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.


348: At 0430, you take the following radar ranges:

Stratford Point Light @ 5.25 nm
Middle Ground Light @ 4.55 nm

What is your 0430 position?


546: At 0705, you take the following bearings:

Watch Hill Light 030.5°pgc
Latimer Reef Light 329.0°pgc
Race Rock Light 262.0°pgc

What was the true course made good between 0645 and 0705?


553: At 0507, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 208°pgc. What is the position of your 0507 running fix?


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

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

731: 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°18.8'N
    N c. 23°30.8'N
    N d. 23°48.8'N

976: On 7 November , your 0830 zone time position was LAT 27°36.0'N, LONG 162°19.0'W. Your vessel was steaming on course 289°T at a speed of 19.0 knots. An observation of the Sun's lower limb was made at 0945 ZT. The chronometer read 08h 43m 11s and was slow 01m 51s. The observed altitude (Ho) was 38°21.1'. Local Apparent Noon (LAN) occurred at 1138 zone time. The observed altitude (Ho) was 45°35.0'. What was the longitude of your 1200 zone time running fix?

    Y a. 163°38.8'W
    N b. 163°34.0'W
    N c. 163°30.2'W
    N d. 163°26.0'W

1146: The Linwood Bend revetment on the LMR extends from mile __________.

    N a. 828.1-823.1 RDB
    N b. 831.7-829.4 RDB
    N c. 845.4-842.5 LDB
    Y d. 841.3-838.7 LDB

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

1225: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 9.5 mph
    Y b. 5.5 mph
    N c. 5.0 mph
    N d. 4.5 mph

1268: On 25 December , your 0330 ZT DR position is LAT 25°15.0'N, LONG 32°16.0'W. You are on course 145°T at a speed of 20 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel?

    N a. 0623
    N b. 0635
    N c. 0641
    Y d. 0647

1365: You estimate the current as 2.5 mph. What is the speed over the ground?

    N a. 11.0 mph
    N b. 8.0 mph
    Y c. 6.0 mph
    N d. 5.5 mph

1672: On 11 May , your vessel's 1839 ZT position is LAT 17°30'N, LONG 63°55'W, when an amplitude of the Sun's center is observed on the celestial horizon bearing 301° per standard magnetic compass. Variation for this area is 10.5°W. The chronometer reads 10h 37m 10s and is 02m 08s slow. What is the deviation of the compass?

    N a. 2.5°W
    N b. 2.0°W
    Y c. 1.5°W
    N d. 2.0°E

1857: On 22 May , your 0437 ZT DR position is LAT 25°18.5'N, LONG 51°18.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 097°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 48°20.0'. The chronometer reads 07h 40m 40s and is 03m 24s fast. What star did you observe?

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

1910: On 22 February , your 1857 DR position is LAT 23°46.0'S, LONG 93°16.5'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 126°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 40°21.5'. The chronometer reads 01h 00m 35s and is 03m 25s fast. What star did you observe?

    N a. Adhara
    N b. Miaplacidus
    N c. Avior
    Y d. Suhail

1925: On 23 September , your 1836 DR position is LAT 25°18'S, LONG 162°36'E. You observe an unidentified star bearing 148°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 13°32'. The chronometer reads 07h 34m 12s, and is 01m 54s slow. Which star did you observe?

    N a. Antares
    N b. Canopus
    Y c. Achernar
    N d. Sirius

2002: On 16 July , your 1810 zone time DR position is LAT 24°16.5'S, LONG 162°52.0'E. Considering their magnitude,
azimuth, and altitude, which group includes the three bodies best suited for a fix at star time?

    N a. Arcturus, Spica, Antares
    Y b. Jupiter, Alphard, Alphecca
    N c. Pollux, Mars, Deneb
    N d. Vega, Hadar, Venus

2454: What is the width of the widest span of the Cairo Highway Bridge (Upper Mississippi River mile 1.3)?

