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.


34: You estimate the current at 3.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?


102: The latest available information on the channel conditions above Baton Rouge that includes recommended course and the latest buoy information is found in the __________.


119: What is the length of the trip?


196: What course per standard magnetic compass is (psc) the same as 247°pgc?

    Y a. 257°psc
    N b. 260°psc
    N c. 262°psc
    N d. 265°psc

279: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On a flood current you should expect to be set to the __________.

    N a. south southeast
    N b. south southwest
    N c. east southeast
    Y d. north northwest

299: At 1930, your vessel is between York River Entrance Channel Lighted Buoys "1YR" and "2". From this position, you change course to 142°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots. At 2001, you obtain the following information:

Chesapeake Channel Tunnel North Light - 131°pgc; Thimble Shoal Light - 248°pgc

What were the set and drift between 1930 and 2001?

    Y a. 127° at 0.5 knot
    N b. 127° at 1.1 knot
    N c. 307° at 1.1 knot
    N d. 307° at 0.5 knot

303: A vessel steams 576 miles on course 260°T from LAT 40°36'N, LONG 50°24'W. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?

    N a. LAT 39°12'N, LONG 62°28'W
    N b. LAT 39°06'N, LONG 62°34'W
    N c. LAT 39°02'N, LONG 62°37'W
    Y d. LAT 38°56'N, LONG 62°42'W

331: You leave York Spit Channel at buoy "14" at 0600 with an engine speed of 12 knots. You receive orders to rendezvous with the tug "Quicksilver" and her tow at Hog Island Bell Buoy "12". What is your ETA at the rendezvous point, if you pass through Chesapeake Channel to buoy "CBJ", through the outbound traffic separation lane to buoy "NCA" (LL#375), and then to the rendezvous point?

    N a. 0935
    Y b. 0910
    N c. 0850
    N d. 0830

337: If you make good a speed of 6.0 knots from your 1810 position, what is your ETA at Chesapeake Channel Lighted Bell Buoy "2C"?

    N a. 1900
    N b. 1855
    N c. 1845
    Y d. 1833

387: The wind is southerly, and you estimate 3° leeway. Allowing for leeway, what is the course to steer from your 0745 position to pass 1 mile south of Watch Hill Buoy "WH"?

    Y a. 087°pgc
    N b. 085°pgc
    N c. 081°pgc
    N d. 079°pgc

414: A vessel at LAT 49°45'N, LONG 6°35'W, heads for a destination at LAT 25°50'N, LONG 77°00'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

    Y a. 246.5°T, 3597 miles
    N b. 253.0°T, 3648 miles
    N c. 268.6°T, 3483 miles
    N d. 066.4°T, 3602 miles

423: At 0530, your position is LAT 41°12.6'N, LONG 72°08.5'W. What is the color of New London Harbor Light?

    N a. Green
    N b. White
    Y c. Red
    N d. Alternating white and green

515: You depart LAT 50°06.0'N, LONG 153°06.0'E and steam 879 miles on course 090°. What is the LONG of arrival?

    Y a. 175°56.0'E
    N b. 177°24.0'E
    N c. 178°36.0'W
    N d. 175°04.0'W

577: 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 44 minutes
    Y b. 14 hours 38 minutes
    N c. 14 hours 30 minutes
    N d. 14 hours 22 minutes

594: After you get underway, what is the first river gage you will pass?

    N a. Head of Passes
    Y b. Donaldsonville
    N c. Baton Rouge
    N d. Red River Landing

606: At 0915 zone time, on 11 May , you depart Yokohama, LAT 35°27.0'N, LONG 139°39.0'E (ZD -9). You are bound for Seattle, LAT 47°36.0'N, LONG 122°22.0'W, and you estimate your speed of advance at 19.5 knots. The distance is 4,276 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Seattle?

