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?
46: At 2342, on 25 August, 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 9 mph?
61: What is the width of the navigable channel at Grand Gulf Island Light (mile 404.9 AHP) ?
64: What is the length of the trip? 

    N a. 726.0 miles
    Y b. 851.9 miles
    N c. 878.9 miles
    N d. 879.6 miles
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? 

    N a. 0821, 21 April
    Y b. 0028, 21 April
    N c. 1830, 20 April
    N d. 1445, 20 April
128: At Filter Point Light (mile 475 AHP) there are 2 close straight dashed lines on the map. What do these lines represent? 

    N a. Submerged oil pipelines
    N b. Submerged telephone cables
    N c. Submerged gas pipelines
    Y d. Aerial power cables
319: At 2100, you have passed through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel and determine your position to be LAT 37°01.3'N, LONG 76°03.0'W. The current is flooding in a direction of 303°T at 2.5 knots. Adjusting your course for set and drift, which course would you steer while turning RPMs for 6 knots to make good a course of 175°T? 

    N a. 190°T
    N b. 183°T
    N c. 164°T
    Y d. 156°T
383: From point "A", you lay out an intended track line to a point where Block Island North Light bears 180°T at 2.9 miles (Point "B"). What is the length of this leg of the voyage? 

    Y a. 24.4 miles
    N b. 23.9 miles
    N c. 23.7 miles
    N d. 20.4 miles
442: Shortly after getting underway, you sight Stonington Outer Breakwater Light in line with Stonington Inner Breakwater Light bearing 000° per gyrocompass. Which statement is TRUE? 

    N a. The deviation is 2°W
    N b. The variation is 2°E.
    N c. The compass error is 16°W.
    Y d. The gyro error is 2.5°W
473: The great circle distance from LAT 08°50.0'N, LONG 80°21.0'W to LAT 22°36.0'N, LONG 128°16.0'E is 7801 miles and the initial course is 318°45' T. The latitude of the vertex is 49°20.6'N. What is the longitude of the vertex? 

    N a. 156°43'W
    Y b. 162°41'W
    N c. 159°32'W
    N d. 161°18'W
609: At 0915 zone time, on 7 April , you depart San Francisco, LAT 37°48.5'N, LONG 122°24.0'W (ZD +8). You are bound for Kobe, LAT 34°40.0'N, LONG 135°12.0'E, and you estimate your speed of advance at 17 knots. The distance is 4,819 miles. What is your estimated zone time of arrival at Kobe? 

    N a. 0343, 18 April
    N b. 1243, 19 April
    Y c. 2143, 19 April
    N d. 0443, 20 April
1007: On 30 July , your 1030 ZT DR position is LAT 17°46'N, LONG 139°30'W. You are on course 129°T, speed 24 knots. Determine your 1200 position using the following observations of the Sun.
ZONE TIME GHA DECLINATION Ho
1220 138°25.0' N 18°22.3' 88°43.3'
1226 139°55.0' N 18°22.2' 88°24.0' 

    N a. LAT 17°24.0'N, LONG 138°59.8'W
    N b. LAT 17°21.6'N, LONG 138°56.2'W
    N c. LAT 17°18.7'N, LONG 139°07.6'W
    Y d. LAT 17°15.1'N, LONG 139°00.0'W
1259: On 10 April , your 1630 ZT DR position is LAT 21°03.0'N, LONG 63°11.0'W. You are on course 324°T at a speed of 22 knots. What will be the zone time of sunset at your vessel? 

    N a. 1805
    N b. 1814
    N c. 1818
    Y d. 1833
1261: On 16 February , your 0300 ZT DR position is LAT 28°32.0'S, LONG 176°49.0'E. You are on course 082°T at a speed of 21 knots. What will be the zone time of sunrise at your vessel? 

    N a. 0534
    Y b. 0552
    N c. 0631
    N d. 0645
1725: As you pass Fort Adams (311.4 AHP) you observe a flashing amber light on the right descending bank ahead. This indicates that you should __________. 

    N a. proceed with caution as there is construction work being done on the revetment
    N b. keep as close to the right descending bank as safety permits
    Y c. keep as close to the left descending bank as safety permits
    N d. proceed with caution as the river is congested around the bend
1732: You estimate the current at 2.0 mph. What is the speed over the ground? 

    N a. 3.5 mph
    Y b. 4.5 mph
    N c. 7.5 mph
    N d. 9.5 mph
1780: At 1523 ZT, on 14 June , in DR position LAT 31°58'S, LONG 48°42'W you observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and bears 118.0°psc. The variation is 10°W. What is the deviation? 