    N a. 800 feet
    Y b. 675 feet
    N c. 625 feet
    N d. 503 feet

2457: You have steamed 369 miles at 16 knots and burning 326 barrels of fuel per day. You must decrease your consumption to 212 barrels per day with 271 miles left in your voyage. What must you reduce your speed (kts) to in order to burn this amount of fuel?

    N a. 11.1
    N b. 12.9
    N c. 13.6
    Y d. 15.1

2686: While on a course of 034°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 8.8 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2.5 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 035°pgc
    Y b. 043°pgc
    N c. 051°pgc
    N d. 059°pgc

2692: While on a course of 097°pgc, a light bears 8° on the port bow at a distance of 11.7 miles. What course should you steer to pass 3 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 082°pgc
    N b. 091°pgc
    Y c. 104°pgc
    N d. 112°pgc

2706: While on a course of 216°pgc, a light bears 12° on the port bow at a distance of 11.2 miles. Which course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to port?

    N a. 208°pgc
    N b. 210°pgc
    N c. 212°pgc
    Y d. 214°pgc

2717: The Natchez Gage reads 16.3 feet. The high point on your towboat is 38 feet above water. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Natchez Highway Bridge?

    N a. 79.0 feet
    Y b. 71.7 feet
    N c. 65.2 feet
    N d. 59.1 feet

2887: Your vessel is steering 283°T at 10 knots. At 0538 a light bears 350°T, and at 0552 the same light bears 002°T. What will be your distance off abeam?

    N a. 9.6 miles
    Y b. 10.3 miles
    N c. 10.7 miles
    N d. 11.3 miles

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

3298: Your vessel consumes 216 barrels of fuel per day at a speed of 15.0 knots. What will be the fuel consumption of your vessel at 17.5 knots?

    N a. 232 bbls
    N b. 252 bbls
    N c. 294 bbls
    Y d. 343 bbls

3620: Your vessel is steering course 197°psc, variation for the area is 7°E, and deviation is 4°W. The wind is from the west, producing a 2° leeway. Which true course are you making good?

    N a. 192°T
    N b. 196°T
    Y c. 198°T
    N d. 202°T

3628: Your vessel is steering course 352°psc, variation for the area is 11°E, and deviation is 9°W. The wind is from the northeast, producing a 1° leeway. What true course are you making good?

    N a. 349°T
    N b. 351°T
    Y c. 353°T
    N d. 355°T

3755: 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 186°T, and the variation is 11°W. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 193° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

    Y a. 4°E
    N b. 4°W
    N c. 7°E
    N d. 7°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

6144: What are the dimensions of the Old River Lock on the Lower Old River (mile 304 AHP)?

    Y a. 1190 X 75 feet
    N b. 1185 X 84 feet
    N c. 1190 X 84 feet
    N d. 1185 X 75 feet

10601: At 1645 your GPS position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 72°36.9'W. You are steering course 262° per standard magnetic compass at a speed of 12 knots. At 1721 you fix your position by plotting several compass bearings on nearby known fixed objects. These result in a position of LAT 41°07.2'N, LONG 72°44.9'W. What were your set and drift?

    N a. 040°T at 0.8 knot
    Y b. 030°T at 1.7 knots
    N c. 225°T at 0.9 knot
    N d. 242°T at 1.1 knots

11109: What is the velocity of the maximum ebb current approximately 1.1 miles ENE of Little Gull Island in the afternoon of 25 April 1983?

    Y a. 5.5 knots
    N b. 4.7 knots
    N c. 4.2 knots
    N d. 1.3 knots

11803: What is the true course to steer between Falkner Island Light and Horton Point Light, if the set and drift of the current are 041° at 2.4 knots, and a northeasterly wind will cause 4° of leeway? Your engines are making turns for 15 knots.

    N a. 116°T
    N b. 124°T
    Y c. 134°T
    N d. 142°T

11909: Your position is 3 miles due east of Montauk Point Light. What is the true course to steer to arrive one mile due south of Block Island Southeast Point Light, if you are turning for 6.8 knots, the current is 330° at 1.2 knots, and a southerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

    N a. 081°T
    Y b. 084°T
    N c. 087°T
    N d. 090°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

12309: You sight North Dumpling Island Light in line with Latimer Reef Light (LAT 41°18.2'N, LONG 71°56.0'W) bearing 089° per standard magnetic compass. If your vessel was heading 297° per standard magnetic compass at the time, which of the following is TRUE?