    Y a. 1932, 19 May
    N b. 0332, 20 May
    N c. 1032, 20 May
    N d. 1232, 20 May

652: On a voyage via the southern tip of Nova Scotia (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 65°35'W) you wish to sail the shortest route to La Coruna, Spain (LAT 43°20'N, LONG 8°24'W). Which of the following will require you to plot a composite sailing? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

    N a. Shoals extending 15 miles from Sable Island
    N b. Sea ice reported 68 miles ESE of St. John's, Newfoundland
    Y c. Icebergs reported extending west to west-northwest from LAT 47°00'N, LONG 35°00'W
    N d. Naval exercises using live ammunition being conducted within a 150 mile radius of LAT 49°00'N, LONG 20°00'W

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

1087: On 15 August , your vessel is enroute from Bombay, India, to San Francisco, CA. You are steering course 020°T and making a speed of 20.0 knots. Your 1830 zone time DR is LAT 26°13.0'N, LONG 135°18.0'W. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of your 1935 running fix. NP-0017

    N a. LAT 26°15.9'N, LONG 135°03.6'W
    N b. LAT 26°35.3'N, LONG 135°24.8'W
    N c. LAT 26°40.5'N, LONG 135°21.6'W
    Y d. LAT 26°48.1'N, LONG 135°20.7'W

1135: The low water reference plane (LWRP) for Bayou Sara is 5.25 feet. If the Bayou Sara Gage reads -0.5 feet, what is the water level in relation to the low water reference plane?

    N a. 4.75 feet above the plane
    N b. 5.75 feet above the plane
    Y c. 5.75 feet below the plane
    N d. 4.75 feet below the plane

1187: On 17 March , your 0800 zone time DR position is LAT 21°27.0'N, LONG 65°25.0'W. Your vessel is on course 105°T at a speed of 17.5 knots. What is the zone time of local apparent noon (LAN)?

    N a. 1210
    N b. 1218
    Y c. 1225
    N d. 1231

1297: At 0645, on the 17th of April, you pass Hole in the Wall Lt. (mile 373.4 AHP). What has been your average speed since departing the Exxon Refinery?

    N a. 8.8 mph
    N b. 7.3 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    Y d. 6.3 mph

1302: From Baton Rouge to Cairo, what is the maintained minimum channel depth during low water?

    Y a. 9 feet
    N b. 12 feet
    N c. 15 feet
    N d. 30 feet

1452: On 6 November , your 0752 zone time DR position is LAT 25°11.0'N, LONG 76°07.0'W. At that time, you observe the Sun bearing 119°psc. The chronometer reads 12h 53m 07s, and the chronometer error is 01m 19s fast. The variation is 3°W. What is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?

    N a. 2.2°W
    N b. 3.8°W
    N c. 2.8°E
    Y d. 3.2°E

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

1778: At 2234 ZT, on 14 July , in DR position LAT 34°03'N, LONG 150°16'W you observe an amplitude of Saturn. The planet is about one Sun's diameter above the visible horizon and bears 272.1°pgc. The variation is 14°E. What is the gyro error?

    N a. 0.5°W
    N b. 0.5°E
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.5°E

1872: 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 031°T at a sextant altitude (hs) of 70°10.3'. 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?

    N a. Sheratan
    N b. Ruchbah
    N c. Mimosa
    Y d. Cor Caroli

2168: On 22 July , at 0448 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21°43.0'N, LONG 158°39.0'E. Your vessel is steaming at 21.0 knots on a course of 028°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0956 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 54m 27s, and the sextant altitude is 54°28.2'. The index error is 1.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 38s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 56 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?

    N a. 080.9°T
    N b. 082.2°T
    N c. 084.2°T
    Y d. 086.9°T

2209: The Helena Gage reads 9.4 feet. The high point on your towboat is 42 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Helena Highway Bridge?

    N a. 53.0 feet
    N b. 62.6 feet
    N c. 64.2 feet
    Y d. 68.0 feet

2328: As you pass through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, you sight Trestle "B" in line bearing 018°pgc. What is the gyro error by observation?