    N a. 2.5°W
    Y b. 2.1°W
    N c. 1.7°W
    N d. 1.7°E
1919: On 17 March , your 0520 DR position is LAT 27°23.0'N, LONG 39°42.0'W. You observe an unidentified star bearing 110°T at an observed altitude (Ho) of 50°47.2'. The chronometer reads 08h 22m 15s, and is 01m 45s fast. What star did you observe? 

    Y a. Altair
    N b. Alkaid
    N c. Arcturus
    N d. Deneb
2052: The highest point on your towboat is 48 feet above the water, and the Memphis Gage reads +7.5 feet. What is the vertical clearance when you pass under the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis? 

    Y a. 53.2 feet
    N b. 58.1 feet
    N c. 68.2 feet
    N d. 96.3 feet
2178: On 26 July , your 1901 ZT position is LAT 28°28'N, LONG 157°16'E when you take an observation of Jupiter. The chronometer at the time of the sight reads 08h 54m 34s and is 06m 24s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 33°51.5'. The index error is 2.8'off the arc, and the height of eye is 48 feet. What are the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) for this sight using the assumed position? 

    N a. Zn 110.8°,  a 32.0' T
    N b. Zn 249.2°,  a 32.0' A
    Y c. Zn 248.2°,  a 34.2' T
    N d. Zn 290.8°,  a 44.2' A
2330: At 0731, what is the approximate depth of water? 

    N a. 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    Y b. 41 feet (12.5 meters)
    N c. 52 feet (15.7 meters)
    N d. 58 feet (17.6 meters)
2589: From the 2130 position, you steer 236°T at 10 knots. A strong northerly wind is causing 4° of leeway. What course must you steer per standard compass, to make good 236°T? 

    N a. 232° psc
    N b. 240° psc
    N c. 244° psc
    Y d. 252° psc
2593: At 2315, you are notified that the Port Jefferson pilot will be delayed. Old Field Point Light bears 257°T, Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light bears 355°T and Port Jefferson East Breakwater Light bears 171°T. What is the depth under the keel at this time on December 4, 1983? 

    N a. 41 feet
    Y b. 47 feet
    N c. 51 feet
    N d. 57 feet
3084: If the speed necessary for reaching port at a designated time is 18.6 knots, and the pitch of the propeller is 26.2 feet, how many revolutions per minute will the shaft have to turn, assuming a 4% negative slip? 

    Y a. 69
    N b. 72
    N c. 75
    N d. 78
3266: Your vessel has consumed 1087 bbls of fuel after steaming 2210 miles at a speed of 10.75 kts. What is the maximum speed you can steam for the last 1000 miles of the voyage on the remaining 725 bbls, if you estimate 3% of the fuel is not usable? 

    N a. 11.43 knots
    N b. 11.76 knots
    Y c. 12.84 knots
    N d. 15.33 knots
3451: You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 190°T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 040°T? 

    N a. 7.8 knots
    Y b. 8.8 knots
    N c. 9.8 knots
    N d. 11.0 knots
3465: You are underway on course 000°T at 9.5 knots. The current is 082°T at 1.1 knots. What is the course being made good? 

    Y a. 007°T
    N b. 009°T
    N c. 021°T
    N d. 353°T
3641: You desire to make good a true course of 174°. The variation is 17°W, magnetic compass deviation is 4°W, and gyrocompass error is 4°E. A west-southwest wind produces a 4° leeway. What is the course to steer per standard magnetic compass to make the true course good? 

    N a. 195°psc
    N b. 197°psc
    Y c. 199°psc
    N d. 203°psc
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°
10700: At 1020 your position is LAT 41°11.0'N, LONG 71°50.0'W. You are on course 056° per standard magnetic compass at 9.2 knots. At 1112 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 130°T at 0.9 knot
    Y b. 141°T at 1.2 knots
    N c. 331°T at 0.8 knot
    N d. 346°T at 1.1 knots
10701: At 0947 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. You are on course 182° per magnetic compass at 11.3 knots. At 1020 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 211°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 229°T at 2.0 knots
    N c. 058°T at 1.8 knots
    N d. 043°T at 1.1 knots
10701: At 0947 your position is LAT 41°15.9'N, LONG 71°41.7'W. You are on course 182° per magnetic compass at 11.3 knots. At 1020 your position is LAT 41°09.2'N, LONG 71°40.6'W. What were the set and drift? 

    N a. 211°T at 1.0 knot
    Y b. 229°T at 2.0 knots
    N c. 058°T at 1.8 knots
    N d. 043°T at 1.1 knots
10907: What is the time (DST ZD +4) of the AM high tide at York Point, Poquoson River on 8 September 1983? 

    N a. 0955
    Y b. 1048
    N c. 1055
    N d. 1102
12100: You sight Wolf Trap Light in line with New Point Comfort Spit Light "2" bearing 040° per standard magnetic compass. You are on course 319° per standard magnetic compass. Based on this, you __________. 

