N b. 358°, 0.5 knot
    N c. 178°, 0.7 knot
    Y d. 358°, 0.7 knot
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
15915: At 0925, you obtain the following radar information:

Falkner Island Light bearing 252° true @ 1.65 nm

If you correct for a current setting 215°T at 0.5 knot,
what course will you steer from the 0925 position to arrive at a position 0.5 mile south of Long Sand Shoal West End Horn Buoy "W"? 

    Y a. 089°T
    N b. 093°T
    N c. 096°T
    N d. 102°T
15960: From your 1752 position, you steer 313°pgc at 9 knots. At 1805, you obtain the following visual bearings:
Old Pt. Comfort Light - 238°pgc.
Chesapeake Bay Tunnel North Light - 136°pgc.
What are the latitude and longitude of your 1805 position? 

    Y a. LAT 37°05.9'N,  LONG 76°08.0'W
    N b. LAT 37°06.0'N,  LONG 76°08.4'W
    N c. LAT 37°05.0'N,  LONG 76°08.7'W
    N d. LAT 37°06.1'N,  LONG 76°08.1'W
16011: At 0415, you take the following bearings:

Stratford Point Light 329.5°pgc
Middle Ground Light 223.5°pgc
Old Field Point Light 199.5°pgc

Which statement is TRUE? 

    Y a. You are to the right of your intended track line.
    N b. The current's drift is greater than predicted.
    N c. The course made good since 0352 is 081°T.
    N d. Your fathometer reads about 76 fathoms.
16070: When exiting Thimble Shoal Channel bound for Norfolk, the track line based on the lights of the Norfolk Entrance Reach Range is __________. 

    N a. 220°T
    N b. 222°T
    Y c. 224°T
    N d. 228°T
16261: At 0400 you take the following bearings:

Sand Shoal Inlet South Light bearing 299°pgc
Cape Charles Light bearing 242°pgc

What is your 0400 position? 

    N a. LAT 37°14.2'N, LONG 75°39.2'W
    Y b. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.3'W
    N c. LAT 37°14.4'N, LONG 75°39.0'W
    N d. LAT 37°14.6'N, LONG 75°39.2'W
16415: You can follow what loran reading between your two positions? 

    N a. There is no loran reading to follow.
    N b. 9960-Y-43958
    N c. 9960-W-14655
    Y d. 9960-X-25982
16442: The area bounded by the buoys "C51" to "C47A" to "M6" to "M14", west of your anchorage, is __________. 

    N a. a training area for naval small craft
    N b. restricted to oil and mineral exploration
    N c. an anchorage for ammunition barges
    Y d. a fish trap area