    N a. 2°E
    Y b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W

2781: Your engine speed is 9.8 mph and you estimate the current at 1.6 mph. What is your speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 9.8 mph
    N c. 8.6 mph
    Y d. 8.2 mph

2881: Your vessel is steering 049°T at 15 knots. At 1914 a light bears 078°T, and at 1951 the same light bears 116°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    Y a. 6.7 miles
    N b. 7.1 miles
    N c. 7.5 miles
    N d. 8.3 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%

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

3617: Your vessel is steering course 299°psc, variation for the area is 7°W, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the southwest, producing a 3° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    Y a. 291°T
    N b. 296°T
    N c. 299°T
    N d. 313°T

10608: At 1825 your GPS position is LAT 41°04.9'N, LONG 72°42.1'W. You are on course 085° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 10 knots. At 1910 your GPS position is 1 mile due south of Twenty-Eight Foot Shoal Lighted Buoy. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 233°T at 2.9 knots
    N b. 227°T at 2.5 knots
    Y c. 054°T at 2.8 knots
    N d. 051°T at 2.1 knots

10702: At 1922 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. You are on course 028° per standard magnetic compass at 6.4 knots. At 2046 your position is LAT 41°17.2'N, LONG 71°38.6'W. What were the set and drift?

    Y a. 235°T at 0.8 knot
    N b. 247°T at 1.1 knots
    N c. 049°T at 0.7 knot
    N d. 062°T at 1.0 knots

11006: At what time will the first maximum flood occur 1 mile east of Old Field Point on 29 April 1983? (You are keeping daylight saving time ZD +4).

    N a. 0957
    N b. 1059
    Y c. 1328
    N d. 1423

15116: According to your track line, how far off New Point Comfort Spit Light "4" will you be when abeam of this light?

    Y a. 0.9 mile
    N b. 1.2 miles
    N c. 1.5 miles
    N d. 1.8 miles

15161: From your 1815 position, you want to make good course 263°
T. Your engines are turning RPMs for 12 knots. The current is 050°T at 1.9 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, at what time should you expect to enter the red sector of Cape Henry Light?

    N a. 1851
    N b. 1857
    Y c. 1904
    N d. 1911

15170: From your 2123 position, you are approximately 42 miles from Crisfield, MD. If you are making good a speed of 11 knots, at what time should you arrive at Crisfield, MD?

    N a. 2359
    N b. 0037
    Y c. 0112
    N d. 0149

15420: You are entering Norfolk Harbor and have just passed Craney Island. Which chart should you use for your final approach into Norfolk Harbor?

    N a. 12223
    N b. 12238
    N c. 12248
    Y d. 12253

15546: At 2350 the gyro is restored to service. At 0016 the visibility improves. At 0028 you sight Bartlett Reef Light in line with New London Harbor Light bearing 039°pgc. What is the gyro error?

    Y a. 2°E
    N b. 0°
    N c. 2°W
    N d. 4°W

15625: The river will be temporarily closed to navigation at mile 531.3 AHP due to repairs to the bridge. This will occur at 1300, 5 January, and last for six hours. What minimum speed over the ground must you make from Red River Landing Gage in order not to be delayed?

    N a. 6.0 mph
    Y b. 6.4 mph
    N c. 6.8 mph
    N d. 7.3 mph

15756: You are steering 087°pgc and turning for 6.8 knots. At 0600, you take the following bearings:

Little Gull Island Light bearing 085.5°pgc
Bartlett Reef Light bearing 043°pgc

What is your 0600 position?

    Y a. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°13.8'W
    N b. LAT 41°12.1'N, LONG 72°14.6'W
    N c. LAT 41°12.3'N, LONG 72°14.7'W
    N d. LAT 41°12.5'N, LONG 71°14.9'W

15762: What is the course per standard magnetic compass between points "A" and "B"?

    N a. 090.5°
    N b. 093.0°
    N c. 095.5°
    Y d. 098.5°

16065: If you steer 143°pgc at an engine speed of 8.0 knots from your 2015 position, at what time would you reach a point midway between buoys "11" and "12" (ignore set and drift)?

    N a. 2020
    Y b. 2029
    N c. 2032
    N d. 2039

16316: At 0900, the current is flooding in a direction of 350°T at 1.2 knots. If your engines are turning RPMs for 9 knots, which course should you steer per standard magnetic compass to make good a course of 297° true?

    Y a. 302°psc
    N b. 311°psc
    N c. 317°psc
    N d. 319°psc

20107: You are steaming at 19 knots and burning 440 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 137 barrels per day. What must you reduce your speed to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 18.2
    N b. 14.8
    Y c. 12.9
    N d. 11.1