    Y a. know the compass error is 8°W
    N b. should apply 3°Easterly deviation to the bearing
    N c. know the deviation table is incorrect
    N d. should suspect the compass may be affected by a local magnetic disturbance
12506: You are on course 203° per standard magnetic compass when you take the following bearings: New Point Comfort Spit Light 2 267°psc Horn Harbor Entrance Light HH 304°psc Wolf Trap Light 006°psc What is the position of the fix? 

    N a. LAT 37°18.9'N, LONG 76°10.4'W
    Y b. LAT 37°18.8'N, LONG 76°10.8'W
    N c. LAT 37°18.7'N, LONG 76°11.1'W
    N d. LAT 37°18.5'N, LONG 76°10.7'W
13410: You plan to anchor your vessel at LAT 41°05.1'N, LONG 72°59.3'W. Assuming that normal conditions exist, how much anchor cable should you put out? 

    N a. 150 to 300 feet
    N b. 300 to 440 feet
    Y c. 440 to 600 feet
    N d. 640 to 750 feet
14302: What are the characteristics of the upper light of Government Island Lower Range, on the Columbia River? 

    Y a. Equal interval red, 6 seconds
    N b. Green group flashing, 6 seconds
    N c. Quick flashing red, 6 seconds
    N d. Equal interval green, 6 seconds
15008: At 1920, the buoy forward of your starboard beam is __________. 

    N a. an interrupted quick flashing buoy
    N b. Hog Island Lighted Bell Buoy
    N c. South Light Buoy
    Y d. Sand Shoal Inlet Lighted Buoy "A"
15013: At 2020, what is the course to steer to enter the inbound lane of North Chesapeake Entrance traffic separation scheme if a northwesterly wind causes 3° of leeway? 

    N a. 227°pgc
    N b. 224°pgc
    Y c. 221°pgc
    N d. 215°pgc
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
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
15659: At 0705, you change course to 096°T. At this time, Race Rock Light is bearing 000°T at 0.35 mile. You are now governed by which Navigation Rules? 

    Y a. COLREGS
    N b. Local Pilot Rules
    N c. Inland Rules
    N d. Coastal Fishery Rules
15741: At 2050 Montauk Point Light is bearing 337° true at a range of 8 nm, From this position, you change course in order to pass 1 mile due east of Montauk Point Lighted Whistle Buoy "MP". If there are no set and drift, what course must you steer? 

    Y a. 024°T
    N b. 028°T
    N c. 032°T
    N d. 036°T
15920: What chart should you use after you enter New London Harbor? 

    N a. 13211
    Y b. 13213
    N c. 13214
    N d. 13272
15957: At 1752, your position is LAT 37°04.3'N, LONG 76°06.4'W. On an ebb current you should expect to be set to the __________. 

    N a. north northeast
    Y b. south southeast
    N c. south southwest
    N d. north northwest
16112: At 0530, the Coast Guard announces that Chesapeake Channel is closed indefinitely due to a collision occurring in the channel between Trestle "B" and "C" of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. You exit York Spit Channel, leaving buoy "20" abeam to port at 0.1 mile, and alter course to leave Horseshoe Crossing Lighted Bell Buoy abeam to port at 0.2 mile. What is the course per gyrocompass? 

    N a. 185°pgc
    N b. 187°pgc
    N c. 190°pgc
    Y d. 193°pgc
16119: At 0812, you obtain the following radar information:

Cape Henry Light bearing 287° pgc @ 3.85 nm

What is your 0812 position? 

    N a. LAT 36°53.7'N, LONG 75°56.0'W
    N b. LAT 36°53.8'N, LONG 75°56.1'W
    N c. LAT 36°54.5'N, LONG 75°56.2'W
    Y d. LAT 36°54.6'N, LONG 75°55.8'W
16144: From your 2027 position you change course to 106°T, while maintaining an engine speed of 18 knots. Your ETA at a position where Block Island Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy "BIS" is abeam is __________. 

    N a. 2039
    N b. 2043
    N c. 2047
    Y d. 2050
16317: Which chart would you use for more detailed information on New Haven Harbor? 

    N a. 12370
    Y b. 12371
    N c. 12372
    N d. 12373
16707: Point Judith Harbor of Refuge __________. 

    N a. is used mostly by towing vessels
    N b. has a maximum depth of 14 feet at MHW
    N c. is easily accessible in heavy southerly seas
    Y d. is entered through the East Gap or the West Gap
16745: At 0100 Race Rock Light bears 001° relative, and at 0110 it bears 000° relative. Based on this you know you __________. 

    Y a. are being set to the right of the track
    N b. are making good more than 9.2 knots
    N c. are making good less than 9.2 knots
    N d. have an unknown gyro error