    N a. The deviation table is correct for that heading.
    N b. The deviation equals the variation.
    Y c. You should swing your vessel to check the deviation table.
    N d. The compass error is 13°W for all bearings of 089°psc.

13506: The broken magenta lines starting at Montauk Point and running generally ENE to Block Island indicate __________.

    N a. recommended tracks to Block Island
    Y b. a submerged cable area
    N c. a military exercise area
    N d. demarcation lines for application of the COLREGS

14702: At 2200 your vessel is at mile 95 proceeding in an easterly direction on the Columbia River. At 0400 the following morning, you pass the 125 mile mark. How many nautical miles have you traveled since 2200?

    N a. 22.6
    N b. 24.3
    Y c. 26.1
    N d. 34.5

15027: You are passing the Memphis Gage at 0405, 18 March. If you are turning for 8 mph and estimate the current at 0.9 mph, what is your ETA at Cairo Point, IL (mile 954.5 AHP)?

    N a. 0447, 19 Mar
    Y b. 1052, 19 Mar
    N c. 1518, 19 Mar
    N d. 1808, 19 Mar

15107: 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 __________.

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

15238: At 0930 you obtain a position from the following information: Race Rock Light bears 110°T at a range of 1.4 miles, and Goshen Point bears 330°T at a range of 3.3 miles. What are your present latitude and longitude?

    N a. 41°16.0'N, 72°09.5'W
    Y b. 41°15.1'N, 72°04.6'W
    N c. 41°17.4'N, 72°06.0'W
    N d. 41°14.6'N, 72°03.0'W

15314: Your gyro and electronic gear are again operating. At 1710, Chesapeake Light bears 137°pgc at 6.6 miles. The current is setting 160°T at 2 knots. At your speed of 6 knots, what is your true course to steer to remain in the inbound traffic lane?

    Y a. 269°
    N b. 265°
    N c. 261°
    N d. 250°

15344: From your 1850 position of 41°12.8'N, 71°44.1'W, you change course to 060°T. If you make the course good,
what will be your predicted distance off Point Judith Light when the Light bears 015°T?

    N a. 1.2 miles
    N b. 1.9 miles
    Y c. 2.7 miles
    N d. 3.4 miles

15406: At 1400, your position is LAT 37°14.7'N, LONG 76°22.3'W. From this position, you head for the York River Entrance Channel Buoy "17". What should you steer per standard magnetic compass for this heading?

    N a. 108°psc
    N b. 119°psc
    N c. 122°psc
    Y d. 125°psc

15566: At 0520 you take the following observations:

Point Judith Light 036°pgc
Point Judith Harbor of Refuge
Main Breakwater Center Light 312°pgc

What is the position of your 0520 fix?

    Y a. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°29.7'W
    N b. LAT 41°20.8'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N c. LAT 41°20.6'N, Long 71°30.0'W
    N d. LAT 41°20.5'N, Long 71°29.8'W

16270: The wind is northerly and will cause 2° leeway. The current is 018° at 0.5 knot. If your engines are turning for 8.0 knots. What should you steer to remain in York River Entrance Channel?

    N a. 304°T
    N b. 306°T
    Y c. 309°T
    N d. 314°T

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

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.

16714: What was the current between 0520 and 0600?

    N a. 201° at 1.0 knot
    N b. 201° at 1.5 knot
    N c. 021° at 1.0 knot
    Y d. 021° at 1.5 knots

16739: What is the earliest time you should sight Montauk Point Light (nominal range - 24 miles) if you are turning for 9.2 knots? Visibility is 5 nautical miles.

    Y a. The light is visible at 2212
    N b. 2221
    N c. 2243
    N d. You will not sight the light on this course.